In Talisay City Alarm system to be installed for easy evacuation

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City government will soon install an Early Warning System (EWS) device in the barangays located along the stretch of the Mananga River for easy evacuation.

City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) Head Alvin Santillana explained that the system will alarm residents once the level of water rises to its critical stage.

He added that the main feature of the EWS is to detect the rise of the level of water in the river.

Once the water will reach on a pre-set critical level, a siren will be heard to inform residents that they need to evacuate.

Santillana said that they will also train the residents that once the siren is activated, they should immediately move to safer grounds.

Barangays Jaclupan, Lagtang, Tabunok, Lawaan 3, San isidro, Biasong and Dumlog will be among the barangays included in the first phase of the installation of the system.  These barangays are all located along the Mananga River.

Santillana added that the device costs P4 million, which they hope to acquire by the second quarter of this year.

The plan to secure an EWS device was already approved and is included in this year’s budget appropriation.

“Once mu-siren ang alarm ang mga tawo makamata and then dili na mohangyo kay ug kami muadto didto ingun nga evacuate na ta, daghan kaayo conditions ang mga tawo. Maayo nang early warning kay ma-train na sila automatic asa sila mo-evacuate,” Santillana said.

He explained that the main control of the system will be located at the CDDRMC office, and this will be closely monitored.

He added that aside from flash floods, the device may also be used during other calamities like fire incidents. (FREEMAN)