Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  4195 
Introduced by Representative MA. VICTORIA CO-PILAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
For generations, Metro Manila has faced a formidable and recurring adversary: the 
flood. It arrives with the fury of the storm, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. This 
proposed legislation, the “Metro Manila Flood Management Act”, is not just a collection of laws; 
it is a Metro Manila-wide blueprint, a unified call to arms, and a strategic masterplan to finally 
turn the tide and build a future of resilience. 
This act acknowledges that victory over the waters requires a concerted effort. At its 
heart is the creation of a Metro Manila Flood Management Masterplan, a comprehensive 
strategy that will cover the confines of Metro Manila. This is our grand battle plan, meticulously 
crafted to identify and fortify our most vulnerable points. 
To execute this plan, the Act forges a formidable Inter-Agency Task Force, a council of 
guardians uniting key figures from the Department of Public Works and Highways, Metro 
Manila Development Authority, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 
This task force is our central command, ensuring that all our forces—from national agencies to 
local governments—are marching in lockstep. 
In essence, the “Flood Management Act” is a declaration of a new Metro Manila era. It 
is a commitment to proactive planning over reactive response, to coordinated action over 
fragmented efforts, and to punishing those who profit from our vulnerability. It is a blueprint to 
build not just stronger infrastructure, but a more resilient and secure future for all Filipinos 
living in Metro Manila. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
September 1, 2025
8:00 am


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  4195 
Introduced by Representative MA. VICTORIA CO-PILAR 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING A MASTERPLAN FOR METRO MANILA FLOOD 
MANAGEMENT, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in  Congress 
assembled:    
SECTION 1.  Short Title.  – This Act shall be known as the “Metro Manila Flood 
Management Act”.  
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.  – It shall be the policy of the State to uphold the 
constitutional right of the people for the protection of their life and property and the 
promotion of the general welfare. Towards this end, the State, shall establish and 
maintain a Metro Manila flood management masterplan, responsive to environmental 
or climatic events, in recognition of the vulnerability of the Philippines to climate 
change, the occurrence of severe floods, typhoons, and other natural or human-induced 
disasters, illnesses, diseases and other factors that affect the environment. 
SEC. 3. Establishment of a Metro Manila Flood Management Masterplan. – There is hereby 
established a Metro Manila Flood Management Masterplan. Within two (2) months from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Economy, Planning and Development is 
hereby directed to review and assess the current Flood Management Masterplan for 
Metro Manila (the “Masterplan”) and identify targets and reforms, as needed, for the 
purpose of ensuring its expedient and efficient implementation. 
Sec. 4. Inter-Agency Task Force for Flood Management. - There is hereby created an 
Inter-Agency Task Force for Flood Management (the “Task Force”) which shall oversee 
the implementation of the adopted Masterplan and coordinate the programs and 
activities of its member-agencies. 
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The Task Force shall be headed by the Secretary of Economy, Planning and 
Development as Chairperson, with the Secretary of Public Works and Highways, 
Secretary of Environmental and Natural Resources, Metro Manila Development 
Authority (MMDA), Director of the University of the Philippines Diliman-National 
Institute for Geological Sciences, Administrator of the Philippine Atmospheric, 
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and the chief 
executives of concerned LGUs as members. 
 
The Task Force is hereby directed to coordinate with national government 
agencies and local government units for the efficient implementation of the Masterplan. 
It shall also submit an annual report to the Oversight Committee referred to in Section 6 
hereof regarding the status of the structural and non-structural interventions in the 
Masterplan. 
 
Sec. 5. Institutional Roles. - Pursuant to the objectives of this Act, the various government 
institutions of the Philippines shall have the following obligations: 
a)​ The DEPDev shall identify targets and reforms, as needed, for the regular 
updating of the Masterplan. 
b)​ The DPWH shall serve as the lead agency for planning, implementation, and 
evaluation. 
c)​ The MMDA shall manage inter-agency and inter-LGU coordination. 
d)​ The DILG shall ensure local compliance and policy alignment. 
e)​ The DENR shall provide ecological and hydrological data support. 
f)​ The LGUs shall align their drainage plans, ordinances, and local budgets with 
the master plan. 
 
Sec. 6. Creation of an Oversight Committee. - For this purpose, Congress shall establish a 
Joint Congressional Oversight Committee (JCOC) composed of four (4) members of 
each House composed of the Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Economic 
Affairs and Committee of Public Works, and the Chairpersons of the House Committee 
on Economic Affairs, Committee on Public Works and Highways, and Committee on 
Metro Manila Development, and the other members to be designated by the Senate 
President and the Speaker of the House, respectively. This Oversight Committee shall 
determine whether such acts, orders, rules, and regulations are within the restrictions 
provided herein. 
 
Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The corresponding amount required for the construction and 
maintenance of flood management infrastructure nationwide pursuant to the 
Masterplan shall be appropriated on a multi-year basis and included in the General 
Appropriations Act each year following the effectivity of this Act. 
 
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DPWH and MMDA shall, within sixty 
(60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the necessary rules and regulations 
for its effective implementation. 
 
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Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provisions or part of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders, letters of 
instruction, administrative orders, rules, or regulations contrary to or inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
 
Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in at least (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
  
Approved,  
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