Senator Alan Peter Cayetano 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 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.”
“We can move towards having the best data at the earliest possible time if we pass this bill,” the veteran legislator added.
The bill aims to provide PHIVOLCS with more advanced tools and infrastructure, improve its research and public outreach, and expand its monitoring capabilities.
The chair the Senate Committee on Science and Technology said the bill would not only benefit PHIVOLCS but could also lead other government agencies towards 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,” the seasoned lawmaker stressed.
“This measure is vital for improving the country’s disaster preparedness, especially for events like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.”
The senator 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, he 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,’ Cayetano stressed.
“With this bill, mas magiging handa po tayong lahat,” he added.
