BALER, Aurora – An uproar over deficiencies of the nation’s weather bureau is understandable but solutions do not lie in blaming the agency alone, a legislator said on Wednesday.
Sen. Edgardo Angara, chairman of the congressional commission on science and technology (Comste) said the Philippines has linked up with weather experts from the neighboring countries of Japan and Korea, a development that will enhance the capabilities of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
He also said that a private-government tie up would set the creation of disaster management training centers (DMTCs) to expedite the enhancement of weather forecasting and preparedness by utilizing technology. It will also foster cooperation with the country’s neighbors from the Association of Southeast Nations that share the challenges it faces with natural calamities.
Angara said Comste has sent personnel to Japan for training to learn from their experiences and transfer their knowledge locally.
“We have been working closely with Taiwan exchanging ideas and experiences to better prepare for future calamities. Korea has also expressed their desire to participate in our endeavors,” he said.
Pagasa has already admitted that it is operating with insufficient technology to allow it to monitor and gauge the severity of storms, thus limiting its capability to make accurate predictions and ultimately leaving the country vulnerable to the storms that threaten it.
“What we need is to adopt a pro-active approach in order to properly address this problem,” said Angara, adding a scientific approach supported by extensive research has already led Comste to allot P100-million from the budget for the establishment of a Philippine Disaster Science Center.
He said of this amount, roughly P40 million, is allocated for the proposed DM TC.
He said these two projects were identified as national priorities by experts from Comste.
Angara stressed that it is within Filipinos’ capabilities to equip themselves with a scientific, technology driven solution to disaster preparedness.
“Our efforts should now focus on expediting the establishment of DMTCs which can minimize the damage caused by the onslaught of natural calamities,” he said.
Sen. Edgardo Angara, chairman of the congressional commission on science and technology (Comste) said the Philippines has linked up with weather experts from the neighboring countries of Japan and Korea, a development that will enhance the capabilities of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
He also said that a private-government tie up would set the creation of disaster management training centers (DMTCs) to expedite the enhancement of weather forecasting and preparedness by utilizing technology. It will also foster cooperation with the country’s neighbors from the Association of Southeast Nations that share the challenges it faces with natural calamities.
Angara said Comste has sent personnel to Japan for training to learn from their experiences and transfer their knowledge locally.
“We have been working closely with Taiwan exchanging ideas and experiences to better prepare for future calamities. Korea has also expressed their desire to participate in our endeavors,” he said.
Pagasa has already admitted that it is operating with insufficient technology to allow it to monitor and gauge the severity of storms, thus limiting its capability to make accurate predictions and ultimately leaving the country vulnerable to the storms that threaten it.
“What we need is to adopt a pro-active approach in order to properly address this problem,” said Angara, adding a scientific approach supported by extensive research has already led Comste to allot P100-million from the budget for the establishment of a Philippine Disaster Science Center.
He said of this amount, roughly P40 million, is allocated for the proposed DM TC.
He said these two projects were identified as national priorities by experts from Comste.
Angara stressed that it is within Filipinos’ capabilities to equip themselves with a scientific, technology driven solution to disaster preparedness.
“Our efforts should now focus on expediting the establishment of DMTCs which can minimize the damage caused by the onslaught of natural calamities,” he said.
