Marcos approves P7-billion Phivolcs modernization program

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The new law will provide the institute state-of-the-art equipment, highly trained staff, and additional seismic stations to increase its capacity to detect and locate earthquakes and tsunami events

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed a law that will modernize the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Republic Act No. 12180 or the Phivolcs Modernization Act was signed by the President on Thursday, April 24, but was published in the Official Gazette on Friday, April 25.

A service institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Phivolcs “is principally mandated to mitigate disasters that may arise from volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunami, and other related geotectonic phenomena.”

The highlight of the newly enacted law is the Phivolcs modernization fund amounting to P7 billion. This amount will be allotted separate from the DOST’s budget under the General Appropriations Act and will be sourced for five years until the entire P7 billion is completed.

Under the law, a program will be established to provide the institute state-of-the-art equipment, highly trained staff, and additional seismic stations to increase the Phivolcs’ capacity to detect and locate earthquakes and tsunami events.

The law will provide the institute a data center that will meet international standards to centralize “the provision of volcanic, earthquake, tsunami, and other related information to the public and stakeholders involved in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM).”

It also aims to enhance the delivery of information about geoscience and geotectonic phenomena to sectors like local DRRMs, media, and the general public.

In addition, the law also seeks the inclusion of lessons on natural hazards in the Department of Education’s curriculum. It also wants to support the promotion of volcanology and seismology-related course programs in universities and colleges located in communities at risk to volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis.

Kanlaon task force

Marcos also signed his Administrative Order No. 32, which created the National Task Force Kanlaon to respond to the volcanic threats in the Negros Island Region.

The order was signed following Kanlaon Volcano’s increasing activity since 2024. Kanlaon has been under Alert Level 3 since December 9, 2024. Based on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s data, the eruption has so far affected over 12,000 families or over 48,500 people.

Kanlaon’s activity has also caused P129 million in damage to agriculture.

The new task force will oversee the planning and implementation of recovery and resettlement programs for affected residents.

National Task Force Kanlaon will be chaired by the Department of National Defense, and with member-agencies such as the DOST, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works and Highways, and Department of Social Welfare and Development, among others. – Rappler.com