Amidst the challenges brought about by natural hazards, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) reaffirms its support to communities and local government units (LGUs) through the introduction of science-based tools and solutions for disaster at the 2025 National Science, Technology, and Innovation week (2025 NSTW).
For this year’s NSTW, DOST will feature a portfolio of disaster preparedness technologies including GeoRiskPH and PlanSmart.
Led by the DOST-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), GeoRiskPH, is a web-based platform that provides information on the risk exposures of communities to geological hazards by providing a comprehensive hazard map on floods, landslides, and earthquakes.
It is a multi-agency initiative developed to empower LGUs, communities, and policymakers to make informed decisions and implement effective disaster preparedness measures with its real-time data and advanced analytics.
Recognizing the importance of accessible hazard and risk information, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. highlighted that protecting resources creates greater opportunities for all.
“Our goal is a Philippines where every community, city, municipality, and province has easy access to clear, understandable hazard and risk information. This data should be available, accessible, and actionable for all Filipinos,” he emphasized during his speech at the World Resilient Recovery Conference on June 3, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland.
Complementing the GeoRiskPH, is the PlanSmart Ready to Rebuild web application. Developed by the same experts behind the GeoRiskPH, it is an innovative planning tool, designed and created in partnership with the World Bank, to promote evidence-based land use and urban development. With PlanSmart, LGUs can have a tool that will aid them in optimizing land use, ensuring infrastructure projects are strategically located through science-based data and geospatial platforms.
“We developed the PlanSmart Ready to Rebuild app to become a catalyst to more efficient and effective planning. Through the app, LGUs now have tools that will enable them to access and process data-driven information relevant to DRRM planning in a timely manner. The process of creating a local [Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan] RRP, which usually takes months, can now be done more swiftly and efficiently,” Solidum explained prior to its launching in September 2022.
The GeoRiskPH and PlanSmart are just some of the technologies to be featured in this year’s 2025 NSTW celebration. Aside from this, the week-long event will also showcase activities, forums, and interactive exhibits anchored on the sub-theme: Building Smart and Sustainable Communities, which aims to showcase several R&D based and scientific services that would offer long-term solutions to different communities’ pressing challenges and existing limitations.
The 2025 NSTW is open to the public and will run from November 18 to 21, 2025 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. For the complete list of activities and schedule, follow the NSTW Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/nstwdost or visit the NSTW website at http://nstw.dost.gov.ph. (With information from DOST-PHIVOLCS and Allan Mauro V. Marfal, DOST-STII)
