FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines has been ravaged by numerous natural disasters ranging 
from floods and thunderstorms to typhoons, landslides, earthquakes and volcanic 
eruptions. These natural disasters harm the safety and lives of our citizens and 
cause considerable damage to property. Although we wish to avoid these natural 
disasters, their recurrence remains highly probable considering the geographical and 
climatic conditions of our country. 
As an agricultural country, we are especially vulnerable to the destructive 
effects of natural disasters. Agriculture is the major source of livelihood for many of 
our country's middle and low income populations. By its very nature, agricultural 
cultivation requires a high degree of dependence on climate and weather conditions 
for its success and profitability. Our major food staple, rice, is a good example - its 
cultivation follows a cycle of planting and harvesting within specific seasons. When a 
typhoon comes and threatens to rip up a rice plantation, the farmer risks incurring 
huge financial losses. In some cases, it is a question of survival, when the success 
of this planting season's harvest determines the farmer's capacity to undertake the 
next. 
Thus, the importance of the role of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical 
and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) as the main government 
agency tasked to monitor, research and report weather conditions to the public 
cannot be overemphasized. However, our country has experienced the occurrence 
of several natural disasters, some of them deadly, on which PAGASA may have 
failed to give correct and timely information due to lack of modern and high- 
performing equipment. As a result, citizens were not completely warned of dangers 
to their health and safety and apprised of precautions they could take to alleviate, if 
not prevent, damage to their person or property. 
The capacity of PAGASA to rapidly deliver accurate weather information is 
critical in determining our ability to properly prepare for and handle natural disasters. 
Such casacitv is sought to be enhanced through the establishment of a 
modernization-program {or PAGASA, which this bill roposes. The passage of this 
bill is therefore earnestly sought. 
#!!ORDON 
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Senator 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE ATMOSPHERIC, 
GEOPHYSICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL SERVICES 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 of 2008." 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to improve the 
quality of weather forecasting in the country and to ensure its accuracy and timely 
dissemination to the people. Towards this end, the State shall undertake the 
modernization of the national weather service. 
Sec. 3. Purposes of Modernization. - 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 warning system in the country; 
b. Cultivate greater awareness by the public of weather systems through 
educational programs on storm signals, typhoons, climatic changes and other related 
information; 
c. Upgrade, modernize and procure state-of-the-art weather and geophysical 
equipment and facilities, and pursue the application of new technologies to improve 
our capabilities in providing timely and reliable weather forecasting and warning 
services for agriculture, transportation and other industries across the country. 
Sec. 4. Duration of the Modernization Program. - To enhance weather 
forecasting, climate monitoring and prediction, and astronomical and associated 
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services, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services 
Administration (PAGASA) shall undertake a six-year modernization program. 
Sec. 5. Componenfs of Modernization. - The modernization program shall 
adopt a four-pronged approach, as follows: 
a. Establishment of regional weather service centers in strategic areas in the 
country to broaden the PAGASAs bases for delivery of services to each region; 
b. Modernization of physical resources and operational techniques through 
acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, with emphasis on weather and 
flood monitoring and warning system and agro-meteorological observational system 
to strengthen services for agriculture; 
c. Intensification of human resources development to keep pace with rapid 
international scientific and technological advances; 
d. Upgrade of research and development capability through a more 
rationalized and integrated approach, with focus on improvement of operations, as 
well as the development of specialized services for cost recovery. 
Sec. 6. 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 advanced observational and surveillance system for 
meteorological and hydrological elements, and whenever possible satellite-based 
communication network, supercomputers for data processing analysis and 
forecasting, and computer based workstations for generating increased volume of 
detailed information. It shall also establish an efficient human resources 
development program emphasizing on professional education, training and research. 
Sec, 7. PAGASA Modernization Oversight Committee. - There is hereby 
created a Modernization Oversight Committee composed of the Chairperson and 
Members of the Congressional Committees on Science and Technology of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives that shall oversee the implementation of 
the modernization program provided under this Act. The Committee shall be chaired 
by the Secretary of the DOST. 
Sec. 8. PAGASA Modernization Fund. - There is hereby created the 
PAGASA Modernization Fund which shall be used exclusively to fund its 
modernization program, The Fund shall include a portion of the net income of the 
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to be taken from the fifty 
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percent (50%) share of the National Government for a period of six years from the 
effectivity of this Act. 
Sec. 9. Loans, Granfs, Bequests and Donafions. - The PAGASA is hereby 
granted the authority to enter into loan agreements with, or accept grants, bequests 
and donations from, local or foreign financial institutions pursuant to this Act. 
Sec. I O .  Cost Recovery Measures. - The PAGASA 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 from which 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 from the effectivity of this Act, for the operation and maintenance of the 
equipment acquired during the modernization program; Provided further, that no fees 
shall be charged on the issuance of regular and special reports to the general public 
that affect national safety, the weather and the economy, and such other relevant 
data. 
Sec. 11. Progress Report. - The Secretary of the DOST and the Director of 
the PAGASA shall submit to the Office 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. 
Sec. 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or any part hereof 
be declared unconstitutional or invalid the remainder of this Act or any provision not 
affected thereby shall remain in force and effect. 
Sec. 13. 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. 14. ,Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved, 
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