2 flood sensors stolen

MANILA, Philippines- National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director Benito Ramos reported yesterday that thieves took two flood-warning sensors in Pangasinan and Tarlac that were donated by the Japanese government to monitor local floodwaters.

Ramos said the missing river sensors, reportedly worth more than P1 million each, were installed under bridges at the Agno River in Bugallon, Pangasinan and Tarlac City in Barangay Tibag going to Camiling.

Disaster management officials discovered the gadgets were missing three days ago when both failed to register regular feedback on computers on the prevailing river conditions from the two provinces.

“It’s (flood warning device) wrapped in copper. We suspect that these gadgets were sold to the junkshop,” Ramos said, as he appealed to any junkshop owners to return to the authorities if any of them have in their possession the flood monitoring devices.

These river sensors donated by the Japanese International Coordinating Agency (JICA) are being used to measure the volume, depth, and speed of the water current when flooding occurs.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) operates the devices.

Ramos said Pagasa failed to get any feedback on the status of the two river channels from these sensors and when checked, the gadgets were already gone.

“I am requesting our kababayan (countrymen) to return these sensors. We are saving lives and property with these devices. Without these peoples lives are risks. They want us to do our job… Let us be responsible,” Ramos appealed.

After airing an appeal Ramos said he is still hoping that the gadgets could be recovered with the help of the local police.

Ramos said that the robbers could only sell the copper casing of the flood-monitoring devices, which could be worth a few hundred pesos, to local junkshops.