Need to hike PAGASA modernization fund cited
TO improve its technological operational capacity and strengthen its role as the premier national weather agency, 1-Pacman party-list Rep. Mikee Romero has filed a bill seeking to increase modernization funding to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
House Bill (HB) 3588 seeks to provide additional modernization funding to PAGASA to ensure that the country fulfills its commitments to international meteorological and climate change agreements, Romero said.
“The government must undertake the modernization of PAGASA in order for the agency 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,” Romero stressed.
He explained that PAGASA is the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) agency of the country that is primarily mandated to provide protection against all-natural calamities and 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.
There is also a 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, Romero added.
Under the proposed measure, the PAGASA modernization fund would be sourced from the following: The amount of P2 billion to be taken from the share of the National Government in the gross income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR). For two years after the effectivity of the Act, the amount of P1 billion per year should be released to PAGASA.
The entire amount of P2 billion, including any interest income thereon, should be used exclusively for capital outlay.
