Pagasa modernization bill to be refiled

MANILA, Philippines - A Malacañang-certified bill seeking to modernize the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) will be refiled in the next Congress.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte lamented that the outgoing Congress failed to pass it, but the Palace is hoping the bill would be revived in the next legislative session.

“(It is) unfortunate that the PAGASA modernization (bill) did not make it despite the certification (as urgent),” Valte said.

“It will be re-filed,” she added.

The 15th Congress adjourned Thursday without approving the measure, which would have upgraded the capabilities and equipment of the state-run weather bureau.

The PAGASA modernization bill or House Bill 6546 was certified as urgent by President Aquino last June 5.

In a letter to then Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on June 5, Aquino said the bill was necessary “to address the urgent need to enhance PAGASA’s capabilities.”

Aquino said an upgrade of the weather bureau’s resources and operational techniques would help alleviate the impact of typhoons and other weather disturbances.

“It is for the nation’s interest to modernize and equip PAGASA with state-of-the-art instruments and facilities for effective and efficient data gathering and weather forecasting so as to mitigate the perils arising from climate change,” Aquino said.

The Senate adopted five bills approved by the House of Representatives that included the modernization of PAGASA in order to facilitate its transmittal to the President for his consideration.

Sen. Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Senate committees on education and science and technology, made a manifestation during last Thursday’s plenary session that a decision was made to adopt the House’s version of the PAGASA modernization bill.

The other bills include the protection of the students’ right to enroll in review centers, the board of regents of the Partido State University, the National Children’s Month bill and the proposed science and technology scholarship with teaching incentives act.

Under the bill, a PAGASA modernization program would be implemented over a period of three years.

The program would involve the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment to ensure timely and reliable forecasting and warning service.  – With Marvin Sy