By Dominic Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug 1 (PIA) – A locally-developed early-warning system for weather disturbances is set to be implemented nationwide after its effectiveness in disaster risk reduction in region 9 pilot areas.
“Our ALERTO will soon be going nationwide,” said Thelma Diego, Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) focal person of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here.
ALERTO, which stands for Automated Water Level and Rain Monitoring Using Near-Real Time Observation sends automated SMS alerts to local government units should there be weather disturbances such as heavy rainfall and low pressure area. The technology, innovated by the DOST and the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) utilizes real-time monitoring of water levels.
“This technology helped our pilot LGUs to make fast decisions regarding disaster-mitigating actions such as the need to evacuate a particular area,” Diego said.
She added that upon learning of ALERTO’s effectiveness, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) through its local counterpart recommended for its use nationwide.
“Through the efforts of our RDRRMC-9 chair Director Manuel Luis Ochotorena, our ALERTO will soon be rolled out nationwide since it is known to be very helpful in disaster mitigation,” Diego added.
Meanwhile, Director Ochotorena urges local governments in region 9 to make use of available technologies and never let their guard down to help them plan and mitigate disaster, especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic. (RVC/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City, photo from alerto.dost9.ph)
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