RP weather forecast in most primitive state

MANILA, Philippines – A US-based Filipino meteorologist described yesterday the state of weather forecasting in the Philippines “as the most primitive condition.”

Dr. Mariano Estoque, a former weather observer of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said local forecasters “lack knowledge” in atmospheric science.

“We have radars here but nobody knows how to interpret,” Estoque said during the monthly press conference of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) at the Pagasa central office in Quezon City.

“Filipino meteorologists are being trained for only a year, compared to those in the United States who have obtained their masters and doctoral degrees in Meteorology,” Estoque said.

Estoque, now working as consultant for several weather agencies in California, also lamented the limited research being done by Filipino scientists in the field of atmospheric science.

Estoque was one of the recipients of the DOST’s “Balik Scientist program.”

“One of my general plans is to improve knowledge in meteorology,” he said.

Estoque cited in particular the insufficient knowledge of Filipino meteorologists in cloud seeding.

He said research done in Thailand showed “no proof that it really works.”

Estoque said the government had spent millions of pesos for cloud seeding operations to mitigate the impact of a dry spell in some regions last year.

“Having all the radars would not solve the problem,” Estoque said, “What we need are people who know how to interpret forecasts. Unless there are people who can interpret (data), I don’t think you will have significant improvement in forecasting,” he said.

Obviously irked by Estoque’s statement, Science Secretary Estrella Alabastro said since 2004, her agency has invested a lot to improve the country’s weather forecasting capability.

Pagasa is an attached agency of the DOST.

“We respect all opinions,” Alabastro said. “I’m very proud of the Pagasa people because they are doing their job despite lack of facilities.”

Alabastro said Pagasa continues to receive grants from international communities such as Japan and Korea to improve its equipment.