THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. B. NO. 153 
Introduced by Senator Magsaysay, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Philippines is an agricultural country, almost half of the country's 
middle and low income earners derived their source of living from the 
crops they plant, which takes at least three (3) months of cultivation 
before they finally enjoy the fruits of their labor. The success of this kind 
of livelihood is unquestionably dependent on the weather prevailing at 
the time of cultivation up to the time of harvest, in other words, the risks 
undertaken by the farmers are so incomparable, considering that the 
industry and labor that they contributed in the cultivation of the crops 
will just perish by a single sweep of typhoon in the country. 
It is undeniable that being an oriental country, the recurrence of 
natural calamities in the country is something to be expected. Just last 
year and even this year, we have been affronted with numerous typhoons 
and floods that triggered millions of pesos of property damage and even 
claimed several lives. In the past several attempts were made in order to 
address this problem, but the same failed due to lack of initiative and 
will on the part of the agencies concerned. 
It is ironic however, that PAGASA, which is supposed to be the 
harbinger of weather information, cannot serve the purpose of its 
existence. There were times where PAGASA disseminated erroneous 
forecast or the forecast came in belatedly, these inadvertent errors are 
not attributable to the people composing the said Agency, but rather to 
the antiquated apparatus or equipment they use. 
In some countries, they spend millions of dollars for the 
modernization of weather forecasting, the rationale is to forestall or at 
least minimize that damage that a calamity will surely bring forth. With 
correct and reliable weather forecasting, the damage is lessened because 
before the calamity strikes, preparation has already been established for 
said purposes. 
In our country, we can see no reasons why we cannot modernize 
our weather forecasting, we have more reasons to modernize our weather 
forecasting because our country is considered a typhoon-belt, and not to 
mention that we are in an agricultural country. It is highly imperative 
that we shouId also contemplate the welfare of the farmers by giving 
them accurate weather information for their own protection. 
Some of our government agencies already embarked in the 
modernization program, in fact some of them are already modernized, the 


GSIS and SSS have their own electronic cards in their transactions, if 
these agencies were able to modernize then there is no reason why we 
should deprive the PAGASA of the modernization which has long been 
sought. There is more paramount and transcendental reason of the 
PAGASA modernization, it is not only because it would effectively thwart 
gigantic property damage but from the holistic point of view it will save 
us from the possible economic collapse. 
Hence, considering the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill 
is earnestly sought in order to eradicate or at least minimize the 
consequential damage of the natur 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
1 
S. B. NO. 
Introduced by Senator Magsaysay, Jr. 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE 
ATMOSPHERIC GEOPHYSICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL SERVICES 
ADMINISTRATION, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFORE 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 of 2004." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared the policy 
of the State to improve weather forecasting in the country and to ensure 
its accuracy and timely dissemination to the public. Towards this end, 
the State shall undertake the modernization of the national weather 
service to ensure the safety and well-being of the people and to ensure 
national progress. 
In the implementation of the foregoing policy, the State shall, in 
accordance with the provision 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 the educational projects and programs in storm signals, 
the development of typhoons, climatic changes, and other related 
information; 


c. Upgrade, modernize and procure state-of-the-art weather and 
geophysical equipment, instruments and facilities, and the 
application of new technologies to improve our capabilities in 
providing timely and reliable forecasting, warning services, and 
information for agriculture, transportation, and other industries 
across the country. 
BEC. 3. Components of Modernization - To realize improved 
and 
enhance 
weather 
and 
flood 
forecasting, 
climate 
monitoring/prediction and astronomical and associated services, the 
Philippine Atmospheric 
Geophysical 
and 
Astronomical 
Services 
Administration (PAGASA) shall undertake an six (6) year modernization 
program. Towards this end, the PAGASA shall adopt the following four 
pronged principal approach, in the order of priority: 
a. Establishment of regional weather service centers strategic areas in 
the country to broaden the agency’s bases for delivery of service to 
the countryside. 
b. Modernization of physical resources and operational techniques 
through acquisition of state-of-the-art instruments, equipment and 
facilities, with emphasis on weather and flood monitoring and 
warning system and ago-meteorological observational system to 
strengthen services for agriculture; 
c. Intensification of human resources development to keep at pace 
with the rapid scientific and technological advances; 
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d. Upgrading of research and development capability through a more 
rationalized and totally integrated approach and identified 
activities, with focus on improvement of operations, as well as the 
development of specialized services for cost recovery. 


SEC. 4. 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, whenever possible satellite-based communication 
network, supercomputers for data processing analysis and forecasting, 
and computer based workstations for generating increased volume for 
detailed information. It shall also establish an efficient human resources 
development program that emphasizes on professional education, 
training and research. 
SEC. 5. PAGASA Modernization Oversight Committee - There 
is hereby created a Modernization Oversight Committee composed of the 
Secretary of Science and Technology, the Director of the PAGASA , the 
Chairperson of the Congressional Committee on Science and Technology, 
and a representative from the Office of the President, through the Project 
Monitoring Staff of the National Economic and Development Authority 
(NEDA), who shall oversee the implementation of the modernization 
program provided under this Act. The Committee shall be chaired by the 
Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). 
SEX!. 6. PAGASA Modernization Fund - There is hereby created 
the PAGASA Modernization Fund which shall be used exclusively to fund 
the modernization program which shall include iwhatever funds may be 
made available from, but not limited to, the following sources: 
a. 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. 
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b. Loans, grants, bequests, and donations whether from local or 
foreign sources. The Secretary of the DOST with the approval of 
the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and 
subsequently the Department of Finance is hereby granted the 
authority to enter into loan agreements with foreign financial 
institutions. 
SEC. 7. 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 that one hundred percent (100%) of the fees collected shall be 
retained by PAGASA for the next twenty (20) years starting six (6) years 
after the effectivity of this Act, for the operation and maintenance of the 
equipment acquired during the modernization program; 
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. 8. 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. 9. 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. 


I 
SEC. 10. 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.