Philippines: Automated weather stations to help mitigate disasters
Philippines Information Agency press release by Maritess B. Beñas
Bangued, Abra -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has installed an Automated Weather Station (AWS) at the Bangued East Central School Campus as part of disaster mitigation efforts.
The AWS is a special project of the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) called “Development of Hybrid Weather Monitoring System and Production of Weather and Rain Automated Stations” in coordination with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration(PAGASA).
It is one of the tools being distributed to the different provinces throughout the country to support the disaster preparedness programs of the local government units (LGUs) particularly those that have their own Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils that are functional as the equipment provides real-time weather situation prevailing in the locality where it is installed.
The AWS is capable of measuring rainfall, wind speed, air pressure, wind direction, relative humidity, air temperature and other weather parameters that will help the PAGASA in arriving at an accurate weather forecast. It will also help in monitoring flood and typhoon that may affect the locality and the province at large.
The output of the AWS will likewise support the climate-change agriculture adaptation for the Agriculture Program of the province of Abra particularly the capital town of Bangued where it is situated.
The installation of the AWS is supported by the Memorandum of agreement between the DOST-CAR Regional Office represented by Director Ben D. Ladilad and the Bangued LGU represented Mayor Ryan S. Luna.
The DOST-CAR which provides the AWS unit pledges to extend full cooperation in the effective and efficient implementation of the said project starting from the coordination for the tenancy/use of the AWS unit, installation of the AWS unit, and provide technical training orientation to the caretakers to be assigned by the LGU of Bangued.
The Bangued LGU, on the other hand, is committed to sponsor the lot or space where the equipment is installed, provide the materials and civil works needed in the installation of the monitoring station including the fencing of the station based on the design prepared by the DOST-CAR. It will also provide a caretaker will ensure that the equipment is protected and free from obstructions and performs basic preventive maintenance, and report to the DOST-CAR through the Provincial Science and Technology Office in Abra, Director Menandro Buenafe, any damage that may arise in the operation of the said equipment. (JDP/MTBB- PIA CAR,Abra)