In Memoriam: Dr. Susan Espinueva

ACCORD pays tribute to one of its own, a passionate and tireless scientist and public servant, Dr. Susan Espinueva.

 

ACCORD pays tribute to a passionate and tireless scientist and public servant, Dr. Susan Espinueva.

 

She passed away in the afternoon of May 12, 2014. She died of cancer. She was 55 years old.

She was the head of the Hydro-Meteorological Division of the country’s meteorological institute, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA). Susan was also a former president of the Philippine Meteorological Society.

Dr. Susan is a pioneer in the development of multi-hazard mapping in the country. She led the development of multi-hazard maps in Dingalan, Aurora in 2004, right after four successive tropical cyclones hit the area. The multi-hazard maps were developed to inform decisions on resettlement locations for high risk communities.

As one of her last contributions, Susan and her team in PAGASA played a significant role in the facilitation of the development and harmonization of the early warning systems of the Tullahan River basin which includes five cities in the northern part of Metro Manila (QC-CAMANAVA).

A dedicated champion of communities, she is a passionate advocate of community based disaster risk management. She believes that development of early warning systems is not only about acquisition of high technology alone. She is a scientist who upholds the importance of the participation of people in understanding and addressing disaster risks.

Susan was the founding treasurer of the Board of Trustees of ACCORD Inc.

Susan was a strong woman, a loving mother, and a good friend.

We will miss you, Susan.

Rest assured, ACCORD will cherish your memory and continue your life-long work of helping communities build resilience.