PRESS RELEASE

14 March 2008

PHIVOLCS-DOST Conduct Tsunami READY Campaigns in the Cavite Coastal Communities --- Barangay Sta. Mercedes (Maragondon) and Barangay Bucana (Ternate)

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) – Department of Science and Technology (DOST), together with the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council of Cavite Province and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), will assist Cavitenos to help them become resilient to tsunami thru the conduct of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities and tsunami drills. Residents of Barangay Sta. Mercedes in Maragondon, Cavite had a lecture session about tsunami and Community-Based Early Warning System (CBEWS) on the evening of 8 March 2008. A tsunami drill was set the following day, 9 March 2008, where residents evacuated to a designated evacuation area after a warning signal was set off by barangay officials. Eight pieces of tsunami warning and directional signage were installed in each barangay last 01-07 March 2008.

A similar type of IEC activities and drill will be conducted in Barangay Bucana in Ternate, Cavite a week after. The seminar for the residents of Barangay Bucana in Ternate will be held on 15 March (Saturday) and the tsunami drill is set for the following day. Barangay residents will be briefed about tsunami and CBEWS during the lecture on 15 March. Similarly, eight pieces of tsunami warning and directional signage were installed in the barangay weeks prior to the activity. SMART Communications Inc. distributed batingaws to the two barangays to complement their organic early warning set-up.

This CBEWS for tsunami is implemented under the Hazards Mapping and Assessment for Effective Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (READY) Project, funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).