by Ramon Efren R. Lazaro
Sixteen science scholars in B. S. Meteorology course, under
the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute Junior
Level Program has started undergoing a six-week bridging program that started
on April 23 at the Central Luzon State University
(CLSU).
CLSU president Ruben Sevilleja noted that
the pioneering project is
auspicious because of the changes in climate. He added the dearth of expertise
in atmospheric science and meteorology demands for capacity building in this
specialized area of study.
On the other hand, Filma Brawner, director of the Science
Education Institute, said the bridging program is a way of leveling the
differences in the training of scholars from the different universities.
The offering
of the B.S. Meteorology course, under
Project COMET (Consortium for Meteorology Education and Training), is a
collaborative undertaking of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST),
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Bicol University (BU), Central Luzon State University (CLSU),
Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU),
Visayas State University (VSU),
and AGHAM Party-List.
In
2009, Angelo Palmones, Chairman of the Philippine Typhoon Committee
Foundation, Inc., and now AGHAM Party-list representative in the 15th
Congress, initiated the move for the
offering of the B. S. Meteorology for
the first time in the Philippines
.
“The services of meteorologists are now in demand by
different economic sectors such as
aviation, shipping, agriculture, food industry, research, and the academe. The
first batch of B.S. Meteorology scholars now is making part of history because
offering the course is first in the Philippines
, even in Southeast
Asia ,” added Florentino
Tesoro.
“The
beauty of the program is that it carries not a single flag. It is
a synergy of multi-agency
undertaking, of hopes and dreams
becoming a reality to serve and help protect our country and people from
natural disasters,” said BU
president Fay Lea Patria Lauraya.
Cynthia
Celebre, PAGASA chief for training and research, explained that
“Meteorology is a
noble profession, and a meteorologist is committed to protect and save lives
and properties” and asked “Imagine what the Philippines will be liked visited
by 18-20 typhoons yearly without the meteorologists?”
