DOST bent on upgrading weather equipment

Aristotle Carandang of DOST's STIII being interviewed by DYEM-FM reporter Florence Baesa. (PIA NegOr)

(Dumaguete City, September 30, 2010) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is pushing to improve the weather monitoring capabilities of the country’s weather agency following the agency’s earlier debacle involving inaccurate weather forecast on Typhoon Basyang that hit Metro Manila last July 13.

Aristotle Carandang, who heads DOST’s Science and Technology Information Institute, said the budget proposition presented by DOST during the recent budget hearing shows that the lion’s share of the budget is allotted for PAGASA and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

“The department is really planning to upgrade its weather monitoring and forecasting capabilities as it is necessary. This affects lives and properties,” said Carandang who was in town for the 7th Visayas Islands Science and Technology Fair.

Carandang stressed that the Aquino administration is likewise focused on implementing the necessary changes, particularly on installing early warning devices.

He disclosed that flood forecasting and monitoring sensors are already being set up along Marikina River. “With these sensors, the nearby residents are warned ahead of time, at least a two-hour lead time, once the water level starts to rise. This should give them enough time to prepare,” he said. (PIA/Rachelle Nessia)