CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-10 hosts the HANDA Pilipinas: Innovations in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Expo 2023 Mindanao Leg. 

HANDA Pilipinas serves as a platform that underscores the government's ongoing commitment to bolster the nation's resilience in dealing with disasters and emergencies. 

Its primary objectives are to raise awareness about disaster risk reduction, inform and equip stakeholders, the public, and other agencies with knowledge about DOST's disaster risk reduction technology, and expedite the practical implementation of innovations and technologies developed, funded, and supported by DOST.

“The Department of Science and Technology, together with our government and non-government partners, bring you the HANDA Pilipinas Exhibit, showcasing Filipino-made technologies for the Filipino people. We bring you the best available science, technology, and innovation solutions that could strengthen, empower, and enhance the resilience and sustainability here in Mindanao,” DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said.

The three-day event, centered around the theme 'Enhancing Resiliency and Sustainability for Mindanao,' unfolded from October 4 to 6.

Focused on showcasing Filipino-made technology, HANDA Pilipinas features 74 various technologies and innovations, which revolve around four key areas of disaster preparedness: Innovation in disaster prevention and mitigation, Innovation in disaster preparedness, Innovation in disaster response, and Innovation in disaster rehabilitation and recovery. Out of the 74 exhibitors, 54 are from the national level, while 20 are local.

While the event is part of the Mindanao Leg, participants from diverse regions, including BARMM, CAR, NCR, Regions 1 through 13, attended HANDA Pilipinas. According to the DOST-10 list, a total of 2,044 individuals engaged in discussions on various topics throughout the event.

Changing the disaster narrative

As the Philippines remains a country with high risk and vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change and maintains its position as number one out of 193 countries in the World Risk Report for two consecutive years, Solidum emphasized that there is still an opportunity to change the country's narrative in facing disasters.

“We need to take a firm stand and commitment to reduce our vulnerabilities and make our own redefined and reimagined Filipino brand of resilience. And we cannot do that alone. We need the whole of society to make our vision of safer, adaptive, climate and disaster-resilient Filipino communities towards sustainable development a reality,” the DOST secretary said.

Considering Mindanao's history of experiencing disasters, Solidum explained that each local government must anticipate, prevent, mitigate, and prepare for natural hazards to manage and respond to disasters.

Preparedness is a key tool in disaster prevention. In response to this challenge, DOST has shifted its focus towards developing technologies that can aid Filipinos in preparing for various hazards through Filipinnovation, he added.

Solidum said Filipinnovation represents how knowledge drives innovation, innovation drives productivity, and productivity drives economic growth. It is also an evolution of how Filipinos are not merely managing disasters but managing disaster risks, not only surviving disasters but instead creating solutions to face them, emerging as victors. 

Highlighting innovations, DOST put on display the various technologies that can aid in the early warning devices such as Satellite Rainfall Extremes or SatRex, GeoRiskPhilippines Initiative, Landslide Investigations on Geohazards for Timely Advisories in the Philippines by UP Los Banos, and Community Dengue Early Warning System by Isabela State University; Disaster preparedness such as Rainwater Collection System and USHER Technologies; Disaster response, rehabilitation, and recoveries such as Clean water and healthy food; DIY- Bamboo Shelter, and Mobile Command and Control Vehicle.

With the HANDA Pilipinas expo presented throughout the nation, DOST hopes this will help increase public awareness of the preventable and solvable problems the country is facing. 

The department also aims that participants, especially the local government units, will take notice of the different Filipino-made technologies that are ready for adoption and transfer, ready to be maximized by their fullest potential for disaster prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation and recovery. (JAKA/PIA10)