Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

‘SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

HoUsE BILL No. 6487

Introduced by Representative Alfredo D. Vargas III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is a common practice to use public schools as evacuation centers during
calamities, armed conflicts, and emergencies. However, schools are not ideal venues for
such purpose because they lack the necessary amenities to accommodate evacuees.

Furthermore, using schools as evacuation centers brings about another concern: the
disruption of the students’ academic activities. The classes are severely affected when
evacuees cannot immediately vacate school premises. This displaces students to makeshift
classrooms which may not be conducive to learning.

This bill proposes the construction of a multi-purpose gym in every local
government in the Philippines. This structure will permanently serve as evacuation centers
in times of calamities.

The bill also sets the optimum safety requirements that these gyms should meet.
‘The proposed evacuation gym must be easily accessible to evacuees and emergency rescue
personnel. The gym must be able to withstand any natural or man-made disasters. It must
be designed to have space that can be used flexibly for recreational activities and as
sleeping quarters during the evacuation. The gym must also be well-ventilated, able to
accommodate large groups of people, and must have bathing and toilet amenities.

The proposed gym will not only effectively address the needs of displaced families

in times of emergencies, but will also allow students to finish their academic calendar
without disruption. Thus, the passage of this bill is sought.

‘ALFREDO D. VARGAS IIT


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House BiLL.No, 84 8”

Introduced by Representative Alfredo D. Vargas III

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTI-PURPOSE GYM IN ALL
MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES TO SERVE AS EVACUATION CENTERS DURING TIMES OF
CALAMITY OR DISASTER AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. Short Title, - This Act shall be known as the “Multi-Purpose Gym in All
Municipalities and Cities Act of 2015”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to protect the
people's right to life and property, and to promote their general welfare. Towards this end,
the State, in cognizance of the vulnerability of the Philippines to calamities and disasters,
shall provide for the construction of a multi-purpose gym in every municipality and city to
serve primarily as refuge for displaced families in times of calamities and disasters.

Section 3. Construction of a Multi-Purpose Gym. - The Department of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH) shall undertake the construction of a multi-purpose gym in
every municipality and city throughout the country which shall serve as a civic center and
as an evacuation center for residents during calamities and disasters: Provided, That any
such construction is based on a program prepared by the DPWH in coordination with a
representative of the municipality and city concerned: Provided, further, That the municipal
or city mayor shall be furnished with the pertinent documents, data and information before
any construction shall commence: Provided, finally, That the Local Government Units
(LGUs) may include in their respective local infrastructure program the construction of a
multi-purpose gym.


Section 4, Construction Priority. - The DPWH shall give construction priority to
third to sixth class municipalities, especially those located in disaster-prone areas. DPWH
shall coordinate with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and
the LGUs concerned to determine which disaster-prone areas should be prioritized in the
construction of the facility.

Priority shall also be given to municipalities whose residents will volunteer labor
services for the construction thereof and for this purpose, DPWH shall issue the necessary
guidelines.

Section 5. Multi-Purpose Gym Requirements. - The facilities shall, at the
minimum, have the following requirements:

a. Location - The multi-purpose gym should be easily accessible to evacuees
and to emergency rescue personnel. It should be kept at a safe distance from
danger areas or hazards. LGUs concerned shall coordinate with the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources to identify the
appropriate location of the multi-purpose gym

b. Structural Capacity - The multi-purpose gym must be able to withstand wind
speeds of at least 155 miles per hour and seismic activity of at least 7.2
magnitude. The DPWH shall formulate the building specifications for the
multi-purpose gyms and shall ensure the compliance with these
specifications during the construction of the facilities. DPWH shall
periodically review, and if necessary, revise the specifications as needed.

c. Amenities - The multi-purpose gym must be well-ventilated and able to
accommodate large numbers of evacuees, It shall have, at the minimum, the
following amenities:

1, Floor area devoid of permanent fixtures to be used flexibly for
assemblies, sports events, and as sleeping quarters for evacuees;

2. Shower and toilet facilities; and

3. Isolated area that can be used asa clinic in times of evacuations.

Section 6. Operation and Management of the Multi-purpose Gym. - The
operation and management of the multi-purpose gym shall be under the office of the
municipal or city mayor. For purposes of this Act, LGUs concerned are hereby authorized to
issue rules and regulations on the use of the facility and to impose the minimal charges as
may be necessary for the maintenance and minimal repairs of the facility.

Section 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the immediate
implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current
appropriations of the DPWH. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

The LGUs are authorized to utilize local funds as may be provided in their respective
appropriation ordinances for the implementation of this Act.


Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within thirty (30) days from
the approval of this Act, the DPWH shall promulgate the rules and regulations
implementing the provisions of this Act. The implementing rules and regulations issued
pursuant to this Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after its publication in two (2) national
newspapers of general circulation.

Section 9. Separability Clause. - In the event that any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shalll not be affected by such
declaration,

Section 10. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or
portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or the Official Gazette.

Approved,