Pagasa has a ‘deep bench’ of forecasters—Palace

Screengrab from www.pagasa.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines—A deep bench goes a long way, if Malacañang is to be believed.

Even with the recent exodus of three weather forecasters from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Malacañang assured the public that there are others who will fill up the void.

Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications and Operations Office said that for the past three years, there has been a steady influx of weather forecasters to the weather bureau.

“We should take in point that for the past three years, we have established a ‘deeper bench,’” Coloma said in a radio interview Sunday. “Like a sports team, we have a lot of pieces.”

“It’s not that there is a thin supply of meteorologists and there are many more who want to join Pagasa.”

Coloma added that the Department of Science and Technology offers scholarships and training programs for those who are willing to join Pagasa.

“[The DOST] would continue to improve the benefits and the compensation of the employees.”

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