Pagasa searching for new administrator

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has formed a committee to search for a permanent administrator following the resignation of the former head of the agency, Nathaniel Servando, in June.

The weather bureau has put out newspaper ads announcing the availability of the post, which is of Salary Grade 28. The resigned Servando used to receive a gross monthly salary of almost P70,000 plus a P2,000 allowance before he took a teaching job in Qatar.

Officer-in-charge Vicente Malano has temporarily taken over his post.

Based on the requirements for the position, qualified applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, three years of supervisory experience, and government service eligibility.

Candidates with a doctorate in a relevant field and managerial experience in a technological institution are preferred.

The deadline for the submission of application letters and other requirements is on September 18. The application is to be addressed to Science Undersecretary Fortunato De La Peña, who chairs the search committee.

The 48-year-old Servando took a two-month leave of absence in March for health reasons, complaining of hypertension and diabetes. But when his leave lapsed in May, he sought an extension until August, which Science Secretary Mario Montejo allowed.

By then Pagasa officials learned that Servando had taken a teaching post at a university in Qatar, Malano said in an earlier press conference.

Servando joined other Pagasa officials lured by higher-paying opportunities elsewhere.

In July 2010, former weather division chief Nathaniel Cruz left the bureau for a job in Australia. He returned to the Philippines and became resident meteorologist for GMA-7 network.

Science Undersecretary Graciano Yumul, who was the concurrent head of Pagasa, left  in March last year to join a private company.

For the past 10 years, more than 20 forecasters and employees in other divisions have left Pagasa for greener pastures abroad, according to the Philippine Weathermen Employees Association.