HOT, SLSU, and LGU Sogod Collaborate on 3D Terrain Visualization and Drone Mapping to Enhance Disaster Planning in Brgy. Libas
On the second day of his visit to Southern Leyte on June 19, 2026, Mr. Ivan Gayton of the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), together with the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) GIS Technology Center Team led by Dr. Jannie Fleur V. Oraño, conducts a field engagement activity. They partner with the Municipality of Sogod Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), represented by Mr. Randy Rana, LDRRMO III, as well as MDRRMO personnel and officers, the SLSU Extension Services Office headed by Mr. Jonelle Tablada, Director for Extension Services, and the officials of Barangay Libas, Sogod, Southern Leyte.
The visit commences at the MDRRMO Office of Sogod, where Mr. Gayton presents a 3D visualization of the Municipality of Sogod using terrain and elevation data. The presentation provides local officials with a clearer understanding of the municipality’s topographic characteristics, watershed systems, and flood-prone areas. Through interactive visualization, participants examine how terrain features influence water movement and hazard exposure across different communities. The initiative provides valuable scientific insights that support evidence-based disaster preparedness planning and community resilience efforts, contributing to the promotion of safer and more sustainable communities in line with global development efforts toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
A key focus of the discussion is Barangay Libas, where topographic analysis reveals that much of the area exhibits a basin-like terrain formation. Surrounded by relatively higher elevations, portions of the barangay remain prone to water accumulation during periods of intense rainfall, which increases its vulnerability to flooding. The discussion carries particular significance because the team identifies Barangay Libas as one of the areas that sustained damage during the onslaught of Bagyong Tino. This event exposed the community’s vulnerability to extreme weather and highlighted the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and risk mitigation strategies. The 3D terrain visualization enables municipal and barangay officials to better understand the relationship between elevation, drainage patterns, and flood behavior, providing valuable insights for local disaster risk reduction and management efforts. Such data-driven approaches become increasingly vital as communities face growing climate-related risks, reinforcing local adaptation strategies and supporting broader efforts under SDG 13: Climate Action.
Following the presentation, the team proceeds to Barangay Libas to conduct field validation and aerial mapping activities. Using drone technology, the team captures updated aerial imagery that supports the development of detailed maps and enhanced 3D terrain models. These geospatial datasets will contribute to future flood risk assessments, hazard mapping initiatives, and evidence-based local planning efforts. The use of advanced drone and geospatial technologies demonstrates how innovation and modern scientific tools address local development challenges, reflecting the importance of SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure in promoting technological advancement for sustainable development.
The drone mapping activity also draws the interest of several curious residents and barangay officials who gather to observe the operation. Participants learn about the capabilities of drone technology and its applications in mapping, environmental monitoring, and disaster risk reduction. Under the guidance of the technical team, some participants experience basic drone operations firsthand, gaining valuable exposure to emerging geospatial technologies and their practical applications in community development. Beyond the technical demonstrations, the activity highlights the vital role of extension services in connecting academic expertise with community needs. By facilitating knowledge exchange and technology transfer, the SLSU Extension Services Office ensures that research and innovation reach communities where they can create meaningful and lasting impacts.
The engagement serves as a platform for collaborative learning, dialogue, and partnership-building among technical experts, local government personnel, barangay officials, and community stakeholders. The activity further underscores the growing partnership between the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), Southern Leyte State University, and LGU Sogod. As climate-related risks continue to challenge vulnerable communities, initiatives such as this demonstrate how partnerships among universities, local governments, international organizations, and local stakeholders harness innovation, technology, and community knowledge to build safer, more informed, and more resilient communities. More importantly, this collaboration reflects the importance of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, emphasizing how collective action and shared expertise create sustainable long-term solutions that strengthen local disaster resilience while advancing sustainable development at the community level.