Iloilo City – Dr. Leilanie O. Suerte, supervising geologist of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office 6 (MGB RO 6), with 19 other participants from 14 countries completed the training of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) dubbed as the JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program on Disaster Management for Landslide and Sediment-Related Disasters held in Japan from October 2 to December 10, 2016. Countries Azerbaijan, Brazil, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Turkey have their delegation in the training program.
The Philippines have two participants coming from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Citing the JICA’s course brief, Dr. Suerte said that the program “aims to strengthen the participant’s capability on planning of effective countermeasures in the prevention/mitigation of sediment-related disasters triggered by heavy rainfall, earthquake and volcanic activity.”
It was targeted for technology-based government officials such as civil engineer and geologist who are engaging in the development of countermeasures to prevent or mitigate such natural hazards, Suerte added.
The program consists of four components, namely: general knowledge on administration and
activity of disaster prevention/mitigation; basic and applied technology on countermeasures of sediment-related disasters; field study of disasters and their countermeasures induced by heavy rain, earthquake and volcanic activity; and exercise on issues related to sediment-related disaster prevention/mitigation.
Dr. Suerte was chosen to deliver a message focusing on what they have learned from the training program on behalf of the participants during the closing program.
Participants visiting the Sabo Works in Mt. Fuji
Participants are being trained to conduct field surveys.
Participants with the lecturers for the conduct of field surveys.
Photo credits: B.S. Raj of Nepal