ORETA as NRCP RDLeader on Disaster Risk Reduction & Resilience for Northwestern University

 

Dr. Andres Winston C. Oreta, Prof. of the Dept. of Civil Engineering, DLSU-Manila was invited to be one of the RDLeaders in the Research and Development (RDLead) program, implemented by the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP). 

Dr. Oreta served as RDLeader on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience (DRR&R) for NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (NWU) located atAirport Avenue, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte 2900 from Sept 16, 2022 - Jan 15, 2023.  As an RDLeader, Dr. Oreta conducted the following:

• Institutional Research Readiness Assessment based on Manpower, Infrastructure, and Research Policies
• DRR&R Webinars (DRRM Framework, Making Cities Resilient and Research on DRR&R)
• Seminars on Scientific Writing and Research Proposal Development

The culiminating event of the RDLead Program for NWU was a forum where the NWU faculty and staff presented their outputs from the RDLead seminars. Posters were presented and the NWU faculty presented their papers on the ff: (a) Hazard and Risk Profile of Laoag City, (b) Anatomy of a Disaster: A Case Study at Ilocos Norte, (c) Making Cities Resilient – Preliminary Assessment of Laoag City and (d) Big Ideas on DRRM Research. 

The forum was attended by the NWU President, Atty. Ferdinand Nicholas, Dr. Eric Parilla (VP for Research Community & Social Development), NWU administrators and faculty, invited guests from other universities and representatives from Laoag City LGU. Representatives from NRCP and DOST also attended the event.

Zoom Webinar on DRR&R

Poster Exhibits

Group Photo with NWU Administrators and Forum Organizers

Certificate of Appreciation from NWU President

A visit near the Bangui Wind Farm

LOCALISING STRATEGIES FOR MAKING CITIES RESILIENT TO DISASTERS Workhsop

Under the British Council’s Researcher Links scheme offered within the Newton Fund and supported by the Dept. of Science and Technology (DOST) and PCIEERD, the international workshop on "Localising Strategies for Making Cities Resilient to Disasters was successfully organized by the faculty and staff of De La Salle University and University of Huddersfield last 22nd to 26th January 2018 at the Century Plaza Hotel, Manila, Philippines.

In the welcome program on Jan 22, 2018, Dr. Andres Oreta (Philippine coordinator) welcomed the guests and participants while Prof. Raymond Girard Tan (DLSU, VCRI) gave the opening remarks. Prof. Dilanthi Amaratunga (Huddersfield University) introduced the workshop objectives and schedule. The highloghts of the workshop are summarized below. 

The Faculty and Staff of the Organizing Committee from DLSU and HUD

Dr. Mutuc delivers the first keynote lecture

18 participants from various universities of the United Kingdom and 21 particpants from universities, GO's and LGUs of the Philippines were selected by the workshop organizers to attend the five day workshop. The participants from DLSU were Dr. Mario De Leon, Dr. Jason Maximino Ongpeng, Dr. Marla Redillas and Mr. Raniel Cris Macabare of the CE Dept., Dr, Lawrence Materum (ECE Dept), Shieradel Jimenez, part-time faculty teaching Business Management and Dr.  Nadine Ledesma of DLSU Araneta University.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WORKSHOP 

(http://www.buildresilience.org/nrl-philippines/index.php)

1.    KEYNOTE LECTURES

·         Keynote Lecture 1: Dynamics of Disasters – Assoc. Prof., Dr.  Jose Edgar Mutuc, DLSU

·         Keynote Lecture 2: Why are cities at risk of disaster?? – Prof. Richard  Haigh, HUD

·         Keynote Lecture 3: The New Ten Essential for Making Cities Resilient: A Framework for Research – Prof. Andres Winston C. Oreta, DLSU

·         Keynote Lecture 4: The Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030 and Global and Local Challenges in the Making Cities Resilient Campaign -  Prof. Dilanthi Amaratunga, HUD

2.    BRIEFING SESSIONS (BF)

·         BF1: Local Issues on DRR in the Philippines - Resource Persons from Makati (Mayor Abigail Binay) and Albay (Dr. Cedric Daep) presented lessons on the 10 E’s application in their cities.

·         BF2 - An introduction to the development of a roadmap for research futures and capacity development on making cities resilient to disasters  -  Prof. Dilanthi Amaratunga  (HUD)

·         BF3 - Integrating public engagement into research - Prof. Richard Haigh, (HUD)

·         BF4 - Getting funding for our research -  Resource persons from DLSU (Dr. Raymond Tan, VCRI and Dr. Manny Biona, CESDR Director) presented source of funding for research on DRR-CCA. 

3.    PANEL DISCUSSIONS (PD) 

·    PD1: An expert panel to lead a discussion about the current landscape and future opportunities for advancing the dialogue between DRR and urban cities. Resource persons include Atty. Violeta Seva (Makati City consultant), Prof. Dilanthi and Prof. Haigh.

