Manila: The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) should not be blamed for the lack of preparation among local government units (LGUs) in times of disaster, particularly during typhoons. In a press briefing on Tuesday, Senate President Francis Escudero pointed out that LGUs can download and use apps to intensify their weather monitoring and prepare adequately.
According to Philippines News Agency, Escudero stated that this approach was one of the measures he implemented when he served as the governor of Sorsogon, one of the provinces affected by the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami). He expressed confidence in PAGASA’s performance, stating, “I think PAGASA is doing a good job. There is no reason to bash them or to blame them for this. At the end of the day, sufficient information is available whether through PAGASA or other weather forecasting apps na para malaman ng ating mga kababayan at LGU kung ano nga ba ang kailangan
g paghahanda na gawin nila (for our people and the LGU to know what preparations are needed).”
Escudero further stressed that LGUs are mature enough to manage their responsibilities and should not rely solely on PAGASA for updates. He remarked, “Matatanda na tayo. Ang mga LGU alam na dapat ‘yan. Hindi na responsibilidad at hindi na nating pwedeng sisihin ang PAGASA na dapat hourly bigyan ng update ‘yung mga LGU. Trabaho ng mga LGU alamin by the hour, on the hour, every 10 minutes kung kamusta na nga ba ‘yung kalagayan ng panahon. Hindi para sa PAGASA na obligahin ‘yung mga LGU na gawin yan (We are old enough. The LGUs should know that already. It is no longer their responsibility and we should not blame PAGASA for it to give hourly updates to the LGUs. It is the job of the LGUs to find out by the hour, on the hour, every 10 minutes, how the weather is. It is not for PAGASA to oblige the LGUs to do that).”
He noted the importance of ordinary citizens utilizing social media during disasters where sufficient i
nformation is readily available. Escudero reported that among the six provinces in the Bicol region, only Albay and Camarines Sur were severely affected by Kristine, indicating that further adjustments and preparations are necessary.
The Senate president expressed support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s plan to revisit the Bicol River Basin Development Program (BRBDP) to prevent severe flooding in the region during weather disasters. Initiated by Marcos’ father, former president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., the BRBDP aimed at geography-based development in the Bicol Region, including flood control measures and a farm-to-market road project to aid struggling areas.