In May 2024, ten research groups composed of 57 third year students from the Saint Louis University School of Engineering and Architecture’s Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering (BS IE) program presented the results of their applied research in the Operations Research (IE 3201) course to ten selected barangays in Baguio City.
The capstone research conducted in the second semester of AY 2023-2024 aimed at enhancing the selected barangays’ DRRM (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management) programs through utilization of Operations Research tools such as the Transportation Model, Decision Analysis, Network Modelling, and QGIS (Quantum Geographic Information Systems) in assigning proper evacuation centers and routes for barangay citizens during emergencies such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, and fires.
The ten barangays considered in the study were ABCR (Andres Bonifacio-Caguioa-Rimando), Brookspoint, Honeymoon-Holy Ghost, Kabayanihan, Kayang Extension, Legarda-Burnham-Kisad, Padre Zamora, Trancoville, Upper General Luna, and Upper Quirino-Magsaysay.
The outputs of the students included a computer-generated and updated map of the barangay, proposed evacuation centers with assigned number of citizens, and proposed evacuation routes. The study also aimed at providing a scientific approach in designating evacuation areas, which may help mitigate risks during emergencies.
The barangay councils expressed their gratitude towards the student researchers whose research gave invaluable contributions towards enhancing the barangays’ DRRM programs through a scientific and problem-solving-based approach.
Some of the barangays in this study were able to update their barangay’s DRRM programs for 2023-2026, incorporating the student researchers’ outputs, while the others plan to consider the students’ project in their 2025 DRRM program.
The results of the research proved to be valuable to the local government units (LGUs), increasing their safety awareness and applying a proactive approach in disaster mitigation.
These researches were accomplished under the supervision and guidance of research adviser, Engr. Geraldine Nerona, faculty of the SLU Industrial Engineering Department.
