By: April Dawn F. Tegelan and Marie Claire P. Mandar
How can students and researchers contribute to making the Philippines Disaster Resilient?
This question was explored by Dr. Lea Dasallas, a researcher for the Water Resources and Environmental Research Center, K-water Research Institute, during the 5th episode of Resilience Live.
Held last 30 November 2023 via Zoom conferencing, Dr. Dasallas’ presentation explored “Tropical Cyclones and Water-related Disasters.” Set in the Philippine context, her presentation explained how typhoons are formed and how it accompanies water-related hazards, such as fluvial flooding and rainfall-induced landslide. She then explained how these hazards are exacerbated by climate change and how its ill effects are more felt in densely populated areas. By highlighting reasons such as being located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, deforestation, poverty, and poor urban development as to why the Philippines is vulnerable to water-related hazards, she directed the presentation toward how researchers can augment their research capability by gathering data from alternative sources. In the latter part of her presentation, Dr. Dasallas mentioned sources where data needed to conduct typhoon and weather-related research can be acquired. Some of the sources she mentioned are the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Department of Science and Technology – Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST- ASTI), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), and Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), among others (click UP NOAH Center Resilience LIVE – YouTube for full list). At the end of her presentation, she emphasized that students and researchers need to nurture their curiosity as this drives individuals towards staying informed and taking action towards becoming part of the solution.
Dr. Dasallas’ presentation serves as a call to action for researchers. The vulnerabilities stemming from the country’s geographical location, environmental factors, and socio-economic conditions underscore the urgent need for comprehensive research to enhance disaster resilience. Resourcefulness is one key component of being resilient, and researchers should possess this trait, especially in our country, where our research becomes a crucial tool in understanding, preparing for, and mitigating the impacts of water-related hazards.
The next Resilience Live episode will be held on 25 January 2024 via Zoom conferencing.