SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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) 
SENATE 
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842 
SENATE: BILL NO. ___ 
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. E.JERCI'J.'O 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines has been ravaged by numerous natural 
disasters ranging from floods and thunderstorms to typhoons, 
landslides, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. These natural 
disasters harm the safety and lives of our citizens and cause 
considerable damage to property. Although we wish to avoid these 
natural 
disasters, 
their recurrence 
remains 
highly 
probable 
considering the geographical and climatic conditions of our country. 
As an agricultural country, we are especially vulnerable to the 
destructive effects of natural disasters. Agriculture is the major 
source of livelihood for many of our country's middle and low-
income populations. By its very nature, agricultural cultivation 
requires a high degree of dependence on climate and weather 
conditions for its success and profitability. Our major food staple, 
rice, is a good example - its cultivation follows a cycle of planting 
and harvesting within specific seasons. When a typhoon comes and 
threatens to rip up a rice plantation, the fanner risks incurring huge 
financial losses. In some cases, it is a question of survival, when 
the success of this planting season's harvest determines the 
farmer's capacity to undertake the next. 
Thus, 
the 
importance 
of the 
role 
of the 
Philippine 
Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration 
(PAGASA) as the main government agency tasked to monitor 
research and report weather conditions to the public cannot be 
overemphasized. 
However, our country has experienced the 
occurrence of several natural disasters, some of them deadly, on 
which PAGASA may have failed to give correct and timely 
information due to lack of modern and quality equipment. As a 
result, citizens were not completely warned of dangers to their 
health and safety and apprised of precautions they could take to 
alleviate, if not prevent, damage to their person or property. 


The capacity of PAGASA to rapidly deliver accurate weather 
information is critical in determining oLir ability to properly prepare 
for and handle natural disasters. Such capacity is sought to be 
enhanced through the establishment of a modernization program 
for PAGASA, which this bill proposes. 
The passage of this bill is therefore earnestly sought. 
~ () (~ 
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF TI-IE 
) 
'13 
JUL 17 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Pirsi Regular Session 
} 
SENATE 
SENATE BILL NO. 8 4 :~ 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G, EJERCITO 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE 
ATMOSPHERIC, GEOPHYSICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL 
SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREfOR 
AND fOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the HOllse of Representatives of 
t'he Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title., -
This Act shall be known as the 
"PAGASA Modernization Act of 201.3. " 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the 
State to improve the quality of weather forecasting in the country 
and to ensure its accuracy and timely dissemination to the people. 
Towards this end, the State shall undertake the modernization of 
the national weather service. 
SECTION 
3. 
Purposes of Moderni:.;mtion. 
-
In the 
implementation of the foregoing 
policy, the State shall, 
in 
accordance with the provisions of this Act: 
a. Undertake measures to improve on the current state of 
weather forecasting and warning system in the country; 
b. Cultivate greater awareness by the public of weather 
systems through educational programs on storm Signals, typhoons, 
climatic changes and other related information; 
c. Upgrade, modernize and procure state-of-the-art: weather 
and 
geophysical 
eqUipment 
and 
facilities, 
and 
pursue 
the 
application of new technologies to improve our capabilities in 
providing timely and reliable weather forecasting and warning 


services for agriculture, transportation and other industries across 
the country. 
SECTION 4. Duration of the Moderni2:ation Program. -
To enhance weaUler forecasting, climate monitoring and prediction, 
and 
astronomical 
and 
associated 
services, 
the 
Philippine 
Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration 
(PAGASA) shall undertake a six-year modernization program. 
SECTION 
5. Components of Modemizatiol1. 
-
The 
modernization program shall adopt a four-pronged approach, as 
follows: 
a. Establishment of regional weather service centers in 
strategic areas in the country to broaden the PAGASAs 
bases for delivery of services to each l"e!gion; 
b. 
Modernization of physical resources and operational 
techniques through acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment and 
facilities, with 
emphasis on weather and flood monitoring and 
warning system and agro-
meteorological observational system 
to strengthen services for agriculture; 
c. Intensification of human resources development to keep 
pace with rapid 
international 
scientific 
and 
technological 
advances; 
d. Upgrade of research and development capability through a 
more rationalized 
and 
integrated 
approach, 
with 
focus 
on 
improvement of operations, 
as 
well 
as the 
development of 
specialized services for cost recovery. 
SECTION 6. Program Description. - The modernization 
program under this Act shall principally be a re-tooling of the 
PAGASA with modern equipment and facilities, including but not 
limited to advanced observational and surveillance system for 
meteorological and hydrological elements, and whenever possible 
satellite-based communication network, supercomputers for data 
processing 
analysis 
and 
forecasting, 
and 
computer 
based 
workstations 
for 
generating 
increased 
vo'lume 
of 
detailed 
information. It shall also establish an efficient human resources 
development program emphasizing on professional education, 
training and researcll. 
SECTION 
7. 
PAGASA 
Modernizi1itiol1 
Over!'ight 
Committee. - There is hereby created a Modernization Oversight 
Committee composed of the Chairperson and Members of the 
Congressional Committees on Science and Technology of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives that shall oversee the 


implementation of the modernization program provided under this 
Act. The Committee shall be chaired by the Secretary of the DOST. 
SECTION 8. PAGASA Modernization fund. -
There is 
hereby createcl the PAGASA Modernization Fund which shall be used 
exclusively to fund its modernization program, The F'und shall 
include a portion of the net: income of the PhiUppine Amusement 
and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to be taken from the fifty 
percent (50%) share of the National Government for a period of six 
years from the effectivity of this AcL 
SECTION 9. Loans, Grants, Bequests and Donations. -
The PAGASA is hereby granted the authority to enter into loan 
agreements with, or accept grants, bequests and donations from, 
local or foreign financial institutions plJrSuant to this Act. 
SECTION 10. Cost Recovery Measun~s. - The PAGASA 
shall implement a sustainable cost recovery prooram that will allow 
it to earn revenue from its issuance of specialized weather 
information, certifications, and scientific and tecllnical publications 
from which fees can be charged; Provided, that one hundred 
percent (100%) of the fees collected shall be retained by PAGASA 
for the next twenty (20) years from the effectivity of this Act, for 
the operation and maintenance of the equipment: acquired during 
the modernization program; Provided further, that no fees shall be 
charged on the issuance of regular and special reports to the 
general public that affect national safety, the weather and the 
economy, and such other relevant data. 
SECTION 11. Progress Report. - The Secretary of the 
DOST and the Director of the PAGASA shall submit to the Office of 
the President and the Congressional Committees on Science and 
Technology a quarterly report 
on 
the 
progress 
of 
the 
modernization program for the duration of its implementation. 
SECTION 12. Separability Clause. - If amy provision of this 
Act or any part hereof be declared unconstitutional or invalid the 
remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall 
remain in force and effect. 
SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. 
-
All 
laws, orders, 
proclamations, rules and regulations, or part thereof, which are 
inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 


SECTION 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen 
(15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at 
least two newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,