NABABAHALA ang Palasyo sa nagaganap na ‘brain drain’ o pagkaubos ng mga weather forecaster ng Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) dahil sa pagnanais na magtrabaho sa ibang bansa.
Ayon kay Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda, patuloy na inaalam ng Malacañang sa Department of Budget Management (DBM) kung naresolba na ang isyu ng hazard pay ng mga kawani ng PAGASA na sinasabing sanhi nang pangingibang bansa ng mga weather forecaster.
“We are continuously looking into it kasi it’s a concern for us. We have very good weather forecasters. But certainly we would like to address all their concerns, but we have a law to follow, and that’s the reason why we are looking into how do we try to address the concerns within the bounds of the law. But we will certainly ask the DBM as to whether this issue on hazard pay, as who is covered by the hazard pay, has been resolved,” ani Lacierda.
Kinompirma ni Philippine Weathermen Employees Association (PWEA) President Ramon Agustin, nagbitiw ang tatlo nilang weather forecasters para magtrabaho sa Qatar Bureau of Meteorology.
Ang hindi pagbibigay ng Pagasa ng kanilang mga benepisyo ang ikinatuwiran ng tatlo nang lisanin ang ahensiya.
(ROSE NOVENARIO)