House approves Phivolcs modernization bill on final reading

House of Representatives (File Photo: House of Representatives of the Philippines/Facebook)

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved on the third and final reading a measure seeking to modernize the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

A total of 183 lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill 10730, or the proposed Phivolcs Modernization Act,
to improve the technological operational capacity of the agency to strengthen its ability to mitigate disasters that may arise from volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and other related geotectonic phenomena.

No lawmaker voted against the measure or abstained from voting.

House Committee on Science and Technology chairperson and Aklan Rep. Carlito Marquez said the bill aims to enhance and augment Phivolcs’ monitoring and warning capabilities through the acquisition and upgrade of state-of-the-art instruments, equipment, facilities, systems, and operational techniques.

“To efficiently adapt to modern times, Phivolcs must enhance its capability and capacity in providing services that protect our people. There is an urgent need to modernize, upgrade, and expand their personnel, ensuring that they are equipped and trained to operate new cutting-edge technology,” Marquez said.

Under the bill, a Phivolcs modernization fund shall be created amounting to PHP7 billion to be sourced from the share of the national government in the net income of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Philippine Ports Authority and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

“It is in everyone’s best interest to arm Phivolcs with modern-day facilities and equipment and by doing so, we can all be better prepared to face the natural calamities that inevitably come our way,” Marquez said.

The bill seeks to establish a new salary scale and additional incentive called Personnel Retention Incentive for qualified Phivolcs personnel, as well as strengthen its Human Resource Development Program.

“Improving the pay and benefits of Phivolcs officials and staff is essential to track and retain the top current scientists in this critical field,” Marquez said.

Marquez said the bill also mandates stronger collaboration between Phivolcs and the local government units (LGUs) in crafting plans attuned to the local needs of its constituents to increase public resilience to earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.

“What does this mean for the local government units? Phivolcs will play a crucial role in enhancing their disaster preparedness plans, ensuring that risk communication with their constituents is clear, effective, and timely,” he said.