BALANGA CITY — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is set to enhance disaster preparedness by establishing a Doppler radar station in Abucay, Bataan.
This initiative, formalized through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the DOST–Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) on September 8 in Quezon City, will provide real-time weather data to improve the accuracy of forecasts and strengthen community resilience.
Funded by the Office of the President, through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the radar station will enable local governments to issue timely warnings and implement effective disaster response plans.
DOST-PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando said the partnership highlights the vital role of government-academe collaboration in disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.
“Through this significant agreement between our institutions, we not only strengthen our shared commitment to nation-building but also foster collaboration in research, innovation, and capacity-building,” Servando said.
He also expressed appreciation to OCD for working closely with PAGASA to ensure that the lives and welfare of Filipinos are protected during natural disasters.
Meanwhile, Deputy Administrator for Research and Development Marcelino Villafuerte II thanked BPSU for its support, recalling the establishment of the synoptic station in Abucay in 2021.
“With this signing ceremony, our partnership begins again and we hope that it could further enhance our collaboration, as we establish our radar station, for students to potentially use our datasets,” he said.
For her part, BPSU President Ruby Santos-Matibag said the MOA signing is more than a formal partnership, but also a celebration of shared commitment to scientific progress and public safety.
She noted that Bataeños are already accustomed to weather hazard warnings, and the radar station demonstrates the university’s dedication to research and innovation that address community needs, particularly in disaster risk reduction.
The PAGASA-BPSU Doppler radar station is expected to become a vital tool in strengthening the country’s disaster preparedness, providing more accurate forecasts and timely warnings for the protection of communities nationwide.
