SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE955 
S.B.No. __ ~ 
'13 
JUL 1 B P5:58 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our country's geographic location makes us prone to natural hazards. The 
Philippines occupies the western rim of the Pacific Ocean, the most active portion of the 
earth that is occupied by an ocean-encircling belt of active volcanoes and earthquake 
generators. Earthquakes occur every now and then. There are 22 potentially active 
volcanoes in the country. 
To add, we experience an average of 22 typhoons per year, with at least 5 
destructive ones. In 2012, Filipinos can very well remember how a strong movement of 
a Southwest monsoon (Habagat) affected most parts of the country over an eight-day 
period. The intense flooding and raining it caused left 95 people dead, 8,428 homes 
destroyed, and 6,706 damaged. Losses throughout the country amounted to at least 
0604.63 million (US$14.31 million)1. 
The 
Philippine 
Atmospheric, 
Geophysical 
and 
Astronomical 
Services 
Administration is the government agency mandated to provide protection against natural 
calamities and utilize scientific knowledge as an effective instrument to insure the 
safety, we/l-being and economic security of a/l the people, and for promotion of national 
progress. The magnitude of the role of the PAGASA as the primary government agency 
tasked to monitor and report weather conditions to the public must be stressed and 
emphasized. This bill seeks to empower PAGASA to speedily convey precise weather 
information as it is vital in determining the level of preparedness in handling natural 
disasters. Damage can be prevented and lives can be saved if we are scientifically 
informed and appropriately prepared. 
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
1 "SitRep No.11 re Disease alert on as flood deaths hit 89 by TS "Haikui"". National Disaster Risk Reduction and 
Management Council. August 16, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012. 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATJ; 
r.:: 
S.B. No. 
'~ 5 u 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
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'13 
JUL 18 P 5 :58 
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 House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as "The PAGASA Modernization Act 
of 2013". 
Sec. 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 security 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. 
Sec. 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; 


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; and 
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. 
Sec. 4. Manpower Training. The three (3)-year modernization plan shall include 
a manpower training component that shall include undergraduate and postgraduate 
degree training subcomponents. Scholarships shall be provided for undergraduate and 
graduate degree trainings. The University of the Philippines-Los Barios is mandated, 
along with the Bicol University, the Central Luzon State University, the Mariano Marcos 
State University, the Pamantasan ng Lunsod 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. 
Sec. 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. 
Sec. 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. 
Sec. 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 (DOST-PAGASA). Thereafter, the amount 
needed for the continued implementation of the modernization program shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
The above stated amount may be augmented by grants, bequests, contributions 
and donations whether from local or foreign sources: Provided, That acceptance of 
grants, bequests, contributions and donations from foreign shall be subject to the 
approval of the President upon the recommendations of the Secretaries of the DOST 
and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). 
Sec. 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 the House of Representatives. 
2 


Sec. 9. Cost Recovery Measures. The PAGASA, with the approval of the DOST 
Secretary, shall implement a suslainablecost 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 the fees collected 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. 10. Separability Clause. If any provision or part of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby 
shall continue to be in full force and effect 
Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved, 
3