EL SALVADOR CITY, Misamis Oriental (PIA) — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) trained Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) officers on the enhanced flood forecasting and warning system as part of the JICA Grant Aid Project for Improving Flood Forecasting and Warning System for the Cagayan de Oro River Basin (CDO FFWS) project.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is an implementing agency of Japanese Official Development Aid (ODA) to support socioeconomic development, recovery, or economic stability of developing regions.
Done in a hybrid format from January 6 to 23, the activity convened local government units (LGUs) and national government agencies (NGAs) serving the Cagayan de Oro River Basin.
“This training familiarizes partner LGUs and disaster risk reduction agencies with the FFWS, its flood warning criteria, and how it improves flood warning information for the Cagayan de Oro River Basin,” said Mindanao-PAGASA Regional Services Division Chief Anianita R. Fortich.
The training has two components. First is the Operation and Maintenance of the Flood Forecasting and Warning System, which covers system operation, maintenance, information management, and flood warning criteria for Cagayan de Oro River Basin. The second, Information Sharing System for Disaster and Evacuation, focuses on data sharing, cooperation, and evacuation drills.
Cagayan de Oro River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning Center Chief Meteorological Officer Engr. Alexander Y. Namoco stated that the JICA Grant Aid Project is fully operational. His team closely monitors rainfall and water levels, X-band radar performance, and system transmission to the Flood Forecasting and Warning System in El Salvador City.
He added that the CDO FFWS Project enhances flood forecasting and warning in Cagayan de Oro. It uses hydrological data to issue timely, reliable flood warnings and alerts, enabling DRRM officers to take appropriate action.
Other than the learning sessions, the training also featured a simulation drill, a key component of the soft interventions, so the group could assess and validate the preparedness and response plans and mechanisms at the community level based on issued flood warnings.
Namoco explained that the Flood Warning Issuance and Dissemination Drill simulated the warning process and information flow to LGUs and NGAs, allowing evaluation of communication protocols, identification of gaps, and tackling any concerns.
“The goal is to improve the coordination between PAGASA, concerned agencies, and stakeholders involved in flood risk management,” he said. (IJBD/PIA 10/Misamis Oriental)
