10 Cebu LGUs get weather stations

CEBU, Philippines - Ten local government units from Cebu yesterday each received Automated Weather Stations (AWS) from a non-profit organization with the aim of more localized and detailed weather forecasting.

Weather Philippines Foundation (WPF), belonging to Aboitiz Group and in close partnership with MeteoGroup, chose the municipalities of San Francisco in Camotes island, Madridejos, Alcoy, Malabuyoc, Dumanjug, Santander, San Remigio, Tuburan, Daanbantayan and the city of Bogo as recipients of a unit each of Lufft-type AWS.

The aim of the AWS distribution, according to WPF general manager Celso Caballero III, was to empower the LGUs in providing “solid (weather) information,” enabling localities to detect weather and do micro-climate forecast that is contributed to a general weather forecasting.

Caballero was quick to clarify that the initiative does not intend to level or even surpass state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, adding that they are even working with the government agency.

“It is incumbent upon the private sector to help the government in ensuring disaster preparedness, because climate change and its effects are not just a concern of the government. It is everybody’s concern,” he said.

He added that as soon as the PAGASA partnership is sealed, data from their weather stations all over the country would be fed to and integrated with the state weather bureau’s database and weather advisories.

The AWS equipment is given to the LGUs for free and, as stated at the memorandum of understanding, the security and cleanliness of the weather station would be the lookout of the recipients.

According to San Franciso, Camotes Mayor Ali Arquillano, the device is very useful especially that their town is situated in an island and isolated from the mainland.

The turnover of the devices at the Diamond Hotel yesterday was made possible with the assistance of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., the family foundation of the Aboitizes.

Arquillano said he would task the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to take care of the equipment.

In 2013, WPF distributed eight AWS in Metro Cebu namely Mandaue City, Cebu City, Talisay City, Danao City, LapuLapu City, Toledo City, SM City Consolacion, and SM City Cebu.

For his part, PAGASA-Mactan Chief Al Quiblat lauded the initiative of the private sector, saying it augments the capability of the state weather agency, but stressed that official weather information and advisories would still come from them.— /RHM (FREEMAN)