DLSU’s ‘Sawatain’ helps LGUs in disaster management

Saturday, 05 March 2011 17:49 Rizal Raoul Reyes / Correspondent
Reblogged from http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/science/8219-dlsus-sawatain-helps-lgus-in-disaster-management

Information and communications technology (ICT) plays a major role in disaster governance. Being a country visited by an average of 20 typhoons a year, the Philippines must have a relevant disaster-governance road map to minimize, if not eliminate, disaster vulnerabilities and enhance the coping skills of the people.

In her paper “Local Government and Academe Partnership for Responsive e-Disaster Systems,” Maria Victoria Pineda, faculty member of the College of Computer Studies (CCS) of De La Salle University (DLSU)-Manila, said the convergence of research, education and training and ICT solutions with systematic methods, resources and capacity analysis, the elimination of risks and vulnerabilities would not be remote.

Pineda presented the paper at the recent Joint International Conference on “ICT for Development and Sustainability” in Bali, Indonesia.

In response to this need, the Center for ICT for Development (CITe4D) of the CCS of DLSU has ventured in the past years on developing Web-based management systems.

Pineda said the CITe4D has embarked on developing Web-based disaster-management systems, starting from studying and designing disaster-response systems for major government agencies. In the second phase, the CITe4D concentrated on disaster-mitigation systems as hazard mitigation because it is a very strategic approach to harm reduction in Third World countries. The rationale, according to Pineda, is to tap the local government units (LGUs) to develop community-based disaster risk-reduction functional prototypes.

At present, CITe4D has various ongoing partnerships with LGUs, among them is the province of Bulacan.

Partnering with LGUs is effective in mitigating the impact of natural calamities.

According to Fazlur Rahman, deputy secretary of the ministry of disaster management and relief in Bangladesh, and academicians Jean Christophe Gaillard and Virginie Le Masson, the most effective method to supporting the competencies of the people is through community-based disaster preparedness and risk reduction.

“Sawatain” (from the Filipino word sawata, meaning to mitigate or to stop) is the Web-based flood-prediction system developed by the CCS, focusing on mapping the flood hazard or affected areas.

“The stakeholders and important agencies involved in the disaster-management workflow are able to study the effects and impacts of an incoming typhoon by district or the whole province through visual mapping,” said Pineda.

Sawatain was able to predict the risk level of the municipalities in Bulacan through simulations of the impact of rainfall in the province. The versioning system conducts the simulation test before the actual rainfall, or when the rainfall reaches the area of responsibility.

Sawatain, according to Pineda, can predict the number of people and families who will be affected in each town and provide information to agencies, such as the LGUs.

“The system provides an effective alternate method of early warning through the Web system and short messaging system.”

Pineda said the system helps in the decision-making process of the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Management Office and the governor’s office by providing on-time reports.

Moreover, she said the flooded areas and evacuation centers become accessible to the citizens through the use of Google maps.

In terms of economics, Sawatain will not cost an arm and a leg, so to speak. It was developed using open source development tools, which can be modified for further developments since the codes are not proprietary.

At the moment, Pineda said the CITe4D is looking for potential partners in the country. She said the LGUs must realize that academic institutions, such as DLSU, can provide reliable and at the same cost-effective solutions.

Moreover, she said DLSU wants to prove to the government that it has certain competencies in the field of disaster management. Having a head-start, she said the CCS is familiar with the open-source solution, a system ideal for such project because it is cost-effective and easier for other developers to develop solutions on top of it.

“Academe, especially the higher-education institutions, can spearhead and initiate meaningful partnerships with the local communities or the LGUs in crafting ICT solutions that will enhance disaster mitigation and preparedness. Based on the CITe4D experience, there is a very good opportunity of designing systems that cater to the requirements of the community and developing cost-effective solutions,” she said.

Under the partnership, academe shall be interfacing with other entities, such as the LGU office, the community and other attached agencies like the weather bureau, among others.

According to Pineda, the academe will gather and synthesize the workflow and coordination processes of the different units, determine the user requirements, and design a sustainable infrastructure and ICT solution based on the financial and sustainability capabilities of the LGU.

Equipped with a strong ICT competency, Pineda said academe would be in-charge of the system’s feasibility or prototyping study and the whole project-management details.

