EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
S.N0SEm
8
Senate
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20 JAN 28 A9 ;50
REC£''-DTi':__
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE DESIGNATION OF COMMUNITY SHELTERS IN TIMES 
OF NATURAL DISASTERS, CALAMITIES AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The eruption of Taal Volcano last January 12, 2020 caught the nation by 
surprise. In a span of less than a day, the alert level for the volcano rose from alert 
level 2 to 4. The ensuing phreatic eruption resulted in ash falls that enveloped large 
swaths of land in the immediate vicinity of Taal, covering the provinces of Batangas 
and Cavite. Volcanic ash was also reported to have reached even Metro Manila. With 
only a matter of hours of reaction time, affected families frantically searched for 
evacuation centers and shelters as refuge from the suffocating ash and dust. Some 
are left with no choice but to stay behind, clinging to their prized belongings, houses, 
crops and livestock.
Days have already passed and the volcano remains to be restive and the threat 
of a more stronger eruption still looms. As a result, many of the displaced communities 
are in limbo and are forced to stay in schools and other places that serve as evacuation 
centers. This, in turn, entails the disruption of classes in occupied schools and 
classrooms.
Unfortunately, the use of classrooms and school buildings as evacuation centers 
has become a norm in our country. Moreover, some of constituents are caught up in 
the confusion and lack of information on the areas where they can seek shelter in 
times of calamities, disasters and other emergencies.


This proposed measure aims to address these gaps in our disaster response 
system. Under this bill, the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 
(LDRRMC), in coordination with the Office of the City/Municipal Engineer or the Office 
of the Building Official, is hereby mandated to designate and establish as community 
shelters all suitable government buildings and spaces, including but not limited to, 
gymnasiums, convention centers, multi-purpose halls, covered courts, government 
warehouses, and other similar spacious structures. This also institutionalizes the policy 
that classrooms and school buildings shall only be designated as community shelters 
as a last resort, i.e. when it is conclusively determined by the LDRRMC that no other 
buildings or structures qualify as community shelters or that there is a lack thereof. 
Despite their designation as community shelters, classes must not be substantially 
disrupted. A list of designated community shelters in a city or municipality shall also 
be drawn up, including a master list for the provincial and the national level. This bill 
likewise provides for the responsibility of local government units and the national 
government in the dissemination of information regarding community centers.
In view of this, early passage of this bill is sought.
UEL "LITO" M. LAPID
Senator 
J


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
of tl)P Arrr.'tarp
20 M 28 A 9 50
S E N A T E
S. No. 
1 2 9 8
RECE.' 0 X'-__
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE DESIGNATION OF COMMUNITY SHELTERS IN TIMES 
OF NATURAL DISASTERS, CALAMITIES AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Be It enacted by the Senate and the House o f Representatives o f the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as "Community Shelter Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is hereby declared as the policy of the 
government to strengthen and enhance the country's readiness and response 
mechanisms for disasters and protect the welfare of displaced populations. Pursuant 
to this, the government shall implement an effective and efficient system for the 
designation of community shelters which shall serve as evacuation centers in times of 
natural disasters, calamities and other emergencies.
Sec. 3. Designation o f Community Shelters. -  In all cities and municipalities, 
the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC), in coordination 
with the Office of the City/Municipal Engineer or the Office of the Building Official, is 
hereby mandated to designate and establish as community shelters all suitable 
government buildings and spaces, including but not limited to, gymnasiums, 
convention centers, multi-purpose halls, covered courts, government warehouses, and 
other similar spacious structures.


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The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), in 
consultation with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department 
of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other relevant 
government agencies, shall formulate the guidelines on what will be considered as 
buildings and structures suitable for designation as community shelters.
Sec. 4. Use o f Classrooms and School Buildings as Community Shelters. —  The 
designation of classrooms and school buildings shall only be done in the last resort, 
when it is conclusively determined by the LDRRMC that no other buildings or structures 
qualify as community shelters or that there is a lack thereof. If so designated, the 
local government units shall adopt measures to ensure that its utilization as 
community shelters shall not disrupt, or shall cause the least disruption, to the conduct 
of classes. Designation of classrooms and school buildings as community shelters shall 
be done in coordination with the Department of Education Schools Division exercising 
jurisdiction over the affected schools. Pursuant to this, spaces and structures in school 
not regularly or constantly used for the conduct of classes, such as school gyms, 
auditoriums, audio-visual rooms, multi-purpose halls, open spaces in libraries, 
laboratories and faculty rooms, etc., shall be prioritized for designation and utilization 
as community shelters.
Sec. 5. List o f Community Shelters. —  The LDRRMC shall draw up a complete 
list of designated community shelters within the locality under its jurisdiction. Such list 
shall be submitted to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 
and to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Master lists in 
the provincial and national level shall then be drawn up. The list for every city or 
municipality shall be made available to all barangays, neighborhood or homeowners 
associations, building/condominium administrators, and other people's organizations.
Sec. 6. Information Dissemination. —  The dissemination of information through 
multiple communication channels concerning community shelters shall be the primary 
responsibility of the city or municipal government where the calamity or emergency 
occurs. In case of province-wide calamities or emergencies or those involving two or


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more cities or municipalities within a province, information dissemination shall be the 
responsibility of both the cities and/or municipalities concerned and the provincial 
government.
When the above local governments are rendered incapacitated to adequately fulfill 
this function, the national government shall intervene and undertake to perform the 
same.
Information dissemination shall cover the entire period before, during and after the 
calamity or emergency.
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 
(NDRRMC), in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways 
(DPWH), 
Department of Health (DOH), 
Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD) and other relevant government agencies shall issue the 
necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. —  All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, rules and regulations, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 9. Separability Ciause. -  If any provision or part of this Act, or the 
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, 
the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby.
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. —  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,