Japan grants P1.74-B for RP Doppler weather radar systems

By Gloria Jane Baylon

MANILA, Oct. 31 (PNA) -- Japan is granting JPY 3.350 billion (about P1.74 billion) to the Philippines to enhance the country’s capability for weather monitoring and weather information/warning dissemination, including the installations of new Doppler (S-band) radar systems.

Notes on the project were exchanged Friday morning between Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Japan’s Ambassador to Manila Makoto Katsura at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The Notes on the project’s detailed design, worth JPY 23 million (around P12 million), were earlier exchanged between the two ministers last March 30.

The grant aid will be implemented by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

The grant will provide new Doppler (S-band) radar systems that will replace the existing Meteorological Radar Systems in Aparri-Cagayan, Virac-Catanduanes, and Guiuan-Samar.

It also includes the installation of meteorological data display systems and the establishment of data satellite communication systems.

”This project complements all the other emergency assistance and relief operation supported by Government of Japan for the victims of two recent typhoons,” according to the Japanese Embassy in Manila.

It is expected that the project will contribute to the protection of lives and properties and help mitigate the devastation caused by tropical cyclones and other severe weather conditions through continuous and timely dissemination of accurate forecasts, warnings and advisories to disaster management agencies and mass media, it said.

Katsura said the project complements earlier assistance announced for victims of typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng.”

The Philippine Government welcomed the latest Japanese assistance package, saying “it is timely and useful for the country, especially in light of the widespread destruction wrought by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, and ongoing efforts to improve local meteorological capabilities.”

In remarks at the signing ceremony at the DFA, Katsura said that “as a close friend and neighbor, Japan will continuously support typhoon victims to reconstruct and improve the living environment in the Philippines."

Katsura also expressed the “sincere hope that these projects will further strengthen the cooperative ties and friendship that Japan and the Philippines have built through the years.” (PNA)