‘Climate change threat more urgent than science chief resignation’

MANILA, Philippines — Threats to the climate that could cause disasters should raise more concern in Congress than the threat of Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña to resign over the transfer of two key agencies from his department to the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR), according to Albay Rep. Joey  Salceda.?

Salceda, principal author of the House DDR measure, was reacting to Dela Peña’s reported threat to resign his post if the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical, Services Administration (PAGASA) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) were transferred to the new agency.?

The DDR is envisioned to be the primary government agency to lead and manage national efforts to mitigate and address disaster risks.  ?

Salceda noted that Dela Peña’s opposition was “very disappointing” since the proposal had already been unanimously voted by three House committees on government reorganization, defense and appropriations, with a proposed initial budget of P21 billion.?

“We value his opinion but climate and disaster threats scare Congress more than his personal threat,” said Salceda in a recent media interview.?

He pointed out that in the United States, the National Weather Service, PAGASA’s counterpart, is under the Department of Trade, while the US Geological Survey, Phivolcs’ counterpart, is under the Department of Interior.?

“In short, the organization design puts them closer to their users rather than the science context. PAGASA, in fact, was originally created under the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he said.?