Filtered By: Scitech
SciTech

Tensions mount over Project NOAH turnover to PAGASA


Various groups have raised concern over the impending fate of both the technology and manpower behind Project NOAH, which is set to end this February and is scheduled to be turned over to PAGASA thereafter.

While no less than DOST Sec. Fortunato de la Peña himself has assured that PAGASA will take over the handling of Project NOAH, fears have been raised that not all of its experts will be absorbed into the state weather bureau.

PAGASA and Project NOAH personnel

In a report on GMA News' Balitanghali, PAGASA administrator Vicente Malano said his agency is open to absorbing Project NOAH personnel but could not guarantee being able to take everyone in.

"Kung ilan ang taong pwedeng mag-trabaho sa PAGASA, we're willing to absorb. (Pero) ano ang kailangan ng PAGASA? Yun (lang) ang kaya natin i-absorb," Malano said.

Call for adherence to open data standards

Another area of uncertainty is the adoption of open data standards, which Project NOAH has continuously advocated for but which PAGASA and other agencies of the DOST have been careful of adopting.

For its part, PAGASA has made clear that its mandate is to provide accurate information for public dissemination, hence the need to be cautious and judicious with the dissemination of weather data.

However, this has been met with criticism by some observers and data scientists who have underscored the inherent public nature of the data as well as the Philippine government's own commitment to global open data standards.

"Whatever data is being generated by government research agencies should empower citizens to make informed decisions. What the PAGASA is doing is definitely a big step back from this direction," said Computer Professionals' Union national coordinator Rick Bahague in a press statement.

 

"(A)ll DOST Agencies are expected to publicly share 'research data and supporting materials created or generated from public funds', especially 'hazard related real-time and historical data'...in accordance with the commitments of the Philippine government under the Open Government Partnership (OGP) entered into in 2011, and subsequently Joint Memorandum Circular 2014-01 or Open Data Philippines which pushes government agencies to promote openness and reusability of its data,"

- Computer Professionals' Union

 

PAGASA forecasters' confidence affected

Meanwhile, a group of PAGASA employees said they felt slighted by the mounting negative public perception of the agency, at least on social media. 

"Nakaapekto yon even sa confidence ng aming (mga) forecaster dahil may mga akusasyon na hindi nila alam (kung talaga) sa taong-bayan galing yan," said Ramon Agustin, president of the Philippine Weathermen Employees Association.

PAGASA's leadership clarified, however, that the agency does not blame Project NOAH nor the latter's employees directly for the backlash.

"Wala kaming away. Kung may away kami, eh di matagal na kami nagsabunutan niyan," Malano quipped. — GMA News

LOADING CONTENT