Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The distinct geography of the Philippines exposes it to natural hazards. Located along 
the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire,” the Philippines is regularly impacted by floods, 
typhoons, landslides, earthquakes, volcano eruptions, and droughts. According to the 
status report of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center and UN Office for Disaster 
Risk Reduction, at least 60% of the country's total land area is vulnerable to natural 
hazards.1 An average of 20 major storms hit the Philippines a year. Additionally, it is 
home to 25 active volcanoes. 
In 2020, Super Typhoon Goni which is considered the strongest landfalling tropical 
cyclone on record slammed into the Philippines affecting approximately 2,030,130 
people and damaging infrastructure worth Php 12,867,014,693.78 and agriculture 
worth Php 5,008,430,180.00.2  Goni's peak winds were as high as 195 mph, 
comparable to Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. Meanwhile, the Taal volcano, one of 
the Philippines' most active volcanoes erupted in July 2021 displacing almost 20,000 
persons from 190 Barangays in CALABARZON.3 
These, among many other circumstances, exposed the weakness in the structural and 
institutional set-up of Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction 
Act and Management of 2010. 
1 https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/disaster-risk-reduction-philippines-status-report-july-2019 
2 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2225603221000278 
3 https://reliefweb.int/disaster/vo-2021-000071-phl 
August 1, 2022
4:22 pm
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To further strengthen our country’s capacity to address impacts brought by climate 
change, this bill proposes to establish the Department of Disaster Resilience and 
Emergency Management which would oversee the implementation of disaster risk 
reduction and management policies and programs nationwide. Under the bill, the DDR 
shall be the primary agency responsible for leading, organizing, and managing the 
national effort to reduce disaster risk, prepare for and respond to disasters, recover 
and rehabilitate, and build forward better after the occurrence of disasters. It shall 
oversee and coordinate the preparation, implementation, and 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, preparedness, response, recovery and 
rehabilitation, to anticipatory adaptation strategies, measures, techniques, and 
options. 
It shall integrate the Climate Change Commission (CCC), National Disaster Risk 
Reduction, People’s Survival Fund (PSF), Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation 
Efforts, and Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery 
(OPARR). This shall streamline the planning and execution of policies and projects on 
climate change and unify the country’s approach towards resiliency. It shall also do 
away with redundant bureaucratic processes that may result in delays, confusion and 
diluted accountability. 
The DRR shall coordinate with other pertinent agencies, local government units 
(LGUs), and even private entities and establish a Multi-stakeholder Convergence Unit 
which shall align disaster resilience efforts of the private sector, civil society 
organizations, academe and other stakeholders by assisting, coordinating or providing 
services that strengthen public-private cooperate and coordination in disaster 
resilience. 
True economic progress is unattainable when we continuously fail to deal with reality 
of climate change and hence, suffer from its effects. With the creation of the FRR, the 
Philippine will be able to quickly respond, prepare, implement, monitor, and evaluate 
disaster and climate resilience plans, programs, and projects for the welfare of the 
people, particularly the vulnerable and the poor. 
The approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
 MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE 
TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 


3
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
AN ACT  
REORGANIZING AND STRENGTHENING THE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION 
AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF THE PHILIPPINES, ESTABLISHING FOR THE 
PURPOSE THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE AND EMERGENCY 
MANAGEMENT, EMPOWERING THE REGIONAL FIELD OFFICES, 
ESTABLISHING COORDINATING MECHANISMS, STRENGTHENING 
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
ARTICLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “The Philippine Disaster 
Risk Reduction and Management System Act”. 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State recognizes the country's severe 
vulnerability to natural and man-made disasters and their catastrophic impact on the 
people's constitutional rights to life, liberty and property, particularly of the poor and 
the marginalized. The State further recognizes the need to institutionalize the 
principles of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and management, 
and the imperative to embody these principles in responsive and capable institutions. 
As such, it is hereby declared a policy of the State to: 
a)
Address the root causes of vulnerabilities to disasters by strengthening the
country's institutional capacity for disaster risk reduction and management and
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building the resilience of local communities to disasters including climate change 
impacts; 
b) 
Adopt a disaster risk reduction and management approach that is holistic, 
comprehensive, integrated, and proactive in lessening the socioeconomic and 
environmental impacts of disasters including climate change, and promote the 
involvement and participation of all sectors and all stakeholders concerned, at all 
levels, especially the local community; 
c) 
Promote a whole-of-government and whole-of society approach to the 
development of disaster risk reduction and management, to ensure the buy-in of 
all concerned stakeholders, whether from the government sector, private sector, 
or non-government sector; 
d) 
Adhere to and adopt the universal norms, principles and standards of 
humanitarian assistance and the global effort on risk reduction as concrete 
expression of the country's commitment to overcome human sufferings due to 
recurring disasters; 
e) 
Develop, promote, and implement a comprehensive National Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP) that aims to strengthen the 
capacity of the national government and the local government units (LGUs), 
together with partner stakeholders to build the disaster resilience of communities, 
and to institutionalize arrangements and measures for reducing disaster risks, 
including projected climate risks, and enhancing disaster preparedness and 
response capabilities at all levels; 
f) 
Incorporate internationally accepted principles of disaster risk management in 
the creation and implementation of national, regional and local sustainable 
development and poverty reduction strategies, policies, plans and budgets; 
g) 
Adopt and implement a coherent, comprehensive, integrated, efficient and 
responsive disaster risk reduction program incorporated in the development plan 
at various levels of government adhering to the principles of good governance 
such as transparency and accountability within the context of poverty alleviation 
and environmental protection; 
h) 
 Mainstream disaster risk reduction and climate change in development 
processes such as policy formulation, socioeconomic development planning, 
budgeting, and governance, particularly in the areas of environment, agriculture, 


