The Phivolcs [Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology] Modernization Bill, which seeks to provide funds for the agency to “develop safer and resilient communities from geologic hazards,” may also boost the generation of jobs or plantilla positions. 

In an interview with Ako at Geo in Radyo Pilipinas on Monday, March 4, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol, said up to at least 600 plantilla positions from the 250 permanent positions may be expected if the bill was passed. 

“Since hindi lang naman monitoring ang ginagawa natin, iyong functions ng opisina have evolved, marami na rin tayong ginagawa outside monitoring, we do hazard mapping, we conduct information dissemination campaigns, we help the LGUs craft their comprehensive plans so we’re hoping na madadagdagan iyong mga plantilla positions (Since our job is not limited to monitoring, the functions of the office have evolved, we do other things outside monitoring, we do hazard mapping, we conduct information dissemination campaigns, we help the LGUs craft their comprehensive plans so we’re hoping that there will be additional plantilla positions),” Bacolcol said. 

Meanwhile, Bacolcol said the bill would also help the agency to have additional instruments used in monitoring volcanoes and earthquake occurrences. 

“Kapag naipasa ang Phivolcs Modernization Bill ay madadagdagan ang ating mga instrumento at lalo pa nating mapapaigting ang pagbabantay sa mga active volcanoes at pagmomonitor ng mga earthquakes (If the Phivolcs Modernization Bill was passed, we would have additional instruments and we will be able to do more in monitoring active volcanoes and earthquakes),” he added. 

Bacolcol said the Philippines have 24 active volcanoes and 27 potentially active volcanoes among which only 10 volcanoes were being monitored out of the active ones, while only two of those were being observed “completely.”

Bacolcol hoped that Phivolcs may secure to monitor eight active volcanoes completely through the bill. 

Moreover, he emphasized the need for at least 300 seismic stations to monitor earthquakes based on the geographic size of the country, as it has only 123 seismic stations currently. 

On the second reading, the Senate Committee on Science and Technology approved the consolidated measures on the bill.