LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Monitoring of disaster risks in Pangasinan in real time will become more efficient through the GeoCloud Integrated Information System which is expected to go full steam soonest.
This developed as Gov. Amado I. Espino, III, along with PDRRMC officer Rhodyn Luchinvar Oro, Board Member Angel Baniqued, Jr, Lingayen Mayor Josefina V. Castaneda, and Dagupan City Mayor Belen T. Fernandez completed the three-day training on 2nd Knowledge Co-Creation Program in Kawasaki, Japan.
The training program sponsored by the Japanese Company Informatix, Inc. in coordination with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to support better understanding of the GeoCloud integrated information technology, according to Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Rhodyn Luchinvar Oro, who, along with the governor and eight other officials, availed of the mission trips on the actual use of the technology in demonstration sites in Kawasaki City and Yokohama City from May 19-23, this year.
The GeoCloud project which will be launched in three pilot areas of Pangasinan, namely: Lingayen, Dagupan, and Binmaley under JICA’s verification survey, is part of Japan’s efforts in helping improve Regional Disaster Risk and Reduction Management systems.
The Pangasinan officials upon arrival in Japan were welcomed by Informatix, Inc. CEO, Shoichi Mihara and Chairman Masanori Nagashima where they were briefed and toured in the company’s main office in Musa Kawasaki Center Tower in Kawasaki, Japan.
The young governor after their meeting, and presentation of tokens by Kawasaki City Mayor Fukuda Norihiko was interviewed by the local media.
In his interview, the province’s chief executive thanked JICA for choosing Pangasinan as pilot area for the pioneer project. He also acknowledged the potentials of GeoCloud and its diverse use in enhancing the efficiency of providing quality service to the people.
On their second day lecture-tour the Pangasinan delegates visited the Kawasaki Firefighting Command Center wherein the Fire department personnel showcased the ability of integrating GeoCloud as the nerve center of its entire operations.
For their final day, the delegates went to Yokohama Disaster Risk Reduction Learning Center where simulated technology was experienced firsthand.
The governor and the other participants were treated to earthquake simulation on varying degrees in different scenarios showing how ordinary houses and skyscrapers moved as well as simulation of the 2011 earthquake that jolted Japan
Disaster mitigation and fire simulation were also showcased.
By Dexter A. See
