DOST: Project NOAH tech to be turned over to PAGASA

Ill-fated disaster risk service Project NOAH is set to be turned over to the national weather agency, according to DOST Sec. Fortunato de la Peña.

In a press statement on Monday, January 30, De la Peña explained that Project NOAH was always a finite initiative, and that it had already reached its targets.

Moreover, he said that Project NOAH's technologies will be transferred to PAGASA and the DOST remains open to new proposals from the project's proponents.

"The project as currently construed ends on February 28. We've been given verbal notice that (the DOST is) not looking to extend or expand it unless we have a new proposal," DOST information officer Rio Marasigan told GMA News Online.

Beginning of the end

"It has to be understood that Research Projects (sic) have start and end dates. In this particular project, the promised deliverables have been met and (are) now ready for adoption and use," De la Peña said.

"It has been made clear by the previous administration at DOST that the project as a research activity has reached its completion and project end date," he underscored.

De la Peña said that Project NOAH began in 2011 and was mostly completed by 2015. The following year, additional targets and deliverables earned the project an extenion—but only up to February 2017. 

Technology turnover

Once this extension has drawn to a close, Project NOAH's technology and output will be turned over to PAGASA.

"Part of the condition (of the extension) was the transfer of the technologies for use in operations in the government agencies who have the relevant mandate," he said.

However, Project NOAH executive director Mahar Lagmay earlier said that the problem is not one of technology transfer but of brain drain.

Scientists' exodus

According to Lagmay, funding delays have long beleaguered the project, resulting in a mass exodus of its top scientists and researchers.

"(It would be) at least two to three months before scientists and researchers will get paid. Last year, it was five months because our proposal to continue was disapproved; we just made an appeal," he said.

"Two years ago, researchers' salaries were delayed by three to four months! How will they eat? For researchers who have families, what will they provide to their children?" an exasperated Lagmay told GMA News Online.

Lagmay also told GMA News Online that the legislature's call to institutionalize Project NOAH came too late: the so-called "Project NOAH Bill" proceeded at a glacial pace, and much of the project's skilled personnel had already left even before the bill could take off the ground.

However, De la Peña said that the turnover of Project NOAH's core technologies already addresses this need.

Passing the torch

"The outcome or result of Project NOAH is now due for use and adoption, specifically by PAGASA. Its adoption by PAGASA ensures the NOAH tools will be institutionalized," De la Peña assured.

In any case, De la Peña said that the DOST is open to funding new initiatives.

"If (a) researcher has a new project proposal in a related area, it can be submitted, evaluated and considered for funding," De la Peña concluded. — GMA News