Phivolcs acquires new data satellite device

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=865197
• Thursday, March 10, 2016

(PNA), FFC/CD/GERALD LEIGH C. LAQUINON

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 10 (PNA) --- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in the region has installed a new and high-tech equipment donated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), an official said Thursday.

The donation includes a Data Satellite Communication device and a Solar power system that could assist the “less equipped and understaffed” office in monitoring earthquake incidents in the region, Marshal Labidinay, the Phivolcs regional director in Northern Mindanao, said.

He said that the new equipment has the capacity to “read, record and transmit data through SMS to the central office in events of earthquakes.”

The modern device, already installed at the Phivolcs office would automatically perform the reading, recording and transmission of data without the need for any personnel, Labidinay said.

He said that the equipment boosts the Phivolcs monitoring systems as it is capable of providing accurate and real-time information.

“These are a big help to us since we really lack manpower to do the monitoring,” Labidinay said.

The Phivolcs central office received from JICA last October 2015 the first real-time warning equipment worth about 1 billion yen or nearly PHP400 million. The equipment is now installed throughout the country.

Labidinay said that Japan and the Philippines share common experiences and vulnerabilities when it comes to disasters since both lies atop the Pacific Ring of Fire.

He said that JICA is committed to continue helping the Philippines prepare better for disasters and other emergencies by sharing technology and experience.