DOST to monitor rainfall in Cabatuan Tigum-Aganan weather monitoring project launched Jan. 20 By Jaime S. Cabag, Jr., Thursday 19th of January 2012 ILOILO CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA6) -- The collaborative project in weather monitoring system in Iloilo between the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and SMART Communications, Inc. will have a soft launching at Emilion Function Center here on Jan. 20. DOST Regional Director Engr. Rowen Gelonga said the project called “Tigum-Aganan Weather Monitoring System” is part of the DOST national program on the deployment of weather monitoring equipment in support to government efforts towards disaster risk reduction, particularly by empowering local government units through the provision of real-time information about weather conditions in their respective areas. Gelonga said it will involve the deployment of 5 automatic rain gauges and 3 automatic water level sensors at the Tigum-Aganan river system to monitor the rainfall in the municipalities of Alimodian, Cabatuan, Maasin and Pavia and Iloilo City, which are covered by the river system. The equipment will also measure the water level in three bridges along the river system The soft launching of the project will be led by local government officials including Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, Iloilo City Congressman Jerry P. Trenas, SMART Communications Public Affairs Group Head Ramon R. Isberto, DOST-Advanced Sciences and Technology Institute Director Engr. Dennis Villorente, DOST-PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando, mayors of the four municipalities, and other officials of the DOST and Office of Civil Defense. The mayors who have signified to attend are Juanito Alipao of Alimodian, Robert Maroma of Cabatuan, Mariano Malones of Maasin and Aracadio Gorriceta of Pavia. Alipao is also the chairperson of the Tigum-Aganan Watershed Management Board. The event will be highlighted by project briefs of the Tigum-Aganan Weather Monitoring System and DOST Nation-Wide Program on Hybrid Weather Monitoring System and media conference. Gelonga said that when the equipments is operational, they hope that these can assist them in becoming more prepared during times of when flooding occurs due to heavy rainfall. (JSC/PIA6) (Bookmark this page for future reference) Cabatuan.com - Timeline 2012 Cabatuan.com