The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) conducted a hybrid forum focused on the Philippine natural hazards and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) early warning system and response mechanism last April 23-24, 2025, at Axiaa Hotel in Quezon City.
Experts from various agencies, including the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) provided valuable insights into geohazards, natural disasters that the Philippines is at risk of, and the technologies used by the cited agencies to detect and/or record the disasters.
DENR-MGB Senior Geologist Michelle Angela Mendoza presented the Landslide and Flood Warning Forecast, and Monitoring for Preparedness for Communities. As highlighted by Ms. Mendoza, taking geohazard information seriously can significantly reduce vulnerability within communities.
By incorporating technology into its operations, MGB aims to improve overall disaster resilience among communities prone to hazards through its MGB Geohazard Portal Map, where citizens can identify areas in the country that are susceptible or prone to various geologic hazards.
Other topics from the various agencies also include Understanding Hydro-meteorological Hazards, Enhancing Local Governments’ Capacity on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management & Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Emergency Alert and Warning Messages, and Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment and Scenario Building.
The 2-day hybrid forum aimed at promoting disaster preparedness highlighted that communities serve as the first responders during calamities.
MGB Senior Geologist Michelle Angela Mendoza briefs participants on the bureau’s Landslide and Flood Warning Forecast and Monitoring program during the OCD hybrid forum.
Title slide of Mendoza’s presentation, “Landslide and Flood Warning Forecast and Monitoring for Community Preparedness,” shown during the OCD hybrid forum
By: Lands Geological Survey Division