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Procedia Engineering 00 (2017) 000–000
www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia
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Procedia Engineering 212 (2018) 1018–1025

7th International Conference on Building Resilience; Using scientific knowledge to inform policy
and practice in disaster risk reduction, ICBR2017, 27 – 29 November 2017, Bangkok, Thailand

UP NOAH in Building Resilient Philippines; Multi-hazard and Risk

Mapping for the Future
Neyzielle Ronnicque Cadiza,b*
a
University of the Philippines Nationwide Operational Assesment of Hazards Center, NIGS Building, UP Diliman, Quezon City, 1101,
Philippines
b
University of the Philippines Resilience Institute

Abstract

University of the Philippines’ Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (UP NOAH) Center is a nationwide disaster
management program that aims to improve the government and the Filipino people’s capacity to respond against the impact and
effect of extreme weather conditions. NOAH is undertaking advanced disaster science research, comprehensive and
multidisciplinary assessment of hazards while also developing accessible tools that enable local government units, community
leaders, policy makers, planners, families, and individuals to prevent and mitigate disasters.

UP NOAH’s initiatives on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) have continually built individual and institutional
capacities and resilience using multidisciplinary research and risk assessment. With the completion of its three component
projects (flood, landslide, and storm surge hazards mapping) last December 2015, UP NOAH proceeded to its next step in
innovation: From hazard mapping to risk mapping. This is to even more enhance the disaster mitigation plans of communities in
the Philippines.

Embracing and taking advantage of information communication technology, the content of this user-generated mapping data are
indeed vital in DRRM.

Using the existing tools, techniques, and innovations of UP NOAH, a community-based adaptation fit for all levels of
practitioners was introduced through Integrated Scenario-based Assessments of Impacts and Hazards (ISAIAH). The project
helped enhance the knowledge of policymakers on areas that are safe for habitation as well as those that are suitable for long-
term development.

ISAIAH highlighted the emphasis of DRRM on strengthening preparedness and building stronger community resilience through

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +632 434 1840; fax: +632 434 1840.
E-mail address: nrrxcadiz@gmail.com

1877-7058 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 7th International Conference on Building Resilience.

1877-7058 © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 7th International Conference on Building Resilience
10.1016/j.proeng.2018.01.131
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persistent and constant information, education, and communication campaign using the internet and social media, as well as
persistent
continuousand constant
personal information,
visits education,where
to local communities and communication
mapping workshopscampaign
were using the internet and social media, as well as
conducted.
continuous personal visits to local communities where mapping workshops were conducted.
This is essential as it recognized the actions needed to address the underlying reasons of disaster risk: poor urban planning among
This
otherisman-made
essential as it recognized
factors. the actions
In this way, needed
adapting to thetochallenges
address theofunderlying reasons
climate change in of disastertorisk:
addition DRRpoor urbanemphasis
is given planning to
among
help
other
preventman-made factors.
significant loss ofInlives
this wrought
way, adapting to the
by future challenges of climate change in addition to DRR is given emphasis to help
disasters.
prevent significant loss of lives wrought by future disasters.
© 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
© 2017
© 2018 The
The Authors.
Authors. Published
Published byby Elsevier
Elsevier Ltd.
Ltd.
Peer-review
Peer-review under
under responsibility
responsibility of of the
the scientific
scientific committee
committee of of the
the 7th
7th International
International Conference
Conference on on Building
Building Resilience.
Resilience.
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 7th International Conference on Building Resilience.
Keywords: UP NOAH; ISAIAH Component; DRRM; Policy-making; Risk Mapping; Public Participation; Opensource; Resilient
Keywords:
Philippines UP NOAH; ISAIAH Component; DRRM; Policy-making; Risk Mapping; Public Participation; Opensource; Resilient
Philippines

1. Main text
1. Main text
University of the Philippines’ Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (UP NOAH Center), formerly
University
known of the Philippines’
as the Philippine’s Department Nationwide
of Science Operational Assessment
and Technology’s of Hazards
Nationwide (UP NOAH
Operational Center),of formerly
Assessment Hazards
known as the Philippine’s Department of Science and Technology’s Nationwide
(DOST- Project NOAH), is a nationwide disaster management program that aims to improve the government Operational Assessment of Hazards
and the
(DOST- Project
Filipino people’sNOAH),
capacity is atonationwide
respond againstdisasterthemanagement
impact and program
effect that aims to improve
of extreme weather the government
conditions. NOAHand the
is
Filipino people’s capacity to respond against the impact and effect of extreme
undertaking advanced disaster science research, comprehensive and multidisciplinary assessment of hazards while weather conditions. NOAH is
undertaking advanced disaster science research, comprehensive and multidisciplinary
also developing accessible tools that enable local government units, community leaders, policy makers, planners, assessment of hazards while
also developing
families, accessible
and individuals tools that
to prevent andenable
mitigatelocal government units, community leaders, policy makers, planners,
disasters.
families, and individuals to prevent and mitigate disasters.
Just this February, the University of the Philippine’s (UP) Board of Regents approved the establishment of
NOAHJust Center
this February,
for climate theactions
University of the Philippine’s
and DRRM, (UP) Board
thus the institution is now of Regents
known as UP approved
NOAH. the establishment of
NOAH Center for climate actions and DRRM, thus the institution
UP NOAH’s initiatives on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) have continually is now known as UP NOAH. built individual and
institutional capacities and resilience using multidisciplinary research and risk assessment. Withbuilt
UP NOAH’s initiatives on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) have continually the individual
completionand of
institutional capacities and resilience using multidisciplinary research
its three component projects (flood, landslide, and storm surge hazards mapping) last December 2015,and risk assessment. With the completion
UP NOAH of
its three component projects (flood, landslide, and storm surge hazards mapping)
proceeded to its next step in innovation: From hazard mapping to risk mapping. This is to even more enhance the last December 2015, UP NOAH
proceeded
disaster to its next
mitigation stepofin
plans innovation:inFrom
communities hazard mapping
the Philippines. to risk 1).
(See Figure mapping. This is to even more enhance the
disaster mitigation plans of communities in the Philippines. (See Figure 1).
Risk mapping is emerging as a dynamic way to visualize the impacts of hazard events. Through crowdsourced
Risk mapping
mapping, is emerging
individuals as a dynamic
and organizations way tohelp
can readily visualize the impacts
to prevent, prepareof hazard
for, events. to
and respond Through
disasters.crowdsourced
mapping, individuals and organizations can readily help to prevent, prepare for,
Embracing and taking advantage of information communication technology, the content of this user-generatedand respond to disasters.
Embracing
mapping andindeed
data are takingvital
advantage
in DRRM. of information communication technology, the content of this user-generated
mapping data are indeed vital in DRRM.
As it continues to strengthen the capabilities of local government unit officials, members of non-government
As it continues
agencies, community to leaders,
strengthen the makers,
policy capabilities of local government
and planners in the field ofunit officials,
disaster risk members
reduction of non-government
(DRR), UP NOAH
agencies, community leaders, policy makers, and planners in the field of
announced the inception of a new component last March 2016: the Integrated Scenario-based Assessments disaster risk reduction (DRR), UP NOAH of
announced the inception of a new component last March 2016:
Impacts and Hazards (ISAIAH) which ended a year after, completely mapping 15 provinces. the Integrated Scenario-based Assessments of
Impacts and Hazards (ISAIAH) which ended a year after, completely mapping 15 provinces.
Even if the project ended, NOAH scientists and researchers are continually developing multi-hazard maps of the
Evenforif early
future the project
warning, ended, NOAH scientists
incorporating possible andscenarios
researchers are continually
predicted developing
as consequence multi-hazard
of climate changemaps of the
(Lagmay,
future
2016). for early warning, incorporating possible scenarios predicted as consequence of climate change (Lagmay,
2016).
According to UP NOAH’s Executive Director, Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay:
According
Usingto frontier
UP NOAH’s science Executive Director,
and cutting Dr. Alfredo Mahar
edge-technology, Lagmay:
scientists from Project NOAH generate at least
Using frontier science and cutting edge-technology,
1:10,000 scale hazard maps to empower communities in their efforts scientists from ProjecttheNOAH
to reduce adversegenerate at least
consequences of
1:10,000 scale hazard maps to empower communities in their efforts to reduce
climate change as well as harness any of its beneficial aspects. Project NOAH scientists understand and the adverse consequences of
climate change as well as harness any of its beneficial aspects. Project NOAH
map natural hazards to meet their real objective, which is to identify suitable areas for the development of scientists understand and
map natural hazards
communities adaptedto to meet their real
climate changeobjective, which islocations
and provide to identifyof suitable
the safestareas for for
sites the evacuation
developmentand of
communities adapted to climate change and provide locations of the safest
placement of critical facilities. They understand that knowing the hazards without identifying suitable areas sites for evacuation and
placement
to of critical
avoid disasters willfacilities. They understand
not help communities adaptthat
to knowing the hazards without identifying suitable areas
climate change.
to avoid disasters will not help communities adapt to climate change.
For five years now, UP NOAH yields extensive use of science and technology as it continues to bring considerable
For fiveinyears
efforts now,
averting theUP NOAH
effects yields extensive
of natural hazards, thus use minimizing
of science and the technology
likelihood of asdisasters.
it continues to bring considerable
efforts in averting the effects of natural hazards, thus minimizing the likelihood of disasters.
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1020 Neyzielle Ronnicque Cadiz / Procedia Engineering 212 (2018) 1018–1025

1.1. Structure

UP NOAH – ISAIAH OBJECTIVES

Continuing with UP NOAH’s response to a call for a proactive disaster prevention and mitigation program,
NOAH added up-to-date reliable data sources in ISAIAH. The objectives of ISAIAH are to:

1. Create a municipal level risk assessment, incident reporting, and visualization tool.
2. Map exposure elements, such as population, buildings, and critical facilities.
3. Assess vulnerability to hydro meteorological hazards based on available datasets.
4. Evaluate the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management capacities of local government units.
5. Train and communicate end-users in the use of the NOAH website and its allied tools.
6. Provide data and risk information required by National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council
(NDRRMC) during extreme weather events through the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) system.

RISK MAPPING EFFORTS

Scientists and researchers for ISAIAH implemented range of capacity building activities including Information,
Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns to different regions in the country, training workshops to the
members of local government units and national government agencies, and even conferences with the help of DRR
advocacy organizations and institutions along with a unique opportunity for learning and training.
ISAIAH also highlighted the emphasis of DRRM on strengthening preparedness and building stronger
community resilience through persistent and constant information drive using the internet and social media, as well
as continuous personal visits to local communities where mapping workshops were conducted. (See Figure 2).
Using the existing tools, techniques, and innovations of UP NOAH, a community-based adaptation fit for all
levels of practitioners was introduced. The project helped enhance the knowledge of policymakers on areas that are
safe for habitation as well as those that are suitable for long-term development. ISAIAH placed a very high priority
on risk mapping and the community leaders were able to point out appropriate areas that are most likely safe for the
rehabilitation of civic buildings like hospitals, schools, and more importantly, evacuation centers.
This is essential as it recognized the actions needed to address the underlying reasons of disaster risk: poor urban
planning among other man-made factors. In this way, adapting to the challenges of climate change in addition to
DRR is given emphasis to help prevent significant loss of lives wrought by future disasters. (See Figure 3).
Through these developments, UP NOAH continues to keep key stakeholders informed with progress, issues, and
solutions in its disaster risk reduction efforts through advanced science and technology.

OSM PARTNERSHIP

NOAH has a sustained partnership with the OpenStreetMap (OSM) community. OSM is a tool that is an integral
part in creating a disaster resilient environment. By identifying points of interest, critical facilities (e.g. health
centers, schools, town halls), buildings, and other infrastructures in the community, areas vulnerable to disasters can
be easily identified, and risk and exposure details (number of affected houses, commercial buildings, evacuation
centers) would be readily estimated.
The information from UP NOAH website tools and OpenStreetMap data is practically designed for the benefit of
LGU officials in the Philippines. This is because the website information can serve as strategic guide to emergency
response and disaster mitigation planning. (See Figure 4).
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This low cost innovation creates fast dissemination of specific geo-information onto the OSM base map. The
collections of data are directed towards a smaller dedicated audience who is “on the ground” and are readily
available to support rapid humanitarian mapping services.

THE PERENNIAL DILEMMA

Disaster risk communication is actually a perennial dilemma. In the Philippines alone, there are so many efforts to
reach the grassroots level but emergency and disaster preparedness messages inevitably fall short.
It is indeed hard to motivate the public to be proactive. The Philippines is very vulnerable to hazards risk and
disasters but social media posts and communication efforts mostly go unnoticed, if not argued upon. It tends to be a
unified dispute to other (and older) people.
The problem persists when there is a great danger of disaster-causing hazards. Older people seem to dwell on the
idea that everything in the Philippines is a development failure, which is a sad premise just because the Philippines is
a third-world country. The increasing frequency and even severity of both natural and technological disasters often
yield scientific and political debates.
It is still hard to disseminate information about emergency and disaster preparedness because people think
scientific terms are too technical; still harder to reach out to the greater number when there is a threat of clouded
judgment of political aims.
This kind of habit is a multiplier of our country’s risk and insecurity. Sometimes the efforts in urging the public to
take action seem useless because the challenge lies on how to achieve social, economic, and political unity.

SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE IN DRRM POLICY AND PRACTICE

NOAH has long embraced public participation to improve emergency response and disaster mitigation throughout
the country. Through this crowdsourced method of generating geospatial data through the internet, solving spatial
problems with the help of satellite applications and mapping technology was even made possible and readily
available.
End-users, especially the officials of local government units and members of civic groups, can better rely on the
information translated to the website tools. This data from thematic OSM mapping can be a solution to the heavily
involved damage assessment and analysis activities before, during, and after large-scale emergencies.
The collaborative efforts of national government agencies pave way to a more relevant and vital execution of
WebSAFE , an impact assessment tool that can be accessed through UP NOAH’s website. (See Figure 5).
The building footprints obtained from the OSM community is translated through the OSM data. The information
from these data is automatically integrated to the website tools of UP NOAH, specifically in the WebSAFE
application.
UP NOAH believes that if citizens map their own communities, and they are educated with sufficient scientific
knowledge, disaster preparedness measures will be more engaged and effective, especially in identifying hazards and
risk exposure in the community.
This way, UP NOAH’s call to Open Government Data will lead off substantive support to DRRM using effective
public participation.

2. Illustrations

These illustrations show the efforts of UP NOAH in mapping the whole Philippines. Images show the
progress of the initiative of making the public participate in mapping the critical facilities in their respective areas.
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Fig. 1 - Node density (colored) shows the progress of points (building footprints, road works, and
other edits) mapped in a given city and municipality. Photo from UP NOAH website and articles.

Fig. 2 - Looking at the map generated by UP NOAH, colored areas show the level of inundation people might
experience in case of a 100 year rain return rate flooding. Areas with no colors show places safe habitation
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Fig. 3 – Black outline shows the points mapped through OpenStreetMap

Fig. 4 - WebSAFE is software that analyses disaster impacts based on available hazards and infrastructure
maps. It is adapted from Indonesia’s software INASAFE and was a part of collaboration with World Bank’s
Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR). Can be accessed through
http://noah.up.edu.ph
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3. 3.

3. Equations
3. Equations
Disaster risk reduction is the concept and practice of reducing disaster risks through systematic efforts to analyze
Disaster risk reduction is the concept and practice of reducing disaster risks through systematic efforts to analyze
and reduce the causal factors of disasters. Reducing exposure to hazards, lessening vulnerability of people and
and reduce the causal factors of disasters. Reducing exposure to hazards, lessening vulnerability of people and
property, wise management of land and the environment, and improving preparedness and early warning for adverse
property, wise management of land and the environment, and improving preparedness and early warning for adverse
events are all examples of disaster risk reduction (UNISDR).
events are all examples of disaster risk reduction (UNISDR).

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank the researchers and scientists of the University of the Philippines NOAH Center/
Resilience Institute for their continued service to the country. The Filipino people will forever be grateful of your
Thecontributions
author wouldto like
disaster mitigation.
to thank To Dr. Alfredo
the researchers Mahar Francisco
and scientists Lagmay, thank
of the University youPhilippines
of the for workingNOAH
the hardest in
Center/
making Institute
Resilience sure thatfor
thetheir
UP Resilience
continued Institute is true
service to to its mission--
the country. that is people
The Filipino to empower local communities
will forever be gratefulthrough
of your
multidisciplinary
contributions actions.
to disaster Lastly, to
mitigation. Tothe
Dr.University
Alfredo Maharof the Francisco
PhilippinesLagmay,
for encouraging
thank youinterdisciplinary
for working theresearch
hardestofin
students
making sure and
that faculty,
the UP and more importantly
Resilience Institute is for
truesupporting UP RIthat
to its mission-- andisUPto NOAH’s
empower endeavors, thank you.
local communities It is
through
greatly appreciated.
multidisciplinary Indeed,
actions. UP to
Lastly, is our
the home.
University of the Philippines for encouraging interdisciplinary research of
students and faculty, and more importantly for supporting UP RI and UP NOAH’s endeavors, thank you. It is
greatly appreciated. Indeed, UP is our home.
 Neyzielle Ronnicque Cadiz / Procedia Engineering 212 (2018) 1018–1025 1025
8 Neyzielle Ronnicque Cadiz et al./ Procedia Engineering 00 (2017) 000–000

References

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(United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, 1999)