PAGASA

INAUGURATION OF THE PAGASA DOPPLER RADAR IN LAOANG NORTHERN SAMAR

19 April 2023

PRESS RELEASE
Laoang, Northern Samar
19 April 2023

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) inaugurates another state-of-the-art radar facility this Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Brgy. Binaticlan of this municipality.

The Laoang Radar is the 19^th Doppler Radar currently operated by PAGASA. It is a C-Band Dual Polarization Solid State Weather Radar with a 480-km radial range, similar to the one installed in Cataingan, Masbate, which was inaugurated and operationalized in August 2022. The Laoang project has a total budget of about P150 million, with the bulk of the funds used to purchase and install the radar equipment, while the remaining was for the construction of the radar building, provision of access road and other civil works. The establishment of this facility is part of its growing network of operational weather observation facilities for DOST-PAGASA to strengthen the agency’s capacities in enhancing the accuracy of its forecasts and warnings for extreme weather events. It is expected to greatly improve PAGASA's capability to monitor the development and tracking of heavy rain-causing weather systems such as thunderstorms, tropical cyclones and other extreme events. This will ultimately save lives, livelihood and properties for maximum economic and social benefits for the people.

The radar station in Laoang is a significant addition to the country's networks of weather observation facilities, as it can help enhance the coverage, monitoring, and tracking of any weather systems that may affect the country. Additional radars are crucial for it provides increased accuracy and redundancy in detecting and tracking severe weather systems.

For any queries or clarification, please contact Ms. Nancy Lance SLPRSD Chief at mobile numbers 0917-5064154, 0998-5859327 or through email address nmtlnace@gmail.com or through Mr. Alreb Ubaldo, the Chief Met Officer of PAGASA Laoang Radar at 0966-3529490 or via email address alreb1913@gmail.com

VICENTE B. MALANO, Ph.D.
Administrator