 
5
water, energy, health, education, poverty reduction, land-use and urban 
planning, and public infrastructure and housing, among others; 
i) 
Institutionalize the policies, structures, coordination mechanisms and programs 
with continuing budget appropriation on disaster risk reduction from national 
down to local levels towards building a disaster-resilient nation and communities; 
j) 
Streamline existing disaster risk reduction and management institutions, 
structures and mechanisms, in order to reduce redundancy, increase synergy 
and efficiency, and provide decisive and accountable leadership in times of crisis. 
k) 
Ensure that disaster risk reduction and climate change measures are gender 
responsive, sensitive to indigenous know ledge systems, and respectful of 
human rights; 
l) 
Develop and strengthen the capacities of vulnerable and marginalized groups to 
mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effects of disasters; 
m) 
Incorporate community and people's participation on a greater level, to ensure 
that all national disaster risk reduction programs, activities and policies are 
aligned with and responsive to the needs of the people; 
n) 
Recognize the local risk patterns across the country and strengthen the capacity 
of LGUs for disaster risk reduction and management through decentralized 
powers, responsibilities, and resources at the regional and local levels; 
o) 
Recognize and strengthen the capacities of LGUs and communities in mitigating 
and preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the impact of disasters; 
p) 
Engage the participation of civil society organizations (CSOs), the private sector 
and volunteers in the government's disaster risk reduction programs towards 
complementation of resources and effective delivery of services to the Citizenry; 
q) 
Provide maximum care, assistance and services to individuals and families 
affected by disaster, implement emergency rehabilitation projects to lessen the 
impact of disaster, and facilitate resumption of normal social and economic 
activities; and 
r) 
Ensure that affected communities rise stronger than they were before incidents 
of disasters, towards reducing their vulnerability and preventing the repetition of 
the catastrophic loss of human life and livelihood and destruction of property. 
 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. – The following terms are defined for the purposes of 
this Act: 


 
6
a) 
Build Back Better – refers to an approach to disaster recovery and reconstruction 
which not only rebuilds communities to pre-disaster standards but also increases 
their resilience to future disasters; 
b) 
LERC – refers to the Local Emergency Response Corps created under this Act; 
c) 
Department – refers to the Department of Disaster Resilience and Emergency 
Assistance and Management which encompasses the National Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department proper; 
d) 
Department proper – refers to the offices, agencies, bureaus, and services under 
the authority of the Secretary of the Department of Disaster Resilience and 
Emergency Assistance and Management; 
e) 
Secretary – refers to the Secretary of the Department Resilience and Emergency 
Assistance Management; 
f) 
NERC – refers to the National Emergency Response Corps created under this 
Act; 
g) 
NDRRMC – refers to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
Council created under R.A. No. 10121, otherwise known as the "Philippine 
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010"; 
h) 
RERC – refers to the Regional Emergency Response Corps created under this 
Act; 
i) 
RFO – refers to the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils 
created under R.A. No. 10121 and renamed as "Regional Field 3 Offices" under 
this Act. 
Unless expressly defined in this Section, the other technical terms and concepts 
used in this Act shall be read as defined under Section 3 of Republic Act 6 No. 10121, 
otherwise known as the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 
2010”. 
 
ARTICLE II 
THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE AND EMERGENCY 
ASSISTANCE AND MANAGEMENT 
Sec. 4. The Department of Disaster Resilience and Emergency Assistance and 
Management. –To carry out the objectives of this Act and those of R.A. No. 10121, 
the Department of Disaster Resilience and Emergency Assistance and Management 
is hereby established. The Department shall be the primary policy-making, planning, 


 
7
coordinating, integrating, supervising, implementing, monitoring and evaluating 
authority with regard to disaster risk reduction and management in the country. 
 
Sec. 5. Organization of the Department. – The Department shall consist of two 
separate and distinct entities: The National Disaster and Risk Reduction and 
Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department Proper. The NDRRMC shall be 
attached for administrative and budgetary purposes to the Department. 
 
