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PAGASA head quits
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(Updated 6:55 p.m.) PAGASA head Nathaniel Servando has finally decided to formally leave the weather bureau.
In a Wednesday press conference, PAGASA officer-in-charge Vicente Malano confirmed that Servando has opted to use his early retirement benefits.
Servando, who earlier filed for leave until August, has reportedly landed a job abroad, teaching in a meteorology school in Qatar, where he is currently earning seven times his salary in the Philippines.
Servando’s is the latest in a string of resignations that is causing “brain drain” in the agency. Weathermen have earlier complained of low wages and meager benefits.
In August 2012, the weather bureau was thrust under the microscope after several forecasters staged a strike to call for the release of their allowances. Foremost in the protest was PAGASA forecaster Jori Loiz, who had been with the state weather bureau for 17 years.
Loiz said that his P12,000 take-home pay monthly was not enough to support the education of his children—one in college, and another one in high school.
Other notable PAGASA executives who have since left the bureau include Graciano Yumul Jr., and spokesperson Nathaniel Cruz. Cruz, or Mang Tani as he is commonly known, is the current resident meteorologist of GMA News.
Meanwhile, following the failure of the PAGASA modernization bill to pass in the 15th Congress, the Philippine Weathermen Employees Association on Tuesday made an appeal to lawmakers to speedily pass the bill once the 16th Congress opens.
"Kami po ay umaapila sa ating mga mambabatas nitong darating na 16th congress na agarang maipasa na ang PAGASA Modernization Act. Ito ay isang hakbang tungo laban sa bantang panganib na dulot ng climate change, di lamang ngayon kundi sa susunod pang henerasyon," said PWEA president Mon Agustin in the statement.
House Bill 6546 or "An Act Providing for the Modernization of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)" did not pass in the Senate due to the lack of quorum.
Agustin also called on lawmakers to support the Magna Carta for Science and Technology workers, or RA 8439, which was passed in 1997 but has not received funding from Congress since.
"Ang benepisyo sa ilalim ng Magna Carta ay malaking tulong para magkaroon ng disenteng buhay ang mga kawani ng DOST-PAGASA. Ito ay magsisilbing hadlang upang hindi na magisip umalis patungo sa ibang bansa ang mga beteranong forecasters at iba pang science workers," Agustin said. — Patricia Denise Chiu/BM, GMA News
In a Wednesday press conference, PAGASA officer-in-charge Vicente Malano confirmed that Servando has opted to use his early retirement benefits.
Servando, who earlier filed for leave until August, has reportedly landed a job abroad, teaching in a meteorology school in Qatar, where he is currently earning seven times his salary in the Philippines.
Servando’s is the latest in a string of resignations that is causing “brain drain” in the agency. Weathermen have earlier complained of low wages and meager benefits.
In August 2012, the weather bureau was thrust under the microscope after several forecasters staged a strike to call for the release of their allowances. Foremost in the protest was PAGASA forecaster Jori Loiz, who had been with the state weather bureau for 17 years.
Loiz said that his P12,000 take-home pay monthly was not enough to support the education of his children—one in college, and another one in high school.
Other notable PAGASA executives who have since left the bureau include Graciano Yumul Jr., and spokesperson Nathaniel Cruz. Cruz, or Mang Tani as he is commonly known, is the current resident meteorologist of GMA News.
Meanwhile, following the failure of the PAGASA modernization bill to pass in the 15th Congress, the Philippine Weathermen Employees Association on Tuesday made an appeal to lawmakers to speedily pass the bill once the 16th Congress opens.
"Kami po ay umaapila sa ating mga mambabatas nitong darating na 16th congress na agarang maipasa na ang PAGASA Modernization Act. Ito ay isang hakbang tungo laban sa bantang panganib na dulot ng climate change, di lamang ngayon kundi sa susunod pang henerasyon," said PWEA president Mon Agustin in the statement.
House Bill 6546 or "An Act Providing for the Modernization of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)" did not pass in the Senate due to the lack of quorum.
Agustin also called on lawmakers to support the Magna Carta for Science and Technology workers, or RA 8439, which was passed in 1997 but has not received funding from Congress since.
"Ang benepisyo sa ilalim ng Magna Carta ay malaking tulong para magkaroon ng disenteng buhay ang mga kawani ng DOST-PAGASA. Ito ay magsisilbing hadlang upang hindi na magisip umalis patungo sa ibang bansa ang mga beteranong forecasters at iba pang science workers," Agustin said. — Patricia Denise Chiu/BM, GMA News
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