Palace stands by decision to sack PAGASA chief Nilo

Malacañang is standing by its decision to sack Dr. Prisco Nilo as the head of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) despite some quarters' defense of the seasoned meteorologist. In an ambush interview at the Department of Foreign Affairs, President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III said he is supporting Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Mario Montejo, who reportedly has "irreconcilable" differences with Nilo. "He has really been trying to come to terms with Dr. Nilo but there are fundamental differences to the task at hand and I support my secretary's position on the matter," Aquino told reporters. "If they are not of one, therefore [the] services of PAGASA cannot be improved, therefore the secretary has been given the authority to look for that individual that he can work with him better," he added. On Friday, Aquino announced he was firing Nilo because of the latter's differences with the DOST. Placed as PAGASA officer-in-charge for three months was DOST undersecretary for research and development Graciano Yumul, who served as PAGASA OIC in 2005. Nilo's removal came three weeks after Aquino reprimanded PAGASA for failing to predict that Typhoon Basyang would hit Metro Manila. Aquino said Nilo "never really bothered to explain" why Typhoon Basyang moved in a different direction. 'Difference of opinion' At a press briefing in Malacañang, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda explained that the "differences" between Montejo and Nilo were about new "methods" Montejo wants to introduce in PAGASA. "There seems to be a difference of opinion between the secretary and Prisco Nilo on what's the proper orientation of PAGASA," said Lacierda. Lacierda said Malacañang is standing by its decision despite the call of Agham party-list Rep. Angelo Palmenos for Aquino to reinstate Nilo. In an interview with GMA News' "24 Oras" on Friday, Palmones said: "Ako personal na nakikiusap on behalf of the science community, nakikiusap tayo sa pangulo to reconsider (I am asking the president in behalf of the science community to reconsider)." Palmones said he personally witnessed Nilo and other state meteorologists working overtime at their offices to monitor the movement of Typhoon Domeng. According to the lawmaker, 27 forecasters and weather experts have left PAGASA in the last five years because of better offers from foreign weather bureaus, leaving only around five senior weather forecasters in PAGASA. One of the latest to leave was popular forecaster and PAGASA spokesman Nathaniel Cruz, also known as Mang Tani, who has departed for Australia. The lawmaker urged Malacañang to set aside politics and focus instead on preparing for the upcoming weather disturbance, adding that PAGASA needs around P6 billion in the next five years to modernize its equipment and improve the capability of its personnel. No politics? But Lacierda insists that no politics was involved in the decision to let Nilo go. "Wala pong bahid pulitiko yung pag alis kay Ginoong Nilo (There was no politics involved in the decision to fire Nilo)," he said, adding that Nilo will be returning to the DOST to do "special studies." Lacierda said the "re-orientation" of PAGASA, which he said would be best explained by Montejo, would prepare the weather bureau for upcoming storms and typhoons. "Yung P1.8 billion na hinihingi ng PAGASA, di po siguro kelangan ng ganun kalaking halaga para mas maging reliable ang weather division ng ating bansa (Perhaps an amount as big as the P1.8 billion being requested by PAGASA is not needed to make the country's weather division more reliable)," he said. — RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV