-SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodrig
Representative Maximo B, Rodriguez, J

2247

EXPLANATORY NOTE

House Bill No..

This bill was originally introduced by the undersigned Rufus 8. Rodriguez during the
Fourteenth Congress where it was approved by the Committee on Human Rights, approved on
2" reading, approved on 3'° reading and transmitted to the Senate where it was not acted upon.
Similarly, during the 15" Congress, the same bill was re-filed as House Bill No. 48. It was again
approved by the Committee on Human Rights, approved on 2™ reading, approved on 3°
reading and transmitted to the Senate. It was also approved by the Senate and transmitted to
the President for his signature. However, it was vetoed by the President

This version of the bill already incorporates the changes necessary in order to reflect the
objections of the President as stated in his veto message.

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are described as those “persons or groups of
persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual
residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations
of generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or human-made disasters, and
who have not crossed an internationally recognized State border. IDPs are differentiated from
refugees in that the latter “flee across international frontiers with a well-founded fear of
persecution based on racial, religious, national, social or political grounds,” IDPs do not enjoy
adequate protection and assistance compared to their counterparts who crossed an
internationally recognized border. They therefore experience suffering, neglect and deprivation

The Philippines now ranks third after Burma and Indonesia as countries in Southeast
Asia with the most number of internally displaced persons and among the top forty (40)
countries all over the world where internal displacement is considered as a significant
phenomenon. According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, as of the first
semester of 2006, over 400,000 families are affected by internal displacement caused by
natural and manmade disasters, armed conflict and development aggression
Counterinsurgency operations and related military activities under the Government's "war on
terrorism” are identified as the leading causes of conflict-induced displacement in the country,
especially in Mindanao, where ethnic groups have been struggling for autonomy or
independence for the last thirty (30) years.

The United Nations Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement were formulated to
recognize and respect the rights of IDPs to be protected against enforced or involuntary
displacement, at the instance of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR).
The Philippines, having been one of the original signatories of the Universal Declaration of


Human Rights, does not have an existing government mechanism to prevent the occurrence of
internal displacement are merely considered as collateral damages.

The measure seeks to localize the guiding principles on internal displacement set forth
by the United Nations, Through this proposal, the Government shall be able to establish a
mechanism to support victims of internal displacement in armed conflict, to be able to ensure
that the rights and lives of its citizens shall not be placed at risk.

Thus, the immediate approval of this Bill is earnestly sought

MAXIMO‘B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No__ 22477

AN ACT
PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS, PROVIDING
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF 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 “Rights of Internally Displaced
Persons Act of 2013"

SEC. 2. Declaration of Principles and State Policies. ~ Consistent with the principles enshrined
in the 1987 Constitution, the standards set by international humanitarian law and human rights
laws, international treaties and conventions adhered to by the Philippines, it is also hereby
declared a State policy to adopt a rights-based approach for the promotion and protection of the
rights of internally displaced persons in situations of armed conflict, generalized violence,
tribal/clan wars, violations of human rights, aggressive implementation of development projects,
natural and man-made disasters.

When armed conflict of a non-international character is inevitable, the State shall ensure
the promotion and protection of the rights of the citizens who are noncombatants and who shall
enjoy in full equality, the same rights and freedoms under international and domestic law as do
other persons in the country, These citizens shall not be discriminated against in the enjoyment
of any rights and freedoms on the ground that they are internally displaced

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - The following terms, as defined accordingly, shall be used in this
Act:

(a) __ Internal displacement refers to the involuntary movement or forced evacuation or
expulsion of any person or group of persons who flee or leave their homes or places of habitual
residence, without crossing an internationally recognized State border, as a result of or in order
to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human
rights, land conversion and any other land conflict, aggressive implementation of development
projects, natural and man-made disasters.

(b) Arbitrary internal displacement refers to acts of displacement or any other
coercive act committed by any person or group/s of persons and directed against the civilian
population, which are contrary to law, good morals, public order or public policy, or committed
with abuse of authority, oppressive or wanton disregard of the right to life, liberty or property and
abode of the residents of an area in which they are lawfully present, and characterized by those
situations as defined in Section 6 of this Act.


(c)__Inlernally displaced person, hereinafter described as an IDP, refers to any
individual who has suffered harm as a direct result of internal displacement, whether arbitrary or
not, as defined herein.

