AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF VOLCANOLOGY AND SEISMOLOGY (PHILVOLCS), AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12180, April 24, 2025 ]

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF VOLCANOLOGY AND SEISMOLOGY (PHILVOLCS), AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "PHILVOLCS Modernization Act".

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to utilize scientific and technical knowledge and information as effective instruments to ensure the safety, well-being, and economic security of the people; safeguard the environment; and promote national progress and sustainable socio-economic development through various applications of geosciences and allied sciences. The State adheres to existing treaties and international agreements on geologic activities to which the Philippines is a signatory, to ensure international cooperation, peace and security. The State recognizes the need to strengthen the capability of government personnel tasked to monitor volcanic and seismological activities, perform related services, and provided adequate and timely information to the public. Towards this end, the State shall undertake the modernization of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS) to improve its technological operational capacity; strengthen its role as the principal authority mandated to mitigate hazards of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other related geotectonic phenomena through reliable and accurate detection, forecast, and warning systems; and to attain its vision as a center of excellence for geotectonic information services.

Section 3. Objectives. - A PHLVOLCS Modernization Program shall be established to provide PHILVOLCS with state-of-the-art equipment, highly trained personnel, and more seismic stations that shall effectively increase the capability to detect and locate earthquake, volcanic, and tsunami events, particularly in communities at risk.

It shall be implemented in accordance with the following objectives:

Section 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

Section 5. Mandate. - The PHILVOLCS is mandated to:

Section 6. Organizational Structure. - The PHILVOLCS shall be an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for purposes of policy and program coordination to ensure alignment with national science and technology policies and priorities.

The PHILVOLCS shall be headed by an Executive Director, with the rank and compensation of a Department Undersecretary. The Executive Director shall be assisted by three (3) Deputy Executive Directors with the rank and compensation equivalent to a Department Assistant Secretary under the following services:

The Executive Director and Deputy Executive Directors shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary of the DOST.

Section 7. Qualifications. - The Executive Director shall have the following qualifications:

Section 8. Component of Modernization. - The PHILVOLCS Modernization Program shall have the following components:

Section 9. Whole-of-Government and Society Approach. - The Act shall be implemented using a whole-of-government and -society approach to ensure proper and effective coordination of various aspects in disaster risk mitigation and response across all areas of government policy spanning local governance, education, communication, S&T, among other. The PHILVOLCS shall engage with the private sector, civil society, academic community, and other stakeholders to pursue areas of collaboration consistent with Section 5 of this Act. The PHILVOLCS Modernization Program shall be aligned with national policies and priorities. Accordingly, the PHILVOLCS shall:

Section 10. Collaboration or Linkages with LGUs. - The PHILVOLCS shall develop and strengthen collaboration with LGUs to cover the following areas:

Section 11. Components of the HRDP. - The HRDP component shall include:

Section 12. Disaster Preparedness, Public Information and Dissemination Services. - The modernization of the PHILVOLCS shall enhance public information, education, and advocacy on earthquake, tsunami, and volcanic hazards and risks. To facilitate the appropriate appreciation and delivery of science-based information to target stakeholders for proper response before, during, and after the occurrence of these hazards, there shall be a:

Section 13. Formulation and Submission of the PHILVOLCS Modernization Program. - The Executive Directors of the PHILVOLCS, in coordination with the Secretary of the DBM and the Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), shall formulate the PHILVOLCS Modernization Program and oversee its implementation based on the policy objectives provided in this Act.

The PHILVOLCS Modernization Program shall, among others, include the:

Section 14. Period of Implementation. - The PHILVOLCS Modernization Program shall be implemented for a period of five (5) years: Provided, That payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred under this Act may extend beyond this period: Provided, further, That PHILVOLCS shall continue to modernize and update its operational capabilities to keep pace with best international practices.

Section 15. PHILVOLCS Modernization Fund. - There is hereby created the PHILVOLCS Modernization Fund to be used exclusively for the PHILVOLCS Modernization Program, which shall be sourced from the following:

The PHILVOLCS Modernization Fund shall be administered by the Executive Director of the PHILVOLCS in accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations.

Section 16. Official Site. - The PHILVOLCS shall acquire available land within the greater Metropolitan manila as a first choice for establishing its new headquarters under this Act. Alternatively, an area under the administration of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) within the Clark Special Economic Zone in Tarlac may be leased exclusively for the PHILVOLCS, with an option to purchase, based on terms and conditions agreed upon by the BCDA and the PHILVOLCS, in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

Section 17. Tax Exemptions. - Donations, grants, gifts, endowments, legacies, and contributions used actually, directly, and exclusively by the PHILVOLCS shall be exempt from donor's tax and considered as allowable deduction from gross income for purposes of computing the taxable income of the donor, in accordance with Section 34(H)(2)(a) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended: Provided, That such other transfers of ownership and/or possession of real or personal properties of all kinds shall be exempt from all taxes.

Section 18. Simplification of Documentation Requirements. -

Section 19. Annual Report. - The Executive Director of the PHILVOLCS shall prepare an annual report on the implementation status of the PHILVOLCS Modernization Program which shall be submitted through the DOST Secretary, to the President of the Philippines, and to the Chairpersons of the Committees on Science and Technology of the Senate and the House of Representatives not later than June 30 of every year.

Section 20. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DOST-PHILVOLCS. Thereafter, such amount needed for the continued implementation of the PHILVOLCS Modernization Program shall be included in the annual GAA.

Section 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the PHILVOLCS, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall formulate the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

Section 22. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 23. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, letters of instruction, proclamations, or administrative regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Section 24. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

This Act, which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2825 and House Bill No. 10730, was passed by the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives on February 4, 2025.

Approved: APR 24 2025

(SGD.) FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR.
President of the Philippines