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WASHINGTON
said it was allocating a grant of $381,000 (P15.49
million) for the improvement of the Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (Pagasa) meteorological and hydrological
telecommunications system used for early monitoring of
potential weather hazards.
US
Ambassador to Manila Kristie A. Kenney signed an
agreement with Science Secretary Estrella Alabastro to
facilitate the release of the grant that is being
implemented under the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA),
which assists developing countries mostly stricken by
natural disasters to develop early-warning systems.
“The
USTDA grant agreement supports Pagasa’s efforts to
improve its capacity to monitor potential weather
hazards, including typhoons, monsoons and landslides,
and inform the public about them,” said a statement of
the US Embassy Thursday.
Kenney
said the fund will also be used by Pagasa in conducting
a study on the implementation and financing plans for
the identified technologies, corresponding system
specifications and bidding documents.
The US
Embassy also said the weather agency has yet to select
the US contractor—the grant is tied or it is obligatory
to use a US contractor—that would complete the study.
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