The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) will launch on July 16 “HazardHunterPH,” a mobile application that will help the user identify the various geological hazards in the Philippines.
Interviewed during the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Technology Media Conference in Makati City, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Renato Solidum Jr. said the mobile application technology is a first in the world and will help individuals avoid tragic deaths in the event of disaster using their smartphones.
“I am excited about this new technology because HazardHunterPH will show the user the various hazards in a particular area, like for instance, his house, school or office,” said Solidum, also the acting director of Philvocs.
The DOST team presented the HazardHunterPH project output to Malacañang on Monday and it was approved for launching in time for the National Science and Technology Week celebrations that will focus on the local science community’s efforts and initiatives on addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Essentially, one click in any point, the app will assess the various hazards. Flood, liquefaction, storm surge, earthquake, how far it is from fault, flood area. If you want to prepare as an individual [or as a] family, you will have an assessment of any area,” he said.
According to Solidum, the app will be very useful for everyone—whether national or local government, law enforcement authorities, first responders, businessmen, real-estate developers, property buyers, or a simple individual wishing to keep himself or herself and his/her family safe from disaster.
The HunterHazardPH, which had cost the government P40 million to develop, can be downloaded for free and is designed to be user-friendly, he said.
“The spin-offs of this program is beyond hazard risk assessment. It also aims to assist various agencies to enhance the various disaster risk reduction management and climate-change actions,” added Solidum,
The technology, he said, was developed as part of the DOST’s various technology development initiatives to reduce the risk of disaster in the face of the worst impacts of climate change.
DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said the Technology Media Conference aims to popularize the various technologies developed by the various agencies of the DOST.
Among the technologies highlighted during the presentations were the Lightning Detection and Warning System, which determine whether it is safe for ground aircraft operations during inclement weather events where lighting is prevalent.
It uses two types of alerts: The yellow lightning alert, which generally means that only constant monitoring is advised and red lighting alert, which is a warning to suspend airport ground operations like aircraft ground servicing, towing of aircraft, cargo, and baggage, as well as the embarkation/disembarkation of passengers until further notice due to continuous lighting strikes within 9 kilometers from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.