QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11291)
RA 10692 is titled the “PAGASA Modernization Act of 2015.” It provides for the modernization of PAGASA to improve its technological and operational capacity, strengthen its role as the premier national weather agency, and establish it as a center of excellence for weather-related information services, with funds appropriated for the program.
The State policy is to use scientific and technical knowledge to ensure public safety, well-being, economic security, safeguard the environment, and promote national progress and sustainable development through applications of meteorology, geophysics, astronomy, and allied sciences. It also recognizes the need to strengthen government personnel capabilities and modernize PAGASA to improve service.
PAGASA must provide adequate, up-to-date data and timely information on atmospheric, astronomical, and weather-related phenomena to help prepare for calamities caused by typhoons, floods, landslides, storm surges, extreme climatic events, and climate change. It must also provide science-and-technology-based assessments for disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and integrated water resources management, build capacity, and ensure compliance with international meteorological and climate change commitments.
Examples include: (1) upgrading instruments, equipment, facilities, and systems for monitoring, forecasting, and localized warning; (2) enhancing research and development capabilities; (3) integrating DRR, CCA, and water resources management into sustainable socioeconomic planning; (4) strengthening linkages among providers and users of weather/climate/water information; (5) establishing field weather service centers in strategic areas; (6) strengthening a data center consistent with international standards; (7) enhancing public information and education; (8) facilitating appreciation and delivery of information to decision makers and the public; (9) providing more competitive base pay and benefits for personnel.
PAGASA is an attached agency of the DOST for purposes of policy and program coordination, ensuring alignment with national science and technology policies and priorities.
The Administrator is appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Secretary of the DOST, with the rank and compensation of a Department Undersecretary. Deputy Administrators are also appointed by the President. The Administrator and the two Deputy Administrators must be career executive officers.
They must be citizens and residents of the Philippines, of good moral character, with proven integrity, with an advanced degree in Meteorology or related fields, and with at least five (5) years of competence and expertise in meteorology, geophysics, astronomy, or allied sciences.
They include: (a) modernization of physical resources and operational techniques (with inventory and phase-out requirements); (b) enhancement of R&D capability (including cost recovery measures); (c) establishment of regional weather service centers and flood forecasting/warning sub-centers; (d) establishment of a PAGASA data center consistent with international standards; (e) enhancement of weather data collection and information dissemination services (including use of local dialects and nontechnical terms, and partnership); (f) creation of a human resource development program (new salary scale, retention incentive, scholarships); and (g) development of regional and international cooperation programs.
Before acquisition/upgrade, PAGASA must conduct an inventory of all existing government and private weather instruments nationwide. Acquisition of new instruments must be harmonized with the phase-out of uneconomical and obsolete instruments in PAGASA’s inventory.
It calls for a rationalized and totally integrated approach focusing on improving basic operations and developing specialized services, and it expressly mentions the development of specialized services with cost recovery measures.
The data center centralizes PAGASA technical outputs (facts, figures, statistics) through a technology-based system consistent with international standards. It is meant to make information readily accessible to government agencies involved in DRRM, CCA, and water programs, the academe, researchers, media, and the general public.
It requires development and use of effective weather information methods using local dialects, nontechnical terms, and familiar graphical presentations to ensure accurate, up-to-date, timely information and public awareness. It also provides that PAGASA should partner with other government agencies and private entities for data collection and dissemination.
DBM must develop a new salary scale for PAGASA personnel consistent with RA 8439 (Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other S&T Personnel in Government), with increased base pay, allowances, and benefits. Qualified PAGASA personnel may receive a “Personnel Retention Incentive” not exceeding 20% of monthly basic salary, subject to IRR; and scholarships must be provided within three (3) years for undergraduate/graduate studies in meteorology and related fields and specialized training programs.
The Secretary of DOST and the Administrator of PAGASA, coordinated with the Secretary of DBM and the Director-General of NEDA, formulate and oversee implementation. Within ninety (90) days from effectivity of the Act, the Secretary of DOST submits the PAGASA Modernization Program to the President for approval.
The modernization program is implemented for an initial period of three (3) years. Payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred under the Act may extend beyond this period.
The Fund is exclusively for the PAGASA Modernization Program, sourced from: (1) P3,000,000,000.00 taken from PAGCOR’s share of the National Government in gross income, with P1,500,000,000.00 per year for two years after effectivity; the entire P3B including interest income must be used exclusively for capital outlay; (2) income from PAGASA specialized products/services and cost recovery; and (3) loans, grants, bequests, and donations (local or foreign), with authority for DOST Secretary (with NEDA and DOF approval) to enter loan agreements with foreign financial institutions.
PAGASA may implement a sustainable Specialized Services and Cost Recovery Program to earn revenue from specialized weather products and services, especially those related to aviation and maritime, weather certifications, and scientific/technical publications for which fees can be charged. However, no fees may be charged for regular and special forecasts, warnings that affect national safety, and other relevant data/products/services for the public good.
The Administrator must prepare an annual report on the status of implementation, submitted through the Secretary of DOST to the President and the Chairpersons of the Committees on Science and Technology of the Senate and House of Representatives, not later than June 30 of the succeeding year.
IRR must be issued within ninety (90) days from effectivity by DOST, PAGASA, and DBM. The Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.