Legazpi City, 25 September 2012. The formal signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the DOST-Grant-in-Aid Project “Establishment of a Cost-Effective Local Tsunami Early Warning System for Selected High-Risk Coastal Communities of the Philippines (TeWS Project)” among PHIVOLCS, ASTI, both agencies under the Department of Science and  Technology (DOST), with the Province of Albay, Legazpi City, Municipality of Rapu-Rapu  and Rapu-Rapu Minerals Incorporated (RRMI) was held today, at the Ibalong Conference Hall. 

Under the TeWS Project, PHIVOLCS and ASTI designed and will install a Tsunami Detection and Warning System, composed of 1 set of combined tsunami ultrasonic sea level, wet and dry sensors in Rapu Rapu and 5 warning sirens in selected pilot coastal barangays of Legazpi City. In case of an offshore local earthquake, PHIVOLCS with the 69-station Philippine Seismic Monitoring Network monitors, records and locates earthquakes. Considering the short-time duration between an earthquake event and the tsunami arrival (15 to 30 minutes for Albay Gulf), it is important that almost-real time information is received by the coastal communities. The add-on of this project is that if and when the earthquake is strong enough to generate tsunami, the installed sensors in Rapu-Rapu MI will detect the possible changes in sea level and this will give information to the host LGU. Once signal confirms tsunami waves, the LGU can then trigger the warning siren to warn residents. 

The event was attended by Mayor Geraldine Rosal of Legazpi City, Mayor Nora Onate (Rapu Rapu), Director Renato U  Solidum, Jr of PHIVOLCS, Mr. Gerwin Guba (ASTI), and Jason Lim , Senior Manager (RRMI).

In addition, to ensure that the Legazpi CDRRMC and pilot coastal barangays namely Rawis, Bonot and San Roque where the warning sirens will be installed are properly oriented about the TeWS project and the detection and warning system, a 2-day capacity building session was designed. The 2-day seminar emphasizes basics of earthquakes and tsunami generation, natural signs of approaching tsunami and community-based early warning system. The capacity building activity is a joint effort of PHIVOLCS,  Legazpi City DRRMC and APSEMO.

Tsunami Bulletin No.: 2

September 01, 2012

12:10AM
 

Tsunami Alert Cancellation

 
PHIVOLCS is cancelling all tsunami alerts associated with the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that occurred at 8:47 PM (Philippine Standard Time) on August 31, 2012. The local government of affected coastal provinces may now advise and assist those who evacuated to safely return to their communities.

Initial reports of sea level disturbance received by PHIVOLCS indicate that the tsunami generated by this earthquake did not reach life-threatening heights. The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) reported the tsunami in Surigao City with initial heights of 16 centimeters and 19 centimeters at 10:48 PM. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) also reported a three centrimeter tsunami recorded by the tide gauges in Legaspi City at 9:43 PM and Davao City at 9:50 PM. Waves not higher than half meter were also reportedly observed in Pilar, Surigao del Norte in Siargao Island about 10 minutes after the earthquake. No bigger tsunami associated with this earthquake is expected to follow after this cancellation. All tsunami alerts are now lifted.

This will be the last bulletin issued for this event.

PHIVOLCS-DOST

PHIVOLCS conducted a training on the use of the REDAS software for Metro Manila and the province of Rizal last July 1 to 6, 2012. It was held at Tagaytay City. There were 103 participants.  The 16 cities and one municipality of Metro Manila including the Antipolo City and nine towns of Rizal province participated. There were also participants from MMDA,OCD,HLURB, NEDA,DILG,UP-NCPAG,DOST, PCIEERD as well as from the provincial governments of Laguna, Bulacan and Cavite. The training was conducted as one of the major activities of the GMMA READY Project. The REDAS software is being used as a tool for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in the developmental planning process.