PAGASA gets US grant to improve weather equipment
The United States government gave a $381,000 grant to Philippine weather bureau PAGASA to boost the agency’s early warning system and natural disaster risk management resources.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney said the grant shows her government’s support to PAGASA’s efforts to improve its capacity to monitor potential weather hazards, including typhoons, monsoons, and landslides, and immediately inform the public about them.
PAGASA said it will use the funds for a study to identify upgrades needed for the meteorological and hydrological telecommunications system network. The weather bureau said the study will include the implementation and financing plans for the identified technologies, corresponding system specifications, and bidding documents.
The grant agreement was signed by Kenney and Estrella Alabastro, secretary of the Department of Science Technology. The signing was witnessed by Henry Steingass, US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) regional director for South and Southeast Asia and PAGASA director Prisco Nilo.
Reference: www.abs-cbnnews.com
