DIPOLOG CITY—The Department of Science and Technology has established 93 units of an early warning device (EWD) in various high-risk prone areas in Zamboanga Peninsula, Thelma San Diego, DoST Region 9 focal person for disaster risk reduction and management, announced during the latest Regional Science and Technology Week celebration held at the Top Plaza Hotel.
San Diego explained that an EWD seeks “to prevent loss of lives and lessen damage to properties in certain areas during heavy rains that might cause flooding and landslide.”
She added that EWDs “have the capacity to send warnings to people living in low-lying communities some six hours before an impending flood to enable them to prepare for evacuation to elevated areas.”
San Diego reported that 29 EWDs were installed in different towns of Zamboanga del Norte, known for their high-risk flood-prone areas, while 24 others were placed in Zamboanga del Sur, 14 in Zamboanga Sibugay, four in Isabela City and two in Zamboanga City.
The celebration focused on the theme “Juan Science, One Nation” was attended by more than 200 local DRRM officers from different local government units in the region. It sought “to provide the LGUs with latest innovations in technology to enhance their capabilities to respond during emergency situations since La Niña started to batter the region,” San Diego said.