The earth's crust is a mosaic
of separate plates which are continuously moving relative to
each other. Volcanoes and earthquakes occur in zones where
these plates interact. The Philippines, being situated in a
zone where at least three lithospheric plates coalesce, hosts
more than 200 volcanoes and experiences at least 5
imperceptible to perceptible earthquakes a day.
The violent eruption of
Hibok-Hibok Volcano in 1951 made the nation realize the
necessity to seriously monitor and conduct studies on active
volcanoes in the country. Republic Act No. 766 created the
Commission on Volcanology (COMVOL) in 1952 primarily to
"safeguard life and property against volcanic eruption
and dangers" and provide relief for the victims in the
event of such calamity.
COMVOL established monitoring
stations in the five most active volcanoes whose eruptive
activities posed threats to the nearby populace. While
gathering knowledge and expertise in volcanology, the
Commission shifted part of its attention to the energy needs
of the country in the 1960's. Pioneering in geothermal energy
exploration, the COMVOL identified a number of areas with
geothermal energy potential. This effort led to the
development of some of these sites including the Tiwi
geothermal area where an energy-generating plant and a pilot
salt-making plant were established.
To meet the expanding science
and technology needs of the country, Executive Order 784 was
issued on March 17, 1982 providing for the reorganization of
the National Science Development Board (NSDB) and its agencies
into the National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA). By
virtue of this enactment, the Commission on Volcanology was
restructured and renamed Philippine Institute of Volcanology
(PHIVOLC) with redefined set of goals and objectives.
On September 17, 1984,
Seismology, or the science that deals with earthquakes, which
used to be a concern of PAGASA was transferred to the
Institute. Thus, PHIVOLC was renamed Philippine Institute of
Volcanology and Seismology or PHIVOLCS. Then in 1987, the NSTA
including PHIVOLCS underwent another reorganization by virtue
of Executive Order No. 128. The NSTA of 1982 was structurally
and functionally transformed into a Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) with
cabinet rank.
