Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ___________ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines being a tropical and maritime country experiences several typhoons 
every year, thus it is susceptible to natural calamities which has caused devastating effects in 
the lives and properties of the Filipinos.  
In 2013, the Philippines, was ravaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda, one of the most 
powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded. At present, there are still families in the Visayas part 
of the Philippines that are still not fully recovered from the damage caused by the super 
typhoon. In 2020, Super Typhoons Rolly, Quinta, and Ulysses successively hit the Philippines 
leaving several casualties and millions worth of damaged properties.  
In July this year, a 7-magnitude earthquake hit the northern Luzon part of the 
Philippines and some 1,729 families were evacuated from their homes. The strong earthquake 
caused landslides in the province of Benguet which resulted into road closures.  
This proposed measure therefor seeks to address the importance of a calamity-proof 
evacuation center in every municipality, city,  and province in the country as it serves as the 
primary refuge of our constituents during natural calamities.  
November 8, 2022
9:51 am
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Under Section 5, Article II of 1987 Philippine Constitution, “the maintenance of peace 
and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and promotion of the general welfare 
are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.” Thus, this 
proposed measure is in line with Declaration of State Principles as stated in our Constitution. 
 
 
 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HON. JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                 Representative 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                 TGP Party-List 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ___________ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR. 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING EVACUATION CENTERS IN ALL PROVINCES, CITIES, AND 
MUNICIPALITIES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Evacuation Centers in all 
Provinces, Cities, and Municipalities Act of 2022”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – In consonance with the Constitution, it is the policy 
of the State to protect the life, liberty, and property of all the people especially in times of 
calamity.  To achieve the said objective, the creation of evacuation centers in all province, 
cities, and municipalities in the Philippines to ensure the people’s safety in times of natural 
calamities. 
SEC. 3. Establishment of Evacuation Centers. – There shall be an evacuation center 
in every province, city, and municipality in the Philippines which shall be utilized as immediate 
and temporary accommodation to evacuees during calamities. Every evacuation center shall be 
equipped with the necessary facilities such as provision for sleeping quarters, toilets, shower 
area, and kitchen in order to accommodate properly the temporary evacuees.  
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SEC. 4. Requirements for the Construction of Evacuation Centers. –  There shall 
be minimum requirements for every evacuation center constructed under this Act, to wit: 
 
A. Location – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 
in coordination with the local government unit (LGU) concerned shall 
identify the location for construction of evacuation centers; provided, it 
must be centrally located in the community; it must be away from large 
trees, structures where hazardous materials are used and/or stored, or high-
voltage power lines; it must me near a health facility; it must be located on 
a geographically stable land to avoid risk of landslides. 
 
B. Structural Building Capacity –  The evacuation centers shall be constructed 
and designed to withstand typhoons and seismic activities and shall be in 
line with the standards provided for in Republic Act No. 654 or the 
“National Building Code of the Philippines”.  
 
 
SEC. 5. Operations and Management of Evacuation Center. – The LGUs concerned 
shall have the primary jurisdiction and responsibility for the operation, supervision, and 
management of evacuation centers established under this Act. They are hereby authorized to 
issue rules and regulations on the proper use and maintenance of the evacuation centers. 
 
The Provincial/City/Municipal Engineer and/or the building official in-charge shall 
audit and inspect the evacuation center once every year and immediately after the occurrence 
of a calamity or hazardous event to ensure the structural integrity of the building and shall 
immediately repair any damage sustained. 
 
 
SEC. 6. Role of the Department of Public Works and Highways. – The Department 
of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall be in charge of the construction of evacuation 
centers and formulation of the building specifications therefor based on standards, issuances, 
and other guidelines set by the DPWH. 
 
 
SEC. 7. Role of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. – 
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), or its successor, 
shall be the primary lead agency which shall oversee the implementation of this Act.  


 
 
SEC. 8. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to fund the construction and 
maintenance of the evacuation centers under this Act shall be sourced from a portion of the 
general appropriations of the DPWH. Every year thereafter, the amounts necessary for the 
constructions and maintenance of evacuation centers shall be included in the list of programs 
as part of the annual budget in the General Appropriations Act. 
 
 
SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days after 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), DPWH, 
NDRRMC, in coordination with the appropriate government agencies concerned, shall 
formulate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the objectives of this Act.   
 
 
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affect thereby shall remain valid and subsisting. 
 
 
SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. – All acts, executive orders, memorandum circulars, 
guidelines and other issuance or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby 
repleaded or modified accordingly. 
 
 
SEC. 12. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.  
 
 
Approved,