The PAGASA modernization

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Two days ago, President Benigno Aquino III certified as urgent House Bill 6546 or the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration Modernization Act of 2012.

This aims to ensure accurate and timely weather forecasting in the years ahead, and enhance the capability of PAGASA in providing services that will protect the people and the environment, and economic security against natural hazards.

The bill addresses the need to upgrade the capacity of PAGASA to perform its mandate by providing the requirements and warning systems to minimize the vulnerability of people, environment and economy to natural disasters.

Once the bill is enacted into law,the modernization program will be implemented over a period of three years. Funds for the modernization program shall be included in the DOST-PAGASA yearly budget.

We believe that the implementation of the program will provide timely, accurate and reliable forecasting in the future. We have had too many tragic experiences in the past, where these could have prevented so many deaths and destructions of properties and crops, not to appreciate this innovation.

We hope that the modernization bill will breeze through the Senate and approved in the next Congress. We cannot have its benefits too soon.*