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THE Department of Science and Technology has launched a new flood forecasting system situated at the Cagayan de Oro River Basin, which aims to upgrade the flood forecasting and warning system in Molugan, El Salvador City, and Cagayan de Oro City, both in Misamis Oriental.
Called the Cagayan de Oro River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning System (CDORBFFWS), the state-of-the-art system will enhance flood forecasting and warning capabilities in the region, using the experience from previous disasters that resulted in billions of dollars in economic losses.
The system features additional telemetry and more durable rainfall and water level monitoring stations, as well as X-band radars.
The stations are strategically located from upstream to downstream areas of the river basin, empowering hydrologists at the CDORBFFWS to deliver accurate, timely and relevant flood bulletins and warnings to communities at risk of flooding.
The data from these stations will be transmitted to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-Pagasa) Mindanao Regional Services Division in El Salvador City, Cagayan de Oro City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the Pagasa main office in Quezon City.
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Science Secretary Renato Solidum said that with the two X-Band radar stations, 13 telemetered rainfall and water monitoring stations, and a dedicated data network, Pagasa is strengthening its ability to provide timely and accurate flood advisories.
Solidum added that the system will equip communities and disaster risk managers with real-time, critical information that would facilitate swift and effective response.
He stressed that for too long, the Filipinos had been depicted as victims of disasters, but they have the power to rewrite the narrative.
"We are not powerless against disasters when we have the right knowledge, the right tools, and the right behavior to act at the right time," Solidum said.
Pagasa Administrator Dr. Nathaniel Servando said the project was borne out of the destruction of Typhoon Sendong, which struck the region 14 years ago, and its impact highlighted the necessity for the government to invest in a more systematic and comprehensive network of flood monitoring and warning systems.
As a result, the project was realized with the cooperation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency as well as local government agencies and other government agencies.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuya Endo reaffirmed the country's commitment to disaster resilience, as it remains a "key area of cooperation between our countries, as well as the development of Mindanao."
He reiterated Japan's vision of becoming a global leader in disaster prevention and emphasized its commitment to sharing disaster preparedness knowledge and technology worldwide.
Solidum stressed that the Philippines' experience with disasters teaches one critical lesson: resilience must go beyond mere survival.
"We must redefine disaster resilience — not just as enduring hardship, but as building economic strength and prosperity in the face of adversity. Our story is no longer one of victims — but victors over disasters," Solidum said.
