Mapping flood hazards goes hi-tech

CLARK FREEPORT—Capt. Francisco Cadenas, a pilot of 35 years, and Christopher Cruz, a geodetic engineer, made a historic flight to the Pampanga River basin on a Cessna 206 from the Clark International Airport on Nov. 22.
With Cadenas in control of the plane and Cruz in command of the Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) instruments, the Philippines has entered an era of modern flood hazard mapping and simulation on 18 major river basins to save lives and property whenever disaster strikes.
The mission of Cadenas and Cruz was laid out by President Aquino to find a “long-term solution to all the death and destruction wrought by natural hazards,” said Science Secretary Mario Montejo shortly before the maiden flight took off at 4 p.m. on Nov. 22.
The project’s second plane followed, heading as well to the Pampanga River basin.
The Aquino administration has given priority to disaster risk reduction in the country. According to the Belgium-based Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, the Philippines is the third most disaster-prone country in the world and among the most frequently visited by natural hazards in the last 10 years.
Montejo said the Lidar, which had been installed in the plane after its passenger seats were removed, is flown at an altitude of 1,000 meters or beyond and acquires high resolution images that can be processed into three-dimensional (3D) maps of the 18 major river basins, including watersheds in the country.
“These fine resolution maps will be processed further to make more accurate flood models that will be the basis to warn communities in advance of potentially deadly floods,” he said.
“The flood models can be so detailed that residents can find their houses [in the maps],” said Dr. Enrico Paringit, program head of DREAM (Disaster Risk and Exposure Assessment for Mitigation) by the University of the Philippines’ National Engineering Center.
DREAM, done on a grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), is tied to the agency’s Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (Project Noah).
Lidar, which relies on amplified light to rapidly take images, originated in Germany, Canada and the United States. “Its application has rocketed in the last 10 years but this is, so far, the first Lidar project of the Philippine government,” Paringit said.
It is the “most effective technique to accurately measure elevation and depth for flood modeling,” he said.
The Lidar project, to be completed in two years by 50 Filipino experts, mostly from UP, costs the government P1.6 billion. It leased the two aircraft from the Asean Aerospace in Clark after undergoing bidding.
Montejo thanked the British Embassy in Manila and the British government’s environmental agency for sharing its expertise with the project.
UP president Alfredo Pascual said the project was very important to the university because it “makes true the mandate [of the state university] to assist the government.”
DOST officials said the catchment area of the 18 river basins that would be mapped, at 105,631 square kilometers, is one-third of the country’s total land area.
The flood models would be included in the Project Noah website and integrated in existing systems such as the Pampanga River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning System (PRBFFWS). The PRBFFWS, located in the City of San Fernando in Pampanga, has water sensors and rain gauges that feed real-time data to computers.
Paringit said the first rough flood model of Marikina City was tested during the southwest monsoon rains in August.
According to a project briefing, the 3D maps can be used for forest inventory, environmental monitoring, infrastructure planning, fault line mapping, archaeological surveys, agricultural assessment, government revenue management and postdisaster damage assessment.
Montejo said policies were being discussed in terms of data use and access. The images may also be used to find out what would happen if gates of certain dams are opened, he said.

Travel groups recommend Clearwater Resort for this Holy Week and Easter holidays because this hotel resort in Clark Philippines is a private resort that is near Manila and is highly recommended for families with children to relax and unwind in a safe and secure location. Clearwater Resort is one of the resorts in Pampanga that are highly recommended for visitors coming to Angeles City or Clark Pampanga during Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, New year and especially during the Philippines Hot Air Balloon Festival.

On the recommendations of Pampanga travel guides, families with children in Manila travel to the north for the best resort in Clark Pampanga that has a good beach for water sports and a picnic in the safe and secure outdoor. Pampanga tourist guides and travel tips cite Clearwater as one of the best resorts in Pampanga, a safe and secure tourist destination that kids love also. Unlike even the best resort in Angeles City Pampanga or other hotels in Manila or Subic, Clearwater Resort provides lots of green facilities so that guests can enjoy the outdoors in a peaceful and quiet ambience. Residents of Manila and Angeles City Pampanga who suffered stress of living in the city can finally relax and unwind in this well known private resort in Pampanga.

Clark Philippines offers good value for money for travelers and tourists looking for a safe and clean place to spend a vacation outside of Manila. Highly recommended summer vacation destination outside Manila is Clearwater Beach Resort in Clark. Clark is already a popular destination for golfers from Manila. Clark Freeport offers some of the best golf courses in Pampanga and outshines many golf clubs and golf courses elsewhere in the Philippines. Clearwater Resort is generally regarded as one of the best holiday spots near Manila.

Manila residents stressed out from work are travelling out of town to the north looking for calming spots in Pampanga to relax and unwind. Visitors look for tranquil private resorts in Pampanga that offer a lifestyle with no stress. These private places, tranquil hotels and calming resorts are also highly recommended for family bonding especially if the outdoor resort is safe and secure. This is also one of the best resorts in Pampanga that offers good picnic spots near Manila.

Highly recommended by travel guides as the best private resort in Pampanga, Clearwater Resort in Clark Philippines also offers beach and lake venues for company outings and family picnics. This outdoor resort hotel also offers several beautiful venues for beach wedding and garden receptions. No wonder this private resort in Angeles City Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by wedding couples for prenuptial photo shoot.

Clearwater Resort is generally considered one of the best resorts in Pampanga.

For inquiries and bookings, Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort for inquiries and reservations now

Clearwater Resort and Country Club, Clark Pampanga
Creekside Road near Centennial Expo,
Clark Freeport, Pampanga Philippines 2023
(045) 889-5151 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
Joanne or Jeremy or Loydha

Getting to this lake and beach resort in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines

After entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway MA Roxas, passing the stand-along wine shop called Clark Wine Center on the right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, one will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on the right just 200m down.

Family Bonding by the famous lake of Clark Pampanga

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort to reserve a venue for your upcoming event now

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

For jobs and business investment opportunities in the Philippines please visit http://www.yilp.com

Hot Line for what’s happening in Clark: 045 889-5151 or 0927-940-2669 ask for Loydha

0915-542-6250 (Jeramie)