PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

Pampanga River Basin Flood Forecasting & Warning Center (PRFFWC)

Diosdado Macapagal Government Center (DMGC)
Barangay Maimpis, City of San Fernando, Pampanga 2000
Telephone / Fax: (045) 455-1701
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]
(with FB and Twitter accounts)
Websites: prffwc.synthasite.com; prffwc.webs.com

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PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

PRFFWC in the Year 2016

On its 45th year of operational flood forecasting and warning service in the Pampanga River Basin, the
Pampanga River Basin Flood Forecasting & Warning Center (PRFFWC) has remained steadfast and committed in
providing quality flood-related information to target areas within the said basin. The continuing innovations of
the PRFFWC in its operational flood-related information and warning activities has maintained its position as the
prime flood forecasting & warning (FFW) service of PAGASA.

This year’s center highlights are as follows:

 A total of 17 flood advisories (FAs) and 23 flood bulletins (FBs) were issued in 7 basin flood events;
 Year-round (366 days) daily updating of hydrological forecast and uploading of basin rainfall (RR) /
water level (WL) status in center’s own website (www.prffwc.webs.com / www.prffwc.synthasite.com);
 River stage validation in several WL telemetry stations with field validation resulting in the adjustments
of several WL telemetry readings by the HMTS of HMD;
 Resource speaker on topics relating to the PRB and on hydrometeorological thematic area in some 40
occasions to more than 6,800 individuals representing various sectors within and outside the basin of
concern including one international event;
 More than 50 tri-media interviews (mostly regional stations and networks) particularly during flood
watch operations;
 Another milestone for the center is a developed project of a topographic scale model of the PRB
showing important river systems, locations of telemetry stations, major road networks, and other basic
features of the basin;
 Initial draft of center’s reference manual
exclusively for PRB hydrologists / flood
forecasters and hydro technicians on flood
watch activities and on the overall PRFFWC
system;
 Participation of the center’s technician in the
quarterly maintenance of all telemetry stations
by the HMTSS-HMD;
 Some 491 station-months of various hydrological
data encoded; 20 stn-months of RR & 10 stn-
months of WL filled-in gaps / breaks; conversion
Students from different schools line-up to view the PRB
of some 107 documents to e-file as a continuing
scale model in the PRFFWC booth during the Regional
Science & Technology Week Celebration of Reg. 3 at program of the center’s electronic filing system
Walter Mart Activity Center, CSFP. (July 25-27) activity;
 Active participation in more than 30 meetings (including RDRRMC-3 PDRAs), seminars, conferences and
other events relating mostly to DRRM issues; as an active partner in several regional and outside the
basin undertakings to various DRRMOs, NGOs, and NGAs;
 Participation in international events and gatherings either as guest speaker, training and partnership-
collaboration activities.

The center actively participated in several major events during year. Among them was a showcase booth of its
flood forecasting and warning system with basin scale model during the Regional Science and Technology Week
(NSTW) Celebration at Walter Mart, CSFP (Jul. 25 to 27) led by the DOST-3; a major supporter to the Bulacan
Provincial Government through its Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office (PDRRMO) in the 7 th
SHINe (School Hydrological Information Network) Annual Conference in 8 Waves Water Park & Hotel (Nov. 17);
active collaborations with several international entities such as JICA, ICHARM, RIMES, KOICA and K water.

Data receptions were generally very good throughout the year with less than 10% of downtimes (d/t) for both
RR and WL, respectively for all reporting telemetry stations. Mayapyap RR-WL telemetry station remained out of
order for the whole year. There were few hydrographic surveys made during the year due to limitations
concerning outmoded and “un-calibrated” current meters. Hydrographic surveys carried-out during the year
included a trial river cross-sectioning in Abacan River at Mexico station and some telemetry-based river stage
validation in several of the streamgauging stations. For the year 2017, a major focus on data build-up through
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 PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

quality-control of previous data years, publication of an annual hydrological summary, at least one river cross-
section at all streamgauging stations and an updated rating equations at each site.

I. Operational Activities

1.1 Flood Monitoring and Warning Activities

At least 7 basin flood events were monitored and covered by the center during the year. A combined total of 17 flood
advisories (FAs) and 23 Flood Bulletins (FBs) were issued during those events. Events were mainly the yearly normal
floods and no extreme event. Almost half of year 2016 was still an El Niño year coming from 2015 and was rated as one
of the strongest on record (second strongest with a +1.7 ⁰C ONI behind the 1997-98 event with +2.0 ⁰C ONI or the
Oceanic Niño Index; ONI - a running 3-month mean SST (Sea Surface Temperature) anomaly).

2016 Event Period FA issued FB issued

Southwest Monsoon as enhanced by Typhoon Butchoy (Nepartak) July 9 - 10 2
Southwest Monsoon as enhanced by Super Ty. Carina (Nida) Jul 31 – Aug 02 3
Southwest Monsoon Aug. 12 - 19 4 7
August 21 Event Aug. 21 2
Typhoon Karen (Sarika) Oct. 14 - 19 2 10
Super Typhoon Lawin (Haima) Oct. 19 - 22 1 6
Typhoon Nina (Nock-Ten) Dec. 25 - 27 3
Total 17 23

Top left, a customized flood advisory that was issued in August 20 during an unexpected increase of river stages at
several upstream tributaries for some localized rains that were not covered by the present rainfall station network.
Though the sudden rise of river did not reach alert levels at forecasting points nonetheless the issuance was made to
raise awareness of the communities that are along these tributaries; Top right shows one of the flood bulletins (FB),
flood FB No. 7, issued during event Typhoon Karen in October of 2016.

