MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/28 May) — The city is going to receive early warning devices for its flood-prone barangays from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), an official at the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center (CDRRMC) said Monday.
Charles Azucena, CDRRMC planning and research officer said the DOST will give Malaybalay two water level measuring system and two automatic rain gauges to help upgrade the city’s capacity in flood early warning and alert system.
Azucena said the DOST is set to distribute around 50 water level measuring systems around Region 10.
He said flood preparedness is among the priorities of Malaybalay’s CDRRMC since 22 of the city’s 46 barangays are considered flood-prone areas.
Azucena said they will install the two water level measuring systems in Midland Bridge in Barangay Sumpong and in Violeta Bridge in Barangay Violeta.
The two areas are along the Sawaga River, which traverses the city proper as well as both urban and rural barangays in Malaybalay City.
The two automatic rain gauges will be installed near the Barangay Hall in Violeta and inside the compound of the Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center in Barangay Dalwangan.
But Azucena clarified that the city government is yet to sign a memorandum of agreement with DOST.
He said they have also proposed to DOST to provide additional water level measuring systems the Upper Pulangi area and Bangcud.
DOST regional officers will update city officials about the status of the project during the CDRRMC regular meeting on May 29, he added.
Virginia Flores, CDRRMC coordinator and city social welfare and development officer, said the meeting will tackle the guidelines for the operation of the CDRRMC and updates on the preemptive evacuation ordinance, among others. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)