(4) Order of Battle/Watchiist refers to any document or determination made by the
military, police or any law enforcement agency of the government, listing the names of persons
and organizations that it perceives to be enemies of the State and that it considers as legitimate
targets as combatants that it could deal with, through the use of means allowed by domestic
and international law.

(e) Apartheid refers to inhumane acts committed in the context of an institutionalized
regime of systematic oppression and domination by one racial group or groups and committed
with the intention of maintaining that regime.

(f) Ethnic cleansing refers to the act of rendering an area ethnically homogenous by
using force or intimidation to remove from a given area persons of another ethnic or religious
group.

(g)__ TribaClan War refers to any conflict that may arise between members of
different tribal groups, indigenous groups or clans, or between and among members of the
same tribe, indigenous group or olan.

SEC. 4, Scope. ~ This Act shall primarily provide for the promotion and protection of rights of
IDPs during and after displacement, as well as their resettlement, relocation and reintegration.
This Act shall likewise cover arbitrary internal displacement of civilians as a result of or in order
to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human
rights, aggressive implementation of development projects, natural and man-made disasters. To
address the risks involved in natural disasters and the over-all impact of climate change and
global warming on the rights of those who are internally displaced, due reference shall be made
to the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 9729, otherwise known as “The Climate Change
Act Of 2009" and Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the “Philippine Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Act of 2010."

SEC, 8. Primary Duty To Protect IDPs. ~ National authorities have the primary duty and
responsibility to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons
within their jurisdiction.As such, State authorities, including local government units (LGUs) and
parties to an armed conflict, irrespective of their legal status and applied without any adverse
distinction, shall respect and ensure compliance with their obligations under international law,
including human rights law and humanitarian law, so as to prevent and avoid conditions that
might lead to arbitrary internal displacement of persons.

SEC. 6. Prohibited Acts of Arbitrary Internal Displacement. ~ The prohibited acts of arbitrary
internal displacement shall include, but are not limited to, those committed

(a) _ based on policies of apartheid, “ethnic cleansing" or similar practices aimed at or
resulting in altering the ethnic, religious or racial composition of the affected population;

(b) in situations of armed conflict, unless the security of civilians is involved;

(c) in cases of large-scale development projects, including land conversion and any
other land conflict, which are not justified by compelling and overriding public interest;

(4) in cases of natural and man-made disasters, other than during the emergency

stages or when the safety and health of those affected require their evacuation;
(e) when used as a form of collective punishment;
(f) in cases of tribal/clan wars, unless the security of those civilians not involved in
the conflict is endangered; and
(9) in violation of the rights of IDPs during displacement under Section 9 of this Act.


An Order of Battle/Watchlist issued by the military or any law enforcement agency of the
government shall not justify arbitrary internal displacement and shall subject the perpetrators to
the penalties provided under Section 13 of this Act

SEC. 7. Safeguards Against Arbitrary Internal Displacement. ~ If displacement is inevitable
under circumstances that pose hazardous risks to lives and properties of persons or groups of
persons living in communities, displacement shall not be carried out in a manner that violates
the rights to life, liberty, dignity and security of those affected.

All concerned authorities, groups and persons shall observe the following safeguards
against arbitrary internal displacement:

(a) All feasible alternatives shall be explored in order to avoid displacement, Where
no alternatives exist, all measures shall be undertaken to minimize displacement and its
adverse effects on the population that will be affected;

(b) If displacement is inevitable, the authorities shall ensure, to the greatest
practicable extent, that proper accommodation is effected in satisfactory conditions of safety,
nutrition, water and sanitation, health and hygiene, and that members of the same family,
especially women and children, are not separated;

(c) Indigenous peoples, minorities, peasants, pastoralists and other groups with
special dependency on and attachment to their lands shall be protected from arbitrary internal
displacement, in accordance with Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as the Indigenous
People's Rights Act of 1997; and

(d) In situations other than during the emergency stages of armed conflicts and
disasters, the following guarantees shall be complied with

‘1. a specific decision shall be taken by the authority empowered by law to order
such measures;

2, full disclosure of information on the reasons and procedures for the
displacement and when applicable, also on compensation and relocation;

3, free and informed consent of those persons to be displaced shall be sought;

4, authorities concerned shall endeavor to involve those affected, particularly
women, in the planning and management of their relocation, resettlement and
reintegration;

5. law enforcement measures, when required, shall be carried out by competent
legal authorities; and

6. the right to an effective remedy, including the review of such decisions by
appropriate judicial authorities, shall be respected

SEC. 8. Permanent Prohibition Against Arbitrary Internal Displacement. - The prohibition on
arbitrary internal displacement and the fundamental safeguards for its prevention shall not be
suspended under any circumstance, including political instability, threat of war, state of war or
other public emergencies.

