Cayetano lauds signing of PHIVOLCS Modernization Law: 'Mas magiging handa na tayo'
At A Glance
- By modernizing PHIVOLCS, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said the Philippines is making a bold move to ensure that science and innovation are at the heart of the country's disaster response and preparedness.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday, May 23 lauded the signing into law of the PHIVOLCS Modernization Act of 2025 or Republic Act No. 12180 saying the newly-enacted law will help the Philippines strengthen its disaster risk management programs.
“By modernizing PHIVOLCS, we are making a bold move to ensure that science and innovation are at the heart of our disaster response and preparedness,” Cayetano said.
“This law doesn't just call for a master plan, but sets clear national policy. It gives everyone a framework to follow. Mas magiging handa na tayo (We’ll be more prepared),” he added.
Cayetano, who actively pushed for the modernization of PHIVOLCS in the Senate, was in Malacañang when the newly enacted laws were presented on Thursday, May 22.
The event was attended by officials from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), and members of Congress.
The measure has the full support of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., who officially signed it into law on April 24, 2025.
The measure is based on Senate Bill No. 2825, which Cayetano sponsored and defended on the Senate floor.
The senator thanked everyone who helped make the law a reality.
“My deepest gratitude to everyone who made this possible. This law will fill the gaps in our disaster monitoring systems and help Filipinos become more prepared when calamities strike,” Cayetano said.
He said the law will empower PHIVOLCS by modernizing its equipment, expanding its monitoring network, and increasing its pool of technical experts.
One of the law's key upgrades includes installing seismic monitoring systems in all 24 active volcanoes in the country, up from just 10 previously.
The number of earthquake monitoring stations will also be expanded from 125 to 300.