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« on: July 21, 2010, 11:57:23 AM » |
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By Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has lost 24 key personnel, most of them experienced weather forecasters, in the past 10 years to lucrative offers from abroad, the Inquirer has learned.
Brain drain is not the only disturbance beclouding the state agency, on whose forecasts depend the lives of countless Filipinos. The problem of outdated equipment has battered it for years.
According to PAGASA personnel who talked on condition of anonymity, most of the weather forecasters have accepted offers from the state weather agency in Dubai, which is strengthening its forecasting system in its bid to attract investors and tourists.
Weather forecaster Nonoy About was the last to leave for Dubai. He left last year. Another experienced forecaster, Robert Rivera, left in 2008.
In 2007, Ayla Bayaca, former officer in charge of PAGASA’s Legazpi City station, and Leonilo Millanes also accepted positions in Dubai.
Also last year, Cora Samar of the forecasting section left for a position in Australia.
Just recently, deputy administrator for operations Nathaniel “Ka Tani” Cruz left to work in Australia’s state weather bureau, making him the highest ranking PAGASA officer to leave for better climes.
Some employees told the Inquirer that Cruz was given three months to reconsider his decision to leave for abroad. Other employees said Cruz would not be returning.
What they earn
As of June of this year, the basic salary of a weather forecaster with the rank of Weather Specialist 1, the lowest rank, was pegged at around P20,000 per month. The next in rank, Weather Specialist 2, earns around P23,000 monthly.
A forecaster with the rank of Senior Weather Specialist earns about P27,000. Next is the Assistant Weather Service Chief with a salary of P32,000.
A Division Chief, which was Cruz’s rank, gets a monthly salary of P37,000.
At present, PAGASA has a total of 14 weather forecasters working in three shifts. The ideal number is 16.
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