Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HouseBfii~iro.6457
Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA
2nd District, Ilocos Norte
EXPIANAIORY NOTE
The  role  of  the  Philippine  Institute  of  Volcanology  and  Seismology'
(PHIVOLCS) is of utmost importance in protecting life and property of the people.
One of the agency's primary mandates is to formulate appropriate disaster plans
and generate sufficient data for forecasting volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.1
The data gathered by PHIVOLCS are helpful and beneficial in preparation to any
geotectonic  disaster  that  may  arise  unexpectedly  and  unprecedentedly.   In
addition to forecasting, PHIVOLCS is likewise responsible for interpreting these
data  and  disseminating  these  to  national  and  local  agencies  and  the  general
public.
Therefore,  it is imperative that PHIVOLCS be equipped with necessary
funding in order to fully optimize the agency's potential and capability in aiding
the   community   to   lay   the   groundwork   in   disaster   preparedness   and
communication.
This House Bill seeks to provide modemization funding to PHIVOLCS and
accordingly ensure that the agency is equipped with modemized technology and
better mechanisms in addressing the needs of changing times, especially in terms
of disaster forecasting and information dissemination.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.
1  About PHIVOLCS. (n.d.). PH/VO[CS. Retrieved November 21, 2022, from
https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/about-us/about-phivolcs


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HouseBifiiro.  6457
Introduced by Rep. ANGEI.0 MARCOS IIARBA
2nd District, Ilocos Norte
ANAor
PROVIDING FOR MODERNIZATION FUNDING TO THE
PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE 0F VOLCANOLOGY AND SEISM0IjoGY
(pHIVOLes), AND FOR OTHER puRpOsEs
Pe il enacted by  the  Senate and the  House Of Represeritc[tiDes Of the
Philippines in Congress asse:mbled:
SEcrloN 1. Short Ti.tie. - This Act shall be known as the "PHIVOLCS
Modernization Act of 2o22."
SECI'I0N 2. DecJarc[ft.ori a/Poll.ey. - It is hereby a declared policy of the
State to provide timely and quality information  and services for waning,
disaster  preparedness  and  mitigation,  as  part  of the  strategic  initiatives,
earthquake, and volcanic hazards and risk assessments are carried out by the
PHIVOLCS.
The State shall monitor volcano, earthquake, and tsunami activity, and
issue warnings as necessary.
The State is likewise mandated to mitigate disasters that may arise from
such and other related geotectonic phenomena.
SEcrloN 3. Pert.od o/ Jmpzemenfah.on. -The modernization program
under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of two (2) years:
Proui.did,  That  payments  for  multi-year  contract  obligations  incurred
under this Act may extend beyond this period;
Prat;I.did, Jitrfher,  That  PHIVOLCS  shall  continue  to  modemize  and
constantly update its operational capabilities to keep pace with best global
practices.
SECTION 4. PHTVOLCS Modemizan.on Fund. - There is hereby created
the PHIVOLCS Modernization Fund to be used exclusively for the PHIVOLCS
Modernization Program.
The PHIVOLCS Modernization Fund shall be sourced from the following:


(a) The amount of Three billion pesos (P3,ooo,ooo,ooo.oo) to be taken
from the share of the National Government in the gross income of the
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). For two
(2) years after the effectivity of this Act, the amount of One billion and
five  hundred  million  pesos  (P1,5oo,ooo,ooo.oo)  per  year  shall  be
released to the PHIVOLCS. The entire amount of Three billion pesos
(P3,ooo,ooo,ooo.oo), including any interest income therein, shall be
used exclusively for capital outlay.
a) I.oans, grants, bequests, and donations, whether from local or foreign
sources. - The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST), with the approval of the National Economic and Development
Authority  (NEDA),  and  subsequently  the  Department  of  Finance
(DOF), is hereby granted the authority to enter into loan agreements
with foreign financial institutions.
The  PHIVOLCS  Modernization  Fund  shall  be  administered  by  the
Administrator   of   the   PHIVOLCS   in   accordance   with   existing
government    budgeting,    accounting,    and    auditing    rules    and
regulations.
SEcrloN 5. Progress Report. - The Administrator of the PHIVOLCS
shall prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the
PHIVOLCS  Modernization  Program which shall be submitted, through the
Secretary  of the  DOST,  to  the  President  and  to  the  Chairpersons  of the
Committees  on  Science  and  Technology  of the  Senate  and  the  House  of
Representatives.
SECI`I0N 6. Appropri.afrous. - The amount necessary to carry out the
implementation of this Act shall be initially charged against the current fiscal
year appropriations of the DOST-PHIVOLCS.
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the
modemization    program,    shall    be    included   in    the    annual    General
Appropriations Act (GAA).
SECI'ION  7.  Trausitony  Prout.si.on.  -  Existing  industries,  businesses,
and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given six (6)
months transitory period from the effectivity of the Implementing Rules and
Regulations (IRR) or such other period as may be determined, to comply with
the requirements of this Act.
SEC"O" 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The depaLrtments
and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act shall, within
si]rty (6o) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the necessary rules
and regulations for its effective implementation.
SECI'I0N 9.    Separabizifty Clause. -If any provision of this Act shall be
held  unconstitutional  or  invalid,  the  remaining  provisions  which  are  not
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.


I.I,   .,
SECI'I0N lo. RepeaJ2.7ig CJc[use. -    Any provision of law, decree, order,
rule  or  regulation  inconsistent  with  this  Act  is  hereby  repealed  and/or
modified accordingly.
SECI'ION 11. Ejrectr.tjifty. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the O#crdJ Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,