Senators expressed strong support for the PHIVOLCS Modernization Act (Senate Bill No. 2825) as Senator Alan Peter Cayetano brought the measure to the Senate floor on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
During the session, the period of amendments was opened with Senators Joel Villanueva, Pia Cayetano, Loren Legarda, and Aquilino Pimentel III proposing refinements to strengthen the measure.
Earlier this month, Cayetano emphasized the urgent need to modernize the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, citing the minor eruption of Taal Volcano as a wake-up call for improving the country’s disaster preparedness.
He further stressed this urgency following the recent eruption of Mount Kanlaon, which displaced several families.
“Considering the importance of this bill and urgency, if that isn’t a sign, then I don’t know what is. Nakikiramay po tayo sa mga naapektuhan ng pagsabog ng Kanlaon na ngayon nadisplace, and [we] hope we can do more for them,” he said.
Through this bill, the senator highlighted the importance of a proactive approach to disaster preparedness and risk reduction.
He explained that the measure will address gaps in the country’s current system by modernizing PHIVOLCS’ equipment, increasing the number of seismic stations, and improving salaries and training for its personnel.
Recognizing the bill’s significance, senators expressed their full support, pointing out the need for swift legislative action to strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness framework.
The PHIVOLCS Modernization Act has now been approved on Second Reading, with amendments, by the Senate.
