Albay Gov to pursue Doppler radar
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – Albay governor Joey Salceda who is a zero-casualty advocate is pursuing the Doppler radar installation to fully enable the weather forecasting agencies against devastating rains that occur even in the absence of a typhoon.
“The weather system is so deceiving nowadays and low pressure areas don’t necessarily have its name, fortunately the disaster preparation systems in our province are in place,” Salceda said referring to the community rain gauges coupled with the alertness of barangay disaster councils and the municipal disaster councils.
Salceda said the DCCs and BCCs were quick in responding to the emergency situation Wednesday and the province had attained a zero casualty report.
“We suspended classes in elementary and high school and the Bicol University College of Agriculture and Fisheries (BUCAF) has been cleared for classrooms used as evacuation center for those living at the low lying areas in Guinobatan, Albay,” Salceda said.
There were some 909 persons reported to have been pre-emptively evacuated to BUCAF from Barangay Maguiron.
“We ordered six army trucks to Manito Jamboree site to fetch the stranded school pupils there. The lesson today is that even a Low Pressure Area (LPA) can bring so much rainfall. I suggest that rainfall content be clearly included in PAGASA forecasts and bulletins,” Salceda explained.
“We are again reminded of the need to put up the Doppler radar which costs some P600 million from the Japan Internation Cooperation Agency (JICA) being the source of the grant,” Salceda said.
Salceda said that with the Doppler radar in place somewhere in Catanduanes province, forecasted would have longer (at least 6 hours) lead time to determine the rain content of tropical cyclones and give ample time for disaster authorities to decide and implement the appropriate preventive measures.
The governor said that although rain gauges are good instruments to determine the rainfall rate, it however, do not tell weathermen the amount of rain before it falls.
Salceda said Thursday morning the classes have been resumed in all levels across the province of Albay and that the routes going to Tabaco City from Legazpi as well as those going to Manila were restored after clearing operations of lahar and boulders were immediately conducted in Barangay Padang, Legazpi City and in Camalig town.
The Doppler Radar System will provide the region with early warning both for disaster mitigation and climate change adaptation, said Albay Governor Joey Salceda.
The JICA set aside the total amount of P594,353,777 during a meeting of the Regional Development Council here last May 6, according to Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro.
Aside from the radar, the fund will be used for other projects under the Comprehensive Partnership in Science and Technology on Climate Change and Countryside Development project, she said.
The Bicol region is battered frequently by typhoons. The Pagasa has warned that at least five more tropical cyclones would enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). (RMN)
Mayon's toxic gas soars back with 1,272 tons a day rate
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY -- Mayon volcano continues to manifest signs of abnormality with very high level of sulfur dioxide emission (SO2) on Wednesday, high and low frequency volcanic quakes, that prompted disaster authorities to strictly enforce the “no entry” rule in designated danger zone areas surrounding the volcano.
Police and military personnel manning the 12 checkpoints along the danger zone at the volcano’s down slope are closely on guard for any human activity inside the designated “no man's land" areas covering the towns of Camalig, Daraga, Sto. Domingo, the cities of Ligao, Tabaco and Legazpi.
Col. Marlou Salazar, commanding officer of the Army's 901st Brigade said earlier that the task force Mayon had prepositioned 35 trucks in case an evacuation order is given by Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) chairman Joey Salceda, once the volcano's alert status is raised to level 3.
Quakes and high level of sulfur dioxide disgorged by Mt. Mayon were clear signs that the volcano continues to be on heightened state of restiveness, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Wednesday.
Phivolcs bulletin on Wednesday said the volcano released 1,272 tons of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) for the past 24 hours monitoring period from Tuesday till Wednesday, which is way above the fluctuating range recorded during the past several days. The said rate of emission is record high during the last two-months observation period.
Gas emission trends from Mayon’s crater showed high unrest with 971 ton per day on the 12th of October, 853 tos per day on Oct. 11 2009, and 505 tons per day on Oct. 10, all are way above the baseline data of only 500 tons per day.
The agency seismic instruments detected only six high and low frequency volcanic earthquakes, bringing the total to 56 quakes recorded since last October 5.
Scientists said the volcano’s abnormality levels are indication of a possible eruptive state.
Phivolcs scientists are continuously observing Mayon volcano's fluctuating seismic precursors such as quakes, gas emission and ground deformation as these are indications that the volcano's seismic activity may possibly lead to an explosive eruption.
Phivolcs advisory said high and low frequency harmonic quakes were detected by seismic instruments, signifying that magma intrusion is developing in the volcano’s crater vent.
Ed Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist, said the agency seismic networks have recorded about over a hundred earthquakes rocking the volcano this October.
He said the agency is still assessing the abnormal state of the volcano based on given parameters like ground deformation, volcanic quakes and gas emission, and crater glow.
Precise Leveling results indicate the volcano edifice remains inflated at 6.0 mm swelling at the Buang lines while Lidong lines posted a 1.0-mm inflation.
The volcano did not exhibit crater glow due to cloudy sky prevailing in the volcano’s crater.
Alert level 2 remains hoisted over Mayon Volcano and Phivolcs strongly recommended that the 6-km Permanent Danger Zone including the 7-km extended danger zones be off limits to any human activity due to threat from sudden explosions and rockfalls from the upper slopes of the volcano.
Mayon Volcano, famous for its nearly perfect conical shape, has a height of over 2,400 meters.
The volcano, said to be the most active in the country, has erupted at least 50 times since 1616. Its worst eruption buried Cagsawa town and killed 1,200 people in 1814. An eruption in 1993 killed more than 70 farmers.
Mayon erupted again in 2006.
Camping tots stay put at jamboree site
By Rey M. Nasol
CAMALIG, Albay -- The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council of Albay has declared a ‘code blue’ at a landslide-prone town and has recommended a stop to all camping activities at a jamboree site for very young school children in Manito town.
Governor Joey Salceda told this writer that he has already declared a ‘code blue’ which means people should stay put in their houses and the children were advised not to travel back home to Legazpi and their respective places of origins.
Salceda’s advisory early this morning said, “the organizers are hereby advised to limit activities on camp site and control the movement of pupils.”
Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) director Cedric Daep also told the INQUIRER that he has recommended for a suspension of travel of the affected campers in Manito to avoid river channels and seaboards along the road going back to Legazpi.
Salceda said that the PDCC and the local disaster councils were already advised to execute measures to prevent untoward incident related to low pressure area that has pounded moderate to heavy rains.
“The Municipal Health Office (MHO) of Manito is placed under ‘code blue’ and together with the Provincial Health Office (PHO) are hereby instructed to provide teams on site with standby emergency vehicles,” Salceda said.
Salceda said that he had to see to it that Manito hospital must be in full support to PHO. “Unecessary movement outside camp site is hereby discouraged, DepEd is hereby instructed to put school buildings open as temporary safe shelters.”
Salceda, maintaining a zero casualty plan said the province is in close coordination with Manito MDCC for support and that Manito should be on alert status for the higher vulnerability.
This writer also tried to proceed to Legazpi but roads were impassable particularly in front of the municipal hall of Camalig with roaring sounds and rampaging chocolate-like flood together with boulders at knee deep.
The flood in Camalig has isolated the towns of the third district of Albay that prevented students, workers and travelers going to and from Legazpi City.
The APSEMO is also accounting for related flash flood incidents in Maipon, Guinobatan town and the perennially flooded portion of Barangay Padang in Legazpi City which also isolated the city of Tabaco and the rest of the first district of Albay.
Daep said that for the past 12 hours monitoring, the different rain gauges installed around the province have recorded an average of 7.2 milimeters with peak of 68 mm from 2 am until 9 am. “There were even higher recorded rains in other parts of the province and that the average is 7.2 on our readings but we still have to compare it with the official findings of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa),” Daep said.
Director Bernardo Alejandro of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol has also advised for an evacuation of the camping tots in Manito and added that military trucks were already fielded to assure the safety of the children from their camps to their temporary shelters.
A radio caller sought help of Director Alejandro to safely evacuate five families from Padang area who have fled to St. Calire monastery at the boundary of Sto. Domingo and Legazpi. Said residents are from areas near the spillway which was ravaged by ‘Reming’ in Nov. 30, 2006.
In response to the call, Alejandro assured a rescue team and vehicle to transfer the affected residents at the area to safer ground.
The provincial engineering office has immediately fielded heavy equipment to allow light vehicles to pass trough Camalig area. Motorcycles and small cars were able to traverse the flooded area at around 10:30 am. However rains continue to pound the province posing still undetermined damages to the perennially flooded areas.
Peasant group fears another aggravated rice crisis looming
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY -- The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Bikol (KMP-Bikol) sounded alarm bells on the alleged looming aggravated rice crisis as agricultural damage caused by Tropical storms Ondoy and Pepeng, have already reached P18 billion.
According to Felix Paz, chairman of KMP-Bikol and concurrent national council member of KMP, “As with last year we are about to experience another round of the aggravated rice crisis but this time climate change has become a very major factor compounded by the fact that it is the government’s policy of massive land use conversion of agricultural lands and crop conversion that has caused this crisis in the first place. From 6 million hectares of Philippine rice lands, now it is just 4 million hectares and still decreasing,”
“The country’s average daily rice requirement is 35,000 metric tons (MT) and initially the Department of Agriculture (DA) said that they will just get from the unaffected provinces but as it is almost all the major rice producing provinces have been affected and now another low pressure area is battering Bicol, Visayas and Mindanao. The so-called buffer stock is good for 60 days but considering the extent of the damage and the need to feed the victims this will fall short of what is needed. This is the reason behind the DA’s move to again import more rice this early, but this is again just last year a band aid solution,” Paz said.
“It is like a slap on the Filipino people’s face that we as an agricultural country is the top rice importer in the world and yet that is our staple. To date we are again to import 250,000 MT of rice but this will also be coming from countries like Thailand, China and Vietnam which are also being ravaged by the same storms, of course when push comes to shove they will of course prioritize the food for their own people, leaving us with little or nothing at all,” the peasant leader said.
“As of now farmers have only harvested 5.7 million metric tons (MT) of rice in the fourth quarter of 2009 or almost 10 percent off the target of 6.4 million MT and with four to five more storms coming our way then we are in for tough times. What must be done now is to strictly enforce the price ceiling on basic goods especially rice and for the long term stop the massive land use conversion and crop conversion policies of the regime. Another aspect is for the government to have a comprehensive climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction plan to prevent one crisis from aggravating another,” Paz added.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Arroyo signs order for reconstruction commission
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY -- The proposed reconstruction commission, a so-called "bypass route" that will quicken fund sourcing and hasten the country's coping mechanism against the effects of calamities, has been signed into an executive order by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, said Joey Salceda, economic adviser to Ms. Arroyo and current Albay Governor, on Tuesday.
Salceda proposed the creation of a special commission for Philippine reconstruction after Tropical Storm "Ondoy" and Typhoon "Pepeng" ravaged the central part of the country and the northern Luzon areas barely two weeks ago.
