Friday, September 9, 2016

Networking Report - University of San Carlos, Cebu City




University of San Carlos (USC), Talamban Campus, Cebu City,
Civil Engineering Department Conference Room
September 02, 2016,  09:00 am- 10:45 am

In attendance:
Chairman Janice B. Jamora, Chairman  CE Department
Prof. Ric Fornis- Asst. Dean, College of Engineering
Prof. Alex Melchor- Hydraulics and Water Resources Division Head
Engr. Jerry B. Maratas - Faculty
Dr. Lessandro Garciano – CE Chairman
Dr. Renan Tanhueco – DR&RR Unit Leader


  • 1.      The meeting started with Dr. Garciano giving a brief presentation of CESDR and the DR&RR unit and the purpose of the visit. Dr. Garciano discussed about the Sub-center’s interest on academic/research cooperation and collaboration and that its main strengths and interests are in the hazard and risk assessment and in DRR  integration in local government plans and processes.

  • 2.      USC CE department is less familiar with government processes but are active in participating in scientific studies using LiDAR based technologies. They also get involved in meetings with local and national government, when invited.

  • 3.       Prof. Fornis suggested the idea of a consortium of several schools to deal with research challenges and addressing current development problems. Dr. Tanhueco mentioned about the proposed collaboration with XU-ERC under Director Lo and he expressed his view that it is best to limit the arrangements among the three schools and support each other in developing competencies, capacities in scientific studies and in integrating outputs into development plans.

  • 4.      Prof. Alex Melchor suggested studies on the rainfall-infiltration- run-off process modeling as an initial area to be studied in Cebu.

  • 5.      Prof. Garciano also expressed interest in conducting studies on risk and reliability of water systems against earthquakes. This is to continue studies of this nature in many other water district’s waterworks system.

  • 6.      Both parties agreed to have an initial meeting with Dir. Lo, sometime in Sept 22 where Dr. Garciano and Dir. Lo will be attending and presenting papers at the 6ACEE (6th Asia Conference in Earthquake Engineering) in Cebu City. The USC, XU_ERC and DLSU CESDR subcenter will try to short list possible research areas and come up with a concept note of the research.

  • 7.      In a separate occasion, Dr. Garciano met with Dean Taboada to discuss possible funding sources such as the UK Newton Fund and US Stride.



Prepared by:  Dr. R.Tanhueco
    Reviewed by: Dr. Garciano

Networking report - Surigao City




 
Surigao Metro-Water District, Surigao City SMWD General Manager’s  Office, September 01, 2016, 8:30  am- 09:15 am.

In attendance:
GM Benjamin Ensomo – General Manager of the Surigao Metro Water District
Mr. Manuel Kong – Chairman / Board of Director of the Surigao Metro Water District
Dr. Lessandro Garciano – CE Chairman
Dr. Renan Tanhueco – DR&RR Unit Leader


  1. The meeting started with Dr. Tanhueco giving a brief presentation of CESDR and the DR&RR unit and the purpose of the visit. Dr. Tanhueco inquired about the status of the water safety plan being prepared by the water district. Two years back, one DLSU CE graduate student facilitated the process of hazards assessment as part of a masteral thesis.
  2. GM Ensomo narrated that they were able to present the process and results of the hazard assessment in a workshop by the Department of Health (DOH) who is spearheading the water safety planning for all water districts in the country. He also mentioned that a final report is currently being packaged. He expressed thanks to the researchers who helped formulate the hazard assessment part of the water safety plan.
  3.  Dr. Tanhueco also relayed to GM Ensomo his intention of continuing the graduate and undergraduate research with the support of SMWD and also expanding the study using new water network models and integrating natural hazard impact (e.g. flood and earthquake). This time around, the CESDR Sub-center will be having a MOA with SMWD.
  4. Dr. Garciano also narrated their initial work on seismic hazard impacts (using the Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment - PSHA) to the water system in Surigao City which he hopes to continue with SMWD.
  5.  GM Ensomo mentioned that pipe crossings need to be reviewed for earthquake vulnerability.
  6. GM Ensomo expressed willingness to continue cooperation and collaboration and looks forward to a MOA with the University through CESDR.  Chairman Manuel Kong welcomes the possible cooperation and collaboration.
  7. GM Ensomo also supports  the CESDR DRRM/CCA Unit to present in the City development Council in order that they endorse the studies proposed and give proper recognition to the researchers and the University through CESDR