SEC, 9. Rights During and After Displacement. - Pursuant to the provisions of the Bill of Rights
under Article lil of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the following rights shall be afforded to IDPs
during and after their displacement, without discrimination of any kind, such as those based on
race, color, sex, language, religion or belief, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social
origin, legal or social status, age, disability, property, birth or on any other similar criteria
(a) | Provision and Access to Basic Necessities. — At the minimum, regardless of the
circumstances, and without discrimination, competent authorities shall provide IDPs with and
ensure safe access to:

1, essential and adequate food and nutrition and potable water;

2. basic shelter and housing;


(b)

(c)

3. appropriate clothing; and

4. essential medical and dental services and sanitation, including psychological and

social services and essential drugs and medicines;
Protection Against Criminal Offenses and Other Unlawful Acts. ~
It shall be prohibited to commit any of the following acts against IDPs in all
circumstances

a. Murder;

b. Hostage-taking;

c, Summary or arbitrary execution and enforced disappearance, including
abduction or unacknowledged detention, threatening or resulting in death; and

d. Unlawful confinement;

Attacks or other acts of violence against IDPs who do not or no longer participate in
hostilities shall be prohibited in all circumstances, without prejudice to being held liable
for any offense committed by them. In particular, IDPs shall be protected against:

a. direct or indiscriminate attacks or other acts of violence, including the creation of
areas wherein attacks on civilians are permitted;

b, starvation as a method of combat,

¢, their being used to shield military objectives from attack, or to shield, favor or
impede the operations of the military, police or any armed group;

d. attacks against any evacuation center, facility, encampment or other settlements;
and

€, use of anti-personnel landmines;

IDPs, whether or not their liberty has been restricted, shall be protected in particular
against:

a, rape, mutilation, torture, cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment,
and other outrages upon personal dignity, such as acts of gender-specific
violence, forced prostitution and any form of indecent assault;

b. slavery or any contemporary form of slavery, such as sale into marriage, sexual
exploitation or forced labor of children; and

¢. acts of violence intended to spread terror among IDPs.

d. Threats and incitement to commit any of the foregoing acts under paragraph (b),
subsections 1 and 3 herein shall be prohibited:

IDPs shall not be interned in or confined in any evacuation center, facility, encampment
or other settlements, If in exceptional circumstances such internment or confinement is
necessary, it shall not last longer than what is required by the circumstances, as may be
determined by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR); and

IDPs shall be protected against discriminatory practices of recruitment into the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP), law enforcement agencies or any armed group as a
result of their displacement. In particular, any cruel, inhumane or degrading practice that
compel compliance or punish noncompliance with recruitment shall be prohibited in all
circumstances;

Freedom of Movement. - (1) Every !DP has the right to liberty of movement and freedom

to choose a residence. In particular, the IDP has the right to move freely in and out of any
evacuation center, encampment or other settlements, subject to its existing rules and
regulations;

(2) IDPs, whether or not they are living in an evacuation center, encampment or

other settlements, shall not be discriminated against in the enjoyment of the following rights:

i. to enjoy freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, opinion and
expression;

li. to seek freely opportunities for employment and to participate in economic
activities;


to associate freely and participate equally in community affairs;
to vote and participate in governmental and public affairs, including the right to
have access to the means necessary to exercise these rights; and

v, to communicate in a language they understand;

(3) IDPs have the right to:

i. seek safety in another part of the country;

ii, leave the country;

iii, seek asylum in another country; and

iv. be protected against forcible return to resettlement in any place where their

lives, safety, liberty and/or health would be at risk;

(d) Recognition, Issuance and Replacement of Documents. — The authorities concerned
shall issue to the IDPs all documents necessary for the enjoyment and exercise of their legal
fights. In particular, these authorities shall facilitate the issuance of new documents or the
replacement of documents lost in the course of displacement, without imposing unreasonable
conditions and without discrimination against men and women, who shall have equal rights to
obtain and to be issued the same in their own names;
(e) Family Unity and Missing Persons. - (1) Members of internally displaced families who
wish to remain together shall be allowed to do so, Families that are separated by displacement
and whose personal liberty have been restricted by internment or confinement in any evacuation
center, facility, encampment or other settlements should be reunited immediately, with
appropriate measures taken to expedite the reunion, particularly when children are involved;

