Pasay City – The Geohazard and Engineering Geology Section of the Land Geological Survey Division conducted the training workshop entitled ‘Training on Data-Driven Methodologies (WOE and Machine Learning) for Enhanced Geohazard Assessments’ at the Kabayan Hotel from November 11 to 15, 2024.

While the MGB has been conducting geohazard assessments since the 1960s, particularly for landslides and karst subsidence, it is recognized that the dynamic earth processes as well as the socio-economic factors also continuously change. Consequently, it is imperative for the government to continuously enhance its mapping for landslides and other geologic hazards. This training is an initial step to address this need by introducing new approaches and advanced tools to improve current methodologies applied in the MGB’s geohazard assessments for landslide and karst subsidence susceptibility.

The activity was actively participated in by 30 personnel from the Geosciences Divisions of the 15 Regional Offices. 23 personnel from the Lands Geological Survey Division of the Central Office served as participants and facilitators. The training comprised lectures on key concepts of spatial analysis, machine learning, and probabilistic modeling, as well as tabletop exercises on karst subsidence susceptibility and landslide hazard modeling. Further, key discussions were held on the enhancements of the MGB Geohazard Operation Center and ways forward for the improvement of the awareness campaigns on Geohazards.

Enhancement of the geohazard mapping and assessment, particularly the transition into probabilistic hazard mapping and modeling, is part of the road map of the MGB. This undertaking is a step in its pursuit of enhancing community resilience through knowledge-sharing and advanced geological studies, promoting environmental protection, socio-economic development, and public safety.

By: Lands Geological Survey Division