DOST to launch Project NOAH in Western Visayas

By Jaime S. Cabag, Jr.

Monday 2nd of July 2012

ILOILO CITY, July 2 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will launch its Project NOAH in Western Visayas during the July 3 opening of the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) in the region.

NOAH is the acronym for Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards, which was conceived to undertake disaster science research and development, advance the use of cutting edge technologies, and recommend innovative information services to help enhance the government’s disaster prevention and mitigation efforts in consonance with the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) chaired by Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director Rosario T. Cabrera said the project launch will include a briefing on meteorological hazards.

The activity will be held at the lobby of the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, where the opening ceremonies of the month-long NDCM observance will be held after the simultaneous fluvial parade and motorcade kick off during the opening activities.

OCD Undersecretary for Special Concerns Proceso T. Domingo will be the keynote speaker at the opening program.

According to DOST, project NOAH’s immediate task is to integrate current science research and development projects and initiate new efforts to achieve the objective.

Within two years, the project shall provide high-resolution hazard maps and install 600 automated rain gauges and 400 water level measuring stations for 18 major river basins of the country, including Jalaur River Basin in Iloilo, Panay River Basin in Capiz and Ilog-Hilabangan River Basin in Negros Occ.

It has eight components, namely: (1) Hydro met Sensors Development (2) DREAM-LIDAR 3-D Mapping Project (3) Flood NET-Flood Modeling Project (4) Hazards Information Media (5) Enhancing Geo-hazards mapping through LIDAR (6) Doppler System Development (7) Landslide Sensors Development Project and (8) Storm Surge Inundation Mapping Project. (JCM/JSC-PIA6)