P1.1-billion broadband project contributed to Nilo replacement

MANILA, Philippines - Science Secretary Mario Montejo clarified yesterday that the proposal of sacked weather bureau chief Prisco Nilo to implement a P1.1-billion broadband project to modernize forecasting contributed to his dismissal from the agency.

“This is our problem. He (Nilo) proposed the P1.8-billion budget for the Pagasa (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) modernization program that includes the P1.1-billion broadband project,” Montejo disclosed.

In a press conference yesterday, Montejo said he tried to convince Nilo not to proceed with the P1.8-billion modernization plan but the latter insisted on the project.

“I tried, but he insisted on the P1.8 billion (budget),” Montejo told reporters when asked if he tried to reconsider retaining Nilo as chief of the weather bureau.

Nilo was relieved from his post last Aug. 5, citing his lack of career executive service officer (CESO) eligibility.

But President Aquino had said there were “irreconcilable differences” between Montejo and Nilo.

Science Undersecretary Graciano Yumul, who would serve as Pagasa officer-in-charge for three months, replaced Nilo.

Montejo assured the public that “dramatic improvements” could be expected at Pagasa in the next six months with the implementation of major projects that would not necessarily require a huge budget.

He said improving Pagasa’s weather forecasting system would not require the huge amount of money that Nilo had proposed.

“We have different ways of doing things. We can have a more accurate forecast with less than P100 million, but what appeared in the newspapers, the agency needs P1.8 billion (to improve the weather forecasting system of Pagasa),” Montejo said.

He said they could not wait for another three years to raise more than P1 billion because of the urgent need for better weather forecasting service.

“We can do it now. We cannot wait for P1.8 billion,” said Montejo.

In an interview, Nilo said that after serving the weather bureau for 27 years he believes he might have been a victim of politics.

He suspects that somebody had badmouthed him before the President after he blocked certain plans.

But Montejo said Nilo performed below par as Pagasa head.

Nilo was transferred to the Department of Science and Technology head office in Bicutan, Taguig City where he would handle a unit involved in special studies.

Yumul said the weather bureau is expected to come out with hourly updates during typhoon occurrence instead of the previous six hours.

He said the severe weather bulletins would also be “laymanized” so that decision makers and other concerned parties could easily understand typhoon warnings.

Yumul said they would also install additional automatic weather stations nationwide as well as rainfall monitoring equipment.

He said seven Doppler radars would also be operational during the latter part of the year.

Doppler radars are capable of generating short-term but highly accurate weather forecasts.