54
ky
Republic of the Philippines FS heck, VED

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5764

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA) is the National Meteorological and Hydrological
Services (NMHS) agency of the Republic of the Philippines that is primarily
mandated to provide protection against all natural calamities and to assure the
safety, well-being and economic security of all the people, and for the promotion
of national progress by undertaking scientific and technological services
in meteorology, hydrology, climatology, astronomy and other __ geophysical
sciences.

Created on December 8, 1972, PAGASA now serves as one of the Scientific and
Technological Services Institutes of the Department of Science and Technology.

This House Bill seeks to provide additional modernization funding to the
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA), to ensure that the country fulfills its commitments to international
meteorological and climate change agreements.

Thus, the early gaSsage of this bill is earnestly requested.

MIC} ‘L L. ROMERO Ph.D.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no.3784

Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero

AN ACT

PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL MODERNIZATION FUNDING TO
THE PHILIPPINE ATMOSPHERIC, GEOPHYSICAL AND
ASTRONOMICAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (PAGASA), AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. TITLE - This act shall be known as the “PAGASA
Modernization Act of 2019”.

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY - It is hereby a declared
policy of the state to apply scientific and technical knowledge and information
as an effective instrument to ensure the safety, well-being and economic security
of the people; to safeguard the environment; and to promote national progress
and sustainable socioeconomic development through various applications of
meteorology, geophysics, astronomy and allied sciences. The State also

recognizes the need to strengthen the capability of government personnel tasked


to provide atmospheric, geophysical, astronomical and other weather and
climate-related services and information to the public.

The State shall undertake the modernization of the Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
to improve its technological operational capacity, strengthen its role as the
premier national weather agency and to attain its vision as a center of excellence

for weather-related information services.

SECTION 3. PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION -The modernization
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of two (2)

years:

Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred
under this Act may extend beyond this period: :

Provided, further, That PAGASA shall continue to modernize and
constantly update its operational capabilities to keep pace with best global
practices.

SECTION 4. PAGASA MODERNIZATION FUND - There is hereby
created the PAGASA Modernization Fund to be used exclusively for the PAGASA

Modernization Program.
The PAGASA Modernization Fund shall be sourced from the following:

(a) The amount of Two billion pesos (P2,000,000,000.00) to
be taken from the share of the National Government in the
gross income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming
Corporation (PAGCOR). For two (2) years after the effectivity
of this Act, the amount of One billion pesos
(P1,000,000,000.00) per year shall be released to the
PAGASA. The entire amount of Two billion pesos
(P2,000,000,000.00), including any interest income thereon,
shall be used exclusively for capital outlay.


(b) Income from PAGASA Specialized Products and Services
and Cost Recovery Program provided under Republic Act
10692; and

(c) Loans, grants, bequests, and donations whether from local
or foreign sources. The Secretary of the DOST with the
approval of the NEDA and subsequently the Department of
Finance (DOF) is hereby granted the authority to enter into
loan agreements with foreign financial institutions.

The PAGASA Modernization Fund shall be administered by
the Administrator of the PAGASA in accordance with existing
government budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and
regulations.

SECTION 5. PROGRESS REPORT -The Administrator of the
PAGASA shall prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of
the PAGASA Modernization Program which shall be submitted, through the
Secretary of the DOST, to the President and to the Chairpersons of the
Committees on Science and Technology of the Senate and the House of
Representatives.

SECTION 6. APPROPRIATIONS - The amount necessary to carry
out the implementation of this Act shall be initially charged against the current
fiscal year appropriations of the DOST - PAGASA.

Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the
modernization program, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act (GAA).

SECTION 7. TRANSITORY PROVISION- Existing industries,
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other

period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act.

SECTION 8. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. - The
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act


shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the

necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation.

SECTION 9. REPEALING CLAUSE. - All laws, decrees, executive
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions

of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. - If, for any reason, any
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other

sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 11. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. - This Act shall take effect
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two

(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier.

Approved,