New and improved Project NOAH website launched

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=1&rid=837008
• Friday, December 11, 2015

By Ma. Cristina C. Arayata [(PNA), FPV/MCCA]

MANILA, Dec. 11 (PNA) -- A new and improved version of Project NOAH (Nationwide Assessment of Hazards) website was launched Friday at the University of the Philippines-Diliman in Quezon City.

Project NOAH is the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) flagship program in disaster preparedness and mitigation.

In a press conference, Alfredo Mahar Lagmay, Project NOAH executive director, shared the website was made faster, and more users can access it all at the same time.

He explained that some websites are not capable of accommodating many users who are trying to access these simultaneously. The relaunched Project NOAH website can be accessed by more people at any point in time, he noted.

Furthermore, the website has a new look for easy navigation. “We try to make it as simple as possible,” said Lagmay.

”More importantly, the website now includes warning tools and forecast tools, and hazard maps,” Lagmay emphasized.

The hazard maps indicate areas that are prone to flood, landslide and storm surge. Thus, hazard maps also indicate where to go, as the maps have indicated safe areas suitable for evacuation, rehabilitation and development.

Lagmay has earlier cited the importance of mapping out the entire country since every barangay has a different landscape/structure. It is also important for communities to familiarize themselves with hazard maps. According to Lagmay, barangay officials must be able to relay warnings to the communities.

Project NOAH was first launched in 2012. It was created as President Benigno Aquino III instructed the DOST to make a responsive program for disaster risk reduction which will provide lead time warning against all possible floods and landslides.

The government had allotted Php 2 billion to map out the entire Philippines.

Now, what if there’s no internet connectivity?

Lagmay said maps will be available in print. Currently, however, they are still coordinating with agencies for funding.

”We want 1000 copies published for each province,” he said. He added that there are about 700 barangays in a province, so there would be spare copies to distribute to schools, for instance.

Meanwhile, he also admitted that they have a long way to go, and they need to conduct information campaigns at barangay level. He mentioned that out of 32,000 barangays in the country, they have only accomplished the information campaign in 700 barangays.

Project NOAH team also conducts workshops where anyone who wishes to learn more about it may join.