26/05/2026
๐ผ ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐จ๐ฉ: ๐ฝ๐๐ฃ๐๐ช๐๐ฉ ๐๐๐๐๐จ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฎ ๐๐จ ๐ผ๐ก๐ก ๐๐ช๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐๐๐จ ๐๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐๐ค๐๐๐จ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ผ
La Trinidad, Benguet I May 26, 2026
The Province of Benguet marked a historic milestone in disaster resilience and science-based governance as all 13 municipalities formally signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the institutional adoption of GeoRiskPH, making Benguet the first province in the Philippines to achieve full municipal participation in the program.
The ceremonial signing took place during the 2026 First Semester Engagement of the Provincial Science, Technology, and Innovation Coordinating Committee (PSTICC)-Benguet in La Trinidad with Benguet Local Chief Executives namely: Hon. Franklin L. Smith of Atok; Hon. Fausto T. Labinio of Bakun; Hon. Erik Don Ignacio of Bokod; Hon. Julius M. Amos of Buguias; Hon. Bernard S. Waclin of Itogon; Hon. Rex Alwin G. Aquisan of Kabayan; Hon. Harris M. Dizon of Kapangan; Hon. Agustin J. Tello of Kibungan; Hon. Roderick C. Awingan of La Trinidad; Hon. Cesar R. Pasiwen of Mankayan; Hon. Alfredo B. Dacumos Jr. of Sablan; Hon. Clarita P. Sal-ongan of Tuba; and Hon. Juan D. Esnara of Tublay, represented by Dr. Jocelyn Martin, MPDC-Tublay.
GeoRisk Philippines (GeoRiskPH), a multi-agency initiative led by DOST-PHIVOLCS and institutionalized in 2019, has become one of the countryโs leading science-for-governance platforms. Through tools such as HazardHunterPH, GeoAnalyticsPH, GeoMapperPH, and PlanSmart Ready to Rebuild, local governments are equipped with science-based hazard assessments, risk analytics, and planning tools that support informed and life-saving decisions.
In her welcome message, Hon. Lady Charmaine Molintas-Likigan, Chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on ICT and Science and Technology, emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration among agencies to improve science and technology programs and innovations in Benguet.
โThis is an important gathering because it strengthens our communication among agencies and allows us to improve programs and innovations in the province of Benguet,โ she said, adding that the GeoRiskPH initiative would greatly benefit the province.
Delivering the rationale and welcome message, Provincial Science and Technology Director-Baguio-Benguet Dr. Sheila Marie B. Singa-Claver highlighted the significance of the event, describing it as a historic first not only in the Cordillera Administrative Region but in the entire country.
โAs validated by DOST-PHIVOLCS, Benguet is the very first province with all municipalities signing the MOA for the institutional adoption of GeoRiskPH,โ she said.
Dr. Singa-Claver credited the achievement to the proactive leadership of Benguetโs mayors, and the support of local legislative councils.
She also underscored the role of DOST-CAR in spearheading GeoRiskPH capacity-building training in 2025, which prepared local government units for the adoption of the platform.
An overview presentation on GeoRiskPH and the MOA was later delivered by Ms. Mabelline T. Cahulogan of DOST-PHIVOLCS, followed by the formal MOA signing ceremony participated in by all municipal local government units of Benguet.
In a message delivered by Ms. Cahulogan on behalf of DOST-PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol, the agency described the signing as an important milestone in advancing risk-informed governance in Benguet.
โGeoRiskPH was built not merely as a technology platform, but as a shared public digital infrastructure that connects hazard science, geospatial intelligence, and decision-support tools,โ the message stated.
It was also emphasized that strengthening access to harmonized and actionable risk information is especially vital for a province like Benguet, where terrain and environmental conditions present complex disaster risks.
DOST-CAR Regional Director Dr. Nancy A. Bantog emphasized the urgency of science-based disaster preparedness, citing the devastating impacts of landslides and typhoons that affected Benguet in 2025.
She stressed that GeoRiskPH provides local governments with a rigorous scientific foundation for identifying vulnerable areas and making informed decisions before disasters occur.
Dr. Bantog also reminded local government units that the true challenge lies not only in adopting the system but in mainstreaming its use in everyday disaster risk reduction and management operations.
โScientific tools are only as effective as the actions they inform,โ she emphasized.
Representing Governor Melchor D. Diclas, Executive Assistant Mr. Mario Baucas Jr. expressed gratitude to DOST and partner agencies for providing technologies and data that strengthen disaster preparedness and decision-making in the province.
Meanwhile, Mayors League of the Philippines-Benguet Chapter President Hon. Cesar R. Pasiwen called on local officials to continuously train personnel and sustain knowledge transfer within local governments.
โLocal officials come and go, but when knowledge and complete data are shared, decision-makers can provide accurate assessments and make better decisions during disasters,โ he stressed.
La Trinidad Mayor Hon. Roderick C. Awingan likewise encouraged municipalities to maximize and mainstream the use of GeoRiskPH in crafting local plans and priorities in response to vulnerabilities faced by their communities.
The signing of the MOA signifies Benguetโs united commitment to institutionalizing science-based governance and resilient community development. With all local government units now formally adopting GeoRiskPH, the province takes a significant step toward ensuring that disaster preparedness, land-use planning, and local development decisions are guided by accurate, harmonized, and evidence-based risk information.
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๐๐ข๐จ๐ด:
LGU ATOK PIO - BAKUN LGU BOKOD LGU Buguias PIO - Itogon Kabayan Local Government Unit LGU-Kapangan DRRMO Kibungan La Trinidad Public Information Office LGU-Mankayan, Benguet MO Sablan LGU Tuba - Public Information Office LGU Tublay
