US gives $381,000 grant to modernize Pagasa

US Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney on Wednesday signed a grant agreement providing $381,000 to strengthen the Philippines' early-warning system and natural disaster risk management resources. Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro, of the Department of Science Technology, signed the agreement for the Philippines during a ceremony witnessed by Henry Steingass, US Trade and Development Agency Regional Director for South and Southeast Asia; and Prisco Nilo, director of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).The grant will support Pagasa's efforts to improve its capacity to monitor potential weather hazards, including typhoons, monsoons, and landslides, and inform the public about them. Pagasa will use the fund for a study to identify upgrades needed for the meteorological and hydrological telecommunications system network. The study will include the implementation and financing plans for the identified technologies, corresponding system specifications, and bidding documents. The contract to conduct the USTDA-funded study for Pagasa will be competed on the US Federal Business Opportunities website at www.fedbizopps.gov. Pagasa will select the US contractor that will complete the study. USTDA funds various forms of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, orientation visits, and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment.

Reference: www.inq7.net