Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _________ 
Introduced by Representative LORDAN G. SUAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines lies in a region where disasters happen, naturally. It is in the 
Pacific Ring of Fire where eighty percent (80%) of the volcanic eruptions and 
earthquakes occur. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology 
(PHILVOLCS), there are twenty-four (24) active volcanoes in the country, today. The 
country is also located along the “Typhoon Belt”, an area in the western Pacific Ocean 
where one-third of the world’s tropical cyclones originate. An average of twenty (20) 
typhoons visits the country every year, seven (7) of which taking landfall endangering 
lives and creating heavy damage to properties and infrastructures. These geographical 
location and environmental set up expose the country to climate conditions that 
increase in frequency and intensity, every year. 
According to the Global Risk Index 2021 published by Germanwatch, based on an 
annual average, from 2000 to 2019, the Philippines ranked fourth among countries 
most-affected by extreme weather events. This risk index measures and analyses 
impacts of extreme weather events in terms of fatalities and economic losses. Over the 
past two decades, our country had the highest extreme weather occurrence in the world 
experiencing 317 weather-related events. According to the same study, the average 
fatality per year over the same period was 859.36, ranking us seventh (7th) in the index. 
In terms of economic losses, extreme weather events cost the Philippines an average of 
US$3.2 billion per year which ranked us at eighth (8th) in the world. The Philippine 
Statistics Authority (PSA) in its 2020 published report put the damages at a total of 
Php463 billion from 2010 to 2019, with the agricultural sector taking most of the brunt 
at sixty-seven (62.7%). 
Our vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and natural hazards is 
exacerbated by the wanton destruction of our environment which causes floods, 
landslide, forest fires, heat waves, and droughts. It is even worsened by the growth of 
our population, increasing our consumption on energy which is dependent on fossil fuel. 
Population increase also means greater consumption of agricultural and marine 
resources, and an increasing pressure on the natural environment. 
The purpose of this measure is to create a department that will focus on our 
country’s effective response to the risks brought about by natural and human-induced 
November 24, 2022
3:00 pm
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calamities. It will be the mandate of this department to create policies to reduce 
disaster-risks, establish an enabling environment for local and national agencies to 
collaborate on climate change preparedness and create infrastructures to mitigate the 
impact of natural hazards. It will also harmonize all local and national plans and policies 
for short and long-term climate goals. Through the creation of this department, we are 
putting the climate agenda at the forefront of our policy decision-making.  
 
Our action on this matter, is extremely, urgent. The Climate Change Knowledge 
Portal even pegged the estimations that sixty percent (60%) of our land area and 
seventy-four (74%) percent of our population are exposed to natural hazards. We must 
keep in mind, that of the 74% exposed population, most of them come from the 
marginalized and vulnerable sectors. 
 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this Bill is earnestly, sought. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LORDAN G. SUAN 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      1ST District 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
            Cagayan de Oro City 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Constitution Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL No. _________ 
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE LORDAN G. SUAN 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE, DEFINING ITS POWERS 
AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Disaster Resilience Act 
of 2022”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies and Principles. – It shall be the policy of the 
state to: 
1. Protect the lives and properties of its citizens by addressing and
preventing the causes of vulnerabilities to natural disasters;
2. Inculcate a culture of resilience and preparedness for natural disasters
at the national, regional and local levels;
3. Establish a strong and empowered institution capable of responding to
natural disasters and climate change, and spearhead efforts to ensure
disaster resilience by delivering on the highly critical and intertwined
functions of disaster risk reduction, preparedness and response, and
recovery-building;
4. Address the differentiated concerns and needs of sectors with special
needs or higher vulnerabilities such as women, children, elderly, persons
with disabilities, and indigenous peoples, with respect to disaster
resilience and disaster management;
5. Integrate and accelerate the implementation of the principles, concepts
and action plans of climate change and disaster risk reduction contained
in the international and national frameworks and commitments in
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various phases of policy formulation, development and investment plans, 
poverty reduction strategies, and other development tools, and 
techniques applied by all national and local agencies, institutions and 
instrumentalities of the government, to enhance the country’s capacity for 
climate change adaptation and mitigation; 
6. Foster an enabling environment for substantial and sustainable 
participation of non-government stakeholders such as the academe, Civil 
Society Organizations (CSOs), private sector groups, volunteers and 
communities in disaster resilience programs and projects; 
7. Adopt a comprehensive approach in disaster resilience to enhance 
collaboration, planning, and dialogue among all sectors of society, and 
improve their strategies and/or action plans for disaster risk reduction; 
and 
8. Strengthen the chain of command and establish a unified command 
system to enhance our country’s disaster resilience. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
a) 
Adaptation – adjustment in natural or human systems in response 
to actual or expected climactic stimuli or their effects, which moderates 
harm or exploits beneficial opportunities;  
b) 
Assisting Actor – refers to any assisting international actor and any 
assisting domestic actor responding to a disaster in the country; 
c) 
Assisting Domestic Actor – any not-for-profit entity established 
under domestic laws, which is responding to a disaster in the country; 
d) 
Assisting International Actor – any foreign state, organization, 
entity or individual responding to a disaster within or transiting through 
the country to respond to a disaster in another country; 
e) 
Biological hazards – hazards that are of organic origin or conveyed 
by biological vectors, including pathogenic microorganisms, toxins and 
bioactive substances. Examples are bacteria, viruses or parasites, as well 
as venomous wildlife and insects, poisonous plants and mosquitoes 
carrying disease-causing agents; 
f) 
Building Forward Better – an approach to building, reconstructing, 
and/or rehabilitating an area or community that entails a shift from 
simple recovery and restoration to safer, more adaptive, resilient, and 
inclusive communities; 
g) 
Business Continuity – the capacity of a business entity to continue 
the delivery of its products and/or services at acceptable pre-defined 
levels following a disruptive incident; 


h) 
Capacity – the combination of all strengths, attributes and 
resources available within a community, society or organization that can 
reduce the level of risk, or impacts of a disaster. Capacity may include 
infrastructure and physical means, institutions, societal coping abilities, 
as well as human knowledge, skills and collective attributes such as social 
relationships, leadership and management. Capacity may also be 
described as capability; 
i) 
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) – non-state actors whose aims 
are neither to generate profits nor seek governing power but to unite 
people behind shared goals and interests. They have a presence in public 
life, expressing the interests and values of their members or others, and 
are based on ethical, cultural, scientific, religious or philanthropic 
considerations. 
CSOs 
include 
NGOs, 
professional 
associations, 
foundations, 
independent 
research 
institutes, 
community-based 
organizations (CBOs), faith- based organizations, people’s organizations, 
social movements, and labor unions; 
j) 
Climate Change – a change in the state of the climate that can be 
identified by changes in the mean and the variability of its properties, and 
that persists in an extended period, typically decades or longer, whether 
due to natural internal processes or external forces such as modulation of 
the solar cycles, volcanic eruptions and persistent anthropogenic changes 
in the composition of the atmosphere or in land use; 
k) 
Climate Change Mitigation – efforts to reduce or limit greenhouse 
gas emissions or enhance greenhouse gas sequestration; 
l) 
Cultural Heritage – the totality of cultural property preserved and 
developed through time and passed on to posterity; 
m) 
Contingency Planning – a management process that analyzes 
specific potential events or emerging situations that might threaten 
society or the environment and establishes arrangements in advance to 
enable timely, effective and appropriate responses to such events and 
situations; 
n) 
Department – the Department of Disaster Resilience or the DDR; 
o) 
Development Assistance – refers to any financial, material or other 
forms of assistance to support the economic, social, and environmental 
well-being of areas and/or people affected by a natural disaster; 
p) 
Disability – an evolving concept that results from the interaction 
between persons with impairments, as defined under RA No. 7277, and 
attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinder their full and effective 
participation in society on an equal basis with others; 
q) 
Disaster refers to – a serious disruption of the functioning of a 
community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic 


or environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the 
affected community to cope using its own resources. Unless otherwise 
specifically indicated in this act, the term “disaster” shall refer to “natural 
disaster”; 
r) 
Disaster Contingency Fund – a fund, in lump-sum form, managed 
by the Department to expediently provide funds and resources for 
disaster relief or response in affected areas; 
s) 
Disaster Mitigation or mitigation – the lessening or limitation of 
the adverse impacts of hazards. Mitigation measures include the 
application of engineering techniques and construction of hazard-
resistant structures as well as improved environmental, land use 
planning, climate change and other sectoral policies and public 
awareness; 
t) 
Disaster Preparedness – the knowledge and capacities developed 
by governments, professional response and recovery organizations, 
communities and individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to, and 
recover from, the impacts of likely, imminent or current hazard events or 
conditions. It includes preparedness for response such as contingency 
planning, stockpiling of equipment and supplies, the development of 
arrangements for coordination, evacuation and public information, and 
preparedness for recovery such as provision of land for resettlement 
sites; 
u) 
Disaster Prevention – the intention to avoid, or the outright 
avoidance, of potential adverse impacts of disasters and related hazards 
through action(s) taken in advance. It expresses the concept and intention 
to completely avoid potential adverse impacts through action taken in 
advance such as construction of dams or embankments that eliminate 
flood risks, land-use regulations that do not permit any settlement in 
high-risk zones, and seismic engineering designs that ensure the survival 
and function of a critical building in any likely earthquake; 
v) 
Disaster Resilience – the ability of a system, community, or society 
exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate, adapt to, transform, 
and recover from the effects of a hazard and/or the long-term impact of 
climate change in a timely and efficient manner, including through the 
preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and 
functions through risk management; 
w) 
Disaster Response – the provision of emergency services and 
public assistance during or immediately after a disaster in order to secure 
and save lives, reduce health impacts, ensure public safety and meet the 
basic subsistence needs of the people affected. Disaster response includes 
disaster relief focused on immediate and short-term needs of victims and 
vulnerable; 


x) 
Disaster Resilience Fund – the budget managed by the Department, 
which includes funds appropriated to it by Congress pursuant to an 
Appropriations Act, the Disaster Contingency Fund, and the Rehabilitation 
and Recovery Fund; 
y) 
Disaster Risk – the potential disaster losses in lives, health status, 
livelihoods, assets and services that could occur to a particular 
community or society in the future, and is determined by a combination of 
the vulnerability, capacity, exposure of persons and assets, hazard 
characteristics and the environment; 
z) 
Disaster Risk Governance – the way in which the public 
authorities, civil servants, media, private sector, and civil society 
collaborate at the community, regional and national and regional levels to 
manage disaster and climate related risks. This means ensuring that 
sufficient levels of capacity and resources are made available to the 
relevant actors and stakeholders to prevent, prepare for, manage and 
recover from disasters. It also entails mechanisms, institutions and 
processes for citizens to articulate their interests, exercise their legal 
rights and obligations, and mediate their differences; 
aa) 
Disaster Risk Management – the systematic process of using 
administrative directives, organizations, and operational skills and 
capacities to implement strategies, policies and improved coping 
capacities in order to lessen the adverse impacts of hazards and the 
possibility of disaster; 
bb) 
Disaster Risk Reduction – the prevention of new, and/or reduction 
of existing, disaster risk(s) and the management of residual risk, to 
enhance resilience to disasters; 
cc) 
Early Warning System – an integrated system of hazard 
monitoring, forecasting and prediction, disaster risk assessment, and 
communication and preparedness activities and processes that enable 
individuals, 
communities, 
national 
government 
agencies, 
local 
government units, the private sector, and others to take timely action to 
reduce disaster risks and adequately prepare for disasters; 
dd) 
Eligible Assisting Actor – any assisting actor that has been 
determined to be eligible to receive legal facilities as provided for in this 
Act and/or its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR); 
ee) 
Emergency – an unforeseen or sudden occurrence, especially 
danger, demanding immediate and decisive action; 
ff) 
Emergency Management – the organization and management of 
resources and responsibilities for addressing all aspects of emergencies, 
in particular preparedness, response and initial recovery steps; 


gg) 
Environmental hazards – the hazards that may be chemical, 
natural, and biological, and can be created by environmental degradation 
or physical or chemical pollution in the air, water, and soil. However, 
many of the processes and phenomena that fall into this category may be 
termed drivers of hazard and risk rather than hazards in themselves, such 
as soil degradation, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, salinization, and 
sea-level rise; 
hh) 
Exposure – the degree to which the elements at risk are likely to 
experience hazard events of different magnitudes; 
ii) 
Geographic Information System (GIS) – a system used to capture, 
store, manipulate, manage and display all types of spatial or geographical 
data; 
jj) 
Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA) – areas 
with a marginalized population, which is physically and socio-
economically separated from the mainstream society and characterized 
by physical factors – isolated due to distance, weather conditions and 
transportation difficulties (island, upland lowland, landlocked, hard to 
reach and underserved communities); and/or socio- economic factors – 
(high poverty incidence, presence of vulnerable sector, communities in or 
recovering from situation of crisis or armed conflict); 
kk) 
Geological or geophysical hazards – the hazards that originate 
from internal earth processes, such as earthquakes, volcanic activities and 
emissions, and related geophysical processes, which include mass 
movements, landslides, rockslides, surface collapses, and debris or mud 
flows. Hydrometeorological factors are important contributors to some of 
these processes. While tsunamis are triggered by undersea earthquakes 
and other geological events, they essentially become an oceanic process 
that is manifested as a coastal water-related hazard; 
ll) 
Hazard – a phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition 
that may cause loss of life, injury or impacts to health; social and 
economic disruption, environmental damage, or loss of/disruption to 
property, livelihood, and/or services; 
mm) Historical landmarks – sites or structures that are associated with 
events or achievements significant to Philippine history as declared by 
the National Historical Institute or the applicable agency; 
nn) 
Human-Induced Hazard – an event that is caused by humans and 
occur in or close to human settlements or a particular environmental 
area. This can include environmental degradation, technological or 
industrial conditions, pollution, accidents, e.g. high density events, 
industrial and transport accidents, complex emergencies, armed conflict, 
situations of generalized or organized violence, and violation of human 
rights; 


