Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 1) — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) needs a total of ₱120 billion for a multi-year modernization program that will enable it to monitor all active volcanoes in the country, a Senate hearing on Friday showed.
In a hearing led by the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said at present, the agency can monitor only 10 out of 24 active volcanoes in the country.
“Only two have complete monitoring systems,” Bacolcol said, identifying them as Taal Volcano in Batangas and Mayon Volcano in Albay.
Equipment alone costs ₱5 billion, Bacolcol noted, adding that Phivolcs needs to hire more people as well.
All in all, \”it would be ₱24 billion per year,\” for the five-year modernization plan, said Trisha Baraan, acting director of the Department of Budget and Management-Budget Information Legislative Service.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, chairman of the committee, asked if the proposal is feasible. Baraan said it would depend on the priorities of the National Economic and Development Authority.
Cayetano said the timeline may have to be expanded.
