Pagasa to build up capability with P1.72-billion Tokyo grant

By Michaela P. del Callar

10/31/2009

Japan has provided JPY3.350 billion (P1.72 billion) in grant-in-aid to the Philippines to enhance the capability of the cash-strapped Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in weather monitoring, information, and warning dissemination to avert damages caused by tropical cyclones and other severe phenomena.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura yesterday signed and exchanged notes on the Japan-funded Improvement of the Meteorological Radar System project.

The project, to be implemented by the Pagasa-Department of Science and Technology, will involve among others, the replacement of three existing meteorological radar systems in Aparri, Cagayan; Virac, Catanduanes; and Guian, Samar, with new Doppler (S-band) radar systems.

Manila welcomed the latest Japanese assistance package as timely and useful for the country in light of widespread destruction wrought by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng and of ongoing efforts to improve local meteorological capabilities.

The Philippines is one of the most natural disaster-prone countries in the world. Almost every year many lives are lost, families displaced, and agricultural crops and infrastructure damaged.

Also yesterday, Australia launched in Manila the Tropical Cyclone Early Warning System, which would be used by Pagasa, through a P17-million grant from the Australian Government Aid Program.

“The loss of life and damage caused by recent typhoons, not just in the Philippines but also across south-east Asia, is a tragic reminder of how prone our region is to natural disasters. As a regional neighbour and key development partner, Australia is helping improve the Philippines’ preparedness to manage and respond to disasters and emergencies,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Rod Smith said.

The system improves the tracking and accuracy of tropical cyclone forecasting, including position and intensity, and also enables verification of forecasts after the event.

Pagasa Administrator, Dr. Prisco D. Nilo stressed that with this new technology, the agency’s typhoon forecasting would be enhanced and would significantly support real-time forecasters.

At present Pagasa uses various numerical weather prediction models to track tropical cyclones and forecast their intensity. These models are sometimes difficult to interpret, affecting the quality of forecast decisions and timeliness of warnings.

The enhanced system, Smith said, will help in better analysing these different models to come up with a consensus and accurate forecast, as well as enhancing the mapping of storm signals. It will also help improve and enable a faster delivery of warnings through an automated delivery system for fax, email, internet and SMS.

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