"Given the impact of the global crisis on our fiscal capacity versus the magnitude of calamity impact, the Philippines should seek fresh aid amounting to $1 billion to fund reconstruction," he said.
The special public-private reconstruction commission composed of representatives from the government, church, big business and civil society should be constituted by the government to spearhead the effort, he added.
Salceda explained that the special commission will operate like the original Coordinating Council for the Philippine Assistance Plan headed by businessman Roberto Villanueva of Atlantic Gulf Philippines Inc.
The CCPAP has since evolved into the Coordinating Council for Private Sector Participation which operates the BOT Center under DTI.
The Office of Civil Defense and the National Economic and Development Authority will form the secretariat, whose key task is to raise funds especially grants, prioritize programs and oversee implementation, is spelled out in the proposal.
Its members shall be appointed by the President but it will be headed by a dominant business leader with Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral and Cardinal Rosales as co-chairpersons and the secretaries of departments and heads of business groups and nongovernment organization as members.
The OCD and NEDA will form the secretariat and will also serve as a clearing house for international assistance implemented by the donors themselves using the cluster approach.
Breakdown of the P46 billion is as follows: relocation, P20 billion; infrastructure rehabilitation, P21 billion; and livelihood and agriculture, P5 billion.
The P46 billion will be allocated for typhoon victims, broken down as follows: P27 billion for Ondoy; P12 billion for Pepeng; and P7 billion for Typhoon "Frank" which hit Romblon and Visayan provinces in June 2008.
Ondoy's impact was on infrastructure while "Pepeng" devastated swaths of agricultural land.
Both calamities, however, surfaced a policy need for relocation for the affected population. In the case of Pepeng, it is the need to relocate those vulnerable to landslides while in Ondoy's case, there is the need to resettle informal settlers living beside riverbanks and lakeshores at risk to flooding.
The Reconstruction Commission should request the United Nations and the World Bank to coordinate an international pledging session either in Spain or Japan possibly in November.
Salceda said government is duty-bound to rebuild lives when big help is needed beyond the exigency of disaster response that usually comes in the form of two alternatives in the form of raising taxes and slashing other priorities.
The last two (taxes and slash) are "neither feasible nor desirable since they just shift pesos from the left to the right hand," he added.
He explained that what is needed are new external resources.
In its 5 a.m. update on Tuesday, the National Disaster Coordinating Council reported a P7.17-billion damage due to Pepeng.
This was broken down into: P1.14B-infrastructure; P6.02B-agriculture; and P.003 billion in private property.
It also said that Ondoy resulted to P3.68 billion damage to infrastructure and P6.76B to agriculture.
Sulfur dioxide, quakes show Mayon more restive
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY -- Sulfur dioxide emission and quakes showed clear signs that Mayon volcano continues to be on a heightened state of restiveness, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Monday.
A Phivolcs bulletin on Monday said the volcano released 853 tons of sulfur dioxide during the past 24 hours, a reading which was way above the 505 tons a day recorded on Sunday.
The sulfur dioxide disgorge from Mt. Mayon indicated a fluctuating trend ranging from 350 to 853 tons per day.
There were 505 tons per day recorded on Oct. 10; 761 tons on Oct.8; and 350 tons on Oct. 7.
Ed Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist, said that “350 tons per day to 853 tons per day during the past five days is an indication that magma is intruding into the volcano’s vent.”
The agency's seismic instruments detected 7 volcanic earthquakes which brought about a total of 43 quakes recorded during the past five days or a total of 106 earthquakes rocking the volcano since October 1.
High and low frequency harmonic quakes detected by the instruments signified that magma intrusion is developing in the volcano’s crater vent.
Laguerta said the agency is still assessing the abnormal state of the volcano based on other given parameters like ground deformation and crater glow.
In its latest bulletin, Phivolcs said the volcano did not exhibit crater glow due to cloudy sky prevailing in the volcano’s crater.
Alert level 2 remains hoisted over Mayon with Phivolcs strongly recommending that the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone, including the 7-km extended danger zones in the southeast flank, be off limits to any human activity due to threats from sudden explosions and rockfalls from the volcano's upper slopes.
In August scientists kept watch for a feared collapse of a portion of Mayon’s crater, which holds an estimated 200,000 cubic feet of rocks.
Mayon Volcano, famous for its nearly perfect conical shape, has a height of over 2,400 meters.
The volcano, said to be the most active in the country, has erupted at least 50 times since 1616. Its worst eruption buried Cagsawa town and killed 1,200 people in 1814. An eruption in 1993 killed more than 70 farmers.
Mayon erupted again in 2006.
Mayon Volcano showed one of her beauty features that she seldom displays -- a saucer-like ring of cloud taken Sunday (Oct. 11, 2009) as it manifested more signs of unrests that prompt volcanologists to wait for good weather condition so as to conduct another aerial survey to determine if there is a need to finally raise alert status from level-2 to Alert Level 3. (Photos by Rey M. Nasol)
Landslides threaten 49 Bicol localities - mines bureau
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY -- Residents of 48 municipalities and a city in the Bicol region have been advised by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to move to safe ground during heavy rains, due to the high risk of landslides during the typhoon season.
MGB Bicol regional technical director Reynaldo A. Juan stressed the high probability of landslides in eight towns and a city in Albay, eight towns in Camarines Norte, 12 in Camarines Sur, eight in Catanduanes, five in Masbate and seven in Sorsogon.
Juan said the residents of the following municipalities should be prepared for evacuation to safe grounds in case of continuous rains in their areas:
* Bacacay, Libon, Malilipot, Malinao, Manito, Rapu-Rapu, Sto. Domingo and Tiwi towns and Ligao City in Albay; Basud, Capalonga, Labo, Mercedes, Paracale, San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, and Sta. Elena in Camarines Norte;
* The towns of Buhi, Caramoan, Garchitorena, Goa, Lagonoy, Libmanan, Lupi, Pasacao, Presentacion, Sagnay, Sipocot and Tinambac in Camarines Sur;
* Bagamanoc, Baras, Bato, Caramoran, Gigmoto, Pandan, Panganiban and San Andres in Catanduanes;
* Aroroy, Baleno, Mandaon, Milagros and Mobo in Masbate;
* Bulan, Irosin, Juban, Magallanes, Matnog and Sta. Magdalena towns and Sorsogon City in Sorsogon.
Juan said residents of other municipalities not listed as high risk to landslides but had histories of landslides, have also been encouraged to take precautionary measures and prepare to evacuate in case of signs of an impending landslide.
Albay stops GSIS loan payment deductions
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay -- The provincial accountant of Albay has advised the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) that starting this October payroll, the province will not be deducting installment payments from provincial government employees who have outstanding loans.
Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said in a text message Sunday that he had instructed the provincial accounting office to make the move after President Macapagal-Arroyo approved his demand-side relief package to take effect immediately.
Salceda said his office had also advised companies in Albay not to deduct installment payments of employees with pending loans with the Social Security System.
“On the average, the monthly take-home pay should increase by P600 to P900,” he said.
In the recent Cabinet meeting, President Arroyo approved for implementation Salceda's proposal for an P86-billion relief package for victims of storm Ondoy and typhoon Pepeng.
Salceda argued that a one-year deferment of installment payments for salary and housing loans of Social Security System (SSS) and GSIS members affected by the two weather disturbances would result in higher take-home pay for 700,000 GSIS and 4.8 million SSS members.
“This would amount to P32 billion additional cash flow for ordinary households, P4 billion for GSIS and P28 billion for SSS,” he explained.
According to Salceda, “this effectively overrides original plans of the GSIS and SSS for incremental loans to members who need to apply while this plan would require less effort from members and less paper work for the two pension agencies.”
He said a similar package was approved for Albay in 2006 by the President to counter the adverse impact of Mayon eruption and typhoons Milenyo and Reming.
According to Salceda, the measures, combined with the Bicol Calamity Assistance for Rehabilitation Efforts, were instrumental in lifting the province to a stronger platform for recovery.
He added that demand-side interventions that involve providing direct cash benefits to citizens have been emerging as an important tool for disaster response to mitigate the social damage and overturn the potential economic drag of major calamities.
Super software guides Albay in handling calamities
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – Planning and development officers in Albay are undergoing intensive five-day training on“computer-simulated scenario” software to help them cope against any type of calamity.
The Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment (Redas) system will assess the type of buildings essential in any type of calamity to maintain the province’s zero-casualty plan, Governor Joey Salceda said. It will “further empower the planning aspect of where and what kinds of buildings to construct in the province,” he said
Salceda said the move was significant to disaster-risk reduction.
Redas is a simple and user-friendly simulation tool or software that can give a rapid estimate of the possible seismic hazards to be used for inferring the severity of impacts to population, buildings, lifelines and other elements at risk, said Renato Solidum, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Developed by Phivolcs through a grant-in-aid from the Department of Science and Technology, Redas is one of the technologies featured in the “One-Stop Information Shop of Technologies” of the Philippines.
The inputs needed to produce the seismic hazard maps are location of earthquake epicenter, magnitude and fault data, said Solidum, who is here for part of the training program.
Albay is one of the more hazard-prone provinces in the country, being exposed to “volcanic (eruption), earthquakes, including tsunamis, as well so-called hydrometeorological hazards, such as landslides and floods,” he said
“Various hazard maps such as pyroclastic flow, lava flow, lahar, ashfall and tsunami were built in the Redas database,” said Redas coordinator Maria Leonila Bautista and Bartolome Bautista, associate scientist of Phivolcs.
The Redas started with Version 1.0 and was updated to 1.7. In Version 2.0, it already includes hazards, such as landslides and floods prepared by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Bautista said.
“As we continue to upgrade the software, the future plan which we are working on now are the equations and calculations for possible casualties and injuries and damages to properties with or without disaster preparedness or response mechanisms,” she explained.
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY -- The proposed reconstruction commission, a so-called "bypass route" that will quicken fund sourcing and hasten the country's coping mechanism against the effects of calamities, has been signed into an executive order by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, said Joey Salceda, economic adviser to Ms. Arroyo and current Albay Governor, on Tuesday.
Salceda proposed the creation of a special commission for Philippine reconstruction after Tropical Storm "Ondoy" and Typhoon "Pepeng" ravaged the central part of the country and the northern Luzon areas barely two weeks ago.
"Given the impact of the global crisis on our fiscal capacity versus the magnitude of calamity impact, the Philippines should seek fresh aid amounting to $1 billion to fund reconstruction," he said.
The special public-private reconstruction commission composed of representatives from the government, church, big business and civil society should be constituted by the government to spearhead the effort, he added.
Salceda explained that the special commission will operate like the original Coordinating Council for the Philippine Assistance Plan headed by businessman Roberto Villanueva of Atlantic Gulf Philippines Inc.
The CCPAP has since evolved into the Coordinating Council for Private Sector Participation which operates the BOT Center under DTI.
The Office of Civil Defense and the National Economic and Development Authority will form the secretariat, whose key task is to raise funds especially grants, prioritize programs and oversee implementation, is spelled out in the proposal.
