Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3345

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL ANGELO C. RIVERA
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EXPLANATORY NOTE

Last November 8, 2013. Typhoon “Yolanda” (INTERNATIONAL NAME Haiyan) has
made landfall in Eastern Samar at 4:40 a.m. It made a second landfall over
Tolosa, Leyte at 7:00 a.m. Yolanda was packing maximum sustained winds of 235
kilometers per hour near the center gusts of 275 kph. More areas were placed
under Storm signal number 4, where winds of at least 185 kph may be felt in at
least 12 hours.

PAGASA reported that under signal number 4 were Masbate, Ticao Island,
Southern Sorsogon, Romblon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte,
Southern Leyte, Biliran, Northern Cebu, Cebu city, Camotes Island, Northern
Negros Occidental, Capiz,aklan, Antique, lloilo and Guimaras.

Under Signal No. 3 were Burias Island, Albay, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro,
Oriental Mindoro, and Calamian group of Islands, the rest of Sorsogon, the rest of
Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and the rest of Cebu, Bohol, Surigao Del Norte
and Siargao Island.

It was one of the strongest typhoons in this country’s history, if not the world’s.
Modern technology allowed us to witness the vast destruction that this typhoon
wrought in Leyte and Samar. As Yolanda battered the country, electricity and
communications were lost in many areas. This affected not only communications
but also coordination of relief efforts by the government. There was difficulty in
getting information in the affected areas. Local governments were paralyzed and
information as to the extent of destruction was difficult to obtain. Almost
everybody in government, officials and personnel were victims too. Information was
gathered through word of mouth---no TV’s. cell phones or internet; stores and

establishment were closed; and relief efforts was difficult to organize.

After the storm, estimated deaths were at 10,000 and thousands rendered


transmission lines were devastated resulting to total black out in most areas.
Electricity is the engine of growth of any business...it is almost impossible to fuel
the economy with no electricity. How can our countrymen go back to normalcy if
power will not be restored soon enough to provide opportunities for business to
flourish and start anew and to light homes, schools and business establishments. It

is for this reason that passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

Approved.

Un

Representative Michael Angelo C. Rivera
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 334 5

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL ANGELO C. RIVERA
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AN ACT
APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF FIVE BILLION PESOS TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FOR THE RESTORATION OF ELECTRICITY
AND REHABILITATION OF POWER AND TRANSMISSION LINES AND
OTHER INFRASTUCTURE SUPPORT IN THE PROVINCES RAVAGED BY
‘TYPHOON YOLANDA

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 “OPLAN
Yolanda Power Restoration and Rehabilitation Emergency Assistance and
Development Fund”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.- It is hereby declared the policy of the State
to assist communities damaged or destroyed or adversely affected by typhoon
Yolanda on November 8, 2013 by extending to the Provinces of Leyte, Samar
and other neighboring provinces aid, relief, restoration of electricity and
rehabilitation of power and transmission lines, repair and reconstruction of
other infrastructure support with the end in view that life will return to
normalcy at the earliest possible time and accelerate the development of these
provinces affected by typhoon Yolanda. For this purpose, the State shall
promote, encourage and assist all public service entities engaged in supplying
electric service, particularly electric cooperatives, which are willing to pursue
diligently this objective.

The State acknowledges individuals, organizations and financial
institutions here and abroad as well as foreign governments who have
spontaneously and unselfishly contributed their effort and resources to help.
the areas devastated by nature’s convulsions.

SEC. 3. Statement of Objectives and Guidelines. - This Act is intended to
help the communities devastated on November 8, 2013 by Typhoon Yolanda in
the Provinces of Leyte, Samar and other neighboring Provinces’ towns and
municipalities. It aims to provide funds for the immediate rehabilitation of
damaged and destroyed transmission and power lines and other infrastructure

support thus, restore power in the affected areas.


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SEC. 4. Guidelines in the Allocation of Funds.- The government’s funds
and resources herein appropriated shall be spent judiciously and effectively in
consonance with the principle of providing the greatest good for the greatest
number. Accordingly, the following guidelines shall be observed in allocating
the funds made available under this Act:

(a)In the repair and reconstruction of infrastructure and facilities,
priority shall be given to the damaged transmission and power lines
and other infrastructure facilities of electric cooperatives in the
affected areas;

(b) Repair and rehabilitation of damaged facilities, transmission and
power lines shall be equitably extended to all identified communities
affected by typhoon Yolanda irrespective of political or party
affiliation, sex, creed, religious belief, or ethnic origin;

(c) No money shall be released without specific plans and programs of
work nor shall be used to pay obligations incurred before the approval
of this Act;

Sec. 5. Appropriations Clause. To carry out the purposes of this Act,
The sum of Five Billion Pesos (P5,000,000,000) is hereby appropriated
out of any available fund in the national treasury not otherwise
appropriated.

See. 6. Creation of the Oplan Yolanda Power Restoration and

Rehabilitation Emergency Assistance Fund.- For purposes of this Act, the

National Electrification Administration (NEA) thru the Department of

Energy is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to promote,

encourage and assist public service entities, particularly electric

cooperatives, to the end of achieving the objective of making service
available throughout the area devastated by typhoon Yolanda as rapidly
as possible.

(a) To make contract of every name and nature for the construction or
repair of damaged transmission lines and distribution facilities and
all related properties, equipment, machinery, fixtures, and materials
for the purpose of restoring supply of power in the area.

(b)To plan and develop to the extent possible and without charge
therefore, technical and professional assistance and guidance,
information, data and the results of any investigation, study, or
reviews conducted or made by the NEA;

(c) To cooperate, coordinate and exchange such information, studies and
reports with, and to seek such cooperation and coordination from,
other departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the National

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(d) To report to Congress and the President of the Republic of the
Philippines on the status of OPLAN Yolanda Power Restoration and
Rehabilitation Emergency Assistance and Development Fund and all
such other information and data as will accurately reveal the
progress being made toward the achievement of the purposes of this
Act; and to publish such report for dissemination and for use by
other interested departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the
National Government.
(ce) To make proper evaluation, studies and recommendation on how
to make the lines, and equipment and facilities more durable and
weather-proof.

“SEC. 7. Separability Clause.

unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected

If any provision of this Act shall be held

shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 8. Repealing clause.- Any law , decree, or rules and regulations
which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are
hereby amended or repealed.

Section 9. Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall take effect upon its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

wh

Representative Michael Angelo C. Rivera
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