Bill hiking forecasters’ pay nears OK

MANILA, Philippines—Can local weather forecasters finally look forward to “sunnier” days ahead?

The House of Representatives is close to approving on third and final reading a measure increasing the benefits of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) employees and upgrading their equipment.

The bill seeking to modernize Pagasa was approved by the House on second reading last week. It is expected to pass on third and final reading soon, bringing it one step closer to becoming law.

The second approval came at a time when more local weather experts had left for better-paying jobs abroad.

Under the bill, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Budget and Management, and National Economic and Development Authority must come up with a modernization program to upgrade Pagasa’s physical resources and operations.

This would be done through the acquisition of state-of-the-art instruments, equipment and facilities to enhance capabilities and provide timely, accurate and reliable weather, flood and other such reports for the public and agriculture, transportation and other industries.

The program’s objectives include raising the research and development capabilities of Pagasa and promoting human resources development, as well as determining a better and more competitive base pay for personnel to promote professionalism and foster better commitment to the service.

The new salary scale for Pagasa employees should feature an increase in base pay, allowances and other benefits, which would be subject to approval by the President.

As for human resources development, undergraduate and postgraduate training components must be updated to keep pace with technological advances and the demands of weather services. A scholarship program for graduate and undergraduate degrees in meteorology should be implemented in coordination with the DOST, Commission on Higher Education, colleges and universities.

Another objective of the modernization program is to develop a technology-based and financially sufficient data center which would function as a central information system for real-time weather-related updates.

It should also cultivate greater public awareness of weather systems and the progress of typhoons, floods and other hazards through educational projects and the use of social media.

The program should develop mechanisms to integrate disaster management and socioeconomic urban and rural development planning and water resource management at the national and local levels, and establish and enhance regional weather service centers in strategic areas of the country.

Under the bill, Pagasa will implement a sustainable cost-recovery program where it may charge fees to issue specialized weather information, certifications, and scientific and technical publications.

No fees, however, will be charged for the issuance of regular and special reports for the general public on the weather insofar as it affects national safety and the economy.—Leila B. Salaverria