ILOILO – To enhance flood monitoring capabilities across the province, the Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) recently conducted an extensive inventory of manual rain gauges (MRGs) across key municipalities.
In anticipation of heavy rainfall in the coming weeks, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. seeks to bolster flood monitoring and early warning systems, said PDRRMO head Cornelio Salinas.
The inventory initially targeted the municipalities of Calinog, Lambunao, Janiuay, and Maasin, revealing significant challenges, including non-functional MRGs in Calinog and a notable deficiency of gauges in strategic locations.
In response, the PDRRMO plans to purchase additional MRGs and essential infrastructure, such as guard rails and foundations, to ensure effective deployment in municipalities requiring further monitoring enhancements.
In Lambunao, the emphasis is shifting towards automated technology, with local officials advocating for the installation of Automated Water-Level Sensors at the Agsirab Bridge to better monitor rising water levels.
Meanwhile, in Janiuay, it was discovered that additional MRGs are needed in the barangays of Panuran and Quipot to aid in the timely response to flooding in downstream areas like Mina and Pototan.
The installed MRGs in Maasin have proven beneficial in monitoring the water levels of the Tigum and Salog River systems.
The PDRRMO has agreed to distribute six more MRGs in Maasin, with proposed placements at barangay halls to ensure optimal security and oversight.
Additionally, the PDRRMO will distribute radio communication equipment to enhance local monitoring capabilities and provide updates critical to the flood early warning systems. Salinas highlighted that these efforts reflect the provincial government’s dedication to improving disaster preparedness and ensuring that communities are well-equipped to handle potential flooding.
In May, the provincial government distributed 50 MRGs to 43 municipalities, including Passi City, enabling localities to measure rainfall accurately and implement timely measures such as preemptive evacuations in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
Gov. Defensor emphasized the reliability of manual rain gauges, noting their functionality even during power outages caused by typhoons.
“You don’t need electricity, you don’t need a signal,” Defensor said, underscoring the advantages of manual systems.
Salinas also assured that all local government units have an operational flood early warning system, mostly installed at critical points like dikes or bridges and managed by MDRRMO personnel. These systems often use a color-coding scheme or physical measurements to determine water levels and decide when preemptive evacuations are necessary./PN
