As a research initiative aiming to contribute to the resources to be used by the community in its disaster risk reduction and management procedures, the Geo-SAFER Mindanao Program collaborated with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the country’s mandated flood mapping agency, in order to harmonize the flood hazard maps produced by both entities.

A courtesy visit and pre-harmonization meeting were conducted by the Geo-SAFER Mindanao Project Leaders and core personnel at the MGB Central Office, Quezon City last March 22, 2019. The Geo-SAFER Mindanao Program Leader, Engr. Meriam M. Santillan presented the program along with its processes and outputs to the MGB personnel, wherein initial agreements have been made. Atty. Wilfredo G. Moncano, the Acting Director of MGB expressed his appreciation to the efforts exerted by the Geo-SAFER Mindanao program in its flood mapping activities.

Personnel from the Lands Geological Survey Division of MGB then visited the Geo-SAFER Mindanao office at Caraga State Univesity last April 24, 2019, in order to thoroughly discuss the details of the harmonization.

The Geo- SAFER Agusan conducted the 1st Phase of the Training on the Principles, Utilization and Applications of Geo-SAFER Agusan and Phil-LiDAR Detailed Flood Hazard Maps and Application for Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction to the Agusan del Norte LGUs at the E&G Hotel and Resort, Cabadbaran City last March 13 - 15, 2019.

The 3-day activity gathered officials from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Planning Sectors of the different municipalities across Agusan del Norte in order to capacitate them on the proper utilization of the different outputs of the Geo-SAFER Agusan Project including applications developed by the project. Several lectures were given by the Geo-SAFER Agusan Project personnel from the Geo-SAFER Agusan Project.

During the first day of the activity, the topics discussed were about the Introduction to Detailed Flood Hazard Mapping Using LiDAR, and Overview on the Online Rainfall and Water Level Monitoring and Forecasting Systems. Exercises on the Operations of Online Rainfall and Water level Monitoring and Forecasting System were given to the participants.

The Caraga Center for Geo-Informatics together with the Geo-SAFER Agusan Project officially launches MaBAHAng Usapan: A Flood Hazard Awareness Caravan last February 6, 2019, at the GIS Laboratory of Caraga State University, Butuan City.

MaBAHAng Usapan aims to create an avenue through which students will be educated and empowered in terms of flood hazards and to advocate flood-resilience at a young age. The event involves various interactive lectures and learning activities related to flood hazard awareness.