DoST kicks off ‘Handa Pilipinas’ disaster resilience expo

The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) opened the Visayas leg of its nationwide “Handa Pilipinas” disaster resilience exposition on Wednesday, showcasing disaster mitigation technologies and early warning systems to local government units and the private sector.

The three-day event, titled “2026 Handa Pilipinas: Agham at Teknolohiya Para sa Ligtas at Matatag na Bayan,” runs through 9 October at the Leyte Convention Complex in Palo.

Spearheaded by DoST-Eastern Visayas, in partnership with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tacloban-Leyte Inc., the exposition focuses on bridging scientific innovation with local enterprise and community disaster planning.

DoST Eastern Visayas regional director John Glenn D. Ocaña stressed that economic recovery and business continuity are central to long-term disaster management across Eastern Visayas.

“This initiative is significant because it bridges disaster preparedness with economic resilience,” Ocaña said. “When a disaster strikes, it impacts far more than homes and infrastructure — it disrupts businesses, livelihoods, agriculture, the food supply chain, and the daily lives of families. Partnering with the business sector is vital to building true resilience.”

The exposition highlights specialized digital platforms developed by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, including GeoRiskPH and HazardHunterPH, which allow local authorities and business owners to assess site-specific geohazards and structural exposure.

The conference also showcases DoST-developed innovations in smart agriculture, emergency communications, radiation safety and structural engineering.

Plenary sessions include community-level disaster risk reduction presentations, scientific forums on climate adaptation, and technology pitching sessions designed to commercialize risk forecasting tools. DT