DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur (PIA) -- The local government of Digos City in Davao del Sur and he Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forged an agreement for the establishment of a weather station in the area. 

The Digos City mayor Jose Fortich Cagas and PAGASA Officer-In-Charge/Administrator Dr. Nathaniel Servando signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), Sept. 19, to spell out the commitments and responsibilities of the two parties. 

Servando said the Digos City Government has allocated a 3,000-square meter lot for the establishment of a weather station in Barangay Igpit, Digos City which can be expanded into a Doppler Radar Station in the future.

“Senator Francis Tolentino inserted P110 million into the PAGASA budget to establish ten new stations, nationwide,” he said.

He revealed that of the 10 weather stations, four are located in Mindanao, particularly in Digos City in Davao del Sur, Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur, Kabacan in  North Cotabato and Lamitan in Basilan.

“Local media can immediately use our data without going to cities of Davao and General Santos because our data is now available,” he said.

He added that the signing of the memorandum of agreement is a start of a meaningful collaboration with the City Government of Digos and PAGASA, adding that PAGASA will hire residents of Digos City as weathermen.

On the other hand, Mayor Cagas hopes that more national offices will be stationed in Digos City like PAGASA as these could bring development to city.  (JSGD-Davao del Sur)