Tsunami warning system operational by September
THE tsunami early warning system (TeWS) in the province is primed for full operation this September.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Research Specialist Angel Lanuza, also the institute’s point person for the TeWS, made the announcement last Thursday as he supervised the construction of the base structure where the tsunami alert receivers and sirens will be mounted.
Lanuza said that with the installation of the tsunami occurrence detection sensors, sirens and receivers next month, the whole system, including the evacuation schemes and other recommended preparations that the affected population have practiced, could be set for test run next month.
The institute’s crew were assisted by staff from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council – Operations Center (CDRRMC-OpsCen) and the City Engineering Office.
The tsunami detector facility, which will automatically feed tsunami occurrence warning signals to the receivers in the city once it senses an earthquake generated by the nearby Manila Trench, is currently being set up in the municipality of Bolinao.
“Though we have the early warning, however, it is still helpful for the communities to adhere to the three traditional tsunami occurrence indicators which are earthquake incidence, the receding shore and the rumbling sound which is the sign of the approaching huge volume of moving water – tsunami,” Lanuza reminded.
The TeWS is funded through a special grant by the institute’s parent bureau Department of Science and Technology.
Since last year, CDRRMC and the institute have jointly conducted a series of trainings to brief the community, city and village government and allied civic stakeholders on the use of the warning system.
Aside from the TeWS, the city will soon construct a P10 million Tsunami Hill in Pugaro as part of its disaster risk reduction initiatives. (CIO)
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