By Niño Luces
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said here the other day that he would quit his post if the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) are transferred to the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR).
Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña (TOTO LOZANO/ Presidential Photo / MANILA BULLETIN)
Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, who was here for the opening of the 2018 Regional Science and Technology Week, was asked if he was in favor of the two agencies under the DOST being turned over to the DDR under a proposed law.
De la Peña said he was not in favor of transferring the Phivolcs and PAGASA to the DDR once the creation of the new government department is signed into law.
He said the DOST will have no choice but to abide by the law, but he would quit from government when that happens. He refused to elaborate, though, on his answer.
PAGASA Deputy Administrator Jun Dalida also said that they would be adversely affected by the proposed transfer from the DOST to the DDR.