PROJECT NOAH

(Nationwide Operational
Assessment of Hazards)

Group 4
Irish Balingit
Irish Joy Pamposa
Erren Jahzeel Mendenilla
Chenilyn Palabasan
Bryant Louise Razon
Jedrick David
Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) is a responsive program,
launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), for disaster prevention and
mitigation for the Philippines' warning agencies to provide a 6 hour lead-time warning to
vulnerable communities against impending floods. Advanced technology will be used to enhance
current geo-hazard vulnerability maps.

The project takes a multi-disciplinary approach to develop systems, tools, and other technologies
which could be operationalized by the government to help prevent and mitigate disasters.

By using science and technology, in partnership with the academe and other stakeholders, the
project aims to undertake disaster science research and development, advance the use of cutting
edge technologies, and recommend innovative information services in government's disaster
prevention and mitigation efforts.

It's immediate task is to integrate current disaster science research and development projects and
initiate new efforts within the DOST.

The Philippines, being a locus of typhoons, tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, is a
hotbed of disasters. Natural hazards inflict loss of lives and costly damage to property in the
country. The effect of these hazards were witnessed in 2011s Typhoon Pedring, 2012s Typhoon
Pablo, and the most disastrous storm of the century, 2013s Typhoon Yolanda. These resulted in a
high number of fatalities with economic losses amounting to billions of pesos. Extreme weather
is the common factor in these catastrophes. Situated in the humid tropics, the Philippines will
inevitably suffer from climate-related calamities similar to those experienced in recent years.
With continued development in the lowlands, and growing populations, it is expected that
damage to infrastructure and human losses would persist and even rise unless appropriate
measures are immediately implemented by government.

In response to President Aquinos instructions to put in place a responsive program for disaster
prevention and mitigation, specifically, for the Philippines warning agencies to be able to
provide a 6 hour lead-time warning to vulnerable communities against impending floods and to
use advanced technology to enhance current geo-hazard vulnerability maps, the Nationwide
Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) was launched by the Department of Science and
Technology.

NOAHs mission is to undertake disaster science research and development, advance the use of
cutting edge technologies and recommend innovative information services in governments
disaster prevention and mitigation efforts. Though the use of science and technology and in
partnership with the academe and other stakeholders, the DOST through Program NOAH is
taking a multi-disciplinary approach in developing systems, tools, and other technologies that
could be operationalized by government to help prevent and mitigate disasters.
NOAHs immediate task is to integrate current disaster science research and development
projects and initiate new efforts within the DOST to achieve this objective. Presently there are
nine(9) component projects under the NOAH program, namely:

There are eight component projects under the NOAH Program. These include:

Hydromet Sensors Development- Installation of 600 automated rain gauges (ARG) and 400
water level monitoring stations (WLMS) along the country's 18 major river basins (RBs) by
December 2013 to provide a better picture of the country's surface water in relation to flooding

Disaster Risk Exposure Assessment for Mitigation- Light Detection and Ranging (DREAM-
LIDAR) 3-D Mapping Project- Creation of more accurate flood inundation and hazard maps in
3D for the country's flood-prone and major river systems and watersheds

Flood Information Network (Flood NET-Flood Modeling Project)- A flood center for a timely
and accurate information for flood early warning systems. The project will come up with
computer models for critical RBs, automate the process of data gathering, modeling and
information output, and release flood forecasts.

Weather Hazard Information Project (WHIP)- The utilization of platforms such as television
(DOSTv) and web portal (http://noah.dost.gov.ph) to display real-time satellite and Doppler
radar, ARG, and WLMS data to empower LGUs and communities to prepare against extreme
natural hazards. The said project is to be complemented by activities like:

Conduction of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities

Processing and packaging of relevant and up-to-date information for public use

Enhancing Geo-hazards Mapping through LIDAR- The use of LIDAR technology and computer-
assisted analyses to identify exact areas prone to landslides

Local Development of Doppler Radar Systems (LaDDeRs)- Development of local capacity to

design, fabricate, and operate sub-systems of Doppler radars for remotely sensing the dynamic
parameters of sea surface (wave, wind field, and surface current velocity)

Landslide Sensors Development Project- A low-cost, locally developed and sensor-based early
monitoring and warning systems for landslides, slope failures, and debris flow.

Coastal Hazards and Storm Surge Assessment and Mitigation (CHASSAM)- A project that will
generate wave surge, wave refraction, and coastal circulation models to understand and
recommend solution for coastal erosion.

The program team is composed of the scientist-leaders of the said projects. The warning agencies
of the country, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAG-ASA) and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) are
represented.

In two years, the project shall provide high-resolution flood hazard maps and install 600
automated rain gauges and 400 water level measuring stations for 18 major river basins in the
country. These are:

Marikina City River Basin

Cagayan de Oro River Basin

Iligan City River Basin

Agno River Basin

Pampanga River Basin

Bicol River Basin

Cagayan River Basin

Agusan River Basin

Panay River Basin

Magaswang Tubig River Basin

Jalaur River Basin

Ilog-Hilabangan River Basin

Agus River Basin

Davao River Basin

Mindanao River Basin

Tagum-Libuganon River Basin

Tagaloan River Basin

Buayan-Malungun River Basin

The project will also work on other river basins of the country after the work on the said major
river basins is completed.

Hazard maps are tools used for localized emergency response, identification of evacuation and
access routes, road closures during disaster events, siting of key rescue facilities and
comprehensive land use planning. These are produced with computer simulations which reflect
flood-prone areas which are discernible at a local scale or community level.

Project NOAH's initial output was focused on the Marikina Watershed. In March 2012, the
following were already accessible online:

Streaming data from the automated rain gauges and water level sensors

Flood hazard maps overlain on Google Maps

Graphical satellite radar and Doppler data forecasts

Translated rain intensity and volume measurements in terms of warning and evacuation level
alarms, hours or days ahead of the flood event

The said output was used to replicate the entire country. The generated information was
transmitted by other media and communication channels. Project NOAH partners with LMP and
LCCAD in 2017 National Roll-out of Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP)

The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) and the Local Climate Change
Adaptation for Development (LCCAD) group are currently spearheading Training-Workshops on
the Formulation of the LCCAP in the Philippines and Federalism. With support from Climate
Change Commission (CCC), the Second District of Albay headed by Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda,
University of the Philippines, UP NIGS, and Project NOAH, the 2017 National Roll-out has been
continuously ongoing from January to March this year at the Sequoia Hotel in Quezon City.
Five three-day sessions have already been conducted with LGU representatives from
MIMAROPA, Central Luzon, Caraga, Davao Region, Socsksargen, Albay, ARRM, CAR, and
Western Visayas.

The National Roll-out targets all Local Government Units (LGUs) through the League,
discussing the formulation of the Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP) and its eventual
implementation. The LCCAP is a document designed and created by the LGU regarding climate
change adaptation plans in their locality.

This is necessary because LGUssome more than othersmay be affected by the impacts of
climate change (which may include an increase in frequency or intensity of hydrometeorological
hazards such as flood, landslides, and storm surges) and accelerated sea level rise, proving the
need for localized capacity building programs to increase resiliency.

The aim is to capacitate and mobilize LGUs since they are more familiar with the community
adaptation-based approach and their importance to community livelihoods, environment, and
homes. LGUs are also better at directing, commanding and mobilizing human resources, have
wider access to local information, indigenous knowledge and communities for local actions,
measures and activities.
Because adaptation starts with disaster risk reduction, Project NOAH partnered with the LMP
and LCCAD and delivered presentations on the projects hazard maps and their importance in
addressing the countrys issues in climate change adaptation. Represented by Dr. Mahar Lagmay,
NOAH stresses the importance of probabilistic and scenario-based hazard maps and their
advantages over deterministic maps. According to Lagmay, probabilistic and scenario-based
hazard maps take into account climate change projections and future events, while deterministic
maps portray hazard scenarios that have already happened and usually only within living
memory. As mentioned in the LCCAP preparation manual, emphasis should be given on
preparing for future hazards.

The training sessions also included a short discussion on federalism on the last day, positing the
factors of the proposal and the possible changes it could bring to each province.

The LGUs are the front-liners in our fight against climate change. With these programs, we are
strengthening the capacity of the leaders of this nation and their constituents, and we are now
gearing towards a disaster-resilient and climate change-adaptive country.

II. Vision

The Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) program envisions a disaster-free

Philippines where communities are empowered through open access to accurate, reliable and
timely hazard and risk information.

III. Mission

To develop high-resolution hazard maps for various type of natural hazards using frontier science
and cutting-edge technology.

To undertake investigations in meteorological and geological hazards to improve the countrys

capability to prevent and mitigate the potentially disastrous impacts of natural hazards.

To systematically simulate, validate, and improve geo-hazard maps.

To integrate and assist other agencies in identifying meteorological and geological hazards with
the ultimate objective of promoting safety in communities affected by natural hazards.

To collaborate with similar institutions or organizations, both national and international, in

furtherance of the above purposes.
Participating Agencies and Organizations

PAGASA

DOST-ASTI

PHIVOLCS

DOST-STII

UP NIGS EML Laboratory

ClimateX Project

UP NIGS VTEC Laboratory

nababaha.com

UP DGE-TCAGP

UP-MSI

UP Computer Center

British Council

British Embassy

UK Environment Agency

Cabot Institute, Bristol University

Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Potsdam

MediaQuest Holdings Inc.

