In 2025, the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) will fully implement a technical cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), titled “The Project for Capacity Development for Monitoring and Information Dissemination of Earthquake, Tsunami, and Volcano.” A Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) Meeting among the cooperating agencies - DOST, Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Central Office Disaster Information Coordinating Center (CODIX) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will be held on December 03, 2024 at PHIVOLCS Auditorium, UP Diliman, Quezon City to provide an avenue to discuss the project background, work plan, roles of the partners, and implementation structure.
The three-year project aims to strengthen disaster preparedness in the Philippines through the enhanced capacity of DOST-PHIVOLCS for earthquake monitoring and tsunami early warning, as well as improved communication of volcano, earthquake, and tsunami information between the disaster management authorities and the public for appropriate, and timely response actions. The implementing and cooperating agencies will work with the JICA Expert Team in the fields of earthquake analysis, tide level analysis, tsunami early warning, and disaster information awareness. Short-term training and degree programs in Japan will also be offered to deepen the knowledge and skills of select project personnel.
Prior to the JCC meeting, JICA experts conducted scoping activities and consultation meetings with DOST-PHIVOLCS and the cooperating agencies to assess the current situation of earthquake and tsunami monitoring, hazard mapping and assessment, disaster awareness and preparedness activities, disaster information management, and human resource capacity. The Signing of the Record of Discussion to formally forge the cooperation was held on 16 July 2024 at PHIVOLCS Auditorium during the 34th commemoration of the 1990 Luzon Earthquake.
For more information:
Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol
Director, DOST-PHIVOLCS
(+632) 8926-2611
teresito.bacolcol@phivolcs.dost.gov.ph