PAGASA Holds Seminar for the Media

Batangas (PNA) — What’s the difference between weather and climate? Is tropical storm different from typhoon?

“PAGASA (Philippine Atmospherical Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) is a technical agency. There are many terms which are often not understood,” said Venus Valdemoro, officer in charge, PAGASA Public Information Unit. She continued that through the help of media, the public would better understand the things they need to know.

With this, PAGASA held a media seminar scheduled on Dec. 18-20 here. The seminar aims to tackle the different weather terminologies, PAGASA services, and other vital information the public needs to understand better.

For instance, the common expectation of public is that there should be rainshowers when PAGASA raises storm signal number 1.

Raymond Ordinario, weather specialist, noted that public storm signals are based on wind strength.

Also, he cited that even if a public storm signal is raised, this will not be felt right away.

“It usually takes a day and a half or 36 hours before one could feel it,” he explained.

Furthermore, when PAGASA says a tropical storm is within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), it doesn’t necessarily mean the typhoon has already landed or has entered the country.

However, once a tropical storm enters PAR, it is given a local name right away.

Ordinario said it is only in the Philippines where a typhoon is given a specific name.

He also said that “bagyo” is not just the Filipino word for tropical cyclone, but is actually a technical term and is accepted internationally.

Around 20 tropical cyclones enter PAR every year.

While flood, landslide, mudslide and storm surge are common hazards of tropical cyclone, Ordinario cited that tropical cyclone also has beneficial effects.

It cleanses air pollution suspended in the atmosphere, stirs stagnant lakes, rivers, bays.

Moreover, it helps replenish empty dams and reservoirs.

Usually, there’s lightning when there’s storm and rainshowers.

What should one do when there’s lightning?

– Go inside a house/building if you can.

– Avoid using electrical appliances, and anything that uses electricity because it might explode.

– Stay away from bodies of water, as water is a conductor of electricity.

– If stuck outside, do not go under a tall, isolated tree. This is the first thing that will be struck by lightning.

– Do not lie on the ground if you’re trapped in an open field.

Meanwhile, among the platforms that PAGASA uses to disseminate information is its website and through social media. There’s a mobile app, too.

Ordinario noted that in case one is having difficulty in accessing PAGASA website, he/she may access the Google CAP (Common Alerting Protocol). (PNA) RMA/MCCA/RSM