Is There "Hope" For "PAGASA"?

Here we are enjoying the sunny weather after a much hyped "super typhoon." A prophecy of potential havoc, Parma proved to be no more than a flop. A scary forecast reiterated amongst recently flood-traumatized population. Parma was sketched a mega typhoon more serious than the previous, inflicting much panic that triggered hoarding of food supplies, several cancelled travels both sea and air, plus throw in the unusual demand for rubber boats. Parma was casted as a Hollywood premium superstar later unveiled a mere circus act. Going back to Ondoy, how come nobody knew it was coming?


"I smell no rain."
Image by Tony the Misfit

PAGASA, the Philippines' weather bureau, receives about half a billion pesos annually according to a source click here. Is PAGASA 'worth the work' or is it merely 'play and display'? I am asking this question because based on the same report, subsidized poor families get P800 monthly. I am happy how the government is trying to push into helping our brothers and sisters below the poverty line. However, is it right to have a budget too small for many families? Conversely, is it wrong to have a bigger budget for PAGASA which simply provide little help if at all?

PAGASA cannot even dictate the tempo correctly when it comes to school suspensions. There were days when classes were suspended with the entire city left sun-kissed. While there were days when reports of a clear weather contradict the floods that turn the city into an archipelago, adding more to the Philippines' already 7,107 islands. Obviously, something is not right. If the hit or miss logic is to be used on weather forecasts, might as well save that dime on something else that is more worthwhile.

Weather forecasting is a tough task because no one can really tell where and when a calamity is going to strike. Which is exactly the point. Why do we have to spend a fortune on something that is unable to do its improbable task? Or perhaps we should ask ourselves: do we really need PAGASA?