(2) The State shall encourage cooperation among international and local
humanitarian organizations engaged in the task of family reunification;

(3) The authorities concerned shall endeavor to establish the fate and whereabouts
of IDPs reported missing and cooperate with relevant international organizations engaged in this,
task. They shall inform the next-of-kin on the progress of the investigation and notify them of
any result;

(4) The authorities concerned shall endeavor to collect and identify the mortal
remains of the deceased, prevent their despoliation or mutilation and facilitate the return of
those remains to the next-of-kin or dispose of them respectfully; and

(5) Grave sites of IDPs shall be protected and respected in all circumstances and

shall have the right of access to the grave sites of their deceased relatives;
(f) Health and Education, - (1) Certain IDPs, such as children, especially unaccompanied
minors, expectant mothers, mothers with young children, female heads of households, persons
with disabilities and elderly persons, shall be entitled to protection and assistance required by
their condition and to treatment which takes into account their special needs;

(2) All wounded and sick IDPs, as well as those with disabilities, shall receive to the
fullest extent practicable and with the least possible delay the medical care and attention they
require, without distinction on any ground other than the medical ones. When necessary, IDPs
shall have access to psychological and social services;

(3) Special attention shall be paid to the health needs of women, including access to
female health care, providers and services, as well as appropriate counseling for victims of
sexual and other abuses;

(4) Special attention shall also be given to the prevention of contagious and
infectious diseases, including AIDS, among IDPs; and

(5) The authorities concerned shall ensure that IDPs, in particular, displaced
children, receive education that shall be free and compulsory at the primary level. Special efforts
shall be made to ensure the full and equal participation of women and girls in educational
programs, and that respect for their cultural identity, language and religion, educational and
training facilities shall be made available to them as soon as circumstances permit; and



(g) Property and Possessions. - The property and possessions of IDPs shall, in all
circumstances, be protected against the following acts

(1) pillage;

(2) direct and indiscriminate attacks or other acts of violence;

(3) being used to shield military operations or objectives;

(4) being made the object of reprisal;

(8) being destroyed or appropriated as a form of collective punishment; and

(6) destruction, arbitrary and illegal appropriation, occupation or use. The rights and
obligations herein shall not be interpreted as restricting, modifying or impairing the provisions of
any international human rights or international humanitarian law or rights granted to persons
under domestic law.

SEC. 10. Assistance during Displacement of IDPs. ~The military and law enforcement agencies
conducting operations, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the
Department of Health (DOH), the local government hospitals, the LGUs concerned and other
appropriate government agencies shall provide immediate relief and humanitarian assistance to
IDPs, families and communities

Humanitarian assistance to IDPs shall not be diverted for any political or military
reasons. All authorities concerned shall grant and facilitate the free passage of humanitarian
assistance to the internally displaced and ensure rapid, safe and unimpeded access of persons
engaged in giving such assistance, their transport and supplies to the displaced communities.
They shall not be the objects of attack or other acts of violence.

All concerned authorities shall assist the IDPs in the recovery of their property and
possessions, and shall provide or assist these persons in obtaining appropriate compensation
or other forms of just reparation.

SEC. 11, Return, Resettlement and Reintegration. ~ Competent authorities, such as the military
and law enforcement agencies conducting operations, the DSWD, the DOH, the local
government hospitals, the LGUs concerned and other appropriate government agencies, shall
have the primary duty and responsibility to establish conditions and provide means for IDPs to
return voluntarily, in safety and with dignity, to their homes or places of habitual residence, or to.
resettle voluntarily.

Said authorities shall likewise ensure the full participation of IDPs in the planning and
management of their return, resettlement and reintegration.

SEC. 12. Mechanisms for International Humanitarian Assistance. - International humanitarian
organizations, their local counterparts and other appropriate actors shall have the right to offer
their services in support of the internally displaced. These acts shall be considered in good faith
and not as unfriendly acts or interference in the internal affairs of the government. Consent
thereto shall not be arbitrarily withheld, particularly when authorities concerned are unable or
unwilling to provide the required humanitarian assistance

When providing assistance to IDPs, said organizations shall respect relevant domestic
laws, international standards and codes of conduct. They shall give due regard to the protection
of the needs and human rights of the IDPs

The importation and donation of food, clothing, medicine and equipment necessary for
relief and assistance of IDPs are hereby authorized in accordance with Section 105 of the Tariff
and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended, and the prevailing provisions of the General
Appropriations Act (GAA) as regards national internal revenue taxes and import duties of
national and local government agencies.