Its members shall be appointed by the President but it will be headed by a dominant business leader with Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral and Cardinal Rosales as co-chairpersons and the secretaries of departments and heads of business groups and nongovernment organization as members.
The OCD and NEDA will form the secretariat and will also serve as a clearing house for international assistance implemented by the donors themselves using the cluster approach.
Breakdown of the P46 billion is as follows: relocation, P20 billion; infrastructure rehabilitation, P21 billion; and livelihood and agriculture, P5 billion.
The P46 billion will be allocated for typhoon victims, broken down as follows: P27 billion for Ondoy; P12 billion for Pepeng; and P7 billion for Typhoon "Frank" which hit Romblon and Visayan provinces in June 2008.
Ondoy's impact was on infrastructure while "Pepeng" devastated swaths of agricultural land.
Both calamities, however, surfaced a policy need for relocation for the affected population. In the case of Pepeng, it is the need to relocate those vulnerable to landslides while in Ondoy's case, there is the need to resettle informal settlers living beside riverbanks and lakeshores at risk to flooding.
The Reconstruction Commission should request the United Nations and the World Bank to coordinate an international pledging session either in Spain or Japan possibly in November.
Salceda said government is duty-bound to rebuild lives when big help is needed beyond the exigency of disaster response that usually comes in the form of two alternatives in the form of raising taxes and slashing other priorities.
The last two (taxes and slash) are "neither feasible nor desirable since they just shift pesos from the left to the right hand," he added.
He explained that what is needed are new external resources.
In its 5 a.m. update on Tuesday, the National Disaster Coordinating Council reported a P7.17-billion damage due to Pepeng.
This was broken down into: P1.14B-infrastructure; P6.02B-agriculture; and P.003 billion in private property.
It also said that Ondoy resulted to P3.68 billion damage to infrastructure and P6.76B to agriculture.
Sulfur dioxide, quakes show Mayon more restive
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY -- Sulfur dioxide emission and quakes showed clear signs that Mayon volcano continues to be on a heightened state of restiveness, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Monday.
A Phivolcs bulletin on Monday said the volcano released 853 tons of sulfur dioxide during the past 24 hours, a reading which was way above the 505 tons a day recorded on Sunday.
The sulfur dioxide disgorge from Mt. Mayon indicated a fluctuating trend ranging from 350 to 853 tons per day.
There were 505 tons per day recorded on Oct. 10; 761 tons on Oct.8; and 350 tons on Oct. 7.
Ed Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist, said that “350 tons per day to 853 tons per day during the past five days is an indication that magma is intruding into the volcano’s vent.”
The agency's seismic instruments detected 7 volcanic earthquakes which brought about a total of 43 quakes recorded during the past five days or a total of 106 earthquakes rocking the volcano since October 1.
High and low frequency harmonic quakes detected by the instruments signified that magma intrusion is developing in the volcano’s crater vent.
Laguerta said the agency is still assessing the abnormal state of the volcano based on other given parameters like ground deformation and crater glow.
In its latest bulletin, Phivolcs said the volcano did not exhibit crater glow due to cloudy sky prevailing in the volcano’s crater.
Alert level 2 remains hoisted over Mayon with Phivolcs strongly recommending that the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone, including the 7-km extended danger zones in the southeast flank, be off limits to any human activity due to threats from sudden explosions and rockfalls from the volcano's upper slopes.
In August scientists kept watch for a feared collapse of a portion of Mayon’s crater, which holds an estimated 200,000 cubic feet of rocks.
Mayon Volcano, famous for its nearly perfect conical shape, has a height of over 2,400 meters.
The volcano, said to be the most active in the country, has erupted at least 50 times since 1616. Its worst eruption buried Cagsawa town and killed 1,200 people in 1814. An eruption in 1993 killed more than 70 farmers.
Mayon erupted again in 2006.
Mayon Volcano showed one of her beauty features that she seldom displays -- a saucer-like ring of cloud taken Sunday (Oct. 11, 2009) as it manifested more signs of unrests that prompt volcanologists to wait for good weather condition so as to conduct another aerial survey to determine if there is a need to finally raise alert status from level-2 to Alert Level 3. (Photos by Rey M. Nasol)
Landslides threaten 49 Bicol localities - mines bureau
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY -- Residents of 48 municipalities and a city in the Bicol region have been advised by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to move to safe ground during heavy rains, due to the high risk of landslides during the typhoon season.
MGB Bicol regional technical director Reynaldo A. Juan stressed the high probability of landslides in eight towns and a city in Albay, eight towns in Camarines Norte, 12 in Camarines Sur, eight in Catanduanes, five in Masbate and seven in Sorsogon.
Juan said the residents of the following municipalities should be prepared for evacuation to safe grounds in case of continuous rains in their areas:
* Bacacay, Libon, Malilipot, Malinao, Manito, Rapu-Rapu, Sto. Domingo and Tiwi towns and Ligao City in Albay; Basud, Capalonga, Labo, Mercedes, Paracale, San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, and Sta. Elena in Camarines Norte;
* The towns of Buhi, Caramoan, Garchitorena, Goa, Lagonoy, Libmanan, Lupi, Pasacao, Presentacion, Sagnay, Sipocot and Tinambac in Camarines Sur;
* Bagamanoc, Baras, Bato, Caramoran, Gigmoto, Pandan, Panganiban and San Andres in Catanduanes;
* Aroroy, Baleno, Mandaon, Milagros and Mobo in Masbate;
* Bulan, Irosin, Juban, Magallanes, Matnog and Sta. Magdalena towns and Sorsogon City in Sorsogon.
Juan said residents of other municipalities not listed as high risk to landslides but had histories of landslides, have also been encouraged to take precautionary measures and prepare to evacuate in case of signs of an impending landslide.
Albay stops GSIS loan payment deductions
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay -- The provincial accountant of Albay has advised the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) that starting this October payroll, the province will not be deducting installment payments from provincial government employees who have outstanding loans.
Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said in a text message Sunday that he had instructed the provincial accounting office to make the move after President Macapagal-Arroyo approved his demand-side relief package to take effect immediately.
Salceda said his office had also advised companies in Albay not to deduct installment payments of employees with pending loans with the Social Security System.
“On the average, the monthly take-home pay should increase by P600 to P900,” he said.
In the recent Cabinet meeting, President Arroyo approved for implementation Salceda's proposal for an P86-billion relief package for victims of storm Ondoy and typhoon Pepeng.
Salceda argued that a one-year deferment of installment payments for salary and housing loans of Social Security System (SSS) and GSIS members affected by the two weather disturbances would result in higher take-home pay for 700,000 GSIS and 4.8 million SSS members.
“This would amount to P32 billion additional cash flow for ordinary households, P4 billion for GSIS and P28 billion for SSS,” he explained.
According to Salceda, “this effectively overrides original plans of the GSIS and SSS for incremental loans to members who need to apply while this plan would require less effort from members and less paper work for the two pension agencies.”
He said a similar package was approved for Albay in 2006 by the President to counter the adverse impact of Mayon eruption and typhoons Milenyo and Reming.
According to Salceda, the measures, combined with the Bicol Calamity Assistance for Rehabilitation Efforts, were instrumental in lifting the province to a stronger platform for recovery.
He added that demand-side interventions that involve providing direct cash benefits to citizens have been emerging as an important tool for disaster response to mitigate the social damage and overturn the potential economic drag of major calamities.
Super software guides Albay in handling calamities
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – Planning and development officers in Albay are undergoing intensive five-day training on“computer-simulated scenario” software to help them cope against any type of calamity.
The Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment (Redas) system will assess the type of buildings essential in any type of calamity to maintain the province’s zero-casualty plan, Governor Joey Salceda said. It will “further empower the planning aspect of where and what kinds of buildings to construct in the province,” he said
Salceda said the move was significant to disaster-risk reduction.
Redas is a simple and user-friendly simulation tool or software that can give a rapid estimate of the possible seismic hazards to be used for inferring the severity of impacts to population, buildings, lifelines and other elements at risk, said Renato Solidum, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Developed by Phivolcs through a grant-in-aid from the Department of Science and Technology, Redas is one of the technologies featured in the “One-Stop Information Shop of Technologies” of the Philippines.
The inputs needed to produce the seismic hazard maps are location of earthquake epicenter, magnitude and fault data, said Solidum, who is here for part of the training program.
Albay is one of the more hazard-prone provinces in the country, being exposed to “volcanic (eruption), earthquakes, including tsunamis, as well so-called hydrometeorological hazards, such as landslides and floods,” he said
“Various hazard maps such as pyroclastic flow, lava flow, lahar, ashfall and tsunami were built in the Redas database,” said Redas coordinator Maria Leonila Bautista and Bartolome Bautista, associate scientist of Phivolcs.
The Redas started with Version 1.0 and was updated to 1.7. In Version 2.0, it already includes hazards, such as landslides and floods prepared by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Bautista said.
“As we continue to upgrade the software, the future plan which we are working on now are the equations and calculations for possible casualties and injuries and damages to properties with or without disaster preparedness or response mechanisms,” she explained.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Albay planners on 5-day REDAS training vs. tsunamis, etc
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – The local planning and development officers in Albay are undergoing rigid training on preparedness and disaster mitigation efforts with the use of a computer simulated scenarios software called the Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment (REDAS) system.
This will further empower the planning aspect of where and what kinds of buildings to construct in the provice of Albay in order to fully prepare the people and maintain the zero casualty plan of Gov. Joey Salceda from any types of calamity.
“This is actually climate change-proofing and a very important element to the disaster risk reduction and mitigation of impacts of calamities to maintain our zero casualty efforts,” Governor Joey Salceda said.
“We are having training to save lives and minimize injuries as well as loss of properties before, during and after earthquakes and other calamities in Albay,” Director Manuel Rangasa of the Center for Research on Climate Change Adaptation (CIRCA) told the DATELINER Tuesday.
This is a follow-up training after new and updated versions of the software have been created to make the software more user-friendly and complete.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Renato U. Solidum, who is here for two days, said the REDAS software is one of the technologies featured in the “One-Stop Information Shop of Technologies (OSIST)” of the Philippines.
“Albay is one of the more hazard-prone provinces in the country, being exposed to volcanic, earthquake including tsunami as well as hydrometeorological hazards such as landslides and floods,” Solidum who stayed from Monday till tuesday told the participants.
Historically, the province has been affected by the 1814 Mayon Volcano eruption, the 1840 earthquake and lately, the 2006 Typhoon Reming floods and landslides.
The training was supported by PHIVOLCS, the Provincial Government of Albay and the Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation (CIRCA).
A total of 70 participants from the cities of Legaspi, Ligao and Tabaco, the municipalities of Polangui, Libon, Oas, Guinobatan, Camalig, Daraga, Manito, Sto. Domingo, Bacacay, Malilipot, Malinao, Jovellar, Pioduran Rapu-Rapu and Tiwi
The other participants were CIRCA, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) staffs, the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO), the resident volcanologist and staff of the Liñgon Hill Observatory, the Office of Civil Defense ad the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO)
“ Although the REDAS software was designed for rapid seismic hazard evaluation after the occurrence of a potentially-damaging earthquake, various hazard maps such as pyroclastic flow, lava flow, lahars, ashfall and tsunami were built in in the REDAS database,” Maria Leonila P. Bautista, Bartolome C. Bautista, REDAS coordinator and DOST- Phivolcs Associate Scientist told the DATELINER Tuesday.
