SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 1937 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G, ESCUDERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
'13 
NOV 20 
1\11 =44 
HECEIVU) BV. -r: 
The Philippines' geographical location and physical environment make it 
susceptible to natural disasters that create threats to human lives and cause significant 
damage to properties. An average of 20 tropical storms and typhoons hit the country 
every year. Recently, the Philippines was razed by Yolanda, one of the strongest 
typhoons in world history. 
To effectively and efficiently fulfill the mandate of Philippine Atmospheric, 
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in providing 
protection against natural calamities and utilizing scientific knowledge as an effective 
instrument to insure the safety, well-beillg and economic security of all the people, and 
for promotion of national progress, this bill; seeking for modernization of P AGASA, is 
being filed. 
As the front-liner in determining natural hazards that may hit the country, it is 
indispensable to provide the agency with up-to-date teclmology, proper equipment and 
operational techniques for it to greatly perform its function in giving accurate 
observation and forecasting of weather and otller climatological conditions. 
Along with the advancement of tools, this bill also proposes for a 
comprehensive human 'resource development plan which includes scholarships and 
trainings for qualified P AGASA personnel. 
The modernization of physical resources of P AGASA as well as making its 
manpower equipped with trainings and advanced knowledge will help the government 
employ operative. disaster preparedness measures and programs, mitigate the damage 
these natural hazards may cause to people's lives, properties, environment and 
economy, and make the Philippines more resilient during times of natural calamities. 
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 


" 
'srtHd~ 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
{~th~r of lilt, ~'l'lrrbrl! 
'13 
NOV ZO 
1\11 :44 
SENATE 
S. B. No, 19a7 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE 
ATMOSPHERIC, GEOPHYSICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL SERVICES 
ADMINISTRATION 
(PAGASA) 
AND 
PROVIDING 
FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
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 "P AGASA Modernization 
Act." 
Sec. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared, as a constitutional State 
policy, to give priority to science and technology, and promote and utilize scientific 
knowledge and information as an effective instrument against natural calamities. 
Toward this end, the State recognizes the indispensability to modernize and develop 
the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration 
(P AGASA), and improve its technological and operational capacity for the efficient and 
effective performance of its mandate of securing life and property in times of disasters. 
Sec. 3. 
Objectives. - The P AGASA modernization program shall have the 
following objectives: 
a) 
To upgrade physical resources and operational techniques through the 
use and acquisition 0f state-of-the-art instruments, equipment and facilities; 
b) 
To improve the capacity of providing timely and reliable forecasting, 
warning services, and information for agriculture, transportation; and other industries 
across the country; 
c) 
To elevate the level of res~arch and development capability and human 
resource compensation and development, adopting a rationalized and integrated 
approach, with focus on improvement of operations for specialized services and cost 
recovery; 
d) 
To develop mechanisms for integrating disaster management and socio-
economic development planning at the national and local levels; 
1 


e) 
To establish regional weather service centers in strategic areas across the 
country so as to broaden the agency's bases for delivery of services to the countryside; 
and 
f) 
To provide greater public awareness and education of different weather 
systems and storm signals, and progress of typhoons, climatic changes and other 
related information. 
Sec. 4. 
Implementation Period. - Recognizing the importance of time for the 
realization of the provisions of this Act, the Modernization Program under this Act shall 
be implemented the soonest possible time but not exceeding two (2) years. All 
contractual obligations incurred or entered into pursuant to this Act shall nonetheless 
be upheld and respected even beyond the said 2-year period. 
Sec. 5. 
Formulation and Submission of P AGASA Modernization Program. - The 
Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Administrator 
of P AGASA, 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 for in this Act within 
sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act. They shall submit the PAGASA 
Modernization Program to the Office of the President for approval. 
Sec. 6. 
Human Resource Development. -
The P AGASA Modernization 
Program shall include a comprehensive human resource development plan, which shall 
include, among others, scholarships and trainings for qualified PAGASA personnel as 
may be determined in the formulation of the said Program. 
Sec. 7. 
Exemption from the Government Salary Standardization Law - Officers 
, 
and employees of PAGASA are hereby exempted from the operation of the 
Government Salary Standardization Law or Republic Act No. 6758, as amended. 
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in coordination with 
the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Civil Service Commission 
(CSC) shall determine the appropriate compensation, as well as its effectivity, of 
PAGASA employees, which shall not be lower than 150 percent nor higher than 200 
percent of their current salaries. 
Sec. 8. 
Appropriation, Creation of PACASA Modernization Fund. -
The 
amount necessary 'to implement the provisions of this Act shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
Moreover, there is hereby created the P AGASA Modernization Fund, which shall 
be used exclusively to finance the implementation of the P AGASA Modernization 
Program, and it shall come from the following fund sources: 
a) 
Appropriation for the P AGASA Modernization Program of at least Five 
Billion Pesos (Php5,000,000,000.00); 
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, which shall not be less than One Billion Pesos (Phpl,OOO,OOO,OOO.OO); 
2 


c) 
Grants, bequests, and donations whether from local or foreign sources; 
d) 
Funds from budgetary surpluses, if any, as may be authorized by 
Congress; and 
e) 
All interest income of the trust fund. 
The trust fund shall be administered by the Administrator of P AGASA in 
accordance with existing government auditing rules and regulations. 
Sec. 9. 
Progress Report. -The Administrator of PAGASA shall prepare an 
annual report on the status of the implementation of the P AGASA Modernization 
Program. The annual report shall be submitted, through the DOST Secretary, to the 
President and both Houses of Congress. 
Sec. 10. 
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, 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. 
' 
Sec. 11. 
Separability Clause. - If 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. 
Sec. 12. 
Repealing Clause. -. All laws, orders, proclamations, rules and 
regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any provision of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 13. 
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, 
3