FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
572 
) 
) 
) 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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 farmer 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 our 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. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 572 
) 
) 
) 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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 House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title., - This Act shall be known as the "PAGASA 
Modernization Act of 2010." 
SEC. 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. 
SEC. 3. Purposes of Modernization. - 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. 
SEC. 4. Duration of the Modernization Program. - To enhance weather 
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. 
SEC. 5. Components of Modernization. - The modernization program 
shall adopt a four-pronged approach, as follows: 
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a. Establishment of regional weather service centers in strategic areas in 
the country to broaden the PAGASAs bases for delivery of services to 
each region; 
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. 
SEC. 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 volume of detailed information. It shall also establish an efficient 
human resources development program emphasizing on professional education, 
training and research. 
' 
SEC. 7. PAGASA Modernization Oversight 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. 
SEC. 8. PAGASA Modernization Fund. - There is hereby created the 
PAGASA Modernization Fund which shall be used exclusively to fund its 
modernization program, The Fund shall include 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 for a period of six years 
from the effectivity of this Act. 
SEC. 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 pursuant to 
this Act. 
SEC. 10. Cost Recovery Measures. - The PAGASA 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 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. 


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SEC. 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. 
SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - If any 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. 
SEC. 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. 
SEC. 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,