The DANAS Project or Disaster Narratives for Experiential Knowledge-based Science Communication, a collaborative initiative of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS), Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU)-La Union, and the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), is proud to announce the launch of its Ilokano Sourcebook designed to improve disaster preparedness in the Philippines.
The launch on January 14, 2025 at J&V Hotel & Resort, City of San Fernando, La Union will focus on disaster awareness promotion using local languages integral to conveying geohazard information in culturally relevant ways. This Sourcebook with video package is based on personal narratives and experiences shared by local communities who have lived through earthquake and tsunami events in Northern and Central Luzon. By centering on the Ilokano language, the project ensures that these communities receive disaster information and preparedness tools that resonate with their unique cultural context and language.
The launch events will include an introduction to the sourcebook, a presentation of the video package, and discussions about the project’s goals and impact. Last year, the DANAS Project introduced Earthquake, Tsunami, and Volcano Sourcebooks with video packages in Cebuano (Mindanao and Visayas), Hiligaynon, Tagalog, and Kapampangan. These Sourcebooks will serve as valuable resources for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) officers, educators, and local media, helping them deliver disaster messages that are both scientifically accurate and culturally sensitive.
The DANAS Project seeks to elevate the role of local languages and experiences in disaster risk reduction and management, aligning with DOST-PHIVOLCS’s ongoing efforts to make scientific knowledge accessible and actionable across diverse communities. The project will also help improve disaster resilience by using community-driven narratives using day-to-day language to shape public communication and capacity-building efforts.
