PAGASA to Simplify Weather, Climate Information

(PNA) — The government’s weather agency continues walking the extra mile to further make its forecasts and other information easier for people to understand.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has undertaken with partners various measures for achieving such goal, noting disseminating its weather and climate information in layman’s language is key to protecting life, limb and property.

“We hope to further pursue cooperation with stakeholders concerned to help reduce communities’ vulnerability to hazards,” said PAGASA Acting Administrator Dr. Vicente Malano.

The onslaught of typhoon “Yolanda” (international name “Haiyan”) in November 2013 revived the public clamor for easy-to-understand information from PAGASA.

Such clamor resurfaced after reports cited observations the “Yolanda” death toll — which authorities reported as exceeding 6,000 — could have been lesser if people along the typhoon’s path understood the storm surge PAGASA warned about and fled to higher ground.

PAGASA said storm surge is an abnormal rise of sea water due to a tropical cyclone (TC).

During PAGASA’s 150th anniversary celebration this year, the agency introduced its storm surge warning signals in a simplified format for people’s reference.

The agency also came up with simplified presentations of its updated TC warning system and modified public storm warning system.

In April this year, PAGASA released its weather information packet for the public supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

“We aim coming up with more packets on related information, however,” said Dr. Flaviana Hilario, PAGASA’s Acting Deputy Administrator for Research and Development.

She’s optimistic the packets will help better explain technical information from PAGASA so people can more effectively prepare for weather- and climate-related developments.

Hilario urged the public to suggest how PAGASA can further make its information easier for the public to understand.

“We welcome comments on the matter,” she said.

Earlier, PAGASA and the government’s language authority Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) partnered on translating the former’s weather forecasting jargon into easy-to-understand terminology.

“We made a breakthrough,” said Dr. Benjamin Mendillo, who heads KWF’s Translation Division, citing the agencies’ progress on such work.

He noted the translation will help people visualize weather conditions in PAGASA’s forecasts so they can better understand what’s likely to occur and undertake the appropriate preparations for these.

Preparation is essential in guarding against weather’s adverse impacts, he said.

KWF reported already being in the final stage of the translation work.

Senator Ralph Recto noted PAGASA’s services are crucial, particularly as studies show the Philippines is among the most vulnerable to impacts of the changing climate.

“As such, the role of our front line personnel taking watch against forces of nature cannot be understated,” he said.

Experts already warned climate change’s impacts on the Philippines are sea level and temperature rise as well as increasing onslaught of extreme weather events.

According to Michel Jarraud, secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization which the Philippines joined in 1949, PAGASA’s capacity- and capability-strengthening efforts are enabling this agency to deliver better meteorological and hydrological services that are essential in protecting life, limb and property amidst climate change.

“PAGASA can be regarded as a model for other developing countries, especially those which are vulnerable to natural disasters,” he said.

Secretary Mario Montejo of PAGASA’s mother agency Department of Science and Technology (DOST) cited equipment acquisition as a major factor in bringing forth such improvement.

He noted the government since 2010 was able to install over 1,400 meteorological and other disaster information sensors — up from just 100-plus sensors previously.

“We have truly come a long way and although the road ahead is still riddled with problems, there remains great opportunities to create change in the world we live in,” he said.

Dr. Malano acknowledged PAGASA must hurdle various challenges to cope with fast-advancing global technology.

“We have the confidence and support of the national leadership to face these,” he clarified, however.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) praised PAGASA for sustaining efforts on further improving its services.

“What PAGASA gives us is crucial as what we know will help save us,” said CCC Vice-Chairperson Lucille Sering.

NDRRMC Executive Director Alexander Pama also reported seeing “significant improvement” in PAGASA’s forecasting.

Senator Recto reported filing Senate Bill No. 1358 in a bid to help increase hazard allowance of government’s science and technology personnel and expand coverage of workplaces considered hazardous.

“Weather forecasters, first and foremost, will directly benefit from this well-deserved measure,” he said. (PNA) SCS/CTB/CJT/RSM