ORMOC CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has entered into an agreement with the city government for the establishment and operation of an earthquake intensity meter in the city.
Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum signed the agreement with Mayor Edward Codilla, representing the city government as authorized by City Council Resolution 2014-180, for the putting up of the equipment for Eastern Visayas.
The Phivolcs has embarked on the establisment, operation and maintenance of a network of intensity meters in strategic locations around the country.
An intensity meter records and make available online, on near-real time basis, information on the severity of ground shaking due to various earthquake events.
Phivolcs will not be paying for the electrical consumption and the internet connection of the equipment now installed in the City Hall building premises.
The City Council, in its resolution, declared the importance of such equipment for the city’s additional disaster preparedness capabilities, stating: “...significantly benefit the city most particularly in its pre-disaster preparedness and post-disaster responsiveness capabilities ...”
Ormoc had experienced two major disasters in modern times: the November 5, 1991 flood that killed thousands and the November 8, 2013 typhoon Yolanda that also devastated lives and properties.
“Having been geographically located in an area near to volcanoes, both active and dormant, it is a must for us to be always ready. This intensity meter from Phivolcs can greatly contribute,” Codilla said.