Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
INCLUDING RESPONSIVE, EMPOWERED, AND SERVICE-CENTERED 
YOUTH IN THE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT 
COUNCIL IN ALL LEVELS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC 
ACT NO. 10121, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE RISK 
REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2010 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines located at the rim of the turbulent Pacific Ocean and in 
the so-called "Ring of Fire" (an area where a large number of earthquakes and 
volcanic eruptions occur in the basin of the Pacific Ocean), is extremely 
vulnerable to the climate crisis. 
In the past few years alone, the country was battered by a series of 
natural calamities. One of the most devastating was typhoon Haiyan in 
November 2013, called locally as typhoon "Yolanda", one of the deadliest 
typhoons in Philippine History. It killed more than 6,000 and affected some 
14 million people. The October 2013 Bohol earthquake devastated Bohol, 
Cebu, and most of Central Visayas. 
Also, for several Decembers now, Mindanao had been hit by typhoons 
which devastated large swaths of areas. Within living memory, the Philippines 
fell victim to such disasters as, among others, the July 16, 1990 Baguio 
earthquake, 1991 Pinatubo explosion, 2009 Storm Ondoy, several Ormoc and 
Leyte landslides. 
But despite these disasters or natural calamities, the Philippines had 
always been able to rely on our people's resilience and spirit of volunteerism, 
which are rare but essential sources of comfort and inspiration for our often 
beleaguered nation. Our youth sector, specifically, serves as beacon of hope 
and catalyst of action. Our schools often become depositories of donations 
and efficient centers for packing and deployment of relief goods. There is never 
a dearth of willing volunteers. 
September 14, 2022
8:19 am
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In our Queen City of the South - Cebu City - there are volunteer 
firefighters, first responders and peacekeepers in their respective localities, 
such as the Rescue Assistance Peacekeeping Intelligence Detail (RAPID). 
 
In Eastern Visayas, there is the Hayag Youth Organization, based in 
Ormoc, Leyte. Cebu City's RAPID has vast experience in relief and rescue 
operation. Its personnel were among the earliest responders in Tacloban City 
after the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda. Last year, in Cebu's waters, RAPID 
also helped rescue passengers of a passenger vessel which collided with a 
cargo ship. 
 
Ormoc-based Hayag, on the other hand, had been teaching disaster 
preparedness, first aid, swimming and open water safety training, among 
others to young people. When typhoon Yolanda hit Ormoc City in November 
2013, it was happily clear that they have successfully taught their members 
since no one among them had a major accident. 
 
Given the Philippines' sad history with regard to disasters, it is 
necessary and important to segue from post-disaster relief to proactive 
disaster preparedness. 
 
It is equally important to include young Filipinos in these activities, 
evolving discussion and preparation. We need to engage our youth in our 
quest to build a country that is capable of efficiently responding to natural 
calamities and of reducing these calamities' damage and negative impact on 
the affected areas in their trying times. 
 
This bill seeks to include the Chairperson of the National Youth 
Commission (NYC) as a member of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and 
Management Council (NDRRMC). 
 
The NYC Chairperson shall be the voice for the concerns, proposals, 
and interests of the Filipino youth. They shall act as a sounding board for the 
youth 
on 
disaster 
prevention, 
promotion 
education, 
rescue, 
and 
rehabilitation, among others. 
 
This legislative measure will go a long way in including the Filipino 
youth in the nation's disaster risk reduction policy body. It recognizes the 
youth's role in disaster and risk management, and will empower them with 
the information and skills to help affected communities in times of crisis. 
  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought.  
 
 
 
 
REP. PM VARGAS   
 
Fifth District, Quezon City 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
INCLUDING RESPONSIVE, EMPOWERED, AND SERVICE-CENTERED 
YOUTH IN THE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT 
COUNCIL IN ALL LEVELS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC 
ACT NO. 10121, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE RISK 
REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2010 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Youth Participation 
in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act". 
SECTION 2. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 10121 is hereby amended as 
follows: 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the 
following shall refer to: 
xxx 
(PP) “YOUTH” – REFERS TO THOSE PERSONS AGED FIFTEEN (15) 
TO THIRTY (30) YEARS OLD AS PROVIDED UNDER REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 8044. 
(QQ) "YOUTH PARTICIPATION" - REFERS TO THE PROCESS OF 
INVOLVING 
YOUNG 
PEOPLE 
IN 
THE 
INSTITUTIONS 
AND 
DECISIONS THAT AFFECT THEIR LIVES INCLUDING BUT NOT 
LIMITED TO ORGANIZING GROUPS FOR SOCIAL AND POLITICAL 
ACTIONS, PLANNING THEIR PROGRAMS, AND ADVOCATING 
THEIR 
INTEREST 
IN 
THE 
COMMUNITY 
TO 
RAISE 
CONSCIOUSNESS, EDUCATE OTHERS, AND PROVIDE SERVICES. 
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SECTION 3. Section 5 of the same Act is hereby amended as follows: 
 
