A Forecaster show Typhoon Basyang weakened into a Tropical depression while approching Northern Palawan at PAGASA office in Quezon City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The House of Representatives approved a bill seeking to modernize the state weather bureau and increase the salary of its personnel.
House Bill 4397, which is passed on third and final reading, seeks to modernize the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
According to the bill, its objective is to “upgrade physical resources and operational techniques through the acquisition of state-of-the-art instruments, equipment and facilities…”
This is to “enhance current capabilities in providing timely, accurate and reliable weather, flood, climate monitoring, forecasting and warning services…” the bill read.
The bill also seeks to “increase the base pay, allowances and other benefits of the agency subject to the approval of the President.”
This will be done through a “new salary scale” consistent with Republic Act 8439 or the Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other Science and Technology Personnel in government.
A “better and more competitive base pay… and benefits” would “promote professionalism and foster commitment to the service,” the bill said.
The agency has been wracked with an exodus of personnel due to its low pay and better opportunities abroad.
The bill also wants to improve research and development, promote human resource, as well as develop ways to integrate disaster management with socioeconomic development planning and water resource management.
It seeks to enhance regional weather service centers and develop a “technology-based” and “financially self-sufficient” data center.
The bill also wants to promote public awareness on the weather, floods, typhoon and other hazard events through education and social media.
A Pagasa Modernization Program should be formulated by the Department of Science and Technology, Pagasa and the National Economic and Development Authority, the bill said.
The modernization plan should be implemented within a period of three years.
The authors of the bill are Representatives Arthur Yap, Marcelino Teodoro, Harlin Abayon, Lani Mercado-Revilla, Diosdado Macapagal-Arroyo, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Victor Yu, Mariano Velarde.
Mariano Piamonte, Eufranio Eriguel, Lawrence Fortun, Erico Aumentado, Marie Anne Pernes, Francis Abaya, Roman Romulo, Christopher Co, Rodel Batocabe, and Xavier Romualdo.
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