FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. No.l039 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Philippines is an agricultural country, almost half of the country's middle and low income' 
earners derived their source of living from the crops they plant, which takes at least three (3) 
months of cultivation before they finally enjoy the fruits of their labor. The success of this kind of . 
livelihood is unquestionably dependent on the weather prevailing at the time of cultivation up to 
the time of harvest, in other words, the risks undertaken by the farmers are so incomparable, 
considering that the industry and labor that they contributed in the cultivation of the crops will 
just perish by a single sweep of typhoon' in the country, 
It is undeniable that being an oriental country, the recurrence of natural calamities in the 
country is something to be expected. Just last year and even this year, we have been affronted 
with numerous typhoons and floods that triggered hundreds of millions of pesos of property 
damage and even claimed many lives. 
It is ironic however, that PAGASA, which is supposed to be the forerunner of weather 
information, cannot serve the purpose of its existence. There were times where PAGASA 
disseminated erroneous forecast or the forecast came in belatedly, these inadvertent errors are . 
not attributable to the people composing the said Agency, but rather to the antiquated apparatus 
or equipment they use. In some count~ies, they spend millions of dollars for the modernization 
of weather forecasting, the rationale is to forestall or at least minimize that damage that a 
calamity will surely bring forth. With correct and reliable weather forecasting, the damage is 
lessened because before the calamity strikes, preparation has already been established for said 
purposes. 
In our country, we can see no reasons why we cannot modernize our weather 
forecasting, we have more reasons to modernize our weather forecasting because our country , 
is considered a typhoon-belt, and not to mention that we are in an agricultural country. It is 
highly imperative that we should also 'contemplate the welfare of the farmers by giving them . 
accurate weather information for their own protection. 
Some of our government agencies already embarked in the modernization program, in 
fact some of them are already modernized, the GSIS and SSS have their own electronic cards 
in their transactions, if these agencies were able to modernize then. there is no reason why we 
should deprive the PAGA.SA of the modernization which has long been sought There is more 
paramount and transcendental reason of the PAGASA modernization, it is not only because it , 
would effectively thwart gigantic property damage but from the holistic point of view it will save . 
us from the possible economic collapse. 
In view of the foregoing, approvC\1 of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MANJZL~" M. LAPID 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No.1 039 
) 
) 
) 
?S 7 'ED·av :-1~~-·-.-: 
! 
Introduced by Senator Manuel ';Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING 
FOR 
THE 
MODERNIZATION 
OF 
THE 
PHILIPPINE 
ATMOSPHERIC 
GEOPHYSICAL 
AND 
ASTRONOMICAL 
SERVICES 
ADMINISTRATION (PAGASA), PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFORE AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 
1. 
Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "PAGASA: 
Modernization Act of 2010." 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to improve weather forecasting in the country and to ensure its accuracy and timely 
dissemination to the public. Towards this end. the State shall undertake the 
modernization of the national weather service to ensure the safety and well-being of the 
people and to ensure national progress. 
In the implementation of the foregoing policy. the State shall, in accordance with 
the provision 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 the 
educational projects and programs in storm signals, the devel6pment of typhoons, 
climatic changes, and other related information; and 
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c. 
Upgrade, modernize and procure state-of-the-art weather and geophysical 
equipment, instruments and facilities, and the application of new technologies to 
improve our capabilities in providing timely and reliable forecasting, warning services, 
and information for agriculture, transportation, and other industries across the country. 
SEC. 3. 
Components of Modernization. - To realize improved and 
enhance weather and flood forecasting, climate monitoring/prediction and astronomical 
and associated services, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical 
Services Administration (PAGASA) shall undertake an six (6) year modernization 
program. Towards this end, the PAGASA shall adopt the following four-pronged 
principal approach, in the order of priority: 
a. 
Establishment of regional weather service centers strategic areas in the 
country to broaden the agency's bases for delivery of service to the countryside. 
b. 
Modernization of physical resources and operational techniques through 
acquisition of state-of-the-art instruments, equipment and facilities, with emphasis on 
weather 
and 
flood 
monitoring 
and 
warning 
system 
and 
ago-meteorological 
observational system to strengthen services for agriculture; 
c. 
Intensification of human resources development to keep at pace with the 
rapid scientific and technological advances; 
d. 
Upgrading of research and development capability through a more 
rationalized and totally integrated approach and identified activities, with focus on 
improvement of operations, as well as the development of specialized services for cost 
recovery. 
SEC. 4. 
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, 
whenever 
possible 
satellite-based 
communication network, super-computers for data processing analysis and forecasting, 
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and computer based workstations for generating increased volume for detailed 
information. It shall also establish an efficient human resources development program 
that emphasizes on professional education, training and research. 
SEC. 5. 
PAGASA Modernization Oversight Committee. 
-
There is 
hereby created a Modernization Oversight Committee composed of the Secretary of 
Science and Technology, the Director of the PAGASA , the Chairperson of the 
Congressional Committee on Science and Technology, and a representative from the 
Office of the President, through the Project Monitoring Staff of the National Economic 
and Development Authority 
(NEDA), who shall oversee the implementation of the 
modernization program provided under this Act. The Committee shall be chaired by the 
Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). 
SEC. 6. 
PAGASA Modernization Fund. - There is hereby created the 
PAGASA Modernization Fund which shall be used exclusively to fund the modernization 
program which shall include whatever funds may be made available from, but not 
limited to, the following sources: 
a. 
A portion of the net income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming 
Corporation (PAGCOR) to be taken from the fifty percent (50%) share of the National 
Government. 
b. 
Loans, grants, bequests, and donations whether from local or foreign 
sources. The Secretary of the DOS.T with the approval of the National Economic and 
Development Authority (NEDA) and subsequently the Department of Finance (OOF) is 
hereby granted the authority to enter into loan agreements with foreign financial 
institutions. 
SEC. 7. 
Cost Recovery Measures. - The PAGASA, with the approval of 
the OOST Secretary, shall implement a sustainable cost recovery program that will 
allow it to earn revenue from its issuance of specialized weather information, 
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, 
certifications, and scientific and technical publications for which the necessary 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 starting six (6) years after the 
effectivity of this Act, for the operation and maintenance of the equipment acquired 
during the modernization program; Provided, however, 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. 
SEC. 8. 
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 TechT)ology a quarterly report on the progress of the 
modernization program for the duration of its implementation. 
SEC. 9. 
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. 
SEC. 10. 
Separability Clause. -
The provisions of this Act are hereby 
declared to be separable, and in the event anyone or more of such provisions are held 
unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected. 
SEC. 11. 
Effectivity Clause . . 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, 
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