Still stormy SHE SAYS Dinah S. Ventura 07/19/2010

Still stormy

SHE SAYS Dinah S. Ventura 07/19/2010 The story of Basyang’s entry into the Philippine islands had a twist, unexpected yet called for, and we hope it does not have an unhappy ending. The country’s weather authority Pagasa (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) gave its forecast as usual, but typhoons being typhoons, the country’s first for the year sailed in, all fierce winds and not so much rain, changed directions and took Metro Manila by surprise. Debris and many shattered plans, as well as dismay over the metro-wide blackout, marked her exit, but the story did not end there. Though no lives were claimed here, the death toll in other areas was significant. Damage to roads and bridges were reportedly “minimal,” but we were left with the impression that had the storm turned out to be more powerful, we would have been, like always, helpless in the face of it. The twist to this event, meanwhile, was the new president’s stormy mien when he spoke to Pagasa officials — “berating” them, as some have described. Some of these observers have taken the high horse and said President Noynoy Aquino should talk less and do more — meaning, he should provide the funds that Pagasa says it sorely needs. But even these critics must be told off for conveniently forgetting their own reactions whenever a Pagasa forecast ends up wrong or inaccurate, or too late.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100719com7.html

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