oo) 
Humanitarian assistance – financial, material or other similar 
forms of assistance to address the immediate needs of people affected by 
a natural disaster;  
pp) 
Hydrometeorological hazards – hazards that are of atmospheric, 
hydrological, or oceanographic origin, such as tropical cyclones (also 
known as typhoons and hurricanes); floods, including flash floods; 
drought; heat waves and cold spells; and coastal storm surges. 
Hydrometeorological conditions may also be a factor in other hazards 
such as landslides, wildland fires, locust plagues, epidemics, and in the 
transport and dispersal of toxic substances and volcanic eruption 
material;  
qq) 
Impact and needs assessment – assessing the nature and 
magnitude of a disaster, its impact on affected populations, the type and 
extent of emergency, and the requirements for recovery and 
rehabilitation of the affected area(s); 
rr) 
Imminent Danger – a situation where, on the basis of official 
forecasts, it could reasonably be expected that a disaster will occur in a 
particular geographical area and within an estimated period of time, and 
where necessary preparedness actions or financing are required; 
ss) 
Integrated Disaster Resilience Information System – a specialized 
database, which contains, among others, information on disasters and 
their human, material, economic and environmental impact, risk 
assessment and mapping, and vulnerable and marginalized groups; 
tt) 
International Disaster Relief and Initial Recovery Period – the 
period that commences upon the issuance of a request for international 
disaster assistance or upon acceptance of an offer, and shall continue until 
terminated, pursuant to guidelines set in the implementing rules and 
regulations; 
uu) 
Internally Displaced Persons – persons or groups of persons who 
have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of 
habitual residence within national borders; 
vv) 
International Personnel – staff and volunteers of any assisting 
actor providing disaster relief or initial recovery assistance being persons 
who are neither citizens of nor domiciled in the Philippines prior to their 
recruitment by the international assisting actor; 
ww) 
Land Use Planning – the process undertaken by public authorities 
to identify, evaluate and decide on different options for the use of land, 
including consideration of long-term economic, social and environmental 
objectives and the implications for different communities and interest 
groups, and the subsequent formulation and promulgation of plans that 
describe the permitted or acceptable uses; 


xx) 
Legal Facilities – entitlements and exemptions that are granted to 
Assisting Domestic or International Actors that are declared to be eligible 
pursuant to this Act and its implementing rules and regulations; 
yy) 
Local Disaster Resilience Plan (LDRP) – a document prepared by 
an LGU based on the National Disaster Resilience Framework (NDRF) and 
the National Disaster Resilience Plan and Investment Plan (NDRPIP) that 
sets out specific programs, objectives and goals to implement disaster risk 
management and climate change adaptation measures at the local level.  
The plan includes, among others, an evaluation and analysis of emerging 
disaster risks, hazards and vulnerabilities applicable to an LGU, and 
specific programs and activities to ensure responsive, effective, and 
appropriate disaster preparedness and management at the local level; 
zz) 
National Continuity Policy – is a comprehensive national policy 
consisting of a set of programs and projects aimed at capacitating the 
government to ensure the continuity of governance and the delivery of 
public services during and after any disaster;  
aaa) 
National Disaster Resilience Framework (NDRF) – a framework 
that provides for a comprehensive, multi-sectoral, whole-of-government, 
and whole-of-society approach to attaining safe, adaptive, and resilient 
communities that can resist, prevent, mitigate against, absorb, 
accommodate, adapt to, recover, or build back better from the effects of a 
natural hazard in a timely and efficient manner through, among others, 
disaster risk reduction and management, and climate change adaptation 
and mitigation.  The NDRF shall be composed of a National Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Framework (NDRRMF), and National 
Framework Strategy on Climate Change (NFSCC); 
bbb) National Disaster Resilience Plan and Investment Program 
(NDRPIP) – a plan formulated and implemented by the national and local 
governments, in collaboration with NGOs, the private sector, academe, 
international development partners, and others, in accordance with the 
NDRF that sets out the outcomes, goals and objectives, priorities, 
programs and corresponding action plans for disaster risk reduction, 
preparedness, and management, and climate change mitigation.  The 
NDRPIP shall also include, among others, goals, objectives and action 
plans for a national continuity policy. It shall be in conformity with the 
national disaster risk reduction and management framework; 
ccc) 
Natural Hazard – naturally occurring physical phenomena caused 
either by rapid or slow onset events, which can be geological 
(earthquakes, 
ground 
rupture, 
liquefaction, 
landslides, 
tsunamis, 
sinkholes, and volcanic activity), hydrological and meteorological (floods, 
severe winds, typhoons, storm surges), climatological variability (extreme 
temperatures, El Niño, La Niña, forest fires), or biological (disease, 
epidemics and insect/animal plagues); 


ddd) Open Data – a set of data that can be freely used, shared and built-
on by anyone, anywhere, for any purpose. It must be available in bulk, and 
should be available free of charge, or at least at no more than a reasonable 
reproduction cost. The information should be digital, preferably available 
by downloading through the internet, and easily processed by the end-
user’s computer too. The data must permit people to use it, re-use it, and 
redistribute it, including intermixing it with other data sets and 
distributing the results. Lastly, it does not allow conditions to be placed 
on how people can use such data but permit a data provider to require 
that data users credit them in some appropriate way, make it clear if the 
data has been changed, or that any new datasets created using their data 
are also shared as open data; 
eee) 
Pre-Disaster Recovery Plan – a plan intended to help government 
officials working in small communities or across an entire nation, to 
define and follow a process to pre plan for disaster recovery, and thereby 
strengthen their own future recovery efforts and outcomes; 
fff) 
Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA)– a process to evaluate a 
hazard’s level of risk given the degree of exposure and vulnerability in a 
specific area likely to be affected by an imminent hazard. It presents the 
possible impacts on the population and forms a basis to determine the 
appropriate level of response actions from the national level government 
agencies down to the local government units. It is hazard-specific, area 
focused, and time-bound; 
ggg) 
Recovery – rehabilitation measures that ensure the ability of 
affected communities or areas to return their normal level of functioning 
by restoring livelihoods and services, reconstruction of damaged 
infrastructures and increasing the communities’ organizational capacity; 
hhh) Rehabilitation – restoration of basic services and facilities for the 
functioning of a community or a society affected by a disaster; 
iii) 
Response – any effort to provide assistance or intervention during 
or immediately after a disaster to meet the life preservation and basic 
subsistence needs of affected people and communities; and in the 
restoration of essential public activities and facilities; 
jjj) 
Retrofitting – the reinforcement or upgrading of existing 
structures to make them more resistant and resilient to the damaging 
effects of hazards; 
kkk) 
Risk Assessment – a methodology to determine the nature and 
extent of risk by analyzing potential hazards and evaluating existing 
conditions of vulnerability that together could potentially harm exposed 
people, property, services, livelihood and the environment on which they 
depend; 


lll) 
Risk Transfer – the process of formally or informally shifting the 
financial consequences of particular risks from one party to another 
whereby a household, community, enterprise or state authority will 
obtain resources from the other party after a disaster occurs, in exchange 
for ongoing or compensatory social or financial benefits provided to that 
other party; 
mmm) Safety stock – items, such as raw materials, component parts, or 
finished goods, maintained in inventory to reduce the risk that such item 
will be out of stock, in anticipation of unforeseen shortages or unusual 
demand for such items; 
nnn) Service Continuity -- the capacity of a government instrumentality 
to continue delivering its mandated outputs and/or services to the public 
during and after a disaster; 
ooo) 
State of Calamity – a condition involving endangerment to and/or 
loss of lives, damages to property, economic and/or social disruption, 
interruption and/or loss of livelihood and/or services, and destruction 
and/or damages to infrastructure as a result of natural disaster(s) or 
related hazard(s); 
ppp) Simplified or Pre-Arranged Contract – a written agreement in the 
nature of an option contract between the procuring entity on one hand, 
and the most responsive and lowest calculated bidder on the other, 
granting the procuring entity the option to either place an order for any of 
the goods identified therein or not buy at all, within a given period of 
time;  
qqq) Sustainable Development – development that meets the needs of 
the present without compromising the ability of future generations to 
meet their own needs; 
rrr) 
Volunteers – individuals, groups or entities that offer and/or 
provide services or assistance, without compensation, to help people 
and/or areas affected by disasters; 
sss) 
Vulnerability – the conditions determined by physical, social, 
economic, organizational, and environmental factors or processes, which 
increase the susceptibility of an individual, a community, assets or 
systems to the impacts of hazards;  
ttt) 
Whole-of-Society Approach – an approach that encourages the 
meaningful active participation and synergy of the different stakeholders 
of society toward climate change adaptation and mitigation, and disaster 
risk reduction and management at the national and local levels;  
uuu) Whole-of-Government Approach – an approach that instills and 
fosters collaboration among all government instrumentalities both at the 


national and local levels toward shared sustainable development goals 
and outcomes; and 
vvv) 
Whole-of-Nation Approach – an approach that seeks to bring about 
a concerted effort towards sustainable development,  national peace and 
security by creating consensus and understanding of development and 
security that is shared not just among core security forces and oversight 
government institutions, but also by the nation’s stakeholders, e.g., 
government, civil society, private sector, and and all the nation’s the 
communities. 
 
ARTICLE II 
THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE 
SECTION 4. Creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience. – There is hereby 
created the Department of Disaster Resilience, herein after referred to as the 
Department.  
SECTION 5. Mandate. The Department shall be the principal government 
institution responsible for ensuring safe, adaptive, and disaster-resilient 
communities. It shall lead, spearhead, initiate, and integrate the crafting and 
implementation of plans, programs, projects and activities to reduce the risk of 
natural hazards and effects of climate change, and manage the impact of 
disasters with the primordial goal of saving lives and minimizing damage to 
property, in close collaboration with all relevant stakeholders at the national and 
local levels. 
 
The mandate of the Department shall cover all natural hazards, including the 
effects of climate change, such as the following: 
1. 
Geological Phenomena and Related Hazards 
a. 
Earthquake – ground rupture, ground shaking, liquefaction, 
tsunami, fire, and landslides; 
b. 
Volcanic activity – ash fall, pyroclastic flow, lava flow, lahar, 
fissuring, volcanic gas, and seiche (lake water oscillation); 
c. 
Mass movement – landslides, debris flow, sinkholes; 
2. 
Hydrological and Meteorological Phenomena and Related Hazards 
a. 
Tropical cyclone – severe winds, storm surge, hail; 
b. 
Flood; 
c. 
Erosion; 
3. 
 Climatological variability 


a. 
El Niño; 
b. 
Extreme temperatures; 
c. 
La Niña; and 
d. 
Solar radiation, among others. 
The Department shall oversee and coordinate the preparation, implementation, 
monitoring, and evaluation of disaster and climate resilience plans, programs, 
projects and activities, provide leadership in the continuous development of 
strategic and systematic approaches to disaster prevention, mitigation, 
preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation and anticipatory adaptation 
strategies, measures, techniques, and options. It shall also manage and direct the 
implementation of national, local, and community-based disaster resilience 
programs in collaboration with relevant national government agencies, LGUs, 
CSOs, and other stakeholders, as applicable.   
SECTION 6. Powers and Functions of the Department. – The Department shall 
exercise and perform the following powers and functions: 
(a) 
Overall Functions 
1. 
Craft the policies and lead the implementation of the 
programs, projects and activities necessary to reduce the country’s 
vulnerabilities to natural hazards and climate change, using the 
PDP and the relevant climate change and DRR frameworks as 
anchors; 
2. 
Review and build upon, to the extent necessary, the existing 
disaster resilience framework, plans and strategies in the crafting 
of an NDRF and the corresponding NDRPIP; 
3. 
Oversee, review, and approve the translation, integration, 
and implementation of the NDRPIP into LDRPs; 
4. 
Communicate and disseminate critical information to help 
the public prepare for, respond to, and recover from a disaster; 
5. 
Receive, manage, and administer the Disaster Resilience 
Fund, the Disaster Contingency Fund, donations and other funds, 
assets and/or properties received by the Department to 
accomplish the purposes of this Act;  
6. 
Recommend to the President of the Philippines the 
declaration of a state of calamity due to a natural disaster, and the 
lifting thereof when conditions stabilize;  
7. 
Direct any government entity to help ensure the attainment 
of the goals and objectives of this Act; 


8. 
Advance the country’s interests relating to disaster 
resilience and climate change in the regional and global arena; and 
9. 
Advise the President on matters concerning disaster 
resilience and make recommendations, as appropriate; and 
10. 
Perform such other functions, as provided by law or 
assignment of the President, and undertake all other necessary 
actions to ensure the attainment of the overall goals and objectives 
of this Act. 
(b) 
Disaster Risk Reduction 
1. 
Develop coordinated national, regional, and local strategies 
for the effective prevention and mitigation of disaster risk 
resulting from natural hazards, including the effects of climate 
change; 
2. 
Monitor and ensure the integration of disaster risk 
reduction and management, and climate change adaptation 
policies into national development plans; 
3. 
Establish a disaster resilience information system to 
facilitate the creation of an integrated risk assessment platform 
built from the inputs of government and private scientific and 
academic institutions, national government agencies and local 
government units, local communities, and other stakeholders and 
that is able to provide readily accessible and actionable 
information for purposes of risk governance and humanitarian 
action; 
4. 
Formulate plans and programs to establish and implement 
government redundancy, service and business continuity, and a 
National Continuity Policy, as a high priority and urgent 
undertaking; 
5. 
Ensure the use of advanced science and technology in 
anticipatory planning of communities against the impact of natural 
hazards 
and 
climate 
change 
through 
consultation, 
and 
employment with a regular department funding the academe or 
higher education institutions; 
6. 
Develop and implement policies and programs related to 
the construction of new settlements or relocation of settlements in 
safe areas that shall, to the extent such policies and programs 
relate to disaster risk reduction, mitigation, prevention or building 
forward better, prevail over policies or decisions of other 
government departments, government agencies, government 
owned or controlled corporations, LGUs, and other government 
instrumentalities; 


7. 
Design and implement an incentive system for greater 
private and public investment, both at the local and national levels, 
on disaster risk reduction; 
8. 
Oversee and ensure the mainstreaming of climate change 
adaptation and disaster risk reduction in development and land 
use planning, and the preparation of contingency plans; 
9. 
Create an enabling environment that shall promote broader 
multi-stakeholder participation for disaster risk reduction and 
climate change adaptation and mitigation; 
10. 
Communicate and disseminate critical information to help 
the public prepare for, respond to, and recover from a disaster; 
11. 
Establish and monitor local and national capacity for 
disaster risk financing and insurance and other risk transfer 
strategies in coordination with the Department of Finance (DOF), 
the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and the Land 
Bank of the Philippines (LBP), and the Insurance Commission; 
12. 
Coordinate directly with local government units and private 
entities to address Disaster Risk Assessment (DRA) of regions and 
provinces at the meso-scale, cities and municipalities at the micro-
scale, and barangays at the meta-scale; 
13. 
Review and evaluate local disaster resilience plans and 
other local plans to ensure their consistency with the National 
Disaster Resilience Framework; and 
14. 
Undertake all other programs, projects, and actions 
necessary to attain the overall goals and intended outcomes of this 
key result area. 
(c) 
Disaster Preparedness and Response 
1. 
Lead, 
manage, 
and 
collaborate 
with 
the 
relevant 
government instrumentalities, non-government stakeholders, and 
international partners in providing the minimum basic needs of 
people in affected areas before, during and/or immediately after a 
disaster to save lives and minimize casualties; 
2. 
Ensure the efficient prepositioning of goods, maintenance, 
and disposal of safety stocks; 
3. 
Prepare pre-disaster recovery plans in anticipation of 
future disasters by engaging the community and planning for 
recovery activities that are comprehensive and long-term; 
4. 
Establish a corps of first responders in partnership with 
national and local stakeholders, both public and private; 


5. 
Formulate standards for contingency planning for adoption 
by both national government agencies and local government units; 
6. 
Recommend to the President of the Philippines the 
declaration of a state of calamity due to a natural disaster, and the 
lifting thereof when conditions stabilize; 
7. 
Oversee and maintain a national early-warning and 
emergency alert system that must provide hazards-specific, areas-
focused and time-bound warning that are accurate, timely, 
understandable and readily accessible to national and local 
emergency response organizations and the general public; 
8. 
Implement pre-disaster risk assessments to include 
deployment of rapid assessment teams to gather information for 
precise actions as a basis for emergency preparedness and 
humanitarian response; 
9. 
Coordinate information-sharing and other disaster risk 
reduction protocols following the principle of inter-operability 
among national government agencies and local government units; 
10. 
Establish and maintain a national humanitarian logistics 
system with a network of warehouses, transport and resources, 
including response assets and disaster relief food and non-food 
items; 
11. 
Call upon the relevant government instrumentalities, non-
government stakeholders, CSOs, and international partners for 
assistance in ensuring the protection and preservation of life and 
property such as through the use of their resources and facilities, 
among others. This function includes the power to call on the 
reserve force as defined in Republic Act no. 7077 to assist in search 
and rescue, and the relief and disaster preparedness and response 
operations; 
12. 
Implement Pre-Disaster Risk Assessments to include 
deployment of rapid assessment teams to gather information for 
precise actions as a basis for emergency preparedness and 
humanitarian response; 
13. 
Organize, train, equip, and maintain a system of response 
capacity for search, rescue and retrieval and the delivery and 
distribution of relief goods; 
14. 
Monitor and support LGUs in the management of 
evacuation centers and ensure the welfare and dignity of 
internally-displaced persons; 


15. 
Procure goods and services prior to, during, and after 
emergencies for preparedness, response, and recovery activities, 
including those prompted by a declaration of a state of calamity or 
of an imminent disaster; in accordance with existing emergency 
procurement rules and regulations. 
16. 
Issue special procurement rules and regulations, in close 
coordination with the Government Procurement Policy Board, for 
preparedness, response, and recovery activities, including those 
prompted by a declaration of a state of calamity or of an imminent 
disaster; 
17. 
Assist in mobilizing necessary resources to increase the 
overall capacity of local government units, specifically those with 
low income and situated in high-risk areas; 
18. 
By the authority of the President, secure the assistance of 
the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National 
Police (PNP), DILG-Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Philippine 
Coast Guard (PCG), and other uniformed services in undertaking 
disaster preparedness and response operations in at-risk and/or 
disaster-affected areas; and 
19. 
Undertake all other programs, projects, and actions 
necessary to attain the overall goals and intended outcomes of this 
key result area. 
(d) 
Recovery and Building Forward Better 
1. 
Prepare, organize, lead, implement, and manage post-
disaster assessment and recovery and rehabilitation programs and 
plans, in coordination with the affected local governments units, 
national government agencies, and other stakeholders; 
2. 
Establish a system that utilizes templates, exposure 
database, and other tools; and develop the Department’s in-house 
capacity 
for 
the 
prompt 
and 
expedient 
preparation 
of 
rehabilitation plans, when needed, for disaster affected areas; 
3. 
Prepare and implement the recovery and rehabilitation 
plan(s) for disaster affected areas; 
4. 
Implement the cluster approach to expedite reconstruction 
efforts, e.g., post-disaster shelter recovery, and orchestrate and 
serve as the clearinghouse for the participation of assisting actors 
in such efforts; 
5. 
Collaborate with relevant government agencies and non-
government stakeholders in undertaking programs and projects to 


restore and/or generate livelihood and entrepreneurial activities 
and opportunities in disaster-affected areas; 
6. 
Ensure that the principle of Building Forward Better, not 
mere restoration, is applied to all recovery, reconstruction, and 
rehabilitation efforts; and 
7. 
Undertake all other programs, projects, and actions 
necessary to attain the overall goals and intended outcomes of this 
key result area. 
(e) 
Other Powers and Functions 
 
1. 
Constitute, call, convene and/or deputize agencies of 
government, 
and 
invite 
non-government 
and 
private 
organizations, to assist, advise, and/or coordinate with the 
Department to achieve the goals and purposes of this act; 
2. 
Provide operating guidelines to the LDROs for the 
Declaration of Imminent Disaster in their respective areas, which 
shall allow them to implement preemptive measures and use their 
quick response funds in order to save lives and minimize damage 
to property, loss of livelihood, and other assets; 
3. 
Establish and monitor local and national capacity for 
disaster risk financing and insurance and other risk transfer 
strategies in coordination with the DOF, GSIS, LBP, and the 
Insurance Commission; 
4. 
Coordinate information-sharing and other disaster risk r
 
education protocols following the principle of inter-
operability among National Government Agencies and Local 
Government Units, before, during, and after a disaster;  
5. 
Administer, mobilize, monitor, and oversee the utilization 
of disaster resilience-related funds, including, but not limited to, 
the National Disaster Resilience Fund and the Supplemental 
Disaster Resilience Support Fund for low income provinces, cities, 
and municipalities, and multi-hazard local government units; 
6. 
Inspect and examine the status of projects, programs, and 
activities undertaken by national government agencies and local 
government units in furtherance of disaster resilience efforts; 
7. 
Whenever it becomes necessary, to save lives and/or 
minimize damages to livelihood and property, assume supervision 
over the implementation of any government program, project, or 
activity in anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of a 
disaster; 


8. 
Negotiate, enter into, institutionalize, and coordinate 
arrangements with any private person or entity for the purpose of 
ensuring the adequate and prompt availability of goods and 
services necessary in anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath 
of disasters; 
9. 
Manage all funds appropriated to it by law and from other 
sources, including all donations and grants received by it; 
10. 
Promulgate 
rules 
and 
regulations 
for 
the 
receipt, 
management, and accounting of donations that are consistent with 
the rules of the Commission on Audit (COA) on the use of foreign 
and local aid during calamities and disasters; 
11. 
Receive humanitarian assistance from local and foreign 
sources, recommend the acquisition of developmental assistance 
for the purpose of disaster resilience, acknowledge and certify the 
receipt of all humanitarian assistance, and ensure their judicious 
use and management; 
12. 
Establish and operate a platform, including an online 
platform, to monitor and provide public access to 
information on humanitarian assistance received by the 
Department; 
13. 
Secure the assistance of the AFP, PNP, DILG- BFP, PCG, and 
other uniformed services and government instrumentalities to 
ensure the attainment of the three key result areas, and the overall 
goals and objectives of this Act; 
14. 
In consultation with the COA, promulgate rules and 
regulations for the retention, re-exportation, donation, and 
disposition of unused goods and equipment after the termination 
of disaster relief and initial recovery operations; 
15. 
Assist appropriate national government agencies and 
offices and concerned local government units in protecting 
national cultural heritage including national treasures and national 
historical landmarks, sites or monuments from hazards and 
disasters; and 
16. 
Perform such other functions, as provided by law or 
assignment of the President, and undertake the necessary actions 
to ensure the attainment of the overall goals and objectives of this 
Act. 
 
 
 


ARTICLE III 
EMERGENCY MEASURES 
SECTION 7. Emergency Measures. – (a) The Department may undertake and 
implement such immediate measures as may be necessary to ensure the 
protection and preservation of life or property in anticipation of, during, and in 
the aftermath of emergencies, hazards and disasters, including preemptive and 
forced evacuations. 
Local government units shall enact an ordinance on and implement necessary 
and appropriate emergency measures, including preemptive and forced 
evacuations, to ensure the protection and preservation of life or property in 
anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of disasters. 
Emergency measures, including preemptive and forced evacuations, shall be 
carried out with the primordial goal of saving lives and minimizing loss of 
property and livelihood, while respecting the dignity and culture of persons, 
observing equality, and using proportionate force, and with conscious attention 
to the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups. 
Appropriate steps shall be taken to inform the public of the need to implement 
emergency measures, such as evacuations, for their safety. 
Preemptive evacuation shall be the preferred and primary mode of moving 
people that will be affected by disasters.  
Forced evacuation shall be considered as an emergency measure of last resort 
that may be undertaken in anticipation of, during, or after a disaster and carried 
out by the affected local government unit, pursuant to a duly issued order by the 
local chief executive: Provided, That in case of the failure of the local chief 
executive to issue such an order, the forced evacuation shall be implemented by 
the Department, which may direct and compel the assistance of law enforcement 
and other relevant government agencies to implement such measure. 
Any person who willfully and deliberately disregards or disobeys a preemptive 
or forced evacuation implemented by the local government unit or the 
Department releases such local government unit or the Department from any 
liability for injury, death, damage to, or loss of property due to such 
disobedience. 
(b) 
Whenever it becomes necessary, the Department may recommend to the 
President the calling out of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to prevent or 
suppress lawless violence occurring before, during, and in the aftermath of 
disasters. 
(c) 
 The Department shall ration the distribution of basic goods in critical 
shortage, and/or restrict or ban the transfer of such goods outside the area 
covered by the emergency measure. 


(d) 
The Department may temporarily take over or direct the operation of any 
private utility or business for urgent public purpose in anticipation of, during, 
and in the aftermath of emergencies, hazards, and disasters and only when there 
is imminent danger of loss of lives and/or damage to property, subject to 
payment of just compensation. 
(e) 
Local government units shall likewise enact the abovementioned 
emergency measures including preemptive and forced evacuations, to ensure the 
protection and preservation of life or property in anticipation of, during, and in 
the aftermath of disaster. 
(f) 
With the concurrence of the DOF, the Department shall recommend to the 
Monetary Board the deferment of payment for monetary debts of LGUs and/or 
private entities that have been affected by disasters. 
 
