Town, 2 cities back Zubiri's Pagasa bill

CEBU, Philippines - Local officials in Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities and the town of Consolacion support Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri's call for frequent weather bulletins by the Philippine Armospheric , Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

City Mayor Jonas Cortes said hourly updates from PAGASA as suggested by Senator Zubiri will help the public to prepare for impending disasters and dangers brought about by any typhoon.

In Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Paz Radaza and members of the city council believe that one way of minimizing the damage and casualties is to inform the public about incoming typhoons and the measures that people need to implement.

Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado, on the other hand, said at least four coastal barangays in the town needs to be informed before any calamity.

She also cited the mountain barangays which are also prone to landslides.

Senator Zubiri has called on PAGASA to issue weather bulletins as frequent as possible.

Zubiri issued the call following PAGASA's announcement that four weather disturbances are expected to hit the country this month, the first of which was Typhoon Domeng.

He said, with the average number of 25 to 35 typhoons entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility every year, PAGASA should put in place accurate and more frequent weather reports.

He cited as example the June 2008 tragic sinking of MV Princess of the Stars that claimed the lives of an estimated 600 passengers and crew, during which PAGASA had been blamed for the incident due to its alleged erroneous and delayed weather bulletins.

Zubiri, in a bid to avoid the repeat of such tragedy, has proposed through Senate Bill No. 65, or the proposed "Hourly Weather Bulletin Act of 2010", that PAGASA be mandated to issue hourly weather bulletins during typhoons and other weather disturbances.

He said the hourly updates from PAGASA will help the public prepare for impending disasters and dangers brought about by any typhoon, particularly in areas affected by the disturbance.

PAGASA officials' failure to issue regular updates shall be subjected to administrative sanctions and penalties.

Also, the legislative franchise and Certificate of Public Convenience of all broadcast media entities, both radio and television, will be amended to compel it to broadcast hourly weather reports.

Failure or refusal of a broadcast media to carry out its responsibility shall be considered a violation of their legislative franchise and certificate and will be punishable by the National Telecommunications Commission.   (FREEMAN NEWS)