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In a recent Senate hearing, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) emphasized the critical need for expanding earthquake monitoring and tsunami early warning systems across the country. The call comes as part of a broader initiative to enhance hazard mapping and mitigate the potential impact of seismic activities.
During the hearing, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol highlighted the importance of detecting low-level earthquake activities that could act as precursors to more significant tremors. “In 2023 alone, we recorded 16,655 earthquakes. Adding more monitoring systems will enable us to closely observe seismic activities, especially those with no clear surface expressions,” he stated.
Bacolcol emphasized that out of the 24 active volcanoes and 27 potentially active ones in the country, only Taal and Mayon currently have complete monitoring systems. To address this gap, Phivolcs plans to implement additional monitoring stations to identify active faults that may pose threats.
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Furthermore, Bacolcol revealed that 80% of the 82 provinces in the Philippines are exposed to tsunamis. Despite this, Phivolcs currently operates only 29 sea level monitoring stations dedicated to detecting tsunamis. To improve this situation, the institute aims to establish at least 50 more tsunami stations, considering historical data showing one tsunami event approximately every ten years.
However, the Senate hearing also brought attention to the delayed implementation of 14 project contracts, totaling more than P58 million, for the establishment of volcanic and earthquake monitoring systems nationwide. Senator Raffy Tulfo raised concerns over the delays, referencing a 2022 report by the Commission on Audit.
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Phivolcs Director Bacolcol provided insights into the causes of these delays, attributing some to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, while others were due to delayed agreements and difficulties in finding suitable project locations, particularly in Batangas.
Despite these setbacks, Bacolcol assured the Senate that catch-up plans were in place, with ongoing implementation for eight of the 14 contracts and successful completion of the remaining six. The institute remains committed to fortifying the nation’s resilience against seismic hazards through an extensive and robust monitoring network.
As the Philippines endeavors to safeguard its communities from the impacts of earthquakes and tsunamis, the expansion of monitoring systems emerges as a crucial step forward in building a safer and more prepared nation.
Source: DailyTribune
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