Sec. 6. Organization of the Department Proper. – The Department proper shall be 
comprised of the following: 
a) 
The Office of the Secretary, which shall encompass the Office of the Secretary 
and the Offices of the Undersecretaries and the Assistant Secretaries, and their 
immediate support staff; 
b) 
The Regional Field Offices; 
c) 
The Bureaus enumerated under Section 17 of this Act; 
d) 
The National Emergency Response Corps (NERC); 
e) 
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Research and Training 
Center (NDRRMC-RTC) 
f) 
The attached agencies enumerated under Section 21 of this Act; and 
g) 
The Department Services enumerated under Section 18 of this Act; 
 
Sec. 7. Selection of Personnel. – The selection of the personnel of the Department 
shall be based strictly on merit and fitness in accordance with the Civil Service Code 
and other applicable laws and rules and regulations. The formulation of the 
organizational structure and staffing pattern shall be completed within one (1) year 
after the effectivity of this Act. 
 
ARTICLE III 
THE NATIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT COUNCIL 
Sec. 8. The National Disaster Risk Reduction Council. – The NDRRMC shall be 
the policy-formulating and coordinating body of the Department which shall ensure a 
whole-of-government approach to formulating and implementing the National Disaster 
Risk Reduction and Management Plan. 
 


 
8
Sec. 9. Organization. – The membership of the NDRRMC under R.A. No. 10121 shall 
be retained: Provided, that the NDRRMC shall be chaired by the President: Provided 
further, that the Secretary of the Department of Disaster Management shall be the 
vice-chair of the NDRRMC, and shall preside as Chairman when the President is 
unable to attend a meeting. 
 
Sec. 10. Powers and Functions of the NDRRMC. – The NDRRMC shall: 
a) 
Formulate the NDRRMP which shall be a comprehensive, all-hazards, multi-
sectoral, inter-agency and community-based approach to disaster risk reduction 
and management. The NDRRMP shall serve as the principal guide to disaster 
risk reduction and management efforts in the country and shall be reviewed on a 
ten (10)-year interval, or as may be deemed necessary, in order to ensure its 
relevance to the times; 
b) 
Develop vertical and horizontal coordination mechanisms for a more coherent 
implementation of disaster risk reduction and management policies and 
programs by sectoral agencies and LGUs; 
c) 
Constitute a technical management group composed of representatives of the 
concerned departments, offices, and organizations, that shall coordinate and 
meet as often as necessary to effectively manage and sustain national efforts on 
disaster risk reduction and management; 
d) 
Serve as a coordinating body for all inter-agency efforts during risk reduction and 
management operations; 
e) 
Advise the President on the status of disaster preparedness, prevention, 
mitigation, response and rehabilitation operations being undertaken by the 
government, CSOs, private sector, and volunteers, and submit proposals to 
restore normalcy in affected areas; 
f) 
Recommend to the President the declaration of a State of Calamity in areas 
extensively damaged and to submit proposals to restore normalcy in the affected 
areas; 
g) 
In coordination with the Climate Change Commission, formulate and implement 
a single harmonized framework and action plan for climate change adaptation 
and disaster mitigation; 
h) 
Receive, administer, mobilize and report the National Disaster Risk Reduction 
and Management Fund, and other recovery and rehabilitation funds; 


 
9
i) 
Receive donations and grants from any person, government institution, 
corporation, international organization, and other similar entities, and the power 
to recommend the procurement of developmental assistance for the purpose of 
disaster risk reduction and management subject to Section 32 of this Act; 
j) 
Monitor and provide the necessary guidelines and procedures on the Local 
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) releases as well as 
utilization, accounting and auditing thereof; 
k) 
Develop appropriate risk transfer mechanisms that shall guarantee social and 
economic protection and increase resiliency in the face of disaster; and 
l) 
Establish and monitor local and national capacity for disaster risk financing and 
insurance and other risk transfer strategies. 
 
Sec. 11. Monitoring and Reporting. – 
a) 
On or before the last quarter of the preceding year, the member-agencies of the 
NDRRMC shall submit to the Secretary their respective disaster risk reduction 
and management annual work and financial management plans for the next year; 
b) 
The member-agencies of the NDRRMC shall also submit to the Secretary 
quarterly progress reports on the implementation of their respective DRRM 
annual work and financial management plans within thirty (30) days from the end 
of each quarter. 
 
ARTICLE IV 
THE DEPARTMENT PROPER 
Sec. 12. The Department Proper. – The Department proper shall be the Secretariat 
and executive arm of the Department. It shall be in charge of implementing and 
monitoring the implementation of disaster risk reduction and management policies, 
activities and programs as embodied in the NDRRMP. 
 
