Project Agos to conduct workshop in Naga for disaster managers

MANILA, Philippines – The Bicol region is considered as one of the most vulnerable and disaster-prone regions in the Philippines. Boarded by the Pacific Ocean, it is often visited by typhoons due to its location. The region is also home to two active volcanoes – Mt. Mayon in Albay and Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon. (READ: Bicol Volcanoes make Ruby a ‘complex’ disaster)

How can local government units in the Bicol region use social media and technology in preparing and responding to disasters?

This is the question that Project Agos seeks to answer through a capacity building workshop for disaster managers and disaster responders. The workshop, to be held at the CBD Hotel on June 4-5 2015, is aimed at building the capacity of local government officials, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to use social media for disaster information management.

Seventeen barangays spread across 4 towns of Pampanga are identified as geo-hazard areas according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

Furthermore, 26 municipalities are at high risk for flooding while 14 towns are highly susceptible to landslides.

Aiming for #ZeroCasualty

The event – to be attended by local executives, disaster managers and representatives of civil society in the Bicol Region, will highlight how social media can be used as a tool to improve disaster preparedness and response at the community level.

The workshop participants will receive training on how to use social media tools like Twitter and Facebook as well as how to use innovative online platforms like Project Agos. It aims to develop the mindset of achieving #ZeroCasualty in times of disasters. 

Project Agos

Launched in September 2013, Project Agos is an information and communications platform that combines top-down government action with bottom-up citizen involvement to help communities adapt to climate change, and become better prepared for disasters. 

Project Agos is made possible through a grant from the Australian government and is supported by the Philippine government and civil society organizations like the Philippine Red Cross and World Vision. (READ: #ProjectAgos: One-stop shop for climate change)

Project Agos conducted its first LGU capacity building workshop in Metro Manila in November last year and has conducted similar workshops in Iloilo and Cebu in March this year and in Leyte last April.  

Project Agos partners include national government agencies, international and local non-governmental organizations, local government units, and private groups.

For more information please email Lou Gepuela: lou.gepuela@rappler.com. – Rappler.com