Flood information can be customized, such as the issued flood advisory mentioned above top left, based on an existing
situation in the basin. For example, the FA above is not the usual patterned advisory. The awareness information
immediately follows the basin rainfall statement. Further, to highpoint the flood information there are areas
mentioned that are likely to be affected aside from the usual waterways as possible flood source. The flood warning
statement then clips the whole advisory at the end. This is a special case where the center has to update the public on
the existing situation and make them aware of possible flood effects (flash flood or river overflowing) even when there
are no significant weather disturbances, except for some unmonitored localized rains, prevailing over the basin. Again,
this is a customized FA mainly done for awareness purposes and to somewhat heighten alertness of communities

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 PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

identified along these waterways. It is also important to be consistent with statements from issued flood message to
the next issued information taking note of the continuity of the scenario in the flood episode.

The main flood event for the basin during the year 2016 was Ty. Karen (International name: Sarika). Though the
episode was not a major one, it did, however, flooded several riverside areas and mainly the Candaba swamp area.
Graph below shows the event basin hyetograph and forecast point hydrographs during Ty. Karen (October 15 to 20).

The figure graph above also shows the issued FA and FBs
along the time axis. The rise and peak of hydrographs and
the issued FA (no. 2) and FBs clearly shows that the
center was able to provide more than 24-hour lead time
of warning information to targeted areas within the basin
during the said event.

Added information shared by the center through its

Facebook and Twitter accounts during flood watch
operation is a table showing the past 3 hours of basin
rainfall and the corresponding instantaneous water level
readings at all reporting stations. Left figure shows one of
these uploaded tables as seen in center’s twitter account.

This information is updated and uploaded every 3 hours

during flood watch operation from 8am till 8pm and / or
11pm of the day.

Daily Hydrological Information:

The center provides daily basin hydrological forecast issued on or before 6:00 AM. In its status of basin rainfall and
water level page, updates on the past 24-hour rainfall totals ending at 5:00 AM and the instantaneous water level
readings (5:00 AM data) at all reporting telemetry stations are regularly updated even during flood watch operations.

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 PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

Above shows the daily updated basin “hydrological forecast” (top left) and the basin’s “status of rainfall and water
levels” (top right) as how it appears when uploaded in the center’s website.

The basin hydrological forecast and the status of rainfall and water levels issued by the center are likewise uploaded at
its Facebook (top left) and Twitter (top right) accounts every day. To access PRFFWC’s Facebook and Twitter accounts
just search for PRFFWC. During flood watch status, all info such as issued FA or FB is uploaded after every issuance to
the center’s social accounts as well as in the center’s websites. Below is a view of the front page of the center’s
websites. left: prffwc.webs.com ; right: prffwc.synthasite.com

Flood information (FAs and FBs) issued during flood watch operations are also immediately relayed, through other
means e.g. fax, e-mails, and SMS, to its identified immediate recipients - the RDRRMC-3, OCD-3, HMD, PDRRMC/O,
etc., and also upon requests by other entities and the regional television and radio stations.

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PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

1.2 PRB received data for the year

The present PRFFWC system is composed of 17 RR and 10 WL (individual / combinational) telemetry stations situated
within the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Bulacan. However, one station, Mayapyap RR-WL telemetry
station, remains inoperational during the whole year 2016. A digital tipping bucket rain gauge is also manually
monitored through an LCD at the center as a complementary rainfall monitoring station.

A summary of received RR and WL data (stn-hrs) for each station by month with total and percentage of data received
for the year 2016 are shown below:

Mayapyap telemetry station remained non-operational for the whole year 2016.

Mayapyap telemetry station remained non-operational for the whole year 2016.

By standards, data reception for the year was quite good with few downtimes (d/t) mostly below 4-8% for both RR
and WL except for Mayapyap station. The above figures are all straight data received reports without any quality-
control being applied yet to the actual observed values. Data downtimes or breaks and gaps in the time series will be
(or were) filled-up by merging the downloaded data from the station’s data logger.

1.3 PRB observed data summary for the year

Summary stats of observed RR and WL data within the basin based on available data received (without data quality-
control applied) at the center are as follows:

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 PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

PRB Rainfall Stations

Station Annual RR Maximum 24-hr Date of 24-hr Max Number of RR Maximum 1-hr
(mm) RR (mm) Met. day RR (Met. day) days (Met. day) (fixed) RR (mm)
Muñoz 1758 102 15 Oct 114 75
Sapang Buho 1751 272 18 Oct 127 53
Gabaldon 2313 241 15 Oct 162 58
Zaragoza 1497 121 04 Oct 108 73
Mayapyap
Peñaranda 1470 73 15 Oct 105 48
Calaanan 1836 115 15 Oct 123 42
Palali 1421 102 15 Oct 130 33
San Isidro 1440 111 25 Sept 104 61
Arayat 1430 93 04 Oct 95 58
Candaba 1325 96 12 Aug 110 37
Sibul Spring 1785 84 20 Aug 130 46
Sasmuan 1588 144 15 Aug 93 53
Sulipan 1357 89 13 Aug 112 39
Mexico 1525 193 16 Aug 92 59
Porac 1623 110 12 Aug 96 56
San Rafael 1584 94 16 Aug 114 70
PRFFWC (CSFP) 1652 227.3 12 Aug 125
PRB Water Level Stations
Staion Max WL for the Time / Day of Max WL Remarks (event of maximum WL
year (meters) for the year)
Sapang Buho 5.30 1100H / 16 Oct Ty. Karen
Zaragoza 3.96 1800H / 31 Aug Southwest Monsoon
Mayapyap
Peñaranda 3.08 1100H / 16 Oct Ty. Karen
San Isidro 5.14 0100H / 17 Oct Ty. Karen
Arayat 8.68 1500H / 17 Oct Ty. Karen
Candaba 5.89 1600H / 18 Oct Ty. Karen
Sasmuan 2.94 1200H / 05 Oct
Sulipan 3.24 0300H / 22 Oct S.Ty. Lawin
Mexico 2.02 1900H / 20 Aug Southwest Monsoon

Database buildup is one of the priority programs of the center. Unfortunately, data quality-control is not as simple as
it looks and requires some skills specially when identifying erroneous or doubtful rainfall values. WL errors are a lot
easier to identify but will require on site validation as well. Filling-in gaps and breaks are again major setbacks in the
buildup of datasets. Short period gaps and breaks for WL are less problematic. Longer gaps of more than a day can
sometimes be a problem. For now, the center has focused its data quality-control activities to specific flood events.
There is also a plan to come up with a publication of an annual hydrological summary for the Pampanga River Basin
probably starting with the year 2016.

