Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday led the Senate in ratifying the final version of the PHIVOLCS Modernization Act (House Bill No. 10730 and Senate Bill No. 2825), following the successful bicameral conference committee last week.
As the sponsor of the bill and head of the Senate panel, Cayetano delivered the highlights of the bicameral conference committee report during the Senate session on February 4, 2025 which reconciled differences between the Senate and House versions of the measure.
“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,” he said.
The bicameral conference committee adopted the Senate version as the working draft, incorporating several key provisions.
One provision allows PHIVOLCS to lease, with an option to purchase, an area within the Clark Special Economic Zone in Tarlac from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) based on terms and conditions to be agreed upon by the BCDA and PHIVOLCS.
Another key provision mandates the development of collaborative arrangements with regional and international bodies to enhance PHIVOLCS’ modernization efforts and complement national disaster response initiatives.
In his speech, Cayetano emphasized that the bill will be a crucial step toward strengthening the country’s disaster preparedness and response.
“What we can do is to be prepared, warn people, and of course what we can do is honor God’s creation by protecting nature,” he said.
“Through this bill, we will enable PHIVOLCS to modernize, hire the people they need, to provide career paths for them, and of course, to provide the equipment that they need,” he added.
The PHIVOLCS Modernization Act aims to expand and upgrade the agency’s equipment, facilities, and workforce to improve its ability to monitor and respond to disasters.
One major goal of the measure is to install seismic monitoring systems in all 24 active volcanoes in the country, having an increase from the current 10. It also seeks to expand earthquake monitoring stations from 125 to 300, ensuring broader and more accurate seismic data collection.
Additionally, the bill provides for better salaries and training programs for PHIVOLCS personnel to attract and retain experts in the field.
The measure is set to be sent to Malacanang for the President’s approval.###
