Comelec may link up with DOST to improve weather forecasting

MANILA, Philippines - If you think the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has nothing to do with weather forecasting, think again.

The Comelec may soon link up with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as part of efforts to improve the government’s weather forecasting system.

Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal yesterday said DOST is looking at the possibility of utilizing a poll body-owned mobile communication system for the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) modernization program.

Larrazabal said Science Secretary Mario Montejo met with the Commission last Monday to express his intention to use the Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) for weather forecasting.

“The secretary expressed (a) desire to purchase or lease our BGAN, but the Commission is more inclined to just lease it,” Larrazabal disclosed.

Larrazabal said Comelec had bought BGAN for the May 10 elections to enable use of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines even in far-flung areas with no cell sites.

BGAN is a mobile communications system created to transmit broadband wireless voice and data communications almost anywhere. It consists of geostationary satellites working in conjunction with portable surface-based terminals.        

Larrazabal said the Comelec has about 300 BGANs, which would be very helpful in improving Pagasa’s weather forecasting system.

“It will... enable the DOST, including Pagasa, to immediately send data through satellites and thus (augment) its current system,” Larrazabal said.

According to Larrazabal, the Commission is considering leasing BGAN to DOST during the time when there are no elections.

“We are trying to work out a system that would allow the DOST to use the BGAN during the rainy season while giving it back to Comelec during the elections. Anyway there is no typhoon during the months of April and May when (we hold) elections,” Larrazabal said.

Comelec has yet to determine a lease price.