Agham Party-list pushes for Pagasa modernization

CEBU, Philippines - With an average of 21 typhoons every year and with the advent of climate change, Agham Party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones believes that there is an urgent need to pass the PAGASA Modernization Act of 2012.

Palmones, one of the main authors of the measure, said that the bill is now pending at the Senate.

Under the measure, the modernization program shall upgrade physical resources and operational techniques through the acquisition of state-of-the art instruments, equipment and facilities in providing timely and reliable forecasting and warning service.

Palmones, in a press conference, cited that currently the country has only seven doppler radar which ideally, as an archipelagic country, it needs around 18.

The PAGASA station in Cebu is fortunate to have one doppler radar that cost around P100 million including the installation and construction of a building where the radar is being placed.

Palmones, in a separate press statement, said that it is the policy of the State to utilize scientific knowledge and information as an effective instrument to ensure the safety, well-being and economic security of the people, promote national progress and to contribute to regional socio economic development through various applications of meteorology, geophysics and space sciences.

“With the modernization program of PAGASA, it shall serve as a technology-based financially stable data center thus, becoming the central information station for real time weather updates available to every individual and for the Philippines’ typhoon preparedness plan,” Palmones said.

Under the bill, the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Bicol University, Central Luzon State University, Mariano Marcos State University, Pamantasan ng Maynila and the Visayas State University are mandated to offer undergraduate degrees in Meteorology as well as other state, private universities and colleges within three years from enactment of the proposed act.

Palmones said that to date, Agham allocated P2million yearly for the tuition fees, board and lodging of its 16 scholars taking up Meteorology.

The measure seeks to raise the research and development capability of human resources development by adopting a rationalized and integrated approach, with focus on improving the operations for cost recovery on specialized services.

The bill also aims to improve the country’s warning services to equip the general public with information to protect agriculture, transportation and other industries across the country. (FREEMAN)