Senator Alan Peter Cayetano stressed the urgent need to modernize the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), citing Taal Volcano’s minor eruption recently as a wake-up call for the country’s disaster preparedness.
During the deliberations on the PHIVOLCS Modernization Act (Senate Bill No. 2825), Cayetano pointed out the importance of a proactive approach to disaster preparedness and risk reduction.
“Mabigat na wake-up call sa atin ang pagsabog ng Taal.”
“Ang Pilipinas kasi isa sa pinaka-vulnerable [when it comes to disasters caused by natural hazards]. Mabigat na wake-up call sa atin ang pagsabog ng Taal, and may mga areas na hindi gitna ng media activities, pero bugbog sila sa calamities,” the veteran legislator said.
“That’s what this modernization bill is about. How we can mitigate disasters, risks, how we can prepare, and how we can also take care of our nature better,” the seasoned lawmaker added.
According to PHIVOLCS, a four-minute minor phreatomagmatic eruption, or an eruption involving both water and magma, occurred at Taal Volcano in Batangas at 5:58 a.m. on December 3.
The senator pointed out that only 10 of the country’s 24 active volcanoes are currently monitored, and only Taal and Mayon volcanoes have complete monitoring systems.
He added that the country lags behind its regional peers in seismic monitoring capabilities.
“Taiwan, which is 36,197 square kilometers, has 194 seismic stations as of 2019 while the Philippines, which is 300,000 square kilometers, only has 125,” Cayetano said.
He said the proposed measure aims to address these gaps by modernizing PHIVOLCS’ equipment, increasing the number of seismic stations, and ensuring better salaries and training for its personnel.
“Ang PHIVOLCS ngayon parang TV na functional, pero you can only watch [several] channels.”
“Ang PHIVOLCS ngayon parang TV na functional, pero you can only watch [several] channels. They are doing their best based on what equipment we bought, but as I said they can do much better if we give them the right equipment,” Cayetano stressed.
He also explained that the bill would serve as a framework for ensuring a clear and consistent approach to disaster preparedness and response.
“It’s a modernization bill, a coordination bill, it’s a bill that provides for master planning but more than that, it provides a framework,” Cayetano said.
“With the law, it becomes policy, and the framework is clear to everyone,” he added.
Under the proposed measure, PHIVOLCS would be able to establish more seismic stations and implement capacity-building programs.
“At our present rate, it will take up to 43 years bago makumpleto yung 300 seismic stations kasi every year, iilan lang ang ina-approve natin,” Cayetano said.
“But with the law, hopefully, it will be clear na may modernization plan, and in five years, makumpleto nila [ang seismic stations],” he added.
Cayetano also pointed out the broader implications of the bill, saying it is “only one part of a bigger puzzle on how to keep the Philippines and Filipinos safe.”