Manila Observatory

DRRNet

DILG

MMDA

DENR

DPWH

DOST PCHRD OLTrap Index

Smart Communications, Inc.

SUN Cellular

Google Crisis Response

Petron

www.lifesomundane.net

Rotary Club of Pinamalayan Central

Silverworks

EDC

DSWD

NDRRMC-OCD

World Bank

USAID

Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC)

Pambansang Samahan sa Linggwistika at Literaturang Filipino, Ink.

Safe Steps

Consuelo Foundation

International Organization for Migration

Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

OpenStreetMap Philippines

Mobile Application Development

Project NOAH Android: Rolly Rulete and SMART Communications

Ateneo Java Wireless Competency Center: Flood Patrol app for Android

ABS-CBN Corporation: Project NOAH app for IOS

Pointwest Technologies: Flood Map app for Android/IOS

NOAH Mirrors

University of the Philippines, Diliman

PSCIGRID

Rappler

GMA Network

Globe Telecommunications

Voyager Innovations
References

General citation for DOST-Project NOAH and component projects:

A.M.F. Lagmay. (2012). Disseminating near real-time hazards information and flood maps in the
Philippines through Web-GIS. DOST-Project NOAH Open-File Reports, Vol. 1 (2013), pp. 28-
36. ISSN 2362 7409.

A. Duncan, P. Hogarth, E. Paringit, A.M.F. Lagmay. Sharing UK LIDAR and flood mapping
experience with the Philippines 73-75. International Conference on Flood Resilience:
Experiences in Asia and Europe. 5-7 September 2013. Exeter, United Kingdom.

For particular hazard maps (i.e. Typhoon Haiyan hazard maps):

M.L. Rabonza, R. Felix, I.J.G. Ortiz, I.K.A. Alejandrino, D.T. Aquino, R.C. Eco and A.M.F.
Lagmay. (2014). Shallow landslide susceptibility mapping for selected areas in the Philippines
severely affected by Supertyphoon Haiyan. DOST-Project NOAH Open-File Reports, Vol. 3
(2014), pp. 55-75. ISSN 2362 7409.

R.N. Eco, D. Aquino, A.M.F. Lagmay, I. Alejandrino, M.K. Alemania, A.A. Bonus, C.M. Escape,
R. Felix, P.K. Ferrera, R.C. Gacusan, J.A.M. Galang, F. Llanes, P.K. Luzon, M. Magcamit, K.R.
Montalbo, J. Obrique, I.J. Ortiz, C. Quina, M. Rabonza, V. Realino, J.M. Sabado, S. Salvosa,
N.L. Timbas. (2014). Preliminary Landslide Hazard Assessment of Leyte Province. DOST-
Project NOAH Open-File Reports, Vol. 1 (2014), pp. 10-20. ISSN 2362 7409.

A.M.F. Lagmay, Project NOAH Storm Surge Team. (2014). Devastating Storm Surges of
Typhoon Yolanda. DOST-Project NOAH Open-File Reports, Vol. 3 (2014), pp. 82-95. ISSN 2362
7409.

J. Tablazon, A.M.F. Lagmay, M.T. Mungcal, L. Gonzalo, L. Dasallas, J. Briones, J. Santiago, J.K.
Suarez, J.P. Lapidez, C.V. Caro., C. Ladiero, V. Malano. (2014). Developing an early warning
system for storm surge inundation in the Philippines. DOST-Project NOAH Open-File Reports,
Vol. 3 (2014), pp.96-111. ISSN 2362 7409.

J.P., Lapidez, J. K., Suarez, J., Tablazon, L., Dasallas, L.A., Gonzalo, J., Santiago, K.M.,
Cabacaba, M.M.A., Ramos, A.M.F., Lagmay, V. Malano. (2014). Identification of Storm Surge
Vulnerable Areas in the Philippines through Simulations of Typhoon Haiyan-Induced Storm
Surge Using Tracks of Historical Typhoons. DOST-Project NOAH Open-File Reports, Vol. 3
(2014), pp. 112-131. ISSN 2362 7409.

NOAH.DOST Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards.(Accessed on 21 August 2013).

Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards).Official Gazette.(Accessed

on 23 August 2013)
DOST Project NOAH.iTunes.(Accessed on 23 August 2013).

Data Sources

Australian AID: Metro Manila LiDAR data

Collective Strengthening of Community Awareness for Natural Disasters (CSCAND): Metro

Manila LiDAR data

Government of Japan: JICA

Government of Korea: KOICA