DOST-PHIVOLCS inaugurates cluster monitoring center for earthquake, tsunami in Cebu

SAN FERNANDO, Cebu-- The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) established and inaugurated on May 10, the PHIVOLCS Visayas Cluster Monitoring Center for Earthquake and Tsunami (PVCMCET) at Purok 11-Santan, Barangay North Poblacion, San Fernando, Cebu.

"The Philippines is always perceived as victims of disaster because we are always affected by natural hazards. But I firmly believe that through science and technology, as well as collaboration, we can become victors over disasters and not victims," DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said during the event.

The PVCMCET is a strategic state-of-the-art facility to ensure service continuity of DOST-PHIVOLCS national earthquake and tsunami monitoring operations in cases of major disruptions in key operations of the PHIVOLCS Data Receiving Center (DRC) in Quezon City. 

PVCMCET features near real-time display and monitoring of earthquake and tsunami using data from the Philippine Seismic Network (PSN). Currently, DOST-PHIVOLCS has 125 seismic stations with upgraded computer systems for data acquisition and processing, newly installed tools for decision support, mapping, and information dissemination that are capable of near real-time streaming of seismic waveforms and real-time instrumental intensity reporting. 

The Visayas cluster center is composed of nine staff-controlled seismic stations, 25 satellite-telemetered seismic stations, six sea level monitoring stations for tsunami detection, and seven community tsunami alerting stations.

The new PVCMCET serves as the epicenter of collaboration among national and local government units, the academe, and non-government organizations in the region.

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. and DOST-PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol led the inauguration and ribbon-cutting ceremony with guests from Region VII offices and stations. (Photos: DOST-PHILVOCS FB/Melissa Mae Tamayo)