Sec. 13. The Secretary. – The Department shall be headed by a Department 
Secretary who shall be a member of the Cabinet. He shall be appointed by the 
President for a term of six (6) years and shall be a member of the Cabinet 
 
Sec. 14. Powers and Functions of the Secretary. – The Secretary shall:  


 
10
a) 
Monitor the integration of disaster risk reduction and management policies into 
local and national development plans; 
b) 
Oversee and direct the comprehensive implementation of disaster risk reduction 
and management policies, plans and programs as embodied in the NDRRMP; 
c) 
Review and evaluate Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plans to 
ensure their consistency with the NDRRMP through the regional offices; 
d) 
Call upon other instrumentalities or entities of the government and 
nongovernment and civic organizations for assistance in terms of the 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, which 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; 
e) 
Exercise visitorial and examining powers over governmental and non-
governmental entities engaged in DRRM operations; 
f) 
Commandeer any private property for urgent public purposes, subject to 
payment of just compensation in appropriate cases; 
g) 
Coordinate or oversee the implementation of the country's obligations with 
disaster risk reduction and management treaties to which it is a party and see to 
it that the country's disaster risk management treaty obligations be incorporated 
in its disaster risk reduction and management frameworks, policies, plans, 
programs, and projects; and  
h) 
Lead the mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction and management in all stages 
and levels of national and local planning and budgeting processes; 
i) 
Raise awareness among national agencies, local government units, and local 
communities on the importance of disaster risk reduction and management; 
j) 
In lieu of the President, preside and lead meetings of the NDRRMC; 
k) 
Coordinate with the members of the NDRRMC for the implementation, 
monitoring, review, and revision of the NDRRMP; 
l) 
Provide secretarial support to the NDRRMC; 
m) 
Advise the NDRRMC on matters relating to disaster risk reduction and 
management consistent with the policies and scope as defined in this Act; 
n) 
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of NDRRMC members on aspects of 
DRRM and provide the corresponding capacity building through the Department 
proper; 


 
11
o) 
Direct the deployment of the National Emergency Response Corps (NERC) 
and/or Regional Emergency Response Corps (RERC) the to assist in relief and 
rescue during disasters or calamities; 
p) 
Create regional and field offices and such other service units and divisions as 
may be necessary; 
q) 
Exercise administrative supervision and control over the Regional Field Offices 
(RFOs); 
r) 
Exercise supervision over the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
Offices (LDRRMOs) in all provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays in the 
country; 
s) 
Exercise all powers and functions provided to department secretaries under 
Book IV, Chapter 2 of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as the 
"Administrative Code of 1987"; and 
t) 
Perform such other functions as may be necessary or proper to attain the 
objectives of this Act. 
 
Sec. 15. The Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries. – The Secretary shall 
be assisted by three (3) undersecretaries for disaster mitigation, disaster 
preparedness and response, and disaster recovery and rehabilitation, respectively, 
and four (4) career assistant secretaries who shall perform such functions as may be 
assigned by the Secretary. 
 
Sec. 16. Qualifications. – No person shall be appointed as Secretary, undersecretary 
or assistant secretary unless he is a citizen and resident of the Philippines, is of good 
moral character, and is of proven competence and expertise in disaster risk reduction 
and management over the course of his career. He shall not hold any other position, 
whether public or private, during his tenure. 
 
Sec. 17. The Department Bureaus. – The Department shall have the following 
bureaus: 
a) 
The Bureau of Disaster Resilience (BDR) – The BDR shall assist the Secretary 
in formulating, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing policies and programs 
with regard to disaster mitigation, prevention, and post disaster rehabilitation. To 
this end, the BDR shall: 


 
12
1. 
Advise the Secretary on all matters regarding disaster and emergency 
mitigation and preparation; 
2. 
Advise the Secretary on the status of disaster mitigation and prevention and 
post-disaster 
rehabilitation 
operations 
being 
undertaken 
by 
the 
government, CSOs, private sector, and volunteers; 
3. 
Cascade technical expertise on disaster mitigation and prevention and 
post-disaster rehabilitation to LGUs through the RFOs; 
4. 
Develop, update, and make available a Disaster Risk Reduction and 
Management Information System and Geographic Information System 
based national and local risk maps as policy, planning, and decision-making 
tools; 
5. 
Conduct and institutionalize pre-disaster risk assessment to identify 
vulnerable and at-risk communities and local government units, and provide 
technical assistance and capacity building on the same to local government 
units through the RFOs; 
6. 
Develop unified and harmonized tools, guidelines, and policies on the 
existing and potential hazards and risks brought about by climate change 
in coordination with the Climate Change Commission; 
7. 
Conduct a review of the National Building Code and Fire Code of the 
Philippines, together with the relevant government departments and the 
concerned stakeholders and technical experts, and submit the same to the 
Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines towards the 
development of legislation which seek to strengthen infrastructure in line 
with disaster prevention and mitigation; 
8. 
Conduct public information campaigns and drills on disaster preparedness; 
9. 
Issue guidelines and rules and regulations to institutionalize the principle of 
"build back better" in all disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation 
operations; 
10. Issue guidelines for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of disaster affected 
areas and institutionalize the principles of “Build Back Betted”; and 
11. Recommend the issuance of government bonds to secure the funding for 
the reconstruction of disaster-stricken areas; and 


 
13
12. Prepare, organize and lead post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation 
programs in coordination with the concerned regional field office and the 
local government unit. 
 
