A PROJECT on the development of a smart and sustainable disaster risk management system for Eastern Visayas conducted by the Visayas State University won two awards during the 2nd International Conference on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management held in Bangkok, Thailand.

The project secured first place in the paper presentation category and second place for the poster presentation.

Representing VSU in the conference were Graduate School Dean Dr. Anabelle Tulin, Vice President for Administration and Finance and Head of Disaster Risk Reduction Management Dr. Daniel Leslie Tan, Institute of Strategic Research and Development Studies faculty member Gina Delima, and Science Research Assistant of the project Analyn Regina.

“The winning project of the VSU team has five different components with the general aim of strengthening the disaster resiliency of the vulnerable communities in Baybay City,” the school said.

“The main focus of the winning research paper and poster was on developing nutritious food packs for the people to be distributed during a disaster, improving the delivery of goods and services during a disaster, and establishing a disaster database that includes the utilization of big data in the development of a disaster risk reduction model, while also establishing site-specific livelihood opportunities in disaster vulnerable communities that are very needed for immediate recovery of the affected individuals,” it added.

While the research site is still being piloted in Baybay City, VSU noted the research intends to upscale the project to the entire Eastern Visayas region with the pioneering site to provide initial data for effective implementation.

Currently, VSU has its own Department of Meteorology than can help in providing a localized weather database that is vital for implementing location-specific and participatory approaches to holistic disaster risk reduction and management.

“I’m very happy about this new international award that we got in Bangkok, Thailand. Truly, the research outputs that we do here at VSU are world class, and we just need to present the amazing works that we do at many international conferences so that they too, will understand the very strength of our institution, especially in terms of developing relevant research that will address basic problems in our society,” VSU President Dr. Edgardo Tulin said.

The event was organized by the International Organization on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Incorporated in partnership with the Isabela State University

It aims to achieve sustainable development by collaborating with different climate actions and disaster risk reduction plans in the ASEAN Region.