Section 5. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
Council. The present National Disaster Coordinating Council or 
NDCC shall henceforth be known as the National Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Council, hereinafter referred to as the 
NDRRMC of the National Council. 
 
xxx 
 
The National Council's members shall be the following: 
 
xxx 
 
(v) Commissioner of the National Anti-Poverty Commission Victims 
of Disasters and Calamities Sector (NAPCVDC): 
 
(W) CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION 
(NYC);  
[(w)] (X) Chairperson, National Commission on the Role of Filipino 
Women; 
 
xxx 
 
SECTION 4. Section 7 of the same Act is hereby amended as follows: 
 
Section 7. Authority of the NDRRMC Chairperson. – The 
Chairperson of the NDRRMC may call upon other instrumentalities 
or entities of the government and non-government [and], civic, AND 
YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, for assistance in terms of use of their 
facilities and resources for the protection and preservation of life and 
properties in the whole range of disaster risk reduction and 
management. This authority includes the power to call on the 
reserve force as defined in Republic Act No. 7077 to assist in relief 
and rescue during disasters or calamities. 
 
SECTION 5. Section 10 of the same Act is hereby amended as follows: 
 
Section 10. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Organization 
at the Regional Level. -  
 
XXX 
 
The existing regional offices of the OCD shall serve as secretariat of 
the RDRRMCs. The RDMMCs shall be composed of the executives of 
regional offices and field stations at the regional level of the 
government agencies[.], AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM 
THE CIVIL SOCIETY AND YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS. 


 
SECTION 6. Section 11 of the same Act is hereby amended as follows: 
 
Section 11. Organization at the Local Government Level. 
 
xxx 
 
(a) Composition: The LDRRMC shall be composed of, but not limited 
to, the following: 
 
xxx 
 
(17) A LOCAL YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE AS MAY BE 
DETEMINED BY THE LGU, IN CONSONANCE WITH THE 
GUIDELINES ISSUED BY NYC AND THE DEPARTMENT OF 
INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG); 
 
[(17)] (18) Four (4) accredited CSOs, members; and 
[(18)] (19) One (1) private sector representative, member. 
 
xxx 
 
SECTION 7. Section 12 of the same Act is hereby amended as follows: 
 
Section 12. Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office 
(LDRRMO) – 
 
xxx 
 
(c) The provincial, city and municipal DRRMOs or BDRRMCs shall 
perform the following functions with impartiality given the 
emerging challenges brought by disasters of our times: 
 
xxx 
 
(8) Conduct continuous disaster monitoring and mobilize 
instrumentalities and entities of the LGUs, CSOs, private 
groups 
and 
organized 
volunteers, 
INCLUDING 
YOUTH 
ORGANIZATIONS, to utilize their facilities and resources for the 
protection and preservation of life and properties during 
emergencies 
in 
accordance 
with 
existing 
policies 
and 
procedures; 
 
xxx 
 
(17) MONITOR AND ENSURE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 
RESPONSE 
AND 
REHABILITATION 
PROGRAMS 
FOR 
CHILDREN AND YOUTH, SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH AND 


PSYCHO-SOCIAL SERVICES, GENDER SENSITIVITY AND 
SECURITY, LIVELIHOOD AND EDUCATION; 
 
[(17)] (18) Within its area, promote and raise public awareness of and 
compliance with this Act and legislative provisions relevant to the 
purpose of this Act; 
 
xxx 
 
(d) The BDRRMC shall be a regular committee of the existing BDC 
and shall be subject thereto. The punong barangay shall facilitate 
and ensure the participation of at least ONE (1) YOUTH 
REPRESENTATIVE, THROUGH THE GUIDELINES FORMULATED 
BY THE NYC AND THE DILG; AND two (2) CSO representatives from 
existing and active community-based people’s organizations 
representing the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in the 
barangay. 
 