b) 
The Bureau of Disaster Preparation and Response (BDPR) The BDPR shall 
assist the Secretary in formulating, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing 
policies and programs with regard to disaster preparation and response. To this 
end, the BDR shall: 
1. 
Advise the Secretary on all matters regarding disaster preparation and 
response; 
2. 
Monitor and advise the Secretary on the status of disaster preparation and 
response operations being undertaken by the government, CSOs, private 
sector, and volunteers; 
3. 
Cascade technical expertise on disaster preparation and response to LGUs 
through the RFOs; 
4. 
Exercise administrative control over the National Emergency Response 
corps (NERC); 
5. 
Implement pre-positioning of necessary goods and supplies at least twenty-
four (24) hours before an expected disaster; 
6. 
If needed, procure goods and services during emergencies in accordance 
with existing emergency procurement rules and regulations; 
7. 
Establish and maintain an inventory of all necessary personnel, equipment 
and supplies critical during disasters in all RFOs and LGUs, and ensure that 
they are delivered within forty-eight (48) hours after the aftermath of a 
disaster; 
8. 
Establish and maintain a national early warning and emergency alert 
system to provide accurate and timely advice to national or local emergency 
response, and to the general public through diverse mass media such as 
digital and analogue broadcast, cable, satellite television and radio, 
wireless communications, and landline communications; 
9. 
Implement the provisions of Republic Act No. 10639, otherwise known as 
"The Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act”;  
10. Establish and maintain an emergency communication system with and 
among LGUs through the RFOs; 


 
14
11. Establish standard operating procedures for emergency response and 
cascade the same to the LGUs through the NDEMA RFOs; and 
12. Establish unified guidelines and mechanisms for the recruitment, training, 
and deployment of the NERC, in coordination with the concerned 
government agencies and stakeholders. 
 
c) 
The Bureau of Knowledge Management and Dissemination (BKMD) – The 
BKMD shall serve as the administrator of the Department's technical knowledge, 
materials, and research and development on disaster risk reduction and 
management. Towards this end, the BDKD shall: 
1. 
Exercise supervision and control over the DRRM Research and Training 
Center; 
2. 
Expand the content and materials of the DRRM Research and Training 
Center and ensure that they are up to date; 
3. 
Liaise with international and domestic stakeholders towards the expansion 
of the DRRM Research and Training Center; 
4. 
Provide full and free access to the materials in the DRRM Research and 
Training Center; 
5. 
Disseminate materials on disaster risk reduction and management to the 
LGUs through the RFOs, to all stakeholders, and to the general public; 
6. 
Provide short courses and trainings on disaster risk reduction and 
management and its various aspects, in coordination with the relevant 
Bureau(s) of the Department; 
7. 
Offer grants and other financial incentives for researchers, members of the 
academe and/or developers in the field of disaster risk reduction and 
management; and 
8. 
Partner with the academe and research institutions, private sector, civil 
society, and community-based DRRM practitioners and other relevant 
sectors in developing research opportunities and programs on DRRM. 
 
Sec. 18. The Department Services. – The Department shall have the following 
Services: 


 
15
a) 
Planning Service – The Planning Service shall provide the department with 
services relating to planning, programming, and project development, and 
discharge such other functions as may be provided by law; 
b) 
Financial and Management Service – The Financial and Management Services 
shall advise and assist the Secretary on budgetary, financial and management 
matters and shall perform such other functions as may be provided by law; and 
c) 
Administrative Service – The Administrative Service shall provide the 
Department with effective services relating to personnel, legal assistance, 
information, records, delivery and receipt of correspondence, supplies, 
equipment, collections, disbursement, security and custodial work. 
 
Sec. 19. The National Emergency Response Corps. – There is hereby established 
a National Emergency Response Corps (NERC). The NERC shall be a dedicated, 
trained and reliable team who can be deployed on short notice in the event of a 
disaster. It shall be composed of full-time and part-time disaster managers, 
paramedics, debris clearing personnel, volunteers, and aid and relief managers. The 
NERC shall be under the administrative control of the BDPR. 
 
Sec. 20. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Research and 
Training Center. – Within one (1) year from the approval of this Act, the Authority 
shall establish a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Research and 
Training center which shall serve as the Department's centralized repository and for 
its technical materials and research and development on disaster risk reduction and 
management. 
 
Sec. 21. The Attached Agencies. – The following agencies and offices and their 
respective appropriations, records, equipment, property and personnel are hereby 
transferred to the Department: 
a) 
The 
Philippine 
Atmospheric, 
Geophysical 
and 
Astronomical 
Services 
Administration (PAG-ASA); 
b) 
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology (PHIVOLCS); 
c) 
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP); 
d) 
The Health Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB); 
e) 
The Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency; and 


 
16
f) 
All civilian personnel and operating units of the Department of National Defense 
(DND) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) with functions and responsibilities 
dealing with disaster risk reduction and management; 
The agencies transferred above shall continue to perform such functions as 
provided in existing laws: Provided, that the Department shall exercise administrative 
supervision over the transferred agencies. 
 
