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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE a aad

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HB.No.__ 1877

INTRODUCED BY THE HONORABLE ANGELO PALMONES

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE

ATMOSPHERIC, GEOPHYSICAL, AND ASTRONOMICAL SERVICES

ADMINISTRATION (PAGASA) PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR

OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines is constantly at risk from high-impact weather related events, such as
typhoons, storm surge, floods, drought, as well as extreme climatic events like the El
Nifio/La Nifia phenomenon. These phenomena pose serious threats to life and property.
Hundreds of lives and billions of pesos worth of property are lost every year from the
ravages of these disaster-causing natural hazards. There is therefore a need for a reliable
national hydro-meteorological data collection, analysis and forecasting, and finally a
sophisticated and faultless warning and dissemination system.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA) is mandated to:

Provide forecasts on weather, flood, and other climatological conditions affecting
national safety, welfare and economy and for this purpose maintain a nationwide
network of monitoring stations;

Observe, collect, assess and process atmospheric and allied data for the benefit of
agriculture, commerce and industry;

Engage in studies of atmospheric, geophysical and astronomical phenomena
essential to the safety and welfare of the people as well as undertake researches on
the structure, development and motion of typhoons and formulate measures for
their mitigation.

Maintain effective linkages with scientific organization here and abroad and
promote exchange of scientific information and cooperation among personnel
engaged in atmospheric, geophysical, astronomical and space studies.

Undertake activities to provide an adequate manpower pool of well-trained


specialists and personnel.

Try as it has, PAGASA has yet to provide warning of severe weather and flash floods
that are satisfactory to the general public. At times, the PAGASA had been able to react
to events providing wamings of severe weather or flash floods after detecting these
events, or after reports of actual occurrences. It has been difficult for PAGASA
forecasters to predict small-scale violent weather, resulting in short lead times for
warnings. The existing facilities for weather observations, information processing and
communication in PAGASA are outmoded albeit functional. Most of them, by virtue of
age, suffer long down-time which makes them costly to maintain. At the moment
PAGASA has only four working radars and they are of the old models. The improvement
of Weather Surveillance Radar System capable of monitoring wind fields and cloud
formation in three dimensions, for instance, will enable the PAGASA to advance its
operational activity to “nowcasting” and mesoscale meteorology at localized community
areas. Currently PAGASA can forecast the occurrence of rain but could not specify the
intensity of rain nor the amount of rain that will fall. In addition, PAGASA forecasters
have only rudimentary computer systems to assimilate, analyze and communicate
complex weather information in near real-time.

New observation and information processing systems can improve the services of
PAGASA as proven in countries with modem and sophisticated weather data processing
equipment and forecasting and disseminating systems. The improvement of existing
weather forecasting system include the replacement of outdated equipment and facilities,
acquisition of new and state-of-the-art data gathering and observation platforms such as
the Doppler radar, improvement of synoptic weather stations that are scattered all over
the country that gather data on temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind velocity and wind
direction that are needed inputs in formulating weather forecasts and severe weather
warnings.

Development of the national weather system to meet national needs efficiently depends
‘on the application of findings of basic and applied meteorological research. Modern
technology has produced numerous research tools whose coordinated-use contribute
importantly to improved understanding of the meteorological processes associated with
severe storm development, to more accurate weather analysis and forecasting, and to
eventual beneficial modification or control of weather including severe storms. The data
gathering, assessment and analysis require the specialized knowledge of well-trained
weather personnel.

The PAGASA modernization program requires a human resource development
component that emphasizes professional education and training. Training on the new
instruments and equipment is indispensable and considerable specialization in techniques
of radar data display and processing, including synthesis of radar data with other kinds of
information, is required.

The different parts of the country may experience contrasting weather systems. So much
so that one part of the country would be under severe weather conditions such as


typhoons while another part of the country would be enjoying fair weather. There is
therefore a need for localized weather forecasting. Anent to this it is necessary to
establish regional weather forecasting centers. To implement this would require the
changes in the organizational structure of PAGASA.


Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines
Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress $

First Reaylas Spefion

By Representative Angelo B. Palmones

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE
ATMOSPHERIC, GEOPHYSICAL, AND ASTRONOMICAL SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION (PAGASA) PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled

ARTICLE I
Title, Declaration of Policy and Objectives

SECTION 1. Title - This Act shall be known as the PAGASA Modernization Act of
2010.

SECTION 2. Statement of Policy and Objectives — It is the policy of the State to promote
and maintain peace and order, protect life, liberty and property and promote the general
welfare of the people which are essential in the enjoyment of the blessing of democracy.
Itis the purpose of this Act to support the modernization of the Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in modernizing its
facilities, improve and strengthen its manpower and modify its structure for a better
delivery of its services to the nation.

