EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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SENATE 
S. No. 1409
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P4'-10
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Introduced by Senator Francis "Tol" N. Tolentino
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING SPECIAL MECHANISMS FOR ACTIVE VOLCANO 
AREAS AND MANDATING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO DESIGNATE 
VOLCANIC DISASTER EMERGENCY AREAS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines belongs to the Pacific Ring of Fire and sits between the 
boundaries of two tectonic plates—the Phiippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate— 
among other several microplates, leaving it vulnerable to volcanism and earthquake 
activity. At present, there are twenty-four (24) volcanoes across the country classified 
by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) as active within 
the last 600 years while more than 300 volcanoes are classified as inactive.
The history of volcanic eruptions in the Philippines is long and rich, with 
eruptions of active volcanoes dating back to as early as the 1600s. Mt. Pinatubo's 
eruption in 1991 is considered one of the most cataclysmic modern day volcanic 
eruptions in the country, killing more than 700 people and costing as much as Php36 
billion in damages. Meanwhile, Mayon Volcano, dubbed to be the most active among 
those monitored by PHIVOLCS, violently erupted last 2018 and continues to spurt 
smoke and fire to date. In January 2020, Taal Volcano's seismic activities sent Luzon 
reeling after surrounding provinces experienced strong tremors, heavy ash fall and 
hard rain of rock particles. Economic analysts have already predicted that the Taal


Volcano eruption would risk the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, 
pushing the inflation rate to 3%.
The cost of a volcanic eruption is steep, it not only results in property damage 
and stalled public utilities, businesses or industries, but also adversely affects the 
tourism and agriculture sectors. In the social development spectrum, health concerns, 
disrupted education and internal displacement are also some of the resulting issues.
Yet despite the reaiity that volcanic eruptions are an ever looming hazard, given 
that their occurrence and magnitude are hard to predict, the Philippines still does not 
have a standard protocol for volcanic eruptions. The Department of Interior and Local 
Government (DILG) has created a manual (Operation Listo) for Local Government 
Units (LGUs) responding to typhoons and other weather systems, however, this does 
not provide emergency operations that are responsive to the needs of the provinces 
uniquely affected by volcanic unrest.
In other countries such as Japan, Indonesia and the United States, 
comprehensive volcanic eruption plans, which covers detailed warning systems, public 
education, convening of stakeholders and identification of safe zones, are in place. 
Japan in particular, has a specific legislation called the "Act on Special Measures 
Against Active Volcanoes" (Act no. 61 of 1948) for their nation-wide volcano eruption 
protocol, identifying specific operations to be carried out. It also has a Volcanic Alert 
Levels system, which provides the areas that must be warned and the responses that 
should be taken by stakeholders for the volcano's current state of unrest. Prior to this, 
they foilow a "Disaster prevention countermeasures corresponding to specific volcanic 
information" scheme wherein before a volcanic anomaly occurs, stakeholders meet 
and make projections of eruption scenarios based on the volcano's past history and 
hazardous areas which will serve as basis for their disaster response.
Meanwhile in the Philippines, the only existing volcanic eruption protocol is that 
of Albay's. Albay has focused on data gathering and management of information 
durkig previous Mayon Volcano eruption operations to identify evacuation centers and 
much needed relief goods; they also conduct regular volcanic eruption drills to 
simulate different scenarios in barangays. More importantly, LGUs in Albay maintain


active engagement with the affected communities and consult experts such as 
PHIVOLCS and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Now therefore, to strengthen the emergency response system of LCDs during 
volcanic unrest, this bill aims to provide the following:
A) The creation of a standardized framework for volcanic eruption 
monitoring, warning and mitigation through special protocols drawn 
from international practice;
B) The designation of volcanic disaster emergency areas by LCDs, wherein 
each hazard area has a corresponding response action plan; and
C) The identification of specific activities and operations to be carried out 
by different stakeholders.
Ultimately, LGUs have the technical knowledge of the topography, industries, 
and demographics of their jurisdictions. They also possess the expertise to determine 
the very needs of their constituents, as well as the threats to their security following 
a volcanic eruption. For this reason, LGUs should be given proper guidance in 
mitigating such risks and increasing efficiency of disaster operations. Considering the 
foregoing, the immediate enactment of this bill is respectfully requested.
OL" N. TOLENTINO


