50 WeatherPhilippines Automated Weather Stations to Run on Solar Power

The “-ber” months usually excite Filipinos with the “sweater-weather” because of the cold breeze brought about by “Hanging Amihan,” or the Northeast Monsoon.

But despite the impression of finer weather, the months of October, November, and December actually bear witness to strong tropical cyclones such as “Haiyan”, “Hagupit”, and “Melor”. Thus, there is still a need to stay vigilant, and to be “#WeatherWiser” during this season.

As such, WNI WxBunka Foundation of Japan has partnered with WeatherPhilippines Foundation to create a weather preparedness culture “that is deeply embedded in the Filipino consciousness.”

WNI WxBunka Foundation, a corporate social responsibility effort of Weather News Inc., which considers the importance of unconventional wisdom and out-of-the-box thinking for the development of practical weather-based applications that respond to the need for disaster mitigation, economy and environmental issues across a wide range of businesses, organizations, researchers and individuals, will initiate this vision with WeatherPhilippines through a donation of ¥2.5 million or about Php1.7 million.

The donation will enable WeatherPhilippines to convert 50 of its automated weather stations (AWS) in priority meteorological sites into solar-powered units.

“We are pleased to partner with the WNI WxBunka Foundation in our campaign to build a #WeatherWiser nation by creating more sustainable and resilient AWS. Every bit of help counts, and we are honored to partner with an organization that is aligned with our thrusts and goals in creating a #WeatherWiser nation,” said Dave Valeriano, WeatherPhilippines Vice President and General Manager.

“Through this partnership, Japan and the Philippines can build a weather culture that sustainably saves lives and enhances livelihoods,” said Jiro Miyabe, WNI WxBunka Foundation Head Director.

WeatherPhilippines provides the country with a premier weather sensing and forecasting system made possible by technology, inclusive partnerships, and engagement.

Founded in 2012 by the Aboitiz Foundation, UnionBank, and Metrogroup, it delivers free, more localized, and accurate weather information accessed through weather.com.ph and WeatherPhilippines free mobile application.

WeatherPhilippines complements government’s nationwide efforts on disaster risk reduction, and aims to help build a #WeatherWiser Nation.

To date, WeatherPhilippines has already deployed 780 automated weather stations nationwide and trained more than a thousand public and private sector partners on weather.

This corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative is made possible through the financial resources of the Aboitiz Foundation, UnionBank, and the platinum sponsors. (PNA)
RMA/LGI