“The REDAS started with version 1.0 and then updated to 1.7 and now that we have the version 2.0, it already includes the hydrometeorological hazards prepared by the MGB into the software. As we continue to upgrade the software, the future plan, which we are working on now are the equations and calculations for possible casualties and injuries and damages to properties with or without disaster preparedness or response mechanisms,” Bautista explained.
The software
According to Solidum, REDAS is a simple and user-friendly simulation tool or software that can give rapid estimate of the possible seismic hazards which can be used for inferring the severity of impacts to population, buildings, lifelines and other elements at risk.
The inputs needed to produce the hazard maps are location of earthquake epicenter, magnitude and fault data.
The software was developed by PHIVOLCS through a Grant-in-Aide (GIA) from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
“The development of the software stemmed from two objectives that PHIVOLCS would like to achieve. The first objective is to provide quick simulated hazard information to disaster managers which will help them in assessing the distribution and extent of impact of a strong earthquake so as to guide them in deciding and prioritizing timely rescue and relief operations. This is very important specially when communication lines are cut off and access roads are blocked and information about the affected areas could not be immediately known.” Bautista said.
The second objective, according to Bautista, is for the software to serve as tool in convincing land use planners, policy makers, city and town development planners and local government executives to consider hazards in their planning and development efforts so as to ensure long term mitigation of seismic risks.
Phivolcs believe that if this sector is given a hand in producing their own hazard maps through the use of this software, they will have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the seismic hazards their constituencies are exposed to and they will be more motivated to do serious planning and intensive formulation of effective disaster prevention policies such as serious land use regulation, strict implementation of the building code and issuance of timely ordinance for the evaluation and retrofitting of critical structures.
The hazards that could be computed using this tool are ground shaking, landslides, liquefaction and tsunami. The risk database that are continuously being built by PHIVOLCS in REDAS include population centers, roads and communication networks, lifelines, high rise buildings, hospitals, schools, fire stations, power plants, dams and other critical facilities, said Bautista. (RMN)
P86-Billion relief package a greenlight for flood victims
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – The proposed P86 Billion relief package has been given the green light for implementation to offset sufferings among the struggling victims of typhoons ‘Ondoy’ and ‘Pepeng,’ President Gloria Arroyo’s top economic adviser said Monday.
Albay gov. Joey Salceda said that during the Cabinet meeting at the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), Arroyo ordered concerned agencies to implement a comprehensive package of relief measures for families impacted by Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng with a 4-point demand-side liquidity strategy that he earlier proposed.
“A global one-year installment deferral of salary and housing loans of members of SSS and GSIS would result in higher take-home pay for 700,000 GSIS and 4.8 million SSS members,” Salceda said.
This would amount to P32billion additional cashflow for ordinary households, P4 billion for GSIS and P28 billion for SSS.
According to Salceda, this, effectively overrides original plans of GSIS and SSS for incremental loans for members who need to apply while this plan would require less effort from members and less paperwork for the two pension agencies.
The second major item of the plan is a P35 billion for small businesses through 5-year special rediscounting window at 91-day Tbill + 2 percent that would enable banks to restructure their exposure to affected enterprises given the disruption in their recurring incomes and permanent damage to their earning asset base.
The third component is a P15 billion home improvement loan program by Pag-ibig for its eligble members at P150,000 payable in 10 years on top of their outstanding loans.
The fourth item is the provision by Philhealth of 3 months of the average monthly reimbursements to its accredited outlets which would reach P4 billion.
Salceda presented the proposal to Pres. Arroyo during her visit to Polangui (Salceda's hometown) for the inauguration of a local water system.
He argued that a similar package was approved for Albay in 2006 by PGMA to counter the adverse impact of Mayon Eruption, Typhoon Milenyo and Reming.
According to Salceda, the demand-side measures (as opposed to supply-side interventions like relief goods) combined with the Bicol Calamity Assistance for Rehabilitation Efforts (BCARE) rehabilitation were instrumental in lifting the province to a stronger platform for recovery.
"Once supply chains have been restored and survival needs provided, cash is the best form of social and economic relief after a catastrophic event since victims know better their needs, beneficiaries would be more judicious in their procurement and the benefit is direct and immediate," Salceda said.
He added that demand side interventions are fast emerging as a critical item of a menu of tools for disaster response to mitigate the widespread social damage and overturn the potential economic drag of major calamities like Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma).
Never trust Mayon's lull – Phivolcs
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – The volcanic quakes, sustained inflation of the edifice, gas emission and crater glows are very important signs of a coming eruption of Mayon Volcano and people at its foot should never trust its lull sometimes, this was the warning from Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum said Monday.
The Phivolcs had already installed two units of digital tilt meters along Mayon Volcano, particularly at Barangay Anoling in Camalig and at the Mayon Resthouse in Tabaco City, all within the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone, according to Solidum.
“As much as the scientists are keeping eyes and ears on Mayon, no one should trust it on a daily basis of its manifestation but instead be very careful because the sustained threats is still there although we also refer to its 2006 eruption event (a protracted one),” Solidum said.
He explained that if Magma is fast moving upwards towards the crater, it would explode violently like what happened in 1814, when the old Cagsawa town was buried in mud rendering the area in whole ruin and another 1897 eruption recorded with several thousands killed.
“Now, the rise and fall in the gas and earthquakes rate indicated that Mayon is degassing and has time to relese pressure and would wait for another fresh batch of magma push upwards that is why there are changes in rates of the monitored parameters,” Solidum explained.
Solidum, however, warned that “we can’t say when or what kind of eruption (violent or not) but disaster authorities must maintain the warning against venturing at the 6-kilometer permanent danger zones and the 7-km extended danger zones especially at the southeast quadrant facing Daraga, Santo Domingo twons and this city. “There is a need for a strong collaboration among local disaster councils to maintain the safety of the people and consistently attain a zero casualty rate even in the event of its eruption.”
Mayon’s trend of volcanic quakes shows a descending order for the past few days: Five volcanic earthquakes were detected by the seismic network on Sunday, 23 volcanic earthquakes were detected by the seismic network on Saturday, but 35 volcanic earthquakes were detected by the seismic network on Friday.
As earlier warned by resident volcanologist Eduardo Laguerta, the continuous, presence of ‘tremors’ might already indicate a coming eruption.
In fact, Friday’s bulletin (October 2) revealed that Recording of harmonic tremors were continuously observed from 8:36 am Thursday, Oct. 1) until Friday. “However, it was not consistently observed during the following observation period,” Laguerta said.
Laguerta said that once Mayon showed ‘tremors’ it already indicates a coming eruption “If the tremor episodes will become frequent, and of higher magnitude then, eruption is possible within several days period,” Laguerta said, explaining that the tremors should be of low frequency types indicating continuous magmatic ascent. (RMN)
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – The local planning and development officers in Albay are undergoing rigid training on preparedness and disaster mitigation efforts with the use of a computer simulated scenarios software called the Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment (REDAS) system.
This will further empower the planning aspect of where and what kinds of buildings to construct in the provice of Albay in order to fully prepare the people and maintain the zero casualty plan of Gov. Joey Salceda from any types of calamity.
“This is actually climate change-proofing and a very important element to the disaster risk reduction and mitigation of impacts of calamities to maintain our zero casualty efforts,” Governor Joey Salceda said.
“We are having training to save lives and minimize injuries as well as loss of properties before, during and after earthquakes and other calamities in Albay,” Director Manuel Rangasa of the Center for Research on Climate Change Adaptation (CIRCA) told the DATELINER Tuesday.
This is a follow-up training after new and updated versions of the software have been created to make the software more user-friendly and complete.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Renato U. Solidum, who is here for two days, said the REDAS software is one of the technologies featured in the “One-Stop Information Shop of Technologies (OSIST)” of the Philippines.
“Albay is one of the more hazard-prone provinces in the country, being exposed to volcanic, earthquake including tsunami as well as hydrometeorological hazards such as landslides and floods,” Solidum who stayed from Monday till tuesday told the participants.
Historically, the province has been affected by the 1814 Mayon Volcano eruption, the 1840 earthquake and lately, the 2006 Typhoon Reming floods and landslides.
The training was supported by PHIVOLCS, the Provincial Government of Albay and the Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation (CIRCA).
A total of 70 participants from the cities of Legaspi, Ligao and Tabaco, the municipalities of Polangui, Libon, Oas, Guinobatan, Camalig, Daraga, Manito, Sto. Domingo, Bacacay, Malilipot, Malinao, Jovellar, Pioduran Rapu-Rapu and Tiwi
The other participants were CIRCA, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) staffs, the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO), the resident volcanologist and staff of the Liñgon Hill Observatory, the Office of Civil Defense ad the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO)
“ Although the REDAS software was designed for rapid seismic hazard evaluation after the occurrence of a potentially-damaging earthquake, various hazard maps such as pyroclastic flow, lava flow, lahars, ashfall and tsunami were built in in the REDAS database,” Maria Leonila P. Bautista, Bartolome C. Bautista, REDAS coordinator and DOST- Phivolcs Associate Scientist told the DATELINER Tuesday.
“The REDAS started with version 1.0 and then updated to 1.7 and now that we have the version 2.0, it already includes the hydrometeorological hazards prepared by the MGB into the software. As we continue to upgrade the software, the future plan, which we are working on now are the equations and calculations for possible casualties and injuries and damages to properties with or without disaster preparedness or response mechanisms,” Bautista explained.
The software
According to Solidum, REDAS is a simple and user-friendly simulation tool or software that can give rapid estimate of the possible seismic hazards which can be used for inferring the severity of impacts to population, buildings, lifelines and other elements at risk.
The inputs needed to produce the hazard maps are location of earthquake epicenter, magnitude and fault data.
The software was developed by PHIVOLCS through a Grant-in-Aide (GIA) from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
“The development of the software stemmed from two objectives that PHIVOLCS would like to achieve. The first objective is to provide quick simulated hazard information to disaster managers which will help them in assessing the distribution and extent of impact of a strong earthquake so as to guide them in deciding and prioritizing timely rescue and relief operations. This is very important specially when communication lines are cut off and access roads are blocked and information about the affected areas could not be immediately known.” Bautista said.
The second objective, according to Bautista, is for the software to serve as tool in convincing land use planners, policy makers, city and town development planners and local government executives to consider hazards in their planning and development efforts so as to ensure long term mitigation of seismic risks.
Phivolcs believe that if this sector is given a hand in producing their own hazard maps through the use of this software, they will have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the seismic hazards their constituencies are exposed to and they will be more motivated to do serious planning and intensive formulation of effective disaster prevention policies such as serious land use regulation, strict implementation of the building code and issuance of timely ordinance for the evaluation and retrofitting of critical structures.