Aside from the regular database management of the center, e-filing of old documents such as reports and related
papers are done through manual encoding and/or scanning. The list of dataset managed and e-filling tasks carried-out
by the center for the year 2016 are as follows:
 Encoded 117 telemetry RR stn-months and 68 telemetry WL stn-months
 Some 20 rainfall station-months and 10 water level station-months of data gaps for the PRB were filled-in
(November 2014 until March 2015)
 Encoded 12 RR station-months for PRFFWC station (2016)
 Encoded 204 station-months of historical RR-WL data from other various stations
 Scanned 107 documents (reports and various papers, etc.)

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PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

The monthly rainfall distribution for 2016 for all reporting

telemetry stations are shown above. On the left is the 2016
basin rainfall (isohyets) distribution.

A digital tipping-bucket rain gauge at the center is also being

monitored daily. Continuous hourly (fixed) observations are
done when it is raining in the area. Below is the monthly rainfall
distibution for 2016 for the PRFFWC rain gauge:

1.4 Telemetry System and Station Physical Maintenance:

The maintenance of all telemetry stations and center’s general telemetry-related system is usually carried-out every
quarter. This activity is led by the HMTSS-HMD group and supported by the center’s lone technician. Maintenance is
mainly focused on communications and electronic aspects of the system without data validation being undertaken.

As part of the management of the center’s dataset, WL validation (staff gauge reading vs. telemetry reading) was
carried-out at several of the streamgauging stations. The validation resulted in the calibration and adjustments of
several telemetry readings tied-up with actual river staff gauge reading.
Station Actions Taken Day / Time adjustments made
San Isidro Decreased by 0.22 meters 22 Sept / 1845H
Arayat Decreased by 0.05 meters 23 Sept / 0730H
Mexico Increased by 0.03 meters 23 Sept / 1105H
Sasmuan Increased by 0.67 meters 23 Sept / 1219H
Sulipan Increased by 0.24 meters 23 Sept / 1730H

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PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

While it may seem that adjustments made for San Isidro, Arayat, Mexico and Sulipan WL are not that significant from
its previous settings, adjustment for corrections carried-out for Sasmuan would surely require data adjustments for
previous observations for quite a period of time.

Mayapyap RR-WL telemetry station remained totally down (out-of-order) for the whole year. A proposal for its
transfer of location had been discussed with PAGASA resident JICA consultants and personnel of the HMTSS-HMD. A
report which includes the setting-up of additional stations within the basin was also prepared and shared accordingly.

Quarterly and emergency maintenance (only with reports provided to the center) carried-out by the HMTSS-HMD as
supported by the center’s lone technician are as follows
 Cleaning of center’s server, PCs and repair of transfer switch of gen set; general telemetry station
maintenance and retrieval of RR-WL data (May 18-25)
 Emergency repair of Peñaranda station and pull-out of Mayapyap telemetry equipment (Sept. 16-18)
 Calibration / Adjustments of WL readings and general station maintenance (Sept. 21-28)
 Routine maintenance of all telemetry stations (Dec. 08-16)

Physical maintenance of stations, which is supposed to be undertaken by the center, has been carried-out by the
personnel of ETSD (Engineering and Technical Services Division). For year 2016, repair of Mexico station’s bridge path
support was carried-out by the group. Further, general cleaning and maintenance of center’s air conditioning system
were also carried-out during the year. Unfortunately, the group is not providing the center with their activity report.

Top left: Zaragoza staff gauge (S.G.) at a reading of about 3.90 meters and a telemetry reading of 3.15 meters at time of WL
nd rd th
validation trip; for now the station’s WL telemetry reading has yet to be readjusted by HMTS. (Above, 2 , 3 & 4 pictures) The
Mexico, Sulipan and Sasmuan staff gauges at the time of WL validation surveys. All 3 stations were readjusted last September.

1.5 Hydrographic Works and hydrological related activities

Similar to 2015, there were few hydrographic field activities carried-out by the center for the year. A trial river cross-
sectioning at Abacan River in Mexico station, several WL validation surveys and a flood verification survey at several
areas within Pampanga province during SW monsoon of August 2016 were all that was carried-out during the year.
The WL validation surveys were carried-out at a time when river stages at forecasting stations were still relatively high
(August 18, 19 and 23). No discharge measurements were undertaken pending the availability of a calibrated current
meter.

Above left and middle pictures: trial river cross-sectioning at Mexico station with OJT students from Bulacan State University
(BulSU); top right: a still flooded stretch of McArthur Hi-way along the San Fernando-Apalit route during the flood verification
survey relating to the SW monsoon event of August 2016.

Hydrographic and hydrological activities are regular tasks and responsibilities of every river basin center. It includes
river cross-sectioning, river discharge measurements, update of elevation of zero level of staff gauges, post-flood
surveys, inundation extent mapping, etc. These regular basic activities are required in the improvement and the
enhancement of flood forecasting and warning operational activities of every river centers.

