MANILA, Philippines - To better prepare for floods triggered by heavy rains, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) yesterday inked an agreement for the installation of 38 water level monitoring sensors (WLMSs) and 13 automated rain gauges (ARGs) across the metropolis.
According to MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino, the agency’s partnership with the DOST’s Advanced Science and Technology Institute and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) aims to enhance local flood forecasting and encourage faster response through the collection of real-time rainfall and water level data and the relay of data to lessen the impact of flooding.
Under the agreement, DOST-PAGASA has committed to supply the equipment and conduct training with personnel of the MMDA and the various local government units. Each ARG unit costs around P30,000.
According to the DOST, the ARG and additional WLMS units will be operational before the rainy season starts this year.
The MMDA meanwhile will secure the installation sites, provide the manpower for the installations and share the obtained data and video stream through its Efficient Flood Control Operation System using the 88 closed-circuit television cameras deployed across the metropolis.
At present, the MMDA maintains four WLMSs at the Rosario-Manggahan Bridge (Pasig City), Tumana Bridge (Marikina City), Napindan Channel (Pasig City) and at the Sto. Nino Bridge (Marikina City).
The additional WLMSs will be installed at the Del Monte Bridge, Quezon Avenue Bridge, Talayan Creek, E. Rodriguez Bridge, Aurora Boulevard Bridge, N. Domingo Bridge, Sevilla Bridge, Ilugin Creek, Tripa de Galina Creek, Makati Diversion Channel Outlet, Buendia, Libertad, Quiapo, Estero de Cagobcob, Quirino Highway, Wawang Pulo, Polo Bridge, McArthur Highway, Ugong Bridge, Tenajeros, Commonwealth Avenue, Dongalo Bridge; Sto. Nino Bridge, Kaingin Bridge, C5 Extension Bridge, Villanueva Bridge, Talayan Bridge (Quezon City), Calitao Bridge (P.Tuazon-Cubao), Duyan-Duyan Bridge (Xavierville Avenue), Modesta Bridge (Boundary of San Mateo and Marikina), V. Morcilla Bridge (Pateros-Makati Boundary), and the Sta. Ana Bridge (Sta. Ana, Taguig).