Bataan hosts DOST – IEC Campaign

CITY OF BALANGA, Bataan -The province of Bataan hosted the Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaign for Community-Based Flood Early Warning System (CBFEWS) Operations and Warning Protocol Training and Flood Drill for Central Luzon region headed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) yesterday, November 23 at Crown Royale Hotel, this City

Engr. Dennis B. Mariano from City of Balanga Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) welcomed the guests in the province and drew attention to the importance of being fully-informed about flood controlling and taking care of the environment.

Meanwhile, former Board Member Gaudencio Ferrer in behalf of Gov. Albert Garcia, expressed his gratitude to the organizers of the said event for choosing Bataan as host  province for this very timely campaign forum. He also recalled his experiences on the disastrous effects of flooding in his hometown Hermosa when he was young and highlighted the consequences if we feed ourselves with right information on flood control.

Bataan DOST Provincial Director, Ms. Rosalie V. Ona warm-heartedly welcomed the guests. While DEWS or Deployment of Early Warning System Project Assistant Team Leader from DOST-PAGASA introduced the DEWS project of the department. On the other hand, DEWS Project Team Leader from DOST-ASTI Engr. May C. Cayaban shared how they came up with this kind of technology tied up with DOST and PAGASA to have zero casualty or very minimal damages on properties.

Mr. Bismarck I. Soliba also from DOST-ASTI presented a quick overview of the DEWS and also traced the short history of the DEWS project which started in the year 2014. He also mentioned that they already installed 500 Hydromet devices and 500 warning posts in the whole country. He also introduced to the guests the Automated Rain Gauge Sensor and Water Level Monitoring System and a combination of the two which they use to determine volume of rain and water level during disasters.

Mr. Socrates Paat Jr from HMD-PAGASA, explained the Hydromet hazards, improved warning system for tropical cyclone (bagyo). He also mentioned that they have 13 Doppler Weather Radars that are operational, 2 on-going and 4 on the plan. After that, Mr. Bismarck took the podium once again to discuss the flood early warning system, components, instrumentation and warning.

Ms. Araya A. Mahilum, HMD-PAGASA tackled the utilization of the newly established flood early warning system in the formulation of flood warnings for the target water system. Further, Mr. Joseph Marvin T. Lopez of HMD-PAGASA took on the responsibilities of the partner LGUs for the installed Flood Early Warning System.

Mr. Joseph Basconcillo of CAD-PAGASA differentiated climate variability and climate change in his talk. He also inspired the delegates to take action now to alleviate climate change.