The Surigao City Planning and Development Office, 
Surigao City Hall, September 01, 2016, 9:30 am- 10:30 am

In attendance:
Mrs. Dian Edera - Head Planning Coordinator, Surigao City Planning and Development Office
Dr. Lessandro Garciano – CE Chairman
Dr. Renan Tanhueco – DR&RR Unit Leader

  • 1.      The meeting started with Dr. Tanhueco giving a brief introduction of CESDR and the DR&RR unit and the purpose of the visit. Dr. Tanhueco inquired about the status of approval of the risk-sensitive zoning ordinance of Surigao City. The City was one among the pilot areas for local risk-sensitive land use planning in 2011.

  • 2.      Mrs. Edera happily announced that their risk –sensitive Zoning Ordinance had been approved by the city council. They are among the first of local government units to have both their risk-sensitive land use plan and zoning ordinance approved by their local legislative councils.

  • 3.      Dr. Tanhueco mentioned about the continuing studies in Surigao city especially on flood hazard mapping using new models, review of zoning provisions for hazard overlays, system hazard assessment on water systems of Suriago City

  • 4.      Dr. Garciano mentioned about the seismic hazard assessments on water systems in cooperation with Surigao Metro Water District

  • 5.      Mrs. Edera welcomes the improvements on zoning provisions as well as new studies that can inform their comprehensive development plans (CDP). These are public documents which are focused on sectoral development. 

 §  Refinement of hazard reduction provisions in development plans against earthquakes
§  Refinement of hazard reduction provisions in development plans against floods
  •  6.      Dr. Tanhueco also relayed the information that one of the CE faculty and member of CESDR DR&RR Dr. Fillone had conducted traffic simulations in Surigao City. Dr. Tanhueco relayed that he had asked Dr. Fillone to join them in their next visit to the City. Dr. Tanhueco   suggested that the group present again their on-going and proposed activities to the City Development Council (CDC) to get their endorsement and recognition of the DLSU-Surigao City collaboration.

  •  7.      Both parties agreed to push for a MOA between Surigao City Mayor’s Office and DLSU.

  • 8.      Mrs. Edera suggested that the CESDR Sub-center presentation be made on their first CDC meeting tentatively set on September 30, where newly elected officials and selected city stakeholders will be forming the new CDC.
  • 9.      Dr. Tanhueco and Dr. Garciano noted the suggestion and will send a follow-up note to Mrs. Edera about the presentation.



Surigao Del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc., Surigao City 
September 01, 2016, 10:45 am- 11:30 am

In attendance:
Engr. Alex Diaz- Supervising Electrical Engineer, SURNECO
Engr. Dave Becerro- Electrical Engineer, SURNECO
Dr. Lessandro Garciano – CE Chairman
Dr. Renan Tanhueco – DR&RR Unit Leader

  •  1.      The meeting was made with Engr. Alex Diaz, since the general manager and technical manager were in another meeting.  Dr. Tanhueco explained to the Engr. Diaz and company about purpose of the visit. Engr. Diaz was among the field engineers who supported the URCO-research of Dr. Garciano and Dr. Tanhueco on “Risk analysis of the power supply in San Juan, Surigao City, Philippines Due to Extreme Floods”. They explained to Engr. Diaz about the interest to continue the research and that there is already funding available for the field work.
  • 2.      Engr. Diaz, being familiar with the study, suggested to send an e-mail and a request for audience to the General Manager as soon as possible. He mentioned that SURNECO administration will likely support the study because it will similarly meet their objective of completing an inventory of the electrical components (e.g. transformers, sectionalizers, posts, house connections, household information etc.) and the connectivity of the system. They had been trying to complete these in the past few years, but lack of resources also limited them to complete the inventory.
  • 3.      Engr. Diaz also welcomes the study on earthquake impact to the electrical system components in the urban areas as this will help them in terms of planning emergency response to breakdowns after an earthquake.
  • 4.      Dr. Garciano will send a follow-up letter to the general manger and will try to set a meeting within the month of September 2016.
Prepared by:  Dr. R.Tanhueco
    Reviewed by: Dr. Garciano