Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__517

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines is located in the western rim of the Pacific Ocean, an
active portion of the earth characterized by an encircling belt of active volcanoes
and fault lines. As such, it has always been subjected to constant disasters and
calamities like earthquakes and typhoons.

Specifically, an average of twenty (20) typhoons devastate the Philippines
annually affecting millions of Filipinos and leaving behind injuries and deaths, as
well as damage to properties amounting to billions of pesos.

Said condition prevailing in the Philippines requires a dependable national
weather service to ensure utmost public safety and well-being of the country.
Further, it must be stressed that ours is an agricultural country. It is extremely
necessary that we consider farmers’ welfare by giving them precise weather
information to protect themselves and their crops.

Lately, however, there have been incidences of apparently imprecise
information given to the public by Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration that places in great danger the safety and
lives of our citizens and cause considerable damage to property.

While, forecasting may be viewed an inexact science despite advances in
technology, still, there is a need to modernize the country's weather forecasting
system to, at least, minimize damages caused by typhoons and other weather
disturbances.

This measure seeks, among others, to establish a modern weather and
flood forecasting, and climate prediction, monitoring and warning system; to
upgrade the disaster management and emergency preparedness capability of
our country; and to improve physical resources and operational techniques
through the acquisition of state-of-the-art instruments, equipment and facilities in
providing timely and reliable forecasting and warning service.

Hence, in view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.

MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO.

Representative, 1 District
Marikina City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.9?

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE
ATMOSPHERIC GEOPHYSICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL SERVICE
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.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to improve weather forecasting in the country and to ensure its accuracy
and timely dissemination to the public. Towards this end, the State shall
undertake the modernization of the national weather service to ensure the safety
and well-being of the people and to ensure national progress. In the
implementation of the foregoing, the State shall, in accordance with the provision
of this Act:

a. Undertake measure to improve on the current state of weather
forecasting and warning system in the country;

b. Cultivate greater awareness by the public of weather through the
educational project and programs in storm signals, the development of
typhoons, climatic changes, and other related information;

c. Upgrade, modernize and procure state-of-the-art weather and
geophysical equipment, instruments and facilities, and the application of
New technologies to improve our capabilities in providing timely and
reliable forecasting, warning services, and information for agriculture,
transportation and other industries across the country.

SEC. 3. Components of Modernization. To realize improved and
enhanced weather and flood forecasting, climate monitoring/prediction and
astronomical and associated service, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical
and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) shall undertake a six (6)
year modernization program. Towards this end, the PAGASA shall adopt the
following four pronged principal approach, in the order of priority:

a. Establishment of regional weather service centers strategic areas in the
country to broaden the agency's bases for delivery of service to the
countryside;


b. Modernization of physical resources and operational techniques through
acquisition of state-of-the-art instruments, equipment and facilities, with
emphasis on weather and flood monitoring and warning system and agro-
meteorological observation system to strengthen services fro agriculture;

c. Intensification of human resources development to keep at pace with rapid
scientific and technological advances.

d. Upgrading of research and development capability through a more
rationalized and totally integrated approach and identified activities, with focus
on improvement of operations, as well as the development of specialized
services for cost recovery.

SEC. 4. 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 advance observational and surveillance
system for meteorological and hydrological elements , whenever possible
satellite-based communications networks, supercomputers for data processing
analysis and forecasting, and computer based workstations for generating
increased volume for detailed information. It shall also establish an efficient
human resources development program that emphasizes on professional
education, training and research.

SEC. 5. PAGASA Modernization Oversight Committee. There is hereby
created a Modernization Oversight Committee composed of the Secretary of
Science and Technology, the Director of the PAGASA, the Chairperson of the
Congressional Committee on Science and Technology, and a representatives
from the Office of the President, through the Project Monitoring Staff of the
National economic and Development Authority (NEDA), who shall oversee the
implementation of the modernization program provided under this Act. The
Committee shall be chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST).

SEC, 6. PAGASA Modernization Fund. There is hereby created the
PAGASA modernization Fund which shall be used exclusively to fund the
modernization program which shall include whatever funds may on made
available from, but not limited to, the following sources:

a. 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.

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

SEC. 7. 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,
certification, and scientific and technical publications for which the necessary
fees can be charged; Provided that one hundred percent (100%) of the collected
shall 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 charge 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. 8. Progress Report. The Secretary of the DOST and the Director of
the PAGASA Committees on Science and Technology a quarterly reports on the
progress of the modernization program for the duration of its implementation.

SEC.9. 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.10 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.