The hazards that could be computed using this tool are ground shaking, landslides, liquefaction and tsunami. The risk database that are continuously being built by PHIVOLCS in REDAS include population centers, roads and communication networks, lifelines, high rise buildings, hospitals, schools, fire stations, power plants, dams and other critical facilities, said Bautista. (RMN)
P86-Billion relief package a greenlight for flood victims
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – The proposed P86 Billion relief package has been given the green light for implementation to offset sufferings among the struggling victims of typhoons ‘Ondoy’ and ‘Pepeng,’ President Gloria Arroyo’s top economic adviser said Monday.
Albay gov. Joey Salceda said that during the Cabinet meeting at the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), Arroyo ordered concerned agencies to implement a comprehensive package of relief measures for families impacted by Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng with a 4-point demand-side liquidity strategy that he earlier proposed.
“A global one-year installment deferral of salary and housing loans of members of SSS and GSIS would result in higher take-home pay for 700,000 GSIS and 4.8 million SSS members,” Salceda said.
This would amount to P32billion additional cashflow for ordinary households, P4 billion for GSIS and P28 billion for SSS.
According to Salceda, this, effectively overrides original plans of GSIS and SSS for incremental loans for members who need to apply while this plan would require less effort from members and less paperwork for the two pension agencies.
The second major item of the plan is a P35 billion for small businesses through 5-year special rediscounting window at 91-day Tbill + 2 percent that would enable banks to restructure their exposure to affected enterprises given the disruption in their recurring incomes and permanent damage to their earning asset base.
The third component is a P15 billion home improvement loan program by Pag-ibig for its eligble members at P150,000 payable in 10 years on top of their outstanding loans.
The fourth item is the provision by Philhealth of 3 months of the average monthly reimbursements to its accredited outlets which would reach P4 billion.
Salceda presented the proposal to Pres. Arroyo during her visit to Polangui (Salceda's hometown) for the inauguration of a local water system.
He argued that a similar package was approved for Albay in 2006 by PGMA to counter the adverse impact of Mayon Eruption, Typhoon Milenyo and Reming.
According to Salceda, the demand-side measures (as opposed to supply-side interventions like relief goods) combined with the Bicol Calamity Assistance for Rehabilitation Efforts (BCARE) rehabilitation were instrumental in lifting the province to a stronger platform for recovery.
"Once supply chains have been restored and survival needs provided, cash is the best form of social and economic relief after a catastrophic event since victims know better their needs, beneficiaries would be more judicious in their procurement and the benefit is direct and immediate," Salceda said.
He added that demand side interventions are fast emerging as a critical item of a menu of tools for disaster response to mitigate the widespread social damage and overturn the potential economic drag of major calamities like Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) and Pepeng (Parma).
Never trust Mayon's lull – Phivolcs
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – The volcanic quakes, sustained inflation of the edifice, gas emission and crater glows are very important signs of a coming eruption of Mayon Volcano and people at its foot should never trust its lull sometimes, this was the warning from Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum said Monday.
The Phivolcs had already installed two units of digital tilt meters along Mayon Volcano, particularly at Barangay Anoling in Camalig and at the Mayon Resthouse in Tabaco City, all within the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone, according to Solidum.
“As much as the scientists are keeping eyes and ears on Mayon, no one should trust it on a daily basis of its manifestation but instead be very careful because the sustained threats is still there although we also refer to its 2006 eruption event (a protracted one),” Solidum said.
He explained that if Magma is fast moving upwards towards the crater, it would explode violently like what happened in 1814, when the old Cagsawa town was buried in mud rendering the area in whole ruin and another 1897 eruption recorded with several thousands killed.
“Now, the rise and fall in the gas and earthquakes rate indicated that Mayon is degassing and has time to relese pressure and would wait for another fresh batch of magma push upwards that is why there are changes in rates of the monitored parameters,” Solidum explained.
Solidum, however, warned that “we can’t say when or what kind of eruption (violent or not) but disaster authorities must maintain the warning against venturing at the 6-kilometer permanent danger zones and the 7-km extended danger zones especially at the southeast quadrant facing Daraga, Santo Domingo twons and this city. “There is a need for a strong collaboration among local disaster councils to maintain the safety of the people and consistently attain a zero casualty rate even in the event of its eruption.”
Mayon’s trend of volcanic quakes shows a descending order for the past few days: Five volcanic earthquakes were detected by the seismic network on Sunday, 23 volcanic earthquakes were detected by the seismic network on Saturday, but 35 volcanic earthquakes were detected by the seismic network on Friday.
As earlier warned by resident volcanologist Eduardo Laguerta, the continuous, presence of ‘tremors’ might already indicate a coming eruption.
In fact, Friday’s bulletin (October 2) revealed that Recording of harmonic tremors were continuously observed from 8:36 am Thursday, Oct. 1) until Friday. “However, it was not consistently observed during the following observation period,” Laguerta said.
Laguerta said that once Mayon showed ‘tremors’ it already indicates a coming eruption “If the tremor episodes will become frequent, and of higher magnitude then, eruption is possible within several days period,” Laguerta said, explaining that the tremors should be of low frequency types indicating continuous magmatic ascent. (RMN)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Salceda reiterates need for Pagasa modernization
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY -- Albay Gov. Joey Salceda reiterated his call for the modernization of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) and the institutionalization of disaster management operations in the whole country to prevent onslaughts of catastrophes during typhoons.
Salceda said that as Super Typhoon Pepeng (PARMA) lingers on Bicol provinces and nearby areas with sustained winds of 195 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph, the apparent lack of warning instruments of the government weather agency and an institutionalized disaster management program of local disaster councils would be the major cause of deaths and destruction of infrastructure wrought by storms every time it hits the country.
In his analysis on how disaster authorities cope with Tropical storm 'Ondoy' (International name Ketsana), Salceda, said the crux of over 200 deaths and people in various parts of Metro Manila and neighboring regions is failure in warning.
The pagasa has no Doppler radar to forecast short-run rainfall content of incoming typhoons or other weather disturbances.
Salceda exposed earlier that the agency is using manual rain gauges that capture data too late and the access of disaster authorities to the system is not direct and not on real time, the governor pointed out.
As a top administration economic adviser, Salceda, is also a climate change advocate and is known worldwide for his “pre-emptive” evacuation procedures in times of calamities.
He deplored that with the currect setup, typhoon warnings are limited only to wind – no flood warning or landslide warning system to activate evacuation.
Salceda said “with no, little or late warning and no institutionalized disaster management system, the National Capital Region (NCR) and other regions were caught flat-footed at the sudden on-set of the flood.”
“They failed to issue advisories on what to do, no evacuation order was issued prior to the flood event, and these advisories must be scientifically done,” he said.
For this reasons, Salceda recommended that the weather agency should expedite acquisition of Doppler radars, develop a flood warning system to activate evacuation procedures by disaster authorities.
He also urged local disaster councils to institutionalize disaster preparedness at the local governments level.
He also highly recommended the implementation of a pre-emptive evacuation procedures to prevent further the loss of lives. “Rescue is not needed if people are already evacuated,” he pointed out.
Dam water discharge warning should also be integrated into Pagasa warning and forecast.
He also urged representatives of the Lower House to immediately pass its version of the proposed Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) bill to institutionalize DRR in the regional, provincial and local levels. The Senate version has already been approved, Salceda said.
The Philippines should start to adapt measures to the escalating impacts of climate change as manifested by recent extreme weather events, he said.
Albay was able to attain zero-casualty because of the above strategies and therefore the rest of the country and the world, for that matter, can. (RMN)
Quake surges rock Mayon anew
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – Mayon Volcano’s restive activity caught new attention even as disaster authorities are busy manning residents for their safety against super typhoon ‘Pepeng’.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) had reported Friday morning that at least 35 volcanic earthquakes jolted Mayon Volcano on Thursday, the highest recorded seismic event since July when the volcano showed intense signs of restiveness.
The surge started as the month of October entered with 14 volcanic quakes on Wednesday observation up to Thursday this week while only one was recorded on Tuesday.
Dr. Eduardo Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist said the agency seismic networks has recorded a total of 82 earthquakes that rocked the volcano since Sept. 27.
Scientists monitoring the volcano still do not discount the possibility of explosive eruption because of the fluctuating seismic precursors such as quakes, ground swelling and gas emissions that indicate the dangers.
Phivolcs Friday’s advisory said high and low frequency harmonic quakes were detected by seismic instruments signifying that magma intrusion is developing in the volcano’s crater vent
Sulfur Dioxide disgorge from Mt Mayon indicated a fluctuating trend ranging from 392 tons per day to 445 tons per day for the past three days. No reading was recorded yesterday because of bad weather.
Laguerta said the fluctuating rates of gas emission is indicative that magma is building up to the crater in preparation for an imminent eruption.
Laguerta said the agency is still assessing the abnormal state of the volcano based on given parameters like ground deformation, volcanic quakes and gas emission, and crater glow.
Precise Leveling result indicate a 6.0 mm swelling on the volcano edifice was noted bulging at the Buang while Lidong lines posted a 1.0 mm inflation.
The volcano’s crater glow was obscured by the prevailing bad weather in Albay
Alert level 2 remains hoisted over Mayon volcano, Phivolcs strongly recommend that the 6-km Permanent Danger Zone including the 7-km extended danger zones should be off limits to any human activity due to threat from sudden explosions and rockfalls from the upper slopes of the volcano.
Lahar flows were also warned against the residents living along river channels, gullies and the low lying areas. (RMN)
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY -- Albay Gov. Joey Salceda reiterated his call for the modernization of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) and the institutionalization of disaster management operations in the whole country to prevent onslaughts of catastrophes during typhoons.
Salceda said that as Super Typhoon Pepeng (PARMA) lingers on Bicol provinces and nearby areas with sustained winds of 195 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph, the apparent lack of warning instruments of the government weather agency and an institutionalized disaster management program of local disaster councils would be the major cause of deaths and destruction of infrastructure wrought by storms every time it hits the country.
In his analysis on how disaster authorities cope with Tropical storm 'Ondoy' (International name Ketsana), Salceda, said the crux of over 200 deaths and people in various parts of Metro Manila and neighboring regions is failure in warning.
The pagasa has no Doppler radar to forecast short-run rainfall content of incoming typhoons or other weather disturbances.
Salceda exposed earlier that the agency is using manual rain gauges that capture data too late and the access of disaster authorities to the system is not direct and not on real time, the governor pointed out.
As a top administration economic adviser, Salceda, is also a climate change advocate and is known worldwide for his “pre-emptive” evacuation procedures in times of calamities.
He deplored that with the currect setup, typhoon warnings are limited only to wind – no flood warning or landslide warning system to activate evacuation.
Salceda said “with no, little or late warning and no institutionalized disaster management system, the National Capital Region (NCR) and other regions were caught flat-footed at the sudden on-set of the flood.”
“They failed to issue advisories on what to do, no evacuation order was issued prior to the flood event, and these advisories must be scientifically done,” he said.
For this reasons, Salceda recommended that the weather agency should expedite acquisition of Doppler radars, develop a flood warning system to activate evacuation procedures by disaster authorities.
