JICA gives Phl P430 M for quake monitoring

MANILA, Philippines - The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is providing P430 million (around 1 billion Japanese yen) to the Philippine government for the continued upgrading of its earthquake and tsunami monitoring systems.

“JICA will continue its strong support for new strategies for tsunami and earthquake mitigation to the government of the Philippines through Phivolcs and DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways),” Takahiro Sasaki, chief representative of JICA Philippines, announced in a recent press conference.

Sasaki said the project includes improvement of real-time earthquake and tsunami monitoring systems of Phivolcs (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology).

He, however, did not elaborate on details of the latest project.

“Strengthening mitigation of earthquake and tsunami disaster is very important. (As both countries are) in an archipelago in the western side of the Pacific rim, tsunamis in the Philippines affect Japan and vice versa,” said Sasaki.

Exactly two years ago today, a magnitude-7.2 earthquake triggered a tsunami in Japan, killing almost 20, 000 people.

“Upgrading tsunami and earthquake observation is very important and is a strong tool for the Philippines which is surrounded by various trenches.

While Japan keeps reviewing and updating the tsunami observation system after the March 11 disaster, there is also a need to work on the framework of international cooperation amongst Pacific rim countries in order to achieve a safer country against tsunamis,” Sasaki said.

“As an implementing agency of various development initiatives in the Philippines, we believe that such a win-win relationship would be very beneficial for boosting development initiatives, and it is our greatest honor to unveil such initiatives as part of the second commemoration of the March 11 disaster,” he said.

Phivolcs launched last week its new systems to monitor earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic activities.

Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said the five-year project, which is expected to be completed next year, was also funded by JICA.

Solidum said the agency is now using real-time monitoring of volcanic activities and new equipment such as broadband seismic sensors, global positioning system, and electromagnetic signal cameras installed in Mayon and Taal volcanoes.