RP seeks world-class meteorological status

By MELODY M. AGUIBA
March 17, 2009, 12:00am

The Philippines is working on a world-class meteorological agency (WCMA) status as part of mitigating any adverse effects associated with climate change such as sea rise or temperature rise.

The WCMA status involves the upgrading of obsolete equipment that predict weather and the training of more climate experts in order to promote their skills to international standards. This involves rehabilitation of existing Doppler radars, which produces velocity information, and the acquisition of new ones.

The country’s capacity to capture images of weather factors through satellite imagery should also be enhanced. The country already has Doppler radars in Baguio, Baler, Hinatuan in Surigao, Virac in Ilocos, Guian in Samar, Aparri-Cagayan, Subic, Daet in Camarines Sur, and Tagaytay. But a few more of these radars have to be constructed to further improve accuracy of weather predictions.

The country’s target is to achieve a WCMA status by 2013. “We had the instruction from President Arroyo to upgrade our status to world class level. We need it because of our vulnerability to climate change due to our arhipelagic nature,” said DoST Secretary Estrella Alabastro in an interview

NPA suspects burn P16-M construction equipment in Hinatuan, SDS

By PO3 Rene Boy Ocares Bernaldez and PO3 Arturo Suganob Campania

Butuan City (18 March) -- Suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA), armed with assorted firearms and wearing black fatigue uniform, burned at 10 p.m. Sunday an estimated P16-million worth of heavy construction equipment of Sergio Pascual Construction based at Barangay Bigaan, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, according to the firm's field manager, Engr. Eufemio Azogue.

Azoque, 55, resident of Makati City, reported the incident to the Hinatuan municipal police station, adding that the destroyed equipment included four units of dumptruck; one unit grader FGS Komatso; one unit transit mixer Nissan; one unit pay loader and one unit canter Mitsubishi.
Investigation is still ongoing to determine the motive of the incident.

Northern Mindanao weather aberrations monitored

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Aberrations in weather conditions have caused excessive rainfall that led to flash floods and landslides in this city as well as Misamis Oriental province in January, or five times the monthly average, data from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) showed. Mario C. Guya, regional weather specialist, noted that a study covering 23 years (1977- 2000) have indicated that the average normal rainfall in this part of the country in January was only 82.8 millimeters. Last month’s average, however, totaled 457 millimeters, the highest in decades.

"It has even exceeded the total accumulated rainfall data for the city for the whole year," said Mr. Guya. Last month’s floods have displaced about 3,000 families. An additional 2,000 families have lost their homes due to flash floods and landslides in neighboring towns and cities. Mr. Guya said PAGASA is also consulting with different geophysical and astronomical institutions to study changing weather systems especially in Northern Mindanao.

"We look at three channels for satellite images. These are visible, infrared and water vapor," said Mr. Guya. "It is sunny weather by March but May would be the start of the rainy season again." However, climate change could alter such schedule and, thus, improving monitoring is important. PAGASA, he said, is upgrading facilities in various parts of Mindanao in response to climate change.

For instance, this city’s weather tracking device would be transferred to El Salvador town, a 20-minute drive. El Salvador in recent years has become one of the flood-prone areas in Misamis Oriental. Mr. Guya said that the proposed structure would be constructed 2.5 meters above ground level. There were also bid announcements for the construction of the Hinatuan radar station in Surigao del Sur province as well as the improvement of the Davao station complex. The three projects have a combined total cost of P27 million, Mr. Guya said. Meanwhile, damaged properties and infrastructure in the city, estimated at over P100 million, are undergoing rehabilitation.

The city’s business chamber also noted economic activities in have normalized since last month, although losses have been significant. January’s downpour have traumatized residents who have experienced flash floods from knee-deep to at least 1.8 meters. "We are putting heavy appliances and furniture at higher grounds because we can’t let the disaster to happen again. We don’t want to get caught unprepared," said Jinky Bernasor, a resident at a subdivision in Opol town where hundreds of homes were inundated. — Geefe P. Alba

Surigao del Sur Gov delivers SOPA

by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

Tandag City, Surigao del Sur (27 February) -- Governor Vicente T. Pimentel delivered recently the State of the Province Address (SOPA) loaded with major accomplishment report for 2008 under his administration at the Seminar Hall, Capitol Hills, this city. Vice Governor Librado Navarro together with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Members, Administrator from first and second Congressional District as representative in the absence of two Congressmen, Cong. Philip A. Pichay and Cong. Florencio Garay, Provincial Administrator Johnny T. Pimentel and staff, Department heads from the National Agencies (NGA), Non Government Organization (NGO), Provincial Heads, PNP, Col. Danilo T. Fabian from 401st Brigade and Lt. Col. Benjamin Pedralvez from 58IB, Mayors and Vice Mayors from different Municipalities of this province, are among those who joined with the crowd witnessing the activity.