SEC. 43. Penalties. - (a) The penalty of reclusion temporal in its minimum to medium period
shall be imposed upon the following persons:

1. Those who directly commit the act of arbitrary internal displacement;

2. Those who directly force, instigate, encourage, induce or incite others to commit
the act of arbitrary internal displacement;

3, Those who cooperate in the act of arbitrary internal displacement by committing
another act, without which the act of arbitrary internal displacement would not
have been carried out;

4, Those commanding officers, as well as all elements of the military, police and/or
other law enforcement agencies, who actually and/or directly participate in the
act of arbitrary internal displacement;

5, Those who cooperated in the execution of the act of arbitrary internal
displacement by previous or simultaneous acts; and

6, Those commanding officers of the military, police or other law enforcement
agencies or other authorities, for acts of arbitrary internal displacement
committed by forces under their effective command and control, or effective
authority and control as the case may be, as a result of their failure to exercise
proper control over such forces, where the commanding officers or authorities
knew or, owing to the circumstances at the time, should have known that the
forces were committing or about to commit such crimes, and failed to take all
necessary and reasonable means within their power to prevent or repress their
commission, or to submit the matter to competent authorities for investigation
and prosecution

(b) The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed upon those
who attempt to commit the offense of arbitrary internal displacement

(c) The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed upon
persons who, having knowledge of the act of arbitrary internal displacement and without having
participated therein, either as principals or accomplices, took part subsequent to its commission
by any of the following acts:

1, By themselves profiting from or assisting the offender to profit from the effects of
the act of arbitrary internal displacement;

2. By concealing the act of arbitrary internal displacement and/or destroying the
effects or instruments thereof, in order to prevent its discovery; and

3. By harboring, concealing or assisting in the escape of the principals in the act of
arbitrary internal displacement: Provided, That the accessory acts are done with
the abuse of the official's public functions

4, (d) The courts shall impose the corresponding accessory penalties under the
Revised Penal Code, especially where the offender is a public officer.

SEC. 14. Applicability of the Revised Penal Code and Special Penal Laws. - The provisions of
the Revised Penal Code and other relevant special penal laws, insofar as they are applicable,
shall be suppletory to this Act.

SEC. 15. Jurisdiction of the Courts. - The proper and competent civilian courts shall have
jurisdiction over the offense of arbitrary internal displacement as defined and penalized in this
Act.

Sec. 16. Role of the Commission. - The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), hereinafter
referred to as the Commission, _ shall be designated as the institutional focal point for IDPs.
Consistent with its mandate, the CHR shall have the following functions:


a) To monitor IDP conditions, document violations of human rights and ensure that their
rights are respected and protected in all phases of internal displacement;

b) To investigate and conduct public inquiries, on its own or on complaint by any party, all
forms of human rights violations against IDPs;

c)  Todetermine violations of human rights committed against IDPs;

d) To assist IDPs in seeking redress of grievances, including the filing of complaints for

violations of the provisions of this Act; For this purpose, the CHR may request the assistance of
any department, bureau, office or agency, such as the National Prosecution Service of the
Department of Justice or the Ombudsman;

e) __ To facilitate the award of compensation in favor of IDPs for claims filed and resolved by
the Commission;

f) To cite any person in contempt for violations of the orders issued by them in accordance
with the Rules of Court;

9) To follow up on early warning and ensure effective measures to protect the civilian
population against arbitrary internal displacement;

h) To advise the government on the rights of IDPs, formulate sound national policy and
legislation and to facilitate discussions to effectively address situations of internal displacement;
i) To undertake capacity building and training programs for concerned government

agencies on matters relating to protection and rehabilitation of the IDPs and prevention of
arbitrary internal displacement;

j) To hold public information drives on the protection and promotion of the rights of IDPs,
and foster IDP participation in the decision-making process regarding issues that concern them;
and

k) To carry out such other acts that may be necessary to fully implement the purposes of
this Act.

SEC, 17. Investigation by the CHR. -In the exercise of its investigative and quasi-judicial
functions, the Commission shall determine any violation that may have been committed against
IDPs, upon a filing of complaint of the aggrieved party

After due investigation, the Commission may likewise recommend the filing of
appropriate cases in courts or other proper agencies of the government against perpetrators,
without prejudice to other legal remedies available for IDPs whose rights have been violated
under the law.

