SHAD ROI DE LA CRUZ: I'm back to now introduce
the next team from Project Island Response
and Intervention for Systematic Evacuation,
or i-RISE, a disaster risk management system that
aims to bridge the information gap between local government
units, disaster risk management officers, and the island
communities of Tubigon and Bohol.
i-RISE consist of a web app and a mobile app
built with Flutter, Cloud Function, Cloud Firestore,
and Firebase.
Let's welcome the creators Jian, Joerian, Patricia, and Rex
from the University of the Philippines.
NARRATOR: Said by Aling Maria, a local vendor
from [? oubai ?] island in an interview conducted
by a team of student developers from the University
of the Philippines.
She is one of many residents of the island communities in Bohol
who experienced severe coastal flooding,
but resist fully relocating due to fear of losing identity,
social capital, and livelihood.
Therefore, we introduce project i-RISE, a digital disaster risk
reduction management platform, aiming to contribute
to the UN SDGs 11 and 13.
And powered by Google technologies,
i-RISE banners four core functionalities,
and these functions are carried by three technical components
of the system--
our fabricated tide gauge, web application,
and mobile application.
Before high tides or extreme weather conditions,
on the web app browser, the system
automatically warns the local authorities
and allows them to disseminate advisory simultaneously.
The web application also features a climate change
education curriculum to convince future generations to relocate.
On the other hand, during extreme conditions,
through the mobile app, the residents
can also send rescue request notifications,
and the authorities can also trigger evacuation instructions
with one button.
Instant information cascading, quality and accurate
information, and unlimited reach.
These are the core target impacts of i-RISE to the island
communities as it carries on the vision of a resilient
Philippines, where all Filipinos are inclusive of growth
and are able to adapt to the adverse effects of climate
change.
This is project i-RISE and we rise to the challenge.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
ERICA HANSON: Hi, everyone.
Hi, Todd.
It's good to see you all.
I like your shirts.
Can we take a closer look at your shirts, matching shirts?
Nice.
I like it.
That's great.
Hi, Todd.
Do you want to introduce yourself?
I know you have a couple of questions for the team.
TODD KERPELMAN: Hi, I do.
I'm Todd Kerpelman.
I am a developer relations engineer on the Firebase team,
and I am jealous because I do not have a matching team shirt.
But we'll work on that.
So hello, team i-RISE.
Thank you so much for joining us today.
I really like this app.
This app, this whole program seems
like it could have a really significant impact
on people's lives.
I'm assuming flooding has become a more severe problem
in the last few years, and this seems
like this could really, really help people.
But why don't you tell me about it?
What was the story behind this project
and what made you decide this was
an app that needed to be made?
JIAN ASIADO: Yeah, thank you, Todd.
The idea and inspiration of project i-RISE
came up from a research study from the University of Tokyo.
The article is about the island communities of Tubigon
preparing local measures to relocation in response
to the flooding.
Therefore, from the recommendations of the authors,
our initial step was to understand
the status of disaster risk reduction management
here in the Philippines and put ourselves
in the shoes of the island communities.
Additionally, Rex here is a native of Bohol,
so this project is especially close to his heart, right, Rex?
REX RONTER RUIZ: Yes, Jian.
It is a common pain point that the Philippines, in general,
annually experience the strongest
typhoons and natural disasters.
Considering climate change, our situation
will not get any better.
So when our team first convened, all
showed the interest to confront the challenges
of building disaster resilience in our country.
Subsequently, our team also visited the flooded islands
of Tubigon, and the sad plight of the residents
have greatly inspired us as we build project i-RISE.
Can you kindly share to everyone, Pat, our observations
and findings?
PATRICIA MARIE C. GARCIA: Sure, Rex.
From our surveys and meetings with the local government
units, we found out that there is no existing evacuation
system in place.
People are using inaccurate calendars
to monitor tide levels, and they only
use megaphones to disseminate advisories.
At this point, we realize that there
is an apparent need for these islands
to have an early warning system like ours.
And this is the [AUDIO OUT] of Project i-RISE.
It was highlighted under the Human Security
Pillar of the recently released Bohol Climate Emergency
Response Roadmap.
Additionally, i-RISE can be used not only in natural disasters,
but also in local [INAUDIBLE].
