Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 766)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 766 is to safeguard life and property against volcanic eruptions by creating the Commission on Volcanology and providing relief for victims of such calamities.
The Commission on Volcanology is created under the Executive Board, National Research Council.
The members are the Director of Mines, the Director of the Weather Bureau, the Chairman of the Section on Geology, Seismology and Volcanology of the National Research Council, the head of the Department of Geology, University of the Philippines, and a representative of the Geological Society of the Philippines.
The members elect among themselves a Chairman who serves for a term of one year and until his successor is duly elected and qualified.
No, all members serve without compensation.
The Commission is tasked to investigate and study all active Philippine volcanoes, establish facilities to predict eruptions, formulate action and relief plans, recommend protective measures including area closures, and perform other necessary duties related to volcanic safety.
The President can declare areas affected or exposed to volcanic dangers closed to human habitation, prohibiting or regulating entry and residence upon recommendation of the Commission.
Property owners shall be compensated through grants of public lands equivalent in value to the properties abandoned, subject to constitutional and legal limitations.
They have priority in the distribution of lands in the Government's settlement projects.
The President is authorized to extend relief and adopt resettlement measures for victims of volcanic eruptions through designated agencies.
One hundred and fifty thousand pesos from the National Treasury are authorized for appropriation.
Violations are punishable by imprisonment of not more than thirty days or a fine not exceeding one thousand pesos.
The Act took effect upon its approval on June 20, 1952.