PAGASA modernization for improved services

Policy and mandate for PAGASA modernization

The State policy is to use scientific and technical knowledge and information to ensure safety, well-being and economic security, safeguard the environment, and promote national progress and sustainable socioeconomic development through meteorology, geophysics, astronomy, and allied sciences (Section 2).
The State policy recognizes the need to strengthen the capability of government personnel providing atmospheric, geophysical, astronomical and other weather and climate-related services and information to the public (Section 2).
The State shall undertake PAGASA modernization to improve its technological operational capacity, strengthen PAGASA as the premier national weather agency, and attain its vision as a center of excellence for weather-related information services (Section 2).
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 (Section 3).
PAGASA must also provide science and technology-based assessments for decision-making in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and integrated water resources management, including capacity building (Section 3).
PAGASA must ensure the country fulfills commitments to international meteorological and climate change agreements (Section 3).

Purpose and modernization objectives

The PAGASA Modernization Program must be implemented to upgrade resources and operational techniques by acquiring and developing state-of-the-art instruments, equipment, facilities and systems for weather, flood monitoring, forecasting, and localized warning and information services for disaster preparedness and multiple sectors (Section 4(a)).
The program must enhance research and development capabilities using a rationalized and integrated approach, focusing on improved basic operations and specialized services with cost recovery measures (Section 4(b)).
The program must integrate disaster risk reduction and management, climate change adaptation, and water resources management into sustainable socioeconomic development planning at national and local levels in coordination with relevant agencies and entities (Section 4(c)).
The program must strengthen national linkages and cooperation among providers and users of weather, climate, and water-related information, products, and services, including mechanisms to support such cooperation (Section 4(d)).
The program must establish and enhance field weather service centers in strategic areas to broaden delivery of services to the countryside (Section 4(e)).
The program must strengthen a technology-based data center consistent with international standards to make information available for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plans, Climate Change Adaptation Program, Water Resources Program, and related efforts (Section 4(f)).
The program must enhance public information, education and advocacy on atmospheric, astronomical, and hydro-meteorological hazards and their impacts, risks, and vulnerability, including droughts and extreme weather and climatic events (Section 4(g)).
The program must facilitate delivery of information, products, and services to decision makers, media, other users, and the general public (Section 4(h)).
The program must provide a more competitive base pay and other benefits to promote professionalism and commitment of PAGASA personnel (Section 4(i)).

Organizational structure and appointments

PAGASA is an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for purposes of policy and program coordination to align with national science and technology policies and priorities (Section 5).
PAGASA is headed by an Administrator with the rank and compensation of a Department Undersecretary, appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Secretary of DOST (Section 5).
The Administrator is assisted by three (3) Deputy Administrators: for Operations and Regional Services, for Research and Development, and for Administration, Finance and Engineering Services (Section 5).
The Deputy Administrators are appointed by the President (Section 5).
No person may be appointed as Administrator or Deputy Administrator unless the person is a citizen and resident of the Philippines, of good moral character, with proven integrity, possessing an advanced degree in Meteorology or related fields of study, and having at least five (5) years of competence and expertise in meteorology, geophysics, astronomy or allied sciences (Section 6).
The Administrator and the two (2) Deputy Administrators must be career executive officers (Section 6).

Modernization program components

PAGASA modernization must implement the following components: (a) modernization of physical resources and operational techniques, (b) enhancement of research and development capability, (c) establishment of regional weather service centers, (d) establishment of a PAGASA data center, (e) enhancement of weather data collection and information dissemination services, (f) creation of a human resource development program, and (g) development of regional and international cooperation (Section 7).
The modernization of physical resources and operational techniques requires acquisition and/or upgrade of state-of-the-art instruments and systems, with emphasis on weather and flood monitoring and warning and agro-meteorological observation for agriculture and food security (Section 7(a)).
Prior to acquisition or upgrade, an inventory of all existing government and private weather instruments nationwide must be undertaken (Section 7(a)).
New instruments, equipment, and systems must be harmonized with the phase-out of uneconomical and obsolete instruments, equipment, and systems in PAGASA’s inventory (Section 7(a)).
Establishment of regional weather service centers includes setting up flood forecasting and warning sub-centers in strategic areas (Section 7(c)).
The PAGASA data center must centralize facts, figures, and statistics derived from PAGASA operations and systems through a technology-based data center consistent with international standards for access and availability to government agencies, the academe, researchers, media, and the general public (Section 7(d)).
Weather information dissemination must use effective methods using local dialects, nontechnical terms, and familiar graphical presentations to deliver accurate, up-to-date, and timely information and to create public awareness for disaster risk reduction (Section 7(e)).
PAGASA must partner with other government agencies and private entities for collection and dissemination of weather data and information (Section 7(e)).

