by Kier Gideon Paolo M. Gapayao February 27, 2021 (Left to Right) Department of Sc...
February 27, 2021
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| (Left to Right) Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) represented by Dr. Rhommel Grutas, Tanay Mayor Rex Manuel Tanjuatco and Tanay Vice Mayor Rafael Tanjuatco lead the inauguration of the 100th Strong Motion Site nationwide at the Tanay Municipal Hall. (GG/PIA-Rizal) |
TANAY, Rizal - The Municipality of Tanay is now home to the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology's (DOST-PHIVOLCS) 100th Strong Motion Site nationwide.
Government agencies, media and stakeholders took part in an online and onsite inauguration held via Zoom and at the Tanay Municipal Hall respectively.
The program includes a virtual tour showcasing the facility's equipment as well as a keynote message from DOST-PHIVOLCS OIC Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr.
Usec. Solidum states that there are different networks for locating earthquakes and determining their magnitudes. The strong motion network in particular monitors earthquakes using strong motion accelegraphs.
"For Tanay, this will help you characterize the materials underground," USec. Solidum remarks.
Solidum adds that the station will enable the LGU and stakeholders to design the right types of buildings in order to help build earthquake resistant structures and against other effects such as landslides and liquefaction.
The collected data will then be utilized by DOST for recording, research and monitoring and will also be used to update the Philippine Structural Code.
Onsite at the Tanay Municipal Hall, Tanay Municipal Mayor Rex Manuel Tanjuatco, Vice Mayor Rafael Tanjuatco and DOST PHIVOLCS Supervising Science and Research Specialist Dr. Rhommel Grutas lead the inauguration and a hybrid online and onsite press conference with media followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Dr. Grutas adds that of now, the Tanay station is operational and can reach up to 300 to 500 kilometers away from the station. He adds that PHIVOLCS plans to open stations in Baler in Aurora, Malolos in Bulacan and two in Davao this year.
"We are targeting 1,000 (Strong Motion Sites), but right now we are at 100," according to Dr. Grutas.
Initially, the Philippine Strong Motion Network or PSMnet started with only 4 stations in 1992 until the gradual addition of stations until the 100th in Tanay this February 23, 2021.
"Our goal is to characterize all of the soil in the Philippines, " Usec. Solidum adds.
Usec. Solidum says that densely populated or urbanized areas are prioritized due to the large number of structure being built.
Mayor Tanjuatco then thanked DOST-PHIVOLCS for the partnership with the local government since aside from the Municipality of Tanay, other nearby towns will also benefit from the station since Tanay serves as the center of most of the towns within Rizal Province's Second District.
He adds that Tanay is one of the fastest growing towns in the Province of Rizal and with the partnership with DOST-PHIVOLCS, the LGU can plan for zoning, infrastructure and disasters especially since Tanay has areas located at the lakeside as well as plains and mountainous areas.
"Barangays can also use this data for low lying areas to identofy which are more susceptible to earthquakes," Mayor Tanjuatco adds.
"We are open to any research to help the Province of Rizal as well as the locals of Tanay," Tanjuatco concludes. (PIA-Rizal)
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