City shows interest in acquiring flood warning device
After the devastation brought by Typhoon Frank, the city government sees the importance of a flood warning device as they showed interest in purchasing the equipment. The equipment was first proposed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in 2004 when the Iloilo Flood Control Project is still being conceptualized.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said he is willing to source the amount for the procurement of a flood warning device for the use of the city. The funds to purchase the equipment would either come from the city funds, assistance received by the city government and donations from other agencies.
The proposal to buy a flood warning device was already made by the DENR years ago but was ignored by the city government. At the time when the proposal was made, flooding was not as worst as what happened during Typhoon Frank. The idea to purchase the equipment was reopened in the recent briefing made by the environment department.
In 2004, the flood warning device cost P300,000. It could not be ascertained yet on how much is the prevailing price of the equipment. The early warning devise will use the telemetry technology to monitor approaching floods. Included in the system are rain gauges and string flow meters positioned in strategic areas of the province's river system.
The system will also be equipped with self-recording radios that can instantaneously transmit reports to a central station when it detects a rise in the water level of rivers.
The city is considered the drainage area of the province of Iloilo. The rainfall in central Panay finds its way in several rivers particularly in Tigum and Aganan River.
Moreover, the chief executive is also planning to buy a second declogging machine amounting to P5.3 million. A brand new declogging machine costs more than P15 million. The city has no declogging machine.
The proposal to buy a declogging machine was also made years ago. Nothing was heard after the proposal was discussed before the Sangguniang Panlungsod.