Building resilience together: DOST-PAGASA, BPSU sign MoA for the Bataan Abucay Doppler Radar Station
08 September 2025 | The DOST-PAGASA and Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) formalizes partnership for the establishment of the Bataan Abucay Doppler radar station through a memorandum of agreement (MoA) signing held at the Amihan Conference Room, PAGASA Central Office, Quezon City. With the funding support from the Office of the President, through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)/National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Bataan Abucay Doppler Radar Station will significantly enhance accuracy of weather forecasts through real-time data enabling local governments to issue timely warnings to communities, and plan disaster responses effectively.
DOST-PAGASA Administrator Dr. Nathaniel T. Servando welcomed BPSU officials led by University President Dr. Ruby Santos-Matibag, Campus Director Dr. Walter Valdez, and Dean of Instruction Dr. Dharell Siano. “Through this significant agreement between our institutions, we not only strenghten our shared commitment to nation-building but also foster collaboration in research, innovation, and capacity-building”, DOST-PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel T. Servando said. Dr. Servando’s appreciation is also extended to the OCD for closely collaborating with DOST-PAGASA in ensuring that lives and welfare of the Filipino people are safeguarded during natural disasters.
Dr. Marcelino Q. Villafuerte II, Deputy Administrator for R&D, also expressed his gratitude to the BPSU for the establishment of the synoptic station in Abucay, Bataan in 2021, “with this signing ceremony, our partnership begins again and we hope that it could futher enhance our collaboration, as we establish our radar station, for students to potentially use our datasets.”
BPSU President Dr. Santos-Matibag highlighted that the signing ceremony is more than just a formal partnership, but a celebration of shared commitment to scientific process and public safety of all Filipinos. She also said that Bataeños are used to warnings pertaining to weather hazards, and this agreement highlights the university’s dedication to supporting research and innovation that address community needs, especially in DRR.
National Capital Region-PAGASA Regional Services Division (NCR-PRSD) Chief Engr. Lorenzo A. Moron thanked BPSU President Dr. Santos-Matibag and all involve, emphasizing that the ceremony today is more than technological advancement, but it also represents our promise to be better stewards of public safety. Other DOST-PAGASA Executive Staff members in attendance were Engr. Juanito Galang (Chief of Weather Division), Ms. Thelma Cinco (Chief of Climatology and Agrometeorology Division), Mr. Michael Bala (OIC of Research & Development and Training Division), and Mr. Oskar Cruz (OIC of HydroMeteorology Division). Alongside the Chiefs are Assistant Weather Services Chiefs Vivien Esquivel of NCR-PRSD and Engr. Arnel Manoos of the Engineering and Technical Services Division, who presented on how the new radar facility could enhance weather monitoring and tropical cyclone tracking across Central Luzon and nearby regions, futher strengthening our early warning systems.
The PAGASA-BPSU Doppler radar station is expected to become a vital tool in strengthening the Philippines’ disaster preparedness, providing more accurate forecasts and timely warnings for the protection of communities across the nation.
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