DOST-PHIVOLCS Conducts Training on the Use of GeoMapperPH Mobile Application for the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian of Batangas
November 3, 2022
by: Elynrae Soriano
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The Training on the Use of GeoMapperPH Mobile Application for the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) of Batangas was held on November 03-04, 2022 via Zoom. The 2-day workshop was co-organized by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) and the OPV of Batangas, in cooperation with the Rural Agricultural Offices of Laurel and Agoncillo. Through this workshop, participants will be able to familiarize themselves with the mobile application for efficient building of exposure geodatabases during data collection in their respective local government units. GeoMapperPH is an application designed for the easy collection of hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and coping capacity data of government agencies and local government units. All data gathered from the application will be directed to the GeoRiskPH system, which can be accessed, utilized, and updated later on. The first day of the training was attended by technical staff and representatives from the municipality of Laurel. The session commenced with opening remarks from Hon. Lyndon M. Bruce, Mayor of Laurel, Dr. Romelito R. Marasigan, Provincial Veterinarian from Batangas, Ms. Anne Mirjam Atienza, Municipal Agriculturist, and Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol, Officer-in-Charge of DOST-PHIVOLCS. Collectively, they emphasized the need to build exposure data of LGUs and municipalities in preparation for natural disasters and developing their constituents' resiliency. The talks were followed by an Introduction to the GeoRisk Philippines Initiative and instructional presentations on How to Sign-in and Use GeoMapperPH Mobile Application, discussed virtually by Mr. Hanz Cesar M. Alejandria, Mr. John Harold B. Tabuzo, and Ms. Ynna Patricia M. Aquino, science research specialists from DOST-PHIVOLCS. A separate session on Answering Attributes and Biosecurity, and a hands-on exercise were provided as supplemental learning activities. Continuing the series roll-out of the workshop, the second day was attended by participants from the municipality of Agoncillo and were welcomed by Dr. Romelito R. Marasigan, Ms. Olivia Mirasol, Provincial Agriculturist, and Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol. The guest speakers highlighted the significance of advance data-gathering for comprehensive preparedness and mitigation plans through services provided by GeoRiskPH platforms. This GeoMapperPH training program is another milestone for the institute as OPV of Batangas is the first provincial veterinary office in the Philippines that partnered with DOST-PHIVOLCS for the utilization of GeoMapperPH mobile app in data-gathering. Through this partnership, the mapping of farm animals, animal facilities, and household animals enhances the efficiency of planning on livelihoods, livestock, and other animals’ protection and response to natural disasters and disease spread - a prerequisite, for the reason that the province’s location is hazard-prone due to Taal Volcano’s presence. The agency hopes to collaborate with more veterinary sectors hereafter since natural calamities do not only affect the residents, but also animals, and the means of support dependent on it as well.