 
ARTICLE IV 
ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT 
SECTION 8. The Secretary. – The Department shall be headed by the Secretary of 
Disaster Resilience, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, who shall be 
appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the Commission on 
Appointments. The Secretary shall preferably have a solid background in any of 
the scientific, engineering, and public management fields relevant to resilience to 
natural hazards and climate change; and demonstrated managerial acumen. 
SECTION 9. Powers and Functions of the Secretary. – The Secretary shall exercise 
the following powers and functions: 
a) 
Establish and promulgate policies, rules, and regulations for the 
effective and efficient operation of the Department and implement these 
to carry out its mandate, functions, programs, and activities; 
b) 
Exercise executive direction over the operations of the Department 
and administrative supervisions over its attached agencies;  
c) 
Exercise control and supervision over all functions and activities of 
the Department and its officers and personnel; 
d) 
Appoint officers and employees of the Department, except those 
whose appointments are vested in the President, in accordance with civil 
service law, rules, and regulations; 
e) 
Exercise disciplinary authority over officers and employees of the 
Department in accordance with law, and investigate such officers and 
employees, or designate a committee or officer to conduct an 
investigation; 


f) 
Manage the financial, human, and other resources of the 
Department; 
g) 
Collaborate with other government agencies, the private sector, 
and civil society organizations on the policies, programs, projects, and 
activities of the Department, as may be necessary; 
h) 
Advise the President on the promulgation of executive and 
administrative issuances and the formulation of regulatory and legislative 
proposals on matters pertaining to disaster resilience; 
i) 
Represent the Philippines and articulate the national contribution 
to global, regional, and other inter-governmental disaster risk reduction 
and humanitarian platforms, in coordination with the Department of 
Foreign Affairs; and 
j) 
Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or 
assigned by the President. 
SECTION 10. The Undersecretaries. – The Secretary shall be assisted by at least 
four (4) Undersecretaries, who shall be responsible for the following functional 
areas, including the establishment of a robust and responsive ICT system to 
effectively support the mandate and operations of the Department: 
a) 
Disaster Risk Reduction – the formulation, adoption, and 
implementation of policies and programs to reduce existing and future 
disaster risks to minimize loss and damage to lives and properties, 
including the formulation of the required policies and programs in the 
NDRF and relevant national investment plans; 
b) 
Disaster Preparedness and Response – the implementation of 
projects and programs to prepare and respond to disasters, including the 
enhancement of capabilities of local government units, the development 
of a database of exposure or elements at risk per area and database of 
volunteers, the establishment of safe and strategic evacuation centers, 
and the implementation of responsive and efficient prepositioning and 
distribution of goods; 
c) 
Recovery and Building Forward Better – the formulation and 
implementation of rehabilitation plans for disaster-affected areas and 
ensuring the implementation of disaster recovery and rehabilitation 
measures, such as post-disaster shelters and livelihood projects, in 
collaboration with relevant government agencies, local government units, 
and other stakeholders; and 
d) 
Support to Operations – the formulation and implementation of 
policies, programs, projects, and activities to ensure the efficient, 
effective, and responsive performance of the Department’s mandate, 
powers, and functions. Support to operations includes knowledge 


management, 
institutional 
development 
and 
planning, 
finance, 
administration, and human resources management. 
The Undersecretaries shall have operational control and supervision over 
the bureaus, divisions, offices, and units assigned to their respective 
functional areas. 
SECTION 11. The Assistant Secretaries and Directors. – The Department shall 
have such number of Assistant Secretaries and Directors as may be necessary for 
the effective and efficient implementation and performance of its mandate, 
powers, and functions. 
SECTION 12. Qualifications. All the Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and 
other officials of the Department shall preferably be specialists and have a good 
track record in any of the following fields, as applicable to their mandated key 
result areas and functions: disaster risk reduction and management, science and 
technology, environmental science or management, urban planning, civil 
engineering, public finance, information and communications technology, 
logistics management, mass communication, among other fields directly relevant 
to ensuring the country’s disaster resilience. 
The appointing authority and other responsible officials shall ensure that the 
Department’s its human resources possess the competencies, skills, behavioral 
attributes, training and experience necessary for them to become efficient, 
effective, and responsive in performing their functions and contribute to the 
attainment of the overall goals and delivery of the intended outcomes of this Act. 
SECTION 13. Structure and Staffing Pattern.  The Department shall determine its 
organizational structure and staffing pattern and create such services, divisions, 
and units, as it may require or deem necessary, subject to the approval of the 
Department of Budget and Management.  
SECTION 14. Regional Disaster Resilience Offices. – The Department shall 
establish and maintain Regional Disaster Resilience Offices (RDROs) in each 
administrative region, to be headed by a Regional Director. The Department shall 
create policies and programs to establish collaboration and coordination among 
the different RDROs. 
SECTION 15. Powers and Functions of RDROs. – The RDROs shall have the 
following powers and functions: 
a)  
Review the LDRPs and Provincial DRPs of LGUs within its 
jurisdiction, and require the amendment of such LDRPs and/or Provincial 
DRPs if necessary, to ensure compliance with the NDRF and relevant 
national investment plans; 
b)  
Monitor and direct LDROs and PDROs to implement their 
respective LDRPs and PDRPs; 


c)  
Recommend to the appropriate local legislative body the 
enactment of ordinances to implement the LDRP, NDRF and relevant 
national investment plans at the city, municipal or provincial level, and to 
comply with other requirements of this Act; 
d)  
Review reports on the utilization of the LDRF and other disaster 
risk and management resources of LGUs within its jurisdiction, and give 
recommendations, as necessary; 
e)  
Disburse to, and monitor the use by, LGUs of funds granted by the 
Department pursuant to this Act and its IRR; 
g)  
Provide, upon the request of LGUs or unilaterally at its own 
discretion, assistance to LGU(s) within its jurisdiction as necessary to 
ensure the implementation of LDRPs/Provincial LDRPs, NDRF and 
relevant national investment plans, and to render efficient and timely 
disaster preparedness, response and recovery measures; 
h)  
Identify and report to the Department issues and problems 
relating to, or affecting, the disaster resilience of LGUs within its 
jurisdiction, and make recommendations to the Department and/or to the 
LGUs to address such issues or problems; 
j)  
Formulate and establish mechanisms to mobilize and direct LDROs 
and PDROs within its jurisdiction as necessary for disaster preparedness 
and response at the regional level; 
k)  
Establish and maintain, in coordination with the Department, a 
Regional Command and Control Center (RCCC), which includes, among 
others, an information management system at the regional level, which 
consolidates and integrates information from the provinces, cities and 
municipalities within its jurisdiction, a multi-hazard early warning and 
communications system, and a monitoring system that enables the RDRO 
to oversee, supervise, monitor and respond to the needs of LGUs within 
its jurisdiction in relation to disaster resilience activities; 
l)  
Assist in the implementation, of rehabilitation plan(s) for LGUs 
within its coverage; and 
m)  
Conduct other activities and act on other matters, in accordance 
with policies and procedures of the Department and applicable laws, to 
achieve the purposes of this Act. 
SECTION 16. Special Disaster Response Teams. The RDROs may organize and/or 
activate Special Disaster Response Teams (SDRTs) to assist LGUs in responding 
to hazards and disasters that are beyond their capacities, as deemed necessary.  
SECTION 17. Local Disaster Resilience Offices. – The Local Disaster Risk 
Reduction Management Offices in provinces, cities, and municipalities are hereby 
renamed as the Provincial, City, and Municipal Disaster Resilience Offices, 


respectively, and shall collectively be called the Local Disaster Resilience Offices 
(LDROs). Provincial, city, and municipal governments shall establish their 
respective LDROs. 
The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees are hereby 
renamed as the Barangay Disaster Resilience Committees (BDRC).  
All Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils are hereby abolished. 
The LDROs shall be under the control and supervision of the provincial governor 
or the city or municipal mayor, as the case may be. The budgetary requirements 
for personal services, maintenance and other operating expenditures, and capital 
outlay of the LDROs shall be sourced from the General Fund of the local 
government units concerned; Provided, That, the personal services limitations 
under Section 325(a) of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code of 1991, shall not apply in relation to the creation and 
appointment of at least five (5) positions in the LDROs. 
Other maintenance and operating expenditures and the capital outlay 
requirements of LDROs in the implementation of disaster risk reduction 
management and climate change adaptation programs shall be charged to the 
Local Disaster Resilience Fund of local government units. 
SECTION  18. Local Disaster Resilience Officer. – The LDRO shall be headed by a 
full-time Local Disaster Resilience Officer, who shall have a regular plantilla 
position and shall be appointed by the local chief executive: Provided, That the 
qualifications standards pertaining to experience and training set by the Civil 
Service Commission for the position may be waived by the Department in 
exceptional cases upon the request of the local chief executive.  
SECTION 19. Powers and Functions of City and Municipal Disaster Resilience 
Offices. – The City and Municipal Disaster Resilience Offices shall have the 
following powers and functions: 
a) 
Formulate and implement, in coordination with the Department, a 
comprehensive and integrated Local Disaster Resilience Plan in 
accordance with the NDRF and the relevant national investment plans; 
b) 
Design, program, coordinate, and implement disaster resilience 
activities consistent with the standards and guidelines provided by the 
Department, and implement the NDRF and the relevant national 
investment plans at the city or municipal level; 
c) 
 Prepare and submit to the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Bayan, as 
the case may be, the LDRP, the proposed programming of the LDR Fund, 
other dedicated disaster resilience resources, and other funds of the 
LDRO; 


d) 
Recommend to the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Bayan, as the case 
may be, the enactment of ordinances to implement the LDRP, NDRF, 
relevant national investment plans, and the provisions of this Act; 
e) 
Prepare and submit to the Department a report on the utilization 
of its Local Disaster Resilience Fund and other disaster risk reduction and 
management resources; 
f) 
Establish and maintain, in coordination with the Department, an 
information management system within the LGU, which, among others, 
consolidates and includes local risk information (such as natural hazards, 
profile of the LGU’s vulnerable or marginalized groups), local risk maps, 
and a disaggregated database of human resource, equipment, services, 
resources, directories and location of critical infrastructures with their 
capacities (such as hospitals and evacuation centers); 
g) 
Operate and maintain, in coordination with the Department, a 
multi-hazard early warning and communications system to provide 
accurate and timely information to the public; 
h) 
Organize and conduct training and knowledge management 
activities on disaster resilience at the local level, in coordination with the 
Disaster Research, Education, and Training Institute; 
i) 
Recommend to the local chief executive the procurement of 
emergency works, goods, and services in compliance with the regulations, 
orders, and policies of DBM and GPPB, to implement the LDRP or support 
early recovery and post-disaster activities; 
j) 
 Recommend, in coordination with the DOF and other relevant 
agencies, to the local chief executive, access to foreign loans to finance 
projects, programs, and policies for disaster preparedness, response, 
recovery, and rehabilitation, subject to terms and conditions agreed upon 
by the local government unit and the lender; 
k) 
 Monitor and mobilize instrumentalities and entities of the LGU 
and its partner LGUs, CSOs, private sector, organized volunteers, and 
sectoral organizations for disaster resilience activities, in accordance with 
policies and procedures of the Department and applicable laws; 
l) 
Coordinate and provide the necessary support or assistance to the 
Department in the implementation of rehabilitation plan(s) within the 
city or municipality covered by the LDRO; 
m) 
Coordinate with the Department, other government agencies, 
members of the private sector and other stakeholders in the LGU to 
establish a Business Continuity Plan as part of their LDRP’s disaster 
preparedness measures; 


n) 
 Establish linkage/network and coordination mechanisms with 
other LGUs and the Department for disaster resilience activities and to 
achieve the purposes of this Act; and 
o) 
Conduct other activities and act on other matters, in accordance 
with policies and procedures of the Department and applicable laws, to 
achieve the purposes of this Act. 
SECTION 20. Powers and Functions of the Provincial Disaster Resilience Offices. –
The Provincial Disaster Resilience Offices shall have the following powers and 
functions: 
a) 
Formulate and implement, in close coordination with the 
Department and the local government units under the jurisdiction of the 
provincial government, a comprehensive and integrated Provincial 
Disaster Resilience Plan in accordance with the NDRF; 
b) 
 Review the LDRPs of cities and/or municipalities within its 
jurisdiction, and require the amendment of such LDRPs if necessary, to 
ensure compliance with the Provincial DRP and the NDRF; 
c) 
Design, program, coordinate, or implement disaster resilience 
activities consistent with the standards and guidelines provided by the 
Department, and implement the NDRF and the relevant national 
investment plans at the provincial level; 
d) 
Prepare and submit to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the 
Provincial DRP, the proposed programming of the province’s Local 
Disaster Resilience Fund, other dedicated disaster resilience resources, 
and other funding sources of the PDRO; 
e) 
Recommend to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan the enactment of 
local ordinances to implement the Provincial LDRP, NDRF and relevant 
national investment plans at the provincial level, and to comply with 
other requirements of this Act; 
f) 
Prepare and submit to the Department, a report on the utilization 
of the province’s Local Disaster Resilience Fund and other disaster risk 
reduction and management resources; 
g) 
Establish and maintain, in coordination with the Department, a 
Provincial Command and Control Center (PCCC), which includes, among 
others, an information management system at the provincial level, which 
consolidates and integrates information from the cities and/or 
municipalities within its jurisdiction, a multi-hazard early warning and 
communications system that is connected with the cities and/or 
municipalities within its jurisdiction, and a monitoring system that 
enables the PDRO to oversee, supervise, monitor and respond to the 
needs of cities and/or municipalities within its jurisdiction in relation to 
disaster resilience activities; 


h) 
Recommend to the Provincial Governor the procurement of 
emergency works, goods, and services in compliance with the regulations, 
orders, and policies of DBM and GPPB, to implement the provincial LDRP 
or support early recovery and post-disaster activities of the PDRO; 
i) 
Recommend, in coordination with the DOF, to the Provincial 
Governor to access foreign loans to finance its policies, programs, 
projects, and activities for disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and 
rehabilitation, subject to terms and conditions agreed upon by the 
Provincial Government and the lender; 
j) 
Formulate and establish mechanisms to mobilize and direct LDROs 
within its jurisdiction as necessary for disaster preparedness and 
response at the provincial level; 
k) 
Coordinate and provide the necessary support or assistance to the 
Department in the implementation of rehabilitation plan(s) within the 
cities and/or municipalities covered by the PDRO; and 
l) 
Conduct other activities and/or act on other matters, in 
accordance with policies and procedures of the Department and 
applicable laws, to achieve the purposes of this Act. 
SECTION 21. Service Continuity of the Department. To ensure service continuity, 
the Department and its regional and attached offices shall be established in a 
reasonably resilient location; and/or undertake the necessary interventions to 
make its offices and systems disaster-resilient. 
ARTICLE V 
COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL APPROACH 
SECTION 22. Synergy with Stakeholders. – The Department shall ensure seamless 
synergy and coordination with stakeholders, including national government 
agencies, local government units, government-owned or -controlled corporations 
(GOCCs), CSOs, the academe, and the private sector, in relation to disaster 
resilience programs and projects and the development and promotion of 
research, education, and training mechanisms. 
The Department shall establish a platform, paradigm, and mechanisms for 
convergence and coordination with stakeholders, including the development of 
standards, protocols, and procedures for seamless collaboration for disaster 
resilience. 
SECTION 23. Establishment of Multi-Stakeholders Convergence Unit. – The 
Department, with the assistance of other relevant government agencies and 
stakeholders, shall establish a Multi-Stakeholders Convergence Unit (MSCU), 
which shall closely engage the private sector, CSOs, academe, and other non-
government stakeholders and strengthen public-private collaboration towards 
disaster resilience by way of the following interventions, among others: 


