Bill to give weathermen higher pay, better gear

MANILA, Philippines—The senate will soon begin plenary deliberations on a bill that would upgrade the pay, equipment and research capabilities of the weather bureau.

Sen. Ralph Recto, who chairs the committee on science and technology, said he would report out the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) modernization bill in May, after Congress returns from its summer break.

Recto, also the Senate president pro tempore, said the country needs a stronger weather bureau because of climate change, which brings stronger storms, among other adverse effects.

In 2013, Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” the strongest storm to hit land, left a wide swath of destruction across the Visayas, with the provinces of Leyte and Eastern Samar receiving the brunt of its fury.

“A key component of climate change preparation is a well-equipped weather bureau manned by highly competent and well-compensated professionals,” Recto said in a statement.

The bill, which he said would be a fitting gift for the bureau’s 150th year, would provide for the modernization of equipment and operational techniques, a data center, information services, human resources, regional and field weather presence, research and global linkages for Pagasa.

The measure also seeks to help Pagasa in effectively disseminating the information it collects. The weather bureau would have to expand its regional reach, provincial presence and field services, as provided for in the bill.

It also provides for a “personnel retention incentive” as well as training incentives, in the form of scholarship grants.

Based on the preliminary shopping list that Pagasa submitted to the Senate, the cost of the equipment and buildings would reach P3.9 billion, part of which Recto said could be sourced from the government’s 50-percent share in the income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., the state gambling authority.