Bangsamoro, Philippines — This region’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) has installed fifty-eight (58) Early Warning Systems (EWS) from November 2022 to January 2023 to widen the monitoring of disaster threats, especially flood and typhoon coercions.

The Local Government Unit (LGU) in Maguindanao received 16 EWS, and two will be installed this month, a total of 18 for the said province. Twenty (20) EWS were installed in Lanao del Sur, two (2) in North Cotabato – Special Geographic Area, six (6) in Basilan, six (6) in Sulu, and six (6) in Tawi-Tawi.

Specifically, 43 Automated Rain Gauges (ARG), 7 Water Level Monitoring Systems (WMS), and 8 combinations of ARG and WLMS were installed across the region.

MOST installed these devices to gather important data which are useful in real-time monitoring of water levels and/or measurement of rain parameters. It also reduces the risk by giving alerts to the public, giving them enough time to prepare for a response. It can also help in minimizing hazards and associated consequences.

On December 2022, the ministry also conducted a series of inspections of all areas installed with EWS to ensure devices are satisfactory for use and that all systems are working properly.

The ministry strengthened its role in preventing and mitigating disaster risk as part of compliance and implementation of Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management of 2010.

#MOSTUpdates2023

[Information and Communication]