Sec. 22. The Regional Field Offices. – The current Regional Disaster Risk Reduction 
and Management Councils are hereby renamed as the "Regional Field Offices" 
(RFOs) and are hereby transferred under the administrative supervision of the 
Department. RFOs shall have the following mandates: 
a) 
To ensure that the principles of disaster risk reduction and management are 
institutionalized on the local level, particularly in their Comprehensive 
Development Plan (CDP) and Comprehensive Land-Use Plan (CLUP), and in 
pursuit of this mandate thereof, review the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and 
Management Plan (LDRRMP) of LGUs within their jurisdiction and ensure their 
alignment with the NDRRMP; 
b) 
To ensure the compliance of LGUs with their mandates under R.A. 10121; 
c) 
To pro-actively assess the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of LGUs in all phases 
of disaster risk reduction and management and remedy the same through 
technical assistance and capacity building activities; 
d) 
To consult LGUs and communities within their jurisdiction on their vulnerabilities 
in all phases of disaster risk reduction and management and forward their 
concerns to the central office to be included in the formulation and review of the 
NDRRMP; and 
e) 
To act as the operations center during disaster preparation and response 
operations. 
 
Sec. 23. Divisions. – To achieve the mandates stated above, each RFO shall have 
the following divisions: 
a) 
Disaster Resilience. – This division shall be in charge of all matters on disaster 
mitigation and rehabilitation. It shall have the following powers and functions: 
1. 
Serve as liaison between the Department and the LGUs and establish 
efficient lines of communication and coordination between them; 


 
17
2. 
Provide technical assistance and capacity to LGUs on pre-disaster risk 
assessment and empower them to identify vulnerable communities and 
groups in their area; 
3. 
Collect and consolidate information on the vulnerabilities of local 
government units in their jurisdiction and submit the same to the Central 
Office; 
4. 
Provide technical assistance and capacity building to LGUs to empower 
them to institutionalize and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
Information System and Geographic Information System-based national 
and local risk maps as policy, planning, and decision-making tools; 
5. 
Conduct and institutionalize pre-disaster risk assessment to identify 
vulnerable and at-risk communities and local government units, and provide 
technical assistance and capacity building on the same to local government 
units through the RFOs; 
6. 
Conduct drills and information campaigns on disaster preparedness; 
7. 
Aid households in the preparation of disaster readiness kits, which shall 
serve as a pack of essential goods needed in the aftermath of a disaster; 
and 
8. 
Lead rehabilitation operations and ensure their completion within their 
established schedule. 
 
b) 
Disaster Preparation and Response. – This division shall be in charge of all 
matters on disaster preparation and response. It shall have the following powers 
and functions: 
1. 
Establish a Regional Emergency Response Corps (RERC); 
2. 
Establish a Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations 
Center (RDRRMC-OC) that shall be operated and staffed on a twenty-four-
hour basis; 
3. 
Establish and maintain an inventory of all necessary personnel, equipment 
and supplies critical during disasters in all RFOs and LGUs, and ensure that 
they are delivered within forty-eight (48) hours after the aftermath of a 
disaster; 
4. 
Implement pre-positioning of necessary goods and supplies at least twenty-
four (24) hours before an expected disaster; 


 
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5. 
Establish and maintain an emergency communication system with and 
among LGUs; 
6. 
When necessary, procure goods and services during emergencies in 
accordance with existing emergency rules and regulations; 
7. 
Cascade the established Standard Operating Procedures for emergency 
response to the LGUs; and 
8. 
Receive donations and grants from any person, government institution, 
corporation, international organization, and other similar entities, and the 
power to recommend the procurement of developmental subject to section 
32 of this Act. 
  
c) 
Knowledge Management. – This division shall be in charge of managing and 
disseminating technical knowledge and information on disaster risk and 
reduction in the region. It shall have the following functions: 
a) 
Establish a Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Research 
and Training Center (RDRRM-RTC); 
b) 
Expand the content and materials of the DRRM Research and Training 
Center and ensure that they are up to date; 
c) 
Liaise with international and domestic stakeholders towards the expansion 
of the DRRM Research and Training Center; 
d) 
Provide full and free access to the materials in the DRRM Research and 
Training Center; 
e) 
Disseminate materials on disaster risk reduction and management to LGUs 
and local communities; and 
f) 
Provide short courses and trainings on disaster risk reduction and 
management and its various aspects, in coordination with the relevant 
divisions of the RFO. 
 
Sec. 24. The Regional Directors. – The RFOs shall be headed by a Regional Director 
who shall be assisted by three Assistant Regional Directors for Disaster Resilience, 
Disaster Preparation and Response, and Knowledge Management. No person shall 
be appointed as Regional Director unless he is a citizen and resident of the Philippines, 
is of good moral character, and is of proven competence/expertise in emergency 
management and disaster risk reduction and management over the course of his 


 
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career. He shall not hold any other position, whether public or private, during his 
tenure. 
 