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PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

II. Public Information, Data provision, Trainings and other related Center Functions

2.1 Presentations & lectures in events, various occasions and functions

The PRFFWC, being situated in the Regional Government Center of Region 3, has always been tapped in a lot of IEC
(Information, Education and Communication) activities mainly on topics relating to Hydromet issues within the PRB, in
other areas in Region 3, and even outside of the region. IEC activities occupy a big part of the center’s year-long
operational activities especially during rainy season and flood events within the basin. As another priority activity, the
center had tried to accommodate all requests from various entities but unfortunately, due to limited personnel and
related resources there were several events that were forwarded to the NCR-PRSD. An aggregate total of 6,836
individuals were provided presentations and orientations on Hydromet-related information in some 40 occasions
within and outside the basin of concern.

A chronological order of IEC conducted in various events and occasions for the year are as follows:
Date Topic / Presentation Event / (Venue) Remarks
January 15 Pampanga River Basin & Educational field visit of Pura Elementary 393 students, parents and
the PRFFWC-System School from Tarlac Province / (PRFFWC) teachers
January 22 Pampanga River Basin & Educational field visit of Tarlac West 300 students, parents and
the PRFFWC-System Elementary School, Tarlac City / (PRFFWC) teachers
February 18 Floods in the Pampanga Workshop on “Evidence-based Flood 40 persons from various
River Basin Contingency Planning” organized by NGAs, NGOs and from
ICHARM / (Luxent Hotel, Q.C.) ICHARM
March 01 Pampanga River Basin Asian Water Cycle Symposium (AWCS) 120 persons from various
Flood Forecasting & 2016 / (Tokyo University, Tokyo, Japan) international institutions,
Warning System – The agencies, etc.
pilot FFWS in the
Philippines
March 17 Updates on the Flood Pampanga Province Flood Summit / (Bren 4000 Barangay, Municipal,
Situation in the Province Guiao Convention Center, CSFP) City and Provincial
of Pampanga DRRMOs
st
March 18 Climate Outlook: March 1 Quarter RDRRMOs meeting led by OCD- 50 LDRRMO officers
to August 2016 3 / (OCD-3 Conference room, CSFP) present
March 31 Climate Outlook: March Regional Project Monitoring Committee 26 persons from various
to August 2016 Meeting led by NEDA-3 / (NEDA-3 regional offices
Conference room, CSFP)

(L to R) Orientation of visiting students and teachers from the Tarlac West Elementary School (January 15); Participants and Guest
speakers in the Workshop on “Evidence-Based Flood Contingency Planning” organized by ICHARM posed for a group picture
(February 18); PRFFWC personnel as a panel speaker in the Asian Water Cycle Symposium 2016 in Tokyo University (March 01)
April 01 Climate Outlook: April to Public Consultation Workshop on the 60 persons from different
August 2016 formulation of an Integrated Climate- regional agencies and from
responsive Master Plan for the Pampanga various sectors
River Basin (PRB) led by NEDA-3 / NEDA-3
Conference room, CSFP)
April 15 El Nino Updates and its Tarlac-PDRRMO led Hacienda Luisita 20 persons from various
effects Locators regular meeting / (URC industrial corporations
compound, Tarlac) within the compound
April 26 Climate Outlook and PDRRMC-Tarlac quarterly meeting / (Tarlac 100 LGU personnel from
Weather systems that City) the provincial and various
may affect the country municipal offices
from May to Sept. 2016

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PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

May 05 Updates on the present El RDRRMC-3 First Coordination Meeting of 30 representatives from
Niño and Climate Outlook the Disaster Preparedness Cluster / (OCD-3 various Regional Agencies
Conference room, CSFP)
May 31 Climate Outlook from DRRM Orientation for Media personnel in 25 media and DRRM
June to October 2016 Central Luzon organized by OCD-3 and personnel
supported by PIA-3 / (King’s Royale, CSFP)
June 02 Climate Outlook: June to DOH-3 sponsored orientation of Health 50 HEMS officers
October 2016 Emergency Staff (HEMS) of Reg. 3 /
(Eurotel, Angeles City)
June 03 Climate Outlook: June to OCD-3 organized Region-3 LDRRMOs 76 LDRRMOs
October 2016 meeting / (SACOP, CSFP)
June 16-17 SHINe program and UPVFI and Christian Aid “RISE” program in 25 secondary students and
Weather-Climate the island of Gigantes / (Granada National 3 teachers / advisers
Information High School, Ballesteros Campus in
Gigantes Island, Carles Iloilo)
July 18 Center Orientation Field visit of MTC 2016 trainees / (PRFFWC) 42 trainees and
coordinators
July 25 Hydromet hazards DSWD-3 training for Quick Response Team 52 participants
awareness and mitigation (QRT) / (Redd Condotel, CSFP)

(L to R) SHINe Program at Granada National High School in Gigantes Island, Iloilo (June 16-17); MTC trainees posed in front of the
center during their visit (July 18); Cabiao National High School students being oriented by PRFFWC personnel on the operation of
the center’s system. (September 02)
July 26 Center Orientation: JICA experts field visit / (PRFFWC) 5 JICA experts and 3 local
Pampanga River Basin & consultants
the PRFFWC-System
July 29 Hydromet Hazards and NDCM 2016 Disaster Symposium of 200 participants from
Warning Systems Olongapo CDRRMO / (SM City Olongapo various sectors
Cinema 3)
August 11 Orientation on PRB and Nueva Ecija LDRRMO’s meeting and IEC on 102 LDRRMO personnel
PRFFWC FFWSDO for the province
September 02 Center Orientation: Educational field visit of Cabiao National 20 students & 4 teachers
Pampanga River Basin & High School, Nueva Ecija / (PRFFWC)
the PRFFWC-System
September 06 Center Orientation: PDRRMO-Pampanga Orientation of new 2 PDRRMO-Pampanga
Pampanga River Basin & Job Order Geologists Geologists
the PRFFWC-System
September 09 Center Orientation: Center visit by Holy Angel University Civil 4 CE students
Pampanga River Basin & Engineering Students / (PRFFWC)
the PRFFWC-System
September 20 Center Orientation and Visit from Mindanao Development 3 MINDA, 2 LGUs, 2 HMD
field station visit Authority Officials / (PRFFWC, Mexico representatives
station and Guagua LGU)
September 22 Climate Change Hazards Orientation-Workshop on Climate & 40 participants from
and Projections Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) for LGUs / various LGUs in Region 3
(Majarajah Hotel, Angeles City)
October 07 SHINe Orientation SHINe program 2016 of the PDRRMO- 40 students & 2 group
Bulacan / (Dr. Felipe de Jesus National High advisers
School in Plaridel, Bulacan)

