The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) touches base with provincial governors to cap Project #MAGHANDA or the Meteorological and Geological Hazard Advisories, Warning, and Notifications for Decisive Action (MAGHANDA) that aims to capacitate local government executives, disaster managers, first responders and othet stakeholderd involved in disaster risk reduction activities with the correct and timely dissemination of information on natural hazards.

The lead agency, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA), in collaboration with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) and the Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII), has held their final training session to their participants in the Governors’ Summit for Meteorological and Geological Warning Messages last December 14, 2022 at the Novotel Manila.

This initiative kicked off last March 16, 2022, with the DOST and DILG signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that sealed the partnership.

“Together, as ONE Nation, ONE Government, ONE People, Project MAGHANDA will usher in a new era for a disaster-ready Philippines, capable of adapting to extreme weather phenomena, capable of surviving the wrath of natural disasters, and empowered to bulid and rebuild for a better future for the country,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr.

“We are hopeful that LGUs, disaster risk reduction (DRR) offices, local information officers and DRR first responders will continue to practice their learnings about warnings on natural hazards from the Project #MAGHANDA to facilitate appropriate response and relay information to the public,” said PAGASA Administrator and #MAGHANDA Project Leader Dr. Vicente B. Malano.

Sec. Solidum emphasized the importance of education in disaster risk reduction management for each individual, “I believe that disaster preparedness is everybody’s business, and the key to safety is better understanding of hazard information. Iba na ang marunong at iba na rin kasi ang panahon.”

The project team of Project #MAGHANDA was able to produce video lectures and updated IEC materials on the different meteorological and geological hazards that was turned over to the governors during the event as valuable resource materials to guide them in their contingency planning.

Project #MAGHANDA is a DOST Grant-in-Aid (GIA) project implemented by DOST-PAGASA with the support of DOST-PHIVOLCS and the DOST-STII and in close partnership with DILG and the Local Government Academy (LGA).