Mayor, DOST forge pact for disaster preparedness

ANGELES CITY -- Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan recently forged a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for the installation of automatic rain gauges (ARG) that will help the city in its disaster preparedness program.

Pamintuan expressed support to the project and guaranteed the help of the City Government for the installation and safekeeping of the ARG.

The mayor said the ARG will enhance the city's disaster monitoring system, which may serve as an early warning device.

"Prevention or mitigation is the best solution in addressing the effects of flash floods brought about by heavy rains," Pamintuan said.

Mary Michelle Quiambao, director of DOST Pampanga, said every local government unit should have a rain gauge to monitor the volume of rainfall in their respective areas.

She said the gauge will serve as an early warning device that can help with the evacuation of residents.

According to her, the city is the perfect place for the installation of the ARG since it is located in a high area as compared to nearby towns in the province.

"Since Angeles City is in a favorable location, it would be easier to monitor not only the city but also other areas, as far as amount of rain is concerned," she noted.

Quiambao also stressed that the new rain gauges are far better compared to the manual type, which takes time to operate.

The hi-tech rain gauge can send data directly to the system of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, which in turn can send real-time warning to areas that would be affected by floods.

Quiambao said the rainfall data monitoring that will be delivered by the ARG is important in the operation of all meteorological services.

The data gathered are utilized in the formulation of weather forecasting and warnings particularly floods and landslide incidents.

Quiambao expressed her gratitude to the City Government for allowing them to install the rain gauges and providing fences that will safe keep and secure the said mechanism. (RGN)