West Valley Fault

In a significant leap forward for disaster preparedness and response in the Visayas region, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has inaugurated the Visayas Cluster Monitoring Center for Earthquake and Tsunami (PVCMCET). This state-of-the-art facility, located in San Fernando, Cebu, promises to enhance the region’s capability to monitor and respond to earthquake and tsunami threats in real time.

Revolutionizing Disaster Response

The newly inaugurated PVCMCET is more than just a monitoring station; it’s a beacon of safety and preparedness. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the center is designed to issue timely warnings and disseminate critical information during seismic events, ensuring the continuity of public services and the safety of communities across the Visayas.

Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) highlighted the center’s pivotal role in disaster risk management. “This new station signifies DOST’s proactive strategies for protecting individuals and their livelihoods,” he stated. “It aims to ensure the continuity of public services for each agency or even the local government units in the event of a damaging earthquake or any disruptive event.”

Strategic Location and Capabilities

Strategically located in Barangay North Poblacion, San Fernando, the PVCMCET is equipped to handle the failure of critical services, ensuring uninterrupted monitoring and information dissemination. It supports PHIVOLCS’ primary operations, including intensity surveys, aftershock monitoring, and regional meetings, particularly if the PHIVOLCS Data Receiving Center in Quezon City faces disruptions.

San Fernando Mayor Mytha Ann Canoy expressed gratitude for the center’s location, seeing it as a monumental step towards building resilient communities. “By setting up this monitoring center here, we extend our hand of solidarity and support to our neighbors,” she said. “Together, we stand united in our commitment to building a more resilient region.”

Advanced Monitoring Infrastructure

The PVCMCET leverages data from the Philippine Seismic Network and features an impressive array of monitoring tools:

• Six sea level monitoring stations for tsunami detection
• Seven community tsunami alerting stations
• Nine staff-controlled seismic stations
• 25 satellite-telemetered seismic stations

This robust infrastructure, housed in a two-storey, P15 million facility, enables real-time data collection and analysis, crucial for early warning and effective disaster response.

Community and Educational Benefits

Barangay officials and disaster risk reduction personnel are enthusiastic about the center’s potential to boost local preparedness. Riza Tapere Olegario, chairperson of Barangay North Poblacion, noted the center’s role in increasing public awareness and education on natural hazards. “This facility is a big help, especially for raising awareness and providing vital information about disasters,” she said.

Rommel Pinatil, officer-in-charge of the San Fernando Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, highlighted additional benefits, including support for local research and tourism. “The PVCMCET is a significant asset for our disaster response and preparedness, as well as for research and tourism,” he remarked.

Educational and Public Engagement

Beyond its monitoring capabilities, the PVCMCET serves as an educational hub. Secretary Solidum encourages schools and the public to visit the center, enhancing their understanding of earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes. “The monitoring center will cater to public needs for earthquake and tsunami information and education,” he said.

A Commitment to Safety and Resilience

Open 24/7, the PVCMCET stands as a central point for collaboration between DOST-PHIVOLCS, local governments, NGOs, the private sector, and the public. This facility not only represents a leap forward in disaster preparedness but also embodies a collective commitment to building a safer, more resilient Visayas.

The inauguration of the PVCMCET marks a new era in disaster readiness for the Visayas, bringing advanced technology and enhanced capabilities to safeguard lives and communities from the threats of earthquakes and tsunamis.

Source: pia.gov.ph