Establishing the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of the Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Science Act of 1972

Declaration of Policy (Section 2):
• The State shall provide protection against natural calamities and utilize scientific knowledge to ensure safety, well-being, economic security, and national progress.
• The government shall:
- Intensify research in atmospheric, geophysical, and astronomical sciences and provide incentives. (Section 2a)
- Undertake measures to minimize adverse effects of natural disasters like typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis. (Section 2b)
- Recommend innovations in the educational system to raise awareness and provide competent scientific personnel. (Section 2c)
- Facilitate acquisition, collection, archiving, processing, and dissemination of atmospheric, geophysical, and astronomical data. (Section 2d)
- Promote coordination and cooperation in research to optimize results. (Section 2e)
- Establish weather stations in strategic places like Batanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Samar, and Romblon. (Section 2f)

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) (Section 3):
• PAGASA is created under the Department of National Defense with the following functions:
- Observe, report weather, and issue forecasts and warnings affecting national safety, welfare, and economy. (Section 3a)
- Undertake activities for typhoon moderation and weather modification projects. (Section 3b)
- Conduct continuous earthquake recording and observation, issue advisories, and provide safety factors for building design. (Section 3c)
- Coordinate with international organizations for tsunami and typhoon warning dissemination. (Section 3d)
- Provide and disseminate the precise standard time of the Philippines, maintain satellite tracking system, observe astronomical phenomena, and collate observational data. (Section 3e)
- Provide an adequate communications system for efficient reception and transmission of meteorological, seismic, and astronomical reports. (Section 3f)
- Coordinate with other agencies in pre-disaster and community preparedness planning. (Section 3g)
- Collect, process, archive, publish, and disseminate atmospheric, geophysical, and astronomical data for various sectors. (Section 3h)
- Conduct fundamental and applied research, provide training facilities, and meet the country's need for scientific personnel. (Section 3i)
- Accept donations in the form of equipment, scholarships, sites, buildings, etc. (Section 3j)

Major Organizational Units (Section 4):
• National Weather Service: Operational activities related to observation, moderation, modification, and reporting of weather; issue forecasts and warnings. (Section 4a)
• National Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Data Service: Acquisition, collection, quality control, processing, and archiving of atmospheric and allied data; conduct studies on climatology, agrometeorology, solar radiation, wind effects, and other technological studies. (Section 4b)
• National Geophysical and Astronomical Service: Observations and studies of geophysical and astronomical phenomena; issue bulletins and technical advice on significant events like severe earthquakes and tsunamis; serve as the official time service agency. (Section 4c)
• National Institute of Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Sciences: Develop knowledge in atmospheric, geophysical, and astronomical sciences; provide manpower supply of well-trained scientists and personnel; conduct research in weather moderation, geophysics, and astronomy. (Section 4d)

Administrator and Personnel (Section 5):
• PAGASA shall be headed by an Administrator appointed by the President, with compensation equivalent to a class "a" Bureau.
• The Administrator shall be a citizen of the Philippines with proven executive ability and distinguished in science and technology.
• Heads of major organizational units shall be citizens with proven executive ability and distinction in their respective fields.
• Subordinate personnel shall be appointed by the Administrator in accordance with civil service laws and rules.

Powers and Duties of the Administrator (Section 6):
• Promulgate necessary rules and regulations. (Section 6a)
• Exercise supervision and control over all units. (Section 6b)
• Delegate authority for performance of any function. (Section 6c)
• Prescribe office hours for employees engaged in technical work to maintain a continuous 24-hour watch. (Section 6d)
• Require duty beyond prescribed hours during inclement weather, natural disasters, and authorize overtime pay of at least 25% additional for services exceeding 40 hours per week. (Section 6e)
• Authorize research incentive pay of 15% of monthly salary for one year following publication of research work. (Section 6f)
• Provide living quarters at government expense for personnel on 24-hour call. (Section 6g)
• Submit an annual report to the Secretary of National Defense within 60 days after the fiscal year. (Section 6h)

Procurement of Scientific Equipment (Section 7):
• The Administrator is authorized to conduct sealed bids and canvass the foreign and local market for procurement of instruments, materials, equipment, and supplies of technical and scientific nature without intervention of the Bureau of Supply Coordination, subject to approval of the Secretary of National Defense.

Emergency Disbursements (Section 8):
• The Administrator is authorized to disburse up to 50,000 pesos per month from PAGASA funds or savings during natural calamities related to PAGASA functions, without prior approval, but shall be answerable to the Secretary of National Defense and the President.

Hazardous Duty Pay (Section 9):
• During natural calamities, officers or employees performing official duties involving personal danger shall be entitled to additional compensation determined by the Administrator and approved by the Secretary of National Defense, not exceeding 25% of annual salary for one year, exclusive of per diems and other allowances.

Appropriations (Section 10):
• 14 million pesos is authorized to be appropriated, in addition to the current budget of the Weather Bureau:
- 10 million pesos for purchase of modern weather equipment to rehabilitate, update, upgrade, and replenish facilities.
- 4 million pesos for capital outlay, personnel, and other operating expenses of PAGASA.

Transfer of Personnel and Property (Section 11):
• The Weather Bureau is abolished.
• Personnel, records, assets, liabilities, funds, and unexpended appropriations of the Weather Bureau shall be transferred to PAGASA.
• The incumbent Director of the Weather Bureau shall continue as the Administrator of PAGASA.
• The Administrator is authorized to reorganize the internal organization of PAGASA, subject to approval of the Secretary of National Defense.

Repeal of Inconsistent Laws (Section 12):
• All laws, orders, proclamations, rules, and regulations inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.