SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
JUl -1 
P3 :42 
SENATE 
""'t ' 
S.NO. 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (P AGASA) 
is the country's first line of defense during the onslaught of natural calamities. Various 
govemment bodies such as the National Disaster Coordinating Council, the Philippine Coast 
Guard, and even the Department of Education rely on the accuracy and timely dissemination of 
its weather forecasts and advisories during high-risk situations. 
Time and again, the agency has received flak and even found itself the subject of suits and severe 
criticism in the media for allegedly putting out erroneous weather forecasts, which have resulted 
to high casualties and/or property losses. Yet time and again, P AGASA has sought greater 
funding to upgrade its weather forecasting equipment, improve its existing technologies and 
resources and to hire and pay competent weathermen, to no avail. 
In fact, despite being certified as "urgent" by President Benigno Aquino III himself, House Bill 
6546, An Act Providing for the Modernization of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and 
Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), failed to pass in the Senate before the close of 
the 15th Congress .. 
This measure seeks to immediately place on the table the discussion of PAGASA's request. The 
bill proposes to modernize PAGASA's physical resources and operational techniques through 
the acquisition of state-of-the art instruments, equipment and facilities in order to enable the 
agency to provide timely and reliable weather forecasting and advisory services. This, in tutu, 
will improve the country's disaster prevention and warning services and minimize the 
vulnerability of our people, our communities, industries and other affected sectors such as 
agriculture and· transportation through early detection of weather systems threatening our 
country. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this measure is ea nestly sought. 
ANT 
Senator 
1 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
JUL -1 
P3 :42 
SENATE 
• 
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t_t_' _B_"_: -llf 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE ATMOSPHERIC, 
GEOPHYSICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (PAGASA), 
PRQVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER RELATED PURPOSES 
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 Act of 
2 
2013". 
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to 
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' utilize scientific knowledge and information as an effective instrument to ensure the safety, well-
5 
being and economic security of the people; to promote national progress and to contribute to 
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regional socioeconomic development through various applications of meteorology, geophysics 
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and space sciences. Towards this end, the State shall undertake the modernization of the 
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Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (P AGASA) to 
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elevate its technological and operational capacity to effectively and efficiently perform its 
10 
mandate. 
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SEC. 3. Objectives. - Pursuant to the foregoing policy, the PAGASA modernization 
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program shall be implemented in accordance with the following objectives: 
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(a) To upgrade physical resources and operational techniques through acquisition of 
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state-of-the-art instruments, equipment and facilities to enhance current capabilities in 
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providing timely and reliable forecasting, warning services for the general public and 
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information for agriculture, transportation and other industries across the country; 
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(b) To raise the research and development capability and human resource development, 
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adopting a rationalized and integrated approach with focus on improvement of 
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operations for specialized services and cost recovery; 
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(c) To develop mechanisms for integrating disaster management and socioeconomic 
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development planning at the national and local levels; 
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(d) To establish regional weather service centers in strategic areas in the country to 
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broaden the agency's bases for delivery of service to the countryside; 
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(e) To cultivate greater awareness by the public of weather systems, the progress of 
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typhoons, climatic changes and other related information through the educational 
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projects and programs; and 
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(f) To develop a technology-based and financially self-sufficient data center which will 
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serve as the central information station for real time weather updates available to 
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every individual and for the Philippines' typhoon preparedness plan. 
30 
SEC. 4. Manpower Training . • The three (3)-year modernization plan shall include a 
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manpower training component that shall include undergraduate and postgraduate degree training 
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subcomponents. Scholarships shall be provided for undergraduate and graduate degree trainings. 
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The University of the Philippines Los Banos is mandated, along with the Bicol University, the 
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Central Luzon State University, the Mariano Marcos State University, the Pamantasan ng 
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Lungsod ng Maynila and the Visayas State University, to offer an undergraduate degree program 
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in Meteorology within three (3) years from the enactment of this Act. Other state and private 
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universities and colleges may likewise offer a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology. 
38 
SEC. 5. Period of Implementation. - The modernization program under this Act shall be 
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implemented over. a period of three (3) years; Provided, however, That payments for 
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amortization of outstanding multi-year contract obligations incurred under this Act may extend 
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beyond this period. 
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SEC.6 Formulation and Submission of PAGASA Modernization Program. - The 
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Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Director of P AGASA, 
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in coordination with the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the 
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Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), shall \i>e 
46 
responsible for formulating the P AGASA Modernization Program based on the policy objectives 
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provided in this Act. 
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Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DOST shall 
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submit to the President the PAGASA Modernization Program for final approval. 
50 
SEC. 7. Appropriations. The amount necessary to carry out the implementation of this 
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Act shall be charged against the current fiscal year approptiations of the Department of Science 
52 
and 
Technology-Philippine 
Atmosphetic, 
Geophysical 
and 
Astronomical 
Services 
53 
Administration (DOST-PAGASA). Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued 
54 
implementation of the modernization program shall be included in the annual General 
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Appropriations Act. 
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The above~stated amount may be augmented by grants, bequests, contributions and 
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donations whether from local or foreign sources: Provided, That acceptance of grants, bequests, 
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contributions and donations from foreign governments s\lall be subject to the approval of the 
59 
President upon the recommendations of the Secretaries of the DOST and the Department of 
60 
Foreign Affairs (DFA). 
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SEC. 8. Progress Report. - The Director of P AGASA shall prepare an annual report on 
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the status of the implementation of the P AGASA Modernization Program. The annual report 
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shall be submitted, through the Secretary of the DOST, to the President and to the Chairpersop.s 
64 
of the Committees on Science and Technology of the Senate and the House of Representatives. 
65 
SEC. 9. Cost Recovery Measures. - The P AGASA, with the approval of the DOST 
66 
Secretary, shall implement a sustainable cost recovery program that will allow it to earn revenue 
67 
from its issuance of specialized weather information, certifications, and scientific and technical 
3 


, ' 
68 
publications for which the necessary fees can be charged; Provided, That the fees collected shall 
69 
be deposited as income of the General Fund; Provided, further, That no fees shall be charged on 
70 
the issuance of regular and special reports to the general public that affect national safety, 
71 
weather and economy, and such other relevant data. 
72 
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or 
73 
unconstitutional, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be 
74 
in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, proclamations, rules and regulations or 
76 
parts thereof which are inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or 
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modified accordingly, 
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SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
. 
\ 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least, two (2) newspapers of general circulation, 
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Approved, 
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82 
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