More local government units in the Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) Region are expected to benefit from the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) newly developed health index and vulnerability reduction system under its disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation (DRR-CCA) program.
DOST Secretary Fortunato "Boy" T. de la Peña said the project D-HIVE 4B or Development of Health Index and Vulnerability Reduction System for Region 4B aims to empower LGUs in Mimaropa with innovative and research-based tools for disaster preparedness and response.
The project is led by Dr. Delia B. Senoro of the Mapua University.
“The research-based emergency response tools include heath vulnerability indices (HVIs) maps and a smart emergency response system termed eSalba,” de la Peña said during the second Talakayang HeaRT Beat (Health Research and Technology) of 2021 on Monday, June 28.
He said maps are useful as it contains information on the environment quality such as quality of water, sediments, soil, crops, rice, and other natural resources in specific areas and households in Marinduque.
The eSalba, on the other hand, is a mobile and web-based application and emergency response system that integrates heath vulnerability indices, health issues, environmental quality and disaster risks used by different level of communities from households to regional level before, during and after disaster or calamity, the DOST chief noted.
The mobile app “will provide communication tools that will aid emergency responders in making absolute decision during disasters and help prepare the local government unit for health monitoring, route planning, defining evacuation policies and adaptation measures in events of disaster.”
De la Peña said the project team has already turned over 323 HVI maps to six municipalities of Marinduque.
A total of 338 local trainors underwent training on how to use the eSalba system, he said.
“Following this successful rollout, the project team is currently in close coordination with the LGUs of Calapan, San Jose, Romblon and Puerto Princesa for the implementation of DHIVE in the provinces,”
D-HIVE 4B is one of the DOST- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development’s (PCHRD) DDR-CCA projects.
Related story: https://mb.com.ph/2021/06/26/dost-to-unveil-3-health-research-breakthroughs-under-ddr-climate-change-adaptation-program/