Promote standard time — Pagasa

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has asked local government units (LGUs) to help in promoting punctuality among Filipinos by teaching their constituents to use the Philippine Standard Time (PST).

“The LGUs can play a big role to make their constitu- ents know that we are using a Philippine Standard Time,” PAGASA administrator Vicente Malano said in a press conference for this year’s observance of the National Time Consciousness Week, which is celebrated every first week of January pursuant to Republic Act 10535 or the Philippine Standard Time Act of 2013.

He said compliance with the PST could save lives during natural and man-made calamities.

Under RA 10535, the National Telecommunications Commission shall require all government and private TV and radio stations to help in ensuring the synchronization of timekeeping devices even in the most remote areas of the country.

Renato de Leon, PAGASA weather specialist, said owners of private TV and radio stations who fail to calibrate and synchronize their time devices with the PST during broadcast will be fined P30,000 to P50,000. On second offense, their franchises could be revoked or cancelled.

For a stricter compliance in all households, Malano suggested that the monitoring function be transferred to the newly established Department of Information and Communications Technology.

BENING BATUIGAS Residents of Pontevedra, Capiz have to use boats for travel as many of the town’s areas remain flooded following the onslaught of Typhoon Agaton.