a. 
Implementation of business continuity practices to ensure the 
continued delivery of products and services, in the event of disasters; 
b. 
Crafting and implementation of a National Continuity Policy to 
ensure government service continuity during and after emergencies and 
disasters, and ensure the quick return of government to full operations; 
c. 
Establishment, 
incorporation, 
and 
application 
of 
business 
continuity plans as part of the LDRPs of LGUs; 
d. 
Facilitation or assistance in obtaining and/or processing incentives 
for the private sector and other non-government stakeholders, such as 
but not limited to tax credits; 
e. 
Preparation and facilitation of the issuance of special rules for 
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) such as, but not limited 
to, mechanisms involving procurement and liquidity to create enabling 
environments for disaster preparedness, recovery and building forward 
better; and 
f. 
Formulation of investment programs for disaster affected areas in 
partnership with the private business sector and civil society 
organizations. 
The MSCU shall establish a platform that includes, among others, a database for 
monitoring and coordinating efforts and resources of stakeholders. 
SECTION 24. Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders. – The commitment, 
goodwill, knowledge, experience and resources of relevant stakeholders are 
critical to realize a safer, adaptive, resilient and inclusive Filipino community. 
Citizens have the shared vision and duty to provide support to the State in the 
implementation of policies and programs, particularly the Disaster Resilience 
Framework and Disaster Resilience Plan at the national, regional and local levels. 
a) 
Civil society, non-governmental organizations, international non-
governmental organizations, private sector, practitioners, and volunteers 
shall participate, in collaboration with public institutions, in the exchange 
of to provide information, learnings, and guidance on disaster resilience. 
The Department shall encourage and institutionalize their engagement in 
the implementation of local, regional, national, regional and global plans 
and strategies; enhance public awareness and promote a culture of 
disaster resilience;  
b) 
The women, children, and youth, as agents of change, shall 
endeavor to contribute actively and participate in disaster resilience 
trainings and information dissemination; 
c) 
Senior citizens, and persons with disabilities shall contribute their 
knowledge and experience on disaster preparedness and resiliency; 


d) 
Indigenous peoples and Muslim Filipinos shall share their 
traditional knowledge and practical experience on disaster resiliency; 
e) 
Urban and rural poor, and migrants shall participate in building 
resilient resettlement communities; 
f) 
Emergency 
responders 
and 
volunteer 
organizations 
shall 
contribute to resilience by promptly and efficiently responding to 
disasters and emergencies consistent with the policies of the Research, 
Education and Training Institute of the Department;  
g) 
Academia, scientific and research entities, and networks are 
encouraged to undertake relevant research on disaster resiliency in 
partnership with the Department and other stakeholders for better 
decision-making; 
h) 
The private sector is encouraged to integrate disaster resiliency 
projects and programs in their corporate social responsibility initiatives; 
and 
i) 
The media shall provide prompt and accurate information to the 
public on early warning systems, natural hazards, and disaster resilience 
activities of the Department. 
SECTION 25. Disaster Resilience Assembly. The Department, with the assistance 
of RDROs, shall establish and convene a Disaster Resilience Assembly (DRA), at 
the regional and national level, which will be held on a semestral basis, or as 
frequently as necessary to ensure the proactive engagement of the relevant 
government and non-government stakeholders, such as the Union of Local 
Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), League of Municipalities of the Philippines 
(LMP), CSOs, academe, DRRM practitioners, the private sector, and the national 
government agencies, among others, to ensure effective collaboration towards 
achieving the goals of this Act.  
The LGUs may convene local DRAs within their jurisdictions, as necessary for the 
attainment of disaster resilience at the local level. 
SECTION 26. Inter-operability of Systems.  The Department shall establish 
mechanisms to ensure the inter-operability of systems among government 
agencies, and to allow access of agencies to the IDRIS. It shall develop protocols 
to allow real-time access to information by government agencies in relation to 
natural disasters and the implementation of disaster resilience measures.   
SECTION 27. National organization of all Local Disaster Resilience Officers. There 
shall be a national organization of all local disaster resilience officers for the 
primary purpose of: 
a) 
Developing capacity, and exchanging knowledge, experiences, and 
best practices concerning local government disaster resilience; 


b) 
Fostering inter-operability of the local disaster resilience offices’ 
systems; Facilitating inter-LGU cooperation and collaboration; 
c) 
Providing inputs and feedback to the Department on resilience 
concerns at the local level; and 
d) 
Enhancing synergy in other areas of common concern. 
 
ARTICLE VI 
MAINSTREAMING, INTEGRATION AND CONVERGENCE OF DISASTER RISK 
REDUCTION 
SECTION 28. Integration of DRR and Climate Change Adaptation in the National 
Disaster Resilience Framework and Disaster Resilience Plan. – The existing 
NDRRM Framework and Plan, and the National Climate Change Strategic 
Framework and Plan shall be integrated and harmonized into the NDRF and the 
NDRPIP. The NDRF and NDRPIP shall be reviewed and updated every three (3) 
years. 
SECTION 29. Ecosystem-Based Approach to Prevention and Mitigation, 
Rehabilitation and Recovery from Disasters. – The Department shall ensure the 
application of ecosystems-based approaches in disaster risk reduction, 
particularly through ecosystem management and restoration as defined in this 
Act, and ensuring that environmental and natural resource policies are risk-
informed. 
ARTICLE VII 
NATIONAL DISASTER OPERATIONS CENTER, ALTERNATIVE COMMAND CENTER, 
AND RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE 
SECTION 30. National Disaster Operations Center. - The Department shall 
establish, within one (1) year from the approval of this Act, and act as the 
primary operator of, the National Disaster Operations Center (NDOC), 
Alternative Command and Control Centers (ACCCs), and a Disaster Resilience 
Research and Training Institute (DRRTI). 
The NDOC is a physical center equipped with the necessary tools and systems to 
monitor, manage, and respond to disasters in all areas of the country. The NDOC 
shall also provide the necessary support for the overall coordination and 
implementation of emergency and disaster response measures throughout the 
country.  
The ACCCs are command centers established in other locations as an alternative 
or to provide supplemental support to the NDOC. The number and location of 
ACCCs shall be determined by the Department as may be necessary in each of the 
country’s major island groups. Temporary ACCC may likewise be established by 
the Department, if necessary. 


SECTION 31. DRRTI functions and inter-agency knowledge sharing. - The DRRTI 
shall be a platform for providing training, and for collecting, consolidating, 
managing, analyzing, and/or sharing knowledge and information to improve 
and/or enhance disaster resilience.   The DRRTI shall:  
a) 
Establish reliable and up-to-date Integrated Disaster Resilience 
Information System (IDRIS) through close and seamless collaboration 
with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of 
Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and other 
appropriate agencies;  
b) 
Conduct disaster-related research programs, seminars, and 
trainings for all types of stakeholders;  
c) 
Consolidate, organize and/or prepare training materials and 
publications;  
d) 
Conduct other activities consistent with promoting the formation 
and dissemination of knowledge and information relating to disaster 
resilience and disaster management; 
e) 
Establish a database that includes relevant information from other 
government agencies and third parties for the department to better 
prepare and respond to natural hazards including, but not limited to, an 
inventory of hazardous materials per area; and 
f) 
Consult and coordinate with, and consolidate information/data 
from, relevant government agencies, such as, but not limited to, DOST, 
LGUs and relevant CSOs to enhance the IDRIS and to promote knowledge 
sharing among all stakeholders.  
SECTION 32. Compliance and Accreditation of DRRTI with International 
Standards. - The Department shall strive to obtain certification from, and 
accreditation by, international accreditation bodies of the DRRTI to ensure 
DRRTI’s compliance with international standards.  The Department shall 
likewise ensure collaboration with key countries and international organizations 
to incorporate best practices on disaster resilience in the Department’s policies 
and programs. 
 
ARTICLE VIII 
INTEGRATION, 
MAINSTREAMING 
DISASTER 
RESILIENCE 
INFORMATION, 
EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION CONVERGENCE 
SECTION 33. Integrated Disaster Resilience Information System (IDRIS) – The 
Department shall establish a National and Regional Information Management 
System for Disaster Resilience, which shall be a database of all relevant disaster 
risk reduction and climate change data, including a geographic information 
system on geo-hazard assessments and climate risk. It shall be the repository of 


current and multi- temporal information for wide-scale disaster risk analysis. 
The IDRIS shall be accessible at all times to the responsible officials and entities 
to enable the timely, reliable, and accurate collection, processing, analysis, and 
dissemination of information to support overall decision-making and effective 
coordination at both the national and sub-national level. The protocols and 
procedures for this shall be defined in the IRR of this Act.  
SECTION 34. Disaster Resilience Education and Training. – (a) To instill a culture 
of safety and security including emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency, 
the Department, in partnership with the public and private sectors shall 
encourage the inclusion of appropriate information on disaster resilience in their 
various training programs and immersion activities.  
(b) The IEC on disaster resilience shall be informative and holistic, gender, 
culture and disability sensitive using various available platforms. 
 
ARTICLE IX 
DISASTER RISK TRANSFER, INSURANCE AND INCENTIVES 
 
SECTION 35. Disaster Risk Transfer, Insurance and Social Welfare. – (a) The 
Department shall oversee all disaster risk-sharing and risk-transfer instruments 
and other related initiatives to ensure the protection of property and livelihood, 
both public and private. 
(b) 
The Department, in collaboration with the DOF, BSP, LBP, GSIS, and the 
Insurance Commission, shall create, establish, and implement, among others, 
disaster insurance pools, revolving funds, insurance and risk-transfer schemes 
and/or facilities, and other financial disaster resilience measures to ensure the 
protection of public and/or private properties and livelihood against the adverse 
effects of natural disasters. For this purpose, the Department and/or DOF may 
engage or require the participation of government banks, insurance agencies and 
financial institutions. 
(c) 
To attain disaster resilience and achieve the purposes of this Act, the 
Department shall have the discretion and authority to require government 
agencies and GOCCs to insure their assets and/or properties such as, among 
others, vessels, vehicles, equipment, machineries, permanent buildings, 
properties stored therein, or properties in transit, against insurable risks and 
pay the premiums therefor, to compensate the Government and/or GOCC, as 
applicable, for any damage to, or loss of, properties due to a natural disaster. 
(d) 
The Department shall endeavor the local government units to insure 
primary assets for unforeseen or contingent potential losses, damages and 
disruption from natural hazards chargeable against their respective Local 
Disaster Resilience Fund (LDRF). 


SECTION  36. Recognition and Incentives. –The Department, in partnership with 
the private sector, shall establish an incentives program that recognizes 
outstanding performance of LDRC, NGOs, CSOs, schools, hospitals, and other 
stakeholders in promoting and implementing significant disaster risk reduction 
management-climate change adaptation programs and innovations, and 
meritorious acts of individuals, groups or institutions during natural calamities 
 
ARTICLE X 
PREPAREDNESS AND INTEGRATED EARLY WARNING 
SECTION 37. Standards for Disaster Preparedness Activities. – (a) The 
Department shall establish standards and protocols for disaster preparedness, 
contingency planning, localizing and operationalizing disaster risk reduction and 
management, preparedness for disaster response, preparedness for early 
recovery, continuity of essential services, and other relevant preparedness 
activities. 
(b) 
The LGUs shall identify safe and strategic sites, and establish evacuation 
centers with appropriate and adequate facilities in accordance with government-
approved standards as provided under Republic Act No. 10821, otherwise 
known as “The Children’s Emergency Relief Protection Act”, to avoid disruption 
of school classes and lessen the use of school buildings and facilities as 
evacuation centers.  
The LGUs shall immediately compensate said schools used as evacuation centers. 
The schools may seek compensation for renovation, replacement, or repairs of 
damaged facilities for such use.  
SECTION 38. Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Risk Communication Standards. – 
(a) There shall be a streamlined policy governing early warning systems and risk 
communication protocols to ensure effective and efficient measures to prepare 
for, respond to and recover from potential risks and disasters. 
(b) The Department shall formulate and implement multi-hazard early warning 
protocols integrating all disaster preparedness systems in collaboration with 
local executives, community-based organizations, civil society organizations, and 
other non-governmental organizations for proper use and application. 
SECTION 39. Early Warning Mandate. – (a) The Department shall issue an 
integrated early warning alert for the impending occurrence of hazards that will 
enable the public to prepare timely and act appropriately to minimize potential 
harm or loss. 
(b) The Department shall require mobile phone service providers to send out 
alerts at regular intervals in the event of an impending natural hazard, in 
accordance with Republic Act No. 10639, otherwise known as the “Free Mobile 
Disaster Alerts Act”. 


