One of the most crucial agencies when it comes to disaster preparedness will get a major boost in funds if and when this measure from 1-Pacman Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero gets enacted.
Romero filed House Bill (HB) No. 3588, which seeks to provide an additional P2 billion worth of modernization funds to PAGASA to ensure that the country fulfills its commitments to international meteorological and climate change agreements.
“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," reckoned the veteran solon.
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 to assure the safety, well-being and economic security of all the people, and for the promotion of national progress.
The agency does so by undertaking scientific and technological services in meteorology, hydrology, climatology, astronomy and other geophysical sciences.
Romero noted that 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.
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).
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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.
Located along the typhoon belt in the Pacific, the Philippines is visited by an average of 20 typhoons every year.