Iloilo embarks on early warning system for disaster mitigation
The provincial government of Iloilo has accepted the Korean-funded project for the installation of an Early Warning System for Disaster Mitigation.
The program concept was presented by the PAGASA team, headed by Dr. Prisco D. Nilo, during a briefing with the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council(PDCC), where Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas said he was willing to provide the province's counterpart for the project, specifically the provision of office space and the allocation of about P250,000 for operations.
Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada said he was happy with having a proactive PDCC which makes the province a step ahead in disaster management.
The province of Iloilo is among the three provinces piloted by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for the installation of the Early Warning System. The other two provinces are Lanao del Sur in Mindanao and Aurora in Luzon.
PAGASA Dir. Nilo said Iloilo was chosen based on the frequency of floods and other related disasters which seriously affected the region's agriculture sector.
KOICA will install an automatic weather station in Jalaur dam, which will involve a weather monitoring area of 1,503 square kilometers in southwestern Panay island, comprising of high mountains and hilly portions, more or less 156 meters above midsea level.
The project which begins this July and expected to be completed by October 2008, will involve two approaches which are the river basin approach or the delineation of a river basin in areas covered and the community-based approach.
Institutional support and linkages will also be provided by the DOST, the NIA and local government units concerned. The community-based approach will capitalize on local initiatives and cooperation for sustainability and maintenance of equipment and infrastructures that will be put up.
PAGASA explained that the warning system to be installed is more advanced, as it will utilize digital instruments, including programmed cellular phones that can be used to relay water level through short messaging system.
Dir. Nilo said the project seeks to support the goal of rice sufficiency under the Rice Program of the administration of President Gloria Arroyo.
He said effective climate monitoring is a critical element in rice production and agricultural development.
(PIA 6/ESS)