ILOILO City – To help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) withstand natural disasters, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) trained local businesses to use the government’s HazardHunterPH platform for science-based risk assessment and business continuity planning.
The initiative, conducted through the DOST Iloilo Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO), introduced MSMEs to HazardHunterPH, an online multi-hazard assessment platform that enables users to identify a site’s exposure to floods, earthquakes, landslides, severe winds, volcanic hazards, and other natural threats using official government data.
Businesses were encouraged to integrate disaster risk information into operational and investment decisions.
MSMEs play a crucial role in local economic development by generating jobs, delivering essential goods and services, and strengthening community resilience, but they also remain highly vulnerable to disasters that can disrupt operations and threaten business survival.
The training, titled “GeoRiskPH: Training on HazardHunterPH for MSMEs in Iloilo”, was facilitated by Engr. John Mark Latoza, Science Research Specialist II of the DOST Western Visayas Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Participants were taught how to generate location-specific hazard assessment reports and use the information to guide preparedness measures, risk reduction initiatives, site selection, facility management, and long-term business planning.
Engr. Sheila Oberio, DOST Iloilo provincial science and technology director, emphasized the value of science-based planning in protecting enterprises from disasters.
“By integrating science-based hazard information into their planning processes, businesses can mitigate the impacts of natural disasters, ensuring not just survival but growth,” she stated.
DOST-6 said the training highlighted the strategic importance of incorporating hazard assessments into business continuity strategies, especially as climate change continues to intensify disaster risks.
“Through a presentation of HazardHunterPH’s features and applications, participants gained an understanding of how hazard assessment reports can be generated and used to support business planning and risk reduction,” DOST-6 stated.
The agency said the initiative forms part of its continuing effort to promote science- and technology-based solutions that enhance the resilience and sustainability of businesses and communities across Iloilo and Western Visayas./PN
