Pagasa eyes more hires

MANILA, Philippines - The state weather bureau is eyeing to hire 500 more people in the coming months in line with the implementation of the PAGASA Modernization Act.

“We hope to fill the vacancies in a year’s time,” Vicente Malano, administrator of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), announced last Monday. 

Malano said the additional manpower would be deployed in the newly established flood forecasting centers in different parts of the country. 

“We need a team to man each flood forecasting center… located near the country’s major river basins,” he said. 

Malano said the country has currently five flood forecasting and warning centers near Cagayan, Bicol, Pampanga, Agno and Pasig-Marikina river basins. 

Two new flood forecasting and warning centers would soon be operational in Cagayan de Oro and Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. These areas experienced severe flooding due to Tropical Storm Sendong (international name Washi) in December 2011. 

Malano said the agency would also acquire five new Doppler radars in the next three years for more accurate and early detection of weather disturbances. 

Currently, there are 15 Doppler radars in different parts of the country. 

Three new Doppler radars in Pangasinan, Northern Samar and Masbate will be inaugurated soon, Malano said. 

A Doppler radar can provide the movement, location, and strength of typhoon on an hourly basis. 

Former president Benigno Aquino III signed Republic Act 10692 or the PAGASA Modernization Act in November 2015. 

Under the law, the government will provide for PAGASA’s upgrading and acquisition of equipment, training and other plans. 

But PAGASA has yet to come out with the implementing rules and regulations of the law.