By Brian Campued
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration will soon use artificial intelligence or AI in weather forecasting, according to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Sec. Renato Solidum Jr.
During the Senate hearing for the proposed 2025 budget of DOST and its attached agencies on Wednesday, Solidum said AI would be used to better provide the public with information, particularly related to weather.
With the help of AI, PAGASA will be able to forecast the weather for the next 14 days instead of the current five days.
“So instead of every three hours computation, every 15 minutes po ang aming target so that it can be provided to the public,” Solidum said.
“Marami pong upside tayo, ’no, but it has to be done at the warning level and action level,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri stressed the vital role of PAGASA in informing the public about the weather.
“Dapat kailangan informed ang tao eh, it’s a matter of informing them, your honors, with due respect,” Zubiri said.
“So dapat as early as before the typhoons come or even detectable weather patterns that you said—habagat and amihan—meron na tayong masabi sa kanila na magkakaroon ng heavy rainfall,” he added.
The senator also reiterated his support for the proposed P28.77 billion budget of the agency which seeks to promote human well-being, foster wealth creation, reinforce wealth protection, and institutionalize sustainability. – iro