The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is urging students to take up meteorology to increase the number of competent weather personnel in the country. CHED chairperson Patricia Licuanan said in a text message to The STAR that the commission considers meteorology a priority area. The CHED supported the development of the first BS Meteorology course by several state universities and colleges (SUCs) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astro-nomical Services Admi-nistration (PAGASA). The official issued the call following reports that the agency faces “brain drain” with veteran weather forecasters allegedly leaving PAGASA for jobs abroad. Reports ABS CBN NEws