October 11 SHINe Orientation SHINe program 2016 of the PDRRMO- 40 students & 2 group
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PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

Bulacan / (Virgen de las Flores High School advisers

in Baliwag, Bulacan)
October 12 Climate Change Hazards DILG-3 Orientation-Workshop on Climate 43 LGU officers from 15
and Projections & Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) for LGU areas in Region 3
LGUs / (Travelers’ Hotel, Subic)
October 13 SHINe Orientation SHINe program 2016 of the PDRRMO- 40 students & 2 group
Bulacan / (Meycauayan National High advisers
School (Annex), Meycauayan, Bulacan)

New Bulacan Province SHINe school beneficiaries for the year 2016 (From top left to bottom right): Bajet-Castillo High School in
Pulilan, Bulacan; Virgen de las Flores High School in Baliwag, Bulacan; Meycauayan National High School Annex in Meycauayan,
Bulacan; and Dr. Felipe de Jesus National High School in Pulilan, Bulacan.
October 14 SHINe Orientation SHINe program 2016 of the PDRRMO- 40 students & 3 group
Bulacan / (Bajet-Castillo High School, advisers
Pulilan, Bulacan)
October 18 Workshop on Rainfall SHINe school revisit 2015 of the PDRRMO- 40 students & 2 advisers
issues Bulacan / (Angat National High School))
October 18 Workshop on Rainfall SHINe school revisit 2015 of the PDRRMO- 40 students & 2 advisers
issues Bulacan / (Binagbag National High School)
November 02 Center Orientation and Center visit by Bhutan’s Department of 7 personnel from Bhutan’s
station field visit Hydro-met Services personnel / (PRFFWC, Department of Hydro-met
Mexico & Arayat stations)) Services and 2 Filipinos
from AICE
November 17 SHINe updates 7th SHINe Conference organized by 370 students, teachers and
PDRRMO-Bulacan together with DepEd- guests
Bulacan, Save the Children and various
M/CDRRMOs in the said province / (8
Waves Hotel and Water Park, Bulacan)

Delegate students in the 7th SHINe Annual Conference posed in 3 groups for the event pictorial (November 17)
December 01 Climate Change related DILG-3 Orientation-Workshop on Climate 95 participants from 31
Hazards and Projections & Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) for LGUs in Reg. 3
LGUs / (Majarajah Hotel, Angeles City)
December 06 PAGASA’s latest Climate Tarlac-PDRRMC General Meeting / (La 70 provincial council
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PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

Outlook Majarica Hotel. Tarlac City) members

December 07 Climate Change related DILG-3 Orientation-Workshop on Climate 110 participants from 34
Hazards and Projections & Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) for LGUs in Reg. 3
LGUs / (Majarajah Hotel, Angeles City)
December 08 Basics of Flood CMO conference for the NCR-PRSD 21 NCR-PRSD personnel
& 09 Forecasting & Warning personnel / (Alaminos, Pangasinan)
December 12 “Rainfall: The What, Rainfall Information for School 30 students, 6 teachers
How and When…” Empowerment on DRR (RISE on DRR) and 8 Dev. Comm.
program of MS Dev. Comm. Students of UP members
Los Baños in Taguig City Science High
School / (Taguig Science H.S)
December 23 Tropical Cyclone Nina PDRA on T.C. Nina as called for by 10 council members
& 24 Updates RDRRMC-3

(L to R) PRFFWC personnel doing a presentation during the Tarlac-PDRRMC General Meeting (December 06); Participants and
resource speakers posed for a group picture in the NCR-PRSD CMO Conference (December 08-09); PRFFWC personnel receives a
Certificate of Appreciation from the Dean of Dev. Comm., UP-Los Baños as resource speaker in the RISE program of MS Dev.
Comm. students in Taguig City Science High School (December 12).

2.2 Public information and Briefings (Multi-media)

Media exposures during inclement weather conditions and during flood events in the basin are regular happenings for
the center. The center is at constant rapport with regional media (print, TV and radio) including the PIA-3 (Philippine
Information Agency Reg. 3) which are all recipients of flood-related information for PRB. The center also provides
similar information to non-media entities such as local contractors and the like.

For the year 2016, quite a number of media-related appearances were conducted especially during flood events in
the PRB. Below is a list of media-related public information and briefings by the center:

 Interviewed by a video crew commissioned by Philippine Red Cross for a video presentation on issues
regarding Local Flood Early Warning Systems (Jan. 26)
 Pre-recorded interview by CLTV-36 Regional TV on effects of El Niño in the province of Pampanga (March 16)
 Radio guest and with live radio interview in the regional radio program “Talakayan Ngayon” at station
DWRW 95.1 FM (June 01; CSFP)
 Live interviews on weather forecasts “on air” in 7 occasions (June 01, 06, 07, 09, 10, 11, 27) to DWRW 95.1
FM radio station during the station program “Talakayan Ngayon”.
 Live phone patch interview on the program of PDRRMO-Bulacan over at Radyo-Bulacan 98.3FM on topics
relating to La Niña, etc. (June 28)
 Provided weather forecast live “on air” in 03 occasions (July 09, 11, 12) to DWRW 95.1 FM radio station
during the station program “Talakayan Ngayon”.
 Pre-recorded interview by CLTV-36 on updates and status of rivers within PRB during the SW monsoon as
enhanced by Ty. Butchoy (July 11)
 Pre-recorded and live interviews on the effects of SW monsoon on the rivers within PRB by CLTV36 (Aug. 14
& 15); regular radio interviews on updates on effects of SW Monsoon and on daily weather updates for
region 3 (Talakayan Ngayon Program hosted by Perry Pangan; 95.1 FM); Print media interviews (Sunstar and
Inquirer) on the effects of SW Monsoon over PRB (from August 15 to 18)
 Live and pre-recorded interviews during the passage of Ty. Karen and STy. Lawin by the following radio and
TV stations (Oct. 14 to Oct. 20): (DWRW 95.1 FM interviewed by Mr. Perry Pangan (7 times); DWRW 95.1 FM
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PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

interviewed by Mr. Joel Mapiles; CLTV 36 interviewed by Chastine Sayo (4 times); ABS-CBN Pampanga by
Mark Gida & Pauline Manalo (2 times); CNN-Pampanga; DZMM interviewed by Noli de Castro; GNN-44
interviewed by Paolo Marcelo
 Resource person on issues relating to Climate Change in the OCD-3 Radio Program “OCD in Action” at station
Bright FM 91.9, CSFP (Dec. 13)
 Pre-recorded TV interview by CLTV36 (regional TV) regarding status of Pampanga River after passage of Ty.
Nina (Dec. 27)

(L to R) Video crew commissioned by Philippine Red Cross for a video presentation on Local Flood Early System (January 26); CLTV-
36 reporter Jen Salenga’s pre-recorded interview on effects of El Niño in the Pampanga Province (March 16); “Talakayan Ngayon”
radio program on DWRW 95.1 FM, from left to right: radio anchor host Boy Santiago, PRFFWC personnel, OCD-3 ARD Loctoc, and
host John Mapiles (June 01)

(L-R) Pre-recorded interviews by CLTV-36 field reporters Aaren regarding status of Pampanga River (July 11); and by field reporter
Chastine on effects of SW monsoon on Pampanga River (August 14 and 15) and during Ty. Karen (October 17)

(from top to bottom and from L-R) Prerecorded interviews by field reporters from ABS-CBN Pampanga; by CLTV 36 on 2
occasions, by GNN-44 station, and by CNN-Pampanga during the passage of Super Typhoon Lawin over Luzon (October); Radio
guest at 91.9 Bright FM station on the Radio Program “OCD in Action” (December 13)

III. Participation in various events, occasions & other undertakings (meetings, seminars,
workshops, conferences, etc.)

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PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

The PRFFWC, as part of its continuing public information promotional service, has maintained active involvement in
many undertakings that are mainly related to hydrological issues, flood monitoring, including Hydromet-related
information sharing and operational flood forecasting and warning especially during PDRA (Pre-Disaster Risk
Assessment); participation in extra-social curricular activities considering the center’s limited logistical resources and
manpower. Other participation in local, regional, national and even international undertakings, meetings and other
similar gatherings which remain as a major social commitment of the center; providing its technical expertise has also
benefitted quite a number of entities who have been partners in joint programs and project undertakings. The various
activities and gatherings that the center attended for the year are chronologically listed below:

 Support and assisted the ICHARM visiting team in their pre-disaster recovery planning and SOUSEI project in
two barangays of the Municipality of Calumpit, Bulacan (Jan. 12-14)
 Orientation on program of ICTO on fiber optics cable (FOC) for the DMGC (Jan. 19; NEDA-3 conference room)
 Presentation of the Climate Change and Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) for the PRB as prepared by the PRB
Committee Secretariat of NEDA-3 (Jan. 20, NEDA-3 Conference room)
 Scoping workshop on the value of RADAR technology for flood early warning in the Philippines with Potsdam
University(Jan. 28-29, Amihan Conference room, Q.C.)
 1st quarter 2016 DMGC-MANCOM cum Assembly meeting called for by DMGC-MC Chairperson, DILG RD
Dijan. (Feb. 04, NEDA-3 Conference room)

Above: participants, guests and resource speakers gather (Top) PRFFWC, OCD, ICHARM & MDRRMO-Calumpit
for a group picture in the Asian Water Cycle Symposium personnel during a briefing with Mayor De Jesus of Calumpit,
2016 held at Tokyo University (March 01-02) Bulacan (Jan. 12)

 Orientation on Cyber Security Roadshow: “Safe and Security Cyberspace for Juan and All” conducted by
ICTO-DOST (February 19; Club Royale, Malolos, Bulacan)
 Meeting of the “Alyansa ng mga Baybay Bayan ng Bulacan at Pampanga” (ABB-BP) hosted by the
Municipality of Masantol (February 23; Masantol Town hall)
 Preparation meeting with ICHARM for the Asian Water Cycle Symposium 2016. (February 28-29; Tokyo,
Japan)
 Asian Water Cycle Symposium 2016 at Tokyo University, Japan (March 01)
(Related links: http://wci.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/events/awcs2016/photo.html)
 Three (3) center personnel attended and participated in the
celebration of WMO day at the PAGASA Science garden
grounds, Quezon City (March 29)
 Organizational meeting on RAIN (Roadmap to Address the
Impact of El Niño) called for by NEDA-3 (April 07; NEDA-3
Conference Hall)
 The center hosted the Google Cap resource group (picture above) in their presentation of possible
development and enhancements on the formulation of basin flood information and warnings (April 12; 6
personnel coming from HMD, ETSD and WD)
 Meeting with DOST-3 officials with regards to the participation and preparations to the upcoming Regional-
based NSTW celebrations (May 26; DOST conference room)
 RDRRMC meeting on thematic “Prevention and Mitigation” aspect led by DOST-3 (June 21; OCD-3
Conference room)
 Participated via phone patch report on T.D. Ambo in the PDRA emergency meeting as organized by the
RDRRMC-3 (June 26; 10 RDRRMC members in attendance)