He also urged local disaster councils to institutionalize disaster preparedness at the local governments level.
He also highly recommended the implementation of a pre-emptive evacuation procedures to prevent further the loss of lives. “Rescue is not needed if people are already evacuated,” he pointed out.
Dam water discharge warning should also be integrated into Pagasa warning and forecast.
He also urged representatives of the Lower House to immediately pass its version of the proposed Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) bill to institutionalize DRR in the regional, provincial and local levels. The Senate version has already been approved, Salceda said.
The Philippines should start to adapt measures to the escalating impacts of climate change as manifested by recent extreme weather events, he said.
Albay was able to attain zero-casualty because of the above strategies and therefore the rest of the country and the world, for that matter, can. (RMN)
Quake surges rock Mayon anew
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – Mayon Volcano’s restive activity caught new attention even as disaster authorities are busy manning residents for their safety against super typhoon ‘Pepeng’.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) had reported Friday morning that at least 35 volcanic earthquakes jolted Mayon Volcano on Thursday, the highest recorded seismic event since July when the volcano showed intense signs of restiveness.
The surge started as the month of October entered with 14 volcanic quakes on Wednesday observation up to Thursday this week while only one was recorded on Tuesday.
Dr. Eduardo Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist said the agency seismic networks has recorded a total of 82 earthquakes that rocked the volcano since Sept. 27.
Scientists monitoring the volcano still do not discount the possibility of explosive eruption because of the fluctuating seismic precursors such as quakes, ground swelling and gas emissions that indicate the dangers.
Phivolcs Friday’s advisory said high and low frequency harmonic quakes were detected by seismic instruments signifying that magma intrusion is developing in the volcano’s crater vent
Sulfur Dioxide disgorge from Mt Mayon indicated a fluctuating trend ranging from 392 tons per day to 445 tons per day for the past three days. No reading was recorded yesterday because of bad weather.
Laguerta said the fluctuating rates of gas emission is indicative that magma is building up to the crater in preparation for an imminent eruption.
Laguerta said the agency is still assessing the abnormal state of the volcano based on given parameters like ground deformation, volcanic quakes and gas emission, and crater glow.
Precise Leveling result indicate a 6.0 mm swelling on the volcano edifice was noted bulging at the Buang while Lidong lines posted a 1.0 mm inflation.
The volcano’s crater glow was obscured by the prevailing bad weather in Albay
Alert level 2 remains hoisted over Mayon volcano, Phivolcs strongly recommend that the 6-km Permanent Danger Zone including the 7-km extended danger zones should be off limits to any human activity due to threat from sudden explosions and rockfalls from the upper slopes of the volcano.
Lahar flows were also warned against the residents living along river channels, gullies and the low lying areas. (RMN)
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Albay ready to evacuate close to 1 million residents
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – The province of Albay is preparing all resources as some 884,041 Albayanos will be evacuated to safer grounds in case Super Typhoon (pepeng ba or Peping?) changes course to directly hit the province, Albay Governor Joey Salceda said at a press conference here this morning.
The reiteration of the zero casualty measures has been aired by Salceda “Is aimed at reminding all concerned disaster coordinating councils (DCCs) to implement response preparedness in their respective area of responsibility and to prepare their consitituents for the next typhoon (Pepeng),” Salceda said at the press conference.
Response preparedness, among others, prepositioning of response assets, stock piling of foods and non-food items (NFI), identification of evacuation centers and the implementation of ‘pre-emptive evuation.’
Salceda also thanked the Albay media for its expertise that blend with the overall disaster risk reduction strategy of the province in terms of reporting, proper analysis and prompt cascading of information to the residents at the shortest possible time.
He also called for an Executive Meeting with the members of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) to discuss the possible impact of approaching typhoon Pepeng.
Salceda called all municipal, barangay officials as well as private organization to review, if necessary their evacuation plans.
Salceda explained that the pre-emptive evacuation of Albay shall only start if the typhoon is at least as strong as 120 kilometers per hour and if the province is identified by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administrator (Pagasa) as direct hit of the path.
“It is our strict policy to implement pre-emptive measure during calamity to ensure the safety of the people,” the governor said.
“For this Pepeng which is now a ximum sustained winds of 175 kph and whose gustiness of 210 kph, that is more than enough to order pre-emptive evacuation however, the issue here is still wheter it will hit albay or not, so the two parameters are needed: the wind speed and the direction, or if Albay is already under signal number 2, and that is the time for the evacuation,” Salceda explained.
Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office director Cedric Daep said that the Pagasa weather bulletin as of 11 am today.
Daep explained that the current direction does not directly hit Albay but in case it changes to downward direction and threatens Albay, it might severely affect the province. “So we are preparing for storm surges, wind strength, possible landslides, heavy rains and lahar flash floods.”
Daep assured that the 24 rain gauges across the province have already been activated to monitor the rain density and the APSEMO has given lead time of only 2 hours for the relay of information to the residents and the respective DCCs.
The preparation, just in case Peping threatens Albay, would be the same as the scenario for past typhoons such as Reming and Rosing, according to Daep.
“What we are anticipating is the heavy rains brought by typhoon because our focus would be in the highly risk areas,” the governor added.
While the provincial disaster management team of Albay is in the process of preparation for the possible impact of approaching typhoon Pepeng, the provincial government was able to deployed water and emergency paramedics teams in Metro Manila as part of the Ondoy Mission.
“We already deployed our teams to help Ondoy’s victims in major areas in metro Manila,” Salceda said.
Pagasa’s 11 am bulletin showed that Pepeng is 520 kms East of Borongan, Eastern Samar, with coordinates 12.0°north , 130.7° east.
Peping Maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near center and gustiness of up to 210 kph. It is moving West Northwest at 24 kph.
Its forecast position, according to Pagasa by Friday morning is: 220 kms East of Virac, Catanduanes
Saturday morning: 80 kms East of Casiguran, Aurora or 160 kms Southeast of Tuguegarao City
Sunday morning: 60 kms Northwest of Laoag City.
The provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes (all in Bicol) are now under signal number 1 which means it is already experiencing winds of 30 to 60 kph.
Residents in low lying areas and near mountain slopes under signal #1 are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures against possible flashfloods and landslides.
Pagasa said the public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 5 pm today.
Arroyo visits Albay's vital projects
By Rey M. Nasol
CAMALIG, Albay -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has slated a visit here and two other sites in Albay province for inaugural rites for various government projects, including housing, water system, sea wall and coastal road network, as the province rouses Albay into centerstage of development from both ends.
President Arroyo was met upon her arrival at the Legazpi City airport by Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, Mayor Noel Rosal, Cong. Al Francis Bichara of Albay’s second congressional district, Presidential Assistant for Bicol Tomasito Monzon, 9th ID commander Maj. Gen. Ruperto Pabustan, and PNP Bicol Regional Director, Police Chief Supt. Ruben Padua.
The President then proceeded to Polangui town to lead the ground breaking and capsule laying ceremony of the rehabilitation of the Polangui Water System in barangay Napo.
The President was assisted by Gov. Salceda, LWUA administrator Prospero Pichay Cong. Reno Lim of Albay’s third congressional district, and Polangui Mayor Jesus Salceda, during the groundbreaking.
The rehabilitation of the Polangui Water System will entail a cost of P140,710,000. P12.5 million is pure grant; P12.5 million loan without interest while the remaining balance of P115,710,000 will be paid at an interest rate of 9.2-10 percent per year. The Local Water Utilities Adminstration (LWUA) shall be the source of fund to be granted to the Polangui Water District which is the implementing agency.
“The need for sufficient supply of potable water was felt as soon as this town soared into progress that business establishments are on the rise here such as fast food chains, offices, and the upcoming Land Bank’s full branch here to cater for the nearby towns of the third district of Albay,” Albay Gov. Joey Salceda explained.
Rehabilitation works will include the setting-up of two separate systems. System 1 will cover the upper barangays of Balinad, Napo, Ponso, Alnay, Mendez and Magurang. System 2, on the other hand, will cover the lower barangays of Centro Oriental, Centro Occidental, Ubaliw, Basud, Gabon, Alomon, Kinale and Balangibang.
Scope of works will include; rehabilitation of two existing reservoirs; installation of a 24,148 linear meters of pipelines; power line extension; installation of 5,000 service connections; provision of a treatment facility; improvement of the existing Higiba spring intake; and construction of a pumping station.
From Polangui, Arroyo led the turn-over of Certificates of Ownership to 240 families displaced by typhoon Reming in 2006 as part of the CORE Shelter ‘30,000th’ milestone at a resettlement site in barangay Tagaytay, of this town.
The President was assisted by Sec. Esperanza Cabral of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Cong. Bichara and Camalig Mayor Carlos Baldo during the turn-over ceremony.
The Tagaytay Resettlement site is home to some 840 displaced families from the 16 barangays of the municipality located within the high-risk areas and the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zones (PDZ) near Mayon Volcano namely, barangays Anoling, Ilawod, Bariw, Cabanagan, Gapo, Ligban, Libod, Quirangay, Salugan, Sua, Tagaytay, Tinago, Tumpa and Barangays 1, 2, 3 and 4.
A total of 840 housing units – each built on 80 square meter lots – are spread over 145,185 square meter area of the resettlement site purchased by the Municipality Government of Camalig and developed by the National Housing Authority (NHA).
These housing units are the results of government and private sector collaboration as funds poured in from the DSWD-CSAP (114 units); DSWD-Habitat for Humanity, Philippines (136 units); Italian Cooperation, Philippines (115 units); International Organization for Migration (350 units) and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri thorugh the OCD (125 units).
To conclude her provincial sorties, the President inaugurated the seawall project (phase I and II) in Barangay Puro in Legazpi City.
Upon arrival at the site, the President, together with Gov. Salceda, Mayor Rosal, Cong. Bichara and Sec. Hermogenes Ebdane of the Department of Public Works and Higways (DPWH), boarded an open-top vehicle for the inaugural drive thru along the coastal road network.
The Puro Seawall Phase I and II project was implemented by the DPWH with the Sunwest Construction and Development Corporation, as the contractor.
The project covers the construction of 360 linear meters of seawall and a corresponding 360 linear meters of road to include a walkway and jogging cum bicycle lane in the total amount of P70 million.
The coastal road network, which stretches some 4.095 kilometers, is envisioned to be the “Roxas Boulevard” of Legazpi City.
Several projects are simultaneously undertaken with the road project that once completed it will serve as an alternate route to decongest traffic in the city’s business center, provide commuters safe access and easy transport of agricultural and marine products, and develop tourism potentials in the area.
Albay Gov seeks P86 billion moratorium for GSIS, SSS membersBy Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – President Gloria Arroyo’s top economic adviser Tuesday proposed a one-year moratorium for repayment of Government Services Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security Service to offset sufferings among the victims of devastating ‘Ondoy’ floods in Metro Manila and across the 27 other provinces of the Luzon Island.
The same strategy had eased the burden of coping up with the brunt from series of super typhoons that brought Bicolanos down to the ground and even killed thousands, thus survivors were supposedly haunted with extreme difficulty paying their loans.
A one-year loan repayment moratorium for GSIS and SSS members to provide widespread relief is necessary for Metro Manila especially that the population is composed of working class, according to Albay gov. Joey Salceda.
“Once supply chains have been restored and survival needs have been provided, cash is the best form of social and economic relief after a disaster since victims know better their need, beneficiaries would be more judicious in their procurement, benefit is direct and immediate,”,” Albay Governor Joey Salceda said in proposing a comprehensive package of demand-side measures as a decisive response to mitigate the widespread social damage and overturn the potential economic drag of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) as he cited the role of four major measures in succeeding to lift Albay from the ravages of two supertyphoons (Reming and Milenyo) and Mayon eruption in 2006 to economic recovery 2007 onwards.
These four measures are designed to inject liquidity into the system that has sustained both temporary disruption in their incomes and permanent damages to capital assets.
These would be directly targeted at impacted households, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and critical entities in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the 27 provinces covered by the declaration of state of calamity included one-year repayment moratorium in all salary and housing loans of GSIS.
Salceda said that there are 700,000 GSIS members in the affected area while SSS members composes 4.8m members in the affected areas out of 8 million members with outstanding live accounts nationwide.
“At a concessional 5 percent imputed interest thereafter easily worth almost P4 billion for GSIS and P28 billion for a total P32 billion,” Salceda said.
SSS members pay a monthly average of P600-P800 or P7,000 to 9,000 per year. This is in lieu of current proposals by the two Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) since Salceda argued that a global repayment moratorium is more pervasive and direct in impact- more take home pay, easier to execute- less effort for members and less paper work for SSS and GSIS and would allow the two institutions to keep within legislative ceilings on exposures to individual loans.
“Both are now slightly above the ceiling and without unduly decreasing their actuarial viability. SSS currently proposes an option of incremental P24,000 salary loans payable in 24 months worth P4.8 billion assuming 200,000 members avail or a housing improvement loan for members with damaged houses of up to P300,000 worth P15 billion if 50,000 members avail. GSIS, meanwhile, proposes an emergency loan of P20,000 payable in 24 months worth P5billion assuming 350,000 members avail.
An incremental home loan improvement of P150,000 for loan-eligible members of Pag-ibig which suffered damages to their homes which could reach P15 billion if 100,000 members avail.
Three-month advance of monthly average reimbursement by Philheath to its accredited outlets including DOH-retained hospitals, provincial hospitals, city health offices and Rural Health Units (RHUs) which could reach P4 billion.
“This helped Albay respond effectively to a surge in a morbidity rates after the disasters even while health facilities also sustained damages,” Salceda explained.
The Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has to set up a P35 billion 5-year special rediscounting window for banks to refinance loan exposures to individuals, entrepreneurs and SMEs at 91-day T-bill plus 2 percent.
“Summing up, GSIS- P4 billion, SSS- P28 billion, Pagibig- P15 billion, Philhealth- P4 billion and BSP – P35 billion for a total of P73 billion. Of these, P34 billion will benefit households directly, P4 billion for health institutions and P35 billion for SMEs. And, all these would have minimal impact on deficit of the national government,” Salceda explained.
Bicol workers leave asap during typhoonsBy Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – Learning from devastating rains, Bicolanos won’t have to wait for Pagasa’s advice to leave their workplaces, if only to help attain zero casualty during and after calamities.
“Let them go home early” The Department of Labor and Employment-Bicol suggested in order to protect the lives and properties of both labor and management advises companies and individual workers here, to take necessary pre-cautions by sending home workers early on before the on-set of calamities such as typhoons.
DOLE-Bicol Regional Director Ernesto C. Bihis said that loss of life and limb can very well be prevented if employers would release their workers ‘early’ or even before the on-set of calamities. “Let us learn from typhoon Reming. Hundreds of employees were stranded in a mall in Legazpi for about two days,” Bihis explained.
It will be much safer and cheaper for management, if their employees are dismissed early and are in the comforts of their homes during typhoons rather that be stranded at the workplace. If employees are stranded within the confines of the workplace, it will be the responsibility of the management to care for them. “They (employers) must provide the basic needs during that time, including food,” Bihis reminded.
Records show that after Typhoon Reming, about 90 percent of establishments in Legazpi City are closing their shops even on a mere Signal No. 2 advisory of Pagasa, the best practice, according to DOLE Information Officer Raymond P. Escalante.
“Legazpeños were traumatized by Reming. Nobody wanted to be caught off-guard again, no establishment here wanted to have additional burden on their shoulders. As they say, prevention is always better than a cure” Bihis pointed out.
The DOLE-Bicol official suggested that establishments nationwide must also adopt the practice of Legazpi City based establishments. The office also urged companies to have a Calamity-Emergency Response Plan (CERP) to ensure workplace safety, secure properties, ready first aid kits, and for worst scenario cases identify escape routes, and if possible have a stand-by vehicle for evacuation purposes.
However, DOLE-Bicol clarified that it has no power to order a closure during a calamity. Sending employees home during calamities or typhoons is the discretion of the establishment’s owners.
“We cannot force establishments to close down or tell them to let their employees go but we can try to convince them that it is probably the best and the cheapest way to survive a calamity. If and only if establishments in Legazpi have released their employees sooner during Reming, then perhaps nobody was stranded.” Bihis explained.
6 approved bridges boost GUICADALE business platform
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – A new fund worth P212 million from the French Protocol is seen to boost the implementation of the new business platform away from the hazards of Mayon Volcano, under a joint venture between the provincial government of Albay and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Albay governor and concurrent Regional Development Council Chairman Joey Salceda believes the development of the western part of Albay and the unexplored areas of the Bicol region will give rise to attainment of permanent solutions to bugging hazards of Mayon eruptions, lahar flows, and strong typhoons usually originating from the eastern part of the country that passes through the province.
The bridge projects will be implemented by the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) by Salceda and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) by Under Secretary Emil Sadain starting October 9, this year under a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the joint undertaking.
Counting on the rise of an international airport and the massive road opening efforts, Salceda said the provincial government of Albay pursues gradual expansion of the main thoroughfare towards safer grounds where permanent developments are worth the investment both by the government and other funding institutions.
“These bridges will interconnect critical roads surrounding the South Luzon International Airport and many relocation sites. It will also connect Sorsogon to Albay via new road openings traversing Donsol town,” Salceda said.
Salceda claimed that the budget was made possible through persistent follow-ups and the persuasive power as RDC chairman and his long time friendship with Sadain.
The bridges named to be put up are for Albay; Cagbacung Bridge (Legazpi City), Gabawan-Kiwalo Bridge (Daraga town), Ligban Bridge (Camalig), Rawis-Tamaoyan Bridge (Legazpi City), Homapon-Mariawa Bridge (Leazpi City), Taysan-Malangka Bridge (Legazpi City) and Donsol Bridge (Pioduran).
Salceda’s help was critical in securing funding from the French Protocol facility.
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – The province of Albay is preparing all resources as some 884,041 Albayanos will be evacuated to safer grounds in case Super Typhoon (pepeng ba or Peping?) changes course to directly hit the province, Albay Governor Joey Salceda said at a press conference here this morning.
The reiteration of the zero casualty measures has been aired by Salceda “Is aimed at reminding all concerned disaster coordinating councils (DCCs) to implement response preparedness in their respective area of responsibility and to prepare their consitituents for the next typhoon (Pepeng),” Salceda said at the press conference.
Response preparedness, among others, prepositioning of response assets, stock piling of foods and non-food items (NFI), identification of evacuation centers and the implementation of ‘pre-emptive evuation.’
Salceda also thanked the Albay media for its expertise that blend with the overall disaster risk reduction strategy of the province in terms of reporting, proper analysis and prompt cascading of information to the residents at the shortest possible time.
He also called for an Executive Meeting with the members of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) to discuss the possible impact of approaching typhoon Pepeng.
Salceda called all municipal, barangay officials as well as private organization to review, if necessary their evacuation plans.
Salceda explained that the pre-emptive evacuation of Albay shall only start if the typhoon is at least as strong as 120 kilometers per hour and if the province is identified by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administrator (Pagasa) as direct hit of the path.
“It is our strict policy to implement pre-emptive measure during calamity to ensure the safety of the people,” the governor said.
“For this Pepeng which is now a ximum sustained winds of 175 kph and whose gustiness of 210 kph, that is more than enough to order pre-emptive evacuation however, the issue here is still wheter it will hit albay or not, so the two parameters are needed: the wind speed and the direction, or if Albay is already under signal number 2, and that is the time for the evacuation,” Salceda explained.
Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office director Cedric Daep said that the Pagasa weather bulletin as of 11 am today.
Daep explained that the current direction does not directly hit Albay but in case it changes to downward direction and threatens Albay, it might severely affect the province. “So we are preparing for storm surges, wind strength, possible landslides, heavy rains and lahar flash floods.”
Daep assured that the 24 rain gauges across the province have already been activated to monitor the rain density and the APSEMO has given lead time of only 2 hours for the relay of information to the residents and the respective DCCs.
The preparation, just in case Peping threatens Albay, would be the same as the scenario for past typhoons such as Reming and Rosing, according to Daep.
“What we are anticipating is the heavy rains brought by typhoon because our focus would be in the highly risk areas,” the governor added.
While the provincial disaster management team of Albay is in the process of preparation for the possible impact of approaching typhoon Pepeng, the provincial government was able to deployed water and emergency paramedics teams in Metro Manila as part of the Ondoy Mission.
“We already deployed our teams to help Ondoy’s victims in major areas in metro Manila,” Salceda said.
Pagasa’s 11 am bulletin showed that Pepeng is 520 kms East of Borongan, Eastern Samar, with coordinates 12.0°north , 130.7° east.
Peping Maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near center and gustiness of up to 210 kph. It is moving West Northwest at 24 kph.
Its forecast position, according to Pagasa by Friday morning is: 220 kms East of Virac, Catanduanes
Saturday morning: 80 kms East of Casiguran, Aurora or 160 kms Southeast of Tuguegarao City
Sunday morning: 60 kms Northwest of Laoag City.
The provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes (all in Bicol) are now under signal number 1 which means it is already experiencing winds of 30 to 60 kph.
Residents in low lying areas and near mountain slopes under signal #1 are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures against possible flashfloods and landslides.
Pagasa said the public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 5 pm today.
Arroyo visits Albay's vital projects
By Rey M. Nasol
CAMALIG, Albay -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has slated a visit here and two other sites in Albay province for inaugural rites for various government projects, including housing, water system, sea wall and coastal road network, as the province rouses Albay into centerstage of development from both ends.
President Arroyo was met upon her arrival at the Legazpi City airport by Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, Mayor Noel Rosal, Cong. Al Francis Bichara of Albay’s second congressional district, Presidential Assistant for Bicol Tomasito Monzon, 9th ID commander Maj. Gen. Ruperto Pabustan, and PNP Bicol Regional Director, Police Chief Supt. Ruben Padua.