ARTICLE V 
DISASTER MITIGATION AND PREVENTION 
Sec. 25. Harmonization of CCA and DRRM Plans. – The NDRRMC shall ensure 
that the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan is harmonized and consistent 
with the National Climate Change Action Plan as defined under Republic Act No. 9279, 
otherwise known as the "Climate Change Act of 2009" as amended. To this end, the 
NRRMC shall coordinate with the Climate Change Commission: Provided, that this 
provision shall not be construed as a limitation on the mandate, powers, and functions 
of the Climate Change Condition as set forth in R.A. No. 9279. 
 
Sec. 26. Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment. – The Department proper shall formulate a 
national policy on risk assessment for environmental risk, national disaster risk, natural 
disaster risk and climate change risk, and shall take into consideration the 
interdependence of disaster risk reduction, environmental management, climate 
change adaptation and sustainable development. The Department proper shall 
develop tools and standards for Pre-disaster risk assessment and ensure that it is 
cascaded to the LDRRMOs through the RFOs.  
 
Sec. 27. National DRRM Information Management System. – The Department 
proper shall establish a National Information Management System for DRRM. It shall 
be the centralized repository of all disaster risk-reduction and climate change data, 
which shall include a geographic information system component, down to the 
barangay level. The database shall be available at all times to all levels of the DRRM 
system, to members of academe and experts in the field of DRRM, and to the general 
public. 
 
Sec. 28. Risk Assessment on the Local Level. – The LDRRMOs and BDRRMOs 
shall conduct and risk assessments in coordination with the appropriate RFO and 
other stakeholders, which shall include vulnerable and marginalized groups, and 
submit the same to the RFOs. The LDRRMOs, with assistance provided by the RFOs, 
shall also develop Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Information System and 


 
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Geographic Information System-based national and local risk maps as policy, 
planning, and decision-making tools.  
 
ARTICLE VI 
DISASTER PREPARATION AND RESPONSE 
Sec. 29. Standing Orders for Disaster Preparation and Response. – Within one 
(1) year from the effectivity of this Act, the NDRRMC shall formulate and publish 
standing orders for all its member-agencies and their respective field office which shall 
delineate their respective roles and functions and the chain of command during 
disaster preparation and response: Provided, that the standing orders shall take into 
Section 15 of R.A. No 10121. 
 
Sec. 30. Regional Field Offices as Operations Center. – The Regional Field Offices 
shall serve as the Operations Center for all disaster preparation and response 
operations within their jurisdiction. For the purpose of effective coordination, there shall 
be formed a Disaster Response Committee to be composed, as a minimum, of the 
concerned local chief executives and their LDRRMO officers, the Regional Director of 
the RFOs, and such officers as may be assigned by the Secretary. 
 
Sec. 31. Evacuation Centers. – LGUs shall identify and build permanent evacuation 
centers in accordance with standards to be issued by the Department proper to 
minimize the use of schools: Provided, that schools which are used as evacuation 
centers shall be provided with just compensation by the concerned LGU. 
 
Sec. 32. Donations. – The Secretary shall have the power have the power to receive 
donations and grants from any person, government institution, corporation, 
international organization, and other similar entities, and the power to recommend the 
procurement of developmental assistance for the purpose of disaster risk reduction 
and management: Provided, that the Department shall certify the receipt of all DRRM 
donated funds and ensure their judicious management including their proper and 
accurate audit reporting to constituents. 
 
Sec. 33. Procurement. – The declaration of a state of calamity, as defined in R.A. No. 
10121, shall be a sufficient basis for an LGU to undergo negotiated procurement, as 


 
21
defined under R.A. No. 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement 
Reform Act”. 
 
ARTICLE VII 
POST-DISASTER REHABILITATION AND RECOVERY 
Sec. 34. Rehabilitation Committee. – The members of the Disaster Response 
Committee as defined under Sec. 30 of this Act may continue to serve as the 
coordinating committee for disaster rehabilitation and recovery operations. 
 
Sec. 36. Standards for Rehabilitation and Recovery. – The Secretary shall 
promulgate rules and regulations which will set standards for disaster rehabilitation 
operations. Such rules and regulations shall, at the very least: 
a) 
Improve the physical, social and economic resilience of the community, in 
accordance with the principles of "Build Back Better"; 
b) 
Redirect development outside of danger zones; and 
c) 
Maximize the use of Public-Private Partnerships. 
 
ARTICLE VIII 
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION 
Sec. 37. Community Input in Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment. – In conducting pre-
disaster risk assessments, the LDRRMO and BDRRMO shall include interviews and 
consultations with local communities in order to identify their vulnerabilities, Such 
consultations shall complement data gathered from data-oriented pre-disaster risk 
assessments and shall be incorporated in the formulation of all disaster risk reduction 
and management plans on the local and national levels. 
 
