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Difference between revisions of "Sorsogon News"
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==Aquino inaugurates state-of-the-art Doppler radar station in Virac== | |||
*Source: http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/26625-aquino-inaugurates-state-of-the-art-doppler-radar-station-in-virac | |||
*Wednesday, May 2, 2012 | |||
:by MIA M. GONZALEZ / REPORTER | |||
BATO, Catanduanes—President Aquino on Wednesday inaugurated a state-of-the-art Doppler radar station of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in this typhoon-prone province, which will help improve government response to potential disasters. | |||
The Virac Doppler Radar is under the P174-billion project for the improvement of the meteorological radar system in the Philippines funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), with two more to be set up in Aparri, Cagayan, in October and in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, next year. | |||
The project seeks to effectively mitigate the devastation caused by tropical cyclones and other severe weather phenomena, and enhance the capability of Pagasa in monitoring tropical cyclones monitoring, especially those coming from the Pacific Ocean to protecting lives and property. | |||
“This will give us more information and will help us predict more accurately the direction, the impact and the intensity of weather disturbances approaching our country. This means that we’ll be better prepared—that fewer Filipinos will be victimized by the vagaries of weather,” the President said in his speech. | |||
Mr. Aquino said that with the new system in place, the public can be assured that the government “is readier than ever to respond to these threats, and to help our people recover from potential damages.” | |||
Science Secretary Mario Montejo said the new facility “is the most vital and strategic Doppler radar installation facility” as it faces the Pacific Ocean. “We made a rough estimate—95 percent of all typhoons coming from the Pacific Ocean can be seen here. This can cover the whole Bicol region, including Masbate and parts of Samar,” Montejo said. | |||
He noted that the Doppler radar station in Virac has a 95-percent accuracy, based on tests that his department conducted. | |||
“This will really give advance information for Bicol region and also give advance information for Metro Manila,” he said. | |||
Montejo said on Tuesday afternoon, the Virac Doppler Radar indicated rainfall in Guiuan to measure 37 millimeters in three hours, which was the exact same measurement shown by the rain gauge in that town, and that two other tests conducted in Legazpi City and Sorsogon showed the same level of accuracy. | |||
The Philippines has seven other Doppler radars that were funded by the national government. | |||
He said that with the type of sophisticated Doppler radar in use, the government can see, in real time, the rainfall in the covered area, and would help the Department of Science and Technology fulfill the President’s directive of giving flood forecasts at least six hours in advance, especially in places along major river systems all over the country. | |||
“It will help eliminate the element of surprise because we would know for sure where the rainfall is,” Montejo said. | |||
The President thanked the Japanese government and Jica for supporting the country’s disaster-mitigation efforts, and committed that the Philippines “will always be ready to do what it can to return your kindness.” | |||
Motohiko Kato, deputy chief of mission and consul general of the Japanese Embassy, said that Japan, like the Philippines, has suffered from natural disasters “so as an important neighbor to each other, we decided to construct this facility so the Filipino people can prevent the occurrence of such disasters to this country.” | |||
An improved meteorological radar system in the Philippines would enable Pagasa to conduct round-the-clock monitoring of severe weather phenomena and associated hazards such as intense rainfall, destructive winds, and transmit these information on real-time, and processed/ analyzed more efficiently, the project briefer said. | |||
It would also allow Pagasa to detect localized severe systems such as thunderstorms and tornadoes affecting the Bicol region, and heavy rainfall event vital for flood and landslide monitoring and warning system. | |||
The President also switched on the Solong and Hitoma 1 mini-hydropower plants, which will augment power supply in Catanduanes. | |||
The mini-hydroplants are the first to be developed by Sunwest Water and Electricity Inc. (Suweco) in the small island grids covered by the Special Power Utilities Group (Spug) of the National Power Corporation. | |||
Suweco president Elizaldy Co said his company spent P540 million to construct the plants, and that it will invest another P500 for expansion plans, “to complete the needs of Catanduanes of another three megaWatts. | |||
In Photo: President Aquino converses with Catanduanes Gov. Joseph Cua and Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento of the lone district of the province after he inaugurated the Solong and Hitoma 1 Hydroelectric Power Plants and the Pagasa new radar tower station in Barangay Buenavista, Bato, Catanduanes. The Solong and Hitoma mini-hydro plants are the first-ever to be developed by a private entity—Sunwest Water and Electricity Inc.—in the small island grids covered by the Special Power Utilities Group of the National Power Corp. Pagasa’s new Doppler radar station is expected to mitigate impacts of devastating typhoons in the country. (Jay Morales Malacañang Photo Bureau) | |||
==Albay governor to seek reelection== | ==Albay governor to seek reelection== | ||
*Source: http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/regions/26553-albay-governor-to-seek-reelection | *Source: http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/regions/26553-albay-governor-to-seek-reelection | ||
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“You need an airport 24/7 to cater to the expected big influx of both foreign and local tourists,” Jimenez told local reporters during his recent visit in Legazpi City. | “You need an airport 24/7 to cater to the expected big influx of both foreign and local tourists,” Jimenez told local reporters during his recent visit in Legazpi City. | ||
Local officials are queuing as to who would dare fight Salceda for governorship. Speculations in the political circle showed no name for the governorship has cropped up yet to fit against Salceda who may end up running unopposed. | Local officials are queuing as to who would dare fight Salceda for governorship. Speculations in the political circle showed no name for the governorship has cropped up yet to fit against Salceda who may end up running unopposed. | ||
==Villar still the 'richest' senator== | ==Villar still the 'richest' senator== | ||