Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila 1

oare: YUL 2 5 2019
ME. x

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2948

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives Ria Christina G. Farifias
4 and Rudys Caesar G. Farifias

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In pursuant to Section 5, Article Ii of the 1987 Constitution, the State recognizes
“the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and property, and
the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by alll the people of
the blessings of democracy” and Section 25. “The State shall ensure the autonomy of the
local governments.”

The purpose of this bill is to create a Department of Public Safety in every province,
city and municipality to enhance public safety in their respective jurisdiction. The State
recognizes the role and mandate of the Department of Transportation in addressing
nationwide issues, specifically pertaining to demand for greater security and safety of
every Filipino, the incessant issue with traffic congestion and en! cement of disaster
preparedness. However, to effectively deliver their responsibilities to the Filipinos,
assistance from local government units is vital. The representatives from local government
units are capable of delivering immediate and better services to their constituents. Thus,
this bill aims to designate the responsibilities of the state to its core also.

The traffic is one of the most pressing concerns of the country today. It is reported
by the Boston Consulting Group that Metro Manila has third (34) worst traffic in South East
Asia. An average of 66 minutes per day is estimated for motorists and commuters to get
stuck in traffic. Further. the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) reported that
the country is losing P3.5 billion everyday because of traffic congestion. If this scenario
happens in Metro Manila alone, how will this affect our country if the same is also being
faced by other cities and municipalities? Traffic related accidents also occur monthly,
which the departments will be responsible of.

The country has also experienced different but heavy magnitudes of earthquakes.
In 2018, the Davao region experienced 7.1 magnitude and recently, Zambales and
Eastern Samar experienced 6.1 and 6.4 magnitudes, respectively. The National


.e of legislation can address public safety related

Through the passage of this piec
the Local Government Units. Thus,

issues of the countries efficiently through the help of
this bill is earnestly sought for.

RU . FARINAS | RIA CHRISTINA G. FARINAS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2948
House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives Ria Christina G. Farifias
and Rudys Caesar G. Farifias

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 the 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. - It 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 concems and
maintaining public order including the implementation of efficient and effective local
traffic management and disaster preparedness and relief operations. Towards this end,
ll 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 (DPS) which.
under the direct control and supervision of the provincial governor, city or municipal
mayor, is tasked to implement public order and safety laws and ordinances, help reduce
vehicular 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, and 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 ability 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
the 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;

(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;

(9) 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 and 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 some.


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.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - if, 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 Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,


Republic of the Philippines S RECE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2949
House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives Ria Christina G. Farifias
and Rudys Caesar G. Farifios

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Municipality of Adams in the First District of the Province of llocos Norte is
composed of only one borangay: Barangay Adams. The municipality is a cultural
community, populated mostly by the indigenous tribes of Yapayao-isneg, with a total
and ore of 6,504.12298 hectares, which is large enough to accommodate one more
barangay.

At present, the remote location of sitio Bucarot and Sitio Cadisan in Barongey
Adams has made it difficult for its residents to avail of much-needed basic services. Due
eee dearth of access roads and the distance that needs fo be covered, travel
Ronee the poblacion of Adams to Sitio Bucarot can take anywhere from three to sx
hours. The situation has forced its residents to travel to the nearby province of Apayao,
particularly to the Municipality of Calanasan, in order to gain access 10 government
facilities and agencies.

Inan effort to maximize the opportunity to enhance the delivery of basic services,
the largely ethnic constituents of Sitio Bucarot and Sitio Cacisan have been clamoring
for the merging of Sitio Bucarot and Sitio Cadisan into one (1) barangay.

By dividing Barangay Adams into two (2} barangays, a separate local government
unti shall be established in Sitio Bucarot that shall promote the welfare of its residents
including those of the nearby sitios, thereby improving access fo government services. It
will be meritorious and advantageous to the municipality for the following reasons:

(a) Better governance;

(0) Enhanced delivery of basic services:

[c] Equitable implementation of the municipality's Comprehensive Land Use Plan
(CwuP);

(d) Fast-frack development of idle lands in the ancestral domain consisting of
residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural areas; and

(e) Less congestion in the town proper.



This bill provides for the division of Barangay Adams into two (2) distinct barangays as
follows:

(1) Barangay Adab to be composed of Sitios Maligigay, Sinidangan, Molaggoo.
Lower Uno, Upper Uno, Dos, Tres, Marunruno, Baset, Arimit, Bobog, Sisilungen,
Gayang, Nanukulan, Balinawang, Ubay, Lulugen, Adan, Buaw, Anat, Anuplig,
Cabacan, Masi, Pao, Mabolo, Budabud, Inapad and Magnos; and

(2) Barangay Bucarot to be composed of Sitios Cadisan, Bucorot, Nogbayogan,
Sioet, Cawcawat, Linao, ingin, Panuktukan, Pungan, Burburan, Salongsong, Masi,
Gasas and Baay.

Pursuant therefore to the intent and provisions of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known
‘as the Local Government Code of 1991, as laid down in paragraph 2 of Article 6, Rule 11
Of its implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the immediate approval of this bill is
eamestly sought.

iia RIA ati