SECTION 8. Section 13 of the same Act is hereby amended as follows: 
 
Section 13. Accreditation, Mobilization, and Protection of Disaster 
Volunteers and National Service Reserve Corps, CSOs, YOUTH 
ORGANIZATIONS, and the Private Sector. – The government 
agencies, CSOs, YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, 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, YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, 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 OCD, through the LDRRMOs, for accreditation and inclusion 
in the database of community disaster volunteers. 
 
A national roster of ACDVs, National Service Reserve Corps, CSOs, 
YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, and the private sector shall be 
maintained by the OCD through the LDRRMOs. Accreditation shall 
be done at the municipal or city level. 
 
YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS UNDER THE YOUTH ORGANIZATION 
REGISTRATION PROGRAM (YORP) OF THE NYC, ESPECIALLY 
THOSE THAT SPECIALIZE IN DISASTER RISK, REDUCTION AND 
MANAGEMENT, SHALL BE TAPPED BY THE NDRRMC TO ASSIST 
IN PREPARING FOR, RESPONDING TO, AND RECOVERING FROM 
DISASTERS. 
 
Mobilization of volunteers shall be in accordance with the guidelines 
to be formulated by the NDRRMC consistent with the provisions of 
this Act. 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 under the guidelines. 
 
SECTION 9. Section 14 of the same Act is hereby amended as follows: 
 
Section 14. Integration of Disaster Risk Reduction Education into 
the School Curricula and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Program and 
Mandatory Training for the Public Sector Employees. 
 
The NDRRMC, the RDRRMCs, the LDRRMCs, the LDRRMOs, the 
BDRRMCs, [and] the SK councils, AND THE BARANGAY YOUTH 
REPRESENTATIVE, 
shall 
[encourage] 
ENSURE 
community, 
specifically the youth, participation in disaster risk reduction and 
management activities, such as organizing quick response groups, 
particularly in identified disaster-prone areas, as well as the 
inclusion of disaster risk reduction and management programs as 
part of the SK programs and projects. 
 
xxx 
 
SECTION 10. Section 15 of the same Act is hereby amended as follows: 
 
Section 15. Coordination During Emergencies. –  
 
xxx 
 
The NDRRMC and intermediary LDRRMCs shall always act as 
support to LGUs which have the primary responsibility as first 
disaster responders. Private sector and civil society groups, 
INCLUDING YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, shall work in accordance 
with the coordination mechanism and policies set by the NDRRMC 
and concerned LDRRMCs. 
 
SECTION 11. Section 21 of the same Act is hereby amended as follows: 
 
Section 21. Local Disaster Risk” Reduction and Management Fund 
(LDRRMF). – 
 
The present Local Calamity Fund shall henceforth be known as the 
Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF). 
Not less than five percent (5%) of the estimated revenue from regular 
sources shall be set aside as the LDRRMF to support disaster risk 
management activities such as, but not limited to, pre-disaster 
preparedness programs including training, purchasing life-saving 
rescue equipment, supplies and medicines, for post-disaster 
activities, and for the payment of premiums on calamity insurance. 
 
NOT LESS THAN FIVE PERCENT (5%) OF THE LDRRMF SHALL BE 
ALLOCATED TO SUPPORT YOUTH-ORIENTED PRE- AND POST-


DISASTER ACTIVITIES INCLUDED IN THE YOUTH PLAN SUCH AS, 
BUT 
NOT 
LIMITED 
TO, 
TREE-PLANTING, 
TRAINING, 
INFORMATION 
DISSEMINATION, 
AND 
CLIMATE 
CHANGE 
ADAPTATION EFFORTS. 
 
The LDRRMC shall monitor and evaluate the use and disbursement 
of the LDRRMF based on the LDRRMP as incorporated in the local 
development plans and annual work and financial plan. Upon the 
recommendation of the LDRRMO and approval of the sanggunian 
concerned, the LDRRMC may transfer the said fund to support 
disaster risk reduction work of other LDRRMCs which are declared 
under state of calamity. 
 
xxx 
 
SECTION 12. Non-Impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed as to diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or 
made available to disadvantaged, marginalized, or specific sectors under 
existing laws. 
 
SECTION 13. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act 
is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not 
affected thereby shall remain in force and effect. 
 
SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 15. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,