"Lawmaker pushes higher salary for scientists"
This call came in light of the 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Negros Oriental and other parts of Visayas last Monday, February 6th, that caused casualties as well as road and property damage. According to the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), they are aware of the existence of these major fault lines but the incomplete geohazard map and study is due to their lack of experts in the regional office to finish the mapping.
“They invest their time, energy and knowledge in making the rest of the country assured that we are able to manage ourselves in times of calamities, yet we cannot compensate them properly to have them receive what they deserve.” Palmones says.
He adds that having an attractive pay will prevent our scientists from accepting job offers in other countries. Like the story of PAGASA where meteorologists flee the country for a better job offer, PHIVOLCS have encountered the same problem with their geologists.
“The attractive compensation will also attract college students to think of taking up science courses like Geology, Engineering, and hopefully in the near future, Meteorology,” Palmones continues. “An addition to our pool of experts who exert passion and value to their job is what our country needs now given the natural phenomena that we encounter each year.”
Palmones is the author of HB 2004 and HR 85, both on the exemption of PAGASA employees from the SSL and providing for their salary scale. Congressman Palmones and the AGHAM Party-list have also ongoing discussions on launching a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology program to be offered in SUC’s in the coming school year. (Anne Mateo/ AGHAM Party-list)
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