·         PD2 - Pathways to impact. A discussion about how to convert research knowledge into evidence based policy development. Resource persons were Mr. Uriel Correos (Surigao City, Dr. Antonio Fernandez (UP CIS) and Prof. Haigh.

The two panel discussion were moderated by Prof. Marites Tiongco, Dean of DLSU School of Economics.

4.    SKILLS DEVELOPMENT (SK)

·         SK1: Academic writing - Prof. Richard Haigh (HUD)

·         SK2: Publishing your research  - Prof. Richard Haigh (HUD)

·         SK3: Iinteractive session on building your research profile - Prof. Dilanthi Amaratunga (HUD)

5.     PARTICIPANTS’ POSTER PRESENTATION (PPP)

 A five-minute self-introduction of each particpant and a presentation of a summary of a research related to the theme of the workshop. The PPP sessions were moderated by Dr. Lessandro Garciano, DLSU CE Dept. chair.

6.     GROUP INTERACTIVE SESSIONS (GIS)

The participants will be grouped into five clusters to address issues, strategies and challenges related to the 10 Essentials for Making Cities Resilient. There were four sessions of the GIS. GIS1 was moderated by Dr. Mutuc, GUS2 was moderated by Dr. Marlon Era (DLSU BS Dept) and GIS3 and GIS4 were moderated by Dr. Tanhueco.

7.    SITE VISIT  - A site visit to Makati, a  UNISDR Model City for Making Cities Resilient. facilitated by the Office of Mayor of Makati and the Makati DRRM office.

Dr. Oreta (PH Coordinator) and Dr. Dialnthi (UK Coordinator) with Makati Mayor Abby Binay

Prof. Haigh of HUD delivers keynote lecture 2

Prof. Oreta (DLSU) delivers keynote lecture 3

Prof. Dilanthi (HUD) delivers keynote lecture 4

Dr. Garciano moderated the PPP Session while Dr. Tanhueco moderated Day 1 and GIS 3/4

Dr. Mutuc at the Makati City Site Visit

Group Interactive Session (Dr. Materum, Dr. Ongpeng and Engr. Macabare belong to group D)

Dr. Redillas with group E members in one GIS

Dr. De Leon with group B members in a GIS

The workshop was coordinated by Professor Dilanthi Amaratunga (Global Disaster Resilience Centre, University of Huddersfield, UK) and Professor Andres Winston Oreta (De La Sallle University, Manila, Philippines). The mentors were Professor Richard Haigh (University of Huddersfield, UK), Professor Renan Tanhueco and Professor Jose Edgar Mutuc (De La Sallle University, Manila, Philippines), and Abhilash Panda (UNISDR Making Cities Resilient). The DLSU Organizing committee belonged to the CE Department and the CESDR Subcenter for DRR-CCA.

DR&RR Training of Teachers Workshop Conducted

E

DR&RR Workshop participants - Day 1

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academics and the Senior High School Engagement Office in cooperation with the CESDR Subcenter for DRR-CCA organized the Training of Teachers Workshop on Disaster Readiness & Risk Reduction (DR&RR) on April 17-18, 2017 at the HSSH Roofdeck. The workshop was initiated by a team composed of the following members:

• Dr. Renan Tanhueco - CESDR DRR-CCA Head and Assoc. Prof. of CE Dept.
• Dr. Andres Oreta - CESDR DRR-CCA member and Prof. of CE Dept.
• Dr. Jose Edgar Mutuc - CESDR DRR-CCA member and Assoc. Prof. of IE Dept.
• Dr. Lessandro Garciano - CESDR DRR-CCA member and Assoc.Prof./Chair of CE Dept.
• Dr. Edgar Vallar - Assoc. Prof. of Physics Dept. 
• Ms. Mary Geraldine Yumang - faculty of DLSU STC
• Engr. Joenel Galupino - CESDR DRR-CCA member and ASF of CE Dept.
• Engr. Efren De La Cruz - Director, Senior High School Engagement Office 

The DLSU Dr&RR Team

The workshop was attended by selected faculty from DLSU Manila, DLSU STC and DLSU Greenhills who may be appointed as a teacher of the Senior HIgh School K-12 on the DR&RR Course. The program is summarized as follows:

Target Participants: Faculty members who may teach the SHS on DR&RR subject

Workshop Objectives:

• To provide the participants a background on the concepts and a common framework on DR&RR.  
• To present the DR&RR learning modules developed by PhD Grad Students (Read related blog) and reviewed & revised by the DR&RR team
• To present the SHS curriculum on DR&RR

Expected Workshop Outputs

•  The participants will present a feedback on the learning modules 
• The participants will present ideas for quizzes or long tests 
• The participants will present feedback on the proposed final project of the course

