MANILA, Philippines?Prisco Nilo, the weather bureau chief who was fired by President Benigno Aquino III last month, should ?move on,? said Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo.

This was after Nilo used his testimony before the Senate committees on climate change and science and technology Thursday to present his side on the ?Basyang? debacle that was the immediate cause of his sacking.

Nilo got the ax after Mr. Aquino was angered by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration?s (PAGASA) failure to correctly track the path of Typhoon Basyang last July 13.

PAGASA had predicted that the typhoon would hit Northern Luzon, but it instead slammed into Metro Manila, killing 104 people and causing massive power outages in the capital and neighboring provinces.

?When typhoon Basyang hit Luzon, the chairman of NDCC (National Disaster and Coordinating Council) and DND (Department of National Defense) were just two weeks on the job and they were still trying to cope with the disaster?s possible situations. It?s really good if people who are career officials readily react at any given time even with a new president. Things can move on as they should, I think, with an organization that should function in that manner in a professional way,? Nilo told the hearing.

Glum and media shy

Nilo, who was reportedly demoted and assigned to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), looked glum at the hearing, refusing to talk to media and avoiding any contact with Montejo.

Montejo, who has recommended Graciano Yumul, a DOST undersecretary, to replace Nilo as PAGASA administrator, said ?people should just move on?.

Montejo told the joint committee that PAGASA could make do with P100 million in equipment upgrade to boost its weather forecasting capabilities.

Sen. Edgardo Angara, the science committee chair, said the Senate would recommend to the Commission on Audit and the Department of Budget and Management that a depreciation expense account be set up for PAGASA to help it cope with the quick obsolescence of its equipment (every three years) and ensure that the weather bureau has world-class equipment.

Angara said the Senate would look into Montejo?s proposal to build a water reserovoir close to the Wawa Dam as a measure to prevent flooding in Metro Manila.

Sen. Loren Legarda, the climate change committee chair, said PAGASA and the NDCC should avail of grants from international agencies like the Korea National Emergency Management Office to boost its equipment and preparedness for disasters.