CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — Local government units (LGUs) and communities in the Visayas can now beef up their disaster preparedness and response measures following the recent inauguration of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Visayas Cluster Monitoring Center for Earthquake and Tsunami (PVCMCET).
The PVCMCET is a state-of-the-art facility that will serve as a real-time monitoring station for earthquake and tsunami threats.
During the center’s inauguration and ribbon-cutting ceremony, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Sec. Renato Solidum Jr. emphasized the importance of the facility in enhancing the capabilities of LGUs in disaster preparedness and response.
“This new station signifies DOST’s proactive strategies for protecting individuals and their livelihoods. The DOST aims to ensure the continuity of public services for each agency or even the local government units in the event of a damaging earthquake or any disruptive event,” Solidum said.
Located in Purok 11-Santan, Barangay North Poblacion in San Fernando, Cebu, the facility will augment PHIVOLCS’ monitoring tasks in case of failure of critical services, be equipped to issue earthquake and tsunami information in the event of a major disruption to the operations of the PHIVOLCS Data Receiving Center in Quezon City, and ensure timely and uninterrupted dissemination of information and warnings.
It will also assist in the conduct of intensity surveys, aftershock monitoring, phasepicking of temporary networks, lectures, and regional meetings.
The PVCMCET is the third mirror station following the Luzon cluster station in Tagaytay City and the Mindanao cluster station in Davao City.
Resilient communities
Barangay North Poblacion in San Fernando was chosen as the PVCMCET’s location following a series of seismic tests.
San Fernando Mayor Mytha Ann Canoy is thankful that their town was selected as the location of the said facility, as she considers it a major step in achieving the goal of developing resilient communities in times of disasters and calamities.
“By setting up this monitoring center here in San Fernando, we extend our hand of solidarity and support to our neighbors, recognizing that our collective safety knows no boundaries. Together, we stand united in our commitment to building a more resilient region where every individual can live with confidence and security,” said Canoy.
She also highlighted the role of PVCMCET in disaster preparedness and response.
“With the opening of the PVCMCET in the municipality of San Fernando, we take a bold step forward in our collective efforts to enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities for all communities across the Visayas. The PVCMCET represents the beacon of hope and safety for people throughout the Visayas, providing invaluable resources and information to mitigate the impact of seismic and tsunami events,” Canoy said.
The Visayas Cluster Center, which uses data from the Philippine Seismic Network, has six sea level monitoring stations for tsunami detection, seven community tsunami alerting stations, nine staff-controlled seismic stations, and 25 satellite-telemetered seismic stations.
The two-storey monitoring station worth P15 million is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to monitor and display real-time data and updates on earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic activities.
A boost in disaster preparedness and response
Barangay officials and personnel of the disaster risk reduction management office of San Fernando also expressed their appreciation for the establishment of the PVCMCET in their area as it would assist them in boosting their disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
According to Brgy. North Poblacion chairperson Riza Tapere Olegario, the facility will help their barangay in increasing awareness and providing vital information related to earthquakes and other natural hazards.
“Kini siya ng bag-ong pasilidad dako gyud kay ning tabang labi na diri sa among barangay, pinaagi sa paghatag og awareness, pagpahibalo kanamo sa mga importanteng impormasyon kabahin sa mga katalagman nga mahitabo labi na ang linog. Dako usab ning tabang alang usab sa among mga estudyante nga makat-on usab sila kabahin sa disaster preparedness og uban pang impormasyon kabahin sa linog og tsunami,” said Olegario.
(This new facility is really a big help especially here in our barangay, as it will raise awareness on important information about disasters that can happen, especially earthquakes. This is also a big help for our students by giving them an opportunity to learn about disaster preparedness and other information about earthquakes and tsunamis.)
San Fernando Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office officer-in-charge Rommel Pinatil said the facility will also help their town in research and tourism.
“In terms of disaster response and preparedness dako kaayo ning tabang ang PVCMCET, dayun sa mga research pud og tourism sa among lungsod dako pud kaayo ni siyang makatabang nga diri gyud gibutang ni sa DOST kini maong pasilidad,” said Pinatil.
(In terms of disaster response and preparedness as well as in our research and our tourism, the PVCMCET is a big help. We are happy we were chosen as its host.)
He added that the center will also augment their equipment for disaster monitoring and response.
“Sa amoang disaster response and capabilities, usa gyud ni siya ka maayong balita para namu kay at least naa nami kahimanan nga makatabang kanamo sa pagbuhat sa among function isip DRRMO sa higayon nga adunay mahitabo nga linog diri sa among lugar,” said Pinatil.
(In terms of our disaster response and capabilities, this is really good news for us because we now have equipment that can help us perform in our functions as DRRMO should an earthquake occur in our area.)
Educational and tourist site
Aside from being a monitoring and alerting station, the PVCMCET can also be an educational and learning site, especially for students who want to learn about volcanology and seismology.
Solidum said the center is open for educational tours of students and teachers, as well as tour visits for the public to understand earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes.
“The monitoring center will cater to public needs for earthquake and tsunami information and education. I am encouraging our schools to bring their students here and have a tour of our facilities in the PVCMCET,” said Solidum.
The Visayas Cluster Monitoring Center for Earthquake and Tsunami is open 24/7 and will also serve as a central point for intensifying collaboration, education, and disaster risk reduction management activities between DOST-PHIVOLCS, national and local governments, non-government organizations, the private sector, and the general public. (RGC/PIA7 Cebu)
