UK provides P130-M weather research grant

The United Kingdom has provided P130 million to the Philippines for a three-year research project aimed at developing longterm and impact-based warnings on weather disturbances.

British Ambassador Asif Ahmad and Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña signed late last week an agreement on the implementation of the Weather and Climate Science for Service Partnership (WCSSP).

The project will be jointly undertaken by the UK Met Office and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The WCSSP is part of the UK-Philippines Newton Agham Program, which started in 2014.

Apart from the Philippines, the WCSSP is also being implemented in Malaysia and Indonesia.

PAGASA forecasters will collaborate with their counterparts from the UK on scientific weatherrelated research for improved warnings to come up with public advices related to high-impact weather events, said Jon Petch, head of science partnership at the UK Met Office.

The project likewise aims to allow PAGASA to issue earlier warnings to help affected communities better prepare for incoming weather disturbance.

“It aims to improve the processes which translate weather forecast models into advice that can help mitigate against high impact weather in the Philippines at a range of lead-times from hours to months,” he said.

PAGASA weather division chief Esperanza Cayanan said the project will make the weather bureau’s forecasts more area-specific and understandable.

“The project aims to increase the probability occurrence of weather-related hazards. It will be more specific in terms of the areas to be hit or affected. We will also discuss with stakeholders what (kind of forecast) they need. It will be user-friendly and understandable so people can take proper action,” Cayanan said.

Ahmad noted that PAGASA still lacks the capability to do microclimate projection.