Friday, August 08, 2008 Rain gauge eyed in flood-prone villages
KORONADAL CITY -- In the wake of recent flashfloods that destroyed nearly P2.5 billion in infrastructure and agricultural crops in Central Mindanao, experts suggested the need to install rain gauges in flood-prone areas of the region.
Constancio A. Paye, regional director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), said rain gauges provided to the Barangay Disaster Coordinating Councils are essential to forewarn residents living in flood-prone areas of an imminent flood.
He presented a prototype of a low-cost rain gauge made of galvanized iron sheet early this week to members of the Regional Disaster and Coordinating Council (RDCC).
"The bureau can provide you with the design of this rain gauge. This can be operated even by a person who just finished Grade V," he said.
He also offered to conduct technical training to villagers on how to interpret rainfall data generated by the improvised rain gauge.
Foreign-backed mining firm Sagittarius Mines Inc. is also willing to provide rainfall data to the RDCC through its weather station, according to Rolando S. Doria, the firm's local government and regional affairs superintendent.
Sagittarius is presently exploring the mountains in the towns of Tampakan in South Cotabato, Columbio in Sultan Kudarat and Kiblawan in Davao del Sur for copper and gold deposits.
Jim O. Sampulna, regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), said the rainfall data of private companies with operations in the uplands are more vital in the early warning system considering that their operations are located in higher elevations where the headwaters are located. (BSS)
