BANGUED, Abra (PIA) – A mobile and website application can soon help the public check if their area is vulnerable to landslides.
The CLEARS mobile application and website is based on the Community-Level Evaluation and Assessment of Rain-induced Landslide Susceptibility (CLEARS) guidebook for communities and non-experts developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Cordillera, Kalinga State University (KSU) with funding from the DOST-PCIEERD.
Said mobile and web app launched by the DOST-Cordillera and KSU in 2023 allows non-technical persons to assess the susceptibility of a slope to landslides.
CLEARS Project leader Engr. RhonJhon Garming, in an interview over Radyo Siyensa on February 1, explained that the app can be used by providing data such as slope material, angle and other conditions like presence of spring, land use, and vegetation.
“Ang pinaka-output ng app ay level of susceptibility. May apat na level, mayroong susceptible, marginally stable, highly susceptible, and stable. So, nakadisenyo po ito sa mga non-experts pero pwede din po ito sa mga authorities engaging in disaster or landslide mitigation,” he said.
While the CLEARS app is still being developed for IOS and Android systems, the DOST-Cordillera, KSU, DOST-PhiVolcs, and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) in Abra conducted a training on the use of the CLEARS App to more than 70 DRRM officers and stakeholders.
During the training, DOST-Abra Provincial Head Ralf Sapi-il emphasized the importance of the mobile and web app as risk assessment tools that will help in disaster mitigation, especially for local government units.
“This training is an important step in equipping us with knowledge and tools to better understand and prepare for and prevent environmental challenges,” he said.
“We are gathered to arm ourselves with knowledge, to equip our communities with tools, and to forge a path towards a more resilient future,” said Provincial DRRM Officer Elmer Bersamin as he stressed the significance of the risk assessment tool in building resilient communities.
Meanwhile, Provincial Administrator Leonard Andanan discussed the importance of the training, especially with the changing weather patterns that affect the province.
“The provincial government of Abra is committed to serving the needs of our constituents. In order to do this, kasapulan met ti agadal. This is one way of knowing what to do before, during, and after a calamity,” he shared.
Aside from the CLEARS mobile and web application, participants were also briefed on the use of the GeoRiskPH platform which is a range of early warning systems and decision support tools such as the GeoMapper PH and HazardHunter PH. These tools will help in vulnerability and risk assessment and decision making.
The training was held from February 17-19, 2025 at the University of Abra-Bangued Social Hall.
The CLEARS and GeoRisk PH training in the provinces of the Cordillera started in Mountain Province in November 2024, followed by Kalinga and Ifugao in January 2025, and the provinces of Benguet, Abra, and Apayao this February. (JJMT, PIA-CAR, Abra)