JOERIAN E. GAUTEN: So in summary,
our inspiration came from previous research studies,
visiting actual flooded islands in Bohol
that are experiencing natural disasters.
All of these instigated our team's vision
for the project, a resilient and inclusive Philippines
where Filipinos across the archipelago
can participate in an effective disaster risk management
system.
And with Google technologies, we implement the project.
ERICA HANSON: That's great.
So you say you've been working with some
of the local governments?
What their reaction been, and who are you looking
to work with, moving forward?
PATRICIA MARIE C. GARCIA: Oh, yes.
We actually had several in-person and online meeting
consultations and collaborations with various Philippine
national agencies, as well as the local government
unit of Tubigon and the community itself,
along with academic institutions.
They all have been very supportive
and amazed how the youth, students in particular,
take our active part for climate action.
Jian, if you may add more and elaborate on our collaborations
and consultations?
JIAN ASIADO: Yeah, sure.
But in every aspect of our project development,
we have made ourselves open for learning from experts.
Apart from the local government unit
that help us in conducting our surveys, interviews,
and focus group discussions with the Islanders,
we also reached out to the Philippine department
of environment and natural resources and colleges
from the University of the Philippines.
They are instrumental to help us define
the problem we are solving.
On the other hand, NAMRIA, the Philippine National mapping
agency, was consulted on updating our solution.
These collaborations with government institutions
are necessary since the goal of our project
is to transfer i-RISE system to them.
Do you have something else, Pat?
PATRICIA MARIE C. GARCIA: Yes, I actually do, Jian.
So for the implementation in the next months,
we're aiming for telecommunication companies
in the country to help us get our own localized emergency
number.
We also have our recent collaboration
with the applicants of Bohol at UNESCO Geopark,
since i-RISE and Bohol Geopark are complementary projects.
For everyone's knowledge, Bohol Island
is being moved forward to be Philippines' first UNESCO
Global Geopark.
REX RONTER RUIZ: So, Erica and Todd, in hindsight, Project
i-RISE is a multi-stakeholder project.
We aim to be a life-saving platform.
In fact, through our consultations and actual survey
feedback from the Islanders, we have determined the best
practices that we can adapt to.
Throughout this course of project,
we have learned beyond our expectations,
and we would like to acknowledge everyone who has contributed
to where we are right now.
A special shoutout to our project advisor, Ali,
and our Google mentor, also, Gonzalo.
A special thanks to both of you.
Thank you.
ERICA HANSON: That's great.
Wow, thanks so much.
It's been really fun listening to more about your inspiration
and everything that you've done, reaching out to organizations.
You've already done so much.
So I do want to bring in the audience now.
There are multiple questions, but let's pull in one
from Ananya.
Thank you for asking this.
There are unstable connections at the time of disaster.
So how will someone use the app during the disaster,
she wants to know.
PATRICIA MARIE C. GARCIA: Yeah, so in hindsight,
since we know that internet could become unstable at times.
So during disasters, there is a text messaging system
wherein the Islanders could text the rescuers,
the local government units.
And also, as well, the local government units
can send to the Islanders for notifications and announcement.
As for that end, Joerian, would you like to add some more?
JOERIAN E. GAUTEN: Yeah, actually, we
are utilizing that [? video ?] to have
this app running for us a prototype for the Project
i-RISE.
So we use that interconnected with our Project i-RISE
via REST API.
So whenever someone texted to our localized number,
the [INAUDIBLE] will post, let's say, contact our project,
and then our system will process those data
and disseminate those informations to NGOs
and other authorized parties.
Thanks.
ERICA HANSON: Awesome.
Thank you.
Well, that's great.
And Todd, did you have any final feedback or thoughts?
TODD KERPELMAN: I mean, this seems like--
in some ways, I'm sad that an app like this has to exist,
but I'm really glad it does and that people are working
on a solution like this.
And so I say good luck in expanding this out
to the rest of the community.
And I hope at one point to get a t-shirt.
Just kidding, just kidding.
It's OK.
Thank you very much for coming on today,
and I appreciate all the work you've done.
ERICA HANSON: Great work.
Thank you so much.
It was great meeting with all of you.
Bye, everyone.
REX RONTER RUIZ: Thank you, thank you.
JIAN ASIADO: Bye, thank you.