Cayetano pushes urgency of PHIVOLCS modernization bill

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday voiced strong support for the modernization of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), aiming to strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness.

“Parati natin sinasabi ‘sana we have more facts,’ ‘sana may warning.’ The good news is that we can be more ready,” Cayetano said on September 18, 2024, as he sponsored Senate Bill No. 2825 under Committee Report No. 322, also known as the PHIVOLCS Modernization Act.

“We can move towards having the best data at the earliest possible time if we pass this bill,” he added.

The bill aims to provide PHIVOLCS with more advanced tools and infrastructure, improve its research and public outreach, and expand its monitoring capabilities.

Cayetano, who chairs the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, said the bill would not only benefit PHIVOLCS but could also lead other government agencies toward modernization.

“It will really help a lot of people but it will also open the doors for modernization of not only DOST [Department of Science and Technology] and DICT [Department of Information Communications Technology], but of many agencies of government,” he said.

Cayetano pointed out that this measure is vital for improving the country’s disaster preparedness, especially for events like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.

In his speech, the senator stressed the urgency of passing the bill, noting that disaster preparedness is often overlooked until it’s too late.

“Kailangan na kailangan natin ito pero naaalala lang natin ‘pag wala [na] tayong nasasabi sa ating sarili kung hindi ‘sana mas handa ako,’ he said.

“With this bill, mas magiging handa po tayong lahat,” he added. ###