Palace vows better Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang said yesterday the country would have a better Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) after its reshuffle and re-orientation.

This developed as President Aquino ordered the replacement of chief weather forecaster Prisco Nilo, who had been transferred to become an undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology.

 “I spoke to (DOST) Secretary Mario Montejo yesterday. There will be a re-orientation in Pagasa. He cited some specifics, but what he told me was quite technical. I’m sorry I’m not a scientist, but essentially they are going to improve the weather prediction using other methods and really re-orienting Pagasa,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said over radio station dzRB.

“We will see results in a matter of six months,” Lacierda said.

Lacierda said Nilo would be brought back to the DOST head office to do some special studies. His position would be taken over by Graciano Yumul Jr. for three months.

During an informal chat with reporters, Aquino said Nilo never bothered to explain his failure to update the nation on typhoon “Basyang” even after he had called his attention to the problem.

The President said there must be ways to improve weather forecasting because other countries could do it effectively.

‘Show must go on’

At Pagasa, senior weather forecaster Robert Sawi admitted he was saddened by the change in leadership at Pagasa but said they would have to continue delivering weather updates to the public, especially since they are monitoring the developments of tropical depression “Ester.”

Sawi, who has been a weather forecaster for 26 years, said he considers Nilo his mentor.

Meantime, a group of science professionals, journalists, advocates and enthusiasts are seeking the passage of a bill that seeks to exempt Pagasa employees from the Salary Standardization Law.

The bill (Pagasa Salary Standardization Act of 2010), introduced by Rep. Angelo Palmones of Agham party-list, provides for the salary scale of the agency’s employees.  —With Evelyn Macairan, Rudy Fernandez