The President then proceeded to Polangui town to lead the ground breaking and capsule laying ceremony of the rehabilitation of the Polangui Water System in barangay Napo.
The President was assisted by Gov. Salceda, LWUA administrator Prospero Pichay Cong. Reno Lim of Albay’s third congressional district, and Polangui Mayor Jesus Salceda, during the groundbreaking.
The rehabilitation of the Polangui Water System will entail a cost of P140,710,000. P12.5 million is pure grant; P12.5 million loan without interest while the remaining balance of P115,710,000 will be paid at an interest rate of 9.2-10 percent per year. The Local Water Utilities Adminstration (LWUA) shall be the source of fund to be granted to the Polangui Water District which is the implementing agency.
“The need for sufficient supply of potable water was felt as soon as this town soared into progress that business establishments are on the rise here such as fast food chains, offices, and the upcoming Land Bank’s full branch here to cater for the nearby towns of the third district of Albay,” Albay Gov. Joey Salceda explained.
Rehabilitation works will include the setting-up of two separate systems. System 1 will cover the upper barangays of Balinad, Napo, Ponso, Alnay, Mendez and Magurang. System 2, on the other hand, will cover the lower barangays of Centro Oriental, Centro Occidental, Ubaliw, Basud, Gabon, Alomon, Kinale and Balangibang.
Scope of works will include; rehabilitation of two existing reservoirs; installation of a 24,148 linear meters of pipelines; power line extension; installation of 5,000 service connections; provision of a treatment facility; improvement of the existing Higiba spring intake; and construction of a pumping station.
From Polangui, Arroyo led the turn-over of Certificates of Ownership to 240 families displaced by typhoon Reming in 2006 as part of the CORE Shelter ‘30,000th’ milestone at a resettlement site in barangay Tagaytay, of this town.
The President was assisted by Sec. Esperanza Cabral of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Cong. Bichara and Camalig Mayor Carlos Baldo during the turn-over ceremony.
The Tagaytay Resettlement site is home to some 840 displaced families from the 16 barangays of the municipality located within the high-risk areas and the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zones (PDZ) near Mayon Volcano namely, barangays Anoling, Ilawod, Bariw, Cabanagan, Gapo, Ligban, Libod, Quirangay, Salugan, Sua, Tagaytay, Tinago, Tumpa and Barangays 1, 2, 3 and 4.
A total of 840 housing units – each built on 80 square meter lots – are spread over 145,185 square meter area of the resettlement site purchased by the Municipality Government of Camalig and developed by the National Housing Authority (NHA).
These housing units are the results of government and private sector collaboration as funds poured in from the DSWD-CSAP (114 units); DSWD-Habitat for Humanity, Philippines (136 units); Italian Cooperation, Philippines (115 units); International Organization for Migration (350 units) and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri thorugh the OCD (125 units).
To conclude her provincial sorties, the President inaugurated the seawall project (phase I and II) in Barangay Puro in Legazpi City.
Upon arrival at the site, the President, together with Gov. Salceda, Mayor Rosal, Cong. Bichara and Sec. Hermogenes Ebdane of the Department of Public Works and Higways (DPWH), boarded an open-top vehicle for the inaugural drive thru along the coastal road network.
The Puro Seawall Phase I and II project was implemented by the DPWH with the Sunwest Construction and Development Corporation, as the contractor.
The project covers the construction of 360 linear meters of seawall and a corresponding 360 linear meters of road to include a walkway and jogging cum bicycle lane in the total amount of P70 million.
The coastal road network, which stretches some 4.095 kilometers, is envisioned to be the “Roxas Boulevard” of Legazpi City.
Several projects are simultaneously undertaken with the road project that once completed it will serve as an alternate route to decongest traffic in the city’s business center, provide commuters safe access and easy transport of agricultural and marine products, and develop tourism potentials in the area.
Albay Gov seeks P86 billion moratorium for GSIS, SSS membersBy Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – President Gloria Arroyo’s top economic adviser Tuesday proposed a one-year moratorium for repayment of Government Services Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security Service to offset sufferings among the victims of devastating ‘Ondoy’ floods in Metro Manila and across the 27 other provinces of the Luzon Island.
The same strategy had eased the burden of coping up with the brunt from series of super typhoons that brought Bicolanos down to the ground and even killed thousands, thus survivors were supposedly haunted with extreme difficulty paying their loans.
A one-year loan repayment moratorium for GSIS and SSS members to provide widespread relief is necessary for Metro Manila especially that the population is composed of working class, according to Albay gov. Joey Salceda.
“Once supply chains have been restored and survival needs have been provided, cash is the best form of social and economic relief after a disaster since victims know better their need, beneficiaries would be more judicious in their procurement, benefit is direct and immediate,”,” Albay Governor Joey Salceda said in proposing a comprehensive package of demand-side measures as a decisive response to mitigate the widespread social damage and overturn the potential economic drag of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) as he cited the role of four major measures in succeeding to lift Albay from the ravages of two supertyphoons (Reming and Milenyo) and Mayon eruption in 2006 to economic recovery 2007 onwards.
These four measures are designed to inject liquidity into the system that has sustained both temporary disruption in their incomes and permanent damages to capital assets.
These would be directly targeted at impacted households, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and critical entities in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the 27 provinces covered by the declaration of state of calamity included one-year repayment moratorium in all salary and housing loans of GSIS.
Salceda said that there are 700,000 GSIS members in the affected area while SSS members composes 4.8m members in the affected areas out of 8 million members with outstanding live accounts nationwide.
“At a concessional 5 percent imputed interest thereafter easily worth almost P4 billion for GSIS and P28 billion for a total P32 billion,” Salceda said.
SSS members pay a monthly average of P600-P800 or P7,000 to 9,000 per year. This is in lieu of current proposals by the two Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) since Salceda argued that a global repayment moratorium is more pervasive and direct in impact- more take home pay, easier to execute- less effort for members and less paper work for SSS and GSIS and would allow the two institutions to keep within legislative ceilings on exposures to individual loans.
“Both are now slightly above the ceiling and without unduly decreasing their actuarial viability. SSS currently proposes an option of incremental P24,000 salary loans payable in 24 months worth P4.8 billion assuming 200,000 members avail or a housing improvement loan for members with damaged houses of up to P300,000 worth P15 billion if 50,000 members avail. GSIS, meanwhile, proposes an emergency loan of P20,000 payable in 24 months worth P5billion assuming 350,000 members avail.
An incremental home loan improvement of P150,000 for loan-eligible members of Pag-ibig which suffered damages to their homes which could reach P15 billion if 100,000 members avail.
Three-month advance of monthly average reimbursement by Philheath to its accredited outlets including DOH-retained hospitals, provincial hospitals, city health offices and Rural Health Units (RHUs) which could reach P4 billion.
“This helped Albay respond effectively to a surge in a morbidity rates after the disasters even while health facilities also sustained damages,” Salceda explained.
The Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has to set up a P35 billion 5-year special rediscounting window for banks to refinance loan exposures to individuals, entrepreneurs and SMEs at 91-day T-bill plus 2 percent.
“Summing up, GSIS- P4 billion, SSS- P28 billion, Pagibig- P15 billion, Philhealth- P4 billion and BSP – P35 billion for a total of P73 billion. Of these, P34 billion will benefit households directly, P4 billion for health institutions and P35 billion for SMEs. And, all these would have minimal impact on deficit of the national government,” Salceda explained.
Bicol workers leave asap during typhoonsBy Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – Learning from devastating rains, Bicolanos won’t have to wait for Pagasa’s advice to leave their workplaces, if only to help attain zero casualty during and after calamities.
“Let them go home early” The Department of Labor and Employment-Bicol suggested in order to protect the lives and properties of both labor and management advises companies and individual workers here, to take necessary pre-cautions by sending home workers early on before the on-set of calamities such as typhoons.
DOLE-Bicol Regional Director Ernesto C. Bihis said that loss of life and limb can very well be prevented if employers would release their workers ‘early’ or even before the on-set of calamities. “Let us learn from typhoon Reming. Hundreds of employees were stranded in a mall in Legazpi for about two days,” Bihis explained.
It will be much safer and cheaper for management, if their employees are dismissed early and are in the comforts of their homes during typhoons rather that be stranded at the workplace. If employees are stranded within the confines of the workplace, it will be the responsibility of the management to care for them. “They (employers) must provide the basic needs during that time, including food,” Bihis reminded.
Records show that after Typhoon Reming, about 90 percent of establishments in Legazpi City are closing their shops even on a mere Signal No. 2 advisory of Pagasa, the best practice, according to DOLE Information Officer Raymond P. Escalante.
“Legazpeños were traumatized by Reming. Nobody wanted to be caught off-guard again, no establishment here wanted to have additional burden on their shoulders. As they say, prevention is always better than a cure” Bihis pointed out.
The DOLE-Bicol official suggested that establishments nationwide must also adopt the practice of Legazpi City based establishments. The office also urged companies to have a Calamity-Emergency Response Plan (CERP) to ensure workplace safety, secure properties, ready first aid kits, and for worst scenario cases identify escape routes, and if possible have a stand-by vehicle for evacuation purposes.
However, DOLE-Bicol clarified that it has no power to order a closure during a calamity. Sending employees home during calamities or typhoons is the discretion of the establishment’s owners.
“We cannot force establishments to close down or tell them to let their employees go but we can try to convince them that it is probably the best and the cheapest way to survive a calamity. If and only if establishments in Legazpi have released their employees sooner during Reming, then perhaps nobody was stranded.” Bihis explained.
6 approved bridges boost GUICADALE business platform
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – A new fund worth P212 million from the French Protocol is seen to boost the implementation of the new business platform away from the hazards of Mayon Volcano, under a joint venture between the provincial government of Albay and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Albay governor and concurrent Regional Development Council Chairman Joey Salceda believes the development of the western part of Albay and the unexplored areas of the Bicol region will give rise to attainment of permanent solutions to bugging hazards of Mayon eruptions, lahar flows, and strong typhoons usually originating from the eastern part of the country that passes through the province.
The bridge projects will be implemented by the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) by Salceda and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) by Under Secretary Emil Sadain starting October 9, this year under a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the joint undertaking.
Counting on the rise of an international airport and the massive road opening efforts, Salceda said the provincial government of Albay pursues gradual expansion of the main thoroughfare towards safer grounds where permanent developments are worth the investment both by the government and other funding institutions.
“These bridges will interconnect critical roads surrounding the South Luzon International Airport and many relocation sites. It will also connect Sorsogon to Albay via new road openings traversing Donsol town,” Salceda said.
Salceda claimed that the budget was made possible through persistent follow-ups and the persuasive power as RDC chairman and his long time friendship with Sadain.
The bridges named to be put up are for Albay; Cagbacung Bridge (Legazpi City), Gabawan-Kiwalo Bridge (Daraga town), Ligban Bridge (Camalig), Rawis-Tamaoyan Bridge (Legazpi City), Homapon-Mariawa Bridge (Leazpi City), Taysan-Malangka Bridge (Legazpi City) and Donsol Bridge (Pioduran).
Salceda’s help was critical in securing funding from the French Protocol facility.
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