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1 Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3028

Introduced by Hon. WILTER “SHARKY” WEE PALMA II

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Peace, Security, and Public Safety are just some of the vital components that make
up the foundation of a safe and prosperous society. The presence of these building blocks
towards inclusive growth in correlation to a just and resilient society would then serve as.
major pillars towards establishing a State that is ready and willing to ensure the safety of
the general public. With safety being the number one priority, the preservation of life,
liberty and property would be much more attainable by promoting a statewide
commitment to public order and safety.

At its very core, this bill aims to enhance public order and safety through the
creation of a Department of Public Safety in every Province, City and Municipality. This aims
to improve the capability of the Local Government Units (LGUs) to maintain not only the
safety and security of its citizens but also the betterment of various efforts such as Traffic
Management and Disaster Preparedness.

Moreover, this bill aims to create a centralized command and control center as well
as an emergency response system that would be of help towards maintaining peace and
order within their respective communities. Consequently, the Department of Public Safety
under the direct supervision of the Provincial Governor, City and Municipal Mayor is
mandated to strictly implement law enforcement efforts, mitigate the effects of natural
disasters, conduct sidewalk clearing operations, and utilize traffic control efforts.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is highly recommended.

ATTY. WILTER “SHARKY” WEE PALMA It
* District, Zamboanga Slbugay



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH (18"") CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3028

Introduced By HON. WILTER “SHARKY” WEE PALMA II

AN ACT

ENHANCING PUBLIC SAFETY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL BY ESTABLISHING AND
MAINTAINING A DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN EVERY PROVINCE, CITY
AND MUNICIPALITY

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 “Public Safety Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t is the policy of the State to promote
public order, ensure public safety and further spur economic development
through the enhancement of local government capability in addressing safety and
security concerns and maintaining public order including the implementation of
efficient and effective local traffic management and disaster preparedness and
relief operations. Towards this end, all local government units shall establish and
maintain a fully functional and responsive central command and control center
and emergency response and management system in order to protect and
preserve the right of the people to life, liberty and property.

SEC. 3. Creation of a Department of Public Safety. — Every province, city
and municipality is hereby mandated to create a Department of Public Safety


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(DPS) which, under the direct control and supervision of the provincial governor,
city or municipal mayor, as the case may be, is tasked to implement public order
and safety laws and ordinances, help reduce vehicular traffic congestion and
address the effects of man-made and natural disasters. The DPS shall operate a
fully functional and responsive central command and control center and
emergency response and management system that will connect constituents
needing immediate assistance with the emergency resources of the government,
such as law enforcement, medical services, fire and rescue services, using the
most appropriate and available technologies and communications, with a fully
operative call center and dispatch hotline, adequate and well-trained staff,
sufficient and up-to-date emergency response equipment, all consistent with
national standards and best practices.

Contiguous cities and municipalities may, through their local chief
executives, enter into arrangements and agreements to establish collective
command and control centers and emergency response and management
systems pending the availability of certain cities and municipalities to establish
their own independent centers and systems.

Any province, city or municipality with an existing DPS or similar agency
shall retain the same but must conform with the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 4. Powers and Functions. — The DPS shall exercise the following
powers and functions:

(a) Prepare, integrate, coordinate and supervise all plans, programs,
projects and activities of the local government relative to the promotion and
maintenance of peace and order and the protection of life, liberty and property;

(b) Secure the general public and maintain public order in conjunction with
police and other national law enforcement agencies;

(c) Augment auxiliary traffic services and support other agencies tasked to
enforce traffic management

(d) Recommend the issuance of temporary terminal permits to public utility
vehicles and manage public utility vehicle terminals;


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(e) Monitor and supervise private security agencies and security guards and
issue local security clearances;

(f) Recommend the issuance of traffic clearance certificates to business
establishments;

(g) Clear sidewalks, public parks and other public areas of obstruction such
as unauthorized structures or fixtures and unlicensed vendors;

(h) Organize plans for and undertake evacuation, rescue and relief
operations in times of disasters, calamities and civil disturbances; and

(i) Establish, maintain and operate a central command and control center
and emergency response management system that will monitor and respond to
various contingencies in which emergency resources of the government are
required by the constituents.

Accordingly, existing departments within the local government units whose
primary functions are those enumerated above are hereby integrated and
included within the DPS. The DPS may assume additional functions other than
those enumerated above and may absorb other offices or agencies within the
local government unit as long as the functions or offices are in relation to public
order, safety and security and the protection of life, liberty or property, unless an
existing law expressly prohibits the same.

SEC. 5. Funding. — The amount necessary for the initial implementation of
this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the local
government units. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for continued
implementation shall be included in the annual budget of the local government
unit.

SEC. 6. Compliance Period. — The local government units shall comply
within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. Within thirty (30) days from
compliance, the governor, city or municipal mayor shall report the same to the
Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.


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SEC. 7. Separability Clause. — \f, for any reason, any section or provision of
this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid by the Supreme Court, the other
sections or provisions hereof not affected by such declaration shall remain in
force and effect.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — All existing laws, orders, decrees, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. — This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,