Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGTHEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

-- 615
HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines located at the rim of the turbulent Pacific Ocean and in
the so-called "Ring of Fire” (an area where a large number of earthquakes and
volcanic eruptions occur in the basin of the Pacific Ocean), is extremely
vulnerable to climate change.

In the past few years alone, the country was battered by a series of
natural calamities. One of the most devastating was typhoon Haiyan in
November 2013, called locally as typhoon "Yolanda", one of the deadliest
typhoons in Philippine History. It killed more than 6.000 and affected some 14
million people. The October 2013 Bohol earthquake devastated Bohol, Cebu and
most of Central Visayas.

Also, for several Decembers now, Mindanao had been hit by typhoons
which devastated large swaths of areas. Within living memory, the Philippines
fell victim to such disasters as, among others, the July 16, 1990 Baguio
earthquake, 1991 Pinatubo explosion, 2009 Storm Ondoy, several Ormoc and
Leyte landslides.

But despite these disasters or natural calamities, the Philippines had
always been to rely on our people's resilience and spirit of volunteerism, which
are rare source of comfort and inspiration for our often beleaguered nation.
Our youth sector, specifically, serves as beacon of hope and catalyst of action.
Our schools often become depositories of donations and efficient centers for
packing and deployment of relief goods. There is never a dearth of willing
volunteers.

In our Queen City of the South - Cebu City - there are volunteer
firefighters, first responders and peacekeepers in their respective localities, such
as the Rescue Assistance Peacekeeping Intelligence Detail (RAPID).

In Eastern Visayas, there is the Hayag Youth Organization, based in Ormoc, Leyte.
Cebu City's RAPID has vast experience in relief and rescue operation. Its
personnel were among the earliest responders in Tacloban City after the
onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda. Last year, in Cebu’s waters, RAPID also helped
rescue passengers of a passenger vessel which collided with a cargo ship.


Ormoc-based Hayag, on the other hand, had been teaching disaster preparedness,
first aid, swimming and open water safety training, among others to young people.
When typhoon Yolanda hit Ormoc City in November 2013, it was happily clear that
they have successfully taught their members since no one among them had a
major accident.

Given the Philippines’ sad history with regards to disasters, it is necessary
and important to segue from post-disaster relief to proactive disaster
preparedness.

It is equally important to include young Filipinos in these activities,
evolving discussion and preparation. We need to engage our youth in our quest to
build a country that is capable of efficiently responding to natural calamities and
of reducing these calamities' damage and negative impact on the affected areas in
their trying times.

This legislative proposal seeks to include the Chairperson of the National
Youth Commission (NYC) as a member of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC) or the National Council.

The NYC Chairperson shall be the voice for the concerns, proposals and
interests of the Filipino Youth. He shall act as a sounding board for the youth on,
among others, disasters prevention, promotion education, rescue and
rehabilitation.

This legislative measure will go a long way in including the Filipino youth
in the nation’s disaster risk reduction policy body. It recognizes the youth's role in
disaster and risk management, and will empower them with the information and
skills to help affected communities in times of crisis.

For all abovementioned reasons, the approval of this bill is eagnestly sought.
(al "AS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGTHEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. ae

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
INCLUDING RESPONSIVE, EMPOWERED AND SERVICE-CENTERED YOUTH IN
THE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT COUNCIL IN ALL
LEVELS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC SCT NO. 10121,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE RISK REDUCTION AND
MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2010

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Titie. - This Act shall be known as the "Youth Participation in
Disaster Risk Reduction ‘and Management Act of 2019".

Section 2. Section 3 of Republic Act No.10121 is hereby amended as follows:

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following
shall refer to:

(PP) "YOUTH" - REFERS TO THOSE PERSONS AGED FIFTEEN (15) TO
THIRTY YEARS OLD AS PROVIDED UNDER REPUBLI ACT NO. 8044.

(QQ) "YOUTH PARTICIPATION". - REFERS TO THE PROCESS OF
INVOLVING YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE INSTITUTIONS AND DECISIONS
THAT AFFECT THEIR LIVES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
ORGANIZING GROUPS FOR SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ACTIONS, PLANNING
THEIR PROGRAMS, AND ADVOCATING THEIR INTEREST IN THE
COMMUNITY TO RAISE CONSCIOUSNESS, EDUCATE OTHERS, AND
PROVIDE SERVICES.

Section 3. Section 5 of RA No.10121 is hereby amended as follows:

Section 5. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. -
The present National Disaster Coordinating Council of NDCC shall
henceforth be known as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council, hereinafter referred to as the NDRRMC of the
National Concil.


The National Council shall be headed by the Secretary of the Department
of National Defense (DND) as Chairperson with the Secretary of the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as Vice
Chairperson for Disaster Preparedness, the Secretary of the Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) AS Vice Chairperson for Disaster
Response, the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST) as Vice President for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, and the
Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA) as Vice Chairperson for Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery.

The National Council's members shall be the following:

(v) Commissioner of the National Anti-Poverty Commission-
Victims of Disasters and Calamities Sector (NAPCVDC):

(W) CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION
(NYC);

[(w)] (X) Chairperson, National Commission on the Role of Filipino
Women;

Section 4, Section 7 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 7. Authority of the NDRRMC Chairperson. -The Chairperson of the
NDRRMC may call upon other instrumentalities or entities of the
government and non-government, CIVIC, AND YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS,
for assistance in terms of use of their facilities and resources for the
protection and preservation of life and properties in the whole range of
disaster risk reduction and management. This authority includes the
power to call on the reserve force as defined in Republic Act No. 7077 to
assist in relief and rescue during disasters or calamities.

Section 5. Section 10 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 10 . Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Organization at the
Regional Level. - The current Regional Disaster Coordinating Councils
shall henceforth be known as the Regional Risk Reduction and
Management Councils (RDRRMCs) which shall coordinate, integrate,
supervise, and evaluate the activities of the LDRRMCs. The RDRRMCs. The
RDRRMC shall be responsible in ensuring disaster sensitive regional
development plans, and in case of emergencies shall convene the different
regional line agencies and concerned institutions and authorities.

XXX

The existing regional offices of the OCD shall serve as secretariat of the
RDRRMCs. The RDMMCs shall be composed of the executives of regional
offices and field stations at the ,.regional level of the government agencies,
‘AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CML SOCIETY AND YOUTH
ORGANIZATIONS.


Section 6. Section 11 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 11. Organization at the Local Government Level. - The existing
Provincial, City and Municipal Disaster Coordinating Councils shall
henceforth be known as the Provincial, City, and Municipal Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Councils. The Barangay Disaster Coordinating
Councils shall cease to exist and its powers and functions shall henceforth
be assumed by the existing Barangay Development Councils (DCs) which
shall serve as the LDRRMCs in every barangay.

(a) Composition: The LDRRMC shall be composed of, but not limited to,
the following:

XXX

(15) The President of the Association of Barangay Captains
(ABC), member;

(16) ALOCAL YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE AS MAY BE
DETEMINED BY THE LGU, IN CONSONANCE WITH THE
GUIDELINES ISSUED BY NYC AND THE DEPARTMENT OF
THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG);

[(46)] (17) The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), member;
[(17)] (18) Four (4) accredited CS Os, members, and

((28)] (19) One (1) private sector representative, member.

Section 7. Section 12 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 12. Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office
(LDRRMO) -

a) There shall be established an LDRRMO in every province, city, and
municipality, and a Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Committee (BDRRMC) in every barangay which shall
be responsible for setting the direction, development,
implementation and coordination of disaster risk management
programs within their territorial jurisdiction.

The provincial, city, municipal DRRMOs or BDRRMcs shall perform
the following functions with impartiality given the emerging
challenges brought by disasters of our time;

b

(8) Conduct continuous disaster monitoring and mobilize
instrumentalities and entities of the LG Us, CSOs, private groups
and organized volunteers, INCLUDING YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, to
utHize their facilities and resources for the protection and
preservation of Hfe and properties during emergencies in
accordance with existing policies and procedures:

XXX

(17) MONITOR AND ENSURE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
RESPONSE AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN


AND YOUTH, SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHO-SOCIAL
SERVICES, GENDER SENSITIVITY AND SECURITY, LIVELIHOOD
AND EDUCATION:

((17)] (28) Within the area, promote and raise public awareness of
and compliance with this Act and legislative provisions relevant to
the purpose of this Act;

(d) The BDRRMC shall be a regular committee of the existing BDC
and shall be subject thereto. The punong barangay shall facilitate
and ensure the participation of at least ONE (1) YOUTH
REPRESENTATIVE, THROUGH THE GUIDELINES FORMULATED LY
THE NYC AND THE DILG; THE CHAIRPERSON; AND two (2) CSO
representatives from existing and active community-based people's
organizations representing the most vulnerable and marginalized
groups in the barangay.

Section 8. Section 13 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 13. Accreditation, Mobilization, and Protection of Disaster
Volunteers and National Service Reserve Corps, CSOs and the Private
Sector. - The government agencies, CSOs, YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS,
private sector and LGUs may mobilize individuals or organize volunteers
to augment their respective personnel complement and logistical
requirements in the delivery of disaster risk reduction programs and
activities, The agencies, CSOs, YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, private sector,
and LGUs concerned shall takr full responsibility for the enhancement,
welfare and protection of volunteers, and shall submit the list of
volunteers for the OCD, through the LDRRMOs, for accreditation and
inclusion in the database of community disaster volunteers.

A national roster of ACDVs, National Service Reserve Corps, CSOs YOUTH
ORGANIZATIONS, and the private sector shall be maintained by the OCD
through the LDRRMOs,. Accreditation shall be done at the municipal or
city level.

YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS UNDER THE YOUTH ORGANIZATION
REGISTRATION PROGRAM (YORP) OF THE NYC, ESPECIALLY THOSE
THAT ESPECIALIZE IN DISASTER RISK, REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT,
SHALL BE TAPPED BY THE NDRRMC TO ASSIST IN PREPARING FOR,
RESPONDING TO, AND RECOVERING FROM DISASTERS.

Mobilization of volunteers shall be in accordance with the guidelines to be
formulated by the NDRRMC consistent with the provisions of this Act. Any
volunteer who incurs death or injury while engaged in any of the activities
defined under this Act shall be entitled to compensatory benefits and
individual personnel accident insurance as may be defined under the
guidelines.


Section 9. Section 14 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 14. Integration of Disaster Risk Reduction Education into the
School Curricula and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Program and Mandatory
Training for the Public Sector Employees. - The DepEd, the CHED, the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in
coordination with the OCD, the National Youth Commission (NYC), the
DOST, the DENR, the DILG-BFP, the DOH. The DSWD and other relevant
agencies, shall integrate disaster risk reduction and management
education, including the National Service Training Program (NSTP),
whether private or public, including formal and non-formal, technical-
vocational, indigenous learning, and out-of-school youth courses and
programs.

The NDRRMC, the RDRRMCs, the LDRRMCs, the BDRRMCs, the SK
councils, AND THE BARANGAY YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE, shall ENSURE
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, SPECIFICALLY THE YOUTH, [encourage
community, specifically the youth participation) in disaster risk reduction
and management activities, such as organizing quick response groups,
particularly in identified disaster-prone areas, as well as, the inclusion of
disaster risk reduction and management programs as part of the SK
programs and projects.

The public sector employees shall be trained in emergency response and
preparedness. The training is mandatory for such employees to comply
with the provision of this Act.

Section 10. Section 15 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 15. Coordination Durin9 Emergencies. - The LDRRMCs shall take
the lead in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the effects of
any disaster based on the following criteria:

a) The BOG, ifa barangay is affected;

b) The city/municipal DRRMC, if two (2) or more barangays are
affected.

The provincial DRRMG, if two (2) or more cities/municipalities are
affected;

d) The regional DRRMG, if two (2) or more provinces are affected; and
e) The NDRRMG, if two (2) or more regions are affected,

ic

The NDRRMC and intermediary LDRRMCs shall always act as support to
LG Us which have the primary responsibility as first disaster responders,
Private sector and civil society groups, INCLUDING YOUTH
ORGANIZATIONS, shall work in accordance with the coordination
mechanism and policies set by the NDRRMC and concerned LDRRMCs,


Section 11. Section 21 is hereby amended to read.as follows:

Section 21. Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund
(LDRRMF) - The present Local Calamity Fund shall henceforth be known
as the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF).
Not less than five percent (5%) of the estimated revenue from regular
sources shall be set aside as the LDRRMF to support disaster risk
management activities such as, but not limited to, pre-disaster
preparedness programs including training, purchasing life-saving rescue
equipment, supplies and medicines, for post-disaster activities and for the
payment of premiums on calamity insurance, The LDRRMC shall monitor
and evaluate the use and ,development plans and annual work and
financial plan. Upon the recommendation of the LDRRMO and approval of
the sanggunian concerned, the LDRRMC may transfer the said fund to
support disaster risk reduction work of other LDRRMCs which are
declared under state of calamity.

XXX

NOT LESS THAN FIVE PERCENT (5%) OF THE LDRRMF SHALL BE
ALLOCATED TO SUPPORT YOUTH-ORIENTED PRE- AND POST-DISASTER
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED IN THE YOUTH PLAN SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED
TO, TREE-PLANTING, TRAINING, INFORMATION DISSEMINATION, AND.
CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION EFFORTS.

XXX
Section 12. All other laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, and other
executive issuance's which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of

this Act are hereby amended or repealed accordingly.

Section 13. If any provision of this Act shail held unconstitutional or invalid, the
other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 14. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,