Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. 6458
Introduced by Rep. ANGEL0 MARCOS BARBA
2nd District, Ilocos Norte
EXPIANATORY NOTT3
The Philippine Atmospheric,  Geophysical,  and Astronomical Services
Administration  (PAGASA)  is the  National  Meteorological  and  Hydrological
Services  (NMHS)  agency  of the  Republic  of the  Philippines.  PAGASA  is
primarily mandated to provide information and dissemination of weather and
climate-related disturbances and updates, thereby assuring safety, well-being,
and economic security. In the same way, the Agency contributes to promoting
national  progress  by  undertaking  scientific  and  technological  services  in
meteorology,   hydrology,   climatology,   astronomy,   and   other   geophysical
sciences.
This  measure  seeks to  provide  additional  modernization funding to
PAGASA to lay the foundation of effective and efficient weather and climate
monitoring and information dissemination. This modernization program will
further strengthen the country's monitoring, mitigation, and response system
for calamities.
In light of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly
sought.
AVGELOm{f;:=i=RA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
6!58
House Bill No.
Introduced by Rep. ANGEL0 MARCOS BARBA
2nd District, Ilocos Norte
AVACT
PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL MODERNIZATION FUNDING
TO THE PHILIPPINE ATMOSPHERIC, GEOPHYSICAL, AND
ASTRONOMICAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (PAGASA) , AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Pe ?I  en.act_ed by  the  SenTI.e .cmd the  House  Of Represenlc[tives  Of the
Philippines in Congress asse:mbled:
SEcrloN  1. Short Titze.  - This Act shall be known as the "PAGASA
ModernizationAct."
SEcrloN 2. DecJaraft.on o/PoJiegr. - It is hereby a declared poliey of the
State  to  apply  scientific  and  technical  knowledge  and  information  as  an
effective instmment to ensure the safety, well-being, and economic security of
the people; to safeguard the environment; and to promote national progress
and sustainable socioeconomic development through various applications of
meteorology,  geophysics,  astronomy,  and  allied  sciences.  The  State  also
recognizes the  need to  strengthen the  capability of government personnel
tasked to provide atmospheric, geophysical, astronomical, and other weather
and climate-related services and inforlnation to the public.
The   State   shall   undertake   the   modemization   of   the   Philippine
Atmospheric,    Geophysical,    and   Astronomical    Services    Administration
(PAGASA)  to improve its technological  operational  capacity,  strengthen its
role as the premier national weather agency, and to attain its vision as a center
of excellence for weather-related information services.
SEorloN 3. Pen.od o/Jmpzemenfafron. -The modemization program
underthisActshallbeimplementedforaninitialperiodoftwo(2)years:
Prout.did,  That  payments  for  multi-year  contract  obligations  incurred
under this Act may extend beyond this period;
Prot)ided,  Jitrther,  That   PAGASA  shall  continue  to  modemize  and
constantly update its operational capabilities to keep pace with best global
practices.


SEorl0N 4. P4GASIA Modemfaafron Fund. ~ There is hereby created
the  PAGASA  Modernization  Fund to be  used  exclusively for the  PAGASA
Modernization Program.
The PAGASA Modernization Fund shall be sourced from the following:
(a) The amount of Two billion pesos  (P2,ooo,ooo,ooo.oo) 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
pesos (P1,ooo,ooo,ooo.oo) per year shall be released to the PAGASA.
The   entire   amount   of  Two   billion   pesos   (P2,ooo,ooo,ooo.oo),
including any interest income therein,  shall be used exclusively for
capital outlay.
a) Income  from  PAGASA  Specialized  Products  and  Services  and  Cost
Recovery Program provided under Republic Act No.  1o692 (R.A. No.
1o692); and
(c) Loans, grants, bequests, and donations, whether from local or foreign
sources. - The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST), with the approval of the National Economic and Development
Authority  (NEDA),  and  subsequently  the  Department  of  Finance
(DOF), is hereby granted the authority to enter into loan agreements
with foreign financial institutions.
The  PAGASA  Modernization  Fund  shall  be  administered  by  the
Administrator of the PAGASA in accordance with existing government
budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations.
SEcrl0N 5. Progress Report. - The Administrator of the PAGASA shall
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the PAGASA
Modernization Program which shall be submitted, through the Secretary of
the DOST, to the President and to the Chairpersons of the Committees on
ScienceandTechnologyoftheSenateandtheHouseofRepresentatives.
SECI`I0N 6. Approprrdn.ons. - The amount necessary to cany out the
implementation of this Act shall be initially charged against the current fiscal
year appropriations of the DOST-PAGASA.
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the
modernization    program,    shall    be    included    in    the    annual    General
Appropriations Act (GAA).
SECI'ION  7.  Transi.forty  ProtJz.si.on.  -  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 Implementing Rules and
Regulations (IRR) or such other period as may be determined, to comply with
the requirements of this Act.


SECI'I0N 8. Jmplementr.ng Rules and ReguJafrous. - The departments
and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act shall, within
sirty (6o) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the necessary rules
and regulations for its effective implementation.
SEcrl0N 9.    Separab!7i.fry clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be
held  unconstitutional  or  invalid,  the  remaining  provisions  which  are  not
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SECI'ION 1o. RepeaJt.ng Cthuse. -   Any provision of law, decree, order,
n]le  or  regulation  inconsistent  with  this  Act  is  hereby  repealed  and/or
modified accordingly.
SECITI0N 11. Ejrecrful.fry. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the O#ci.az Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,