To highlight the event, the Governor called President Gloria Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as a "Compassionate" that catches the attention of the crowd. According to him, "PGMA is the only President of the Republic who listens to our agonies by addressing our gargantuan problems that have been the hindrance for us to attain optimum economic development." "PGMA allocated the amount of P2.5 billion for the concreting projects from the municipality of Cortes down to south up the boundary of Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental," he continued. We will be forever grateful to the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and we will always remember her as the greatest president this country ever had", the Governor added.

One of his major accomplishments last year was the renovation of the Capitol building spending P60 million. He said, "I demolished the gloomy and ugly sight of the old and dilapidated capitol building. A new edifice now stands proudly and elegantly as our province's most treasured building above capitol hills." The Governor said, "last year alone, the 18 units of spring Development Project level II have been installed in the amount of P2.454 million", which according to him, "it has been my noble intention to provide clean and potable water to all up to the remotest sitios of our province." The Provincial Government expended P11 million for Local School, Board (LSB), salaries for volunteer teachers and building of classrooms and DepEd Athletic Meets. In addition, "Alay ng Probinsiya Scholarship Program" has been continuously helping poor but deserving students. Governor Pimentel presented to the crowd, Ma. Lady Lou Sabanal, a graduate student from Surigao del Sur Polytechnic State College (SSPSC) here, benefited this program who recently passed the Civil Engineering licensure Examination and presently employed as Casual Engineer 3 of Provincial Engineering Office (PEO). The Governor also congratulated Provincial Administrator Johnny Pimentel for being one of the awardees last year as most Outstanding Public Official of CARAGA by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). He was also nominated for the same award in the National level.

He also congratulated two dynamic uniformed officers: Pol. Supt. Richard dela Rosa of the PNP and Lt. Col. Benjamin S. Pedralvez, Jr., Battalion Commander of the 58th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army for their exemplary service to the province of Surigao del Sur and to our Nation. Meanwhile, "Tourism Industry in the Province is alive and moving notwithstanding the accessibility problem, is the influx of visitors and guests based on statistical data coming from tourism related establishments," Governor Pimentel said. Some accomplishments mentioned yesterday were the implemented infra structure projects funded by Provincial and National Government are the following: Rehabilitation/Maintenance of Provincial, barangay, and farm-to-market roads, total length was 199.77 kms. 11 units of bridges, constructed/repaired, Improvement/development projects were implemented in 12 different sites.

Provincial funded construction Projects, completed last year are the following: Construction of additional private rooms of the district hospitals, 6 in Bislig City, 6 in Hinatuan and 6 in Lianga district hospitals, the project cost is P7.165 million; Construction of Legislative Building Priovincial Capitol of the South, cost to P2.6 million; Concreting of Tigao Provincial road, project cost P2 million. Installation of additional seven units Tandag Lighting facilities in San Agustin Norte, Project cost P284, 237.00; Concreting of Lianga Comnprehensive National High School, cost to P3 million; Construction of Provincial Guest House, Project cost P4.585 million; Construction of Provincial Guest House Perimeter Fence, project cost P1 million; On-going of renovation of Lingig District Hospital, project cost P3 million.

On-going renovation of Lianga District Hospital project cost P1 million; On-going construction of Provincail FM Radio Station, Project cost 2.8 million. National Funded Construction projects completed last year: Rehabilitation of Provincial Capitol Road, Phase II (P1.919 million); Rehabilitation of Maticdum-Mabuhay Farm-to-Market road, project (P1.5 million); Construction of mabuhay-Himat-e Farm-to-Market road, (P2 million); Construction of Himat-e-Cayale Farm-to Market Road (P2 million); Construction of Unidos-Jubang Farm-to-Market road project (P4.5 million); Re-gravelling of Victoria Soong Road (2.5 million); Re-gravelling of Bolhoon-Haguimitan Farm-to-Market road (P2.5 million).

Lastly Governor Pimentel said, "All these developmental plans and goals would not be realized without durable and lasting peace". The presentation of 2008 Accomplishment Report of Governor Pimentel last to one hour and 15 minutes and was aired live province-wide thru the newly installed Provincial FM station in Bislig and dxJS Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag. (PIA Tandag