(c) 
The Department shall recognize and proactively support local or 
indigenous modes of early warning systems and allow open access to near real-
time data from both local and international sources made available through 
various platforms such as websites, mobile apps, and social media to empower 
local communities and individuals. 
(d) 
Any person who transmits early warning concerning the abovementioned 
phenomena by means of signs in designs, colors, lights, or sound shall do so in 
compliance with the methods recognized or approved by the Department. 
(e) 
The Department at the national and local level shall use an integrated 
early warning system to ensure it is consistent and locally contextualized with 
the communication protocol and safe evacuation procedure of the affected 
communities. 
(f) 
The Department shall work with other agencies or organizations on pre-
crisis information mapping of the humanitarian needs of at-risk communities 
that will enhance the overall prepositioning of resources at the national and local 
level. 
(g) 
The Department shall recognize and proactively support local or 
indigenous modes of early warning systems and allow open access to near real-
time data from both local and international sources made available through 
various platforms such as websites, mobile apps, and social media to empower 
local communities and individuals. 
 
ARTICLE XI 
DISASTER RESPONSE AND EARLY RECOVERY 
SECTION 40. Declaration of State of Calamity. – The Department shall declare a 
cluster of barangays, municipalities, cities, provinces, and regions under a state 
of calamity, and the lifting thereof, based on the criteria set by the Department. 
The declaration and lifting of the state of calamity may also be issued by the local 
Sanggunian, upon the recommendation of the LDRO, based on the results of the 
damage assessment and needs analysis: Provided, That through the Department, 
the LDRO may seek from the local legislative body or Sanggunian, the declaration 
of a state of imminent disaster to enable the local executives to implement pre-
emptive evacuation and precautionary measures in order to save lives and 
minimize damage to property, loss and disruption of livelihood that require the 
use of funds and resources under the LDRF. 
SECTION 41. Levels of Responsibility for Disaster Preparedness and Response. – 
The primary responsibility for disaster preparedness and response shall be 
exercised at the local or national level, as applicable, in close and seamless 
collaboration with the relevant national government instrumentalities, non-


government stakeholders, and international partners. The four levels of 
responsibility and the conditions that warrant each are as follows: 
LEVELS OF RESPONSIBILITY RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS CONDITIONS 
Level 1: City or Municipality 
Lead Official: Mayor of the affected city or municipality 
Support: City or Municipal Disaster Resilience Officer. If a disaster affects 
a single city or municipality 
Level 2: Province 
 
Lead Official: Provincial Governor of the affected province 
Support: Provincial Disaster Resilience Officer, Municipal and/or City 
Mayors concerned. Municipal and/or City Disaster Resilience Officers 
concerned 
If a disaster affects two or more municipalities and/or cities within a 
province  
Level 3: Region 
 
Lead Official: Regional Director, DDR 
Support: Governors of affected provinces Concerned Provincial Disaster 
Resilience Officers  
If a disaster affects two or more provinces within a region (except for the 
National Capital Region) 
Level 4: National  
 
Lead Official: Secretary of Disaster Resilience (SDR) 
Support: Governors concerned Disaster Resilience Officers concerned  
a. 
If a disaster affects at least two (2) regions; 
b. 
When the LGU is unable to effectively cope with the risk 
and/or impact of a hazard; or 
c. 
When the President directs a Level 4 response or declares a 
state of calamity. 
SECTION 42. Disaster Preparedness and Response in the NCR. - When at least two 
cities and/or municipality in the NCR are affected, the SDR shall be responsible 
for leading the disaster preparedness and response efforts, in collaboration with 
the affected LGUs, the MMDA, and the concerned government instrumentalities 
and non-government stakeholders. 
SECTION 43. Inter-Local Government Assistance. - LGUs are hereby authorized to 
extend the necessary assistance to another LGU, whether through funding or 


donation of goods and/or services, and conducting disaster preparedness and 
response operations, to help save lives and minimize damage to property. These 
include the pre-positioning and provision of basic goods, training of first 
responders, among others, subject to the accounting and auditing rules to be 
defined in the IRR of this Act. 
SECTION 44. Accreditation, Mobilization, and Protection of Disaster Volunteers 
and National Service Reserve Corps, CSOs and the Private Sector. – The 
government agencies, CSOs, private sector and LGUs may mobilize individuals or 
organized volunteers to augment their respective personnel complement and 
logistical requirements in the delivery of disaster risk reduction programs and 
activities. The agencies, CSOs, private sector, and LGUs concerned shall take full 
responsibility for the enhancement, welfare and protection of volunteers, and 
shall submit the list of volunteers to the Department, through the LDROs, for 
accreditation and inclusion in the database of community disaster volunteers. 
A national roster of ACDRVs and Institutions, National Service Reserve Corps, 
CSOs and the private sector shall be maintained by the Department through the 
LDROs. Accreditation shall be done at the municipal or city level. 
The mobilization of volunteers shall be in accordance with this Act and 
implementing guidelines to be formulated by the Department. 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 in the IRR. 
SECTION 45. Reporting of Humanitarian Assistance. – The concerned local 
government unit shall submit a report to the Department, taking into account all 
domestic or international humanitarian assistance received and distributed 
within its area of responsibility. 
 
ARTICLE XII 
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE 
SECTION 46. Management of Humanitarian Assistance. (a) The Department shall 
have the power to receive and manage humanitarian assistance from any person 
or entity, whether from local or international sources.   
(b) The importation by, and humanitarian assistance to, the Department of, 
among others, food, clothing, medical assistance, equipment, and materials for 
relief, recovery and other disaster management activities are hereby authorized 
in accordance with Section 105 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, 
as amended, and the prevailing provisions of the General Appropriations Act 
covering national internal revenue taxes and import duties of national and local 
government agencies. 


SECTION 47. International Humanitarian Assistance. - The Department shall 
promulgate guidelines on international humanitarian assistance, including the 
initiation, entry, facilitation, transit, regulation and termination thereof, as well 
as those involving international disaster relief and personnel assisting 
international 
actors, 
visa 
waiver, 
recognition 
of 
foreign 
professional 
qualifications, entry of international disaster goods and equipment, and 
exemption from port duties, taxes, and restrictions.  
SECTION  48. Assessment of the Need for International Humanitarian Assistance. –  
(a) 
Immediately after the declaration of a state of calamity by the local 
sanggunian of the relevant local government unit or by the Department, 
as the case may be, the Department shall determine whether domestic 
capacities are likely to be sufficient to attend to the needs of affected 
persons for international humanitarian assistance. This determination 
may also be made, at the discretion of the President, prior to the onset of 
an imminent disaster. 
(b) 
In the event of a determination by the Department that domestic 
response capacities are not likely to be sufficient due to the impact of the 
disaster, the Department shall recommend to the President that a request 
be made for international humanitarian assistance. 
(c) 
A determination that domestic capacities are likely to be sufficient 
and that international humanitarian assistance is therefore unnecessary 
may be reviewed and rescinded by the Department, with the approval of 
the President, at any time, in light of prevailing circumstances and 
available information. 
SECTION 49. Humanitarian Assistance Action Center.  – The Department shall 
create an inter-agency one-stop shop mechanism called the Humanitarian 
Assistance Action Center (HAAC) for the processing and release of entry and 
facilitation of goods, articles or equipment and services and international relief 
workers for the provision of international humanitarian assistance and the 
processing of necessary documents for assisting international actors. 
The Department shall lead and manage the HAAC, which shall be composed of 
the following: 
(a) 
Bureau of Customs; 
(b) 
Department of Foreign Affairs; 
(c) 
Department of Social Welfare and Development; 
(d) 
Department of Health; 
(e) 
Food and Drug Administration; 
(f) 
Department of Agriculture; 
(g) 
Department of Energy; 


(h) 
Department of National Defense; 
(i) 
Philippine National Police; 
(j) 
Philippine Coast Guard; and 
(k) 
Bureau of Immigration. 
 
SECTION 50. Request for International Humanitarian Assistance. – (a) In 
cognizance of the urgency, criticality and intensity of an imminent risk, the 
Department shall issue a flash appeal to the family of nations, under regional and 
multilateral conventions, for assistance in preparedness, including preemptive 
measures, search, rescue, and retrieval, relief, recovery, and reconstruction. 
(b) The President may request international humanitarian assistance, upon the 
advice of the Secretary. Such request may be specifically directed to particular 
assisting international actors or may be a general request directed to the 
international community. 
SECTION 51. Regulation of Humanitarian Assistance. – (a) The Department shall 
ensure the efficient and effective monitoring of humanitarian assistance from 
domestic or international donors, establish and operate a platform, including an 
online platform, to facilitate, and provide public access to information on 
donations. 
(b) The Department shall include in the IRR of this Act guidelines and 
accountabilities on the receipt, management, distribution, accounting, and 
reporting of all humanitarian assistance, whether in cash or in kind, consistent 
with the rules on the use of foreign and local aid during calamities and disasters 
issued by the COA and other relevant government agencies. 
 
ARTICLE XIII 
OFFER AND FACILITATION OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO FOREIGN STATES 
SECTION 52. Offer and Facilitation of International Humanitarian Assistance to 
Foreign States. - In the event of a disaster occurring in a foreign state for which 
international humanitarian assistance is required, the Department, in 
coordination with the DFA, may offer, facilitate, provide, and deploy 
international humanitarian assistance to said foreign state, which shall be 
subject to guidelines to be promulgated by the Department for the purpose.  
SECTION 53. Accreditation. – The Department, in coordination with relevant 
government agencies and organizations, shall provide and facilitate the 
necessary training and accreditation to the respective government personnel to 
be deployed for such offer, facilitation and provision of international 
humanitarian assistance to a foreign state. 


 
ARTICLE XIV 
RECOVERY 
SECTION 54. Standards for Recovery. – The Department shall observe 
internationally accepted standards for recovery, planning, programming and 
implementation of the recovery process. Towards this end, the Department shall: 
a) 
Improve the community’s physical, social and economic resilience, 
consistent with the principle of “building forward better”; 
b) 
Use locally-driven, centrally-supported processes based on legal 
mandates with supplementary capacity support when requested; 
c) 
Redirect development outside danger zones to minimize loss of 
lives and structures resulting from typhoons, flooding, landslides, and 
other hazards 
d) 
Employ outcome-driven planning and implementation; 
e) 
Maximize use of Private-Public sector partnership where possible; 
f) 
Consider local conditions such as culture, security situation and 
existing capacities of communities in identifying programs and projects; 
g) 
Ensure access to public transport, physical and mental health 
services, markets, schools, sustainable livelihoods, and other public 
services in planning for settlement areas; and 
h) 
Ensure restoration of peace and order and recovery of government 
functions. 
 
ARTICLE XV 
REMEDIAL MEASURES UNDER STATE OF CALAMITY 
SECTION 55. Declaration of State of Calamity. - A state of calamity may be 
declared when any of the following requisites are present: 
a. 
A natural hazard, including climate change, poses imminent threat 
to human life and/or danger to property; or 
b. 
A significant impact is caused by a natural hazard or climate 
change, which demands immediate action. 
The following shall exercise this power, respectively: 
a. 
The President, upon recommendation of the SDR, whether in 
whole or part of an area; 


b. 
The SDR, upon recommendation of the RDRO, for disasters 
covering two or more provinces of the same region; and 
c. 
The local sanggunian, upon recommendation of the concerned 
local disaster resilience office, within its jurisdiction. 
 
SECTION 56. Remedial Measures under State of Calamity. – Upon the declaration 
of a state of calamity, the following remedial measures shall be immediately 
undertaken by concerned government agencies at the national and local levels: 
a) 
Imposition of price ceiling on basic necessities and prime 
commodities by the Price Coordinating Council (PCC), as provided for 
under Republic Act no. 7581, otherwise known as the “Price Act”, as 
amended by Republic Act no. 10623; 
b) 
Monitoring, 
prevention 
and 
control 
by 
the 
Local 
Price 
Coordination Council of overpricing or profiteering and hoarding of prime 
commodities, medicines and petroleum products; 
c) 
Programming or reprogramming of funds for the repair of critical 
facilities or public infrastructures that are vital for the quick delivery of 
humanitarian assistance, to reduce further threat to lives and arrest 
further deterioration of properties and loss of livelihoods in the affected 
communities, following the “build forward better” principle; 
d) 
Grant of no-interest loans by government financing or lending 
institutions to the most vulnerable and marginalized groups or 
individuals; 
e) 
Local tax exemptions, incentives or reliefs under such terms and 
conditions as may be deemed necessary by the affected local government 
unit; and 
f) 
Use of alternative modes of procurement under Article XVI of this 
Act, 
by 
the 
Department, 
LGUs 
or 
the 
relevant 
government 
instrumentalities in relation to the urgent procurement of emergency 
works, goods or services to effectively respond to, quickly recover from 
disasters, and build forward better. 
 