Quo Vadis Pilipinas Series 2011

Quo Vadis Pilipinas Series
Crossroads & Tipping Points: uncovering the transformational role of ICT in good governance and disaster management

Reblogged from : http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/conferences/quovadis/default.asp

Beset by numerous challenges brought about by the quest for genuine societal development, the Philippines is once more at a dramatic moment in her history as a nation. The aftermath of numerous natural disasters coupled with the new found drive towards good governance have created a new sense of urgency for the Filipino nation. With this new found sense of urgency comes the question on how to convert this awareness from thought to concrete action; one that is merely a mental-emotional concept to a set of actions that will eventually lead to a deeper societal transformation.

Hope springs eternal, but action speak louder than thoughts and words combined: With an estimated 50% of the population being on-line and almost an 80% mobile telephony penetration rate (2009), information and communications technologies (ICTs) especially the Internet are seen as enabling tools in creating an electronic ecosystem. This e-ecosystem will eventually transform how citizens view government and vice versa; a possible catalyst for change that will result to a more permeable form of governance characterized by a redefinition of roles and expectations among societal stakeholders. Will this movement towards an e-enabled development somehow have its effects on the current socio-political and economic landscape of the Philippines? Is this an emerging picture of a knowledge-enabled Philippines? Is this a reflection of a looming ICT-enabled social epidemic?

Crossroads and Tipping Points intends to explore the various crossroads: issues and concerns that can identify critical events (or tipping points) that can show a reflection of a knowledge-enabled Philippines. Focusing on participation in good governance and disaster management, a special emphasis is placed on the transformational and enabling role of ICT. The event will also explore the negative and positive aspects of ICT and at the same time identify possible courses of action that can be set in motion to address these various concerns. Crossroads and Tipping Points intend to bring together experts-advocates-stalwarts from government, NGOs, development institutions, the private sector, and the academe to put forwards issues and concerns on the abovementioned discussion areas.

The Quo Vadis Pilipinas series is a continuing event that aims to incite a “revolution of the mind and heart”: an intellectual revolution powered by ideas that will form part of a critical mass of advocates that intend to push for societal transformation enabled by ICT. Quo Vadis Pilipinas intends to serve as a venue that would spark new ideas, promote collaboration, and create synergies among various stakeholders in the areas of ICT and societal development.

Consistent with the desire a continuous engagement with various societal stakeholders, Quo Vadis Pilipinas is part of the research and development initiatives of the College of Computer Studies, De La Salle University through the Center for ICT for Development (CITe4D).


Email us at quovadispilipinas@gmail.com

Date & Time February 11, 2011, 830 - 5:00 PM
Venue SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, Philippines
Organizers College of Computer Studies, De La Salle University-Manila
Partner IdeaCorp

New DM Related Projects Oct 2010

Disaster management typically has four phases--mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery/rehabilitation. It is vital that we look into the needs of our local communities, educate and train them on environment care as the first step. Second is to know them, their strengths & weaknesses, the topography of their location, the climate and weather & the vulnerabilities of their environment. In this way, a holistic approach may be done, through healthy interaction & engagement with the members of the community & proper use of ICT in data gathering & solutions development.

In this perspective that I present some upcoming projects I plan to pursue in the next 9months.

1. A visual community informatics study of Bgy Banawang, Bagac, Bataan
2. A community-based disaster risk reduction system for Bgy Banawang (with focus on the impact of soil erosion& river widening)
3. Coral reef bleaching prediction system (with focus on impact of climate change)
(see http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071021225256.htm )
4. Emergency management system for DLSU

All of these projects will require open source geo-mapping tools & skills, web & mobile solutions.

Interested groups may attend the DM project orientation on Wed. Oct. 6, 4.30-5.30pm.

DLSU Students Devise Flood Prediction System A positive effect of Ondoy

By RACHEL C. BARAWID
September 25, 2010, 2:53pm

This article was originally published in the Manila Bulletin dated September 26, 2010, Sunday
http://mb.com.ph/articles/278923/dlsu-students-devise-flood-prediction-system

MANILA, Philippines — Its exactly a year now since Typhoon Ondoy struck Luzon, killing hundreds of people and damaging properties worth billions of pesos.

Unprepared and unaware of what was about to come, many Filipinos suffered from the devastating impact that the super typhoon brought.

What went wrong? What should have been done to prevent the floods? What measures could have been taken by the government to avoid such disaster?

These were the questions pondered upon, post-Ondoy.

While many instantly volunteered to help in rescue operations, and in the distribution of relief goods to the victims, a group of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Management students from De La Salle University (DLSU) Manila thought of putting what they are studying for to use. They created what the government should have done in the first place — a flood prediction system to help mitigate disasters caused by typhoons.

SAWATAIN
Senior ICT Management student Fj Sta. Rita had to swim through six feet of floodwaters in his hometown of Marilao, Bulacan when Ondoy occurred.

This experience inspired him to propose a flood mapping system for Bulacan to his groupmates while they brainstorming for a topic for their thesis project.

The flood prediction system called Sawatain, the Filipino word for prevention, is all about predicting what is going to occur when there is a certain amount of rainfall.

Maria Victoria Pineda, lecturer, research fellow for Center for ICT for Development (CITE4D) of DLSU’s College of Computer Studies, and the group’s adviser, says the students used the mapping tool as a solution. Variables like level of terrain, height of land, amount of rainfall and historical data of flooding in the area were also considered in creating the system.

“Sawatain simulates what is going to happen. We have chosen Bulacan as the model because it’s not only a flood-prone area but also has three of the country’s major dams. If it’s going to be a good model, it can be replicated and adopted by the government not as a system prototype but as a full-blown system,” says Pineda, an expert in disaster risk management.

Group leader Nicole Inciso says their system focuses on mitigation, one of the four phases of disaster management.

The other three phases are preparation, response and recovery.

“Our system is very scientific, it makes use of mathematical formulas where you can see right away the implications of certain amount of rainfall over a time period. With the system’s versioning function, you can do simulations before and at the time the typhoon arrives. When we talk of mitigation, early warning is very important so you can warn the people of the impending disaster,” explains Pineda.

According to Inciso, the flood prediction system can determine what barangay will be flooded, the depth of the floodwaters, and even the estimated time of arrival of the typhoon.

“When it gets uploaded in the website, the public can also have limited access to the system. Ideally kasi, ‘yung operator ng system ang may access like the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council. Meron ding animation na kasama ito, pag pumunta ka sa Google maps then click a town and you will see how high the floodwaters are. We included disaster risk management education, the different storm signals and preparations, as well as the emergency numbers of Bulacan. We also incorporated a text messaging function so the residents in Bulacan will be given an update on the floodwaters, typhoon signals,” Inciso adds.

In a recent symposium on disaster management systems held at the DLSU, Dr. Ralph Brower, a professor at Florida State University and expert on Philippine volunteer organizations, admits that the devastating impact of Ondoy could have been prevented if there were systems to warn informal settlers, and coordinated information systems that translate weather forecasts and rainfall levels in the mountains to probable levels of flooding in individual rivers.

“International disaster management people refer to their activities as possessing four phases: response, recovery, mitigation, and planning and preparation. The Philippines and other developing countries tend to have the sequence backward and with all the energy invested in the response phase. Once a disaster occurs, if you have inadequate mitigation in the form of physical protection against flooding, no land use policies that keep dwellings out of harm’s way, inadequate or non-existent information and warning systems, and no stockpiling and distribution plans for appropriate relief supplies, it’s much too late. The lives lost from Ondoy and Peping and other recent Philippine disasters have much more to do with the failure of these other three phases than from the work of the military and police in the immediate aftermath of the typhoons,” Brower observes.

The flood mapping system of the DLSU students, according to Brower, is a critical first step and a great demonstration project. But it should be complemented by “broader, nationwide and top to bottom plans and preparation that tie together all four phases of disaster management.”

Other research projects
Even before Ondoy occurred, Pineda says the CITe4D and the College’s students have already been conducting research projects on disaster risk management.

One of these is the E-VAS, an IT system for managing volunteer database and to help the Philippine National Red Cross organize and mobilize their volunteers.

“With E-VAS, we’re trying to manage the volunteers from recruitment, profiling of their skills, identifying the needed skills and training, and then deploying and mobilizing them at the same time. Volunteers will be given rewards based on how much work they did. Kasi ang volunteer sa atin kahit sino puwede but not all have the right skills for a specific activity. Kaya may training din dapat sila,” says Pineda.

Zouranouz, on the other hand, is a disaster coordination system for the National Disaster Coordinating Council. It aims to gather the reports, historical data of all the different coordinating disaster management agencies to make their work easier.

SAGIP is a system for management and distribution of relief goods.

MASIKAN is comprised of a social networking system for reinforcing disaster preparedness. Pineda says it captures the experiences of the people in the community and puts it in the system so other people will learn from it.

“We are now bringing the resiliency and adaptation skills of the people to a higher level. The super typhoons have become more frequent and stronger, totally beyond our control. We cannot just evacuate all these people. We have to be ready by training our people in disaster management,” she stresses.

Tap local ICT experts
Pineda says the government must recognize and tap the skills of local ICT experts, and even the academe to devise effective systems instead of investing a great deal of money on international systems.

“One of the problems right now in the country is that we are so much dependent on international systems. Look at the R7.4 billion Smartmatic system for automated elections which I think has shortchanged us citizens. We have very excellent local ICT skills that we can utilize. Our college alone, is already doing a lot of almost commercially ready systems. Instead of just buying new systems abroad, the government must tap local ICT skills in developing some of the required systems,” points out Pineda.

DLSU ICT students, she says, have very good technical and research skills, as well as the heart to engage not only in profit-making systems but also social advocacies particularly in disaster management.

“We want to support the government but to do that it should also listen to the university. Kasi most of the time, last na pakikinggan nila ang academe. But in other countries like India, they’re developing their own laptop and cell phones in their universities. That was how Silicon Valley also started,” Pineda reasons.

Nicole, Fj, and two other groupmates Raymund Cruz and Juno Siojo didn’t expect that their thesis project would earn not only a high grade but also the Department Award for its social relevance and role in mitigating disasters.

“We are happy that this project has become this big and was recognized. But we will be really fulfilled if the provinces and the government adopt and use it to prevent further disasters in the future,” ends Inciso.

Lectures on Green Space & Water Resources Management

The Center for ICT for Development (CITE4D) thru the support of the ADRIC Center and the College of Computer Studies of DLSU has invited a visiting scholar from Indonesia in the person of Dr. Widodo Brontowiyono of the Environmental Engineering Department of Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII). He will be giving the following lectures:

Green Space Development for Code River Walk
September 21, 11.20am-12.50pm, Andrew Hall 1403

Water Resources Management for Anticipating Global Climate Change
September 22, 4.20-5.50pm, Andrew Hall 1403

The Information Technology Department & CITe4D would like to welcome Dr. Widodo.

Students and faculty are also invited to listen to his lectures.
---------------

The CITE4D and the ADRIC Centers have also organized a round table discussion on disaster mitigation on September 24, 9am-12nn. Different Lasallian institutes and entities are invited to take part in the discussion.

My Website Furthers Computer Science / Linguistics

My Website Furthers Computer Science / Linguistics

Carbon footprint reduction in DLSU-IT Department

On Tue, Aug 17, 2010 at 5:34 PM, OLIVER MALABANAN wrote:

IT DEPARTMENT

In response to the initiative of DLSU to be carbon neutral in a few years, please implement environment friendly initiatives in your respective courses starting next trimester. We can start with the reduction of paper consumption our academic activities are having. The paper industry is the third greatest contributor to Global Warming Emissions. Every little initiative we do to reduce the paper consumption in our department is already important.

So here are my thoughts.

Some suggestions:

1. Use a blog to post your syllabus, announcement & other assignments instead of printing them on a paper. This can be accessed in the classroom.
Ex. http://whymanagetech.blogspot.com/

2. Declare specific dates in the term as "green day", meaning no pork or beef meat in meals that day. Eating less pork/beef also lessens carbon emmision.

3. Encourage car pooling among students.

4. For those bringing their laptops, automatically remove the adaptor from the sockets after four hours of straight use. (they can also practice this in their homes). Use the phone alarm to remind the time the plug has to be removed.

5. Encourage use of recycled bags to bring home school materials instead of plastic bags.

6. Stop using plastic bags already esp. for takeout food.


Suggestions to the college:

1. As we clear up our tables by the end of the term, the college can initiate providing indoor small green plants to each faculty's table + the comfort room.

2. The college may also setup/provide bins for broken/old phone chargers, mobile phones & other technology gadgets.

3. Encourage use of recycled bags to bring home school materials instead of plastic bags.

Hope these ideas help.