UP Ibalon Bicol: preparedness

Showing posts with label preparedness. Show all posts

A weather forecasting center in Naga College Foundation helps Camarines Sur residents

11/04/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The Typhoon Preparedness Center (TPC) was established six months ago in the Naga College Foundation. Headed by David Michael Padua, a UP geography graduate residing in Naga City, the center had been a source of information about the weather.

Functioning like the country’s Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA,) the national weather adviser and forecaster, TPC had been giving local weather tips to Camarines Sur, a Bicol province known for its high frequency of storms. During Typhoon Santi, the center issued weather forecasting advisories every three hours in their website: Typhoon2000.com

Relying on the data from foreign weather agencies, the center shares supplemental weather information locally alerting the public and the government when foul weather is coming. In addition, Padua and his assistants organize seminars to educate students, teachers, government officials and the laymen on the fundamentals of early warnings during a weather disturbance.

It is a big help that TPC is able to give valuable news about incoming typhoons, thus helping people in the area to get ready. The NCF-sponsored weather center is trying to get the cooperation of the media to help spread their information. The service it gives to the community is certainly an effort that must be commended and supported. (Photo Credit: digitaldisorder) =0=

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Labels: Camarines Sur, David Michael Padua, Naga City, Naga College Foundation, PAGASA, preparedness, Storm, Totie Mesia, typhoon, Typhoon Preparedness Center, weather, weather forecas

Severe shortage of calamity fund in RP

9/11/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Just as the overspending of Pres. Gloria Arroyo on non-essential trips abroad recedes from the headlines, the reports of suffering from typhoons, ship wrecks, floods, and other natural disasters escape the attention of public servants.

Known for natural calamities, the country needs adequate allotment for disaster preparedness. Money to be used in emergencies must be a priority. But in the Philippines, the national disaster fund is only P2 billion pesos--- a meager 10% of the expected annual expenses (P20 billion) for misfortunes. With severe lack of budget, the people can barely cope during storms, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and volcanic eruptions.

Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez says the government has set aside P2 billion to cover for natural catastrophes, but the money spent so far in 2009 is already more than P20 billion. The entire budget has been spent in the first three months of the year.

This week, the sinking of three ships namely Super Ferry 9, MV Hera and MB Minham hasn’t elicited enough action except for grounding of the sea vessels and a knee-jerk reaction to quickly bury the dead, rescue survivors and bring them home. More is expected from government agencies to tackle the problems related to the disaster. The chance that anyting substatial to improve maritime travel and safety is slim.

The flaws in disaster planning are ignored by government officials who are now focused with the coming presidential election. Countless citizens are left on their own without help from social services when calamities strike. Perennial deficiencies and apathy still dominate the entire nation. (Photo Credit: Jeasm) =0=

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Labels: apathy, budget, calamity, disaster, funding, money, preparedness, Totie Mesia

Mayon Volcano watched for possible eruption

7/14/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

There is palpable restiveness of Mayon Volcano these days. The Philippine Institute of Vocanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) reports frequent volcanic quakes intercepted by their instruments and crater glow has been observed in the mountain summit. Almost a hundred quakes have been detected from the volcano since June 29, 2009.

“The increasing crater glow of the volcano could have been triggered by the presence of magma in the conduit of Mt. Mayon due to degassing activity that feeds or infuses hot gas,” Resident Volcanologist Ed Laguerta, explained even as he admitted that it was quite difficult to monitor the abnormal condition of Mt. Mayon because of its distinct geophysical, geodetic and physical attributes compared to other volcanoes. ----Bicol Mail (07/09/09, Arguelles, MS)

As a result, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda has laid out contingency plans to deal with an eruption and people in the vicinity of the volcano are kept on alert. They are asked to be prepared to avert disaster. People are warned to avoid the 6-km Permanent Danger Zone and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone at the southeastern part of the volcano where real danger of sudden small explosions and rockfalls exist. (Photo Credit: Norkfam) =0=

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Labels: Albay, disaster, eruption, Gov. Joey Salceda, Mayon Volcano, Naga Camarines Sur. Totie Mesia, PhilVolcs, preparedness

UP Ibalon Bicol

A weather forecasting center in Naga College Foundation helps Camarines Sur residents

Severe shortage of calamity fund in RP

Mayon Volcano watched for possible eruption

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