Latest news with #RiskReductionandPreparednessEquipmentProtectionAct
Filipino Times
3 days ago
- Filipino Times
PHIVOLCS reports theft of equipment at San Jose Observation Station in Tarlac
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that valuable equipment was stolen from its San Jose Observation Station in Tarlac. Among the stolen items is a Kinemetrics Q330HRS+ Quanterra digitizer worth about P1.144 million, which records and converts earthquake signals from seismic sensors. The station's solar batteries and solar controller, valued at around P70,000, were also taken. PHIVOLCS seismologists discovered the theft during routine maintenance when they found the seismic vault forcibly opened. However, the seismic sensor buried 20 meters underground was not stolen. Ma. Antonia Bornas, PHIVOLCS Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division chief, said the theft likely occurred on the evening of July 28, with the last data transmission recorded at 8:19 p.m. She noted that the stolen equipment contains little copper and its value lies mainly in its technology, which is imported from the United States. This is the third theft incident at the station, with previous thefts involving solar panels in October and December 2024. The stolen panels have since been replaced. The station currently lacks CCTV cameras due to power limitations, but PHIVOLCS is exploring ways to install security systems. Under the Risk Reduction and Preparedness Equipment Protection Act, those caught stealing government disaster preparedness equipment face 12 to 15 years imprisonment or fines ranging from P1 million to P3 million. PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol said the stolen equipment is vital for early warnings of volcanic activity and urged the public to help protect such assets. The San Jose Observation Station, commissioned in February 2022, monitors volcanic and tectonic earthquakes beneath Mount Pinatubo. PHIVOLCS urged anyone with information to contact them at (+632) 8426-1468 to 79 loc. 310 and 311.
GMA Network
3 days ago
- GMA Network
Over P1M worth of PHIVOLCS equipment monitoring Mt. Pinatubo stolen
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Wednesday reported that valuable equipment at the San Jose Observation Station in Tarlac have been stolen. Among the missing items is a Kinemetrics Q330HRS+ Quanterra digitizer worth approximately P1.144 million. The device records and converts earthquake signal data from seismic sensors into usable formats. The station's solar batteries and solar controller, worth approximately P70,000, were also stolen, PHIVOLCS said. State seismologists said they discovered that the seismic vault of the San Jose Observation Station was forced open and its equipment stolen during a routine maintenance activity. PHIVOLCS, however, noted that the thieves failed to steal the seismic sensor that was buried 20 meters deep into the ground. During a press conference, Ma. Antonia Bornas, PHIVOLCS Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division chief, said the recent theft occurred on the evening of July 28, as the last transmission was recorded at 8:19 p.m. 'So, typically, sa gabi po talaga nangyayari ang mga thefts (typically, thefts happen at night),' Bornas said. Bornas noted that the stolen equipment contains little copper. 'Meron itong (the equipment has) copper, but it's not much,' Bornas said. 'Yung technology kasi yung mahal dyan (the technology is expensive). It's not really the material. It's the technology of a web digitizer.' She further said, 'And of course, in-import pa natin yan from our supplier sa US. Malaki yung importation and custom fees n'yan which we also pay.' (And of course, we also import that from our supplier in the US. The importation and customs fees are high, and we cover those too.) PHIVOLCS also noted that today's theft is the third incident at the station. The first incident was on Oct. 30, 2024, where one solar panel was stolen, while two solar panels were taken on Dec. 17, 2024. Bornas said they had already replaced the stolen solar panels. She added that the area has no CCTV since it drains power, and the station needs to prioritize its monitoring instruments. 'So we still need to come up with a way para makapaglagay tayo ng CCTV system dito sa ganitong station (to install a CCTV system in our station) for safeguarding it,' Bornas said. Under the Risk Reduction and Preparedness Equipment Protection Act, those caught stealing or unauthorized taking, selling, or buying stolen government risk reduction and preparedness equipment will face a penalty of 12 to 15 years of imprisonment or a fine ranging from P1 to P3 million. Meanwhile, PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol explained that the stolen equipment poses a danger to the safety of residents covered by the monitoring station. 'Ang equipment na ito ay para sa early warning ng ating mga aktibong bulkan, so nakikiusap kami sa mga residente, hindi lang ng mga active volcanoes, magtulungan tayo at bantayan ang ating gamit,' Bacolcol said. (These equipment is for the early warning of our active volcanoes, so we ask residents, not just those near active volcanoes, to help us protect it.) 'Ito ay para sa ating kaligtasan. Ang pagkawala ng gamit ay hindi lang pagnanakaw sa gobyerno, ito ay pagnanakaw ng proteksyon ng komunidad," he added. (This is for our safety. The loss of this equipment is not just theft from the government, it's theft of the community's protection.) Commissioned in February 2022, the San Jose Observation Station operates a borehole seismic sensor for recording volcanic earthquakes caused by magma intrusion beneath Pinatubo Volcano as well as for detecting tectonic earthquakes for the Philippine Seismic Network. It has provided data for locating volcano tectonic earthquakes generated by deep-seated magma beneath the Pinatubo edifice. Those who may have information on the stolen equipment may contact PHIVOLCS via the following numbers: (+632) 8426-1468 to 79 loc. 310 and 311. — RF, GMA Integrated News
