APALIT - Fourth district Representative Anna York Bondoc reiterated the call for the immediate passage of bill modernizing the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Bondoc issued this statement after a 6.3 tectonic earthquake jolted Luzon while Pampanga was commemorating the 32nd anniversary of Mt. Pinatubo eruption on Thursday, June 15.
“Kahapon (June 15), anniversary of Pinatubo and there was an earthquake. Kailangan na talaga modernize ang PHIVOLCS-DOST,” said Bondoc.
The solon also cited the high level of unrest in Mayon Volcano which threatens thousands of residents in Albay, Bicol.
“We live in an earthquake and active volcano zone. We need to closely monitor these possible disasters and PHIVOLCS needs the funds,” Bondoc said.
House 7142 or the PHIVOLCS Modernization Bill, seeks to grant funds and support for the monitoring of volcanoes, earthquakes and even tsunamis.
Bondoc filed the bill in February 2023 in a bid to prevent a repeat of what Kapampangans experience during the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991.
“I supported this because of our experience with Pinatubo explosion which continues to cause floods up to today,” she said.
The proposed legislation included the acquisition and development of state-of-the-art instruments and facilities, the enhancement of research and development capabilities and improve basic operations and specialized services.
The bill is seeking to allocate P5-billion to Phivolcs which will be released on a staggered scheme.
This will allow the agency to purchase and maintain new early warning and monitoring devices, Bondoc said.