LEGAZPI CITY --- Albay Gov. Joey Salceda strongly bewailed the failure of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to install a dupler radar equipment intended for Bicol that would have effectively monitored weather disturbances and rainfall precipitation whose use became more urgent with the onset of the typhoon season in this part of the country.

        Salceda informed Phivolcs officials led by Director Renato Solidum that the dupler radar gadget he had requested from PAGASA through DOST Secretary Estrella Alabastro a year ago has yet to be purchased.

        “We have one month to prepare for typhoon and unfortunately the dupler radar gadget I have requested to be installed in Catanduanes to monitor the incoming weather disturbances and rainfall precipitation is not yet purchased until today,” Salceda lamented. “This is absolutely unfortunate because when I followed it up, I was told that it needs 18 months to install the equipment after its purchase,” Salceda said.

        “Our goal is always zero casualty and climate risk reduction by enforcing effective climate proofing through strict compliance with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) so that development can proceed,” he said.

        Bicol is considered a typhoon belt which is traditionally hit by typhoons during the months of October until December and from June to August every year. In 2006, two strong typhoons, Milenyo and Reming, battered the region, with Albay suffering the most, leaving close to 2,000 people dead and rendering thousands more homeless.

        Meanwhile, to effectively implement disaster response and risk reduction Gov. Salceda said he has entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Health, the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital and the Bicol University to train at least 400 paramedics who will be mobilized during disasters.

        The BSN Department of the Bicol University will serve as host emergency paramedic academy while the BRTTH and DOH regional office will share their resources and expertise.