President Marcos has signed Republic Act (RA) No. 12180, or the Phivolcs Modernization Act, which aims to upgrade the country’s capability to monitor and respond to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and other geotectonic hazards.

The new law, signed by the President on April 24, seeks to strengthen the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) through better equipment, facilities, staffing, and research capabilities.

RA 12180 mandates the establishment of a five-year modernization program, with funding sourced from the national budget and official development assistance.

Under the law, Phivolcs will acquire state-of-the-art instruments, expand its network of monitoring stations, and build a new headquarters in Metro Manila or the Clark Special Economic Zone.

Phivolcs will also develop advanced systems for uninterrupted earthquake, tsunami, and volcano monitoring, including machine-learned forecasting technologies.

The modernization program includes constructing a centralized data center, modern laboratories, and a media room for press briefings. A modern learning hub will also be established, complete with a library, exhibit area, and training center.

Whole of government approach

The law aims to enhance public information by improving data dissemination strategies and coordinating with local government units (LGUs) to deliver risk information and warnings, hazard mapping, structural code enforcement, and land acquisition for new stations.

RA 12180 emphasizes a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, requiring close cooperation with academic institutions, telecom providers, and other stakeholders.

Structure

Meanwhile, to support its growing mandate, Phivolcs is tasked to create new plantilla positions and offer a revised salary scale and retention incentives for its personnel.

The agency will continue to operate under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), headed by an Executive Director with the rank of Undersecretary.

The Executive Director is tasked with formulating and submitting the full modernization program to the President within 90 days from the effectivity of the law.

Tax exemptions will apply to donations, grants, and imported equipment used for the modernization program, with documentation requirements simplified.

An annual report on the program's implementation shall also be submitted to the President and Congress.

RA 12180 will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.