Legarda Hails Passage of PAGASA Modernization Bill

August 18, 2015

Senator Loren Legarda today welcomed the passage of Senate Bill No. 2834, seeking to modernize the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA), to provide accurate and useful information for disaster preparedness.

 

The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading the PAGASA Modernization Bill.

 

“This is an important measure that will elevate PAGASA’s technological and operational capacity to effectively perform its mandate to secure the safety and well being of our people and to contribute to national progress,” said Legarda, principal author of the bill.

 

The Senator said this long-overdue measure will help provide vital information that can be useful in formulating development plans and crafting mechanisms for disaster management, rehabilitation and reconstruction through significant advances in technologies used in monitoring meteorological and geological developments.

 

“I am confident that with better weather forecasting and monitoring, we will be more prepared in dealing with natural hazards, thereby preventing loss of lives and properties,” said Legarda.

 

The PAGASA Modernization program will include the upgrade of physical resources and operational techniques through acquisition of state-of-the-art instruments, equipment and facilities to improve capabilities in providing timely and reliable forecasting, warning services, and information for agriculture, transportation, and other industries across the country.

 

It will also include enhancement of research and development capability; establishment of regional weather service centers and PAGASA Data Center; enhancement of weather data collection and information dissemination services; creation of a human resource development program, particularly new salary scale for PAGASA personnel, PAGASA personnel retention incentive, and scholarship program for undergraduate and graduate studies in Meteorology and related fields; and development of collaborative arrangements with relevant regional and international bodies and government institutions to complement the national effort for modernization.