Research Program MULAT BLISTT: Modelling and Understanding LAndslide evenTs in Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay
The BLISTT area of the Cordillera Administrative region is regarded as among the most landslide prone in the country (Figs. 1 and 2). It lies at the headwaters of four watersheds and is a major educational, commercial, and governance hub. The goal of the MULAT BLISTT research program to strengthen disaster resilience is aligned with RA 10121, and the UN 2030 Sustainable development goals. Both mandate inter-agency, community-based DRRM efforts to build disaster-resilient communities. The program goal is to strengthen evidence-based decision-making pertinent to implementation of landslide-related rehabilitation and mitigation measures, urban planning and environmental impact assessment.
Scheduled to run from July 2022 to June 2024, the program covers two projects:
- Project 1: Modelling susceptibility and generating rainfall threshold for rainfall-induced landslides will be supervised by Program/ Project Leader Dr. Dymphna Javier, Geology Professor of UP Baguio, in partnership with MGB-CAR Regional Director Fay Apil as co-Project Leader. With available high-resolution satellite imagery and access to remote sensing, GIS and statistical software, more updated detailed landslide inventories and landslide susceptibility and risk maps will be generated, in addition to analysis of rainfall-triggering landslides.
- Project 2: CALAMI-T- Cordillera Administrative Landslide Monitoring Integrated Toolbox, will be led by Engr. Nathaniel Vincent Lubrica, Research Director of the University of the Cordilleras, in partnership with Engr. Elisabeth Calub, Dean of the University of Baguio School of Information Technology. Sensors data along with GIS generated maps, remotely sensed maps, spatial rainfall information, geospatial, and geotechnical data will be combined in an array of landslide models which will provide early warning, and landslide analysis for planning purposes. In the citizen’s level, mobile app will be developed for citizen awareness as well as citizen reports linked with the entire Project CALAMI-T platform.
The MULAT BLISTT program is funded by the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).