DOST-PAGASA inaugurates its new synoptic weather station in San Ildefonso, Bulacan. Located in Purok 2, Barangay Palapala, this is the first and only operational synoptic weather station in the province and is equipped with the latest observational instruments to provide accurate weather data for the community. Through the collaborative efforts between PAGASA and the provincial and local government of Bulacan, this facility will serve as a valuable resource for stakeholders aiming to support public services and local development through science, technology, and innovation.

PAGASA Administrator Dr. Nathaniel Servando led the ceremonial inauguration of the San Ildefonso, Bulacan synoptic weather station on Thursday, 18 July 2024. In his welcoming remarks, Administrator Servando said that the station will represent and will put the province in weather maps to be used by meteorologists locally and abroad. The station is also being manned by competent PAGASA personnel who hails from Bulacan, something that the province can be proud of. The Administrator also added that this new facility is equipped with state-of-the-art and standard weather instruments used in observation which is operational 24/7 year-round, highlighting the importance of this new installation to various stakeholders in the province and in the community. Despite the challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the station is finally open since its initial groundbreaking four years ago. Dr. Servando also thanked all who helped establish this new facility, from the officials and personnel of DOST PAGASA to the local government of the Municipality of San Ildefonso, and the Province of Bulacan.

DOST Assistant Secretary for Development Cooperation Asec. Rodolfo Calzado, Jr. also attended the inauguration ceremonies and represented DOST top management officials to this occasion. “This event reflects the joint vision of both the DOST and the local government of Bulacan in creating a resilient, sustainable and prosperous community through leveraging the advancement of science, technology, and innovation (STI)”, Asec Calzado said in his message. He also congratulated the DOST-PAGASA and the provincial and local government of Bulacan for their partnership in providing invaluable insights on the weather for the benefit of all. Asec. Calzado also delivered a message on behalf of the DOST Undersecretary for S&T Services Usec Maridon O. Sahagun, where she stressed that the establishment of San Ildefonso synoptic weather station opens doors for many opportunities to improving early warning services, and through the advances achieved in the realms of STI to support government and the public to prepare and respond against the effects of various hydrometeorological disasters such as floods, landslides, storm surges, and extreme climate events.

Assistant Regional Director Belen Garcia of the DOST Regional Office III also gave a message on behalf of Dr. Julius Caesar V. Sicat, Regional Director of DOST3. In her message, she highlighted that the Philippines ranked as the topmost country prone to natural hazards and 4th highest in terms of exposure, according to the World Risk Index report of 2023 with up to 60% of the total land area exposed to multiple hazards and 74% of the population is vulnerable to disasters, with extreme weather events identified as the topmost being experienced according to the global risk perception survey of the World Economic Forum in 2024. She added that the greater Metro Manila Area encompassing provinces surrounding the NCR, which include the province of Bulacan, are some of the highly urbanized areas of the country that experienced some of the worst disasters in history like tropical cyclones and floods. “The public can now source out or gather weather information anytime, and more so during inclement weather in order to have direct access to real-time weather information”, ARD Garcia said. She also mentioned some of the important weather instruments and

meteorological data that the station will manage in order to be used by the Public and the community where it is situated. “The establishment of San Ildefonso synoptic station will allow greater protection of local communities against various hydro-meteorological hazards by strengthening end-to-end local early warning service, thereby enhancing local capacity on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management”, ARD Garcia added.

Local chief executives acknowledged with profound thanks this notable development in their community. Barangay Palapala’s Chairperson Ronillo Fajardo expressed his gratitude to PAGASA and the Municipality of San Ildefonso, for their unwavering support in putting in place the new synoptic weather station in the barangay. He stressed the importance of this vital infrastructure will greatly benefit their community. The Mayor of the Municipality of San Ildefonso, Honorable Fernando Galvez, Jr on the other hand, conveyed his appreciation to the DOST-PAGASA for this historic inauguration of the first-ever operational synoptic station in the province of Bulacan. Mayor Galvez emphasized that this invaluable resource will significantly aid the farmers in their community, ensuring their preparedness and enhancing their ability to plan and protect their lives and livelihoods as well.

Other attendees to the event include Bulacan Provincial DRRMO spearheaded by Mr. Manny Lukban, Mr. Jethrojay P. Guzman, Head of the Municipal DRRMO-Planning & Research Unit, Barangay Pala-pala Captain Ronillo Fajardo, Barangay Officials and the community, Bulacan Agricultural State College-Liping Tagalog Folkloric Group, PAGASA Sining Amihan Choir, and the DOST-PAGASA San Ildefonso Synoptic Station Inauguration Core Group headed by National Capital Region-PAGASA Regional Services Division (NCR-PRSD).