Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. antes

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) is a
service and facility institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
that is primarily mandated to alleviate disasters that arises from volcanic

eruptions, earthquakes, tsunami and other related geotectonic phenomena.

This House Bill seeks to provide modernization funding to the Philippine
Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), to ensure that the country
fulfills its commitments to international volcanology and seismology agreements.

Thus, the early pa$s4ge of this bill is earnestly requested.

MICI L. ROMERO Ph.D.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. ee

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

AN ACT

PROVIDING FOR MODERNIZATION FUNDING TO THE PHILIPPINE
INSTITUTE OF VOLCANOLOGY AND SEISMOLOGY (PHIVOLCS),
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 “PHIVOLCS
Modernization Act of 2019”.

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY - It is hereby a declared
policy of the state to provide timely and quality information and services for
warning, disaster preparedness and mitigation, as part of the strategic
initiatives, earthquake and volcanic hazards and risk assessments are carried

out by the PHIVOLCS.

The State shall monitor volcano, earthquake, and tsunami activity, and

issues warnings as necessary.


The State is mandated to mitigate disasters that may arise from such and

other related geotectonic phenomena.

SECTION 3. PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION - The modernization
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of two (2)
years:

Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred
under this Act may extend beyond this period:

Provided, further, That PHIVOLCS shall continue to modernize and
constantly update its operational capabilities to keep pace with best global

practices.

SECTION 4. PHIVOLCS MODERNIZATION FUND - There is hereby
created the PHIVOLCS Modemization Fund to be used exclusively for the
PHIVOLCS Moderization Program.

The PHIVOLCS Modernization Fund shall be sourced from the following:

(a) The amount of Three billion pesos (P3,000,000,000.00) 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 Five hundred million pesos
(P1,500,000,000.00) per year shall be released to the
PHIVOLCS. The entire amount of Three billion pesos
(P3,000,000,000.00), including any interest income thereon,
shall be used exclusively for capital outlay; and

(b) Loans, grants, bequests, and donations whether from local
or foreign sources. The Secretary of the DOST with the
approval of the NEDA and subsequently the Department of
Finance (DOF) is hereby granted the authority to enter into
loan agreements with foreign financial institutions.

The PHIVOLCS Modernization Fund shall be administered by
the Administrator of the PHIVOLCS in accordance with


existing government budgeting, accounting and auditing rules
and regulations.

SECTION 5. PROGRESS REPORT -The Administrator of the
PHIVOLCS shall prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation
of the PHIVOLCS Modernization Program which 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.

SECTION 6. APPROPRIATIONS- The amount necessary to carry
out the implementation of this Act shall be initially charged against the current
fiscal year appropriations of the DOST - PHIVOLCS.

Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the
modernization program, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
‘Act (GAA).

SECTION 7. TRANSITORY PROVISION- 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 IRR or such other
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act.

SECTION 8. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. - The
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation.

SECTION 9. REPEALING CLAUSE. - All laws, decrees, executive
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


SECTION 10. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. - If, for any reason, any
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 11. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. - This Act shall take effect
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two

(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier.

Approved,