A coordination meeting for the Project Evaluation and Monitoring System for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PEMSD) was held at the World Bank Office in Pasig City last June 29, 2012. Synergy International Systems, Inc. (Synergy) in partnership with the Earthquakes and Megacities Initiative, Inc. (EMI), Pacific Rim Innovation and Management Exponents, Inc. (PRIMEX) were engaged by the World Bank to provide Consultancy Services for the establishment of the PEMSD of the Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Office of Civil Defense. It tends to develop a DRRM System for financial tracking and physical progress of all pre and  post disaster-related programs and projects in an online, centralized, and transparent manner. The assignment will be carried out for a period of 15 months commencing April 2012 ending in June 2013.

The aim of the meeting was to review the Synergy-approved Inception Report with the World Bank and incorporate their inputs. The draft report from the meeting will be sent to OCD and will be given 2 weeks to comment. Subsequently, the Final Inception report will be forwarded to Synergy for submission to WB and OCD. The official execution of project activities will commence once the report is approved.

The meeting was attended by Ms. Zoe Elena Trohanis and Ms. Cathy Vidar representing the WB, Emmanuel Torrente and Mark Tupas from Synergy, Mr. Leigh Lingad and EnP Joyce Lyn Salunat Molina from EMI.

For more information on the project, please contact the  Project Junior Team Leader, EnP Joyce Lyn L. Salunat-Molina: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Pasig City Government continues to be a leader among Metro Manila Local Government Units (LGUs) in emergency response and preparedness. Spearheaded by Mayor Roberto Eusebio and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, it is recognized nationally for its accomplishments, having won three Gawad Kalasag Awards as one of the best equipped and prepared LGUs in Metro Manila and one of few in the entire country.

Amidst the city’s current capabilities, it is periodically beset by floods. The Typhoon Ondoy flood disaster has prompted the Pasig City Government to invest in risk reduction measures. Adding to the urgency is the looming danger of a devastating earthquake with a possible magnitude of 7.2 on the West Valley Fault. The fault transects the Western part of the city and will possibly cause large damage severities within the city. Pasig City Government has always catered to the needs of its residents and the numerous offices and institutions that the city has been hosting through the different services. From the perspective of Disaster Risk Reduction, these services include, among others, the protection of life, property, environment and socio-economic institutions.

As part of the implementation of the Pasig City Resilience to Earthquakes and Floods Project, EMI reviewed and upgraded the city’s Emergency Management (EM) System. EMI conducted several activities such as the comprehensive EM System assessment, the 3-Module EM) Training, desk review of documents (e.g. plans) and field investigations. These activities resulted to:

1. An overview of capabilities, organization and gaps of Pasig City EM System to selected Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) standards and ensuing provision of recommendations for improvements in the system and in the system and physical requirements.
2. The sharing of EM concepts, fundamentals and standards to officials and responders of the city government and its allied institutions including thorough discussions on the topics of Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and planning process, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and Incident Command System (ICS).
3. Improving existing emergency plans according to international standards and providing the thrust for all Pasig City stakeholders to formulate the EOP.
4. Setting up of 15 Emergency Support Functions (ESF) for Pasig City with the participation of more than 60 offices and organizations.

The details of EMI’s engagement on Emergency Management for Pasig City can be found in the Pasig City Emergency Management System: Review and Upgrade Report, which was just recently delivered to the city by EMI. The report also presents the key findings and recommendations for improving and upgrading Pasig City’s emergency management system. In addition, it includes an overview of the existing Pasig City organization and emergency management system. The conclusion provides suggestions for defining the “way forward” to continue the planning process that has begun as part of EM project component. The report is part of the deliverables of the Pasig City Resilience to Earthquakes and Floods Project.

For more information on the project, please contact the Project Coordinator, EnP Joyce Lyn L. Salunat-Molina:    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

EMI recently delivered the Pasig City Risk Profile and Atlas to Pasig City as part of the organization's implementation of the Pasig City Resilience to Earthquakes and Flood Project. 

The City Risk Profile consists of disaster risk management information, physical information, population and demographics, social data, economic information, and current development and administration of the city. Along with it is the Pasig City Atlas which is a compendium of maps of Pasig City. It contains a series of maps on all hazard, vulnerability and risk information on the city, and pulls together relevant information about areas that are at risk to earthquake and flood related hazards such as expected damaged areas, building damage, liquefaction, shelter capabilities and critical facilities.

In addition, a Geographic Information System (GIS) database was also established and henceforth delivered along with the Profile and Atlas, to enable real-time access to the most accurate information on which to analyze and used in conjunction with the results of the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study. The GIS database is set at the barangay-level  to provide a clear understanding of the current situation and resources of Pasig City.

The Pasig City Risk Profile and Atlas was finalized with the collaboration and cooperation of key Pasig City government officials, namely: Hon. Robert Eusebio, City Mayor; Atty. Reynaldo Dionisio, City Administrator; Engr. Jose Reyes,  Project Director; Engr. Nicolas Cruz, Project Manager; Mr. Ritche Van C. Angeles, Project Coordinator;  and Engr. Minwena Gamilla, Flood Control Officer. The resulting maps were also validated with national government agencies such as the Effective Flood Control System Metro Manila Development Authority (EFCOS-MMDA ) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

For more information on the project, please contact the EMI Project Coordinator, EnP Joyce Lyn L. Salunat-Molina:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it