Human resource and cooperation measures

PAGASA must create a Human Resource Development Program as part of modernization (Section 7(f)).
DBM must develop a new salary scale for PAGASA personnel in consonance with Republic Act No. 8439 (the “Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other Science and Technology Personnel in Government”) with corresponding increases in base pay, allowances, and other benefits (Section 7(f)(i)).
A Personnel Retention Incentive must be provided to qualified PAGASA personnel, determined by PAGASA in consultation with DBM, in an amount not exceeding twenty percent (20%) of the monthly basic salary, subject to IRR (Section 7(f)(ii)).
PAGASA must provide scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies in meteorology and related fields and for specialized training programs, not later than three (3) years from the enactment of the Act, in coordination with DOST, CHED, and HEIs (Section 7(f)(iii)).
Cooperation on human resources upgrading and capability enhancement must be undertaken with regional and international organizations (Section 7(f)(iii)).
PAGASA must develop a Regional and International Cooperation Program through collaborative arrangements with relevant regional and international bodies and government institutions to complement national modernization efforts (Section 7(g)).

Program formulation, timeline, and oversight

The Secretary of DOST and the Administrator of PAGASA, in coordination with the Secretary of DBM and the Director-General of NEDA, must formulate the PAGASA Modernization Program and oversee implementation based on the Act’s policy objectives (Section 8).
The PAGASA Modernization Program must indicate: (a) requirements in personnel, equipment, and facilities during each modernization stage; (b) modernization projects showing equipment/technology acquisitions, major construction or facility upgrade, and the component and objective to which each acquisition/construction/upgrading belongs; and (c) priorities, schedules, and estimated costs for each modernization project (Section 8).
Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of the Act, the Secretary of DOST must submit the PAGASA Modernization Program to the President for approval (Section 8).
The modernization program must be implemented for an initial period of three (3) years (Section 9).
Payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred under the Act may extend beyond the three-year period (Section 9).
PAGASA must continue to modernize and constantly update operational capabilities to keep pace with best global practices (Section 9).
The Administrator must prepare an annual report on the modernization program’s status, submitted through the Secretary of DOST to the President and to the Chairpersons of the Senate and House Committees on Science and Technology not later than June 30 of the succeeding year (Section 12).

PAGASA Modernization Fund and revenue programs

A PAGASA Modernization Fund is created to be used exclusively for the PAGASA Modernization Program (Section 10).
The Fund must be sourced from the following:
- Three billion pesos (P3,000,000,000.00) to be taken from PAGCOR’s share in gross income, with one billion five hundred million pesos (P1,500,000,000.00) per year released for two (2) years after effectivity; the entire P3,000,000,000.00, including any interest income thereon, must be used exclusively for capital outlay (Section 10(a)).
- Income from PAGASA Specialized Products and Services and the Cost Recovery Program under Section 11 (Section 10(b)).
- Loans, grants, bequests, and donations from local or foreign sources, with authority granted to the Secretary of DOST with approval of NEDA and subsequently DOF to enter into loan agreements with foreign financial institutions (Section 10(c)).
The Fund is administered by the Administrator of PAGASA under existing government budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations (Section 10).
PAGASA, with approval of the Secretary of DOST, must implement a sustainable PAGASA Specialized Services and Cost Recovery Program to earn revenue from issuance of specialized weather products and services, especially those related to the aviation and maritime industry, weather certifications, and scientific and technical publications for which necessary fees can be charged (Section 11).
No fees may be charged for issuance of regular and special forecasts and warnings that affect national safety, and for such other relevant data, products, and services for the public good (Section 11).

Appropriations, IRR, and governance

Implementation of the Act must be initially charged against the current fiscal year appropriations of DOST–PAGASA, and thereafter included in the annual General Appropriations Act (Section 13).
Grants, bequests, contributions, and donations from local or foreign sources may augment the required amounts (Section 13).
Acceptance of grants, bequests, contributions, and donations from foreign governments requires approval of the President upon recommendation of the Secretaries of DOST and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) (Section 13).
DOST, PAGASA, and DBM must issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) within ninety (90) days from the Act’s effectivity (Section 14).

Separability, repeals, and effectivity

If any provision or part of the Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other unaffected provisions continue in full force and effect (Section 15).
All laws, orders, proclamations, rules, and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the Act are repealed or modified accordingly (Section 16).
The Act’s effectivity is fifteen (15) days after publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation (Section 17).