Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2558

Authored by HON. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

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.

(5:

JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasang Pambansa, Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session -

HOUSE BILLNO.___2998__
Authored by HON. JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO

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:

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.

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,