Department of Science and Technology (DOST) secretary Mario Montejo is directing all agencies involved in ?Typhoon Yolanda? rehabilitation to secure all scientific information they need at the Yolanda Rehabilitation Scientific Information Center (YorInfoCenter).
Located at the University of the Philippines National Engineering Center in Diliman, Quezon City, the center makes it easier for other government agencies, including local government units and humanitarian organizations, to get scientific data that could help them in rehabilitating Eastern Visayas and its environs affected by the typhoon.
Since its launch on May 17 this year, YorInfoCenter has facilitated the release to stakeholders of scientific data such LiDAR topographic maps and multi-hazard maps from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the DOST.
Montejo said the creation of YorInfoCenter is part of the DOST?s commitment to make sure that the people are benefited by its technological and research outputs. The center was established in partnership with the DENR.
?We continue to process many of the data to produce hazards maps for flood, landslide, and storm surges. Just recently, we completed the new multi-hazard map for Tacloban and other areas.?
?The DOST and the DENR have been using these information for the Yolanda effort but we have been getting numerous inquiries from many groups for these data that?s why we have decided to come up with this center as a one-stop information shop,? the DOST chief explained.
Geodetic engineer Sarah Jane Samalburo of Project Noah, who has been tasked to take charge of YorInfoCenter?s operation, said they have been able to help a lot of government and private entities in securing hazards maps.
She said that while they have received numerous requests from government agencies and the private sector, but only a few have come from local government units.
She said local government units can get copies of their maps so that they may be able to identify the most vulnerable and the safest points in their areas.
These maps, she said, could help in drawing effective strategies for disaster preparedness and resiliency in Eastern Visayas.
YorInfoCenter is manned by experts from DOST-Project Noah and Dream, Pagasa, Phivolcs, and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the DENR. It can also be consulted for information, data, and any other technical support relative to the scientific datasets it is providing for the on-going rehab of areas devastated by typhoon Yolanda.
