SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. B. No. IIII 
Introduced by Senate President FRANKLIN lYl. DRILON 
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AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE 
ATMOSPHERIC, GEOPHYSICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL SERVICES 
ADMINISTRATION (PAGASA), AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
In 2013, one of the strongest typhoons ever recorded ripped through the 
Visayas. The ferocity of typhoon Yolanda left a trail of devastation of epic proportion, 
from which residents of the region are still staggering to recover. Considering the 
scale of devastation brought by the series of typhoons hitting the nation in recent 
years, we cannot escape the reality that the natural disasters we now face are 
evolving, with terrifying intensity and frequency. 
We have long been aware of our vulnerability to typhoons and monsoons, 
recognizing that our country lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire. Our exposure to such 
natural calamities and disasters has led to the establishment of the Philippine 
Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (P AGASA), 
which is tasked with real-time collection of high-quality meteorological data and the 
timely issuance of accurate weather forecasts and warnings. However, as revealed by 
the magnitude and extent of the damage brought about by typhoon Yolanda, 
PAGASA's current methods have proven inadequate and ineffective against this new 
wave of fiercer natural disasters. It is therefore high time to take bolder steps towards 
the modernization of PAGASA to effectively manage weather and geological related 
risks, minimize the vulnerability of people and investments, and boost the resilience 
of institutions and communities. 
This bill addresses the urgent need to equip PAGASA with state-of-art 
facilities and cutting -edge analytical methodologies, fully utilizing the technological 
advances available globally. Moreover, this bill seeks to raise the research and 
development capability, adopting a rationalized and integrated approach with focus 
on improvement of operations for specialized services and cost recovery. Also, this 
bill aims to augment the financial rewards of working in P AGASA, in order to boost 
the productivity of current personnel and likewise attract newcomers to join the 
agency. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
F 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 2265 
Introduced by Senator FRANKLIN M. DRILON 
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AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE 
ATMOSPHERIC, GEOPHYSICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL SERVICES 
ADMINISTRATION (PAGASA), AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Title - This Act shall be known as the "PAGASA Modernization 
2 
Act", 
3 
4 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared to be the policy of 
5 
the State to utilize scientific knowledge and information as an instrument to ensure 
6 
the safety, well-being and economic security of the people; to promote national 
7 
progress and to contribute to regional socioeconomic development through various 
8 
applications of meteorology, geophysics and space sciences. Towards this end, the 
9 
State shall undertake the modernization of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical 
10 
and Astronomical Services Administration (P AGASA) to elevate its technological and 
11 
operational capacity to effectively and efficiently perform its mandate. 
12 
13 
SEC. 3. Mandate of the PAGASA. The PAGASA shall provide adequate, 
14 
up to date data, and timely information on atmospheric, astronomical and other 
15 
weather related phenomena using the advances achieved in the realm of science to 
16 
help the government and the people prepare far calamities caused by typhoons, 
17 
floods, landslides, storm surges, extreme climatic events, and climate change, among 
18 
others, ta afford greater protection to the people and ensure their safety, well-being 
19 
and economic security towards the promotion of national progress. 
20 
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, 
1 
SEC. 4. Objectives - Pursuant to the foregoing policy, the modernization of 
2 
the PAGASA shall be implemented in accordance with the following objectives: 
3 
4 
a) To upgrade physical resources and operational techniques through 
5 
acquisition of state-of-the-art instruments, equipment and facilities to 
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enhance current capabilities in providing timely, accurate and reliable 
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weather, flood, climate monitoring, forecasting, and warning services for 
8 
the general public and information for agriculture, transportation and 
9 
other industries across the country; 
10 
b) To raise the research and development capability and promote human 
11 
resources development, adopting a rationalized and integrated approach 
12 
with focus on improvement of operations for specialized services and cost 
13 
recovery; 
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c) To develop mechanisms for integrating disaster management and 
15 
socioeconomic urban and rural development planning and water resource 
16 
management at the national and local levels in cooperation with 
17 
appropriate government agencies; 
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d) To establish and enhance regional weather service centers in strategic 
19 
areas in the country to broaden the Agency's bases for delivery of service to 
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the countryside; 
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e) To cultivate greater awareness by the public of weather systems, the 
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progress of weather and climate change hazards like typhoons, floods and 
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other related information through educational projects and programs; 
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f) To develop a technology-based and financially self-sufficient data center 
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that will serve as the central information station for real time weather 
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related updates available to every individual; 
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g) To enable the Agency to formulate the Philippines' typhoon preparedness 
28 
plan; and 
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h) To determine a better and more competitive base pay and other benefits 
30 
for its personnel to promote professionalism and to foster commitment to 
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the service. 
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SEC. 5. 
PAGASA Modernization Program -
The Secretary of the 
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Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Administrator of P AGASA, 
34 
in coordination with the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management 
2 


1 
(DBM) and the Director-General of the National Economic and Development 
2 
Authority (NEDA), shall be responsible for the formulation of the the PAGASA 
3 
Modernization Program based on the policy objectives provided in this Act. 
4 
5 
Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the 
6 
DOST shall submit to the President the PAGASA Modernization Program for 
7 
approval. 
8 
9 
SEC. 6. Human Resource Development - The three (3)-year program 
10 
for the modernization of the PAGASA shall provide a human resource development 
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training component that shall include undergraduate and postgraduate degree 
12 
training subcomponents and shall be upgraded to keep pace with rapid international 
13 
scientific and technological advances and increasing demands of weather services. 
14 
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A scholarship program for undergraduate and graduate degrees in 
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Meteorology shall be implemented in coordination with the DOST, Commission on 
17 
Higher Education (CHED) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) not later than 
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three (3) years from the enactment of this Act. 
19 
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SEC. 7. Salary and other Benefits - The DOST in coordination with the 
21 
DBM shall develop a new salary scale consistent with Republic Act No. 8439 (Magna 
22 
Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other Science and Technology 
23 
Personnel in Government) with a corresponding increase in the base pay, allowances, 
24 
and other benefits of the agency subject to the approval of the President. 
25 
26 
SEC. 8. Period of Implementation - The modernization program under 
27 
this Act shall be implemented for a period of three (3) years: Provided, That 
28 
payments for amortization of outstanding multi-year contract obligations incurred 
29 
under the program may extend beyond this period. The P AGASA shall continue to 
30 
modernize and constantly update its operational capabilities to keep pace with global 
31 
best practices. 
32 
33 
SEC. 9. Office of the PAGASA Administrator- The PAGASA shall be 
34 
headed by an Administrator who shall be appointed by the President upon 
3 


1 
recommendation by the Secretary of the DOST. The Administrator shall be assisted 
2 
by three (3) Deputy Administrators for Research and Development, Operations and 
3 
Services, and Administration & Engineering Services. 
4 
5 
SEC. 10. Progress Report - The Administrator of the PAGASA shall 
6 
prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the Modernization 
7 
Program. The annual report shall be submitted, through the Secretary of the DOST, 
8 
to the President and to the Senate and the House of Representatives. 
9 
10 
SEC. 11. Appropriations -
The amount necessary to carry out the 
11 
implementation of this Act shall be initially charged against the current fiscal year 
12 
appropriations of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine 
13 
Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-
14 
PAGASA). Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
15 
modernization program shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
16 
17 
The amount may be augmented by grants, bequests, contributions and 
18 
donations whether from local or foreign sources: Provided, That acceptance of 
19 
grants, bequests, contributions and donations from foreign governments shall be 
20 
subject to the approval of the President upon the recommendation of the Secretaries 
21 
ofthe DOST and the Department of ForeignAffairs (DFA). 
22 
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SEC. 12. Cost RecoveJY Measures - The PAGASA, with the approval of 
24 
the Secretary of the DOST, shall implement a sustainable cost recovery program that 
25 
will allow it to earn revenue from its issuance of specialized weather information, 
26 
certifications, and scientific and technical publications for which the necessary fees 
27 
can be charged: Provided, That fees collected shall be deposited as income of the 
28 
General Fund; Provided further, That no fees shall be charged on the issuance of 
29 
regular and special reports to the general public on the weather insofar as it affects 
30 
national safety and the economy. 
31 
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SEC. 13. Separability Clause - If any provision or part of this Act is 
33 
declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected 
34 
thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
4 


, , 
1 
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SEC. 14. Repealing Clause - All laws, orders, proclamation, rules and 
3 
regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
4 
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
5 
6 
SEC. 15. E£fectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
7 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
8 
9 
Approved 
5