Day No. 1: DR&RR Seminar

• 8:00 – 8:30 Registration, Knowledge Check
• 8:30 – 9:00 Opening Program
• Message from VCA – Dr. Robert Roleda
• Rationale & Introduction of the DR&RR Team - Engr. Efren De La Cruz 
• 9:00 – 9:15 Overview of the DR&RR Learning Modules & Framework– Dr. Renan Tanhueco
• 9:15 – 10:15 Concepts on Disasters and Hazards & Open Forum – Dr. Andres Oreta 
• 10:15 -10:25 Break
• 10:25-11:30 Concepts on Exposure & Vulnerability – Dr. Jose Edgar Mutuc
• 11:30-11:40 Video on Risk Analysis (Metro Manila) 
• 11:40-12:00 Open Forum 
• 12:00 – 13:00 Lunch Break
• 13:00 – 14:00 Lecture on Volcanoes – Dr. Edgar Vallar (Physics Dept)
• 14:00 – 14:45 DRRM Concepts – Mary Geraldine Yumang (DLSU STC) 
• 14:45 – 15:00 “Sendai Framework for DRR”– Joenel Galupino
• 15:00 – 15:40 Role of Government & Citizen in DRRM – Dr. Renan Tanhueco
• 15:40 – 16:00 Tour of DRRR Resource Materials – Dr. Andres Oreta

Day No. 2: DR&RR Workshop

• 9:00 – 9:30    Presentation of DLSU DR&RR Syllabus- Ms. Mary Geraldine Yumang
• 9:30 – 10:30 Workshop#1 – Review of Learning Modules vs Syllabus – Dr. Garciano/Dr. Mutuc/Dr.  Tanhueco
• 10:30-12:00 Reports on Workshop#1 - Ms. Anna Bella Manalang
• 12:00 – 13:00 Lunch
• 13:00 – 14:00 Workshop #2 – Suggestions on Long Tests - Dr. Vallar & Ms. Yumang
• 14:00 - 14:30 Description of the Final Project and Open Forum - Dr. A. Oreta
• 14:30 - 15:00 Distribution of Certificates – Mr. Efren De La Cruz & Dr. Renan Tanhueco

 

CE Dept Faculty Members (Day 2)

Group photo after the workshop on Day 2

 

Dr. Dungca at Tokyo Insititute of Technology Workshop on Geotech & GeoEnvi Eng'g

Prof. Dr. Jonathan Dungca, Dean of GCOE was invited as a speaker in the International Workshop on Geotechnical & Geoenvironmetal Engineering for Sustainable Society held on March 21, 2017 at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. The Venue was the Meeting Room on the first floor of Midorigaoka Building No. 5. The host professor was Prof. Jiro Takemura. Prof. Dunca presented his research on "Flyash-based Geopolymer as Stabilizer for Road Embankments."

The other papers presented were:

•  An overview of ongoing research and development at Geotechnical Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University - Suched Likitlersuang, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand 
• Study on the drainage and reinforcement effect of the steel drainage pipes against flood-induced deformation in the levees -  Jenisha Singh, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan 
• Some experience of slope bio-engineering in Thailand: research and practice - Apiniti Jotisankasa, Kasetsert University, Thailand 
• Waste disposal facilities in the Philippines and its potential to contaminate groundwater - Maria Antonia Tanchuling, University of the Philippines Diliman, Philippines 
• Case studies of solid waste management and landfill in Southeast Asian countries-  Phetyasone Xaypanya, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan 
• Study on seepage-induced erosion at Tokyo Institute of Technology - Kazuki Horikoshi, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan 
• Microstructure development levels of Mekong Delta late Pleistocene-Holocene deposits - Truong Minh Hoang, Ho Chi Minh University of Science, Vietnam 

Participants of the workshop

Oreta at Tokyo Insititute of Technology Workshop on Structural Eng'g & Mechanics

Participants of the workshop include Professors from Vietnam, TIT Professors and Researchers of the Hirose Laboratory

Prof. Andres Oreta was invited to be one of the resource speakers in the International Workshop on Structural Engineering and Mechanics at Tokyo Institute of Technology held on March 17, 2017. The host professor in this event was Prof. Sohichi Hirose. 

  Dr. Oreta presented a lecture on "Structural Engineering and Heritage Preservation." The lecture, consisting of three majors sections as summarized below:

 

1. Principles and Definitions on Heritage Preservation: This section answers the basic question, “Why do we need to preserve our heritage structures?” and define special terms and principles related to heritage conservation such as Preservation, Restoration, Reconstruction, Reuse and Remodeling.
2.     Impact of Natural Hazards to Heritage Structures: This section presents as an example the impact of the Bohol Earthquake in 2013 to heritage churches and RC Buildings. Observed damages of the structures were presented.
3.  Role of Structural Engineering in Heritage Preservation: This section presents a framework where Structural Engineering is the link between Heritage Preservation and Disaster Risk Reduction. Research on risk assessment and structural assessment of heritage structures conducted by the author and his students were presented. 
   

   

   Dinner after the workshop

   

   With Dr. Jonathan Dungca who is also at TIT for a workshop on Geotechnical Eng'g (Read separate blog)