TWEENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
25 JIJL-7 PaO'44
S. No.
187
Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE VILLAR
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR FREE FREIGHT SERVICES IN THE TRANSPORTATION OF 
RELIEF GOODS TO CALAMITY-STRICKEN AREAS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is among the most disaster-prone countries in the world, 
frequently struck by typhoons, earthquakes, and other natural calamities. In these 
critical moments, the prompt delivery of relief goods can spell the difference between 
life and death. Despite this, however, logistical bottlenecks, high freight costs, and red 
tape often delay the distribution of much-needed aid to affected communities.
This measure, the "Free Transportation of Relief Goods Act," seeks to 
institutionalize a more effective and coordinated system for the transport of 
emergency relief by mandating public and private common carriers, freight 
forwarders, and logistics providers to deliver relief goods to calamity-stricken areas 
free of charge. It also requires the waiver of related port and airport charges and 
allows participating logistics companies to avail of additional tax deductions to offset 
the cost of their services.
This measure empowers the Office of Civil Defense, in coordination with the 
Department of Transportation and other relevant agencies, to oversee and facilitate 
the prompt movement of goods to affected populations.
By eliminating the barriers to efficient transport of humanitarian assistance, this 
bill reinforces our national capacity to respond to disasters swiftly and effectively. More 
importantly, it reflects the Filipino spirit of bayanihan by ensuring that solidarity and 
compassion are matched with systems and logistics that work when needed most.


In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
CAMILLE VILLAR


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25
-7 ffl0:44
S. No
SENATE
187
1
2
Introduced by SENATOR CAMILLE VILLAR
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR FREE FREIGHT SERVICES IN THE TRANSPORTATION OF 
RELIEF GOODS TO CALAMITY-STRICKEN AREAS
Be it enacted by die Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
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Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Free Transportation of
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Relief Goods Act".
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to strengthen the
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existing quick response mechanisms to address the needs of the people during
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disasters and emergencies. To this end, the State shall encourage altruism among the
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citizens and engage the services of public and private common carriers, freight
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forwarders, freight companies, and other logistics companies to collect, sort, store,
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transport, and deliver relief goods donated by international and local donors to areas
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declared in a "state of calamity" in the most economical, reliable, speedy, and secure
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manner.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
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(a) Arrastre refers to the fee for handling and hauling cargo at the
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port. It covers the cost of unloading cargo from ships, moving it
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within the port area, and loading it onto trucks or other means of 
transportation for further delivery;
(b) 
Common carriers refer to persons, corporations, firms, or 
associations engaged in the business of carrying or transporting 
passengers or goods, or both, by land, water, or air, for 
compensation, offering their services to the public;
(c) 
Disaster refers to a severe disruption of the functioning of a 
coumunity or a society involving widespread human, material, 
economic, or environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds 
the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its 
own resources;
(d) 
Pilotage refers to the services provided by the marine pilot, who 
is an experienced ship captain with in-depth knowledge of a 
specific port, harbor, or navigable waterway;
(e) 
Relief refers to interventions to alleviate, ease, or mitigate a 
distressed or critical situation affecting persons, families, groups 
or communities;
(f) 
Relief goods refer to food packs and non-food items such as 
clothing articles, mats, blankets, mosquito nets, kitchen wares, 
water containers, hygiene kits, and medical and health-related 
products to be given directly to the victims of a disaster or an 
emergency; and
(g) 
State of calamity refers to a condition involving mass casualties 
or major damages to property and infrastructures such as roads, 
disruption of means of livelihood, and the normal way of life of 
people in the affected areas due to a natural or human-induced 
hazard.


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Sec. 4. Free Freight Services. - The National and Regional Logistics Cluster led
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by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), in coordination with the Department of
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Transportation (DOTr) and partnership with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC),
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freight companies, common carriers, private carriers, freight forwarders, and other
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companies providing logistic services in the Philippines shall provide free freight
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services to duly registered relief organizations in the transportation of emergency relief
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goods and donated articles to areas declared to be in a state of calamity by the
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President of the Philippines or by a local government unit (LGU) through its
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Sanggunian. When the area of destination is not accessible, the relief goods shall be
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delivered and consigned to the local chief executive of the nearest LGU.
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The areas where these entities operate shall be considered when availing of
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the free freight services of common carriers, private carriers, freight forwarders, and
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other logistics companies.
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The shipping auxiliary cost, such as those for arrastre services, pilotage, and
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other port charges, as well as the airport charges, such as those for landing and
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takeoff fees, aircraft parking, navigation charges, and other related airport charges
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that are routinely passed on to customers, shall be waived by the concerned port and
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airport authorities: Provided, That container van costs, turnaround time, and volume
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of cargo being shipped free of charge shall be considered to minimize the loss of
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profits for the private sector.
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Sec. 5. Vigilance over Relief Goods. - The National and Regional Disaster Risk
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Reduction Management Councils, through their Response Clusters, shall facilitate the
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speedy movement of people, goods, and equipment to the affected population and
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responding agencies in coordination with local law enforcement agencies, port
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authorities, and organizations with similar mandates and responsibilities.
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Sec. 6. Release of Relief Goods. - The release of donated relief goods and
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articles intended for distribution to areas under a state of calamity shall comply with
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the existing rules and procedures of responsible government agencies such as the
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Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Bureau of Customs (BOC),


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Department of Education, Department of Health, LGUs, and other government
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agencies authorized to distribute the relief goods and articles, and in consideration of
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prevailing policies of freight service and logistics companies and carriers.
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Sec. 7. Tax Deduction. - Common carriers, private carriers, and other logistics
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companies mandated to provide free freight services for the transportation of relief
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goods under Section 4 of this Act shall be entitled to one hundred percent (100%)
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additional deduction from gross income of the amount of the cost incurred for the
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service provided, including the actual cost of salaries and allowances of personnel
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directly involved in transporting the relief goods, subject to the rules and limitations
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prescribed under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, existing
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laws, rules and regulations: Provided, That to avail of the additional deduction,
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common carriers, private carriers, and other logistics companies shall secure proper
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certification from the appropriate government agency that the expenses claimed as
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deduction relate specifically to the services for the transportation of relief goods as
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contemplated in this Act. This availment, however, is without prejudice to the conduct
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of post-audit by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
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The availment of the tax incentives shall bar the concerned common carriers
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and other logistics companies' availment of any similar incentives granted by other
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general or special laws, rules, or regulations for such freight services.
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Sec. 8. Oversight Agencies. - The OCD and the DOTr, through the Civil
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Aeronautics Board (CAB), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and Land
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Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), shall monitor and oversee
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the compliance of freight service companies, common and private carriers, and other
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logistics companies in providing free freight services as provided under Section 4 of
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this Act.
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Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
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effectivity of this Act, the Administrator of OCD shall, in coordination with the heads
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of CAB, MARINA, LTFRB, BOC, PPC, DSWD, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Coast
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Guard, and the association or authorized representatives of freight service companies


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and freight forwarders, common and private carriers, and other companies offering
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logistics services in the country, issue the necessary rules and regulations for the
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effective implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected shall remain in force and effect.
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Sec. 11. Reputing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and
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regulations, or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act,
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are repealed or amended accordingly.
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Sec. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effert fifteen (15) days after its 
10 publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
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Approved,