15th CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE I'HILII'PINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2489 
Introduced by Senator Ramou Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our country has once again topped the list of countries that are most vulnerable to disasters, the 
latest study by Brussels-based Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) 
revealed. The Philippines topped CRED's list after we suffered a whopping 25 disasters last 
year. Among these disasters were tropical cyclones Pepeng and Ondoy, which claimed hundreds 
of lives and destroyed property amounting to billions of pesos. The Philippines was also recently 
identified by the World Bank as highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, which 
increase the frequency and intensity of heat-waves, floods, droughts and typhoons, among others. 
In July this year, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services 
Administration (PAGASA) announced that Typhoon Basyang (Conson) would batter Northern 
and Central Luzon areas, but the storm ravaged and lashed Metro Manila instead, without any 
echelon of preparation, resulting to significant consequential damages. 
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. 
Immediate passage of this bill is highly needed. 
RA ~O REVILLA, JR. 
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NZ enator 


15th CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2489 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
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PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE 
ATMOSPHERIC GEOPHYSICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL SERVICES 
ADMINISTRATION, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFORE AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be if 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 of2010." 
Section 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 ofthe people and to ensure national progress. 
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 warnmg 
system in the country; 
b. Cultivate greater awareness by the public of weather systems through the educational 
projects 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. 
Section. 3. Components of Modernization - To realize improved and enhanced weather and 
!lood forecasting, climate monitoring/prediction and astronomical and associated services, the 
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) 
shaH 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 
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monitoring and warning system and ago-meteorological observational system to 
strengthen services for agriculture; 
c. Intensification of human resources development to keep at pace with the 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. 
Section 4. Program Description - The modernization program under this Act shall principally 
be a re-tooling of the P AGASA with modern equipment and facilities, including but not limited 
to advanced observational and surveillance system for meteorological and hydrological elements, 
whenever possible satellite-based communication network, 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. 
Section 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 representative from the Office of the President, through the Project 
Monitoring Staff of the National Economic and Development Authority (NED A), 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). 
Section 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 be made available from, but not limited to, the followmg 
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. 
Section 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, certifications, and scientific and technical 
publications tor which the necessary 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 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 {[flect national safety, weather, and economy, and such other relevant data; 
Section 8. Progress Report - The Secretary of the DOST and the Director of the PAGASA shall 
submit to the O/pce 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. 
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Section 9, Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, policies, 
programs or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act, are hereby 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly, 
Section 10, Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is 
declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not 
affected hereby, shall continue in full force and effect 
Section II, Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication 
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes 
earlier. 
Approved, 
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