President Marcos signs Phivolcs Modernization Act

Phivolcs

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has signed Republic Act No. 12180, otherwise known as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Modernization Act.

The law was signed on April 24 and was posted in the Official Gazette on Friday.

RA 12180 specifically seeks to provide Phivolcs with state-of-the-art equipment, highly trained personnel, and more seismic stations, which shall effectively increase the capability to detect and locate earthquake, volcanic, and tsunami events, particularly in communities at risk.

Under the law, the modernization of Phivolcs shall be implemented in accordance with the following objectives:

• Upgrade physical resources and operational standards through the acquisition of state-of-the-art instruments, equipment, facilities, and systems to enhance capabilities in providing critical and reliable volcanological and seismological data
• Advance research capabilities by adopting a systematic approach and integrating all developed methodologies focused on the improvement of vital operations, specialized functions, and services
• Expand seismological monitoring stations in strategic sites in the country to broaden the base for the delivery of services in the countryside
• Strengthen state-of-the-art data center consistent with international standards in order to centralize the provision of volcanic earthquake, tsunami, and other related information to the public and stakeholders
• Strengthen linkages and cooperation at the national level among the various providers and users of geological, seismological, and other services

READ: Bill on modernization of Phivolcs