MANILA — The House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at modernizing the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), significantly enhancing the agency's capabilities in monitoring and responding to geotectonic disasters.
According to Philippines News Agency, the bill, known as House Bill 10730 or the proposed Phivolcs Modernization Act, was approved with unanimous support from lawmakers, receiving 183 votes in favor. No votes were cast against the measure, and no lawmaker abstained. The bill proposes a comprehensive upgrade to Phivolcs' technological and operational capacity, aiming to better prepare the Philippines to handle volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and other related phenomena.
Marquez emphasized the critical need for Phivolcs to adopt modern technologies and expand its workforce to provide improved services that ensure public safety. "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," he stated.
The bill outlines the creation of a Phivolcs modernization fund amounting to PHP7 billion, which will be sourced from the national government's share of net income from various government agencies and enterprises. This fund will be used to acquire and upgrade state-of-the-art instruments, equipment, and facilities.
Further, the legislation includes provisions to establish a new salary scale and introduce a Personnel Retention Incentive for qualified Phivolcs personnel to attract and retain top talent in the field. It also seeks to strengthen the Human Resource Development Program within the agency.
Marquez also highlighted the bill’s mandate for Phivolcs to collaborate closely with local government units (LGUs) to enhance their disaster preparedness plans. "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 explained.
The passage of this bill represents a significant step towards bolstering the Philippines' resilience against natural disasters through enhanced scientific monitoring and community preparedness.