(MANILA BULLETIN)

PILI, Camarines Sur--Senatorial candidate Makati City Mayor Abby Binay has raised the need to increase funding for the state weather bureau, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Binay, who was in town here Friday, March 7 for the administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas' campaign sortie, said the additional money will help the agency improve its forecasting capabilities.

This would in turn be a big boon for farmers and other workers in the agriculture sector, who get severely affected by weather conditions, the mayor said. 

Binay expressed concerns over the reduced funding for Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazard)--the Philippines' primary disaster risk reduction and management program.

Because of this, Binay is worried that the country might not be prepared to face a calamity. 

She says the additional funds for improved forecasting will help give early warning to farmers and communities so they can prepare for any eventuality. 

According to the Senate hopeful, addressing the issue of climate change requires proper data and forecasting. 

That way, damages to property and agriculture as a result of typhoons would could be averted.

According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), a whopping 98 percent of agricultural production losses between 2013 and 2022 have been due to climate-related hazards. The total damage to property has reached P229.8 billion.

Of the damaged crops, 36 percent of this or equivalent to P108 billion was rice crops or palay.