Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 11205
Introduced by HON. BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Disaster prevention and risk reduction should be central to any government’s policy
framework, especially for a country as vulnerable as the Philippines. While natural
phenomena, such as typhoons, cannot be prevented, it is possible to mitigate their
impacts by understanding their behavior and adopting science-based strategies.
The year 2024 starkly highlighted the urgency of this mandate. In November this
year, the Philippines experienced a record-breaking severe typhoon season when,
for the first time since 1951, four (4) tropical cyclones were simultaneously active in
the Western Pacific.1 This series of calamities led to widespread devastation across
regions, resulting in thousands of fatalities, destruction of homes, roads, and bridges,
displacement of families, and significant damage to crops and farmlands.
The economic repercussions were also substantial. For instance, the combined
effects of Tropical Storm Trami (Kristine) and Typhoon Kong-rey (Leon) resulted in
damages exceeding ₱14 billion in agriculture and infrastructure.2 Ultimately, the
back-to-back calamities overwhelmed local authorities, posing challenges in their
rescue and relief operations.
Beyond typhoons, the Philippines faces other risks from rising sea levels due to
climate change. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC), sea levels in our region are rising faster than the global average, threatening
low-lying coastal areas, which are home to millions of Filipino fisherfolk.3 Additionally,
as a country situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is continually
exposed to the dangers of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
3 https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc/chapter/chapter-4-sea-level-rise-and-implications-for-low-lying-islands-coasts-and-communities/
2 https://apnews.com/article/philippines-typhoon-yinxing-876e9d337a65d3c5c2069ab41d36be28
1 https://mb.com.ph/2024/11/19/a-record-breaking-event#google_vignette
December 16, 2024
8:00 am


These are more than compelling reasons to institutionalize a holistic approach to
disaster risk reduction and management. The proposed measure seeks to mandate
the creation and issuance of a National Disaster Map. The map will identify the
low-lying areas that are vulnerable to rising sea levels as a result of climate change
and
areas
that
are
at
high
risk
for
natural
disasters.
Aside
from
typhoon-preparedness, the bill will also aid in preparing for other natural calamities
by providing proper identification of lands bordering sea levels, exposed to volcanic
eruption and lying on earthquake faults, with the criteria for evacuation and
illustration of recommended evacuation sites and routes.
While disasters cannot be prevented, it is hoped that through this proposal and the
collaboration of government agencies, we can help local authorities and communities
prepare for and reduce the impacts of natural calamities, protecting the lives and
livelihoods of millions of Filipinos, especially those in coastal areas.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN
Bicol Saro Partylist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 11205
Introduced by HON. BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A LIST OF LOW-LYING AREAS OF THE
PHILIPPINE TERRITORY VULNERABLE TO RISING SEA LEVELS AS A RESULT
OF CLIMATE CHANGE, AND AREAS AT HIGH RISK FOR NATURAL
DISASTERS, MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND
NATURAL RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,
PHILIPPINE SPACE AGENCY, CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION AND OTHER
CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FOR ITS REGULAR UPDATING AND
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 "National Hazard
Mapping Act."
SECTION 2. Declaration Policy. – It is the policy of the State to promote the public
health, safety and general welfare. Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to
formulate an orderly layout of the national land mass with identification of low-lying
areas vulnerable to rising sea levels as a result of climate change, and areas at
high risk for natural disasters.
The State shall otherwise establish an organized and efficient system of evacuation
from these areas in the event of imminent danger.


SECTION 3. National Disaster Map – Within one (1) year after the effectivity of
this Act, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through
the National Mapping and Resources Information Authority (NAMRIA) and the
Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), together with the Department of Science
and Technology (DOST), Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), Climate Change
Commission (CCC) and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council (NDRRMC) are directed to provide and issue a national disaster map of the
Philippines, identifying the low-lying areas vulnerable to rising sea levels as a result
of climate change and areas at high risk for natural disasters. It shall contain proper
identification of lands bordering sea levels, exposed to volcanic eruption and lying
on
earthquake
faults,
with
the
criteria
for
evacuation
and
illustration
of
recommended evacuation sites and routes.
Information sources for the national disaster map should not be limited to scientific
instrument-based data, but shall utilize a holistic approach, which may include
indigenous peoples' knowledge.
SECTION 4. Accessibility and Implementation of the National Hazard Map. –
To ensure the effective use of the national disaster map, the DENR, in coordination
with NAMRIA, MGB, DOST, PhilSA, CCC, NDRRMC, and other relevant agencies,
shall develop and implement a comprehensive plan to ensure its accessibility and
proper use across the country. This plan shall include, but not be limited to a
nationwide information drive, training programs for local officials, disaster response
teams, and community leaders, and other similar efforts.
Priority shall be accorded to identified vulnerable and high-risk communities in the
dissemination and implementation of the national disaster maps.
SECTION 5. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of
this Act shall be charged to the appropriations of the implementing agencies under
the General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its
continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act.


SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – In the event that any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected by
such declaration.
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations
and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 8. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect 15 days following its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,