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PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

 Teleconference PDRA organized by RDRRMC-3 during the SW monsoon as enhanced by Ty. Butchoy (July 08;
OCD-3 Conference room)
 PDRA meeting and RDANA (Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis) organized by RDRRMC-3 for SW
monsoon as enhanced by Ty. Butchoy (July 11; OCD-3 Conference room)
 Participated with a booth exhibit in the Regional Science and Technology Week Celebration of DOST Region 3
(July 25 to 27; Walter Mart, CSFP)
 Diosdado Macapagal Government Center Mancom meeting (July 25; NEDA Conference room)
 Teleconferencing PDRA for T.D. Carina called for by RDRRMC-3 (July 29; OCD-3 Conference room)
 Emergency meeting by RDRRMC-3 re: effects of SW Monsoon on Reg. 3 (Aug. 13; OCD-3 Conference room)
 DMGC management committee meeting on the fiber optics and government center security issues (Sept. 07;
NEDA-3 Conference room)
 RDRRMC-3 meeting re: Effects of the SW Monsoon (Sept. 09, OCD-3 Conference room)

Top: RDRRMC-3 member agencies representatives during a Above, the PRFFWC booth exhibit during its
Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) meeting in preparation participation in the Regional Science & Technology
for the SW monsoon effects over the Region (July 08) Week celebration at Walter Mart, CSFP (July 25-27)
 Resource person in the focus group
discussions (FGD) on the issues “The Language
of Disaster Communication in Farming and
Fishing Areas in the Philippines:
Kapampangan” organized and hosted by UP-
Clark under their DA project (Sept. 16; Oasis
Hotel, Clark)
 Coordination meeting on Science &
Technology Research Partnership for
Sustainable Development (SATREPS) with
Participation of the center in the Regional Science & various NGAs as per organized by ICHARM
Technology Week Celebration included a brief message during (Sept. 21; UP, Diliman)
the event’s opening program. Above picture from the right,  PDRA meeting for STy. Lawin called for by
DOST-3 Regional Director J.C. Sicat, Philippine Science H.S. RDRRMC-3 (Oct. 18, Oct. 19 (3 times); OCD
Clark representative, PRFFWC personnel & DOST-3 official. Conference room)
 Assisted and provided site location information to JICA telecom expert / consultants involved in the project
on “Strengthening Capacity of Integrated Data Management for FFW” (Oct. 24; PRB area)
 One personnel attended the presentation on “Pampanga Megalopolis: Well into the 21st Century” as per
organized by the provincial government of Pampanga (Oct. 14; CSFP)
 Assisted and supported “Google CAP” team in their activities in the center (Nov. 15)
 Assisted JICA-NK consultants in their field visit of various stations within PRB; Oriented them in PRB /
PRFFWC (Nov. 18; 2 JICA-NK consultants)
 Participated as chairman of workshop group on the topics “Infrastructure Development, Technology and
Innovation and Ecological Integrity” in the Regional Consultation on the formulation of Philippine
Development Plan 2017 – 2022 organized by NEDA-3 (Nov. 21; NEDA-3 Conference room)
 Participated in the DM Government Center’s Unified Flag Ceremony hosted by the CHR-3 (Dec. 05; NEDA-3
grounds)
 7th SHINe Annual Conference hosted by Provincial Government of Bulacan through the PDRRMO and
supported by Provincial DepEd and various MDRRMOs in the province; (November 17; 8 Waves Water Park &
Hotel, San Rafael, Bulacan) (Related link: http//bulacanshine.yolasite.com/7th-shine-conf-2016.php)

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PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

(L-R) Participants in the FGD on “The Language of Disaster Communication in Farming and Fishing Areas in the
Philippines: Kapampangan” organized and hosted by UP-Clark in Oasis Hotel, Angeles City (September 16). Center visit of
hydrologists and technicians from Bhutan’s Department of Hydro-met Services (November 02)

th
(Left) The 7 SHINe (School Hydrological Information Network) Annual conference with PRFFWC together with LDRRMO
officers from various municipalities / city within the Province of Bulacan. (Right) Vedasto R. Santiago High School SHINe
th
delegates demonstrate their prototype developed water level warning sensor during the 7 SHINe Annual Conference in
8 Waves Hotel and Water Park (November 17).

IV. Trainings

Trainings and other enrichment programs (seminars, workshops, etc.) that were granted / provided to center
personnel during the year:

 PAGASA Technology Transfer Training (March 30 to April 08; National Engineering Center, UP, Diliman)
 Two (2) center personnel participated in the In-house training for the new version of the RRI (Rainfall-Runoff-
Inundation) Model in GUI format as conducted by ICHARM and CTIE. (March 14-18; San Roque Power
Corporation)

(L-R) GAD Seminar in Ilocos Sur; RRI in-house training at San Roque Dam Activity Center; International-based country training on
GIS Operations & Management in South Korea.
 Gender and Development (GAD) seminar (May 4-6; Ilocos Sur)
 Country training program on “Improving Decision Making using GIS Operation and Management” managed
by KOICA and co-sponsored by K-Water (June 9-25; South Korea)
 Training on Physical Planning Applications of Geographic Information System (GIS) (32 hours of training) as
managed by NEDA-3 and RDC-III Pampanga River Basin Committee (July; Angeles City, Pampanga)
 International Training Program in Hydrological and Hydraulic Modeling for Flood Forecasting from August 21
to November 18, 2016 at Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok, Thailand as organized and managed by
the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES).

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PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

 Training of Trainors for the program of UPLB’s Center for Strategic Planning and Policy Studies on the
Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA2). (November 28 to December 2; Green Sun Hotel,
Makati City)
 Training participant in the CMO Conference for NCR-PRSD (December 7-8; Alaminos, Pangasinan)

On the other hand, the center also hosted a number of On-the-Job (OJT) trainees from various universities and
colleges within Region-3. The usual training on center functions that were given to these trainees included data /
information, documents handling through encoding, scanning and e-filing (for Information Technology or IT course).
Depending on their area of concern, some trainees (Environmental Science course) were oriented on field activities
such as river cross-sectioning and field validation surveys. During the period November 2015 until late quarter of
2016, a total of 17 students from various institutions rendered OJT tasks for the center. There were 6 Environmental
Science students from Bulacan State University (BulSU), 2 commerce and 3 IT students from the Don Honorio Ventura
Technological State University (DHVTSU), 4 Information Secretarial students from International School for Technology
& Skills Development (ISTSD), and 2 IT students from the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST).

(L-R) On-the-Job trainees from DHVTSU & NEUST; from ISTSD; and from BulSU together (with PRFFWC personnel)

V. Published Reports (In-house), features and other hydrological-related materials

Aside from the Annual report for 2015, other reports and documents that
were prepared during the year included as follows:
 Proceedings on the 7 Annual School Hydrological Information
th

Network (SHINe) Conference

(http://bulacanshine.yolasite.com/resources/7th%20SHINe%20Confer
ence-Nov2016.pdf)
 Initial draft on the following PRFFWC reference manuals which are still
being edited:
o Reference Manual No. 1: General Information on Floods,
Telemetry System, the Pampanga River Basin and Operational
Activities for Flood Forecasting & Warning of the PRFFWC
o Reference Manual No. 2: PRFFWC Flood Forecaster /
Operational Hydrologist (& Hydro Technician) Guide in the
preparation and Issuance of Flood Advisories and Flood
Bulletins (with relevant information & other related issues);
Flood Watch operational activities

VI. Recognitions for 2016

2016 PRFFWC received certificates of participation, completion, recognitions, appreciations, awards (individual and
for the center), etc., for its uncommitted service and involvement in many FFW & DRR activities:

 Certificate of Participation in the Workshop on Evidenced-based Flood Contingency Planning given by

ICHARM, PAGASA and Calumpit Municipality (February 18; Luxent Hotel, Q.C.)
 Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding presentation and contribution to the discussion of Flood Session
in the Asian Water Cycle Symposium 2016 organized by University of Tokyo, PWRI, Asian Water Cycle
Initiative and ICHARM (March 1-2; University of Tokyo, Japan)
 Certificate of Appreciation as resource person in the 1-day DRRM Orientation for Media Personnel in Central
Luzon organized by RDRRMC-3 / OCD-3 (May 31; King’s Royale Hotel, Bacolor, Pampanga)

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PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

 Certificate of Appreciation as resource speaker during the SHINe Orientation and Training in Granada
National High School in Gigantes Island, Carles, Iloilo given by RISE Gigantes Project coordinators Christian
Aid and UP Visayas Foundation (June 17; Carles, Iloilo)
 Certificate of Participation for the PRFFWC in the Regional Science and Technology Week 2016 given by
DOST-3 (July 25-27; Activity Center of Walter Mart, CSFP)
 Certificate of Appreciation given by DOST-3 for sharing invaluable expertise, knowledge, time and skills
during the Regional Science and Technology Week 2016 (July 25; Walter Mart, CSFP)
 Certificate of Appreciation as resource speaker in the Orientation on Project SHINe given by Dr. Felipe de
Jesus National High School in Plaridel, Bulacan (October 07, Plaridel, Bulacan)
 Certificate of Recognition as resource speaker in the SHINe Orientation Program at Virgen De Las Flores High
School (October 11; Baliwag, Bulacan)
 Certificate of Appreciation for valuable insights as speaker in the Rainfall Information for School
Empowerment on DRR Orientation & Workshop for Taguig Science High School (December 12; Taguig City)
 Bakas Parangal ng Kagitingan Awarded to 2 center personnel in recognition for their timely information
shared during the passage of Super Typhoon Lawin. Award given by RDRRMC-3 (December 14)
 Bakas Parangal ng Kadakilaan: Pampanga River Flood Forecasting & Warning Center for provisions of timely
warnings and flood information during the passage of Tropical Cyclones Karen and Lawin. Award given by
RDRRMC-3 (December 14)
 Gawad PAGASA Best Hydrological Aide for 2016 (December 22; Science Garden, Q.C.)
 Gawad PAGASA Best Hydrologist for 2016 (December 22; Science Garden, Q.C.)
 Gawad PAGASA Innovation Outstanding Award; The Pampanga River Basin Scale Model (December 22;
Science Garden, Q.C.)

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PRFFWC Annual Report 2016

2015 Awards that were given to the PRFFWC (center & individual) during the WMO celebrations at the PAGASA
Science Garden Compound in Quezon City on March 29, 2016:
 Gawad PAGASA Best Hydrological Aide for 2015
 Gawad PAGASA NCR-PRSD Model Employee for 2015
 Gawad PAGASA Best Hydrologist for 2015
 Gawad PAGASA Best Flood Forecasting & Warning Sub-Center for 2015

PRFFWC production 2016-17

Previous annual reports available at the following link:
http://prffwc.synthasite.com/annual-reports.php

PRFFWC Contact details:

Tel / Fax: (63)(045) 4551701 / Cell phone: (0998) 983 7105
E-mail: [email protected] and/or [email protected]
Facebook: Prffwc Pagasa
Twitter: @PRFFWC
Website: www.prffwc.webs.com / www.prffwc.synthasite.com

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