Aquino cites PAGASA for doing functions well

President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the reliability of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the country’s lead agency in monitoring, forecasting and warning of tropical weather systems, saying that the agency is focused on its duties and responsibilities to the country and the Filipino citizenry as a whole.

In an ambush interview following the opening ceremonies of the 2011 National Science and Technology Week at the SMX Convention Center of the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on Wednesday, the President acknowledged PAGASA, which is under the Department of Science and Technology, as an active government entity in providing protection to lives and properties against natural hazards due to typhoons, floods and other natural calamities through applied scientific knowledge and information.

The agency has also been upholding its task to promote national progress and contribute to regional socio-economic development.

The Chief Executive further said that he has been receiving regular updates from PAGASA on the status of tropical storms, including Typhoon “Juaning” which is presently hitting the country, specifically the Bicol region.

Typhoon Juaning has claimed at least 20 lives as of Wednesday morning after dumping rains that caused floods in most parts of Luzon.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said most of the fatalities come from the Bicol region.

At least 31 people were reported hurt while 9 others remained missing as of Wednesday morning. An average of 20 storms and typhoons, some of them deadly, hit the Philippines every year.