Philippine senators are calling on the weather bureau PAGASA to simplify its weather reports, urging the agency to use clearer, more accessible language. The issue was raised during a Senate plenary session by Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, who cited public frustration over the technical jargon used in PAGASA’s forecasts.
Tolentino stressed that simplifying the language in PAGASA’s weather bulletins would help more people understand the information, making it easier for citizens to respond to weather threats. “Let’s make it understandable for the people,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of clarity during natural disasters and adverse weather events.
Adding to the discussion, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel proposed an alternative approach for rainfall advisories. He suggested using numerical values instead of the current color-coded system to represent the severity of rainfall. This change, he argued, could reduce confusion and make advisories easier for the public to interpret.
Senator Migz Zubiri, the budget sponsor for PAGASA, expressed optimism that the agency would receive additional funding for new equipment to enhance its forecasting capabilities. He noted that better resources would enable PAGASA to improve the accuracy of its forecasts and enhance its communication methods.
