The REDAS is a software developed by PHIVOLCS in 2002 under a DOST-GIA Project.  The software can simulate earthquake hazards such as ground shaking, liquefaction, landslides, and tsunami. The software can also compute earthquake impact in terms of physical damage, casualties, and economic loss.

Pasay City LGU Chief of Staff Peter Eric Pardo and LRMC President & CEO Juan F. Alfonso together with the participants of 2^nd LRMC REDAS Training

The pilot training for LRMC employees was conducted in 2021 by the DOST-REDAS Team, which covered Module 1: Introduction to REDAS, Basic Map Reading, Understanding Geological Hazards, Earthquake and Tsunami Alerting Module (ETAM) Familiarization, Satellite Rainfall Monitor (SRM) and Seismic Hazard Assessment (SHA) Familiarization. For 2022, this was expanded to include LRT-1 partners for Module 1, and the conduct of Module 2 consisting of in-depth focus on SQLITE, SRM Data Acquisition, SHAKE Presentation, and REDAS as an Impact Assessment Tool.

“We are grateful for our sustained partnership with the DOST. The REDAS software has become a tool of choice for LRMC in spearheading, planning, and execution during times of natural calamities. In times of disruptive incidents, one of our main tasks is to ensure the continued delivery of service at acceptable levels. REDAS has been a vital component in addressing the planning requirements of disaster monitoring and risk reduction. We decided to extend the same training, in coordination with PHIVOLCS, to our LGU partners along the LRT-1 who help us maintain an overall safe and resilient system. This is to have a concerted, harmonized, and systematic effort to strengthen our emergency preparedness,” LRMC Head of Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality Department Dr. Louernie De Sales said.

The recent 5-day hybrid REDAS training was held from 6 – 10 June 2022 at the LRT-1 Depot in Baclaran and via ZOOM, which brought together participants from LRMC and different public and private partners. Some of the partners included Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) Pasay, Pasay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), Pasay City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Barangay 190 Pasay City, Caloocan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO), Department of Public Services (DPS) – Manila, Parañaque City Risk Reduction and Management Office (RRMO), Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (QCDRRMC), Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), Metro Pacific Tollways South Management Corporation, NLEX Corporation, and Awesome Ways International Services.

“The transport sector, in particular, is very vulnerable to various natural hazards. And they need to be protected because immediately after a major event – a disaster – the transport sector should be revived and be able to open the city, the metropolis, and have access in and out of this area. So, I am very glad, I remember, that we had this training also before, and I’m sure that LRMC and the local government units and its officials would really support your participation and make sure that what you will learn will be implemented to further improve the overall operations resilient to these threats,” Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary and PHIVOLCS Officer-in-Charge Renato U. Solidum, Jr. said.

“I hope that this training and orientation with the REDAS will equip our attendees with knowledge necessary for disaster preparedness. We never know when the next earthquake will come but we should always be prepared. Preparedness and knowledge lessen damage to both lives and properties. I join you in the crusade for safety. Let’s all work together to ensure that safety is a priority in our respective offices. Let us all be prepared and let us all be ready to serve,” Pasay City LGU Chief of Staff Peter Eric Pardo said.

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Started in School Year 2020 - 2021, the partnership between LRMC and Binhi English Literacy Foundation began with one class at Marcela Marcelo Elementary School in Pasay City being supported for the Beginning Reading Program. The primary objectives were to improve the student’s comprehension skills and develop love for reading that will inspire students to do better in school and subsequently, improve their economic situation. The program resulted to a 40.8% improvement in average scores for the reading progress of students.

“This advocacy has a very special place in our hearts as we are not just your partner for a safe, reliable, efficient, and comfortable journey, but we are also here to support the other needs of communities being served by LRT-1. We are grateful to our partners from Alstom and Bouygues for joining us in this initiative anchored on the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), allowing us to reach more students and families,” said LRMC Head of Corporate Communications and Customer Relations Jacqueline Gorospe.

For this School Year 2021 – 2022, the partnership has expanded to cover a total of three Grade 2 classes from Marcela Marcelo Elementary School in Pasay City and F. Serrano Sr. Elementary School in Paranaque City made possible by the additional support from Alstom and Bouygues Travaux Publics.

“Bouygues Travaux Publics Philippines, Inc. is pleased to support the Binhi English Literacy Foundation program for the less fortunate, but the no less determined children of our local communities. All children have an inner potential, some need just a little extra guidance and support in their formative years and if Bouygues can facilitate a means of support for such children, we welcome the opportunity to do so. After all, never a truer expression than children are our future,” said Bouygues Project Director Drasko Strika.

“We believe that language should not become a barrier to talent or hindrance for success of the children with learning differences at F. Serrano Sr. Elementary School - Don Bosco. This joint collaboration with Binhi English Literacy Foundation allows us to meaningfully address these opportunity gaps by improving the English reading and comprehension skills of underprivileged students in our local communities,” Huang Pei Hsiu, Project Director (Manila Cavite) of Alstom said.

In response to the new normal given the COVID-19 pandemic, the Binhi English Literacy Program was redesigned into a ClassHome Kit, an individual kit consisting of activity sheets, learning supplies, and recorded instructional video lessons distributed to each student.

The Binhi English Literacy Foundation, Inc. is a non-governmental organization founded in Manila in 2008 to help children ages 5 to 11 who are out-of-school or in school but at risk of dropping out.

LRMC has adopted a two hectare-site (equal to 800 trees) with one year maintenance as part of its support to the Plant for Life, the annual program of its MVP Group sister company Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad). Plant for Life was established in 2007 with the goal of planting 10,000 trees every year during the rainy season in Ipo Watershed, Bulacan. Prone to denudation due to illegal logging, forest fires, and kaingin deforestation, the 7250-hectare watershed is the source of 90% of Maynilad’s raw water. Reforestation is crucial to secure its water supply, as well as ensure the quality and quantity for its service areas in Metro Manila. To date, Maynilad has already planted over 550,000 trees in Ipo Watershed, sequestering over 9,200 tons of carbon dioxide.

The support of LRMC for the adopted site includes hauling of seedlings, site clearing, hole digging, out-planting, firebreak establishment, weeding among others. As part of the company’s 6th anniversary celebration, several LRMC employee volunteers participated in the tree planting activity held last 24 September 2021 at Sitio Balagbag, Norzagaray, Bulacan.

“Sustainability is a business imperative for LRMC. As one of the cleanest and greenest high-volume modes of transport, rail is definitely part of the solution in creating sustainable lifestyles and economies. At LRMC, we are taking it a step further through initiatives such as this that promote environmental stewardship and partnership with local communities, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and Gabay Kalikasan advocacy of the MVP Group,” LRMC President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso shared.

Malaruhat, kupang, and batino are among the endemic tree species planted in the adopted site to address the following objectives: reduce sedimentation, protect watershed resources, reduce turbidity of water, ensure sustainable water source, and integrate carbon sequestration. The reforestation effort is anchored on the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) and Goal 15 (Life on Land).

Gabay Kalikasan is one of the six Gabay Advocacies for a Sustainable Philippines launched by the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) and other MVP Group companies. These advocacies encapsulate the group’s efforts to attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for Filipinos: Livelihood, Youth and Leadership, Environment, Community Work, Health and Sports, and Education.

“While we remain steadfast in ensuring the safety and convenience of our commuters daily, our mission extends to the greater good which includes taking steps towards a cleaner, greener, and more resilient planet. LRMC has been religiously monitoring and reporting our CO2 emissions to reduce carbon footprint and our environmental impact. We have been successful over the years in meeting our targets for greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in both Scope 1 (direct emissions) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions – owned),” said Dr. Louernie de Sales, LRMC Head of Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality Department.

LRMC has been a long-term advocate of sustainability, having established the Live for the Rivers Movement coalition in 2016 together with various local government units and partners. The coalition seeks to address river pollution along the Estero de Tripa Gallina in Pasay City through extensive cleaning, rehabilitation, production of Vetiver Grass and Mabuhay Balls. LRMC also performs regular clean-up activities in communities near LRT-1 such as the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila. As part of its Bikeways Program, LRMC has installed bike racks in all stations and worked with the Pasay LGU for bike lanes in support of active mobility.

For more updates and info on the LRT-1, follow LRMC on Facebook at facebook.com/officialLRT1, Twitter at @officialLRT1, or download the ikotMNL mobile app for free on Google Play and App Store.