SEC. 18. Compensation To Victims Of Arbitrary Internal Displacement. - In accordance with
Article XIll, Section 18, Paragraph 6 of the Constitution, the Commission shall likewise grant
compensation in the form of financial assistance to victim/s of arbitrary internal displacement
whose complaints filed before it would be found valid and warranted by evidence required under
the law; Provided, That in no case shall compensation be lower than Ten Thousand Pesos (P
10,000.00)

Victims of arbitrary internal displacement shall also have the right to claim for
compensation from other financial relief programs that may be made available to them under
existing rules and regulations.

SEC. 19. Financial Assistance to IDPs.- Where the operations conducted by the military, police
and other law enforcement agencies cause damage to IDPs, the necessary financial assistance
for their return, resettlement or re-integration shall be provided.

SEC. 20. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. - A Joint Congressional Oversight
Committee is hereby created, composed of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice
and Human Rights and seven (7) other Senators designated by the Senate President, and the


Chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights and seven (7) other Members of the
House of Representatives, designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives:
Provided, That, of the seven (7) Members to be designated by each House of Congress, four (4)
shall represent the Majority and three (3) from the Minority

The Joint Congressional Oversight Committee shall also have the power to inquire into,
‘summon and investigate the Orders of Battle as defined under this Act, as well as the legal and
factual justifications for the inclusion of specific persons and groups in said Orders of Battle. In
this regard, the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee may issue mandatory process
directing the transmission of all such documents relevant and necessary for the Committee to
determine the validity of the inclusion of specific persons or groups in the Orders of Battle. For
this purpose, the highest ranking officers or heads of offices shall be charged with testifying
before the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee in relation to any inquiries on the Orders of
Battle.

The invocation of national security as a defense may not prevent the Joint
Congressional Oversight Committee from inquiring into the factual and/or legal bases for the
existence of an Order of Battle or the inclusion of specific persons or groups in said Orders of
Battle. Should there be a need to inquire into the factual basis for the invocation of national
security, the Committee shall convene in an executive session and hear the officials invoking it.
Should the basis not be satisfactory to the Committee, the public hearing/s will continue and
appropriate recommendations shall thereafter be made by the Committee,

SEC.21, Monitoring of Compliance with this Act, - An inter-agency coordinating committee
shall be tasked to periodically monitor the compliance with this Act. The committee shall be
headed by the Chairperson of the CHR, Members of the group shall be composed of:

(a,) A representative, with the rank of Undersecretary, from the Department of Social
Welfare and Development;

(b.) A representative, with the rank of Undersecretary, from the Department of National
Defense;

(c.)A representative, with the rank of Undersecretary, from the Department of Interior
and Local Government;

(d.)A representative from the Office of Civil Defense /National Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Coordinating Council,

(c.)A representative of human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other
human rights groups, nominated by a selection board composed of human rights
groups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs);

(f) The Chairperson of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights of the Senate; and

(g.) The Chairperson of the Committee on Justice of the House of Representatives.

The Committee shall work towards the collection of data on the number and conditions
of IDPs, leading to a registry that will aid the government in efficient planning and policy
making regarding issues affecting IDPs.

The Committee shall likewise prioritize the releasing of immediate financial assistance,
allotted by its component agencies, to those affected by arbitrary internal displacement.

The Committee shall submit an annual report to the Joint Congressional Oversight
Committee herein created, thirty (30) days after the end of each fiscal year. Such annual
report shall be the basis for proposed amendments to existing legislation to improve the
conditions of internally displaced persons.

SEC, 22. Appropriations, - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall
be charged against the current year's appropriations of the CHR, the DSWD, the Department of
National Defense (DND) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).


Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall
be included in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 23. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The CHR shall issue the necessary rules and
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within sixty (60) days from its effectivity.

In the formulation of the rules and regulations, the CHR shall take the lead and
coordinate with DSWD, DND, DILG, Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), DOH, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Presidential Commission
on Urban Poor (PCUP), Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC),
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Coordinating Council (NDRRMCC),
National Housing Authority (NHA) and consult with the LGUs concerned, human rights non-
governmental organizations and people's organizations.

SEC. 24, Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, memorandum orders,
memorandum circulars, administrative orders, ordinances or parts thereof which are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 26, Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
remain in full force and effect

SEC, 26. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least
two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette, which shall not be later than
seven (7) days after the approval thereof,

Approved,