Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino urged the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to provide more precise and specific weather forecasts to mitigate the severe impacts of typhoons.
Tolentino emphasized the importance of clear and quantifiable data in PAGASA’s weather bulletins to prevent future disasters.
“PAGASA should not only release warnings indicating signal numbers 3 or 4; they should also specify the expected amount of rainfall in concrete terms,” he said.
With approximately 20 tropical cyclones entering the country annually, the senator suggested providing examples, such as indicating that the rainfall would be three times heavier than usual or offering other clear indicators.
He noted that this approach would be more understandable and could potentially save lives, referring to the situation in Talisay where residents were caught off-guard by the volume of rainfall, which could have been avoided with clearer warnings.
Latest reports indicated that Severe Tropical Storm Kristine resulted in 116 fatalities and 109 injuries, prompting authorities in the Bicol Region and Batangas province to declare localized states of emergency.
During his radio program, Tolentino interviewed Talisay, Batangas Mayor Nestor Natanauan, who confirmed that 20 lives were tragically lost due to a landslide triggered by Typhoon Kristine.
Among the casualties were 15 minors and five adults. Mayor Natanauan stated that residents would not be allowed to return to the landslide-affected area due to the high risk of recurrence.
“With another powerful typhoon like Leon on the way, residents should be in safe locations. Just as we designated secure areas during the Taal Volcano eruption, it is crucial that we have safe evacuation sites prepared,” he stressed.
