Town to benefit from landslide warning device

published January 16, 2011 in BusinessWorld

SAINT BERNARD, SOUTHERN LEYTE -- The first batch of early warning sensors for landslide prediction in the country will be installed in this calamity-stricken town.

Saint Bernard has been hit by numerous landslides, including the massive mudslide that buried the entire village of Guinsaugon in 2006.

One sensor will be placed in Guinsaugon and another will be situated in Bolodbolod, where three children were killed early this month from continuous rains brought about by a cold front.

At least 10 sensors, two for each identified municipality or city, will be installed in the country this year.

After Saint Bernard, sensors will be installed in Baguio City in Northern Luzon and Antipolo City, east of Metro Manila.

The Department of Science and Technology is studying other locations to put up sensors.

In his visit to the calamity stricken area on Saturday, Technology Secretary Mario G. Montejo said the locally developed technology aims to prevent the loss of lives.

"We have developed this sensor that would indicate movements of soil up to 50 meters below the ground. We can see movement first before actual slides through this sensor," Mr. Montejo told reporters in an interview in Barangay Tambis.

He said the subsurface detector was developed in partnership with the University of the Philippines and is expected to benefit other countries as well.

"We have presented this program to the President, which is to accelerate the development and installation of these sensors.

"We will fast-track the implementation of this project. Our timetable is by the middle of the year before the next rainy season," Mr. Montejo said.

The unmanned system automatically gives warning signals to disaster management centers and villages for unusual soil movements underground.

Saint Bernard Mayor Rico C. Rentuza welcomed the development during a meeting with Department of Science and Technology officials, saying the system will strengthen disaster preparedness efforts.

"Landslides are really hard to detect. We are ready to cooperate and give whatever counterpart is needed from us," Mr. Rentuza told BusinessWorld in a separate interview.

Benita A. Jarlido, resident of Bolodbolod, said the devices will help residents who are clueless on signs of an impending landslide.

Signs include cracks in the ground, muddy water coming out from holes in the ground, and irregular water flow from the mountain.

Last weekend, residents in flood-prone areas of the town were allowed to return home after about two weeks in evacuation centers.

Residents in villages that are at high risk to mudslides were told, on the other hand, to stay in the evacuation centers.

The downpour since the last week of December has forced over 5,000 residents to move to safer grounds.

Although the weather has improved, landslides are still a threat since rains have softened the soil. -- Sarwell Q. Meniano