Another meteorologist leaves PAGASA to work abroad

One week after three of its meteorologists left for greener pastures abroad, state weather agency PAGASA lost another weather specialist who left to work overseas.

 

Christopher Galang, a Weather Observer III at PAGASA's Doppler station in Subic, left to work in Qatar, radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported Tuesday.

 

Only one week ago, the Philippine Weathermen Employees Association said PAGASA lost three meteorologists who left to work in Qatar.

 

PWEA president Ramon Agustin named only one of the three - Bernie de Leon, who he said "contributed much in the improvement of the now very important Rainfall Warning System of the agency." 

 

PWEA, labis na ikinalungkot ang pag-aabroad ng 2 forecaster, 1 communication engr ng @dost_pagasa. pic.twitter.com/KjYsqlukYA | via @allangatus

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) May 20, 2014

 

Agustin said the second was a "dedicated forecaster at the Aviation Met Service at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport," while the telecommunication expert "was a big factor in the maintenance of important facilities like the Doppler radars and Met satellite."

 

The three will work for the Qatar Bureau of Meteorology, as airport forecasters and communication specialist.

 

Agustin said the three had planned to leave PAGASA as early as 2013 but postponed this because they were promised improved benefits.

 

Yet, the PWEA said PAGASA personnel have not received their hazard pay for six months now, while two other benefits - longevity pay and subsistence allowance - would be given only until June this year because the Department of Budget and Management has allegedly not released funds for July to December.

 

Agustin also said the three were among seven PAGASA forecasters being pirated by Middle East countries.

 

But four of them opted to stay "for love of the job and prayerfully hoping for improved economic compensation," PWEA said. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News