ARTICLE XVI 
PROCUREMENT 
SECTION 57. Procurement. - In general, the procurement rules provided under 
Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement 
Reform Act”, shall apply. However, alternative modes of procurement as 
provided in this Act may be resorted to by the Department, RDROs, or LGUs in 
any of the following emergency situations: 


a) 
There is imminent danger to life or property during a state of 
calamity, as provided under this Act, and the procurement is necessary to 
avert or reduce such danger to life or property; or 
b) 
The procurement is necessary to restore vital public services, 
infrastructure facilities and other public utilities; or 
c) 
Time is of the essence in implementing a project, program or 
activity to effectively respond to a disaster and save lives; or 
d) 
There 
are 
other 
circumstances 
that 
require 
immediate 
procurement necessary to prevent damage to or loss of life or property. 
SECTION 58. Alternative Modes of Procurement. - During emergency situations as 
provided under this Act, the Department, RDROs or LGUs may resort to the 
following modes of procurement: 
a) 
Direct negotiation under Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known 
as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”, and its implementing rules 
and regulations; 
b) 
Simplified or pre-arranged contracts such as, among others, pre-
signed agreements, stand-by contracts, pre-arranged systems of 
procurement with a pre-approved list of contractors for construction 
projects, pre-negotiated contracts, advanced procurements contracts, and 
framework contracts. The parameters, requirements and conditions for 
these types of contracts shall be defined in this Act’s IRR. 
SECTION 59. Special Rules on Procurement for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation 
of Affected Areas. – (a) The Department, with the assistance of, or in collaboration 
with, relevant government agencies, shall create special rules on procurement 
for services, goods, and materials to be used for reconstruction and 
rehabilitation efforts in case of a natural disaster, including but not limited to, the 
construction of post-disaster shelters and provision of service contracts, to 
ensure the procurement of quality-oriented goods, materials, and equipment and 
to guarantee effective, efficient, and speedy procurement to achieve the goals of 
this act. 
(b) In case of procurement of services, goods, or materials for reconstruction and 
rehabilitation efforts, whether from local or international sources, the 
Department and the relevant government agencies shall provide less 
bureaucratic restrictions, more flexible procurement policies, or exemption 
from, or reduction of, customs duties. 
SECTION 60. Procurement from Qualified Suppliers or Contractors. – As an 
exception to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the 
“Government Procurement Reform Act”, and its implementing rules and 
regulations, the Department shall have the power to procure goods and services 
from either local or foreign suppliers or contractors for purposes of 
implementing programs, projects, and activities related to disaster resilience and 


disaster management. The conditions, limitations, application processes, 
eligibility requirements and assessment criteria for local and foreign suppliers 
and contractors shall be provided in this Act’s IRR. 
SECTION 61. Pre-Arranged Contracts or Agreements with Private Sector Entities. 
– Notwithstanding Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the “Government 
Procurement Reform Act”, the Department shall have authority to enter into pre-
arranged or contingency contracts or agreements with private sector entities for 
the purpose of, among others, establishing, a logistics system for the efficient and 
prompt distribution of goods, equipment or other materials required for disaster 
response and management; securing food, medicines, fuel, or other supplies from 
groceries, pharmacies, gas stations or other sources in the event of a disaster in a 
specific area; ensuring an alternative source of power or water from private 
utilities in the event of a disaster in a specific area; or other arranging the 
immediate supply of other goods, services or equipment necessary for disaster 
response and management. The conditions, limitations and parameters of 
contracts or arrangements authorized under this Section shall be provided in 
this Act’s IRR. 
SECTION  62. Other Procurement Rules and Policies. – In view of the urgency and 
avoid unnecessary delays to procure goods, services, and implement projects for 
the purpose of providing responsive, effective, and efficient rescue, recovery, 
relief, and rehabilitation efforts for, and to continue the provision of basic 
services to, disaster victims or disaster affected areas, the DBM and GPPB shall 
issue appropriate resolutions, orders, and policies to effectively implement the 
provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 63. Government Accounting and Auditing Policies. – The COA shall 
review, align, and issue policies or rules to improve the efficiency and expediency 
of procurement and audit processes for programs and projects related to 
disaster resilience and management. 
ARTICLE XVII 
SPECIAL RULES ON BORROWINGS AND TAXES 
SECTION 66. Rules on Borrowing. - The LGUs shall access foreign financing, 
through the DOF, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and other relevant agencies, 
as applicable, to implement disaster prevention, mitigation, early recovery, and 
rehabilitation measures at the provincial, city, or municipal level. 
SECTION 67. Special Rules on Tax and Duties. - To facilitate prompt, efficient and 
effective response to, recovery from disasters, and building forward better in 
disaster-affected areas, the following shall be granted special exemptions from 
existing taxation laws, rules, and regulations:  
a. 
Exemption from taxes and import duties for foreign disaster 
assistance or international donations coursed through the Department;  


b. 
Exemption from donor's tax and allowing the treatment of 
donations as a deductible expense for local disaster assistance coursed 
through the Department; 
c. 
Exemption from the Value Added Tax (VAT) for goods or services 
donated from abroad as coursed through the Department; 
d. 
Tax incentives to encourage members of the private sector to 
render aid or provide disaster assistance, and/or to invest in disaster 
resilience and climate change adaptation and mitigation measures for 
their residences, communities and/or businesses. 
LGUs may also implement local tax rules that would grant disaster victims 
reasonable reduction, exemption, or deferment of local taxes or other types of 
tax assessments; or take other necessary action at the local level to provide tax 
relief to disaster victims. 
SECTION 68. Custom Duties and Tariffs on Donations. - The BOC shall create rules 
that would, among others, hasten the processing and release of donated goods 
and equipment to disaster victims and/or affected areas.   
SECTION 69. Economic Recovery and Development of Disaster-Prone 
Areas. - The Department, in coordination with the Department of Trade and 
Industry (DTI) and other relevant agencies, shall craft policies, and implement 
the necessary programs and projects to stimulate economic activities and 
encourage investments to assist disaster-affected areas develop or recover 
faster, as applicable. 
The Department, in collaboration with the relevant LGUs and other stakeholders, 
shall likewise establish dual purpose structures in disaster-affected areas, such 
as, among others, community agricultural centers, classrooms, and water 
harvesting tanks to develop and promote investments in disaster-prone or 
affected areas. 
 
ARTICLE XVIII 
PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES 
SECTION 70. Prohibited Acts. – Any public official, private person, group or 
corporation who commits any of the following prohibited acts shall be held liable 
and be subjected to the criminal and administrative penalties as provided for in 
Section 71 of this Act, without prejudice to the imposition of other criminal, civil 
and administrative liabilities under existing laws. 
a) 
Prohibited Acts of Public Officials. – The following acts, if 
committed by public officials without justifiable cause, shall be 
considered as gross neglect of duty: 


(1) 
Dereliction of duties that leads to destruction, loss of lives, 
critical damage of facilities and misuse of funds; 
(2) 
Failure to enforce laws, standards, or regulations such as 
the National Building Code, Solid Waste Management Act, Water 
Code, and other relevant laws, leading to destruction, loss of lives, 
and/or critical damage of facilities; 
(3) 
Failure to create a functional LDR Office within six (6) 
months from the approval of this Act; 
(4) 
Failure to appoint a permanent local disaster resilience 
officer within six (6) months from approval of this Act; 
(5) 
Failure to prepare and implement a Contingency and 
Adaptation Plan for hazards frequently occurring within their 
jurisdictions; 
(6) 
Failure to formulate and implement the LDRP with the 
corresponding budget allocation; and 
(7) 
Sexual exploitation and abuse and other forms of sexual 
misconduct on the affected population or at-risk communities. 
b) 
Prohibited Acts of Public Officials and Private Persons or 
Institutions. – 
(1) 
Delay, without justifiable cause in the delivery, proper 
handling or storage of aid commodities, resulting to damage or 
spoilage; 
(2) 
Withholding the distribution of relief goods due to (i) 
political or partisan considerations; (ii) discrimination based on 
race, ethnicity, religion, or gender; and (iii) other similar 
circumstances; 
(3) 
Preventing the entry and distribution of relief goods 
in disaster-stricken areas, including appropriate technology, tools, 
equipment, accessories, disaster teams or experts; 
(4) 
Buying, for consumption or resale, from disaster relief 
agencies any relief goods, equipment or other and commodities, 
which 
are 
intended 
for 
distribution 
to 
disaster-affected 
communities; 
(5) 
Buying, for consumption or resale, from the recipient 
disaster affected persons any relief goods, equipment or other aid 
commodities received by them; 
(6) 
Selling of relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities, 
which are intended for distribution to disaster victims; 


(7) 
Forcibly seizing relief goods, equipment or other aid 
commodities intended for or consigned to a specific group of 
victims or relief agency; 
(8) 
Diverting or mis-delivery of relief goods, equipment or 
other aid commodities to persons other than the rightful recipient 
or consignee; 
(9) 
Accepting, possessing, using or disposing relief goods, 
equipment or other aid commodities not intended for nor 
consigned to him or her; 
(10) 
Misrepresenting the source of relief goods, equipment or 
other aid commodities by: 
i. 
Either covering, replacing or defacing the labels of 
the containers to make it appear that the goods, equipment 
or other aid commodities came from another agency or 
persons; 
ii. 
Repacking the goods, equipment or other aid 
commodities into containers with different markings to 
make it appear that the goods came from another agency or 
persons or was released upon the instance of a particular 
agency, person, or persons; and 
iii. 
Making false verbal claim that the goods, equipment 
or other and commodity in its untampered original 
containers actually came from another agency or persons or 
was released upon the instance of a particular agency, 
person, or persons; 
(11) 
Substituting or replacing relief goods, equipment or other 
aid commodities with the same items or inferior/cheaper quality; 
(12) 
Illegal 
solicitations 
by 
persons 
or 
organizations 
representing others as defined in the standards and guidelines set 
by the Department; 
(13) 
Deliberate use of false at inflated data in support of the 
request 
 for funding, relief goods, equipment or other aid 
commodities for emergency assistance or livelihood projects;  
(14) 
Stealing, taking, or processing of any of the equipment, 
accessories and other vital facility or items or any part thereof;  
(15) 
Selling or buying stolen equipment, accessories, and other 
vital facility items or any part thereof; 
(16) 
Tampering with or stealing hazard monitoring and disaster 
preparedness equipment and paraphernalia; 


(17) 
Attempting to commit any of the abovementioned 
prohibited acts; and 
(18) 
Benefitting from the proceeds or fruits of any of the 
abovementioned prohibited acts knowing that the proceeds or 
fruits are derived from the commission of said prohibited acts. 
SECTION 71. Penalties. – Any individual, corporation, partnership, association or 
other juridical entity that commits any of the prohibited acts in the preceding 
section shall be made liable for the following: 
(a) 
 The penalty of imprisonment of not less than twelve (12) years 
but not more than fifteen (15) years or a fine of not less than One Million 
Pesos (Php1,000,000.00) but not more than Three Million Pesos 
(Php3,000,000.00), or both imprisonment and fine at the discretion of the 
court shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of violating 
subsections (a)(1) to (b)(18) of the preceding section, as well as the 
confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the government of the objects and the 
instrumentalities used in the commission of the prohibited acts; 
(b) 
The penalty of imprisonment of not less than six (6) years but not 
more than eight (8) years or a fine of not less than Five Hundred 
Thousand Pesos (Php 500,000.00) but not more than One Million Pesos 
(Php 1,000,000.00), or both imprisonment and fine at the discretion of 
the court, shall be imposed upon any person who attempts to commit any 
of the prohibited acts in the preceding Section, in violation of Subsection 
(b)(17) thereof; 
(c) 
The penalty of imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not 
more than six (6) years or a fine of not less than Two Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (Php 200,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(Php 500,000.00), or both imprisonment and fine at the discretion of the 
court, shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of unlawfully 
benefiting from the proceeds or fruits of any of the prohibited in the 
preceding section, in violation of subsection (b)(18) thereof; 
(d) 
Aside from the penalty of fine or imprisonment or both, perpetual 
disqualification from public office shall be imposed if the offender is a 
public officer, and confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the government of 
the objects and the instrumentalities used in the commission of any of the 
prohibited in the preceding section; 
(e) 
If the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, or other 
juridical entity, the penalty shall be imposed upon the officer or officers of 
the corporation, partnership, association or entity responsible for the 
violation without prejudice to the cancellation or revocation of these 
entities’ registration, license or accreditation issued to them by any 
licensing or accredited body of the government. If such offender is an 


alien, he or she shall, in addition to the penalties prescribed in this act, be 
deported without further proceedings after service of sentence; 
(f) 
Payment of the full cost of repair or replacement of the 
government risk reduction and preparedness equipment, accessories and 
other vital facility items, or any part thereof, which is the object of the 
crime shall likewise be imposed upon any person who shall commit any of 
the prohibited acts in the preceding Section; and 
(g) 
The prosecution for offenses set forth under the preceding section 
shall be without prejudice to any criminal liability for violation of 
Republic Act No. 3815, as amended, otherwise known as the “Revised 
Penal Code”, and other existing laws, as well as the imposition of 
applicable administrative or civil liabilities. 
 
SECTION 72. Liability for Unlawful Performance of Duties and State Liability in 
case of Defense Litigation. - In case a lawsuit is filed against any personnel of the 
Department as a result of the performance of his or her duties, and such 
performance was found to be lawful, he or she shall be reimbursed by the 
Department for reasonable costs of litigation.  For this purpose, the Department 
is authorized to procure applicable liability insurance for its officers and 
employees. 
SECTION 73. Disciplinary powers of the President. - The President, subject to the 
recommendation of the Department Secretary and the Department of the 
Interior and Local Government (DILG), shall have the power to impose 
administrative sanctions against local chief executives and barangay officials for 
willful or negligent acts that relate to the implementation of, or compliance with, 
this Act and its IRR or relating to their official functions, which adversely affect 
disaster resilience projects such as, but not limited to, delayed issuance of 
permits or failure to implement local ordinances. 
 
