Public must protect flood warning devices

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) of this city has appealed to barangay officials and residents to take a pro-active stance in protecting the flood early warning system devices installed in their areas.

DRRMO head, Engr. Jose Chiu, lamented that sometimes people, who directly benefit from these projects, have been seemingly lukewarm and have no concern over the presence of the expensive equipment that could save their lives.

These devices, which monitor rainfall and water levels at the Okoy River and Banica River, have been prone to vandalism and theft, said Chiu, referring to the modern rain gauges and water level measuring devices, which were parts of a project backed by the German aid agency, GIZ, and contracted to 7 Lakes Communications Systems, Inc.

These solar-powered equipment, which rely on radio frequency, transmit real time data on the amount of rainfall and water levels for potential flooding to the DRRMO’s operations center.

The rain gauge stations were set up along the river bank in Barangay Apolong and Barangay Sagbang in Valencia while the water level gauges were erected at the JICA Bridge in Barangays Balugo and Candauay and at the Buayahan spillway in Barangay Palinpinon of Valencia, said Syril Repe of the City Information Office and a member of the city’s rescue team. — (FREEMAN)