Localized weather forecast in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuanos can now expect localized weather forecast because 22 Automated Weather Stations set up in strategic locations in Cebu province are now operational.

Weather Philippines Foundation, which donated the instruments, is also now on its way to completing the rollout of over 1,000 AWS to various provinces of the country.

WPF General Manager Celso C. Caballero said that as of this month, they already donated to local government units and set up 661 AWS across the country.

The AWS is capable of determining weather parameters like temperature, pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction, rain, and solar radiation locally.

This means that since what is generated is localized weather forecast, Cebuanos are able to determine the specific weather situation for their respective towns.

The AWS units were installed in the cities of Toledo, Talisay, Naga, Cebu, Lapulapu, Mandaue, Bogo, and Danao, and the towns of Malabuyoc, Dumanjug, Santander, Alcoy, Tuburan, San Remigio, Balamban and Daanbantayan.

Others were installed at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, at the Cebu Electric Cooperative (Cebeco) I and Cebeco II offices, SM City-Cebu, SM City-Consolacion, and inside Cemex in the City of Naga. 

Data from the weather instrument are transmitted to a WPF server to give real-time updates, which can be accessed through WPF’s  www.weather.com.ph.

Aside from providing for free the AWS, which costs $2,500 to $3,000 each, WPF is also conducting capability trainings to provincial risk reduction personnel and LGU officials to capacitate them on the use of the instrument.

Caballero said the AWS would help in providing information to the communities; and in planning for and mitigating risks in times of natural calamities.

“We are here to complement the efforts (of LGUs); to bring technologies, resources and partners. There are areas that we believe the private sectors can come in, like technology. And if these technologies strengthen good programs of the government, I think we will be better off as a country,” he said.

WPF is a corporate social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group and is funded through a partnership with Unionbank and Meteo Group, the world’s leading weather services organization. (FREEMAN)