FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SENj\J:~(J 
S. No. t).~ '- • 
" • 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
it 
i--
In August 2012, the Philippines experienced torrential rains of calamity proportions. It 
comprised an eight-day period of intense rain and thunder storms. It was not actually a typhoon, 
but a strong movement of the Southwest Monsoon; however, the damage was almost as massive 
as that caused by Typhoon Ondoy. Thus, that period from August 1 up to August 8 was termed 
"Ang I-Iagupit ng Habagat" (The Wrath of the Monsoon), and also "Bagsik ng Habagat" (Worst 
of Monsoon). The heavy rains affected particularly the National Capital Region; the provinces of 
the CALABARZON Region, namely, Quezon, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal; and the provinces of 
Region 3, namely, Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan. 
By August 8, more than one million families were affected. The NCR and nine nearby 
provinces were placed under a state of calamity. 90 percent of Metro Manila was submerged in 
flooding, with some areas flooding up to 2 storeys. 
The floods caused serious damage to homes, farms, vehicles, and other property. It is 
estimated that the intense flooding and heavy rains left 95 persons dead, 8,428 homes destroyed, 
and 6,706 homes damaged. Losses throughout the country amounted to at least 
PhP604.63 million or US$14.31 million. 
In order to recover from the debilitating effects of this catastrophe, many of the victims 
need additional resources outside from their usual income. Not everyone, however, has access to 
calamity assistance funding. Hence, this bill seeks to create a Flood Fund, which will provide 
financial assistance in the form of no-interest loa118 to those adversely affected by the flood. 
Lw\. 4~,.4~)~ 
MIRIAM DE 
NSOR SANTI/GO 
p' 
1 


Sources: 
"Disease alert on as flood deaths hit 89," 
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx7articleld~83 751 O&pllblicationSlIbCategoryI d=63. Retrieved 28 
August 2012. 
"UPDATE: Patay sa hagllpit ng Habagat 95 na," http://www.remate.ph/2012/08/update-patay-sa-
hagupit-ng-habagat-95-na/. Retrieved 17 August 2012. 
"More than 1 million battle Philippine flood." http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-0S-0S/more-
thal1-l-milliol1-battle-philippil1e-floods/41S6366?section~worid. Retrieved S August 2012. 
"Heavy rains submerge Manila," Daily News, 8 August 2012. 
2 


I 
2 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SEN.l\I.F... 
S. No .. a~:J9 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE FLOOD RECOVERY FUND ACT 
" 
J 
'. 
" 
I; 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
3 
SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be knoWll as the "The Flood Recovery Fund 
4 
Act." 
5 
SECTION 2. Creation of Disaster Recovery Fund -
Financial assistance will be 
6 
available to citizens who have been adversely affected by flooding beginning in August 2012. 
7 
Financial assistance will be in the form of no-interest loans. 
8 
SECTION 3. Disaster Recovery Fund Action Centers. There shall be established, under 
9 
the control and supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the 
10 
Disaster Recovery Fund Action Centers (DRF AC) with offices in all devastated areas to be 
II 
determined by the DSWD, and the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). The 
12 
DRF AC shall process applications for financial assistance from the Fund. 
13 
SECTION 4. Ifsuance of Implementing Rules and Regulations. -Within ninety (90) days 
14 
from the approval of this Act, the Department ofInterior and Local Government (DILG) and the 
15 
NDCC, in consultation with appropriate agencies, shall promulgate the rules and regulations to 
16 
implement the provisions of this Act. Such rules and regulations shall take effect fifteen (15) 
17 
days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation. 
18 
SECTION 5. Appropriations. -
To carry out the provisions of this Act, such amount as 
19 
may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. 
20 
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous operation of the Commission shall be 
21 
included in the annual appropriation of the DSWD. 
1 


SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or 
2 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
3 
valid and subsisting. 
4 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
5 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
6 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
7 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
8 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
lacs 
2