Sec. 38. Volunteers. – The Department proper and the RFOs shall provide training in 
first aid, disaster management and leadership in times of disasters. Individuals who 
complete such training shall be deputized by the Department and considered as 
partners in disaster management who shall have the following responsibilities: 
a) 
Directly receive early warning messages from the Department and disseminate 
the same to their communities; 
b) 
Mobilize their communities away from vulnerable areas; 


 
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c) 
Disseminate the provisions of this Act as well as its corresponding rules and 
regulations to local communities; 
d) 
Conduct interviews and consultations with local communities on their satisfaction 
with the DRRM programs, activities and policies of the government; 
e) 
Provide first aid when necessary; and 
f) 
Aid the government in distributing goods and maintaining order during disaster 
response and rehabilitation operations. 
 
ARTICLE IX 
RESOURCES FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT 
Sec. 39. Human Resources for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. – The 
department proper shall provide grants and other forms of support for individuals who 
study and complete courses in disaster risk reduction and management: Provided, that 
individuals shall render disaster risk reduction and management service for at least 
two (2) years in a community determined by the Department proper. 
 
Sec. 40. The NDRRM Fund. – At least three per cent (3%) of all estimated regular 
government revenues shall be set aside for the NDRRM Fund to be used for the 
purposes identified under Section 22 of R.A. No. 10121. The NDRRM fund shall not 
be reduced, transferred, realigned, or used for purposes other than those identified 
under R.A. No. 10121. 
 
ARTICLE X 
MISCELLANEOUS AND FINAL PROVISIONS 
Sec. 41. Transition Period. – The transfer of functions, assets, funds, equipment, 
properties, transactions, assets, funds, properties transactions and personnel of the 
affected agencies, and the formulation of the internal organic structure, staffing 
pattern, operating and revised budget of the Department, shall be completed within six 
(6) months from the effectivity of this Act, during which time the existing personnel 
shall continue to assume their posts in holdover capacities until new appointments are 
issued. 
 
Sec. 42. Separation from Service. – Employees separated from the service as a 
result of this reorganization shall, within six (6) months from their separation from the 


 
23
service, receive the retirement benefits to which they may be entitled under existing 
laws, rules and regulations. 
 
Sec. 43. Prohibited Acts. – The following Acts shall be prohibited: 
a) 
Dereliction of duties which leads to destruction, loss of lives, critical damage of 
facilities and misuse of funds; 
b) 
Preventing the entry and distribution of relief goods in disaster-stricken areas, 
including appropriate technology, tools, equipment, accessories, disaster 
teams/experts; 
c) 
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; 
d) 
Buying, for consumption or resale, from the recipient disaster affected persons 
any relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities received by them; 
e) 
Selling of relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities which are intended 
for distribution to disaster victims; 
f) 
Forcibly seizing relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities intended for or 
consigned to a specific group of victims or relief agency; 
g) 
Diverting or mis delivery of relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities to 
persons other than the rightful recipient or consignee; 
h) 
Accepting, possessing, using or disposing relief goods, equipment or other aid 
commodities not intended for nor consigned to him/her; 
i) 
Misrepresenting the source of relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities 
by: 
1) 
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; 
2) 
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 
or persons; or 
3) 
Making false verbal claim that the goods, equipment or other and 
commodity m its untampered original containers actually came from 


 
24
another agency or persons or was released upon the instance of a 
particular agency or persons; 
j) 
Substituting or replacing relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities with 
the same items or inferior/cheaper quality; 
k) 
Illegal solicitations by persons or organizations representing others as defined in 
the standards and guidelines set by the Authority 
l) 
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; and 
m) 
Tampering with or stealing hazard monitoring and disaster preparedness 
equipment and paraphernalia. 
 
Sec. 44. Penal Clause. – Any individual, corporation, partnership, association, or 
other juridical entity that commits any of the prohibited acts provided for in the 
preceding section shall be prosecuted and upon conviction shall suffer a fine of not 
less than one hundred thousand pesos (Php 100,000.00) or any amount not to exceed 
seven hundred fifty thousand pesos (Php 750,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than 
six (6) years and one (1) day or more than twelve (12) years, or both, at the discretion 
of the court, including perpetual disqualification from public office if the offender is a 
public officer, and confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the government of the objects 
and the instrumentalities used in committing any of herein prohibited acts. 
 
Sec. 45. Appropriations. – The amount needed for the initial implementation of this 
Act shall be taken from the current fiscal year's appropriation of the NDRRMC, OCD, 
and all agencies herein transferred to the Department as well. Thereafter, the amount 
needed for the operation and maintenance of the Authority shall be included in the 
General Appropriations Act. 
Sec. 46. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The members of the NDRRMC 
shall within sixty (60) days form the effectivity of this Act the implementing rules and 
regulations necessary for its effective implementation. 
 
Sec. 47. Repealing Clause. – Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 19, and 20 of R.A. No. 10121 
are hereby repealed. The provisions of R.A. No. 10121 not expressly repealed in this 
section shall remain in full force and effect: Provided, that all references to the 


 
25
NDRRMC and OCD shall be understood to refer to the Department, unless otherwise 
provided in this Act. 
All other decrees, laws, executive orders, proclamations and administrative 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are likewise 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.  
 
Sec. 48. Separability Cause. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force 
and effect. 
 
Sec. 49. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
 
Approved,