Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City 1.0 SEP 2013

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo.__2802 =

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE
ATMOSPHERIC, GEOPHYSICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION (PAGASA), PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The onslaught of several natural disasters in recent years has strengthened the
calls to modernize the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA) in order to enhance its capability in providing services to
protect the people and the environment from perennial natural hazards. Last year
alone, typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng devastated the Philippines leaving most parts of
the country submerged for months. Some quarters blamed PAGASA's lack of foresight
and outmoded equipment and facilities as the culprit. But just this recently, the second
typhoon which reached Philippine shores, typhoon Basyang, made another mockery of
PAGASA's capabilities when it directly hit Metro Manila, a far cry from the weather
station's bold forecast that it will not, in any way, affect NCR. All of these show that no
matter how bright and intellectual personnel we put in PAGASA, as long as they do not
have advanced and cutting-edge equipment to get the job done, our people and their
properties will continue to suffer from natural disasters.

Several significant advances in the technologies used in monitoring
meteorological and geological developments however have proven useful tools in
mitigating the perils associated with natural disasters. Accordingly, it would be in

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everyone's best interest to equip PAGASA with these modern day breakthroughs so
that we can all become better prepared in dealing with natural calamities.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

DIOSDADO agp, ARROYO GLORIA/MACAPAGAL ARROYO

Second District, Camarines Sur Secgnd District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2802

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE
ATMOSPHERIC, GEOPHYSICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL
SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (PAGASA), PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the "The PAGASA
Modernization Act of 2013."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared to be the policy of
the State to utilize scientific knowledge and information as an effective instrument
to ensure the safety, well-being and economic seourity of the people; to promote
national progress and to contribute to regional socioeconomic development
through various applications of meteorology, geophysics and space sciences.
Towards this end, the State shall undertake the modernization of the Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
to elevate its technological and operational capacity to effectively and efficiently
perform its mandate

SECTION 3. Objectives. — Pursuant to the foregoing policy, the PAGASA
modernization program shall be implemented in accordance with the following
objectives:


‘A. To upgrade physical resources and operational
techniques through acquisition of state-of-the-art instruments,
equipment and facilities to enhance current capabilities in providing
timely and reliable forecasting, warning services for the general
public, and information for agriculture, transportation, and other
industries across the country;

B. To raise the research and development capability and
human resource development, adopting a rationalized and
integrated approach, with focus on improvement of operations for
specialized services and cost recovery;

C. To develop mechanisms for integrating disaster
management and socioeconomic development planning at the
national and local levels;

D. To establish regional weather service centers in
strategic areas in the country to broaden the agency's bases for
delivery of service to the countryside; and

E. To cultivate greater awareness by the public of
weather systems, the progress of typhoons, climatic changes, and
other related information through the educational projects and
programs.

F, To develop a technology-based and financially self-
sufficient data center which will serve as the central information
station for real time weather updates available to every individual
and for the Philippines typhoon preparedness plan.

SECTION 4. Manpower Training. - The three (3) year modernization plan
shall include a manpower training component that shall include undergraduate
and post-graduate degree training sub-components. Scholarships shall be
provided for undergraduate and graduate degree trainings. The University of the
Philippines Los Banos is mandated, along with the Bicol University, the Central
Luzon State University, the Mariano Marcos State University, the Pamantasan ng
Maynila, and the Visayas State University to offer an undergraduate degree
program in Meteorology within three (3) years from the enactment of this Act.
Other state and private universities and colleges may likewise offer a Bachelor of
Science in Meteorology.

SECTION 5. Period of Implementation. — The modernization program under
this Act shall be implemented over a period of three (3) years: Provided,
however, that payments for amortization of outstanding multi-year contract
obligations incurred under this Act may extend beyond this period.


SECTION 6. Formulation and Submission of PAGASA Modernization
Program. ~ The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
and the Director of PAGASA, in coordination with the Secretary of the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Director-General of the
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), shall be responsible for
formulating the PAGASA Modernization Program based on the policy objectives
provided in this Act.

Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the
DOST shall submit to the President the PAGASA Modernization Program for final
approval

SECTION 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current fiscal year
appropriations of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the
modernization program shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations
Act.

The abovestated amount maybe augmented by grants, bequests,
contributions and donations whether local or foreign sources: Provided, That,
acceptance of grants, bequests, contributions and donations from foreign
governments shall be subject to the approval of the President upon the
recommendations of the Secretaries of the Department of Science and
Technology and Department of Foreign Affairs.

SECTION 8. Progress Report. - The Director of PAGASA shall prepare an
annual report on the status of the implementation of the PAGASA Modernization
Program. The annual report 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 House of Representatives.

SECTION 9. Cost Recovery Measures. - The PAGASA, with the approval
of the DOST Secretary, shall implement a sustainable cost recovery program that
will allow it to earn revenue from its issuance of specialized weather information
certifications, and scientific and technical publications for which the necessary
fees can be charged; Provided that, the fees collected shall be deposited as
income of the General Fund; Provided, further, that no fees shall be charged on
the issuance of regular and special reports to the general public that affect
national safety, weather, and economy, and such other relevant data

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.


SECTION 11. 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 12. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,