The Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) recently began installing quake rapid damage assessment devices and rain gauges across the city. According to CDRRMO head Donna P. Magno, the initiative aims to build a smart sensor network, set up a cloud-based decision-supporting system, and deliver capacity-building program for information intelligence.
The P-alert system is an experimental network that is said to provide early warning ahead of a seismic activity. According to the system developer, “P-alert can give warning and chance to act before the main devastating shock wave arrives.”
“This gives you a small but important window to prepare, time at least to open the door, maybe switch off gas, then duck and cover,” the company continued.
Last month, a 2.8-magnitude quake recorded south of Guimbal, Iloilo.
According to a subsequent Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology bulletin, no damages were incurred as a result of the earthquakes nor were there any anticipated aftershocks.
Quakes ranging between 1.0 and 3.0 in magnitude are often classified as a Level 1 on the Mercalli Intensity Scale, where the tremor goes almost undetected./WDJ