ARTICLE XIX 
DISASTER RESILIENCE FUND 
SECTION 74.  Appropriations and Management of Disaster Resilience Fund. - The 
budget of the Department shall be composed of the following, which shall be 
collectively called the Disaster Resilience Fund:  
a. 
Annual General Appropriations – shall provide the funding 
requirements for, among others, research, operations, maintenance, 
plans, and programs of the Department of Disaster Resilience, including, 
but not limited to, establishment of evacuation centers, retrofitting of 
structures, 
establishment 
of 
emergency 
operating 
centers, 
and 
implementation of other disaster risk reduction projects.  


b. 
Disaster Contingency Fund – shall be in a lump-sum form to 
provide funds in case of imminent hazards or actual disasters for, among 
others, immediate response, relief and quick recovery measures for 
disaster affected areas.  
c. 
Rehabilitation and Recovery Fund – shall provide the funding 
requirements for rehabilitation and/or reconstruction projects of disaster 
affected areas such as public classrooms, government buildings, public 
hospitals, permanent shelters and livelihood programs.  
 
The Disaster Resilience Fund shall be managed by the Department to finance its 
operations, and disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness, response, 
recovery, rehabilitation and building forward better programs, projects and 
activities formulated at the national level. 
SECTION 75. Continuing Appropriations. - The unutilized balances from the 
Disaster Contingency Fund, and Rehabilitation and Recovery Fund shall be 
treated as Continuing Appropriations, which may be used to finance the cost of 
projects, programs, and/or activities even when such costs are incurred beyond 
the fiscal year of the GAA from which such funds were appropriated. 
SECTION 76.  Fund Regulations.  - The DBM and COA shall establish rules and 
regulations that apply specifically to the Disaster Resilience Fund to ensure that 
funds required for disaster response, recovery, and rehabilitation are available 
and/or released efficiently and expeditiously through innovative budgeting and 
auditing mechanisms, which may include, among others, providing for longer 
validity periods for funds and/or exemption from cash-based budgeting rules; 
imposing auditing or reporting requirements, which apply specifically to the 
utilization of the Disaster Resilience Fund. 
SECTION 77. Local Disaster Resilience Fund and Local Disaster Contingency Fund. 
-  LGUs shall annually set aside not less than ten percent (10%) of their local 
budget, to constitute a Local Disaster Resilience Fund (LDRF).  The LGU shall use 
its LDRF to maintain and operate its local disaster resilience office to maintain its 
officers, employees and staff, and to implement plans, programs and activities 
under its LDRP.  Thirty percent (30%) of the LDRF shall be set aside as Local 
Disaster Contingency Fund (LDCF), which shall be used for disaster response and 
quick recovery measures.  Nothing contained in this Act shall prevent LGUs from 
providing additional funding or allocating additional resources for disaster 
resilience activities, plans and programs within their jurisdiction.   
SECTION 78. Supplemental LDRF. - The Department may allocate and disburse 
funds to supplement an LGU’s LDRF based on the parameters and requirements 
indicated in the IRR. In determining such parameters and requirements, the IRR 
shall aim to provide supplemental funds to LGUs with low income and/or high 
exposure to natural hazards.  Supplemental LDRFs shall, as much as possible, fill 
gaps or shortages in LGU resources to ensure that LGUs can implement disaster 


resilience measures such as, among others, implementing their LDRP/Provincial 
LDRP, establishing their local disaster resilience offices, obtaining and/or 
maintaining the necessary equipment and staff in their local disaster resilience 
offices, and implementing the NDRF and NDRPIP at the local levels. 
SECTION 79. People’s Survival Fund. - The Department shall manage and 
administer the People’s Survival Fund, created under Republic Act no. 10174, 
and facilitate its utilization by LGUs, through RDROs, to implement climate 
change adaptation and mitigation projects of LGUs and enhance the climate 
resilience of vulnerable communities. 
 
SECTION 80. Multi-Donor Trust Fund. - The Department shall create and manage, 
together with the Bureau of Treasury, a Multi-Donor Trust Fund for the 
processing, releasing and accounting of money and other similar resources 
intended for disaster assistance. The Department shall establish a system to 
ensure transparency in the management and use of the Multi-Donor Trust Fund.  
SECTION 81. Financial Administration. - The Department shall manage all funds 
appropriated to it by Congress and received from other sources. The Department 
shall also manage all donations received by it, subject to the auditing powers of 
the COA.  
To fund its operations, the Department shall have the power to collect fees 
derived from the DRRTI and other related activities.  
 
ARTICLE XX 
SPECIAL COURTS AND INJUNCTIONS 
SECTION 84. Special Courts on Disaster Resilience Matters. - To ensure the 
prompt and expeditious resolution of disputes relating to disaster response, 
recovery or rehabilitation measures, the Supreme Court shall designate special 
courts to hear, try, and decide cases arising from the following, among others:  
(a) 
Expropriation, eminent domain or right-of-way issues related to 
the implementation of disaster resilience projects;  
(b) 
Failure to comply with standards for disaster risk reduction and 
continuity planning, including, but not limited to, infrastructure standards 
and designs; 
(c) 
Commission of prohibited acts under Article XVIII of this Act; and  
(d) 
Disputes involving donations, relief goods, or contracts executed 
or implemented pursuant to the provisions of this Act.  
SECTION 85. Dispute Resolution Mechanisms. - The Department shall establish a 
Disaster Resolution Board, which shall resolve disputes involving administrative 
matters related to:  


(a) 
Accreditation or denial of accreditation of disaster resilience 
training institutions, trainers, instructors, donors, volunteers, and 
Assisting Domestic or International Actors;  
(b) 
Decisions of the RDROs;  
(c) 
Contracts entered into by the Department or any of its agents 
pursuant to the provisions of this Act; and  
(d) 
Other administrative matters or issues as may be determined by 
the Department.   
The composition, structure, and other organizational matters related to the DRB 
shall be defined and provided in this Act’s IRR.  
SECTION 86. Imposition of Temporary Restraining Order. - No Court, except the 
Supreme Court, shall have the power to issue an injunction or a temporary 
restraining order against any action taken or projects implemented by the 
Department or its agents pursuant to this Act.   
 
ARTICLE XXI 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 87. Transfer of Functions. - The following are hereby transferred to the 
Department:  
  
 
a. 
All the functions of the Climate Change Commission (CCC);  
b. 
Natural disaster-related functions of the National Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil 
Defense (OCD); and  
c. 
Natural disaster-response functions of the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD).  
Accordingly, the CCC and NDRRMC are hereby abolished. 
The DILG, DND, DSWD, and other relevant government instrumentalities, 
including the AFP, BFP, PNP, PCG, and OCD, shall continue to perform their 
functions related to the management of human-induced disasters, as provided 
for by existing laws. 
SECTION 88. Transfer of Resources. - The transfer of powers and functions listed 
above shall include the corresponding funds and appropriations, plantilla 
positions, data, records, equipment, facilities, properties and other resources of 
the concerned government instrumentalities. The Department shall have the 
power to reorganize or reallocate these resources and positions, as may be 
necessary to attain the goals and objectives of this Act. 


SECTION 89. Program Management Office for the Earthquake Resiliency of the 
Greater Metro Manila Area. - The Program Management Office for the Earthquake 
Resiliency of the Greater Metro Manila Area (PMO-ERG), as created pursuant to 
and mandated by Executive Order no. 52, s. 2018, shall be attached to the 
Department and be authorized to implement earthquake resiliency programs, 
projects, and activities, as it may deem necessary to carry out its mandate and 
attain its overall goals. The Head of the PMO-ERG shall report directly to the SDR. 
SECTION 90. Post-Disaster Shelters. - The Department shall establish a post-
disaster shelter recovery policy framework for low-income/informal settler 
families, with the assistance of the appropriate housing agencies and the 
applicable LGUs. It shall determine, among others, the appropriate shelter 
modalities depending on the following phases: emergency, temporary or 
transitional, and permanent. The Department shall likewise identify, assess, and 
decide on safe zones for the implementation of recovery or rehabilitation 
projects. 
SECTION 91. Cultural Heritage. - To protect, preserve, and promote the nation’s 
historical and cultural heritage, the Department shall assist the relevant cultural 
and heritage agencies and the appropriate LGUs to give priority protection and 
restoration to all national cultural treasures or national historical landmarks, 
sites, or monuments in post-disaster recovery or rehabilitation measures. 
SECTION 92. Indigenous People. - The Department, with the assistance of the 
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the applicable LGUs, 
shall devise and implement mechanisms that foster social protection for 
indigenous communities that are vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters. 
The Department shall ensure respect for, and protection of, the traditional 
resource right of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples 
(ICCs/IPs) to their ancestral domains, and recognize the customary laws and 
traditional resource use and management, knowledge, and practices in ancestral 
domains. 
In ancestral domains that are disaster-prone, the Department, with the 
assistance of the NCIP and applicable LGUs, shall create an Ancestral Domain 
Disaster Management and Resiliency Plan. It shall likewise properly 
communicate and explain information on disaster risks in ancestral domains 
with the concerned ICCs/IPs and, as much as possible, engage such ICCs/IPs in 
jointly formulating a disaster resiliency plan for their ancestral domain. 
SECTION 93. Incentives Program. - The Department shall establish an incentives 
program that recognizes the outstanding promotion and implementation by local 
disaster resilience offices, CSOs, academe, and other institutions of disaster 
resilience programs and/or projects, and the meritorious acts of individuals or 
entities during natural disasters. 
SECTION 94. Structural Audit of Government Buildings and Critical Infrastructure. 
- The Department shall be assisted by the DPWH, DOTr, Department of Energy 


(DOE), DOH, DepEd, DICT, DILG, local building officials, and other relevant 
government instrumentalities and stakeholders, in ensuring the effective and 
expeditious conduct of structural audit, as often as necessary, on government 
buildings, critical infrastructure, and private structures to attain the disaster risk 
reduction goals of this Act. 
SECTION 95. Transitory Provision. The functions, assets, funds, equipment, 
properties, transactions, and personnel of the affected and transferred agencies, 
and the formulation of the internal organic structure, staffing pattern, operating 
system, and revised budget of the Department, shall be completed within one (1) 
year from the effectivity of this Act, during which time the existing personnel 
shall continue to assume their posts on holdover capacity. The Department, in 
collaboration with the DBM, shall come up with its Organizational Structure and 
Staffing Pattern, both of which shall be approved within thirty (30) days from the 
effectivity of this Act. 
The Secretary of National Defense shall serve as the interim SDR until such time 
that the SDR has been appointed and taken his/her oath of office. Upon 
assumption to duty, the SDR shall make use of the existing structure, systems, 
and personnel in responding to natural hazards and disasters within the 
transition period. 
In accordance with Section 12 of this Act and the critical importance of attracting 
the most competent and dedicated personnel to the Department, suitable and 
qualified career personnel from the NDRRMC-OCD, DSWD, and the CCC, as 
defined by the CSC and other pertinent rules, may be absorbed by the 
Department. The system and mechanics for this shall be defined in the IRR of this 
Act. 
SECTION 96. Magna Carta Benefits. – Qualified employees of the Department, 
including those of its attached agencies, shall be covered by and entitled to the 
benefits under Republic Act No. 8439, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for 
Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other S & T Personnel in the Government, 
and Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Public Health 
Workers. 
SECTION 97. Hazard Pay. All personnel of the Department and the local disaster 
resilience offices are entitled to receive hazard pay, subject to the guidelines to 
be set forth in the IRR of this Act. 
SECTION 98. Separation Benefits of Officials and Employees of Affected Agencies.  - 
National government employees displaced or separated from service as a result 
of this Act shall be entitled to either separation pay and other benefits in 
accordance with existing laws, rules, or regulations, or be entitled to avail 
themselves of the privileges provided under a separation plan that shall be one 
and one-half month salary for every year of service in the government. 
In no case shall there be any diminution of benefits under the separation plan 
until the full implementation of this Act. With respect to employees who are not 


retained by the Department, the government, through the Department of Labor 
and Employment, shall endeavor to implement training, job counseling, and job 
placement programs. 
SECTION 99. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be taken from the current fiscal year’s 
unexpended and unobligated appropriations of all agencies herein absorbed, 
transferred, and attached to the Department. Thereafter, the amounts necessary 
for the operation of the Department and the implementation of this Act shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 100. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department, DBM, 
DND, DOF, DILG, DOST, NEDA, and the PMS shall collectively craft and issue, 
within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Implementing Rules 
and Regulations (IRR) for the effective implementation of this Act. They may call 
upon other relevant government instrumentalities and stakeholders to assist in 
the crafting of the IRR.  
SECTION 101. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Disaster Resilience. – 
There shall be created a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Disaster 
Resilience to monitor the implementation of this Act. The committee shall be 
composed of six (6) Members of the House of Representatives and six (6) 
Senators to be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and 
the President of the Senate, respectively; Provided, That, two (2) Members of the 
House of Representatives and two (2) Senators shall come from the Minority of 
their respective houses of Congress. The committee shall be jointly chaired by a 
Member of the House of Representatives and a Senator designated by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, 
respectively. 
SECTION 102. Mandatory Review. – Within five (5) years after the effectivity of 
this Act, or as the need arises, the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on 
Disaster Resilience shall conduct systematic evaluation of the accomplishments 
and impact of this Act, as well as the performance of the Department of its 
mandate and functions, for purposes of determining remedial legislation. 
SECTION 103. Interpretation. - Any doubt in the interpretation of any provision 
of this Act shall be resolved in favor of a liberal interpretation that will fulfill the 
objectives of this Act, especially in relation to the provision of effective, efficient 
and timely disaster response, rehabilitation and recovery. 
SECTION 104. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions or parts thereof not otherwise 
affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
SECTION 105. Repealing Clause. – The provisions of Republic Act no. 10121, 
Republic Act no. 7160, Republic Act no. 7916, Republic Act no. 9184, and all 
other laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, and other executive 


issuances, which are not consistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act, 
are hereby repealed or amended. 
SECTION 106. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved,