Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1575

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE
ATMOSPHERIC, GEOPHYSICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL
SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (PAGASA), PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The onslaught of several natural disasters in recent years has
strengthened the calls to modernize the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in order to enhance its
capability in providing services to protect the people and the environment from
perennial natural hazards. Last year alone, typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng
devastated the Philippines leaving most parts of the country submerged for
months. Some quarters blamed PAGASA’s lack of foresight and outmoded
equipment and facilities as the culprit. But just this recently, the second typhoon
which reached Philippine shores, typhoon Basyang, made another mockery of
PAGASA’s capabilities when it directly hit Metro Manila, a far cry from the
weather station's bold forecast that it will not, in any way, affect NCR. All of
these show that no matter how bright and intellectual personnel we put in
PAGASA, as long as they do not have advanced and cutting-edge equipment to
get the job done, our people and their properties will continue to suffer from
natural disasters.

Several significant advances in the technologies used in monitoring
meteorological and geological developments however have proven useful tools in


mitigating the perils associated with natural disasters. Accordingly, it would be in
everyone's best interest to equip PAGASA with these modern day breakthroughs
so that we can all become better prepared in dealing with natural calamities.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought

/ Flynx fh. Kava
DIOSDADO GAL ARROYO GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1575

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
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 the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SEcTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the "The PAGASA
Modernization Act of 2010."

SECTION 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.

SECTION 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, 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;

Oo. 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; and

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.

SECTION 4. Period of Implementation. — The modernization program under
this Act shall be implemented over a period of six (6) years: Provided, however,
that payments for amortization of outstanding multi-year contract obligations
incurred under this Act may extend beyond this period

SECTION 5. 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

SECTION 6. PAGASA Modemization Fund. — There is hereby created the
PAGASA Modernization Fund which shall be used exclusively to finance the
implementation of the modernization program which shall not include salaries

ie)


and allowances. The PAGASA Modernization Fun shall be funded out of the
following sources:

A. Appropriation for the PAGASA Modernization
Program amounting to Five Billion Pesos (P5,000,000,000.00);

B. 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;

C. — Grants, bequests, and donations whether from local
or foreign sources;

D. Funds from budgetary surplus, if any, as may be
authorized by Congress;

E All interest income from the fund created hereunder

The fund shall be administered by the Secretary of the DOST in
accordance with existing government auditing rules and regulations.

Section 7. PAGASA Modemization Program Oversight Committee. —
There is hereby created the PAGASA Modernization Program Oversight
Committee composed of the Secretaries of the DOST and the DBM, the Director
of PAGASA, the Chairpersons of the Committee on Science and Technology of
the Senate and the House of Representatives, one (1) representative each from
the Commission on Audit (COA), the Office of the President, and the Director-
General of the NEDA. The committee shall receive progress reports, evaluate
the implementation of the program and provide recommendations for the
effective attainment of the program's objectives as provided for in this Act. The
Committee shall be Chaired by the Secretary of the DOST.

SECTION 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 all the members of the PAGASA Modernization
Program Oversight Committee.

SECTION 9. Cost Recovery Measures. ~ The PAGASA, with the approval
of the DOST Secretary, 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 for which the necessary
fees can be charged: Provided that one hundred percent (100%) of the fees
collected shalll 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

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. — \f any provision or part of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 11. 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.

SECTION 12. Effectivity. -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,