Yesterday, the newly elected president of the Philippines (Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, the son of a former president and an assassinated opposition leader) took a shot at the national weather service, here. Why? Well, how about this. A major typhoon was on its way to this part of the world and a good section of it was going to hit Metro Manila (with possible deadly force). The only problem was that no one knew about it. That’s right, the Philippine government’s weather service failed to predict that a typhoon would hit the capital city (!!!)
This is why I awoke to incredible winds and a power blackout that lasted till late the next afternoon. While cruising in a tricycle to get some groceries (Wednesday is my oDesk payday), I was astonished at the number of downed trees in the area. Sadly, the death toll was at 10 (with 40 missing), the last time I checked. In one instance, a tree fell on a house, killing 2 kids in their beds (!!) And to think – they went to bed thinking that it was just going to “rain a little”. Good job, national weather service! (Click here for more info).
That was really some typhoon. Kept me awake most of the time. Weather service admitted the problem was in tossing the latest update fast enough. They’re still using 2-way radios in most of their field stations. Sad thing is some wise guy made a spin making it appear the president was a hands on top honcho. Politicians like him should have already known about it from long ago.
Gloria should have had it fixed years ago.