City government boosts weather system,warnings to instantly reach barangays

CEBU, Philippines - With unpredictable rains this month, the Lapu-Lapu City government enhanced its rainfall monitoring system as a way to lessen disaster-related impacts among its residents.

Mayor Paz Radaza said that with the enhanced Automated Weather Systems, they can immediately address warnings or advisories to the city’s 30 barangays.

“This will serve as our early warning to gauge areas that will be flooded and in issuing of advisories to the barangays to act accordingly,” she said.

The system is being installed at Lapu-Lapu City Hall.

Andy Berame, deputy officer of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said the system is a great help since they can immediately relay PAGASA advisories to faraway island barangays aside from the mainland barangays before any natural calamities will happen.

Berame added that the city has well-trained barangay disaster risk reduction management groups that are quick to respond in times of tragedy.

Radaza on the other hand assured her constituents that the city government is looking for solutions to prevent flooding especially in low-lying areas.

“Much as we don’t want that to happen again, but there are low-lying barangays that are prone to flooding which our city is continuously looking for solutions,” she said.

Low-lying areas according to Radaza are barangays Bankal, Buaya, Basak, Ibo, Maribago, Canjulao, Pajo and Gun-ob.

The mayor is urging the barangays to regularly clean their drainage so flood can be prevented in their area. (FREEMAN)