NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
A reading thru the history of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) 
would show that it was the eruption and the resulting casualties and damages from Hibok-hibok 
Volcano in 1951 that precipitated the creation of the Commission on Volcanology (COMVOL) 
Republic Act No. 766. 
PHIVOLCS went thru changes until Executive Order No. 128 (January 30, 1987), which granted 
it its present mandates. 
It is high time that we modernized PHIVOLCS to be able to meet the demands of the current times 
and to be able to take advantage of the numerous advancements in technology. We need to 
modernized PHIVOLCS to ensure that it can continue to perform its functions and for the country 
to be able to fulfill its commitments to international volcanology and seismology agreements. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
March 6, 2023
11:05 am
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
  AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR MODERNIZATION FUNDING TO THE PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF 
VOLCANOLOGY AND SEISMOLOGY (PHIVOLCS), AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. TITLE – This act shall be known as the “PHIVOLCS Modernization Act”. 
SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY – It is hereby a declared policy of the state to provide 
timely and quality information and services for warning, 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 issues warnings 
as necessary. 
The State is mandated to mitigate disasters that may arise from such and other related 
geotectonic phenomena. 
SECTION 3. PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization program under this Act shall 
be implemented for an initial period of two (2) years: 
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred under this Act may 
extend beyond this period: 
Provided, further, That PHIVOLCS shall continue to modernize and constantly update its 
operational capabilities to keep pace with best global practices. 
SECTION 4. PHIVOLCS MODERNIZATION 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 (₱3,000,000,000.00) 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 Five hundred million pesos
(₱1,500,000,000.00) per year shall be released to the PHIVOLCS. The entire
amount of Three billion pesos (₱3,000,000,000.00), including any interest income
thereon, shall be used exclusively for capital outlay; and
(b) Loans, grants, bequests, and donations whether from local or foreign sources.
The Secretary of the DOST with the approval of the NEDA and subsequently the
Department of Finance (DOF) is hereby granted the authority to enter into loan
agreements with foreign financial institutions.
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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. 
 
SECTION 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. 
 
SECTION 6. APPROPRIATIONS – 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 modernization 
program, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). 
 
SECTION 7. TRANSITORY PROVISION – 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 IRR or such other period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this 
Act. 
 
SECTION 8. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The departments and agencies 
charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity 
of this Act, formulate the necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
 
SECTION 9. REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, 
or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SECTION 10. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act 
is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected 
thereby. 
 
SECTION 11. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation 
whichever comes earlier. 
 
Approved,