THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
5 
JUR -8 P I  58 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by ~enatar Richard J. ~
o
~
~
a
~
 
The Philippines is geographically located in the circum-pacific belt of fire and 
typhoon in the Asia-Pacific region. Thus, it is prone to natural disasters. It has continually 
sought to survive against many calamities, including typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic 
eruptions, as well as fire, plane crashes, and maritime collisions. 
The threat of disasters continues to haunt the Philippines. Thus, there is a need to 
revitalize the system for disaster preparedness and mitigation to enhance the survival 
capability of our country against ail types of disasters, whether natural or man-made. 
Natural and man-made disasters often disrupt the normal life of communities, and 
adversely affect individuals and families with great severity. These disasters usually result 
in loss of life, human suffering, loss of income, and property loss and damage. Measures 
designed towards disaster preparedness and m ~ ~ g a ~ o n  
and emergency services are, 
therefore, necessary. 
During the 1 12th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, a resolution proposed by the 
Philippine delegation was adopted, recognizing the role of parliaments in the prevention, 
rehabilitation, reconstruction and protection of groups that are vulnerable to natural and 
man-made disasters, and further encouraging the creation of Regional Disaster, Training, 
Logistics and Reaction Centres in collaboration with international humanitarian 
organizations and their local counterparts such as the Philippine National Red Cross as well 
as local disaster coordinating councils to train local fietd disaster response teams, share 
international technical know-how, expertise, technology and other information relating to 
disaster prevention training, and management 
This bill intends to provide the measures for the government to carry out its 
responsibilities to alleviate the suffering of its people, which result from such disasters, and 
promote their general welfare through comprehensive plans and practicable programs for 
preparation against disasters, including hazard reduction, avoidance, and mitigation. This 
bill aims to instill a culture of disaster preparedness among our people through the utilization 
of disaster preparedness and mitigation measures, the establishment of a warning system, 
and the provision for emergency operations during 
RDQN 
/ 
Senator 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
I 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
28 
39 
20 
21 
22 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
5 JLIN -8 P I  5 8  
*a 
first Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator R i ~ ~ a r d  
J. Gordon 
- 
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH DISASTER P ~ E P A R E ~ N ~ S S  
AND M~TIGAT~ON 
~
~
~
S
U
R
~
S
 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Shod Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Disaster Preparedness 
Sec. 2. Policy. - It is the policy of the State to carry out its responsibilities to alleviate 
the suffering of its people, which result from natural and man-made disasters, and promote 
their general welfare through comprehensive plans and practicable programs for 
preparation against disasters, including hazard reduction, avoidance, and mitigation. 
and Mitigation Act.” 
Sec. 3. Disaster Preparedness and ~ifig~fion. 
- The President is authorized to 
establish measures for disaster preparedness and mitigation for any natural or man-made 
disaster that utilize the services of all appropriate agencies and include - 
(1) Preparation of hazard maps for areas that are subject to disasters and disaster 
preparedness and relief plans and programs for mitigation, warning, emergency operations, 
rehabilitation, and recovery; 
(2) Printing and dissemination of disaster awareness, preparation and preparedness 
manuals for distribution to the public and private sectors throughout the country by the 
National Disaster Coordinating Council, the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology 
Commission, and the Philippine National Red Cross; 
(3) Training and exercises, including the integration of disaster preparedness 
(4) Postdisaster critiques and evaluations; 
(5) Annual review of programs; 
(6) Coordination of national and local preparedness programs; 
(7) +plication of science and technology; and 
programs in schools nationwide through the Philippine National Red Cross; 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
'1 1 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
(8) Research. 
Sec. 4. Warning System. - The President shall ensure that all the appropriate 
government agencies are prepared to issue warnings of disasters to national and local 
officials. The President shall direct the appropriate government agencies to provide 
technical assistance to local governments to ensure that timely and effective disaster 
warning is provided. 
Sec. 5. €mergemy. -Any occasion or instance which, in the determination of the 
President, requires national and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect 
property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a disaster in any 
part of the Philippines, all necessary public and private facilities, including communication 
system facilities for the purpose of providing warning to the people in areas endangered by 
disasters and transportation equipment and facilities for the purpose of engaging in rescue 
and relief operations, shall be yade available for public use. 
Sec.\6. Repealing Clause. -All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or other 
issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
Sec. 7. Separabilify Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not aEected thereby shall remain 
in force and effect. 
Sec. 8. €ffecWy. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following fhe 
completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation in the Philippines. 
Approved,