ARTICLE II
Definition of Terms

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms — For the purpose of this Act the following terms will
have these corresponding definitions:

(a) Astronomy —the science that deals with the material universe beyond the
carth’s atmosphere.
(b) Atmosphere — the gaseous envelope surrounding the earth


(©) Climate - refers to the “average” weather conditions for an area over a long
period of time (e.g., the average high temperature for today's date).

(a) Doppler radar ~ is a radar tracking system that determines the velocity of a
moving object by measuring the shift in frequency of a radar signal reflected
by the object. The shift is to higher frequency when the object approaches and
to lower frequencies when it recedes.

(¢) ELNifio phenomenon - the periodic warming of central and eastem tropical
Pacific waters that significantly influence global weather and cause below
normal rainfall or drought in the Philippines. It occurs on average every two to
five years and typically lasts about 12 months,

(f) Flood ~a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water

(g) Forecast — an estimation of the state of the weather at some specified future
date.

(h) Geophysical — is the study of the whole Earth by the quantitative observation
of its physical properties

(i) La Nifia phenomenon - this is the cold phase counterpart of El Nifio which
usually cause above normal rainfall in the Philippines

(j) Mesoscale meteorology - is the study of weather systems smaller than
synoptic scale systems but larger than microscale and storm-scale cumulus
systems. Horizontal dimensions generally range from around 5 kilometers to
several hundred kilometers.

(k) Meteorology — deals with the study of the atmosphere.

(1) Noweasting ~ refers to the forecasting of the weather in the 0-6 hour
timeframe.

(m) Storm — also known as thunderstorm, is a form of weather characterized by
the presence of lightning and its acoustic effect on the Earth's atmosphere
known as thunder.

(n) Synoptic station — A station at which meteorological observations are made
for the purposes of synoptic analysis. The observations are made at the main
synoptic times of 0000, 0600, 1200, 1800 UTC and normally at the
intermediate synoptic hours of 0300, 0900, 1500, 2100 UTC and are entered
into a coded format for dissemination.

(0) Typhoon — an intense tropical cylone with wind speeds greater than 117
kilometers per hour.

(p) Weather - The state of the atmosphere with respect to wind, temperature,
cloudiness, moisture, pressure, etc. Weather refers to these conditions at a
given point in time (e.g., today’s high temperature).

ARTICLE IIE
Modernization of Equipment and Systems

SECTION 4. Modernization Plan — PAGASA shall develop a 5-year modernization plan
that includes the strengthening of the observation/acquisition of data and information,
transfer of data and information to processing centers, appreciation, processing and
analysis of data and information, forecasting and distribution of information to concemned
offices and institutions and feedback mechanisms for such information. The Plan shall be


endorsed by the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology to the National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and approved by the Office of the
President.

SECTION 5. Acquisition of modern equipment, machines, computers and other
instruments ~ PAGASA shall acquire the needed equipment, machines, tools, computers
and other instruments necessary to implement the 5-year modernization plan. Any such
equipment or machines or instruments or computers that have to be imported shall be
without tax and its importation facilitated by concerned offices such as the Bureau of
Customs.

SECTION 6. Manpower training — The S-year modernization plan shall have a
component on manpower training that include undergraduate and graduate degree
training. Scholarships shall be provided for undergraduate and graduate degree training.
The University of the Philippines Los Banos is mandated, along with the Bicol
University, the Central Luzon State University, the Mariano Marcos State University, the
Pamantasan ng Maynila, and the University of the Visayas to offer undergraduate degree
in Meteorology within three (3) years from the enactment of this Act. Other state and
private universities and college may likewise offer a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology.

SECTION 7. Structural organization of PAGASA — To provide more accurate weather
forecasting that are specific to group of regions PAGASA is authorized to establish
regional service centers (RSC) in Tuguegarao City for Northern Luzon, Legaspi City for
Bicol Region, Mactan for Visayas, Cagayan de Oro City or Northern Mindanao, and
Davao City for Southern Mindanao. The PAGASA Central Office will service Central
Luzon and Southern Tagalog for the localize forecast in addition to the provision of
general forecasts and warnings for the entire country. PAGASA is further authorized to
create and fill-up the needed personnel requirements for the additional service centers
following established Civil Service rules and regulations.

ARTICLE IV
Miscellaneous Provisions

SECTION 8. Funding Provisions — To implement the provisions of this Act, the amount
of SIX BILLION PESOS (P6,000,000,000.00) shall be provided from the emergency
funds of the Office of the President. Thereafter, funds for maintenance of equipment and
for other purposes initially funded from the Six Billion Pesos but are recurring expenses
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations — The Department of Science and
Technology and the Civil Service Commission shall promulgate the implementing rules
and regulations of this Act within a period of 180 days from its approval. It shall become
effective after thirty (30) days following their publication in the Official Gazette or in two
(2) major daily newspapers of general circulation.


SECTION 10. Separability clause — If any section or provision of this Act shall be
declared invalid or unconstitutional, such shall not invalidate any other section or
provision of this Act.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof which are in conflict with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect thirty (30) days following its full

publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) major daily newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved