Localizing data for climate change hazards sought

DAVAO CITY, June 24 (PIA) Members of the academic community urged government to come up with a more specific data on the impact of hazards  on the communities brought about by climate change.

Speaking at the Watershed Summit 2014 at the Ateneo De Davao University,  Dr. Lourdes Simpol, director for the Tropical Institute for Climate Studies at the Ateneo de Davao University observed the data given by the government through the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Space Administration covers a large number of areas and does not convey its impact on the local situation.

She cited the big difference in the data taken from various rain monitoring stations in a pineapple plantation in Polomolok, South Cotabato to the rain-gauge in a government weather station based in General Santos City.

Simpol said the two areas have different rainfall pattern despite the nearness of its location.

“We do not have data on the local level, and what we get are data which is more macro than micro,” she said.

Simpol said their institute intends to come up with forecasting on a watershed level that needs to be learned and studied.

Fr. Daniel Mcnamara SJ, an astro-geophysicist at the ADDU said a specific data on impact of hazards can guide the people on how to prepare, and cope with the impending disaster.

He said storms hitting Mindanao simply indicate that the island is no longer typhoon-free.

City Administrator Melchor Quitain cited the need for the city to strike a balance between the use of water and development.

He said more agricultural  investors intend to put up businesses that harness water.

Quitain said the new investments will surely benefit people in Marilog and Paquibato Districts respectively, who are mostly poor farmers.

“People in these areas are marginalized and the entry of investors is a way of uplifting their way of life,” he said.

Quitain said the city has positioned itself to protect the watershed.

He said the city government is always open to all suggestions from the private sectors and ordinary residents.

“Much water or lack of it, you and I are directly affected,” Quitain said. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)