SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — Disaster Narratives for an Experiential Knowledge-based Science Communication (DANAS) Project has continued to enhance community disaster preparedness through publications of localized sourcebooks.
By rolling out the localized sourcebooks written in the dialect and based on the communities’ experiences, the DANA project is expected to promote disaster preparedness to the grassroots level.
The publications also aim to bridge the gap between technical information and community knowledge, ensuring that disaster information is culturally relevant and actionable.
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS), in partnership with Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) and the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), will launch the Ilokano-language earthquake sourcebook on January 14, 2025, at J&V Hotel and Resort here.
This initiative follows the successful launches of Cebuano and Hiligaynon Earthquake and Volcano Sourcebooks on November 28, 2024, in Cagayan De Oro City, and Kapampangan and Tagalog versions on December 9, 2024, in Quezon City.
“Language plays a key role in clear communication, especially in disaster risk reduction. We hope that these sourcebooks will serve as a tool for promoting effective science communication,” said Dr. Teresito Bacolcol, DOST-PHIVOLCS director.
Further, the sourcebooks are designed to enhance public understanding of geological hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions, combining scientific information with personal narratives from affected communities.
By presenting disaster knowledge in local languages, the project ensures that technical data resonates with the cultural context of its target audiences.
“The sourcebooks are designed to ensure that communities are not only informed by scientific data but also able to relate to the information by integrating local stories,” said DOST-PHIVOLCS Deputy Director and DANAS Project Leader, Dr. Ma. Mylene Villegas.
She added that by “publishing these sourcebooks in local languages, we are making vital knowledge more accessible and culturally relevant.”
For instance, the Ilokano sourcebook launch will feature a project overview, presentations on significant geological events in Luzon, and the unveiling of video packages that complement the written guides.
Experts from DOST-PHIVOLCS, DMMMSU, and UPV will discuss integrating scientific data with local experiences to create compelling and relatable disaster preparedness materials.
Since its launch in March 2023, the DANAS Project has focused on promoting science communication tailored to community needs.
The initiative, led by DOST-PHIVOLCS in collaboration with its academic partners and funded by the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), has established itself as a valuable tool in disaster risk reduction and management efforts.
These sourcebooks will serve as valuable resources for disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) officers, educators, and local media, helping them deliver disaster messages that are both scientifically accurate and culturally sensitive.
This project aligns with the President’s 8-point socioeconomic agenda by strengthening community resilience and fostering inclusive disaster preparedness strategies.
By bridging technical knowledge with lived experiences, the DANAS Project empowers communities to respond proactively to natural hazards. (AMB/AIHR/PIA Region 1)