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. No. 1409
Senate
Wuf ot t!){ ifct trftRrj)
20 MARIO P4:10
RECEIVE®
Introduced by Senator Francis "Tol" N. Tolentino
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AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING SPECIAL MECHANISMS FOR ACTIVE VOLCANO 
AREAS AND MANDATING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO DESIGNATE 
VOLCANIC DISASTER EMERGENCY AREAS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Special Mechanisms for 
Active Volcano Areas Act."
Sec. 2. State Policy. The State recognizes the vulnerability of the country to 
natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions, and the socio-economic issues that arise 
during such calamities.
The State likewise affirms the importance of Local Government Units (LGUs) in 
disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response, having the most knowledge 
regarding the terrain, routes, residents and other vital information for disaster 
management within their jurisdiction.
As such, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to foster a spirit of 
cooperation and shared responsibility among national government agencies and local 
government units in disaster preparedness and management.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of the Act, the following terms shall
mean:


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a) Alert Levels - A system that defines the current status of a volcano which is
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used as a guide to making the appropriate response. The levels usually range
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from level 1 to 5.
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b) Volcanic Disaster Emergency Areas - Areas at immediate risk of serious damage
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or destruction from volcanic activity.
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c) Hazard Zones - Areas at risk of damage from volcanic activity.
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d) Safe Refuge Zones - Areas that will not be seriously affected by volcanic activity
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which may be turned into evacuation centers.
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Sec. 4. Scope and Limitations. This Act shall be limited in scope, application
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and effectivity to disaster monitoring, mitigation, and emergency response
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mechanisms for active volcanoes in the country.
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Sec. 5. Nationai Voicano Eariy Warning and Monitoring System. A system, to
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be known as the "National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System" shall be
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established to monitor, warn, and protect citizens of the Philippines from undue and
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avoidable harm from volcanic activity.
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A) Communication of Alert Levels - Alert levels issued by the Philippine Institute
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of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) shall require mandatory action by
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stakeholders at certain alert levels, to increase the effectiveness of disaster
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mitigation by both the government and communities. Likewise, the LGUs
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affected shall implement policies, communication strategies and actions for
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disaster preparedness are tied to each level. LGUs shall simplify translate the
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alert levels and the corresponding mandatory actions to the language or dialect
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that can be understood by their constituents.
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B) Modernization Activities - Modernization activities shall include the
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comprehensive application of emerging technologies, real time continuous
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Global Positioning System receivers, airborne radars, acoustic sensors,
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spectrometry to measure gas emissions, and other such relevant technologies.
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A grants program to support advanced research in volcano monitoring
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science and technology shall be established.
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Sec. 6. Designation of Voicanic Disaster Emergency Areas. In coordination with
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the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), PHIVOLCS
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and other concerned agencies, the LGUs vulnerable to volcanic unrest shall jointly


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designate the primary Volcanic Disaster Emergency Areas where rescue and relief
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operations shall be carried out. A comprehensive mapping of hazard zones, including
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the identification of safe refuge zones, evacuation routes and assembly points shall
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also be developed. Planning for the inter-province traffic control, the evacuation
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transport and shelter accommodation of persons and animals shall also be established.
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Pursuant to the designation of emergency areas, the following infrastructures
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and establishments may be used by LGUs:
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A) Public Infrastructures - The use of gymnasiums, convention centers, multi-
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purpose halls, covered courts, government warehouses, and other similar
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spacious structures as evacuation centers during emergencies and disasters.
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B) Commercial Establishments - The utilization of private or commercial buildings,
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such as but not limited to schools, shopping malls, restaurants, warehouses, as
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evacuation centers or safe zones, provided that just compensation in the form
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of rentals, from the local government unit or the national government in case
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of incapacity of the former, for the use of such private institutions shall be made
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after such emergency utilization.
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Sec. 7. Special Measures. The following measures shall be adopted to
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standardize nation-wide protocol for active volcano eruptions:
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A) Survey and Inventory - The LGUs concerned shall gather and collate an updated
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census of the population in each hazard zone; a survey of utilities and public
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infrastructure affected; and a register of valuable real and personal property
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therein. Such surveys and inventories shall be updated from time to time to
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ensure smooth evacuation and rehabilitation operations.
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B) Stakeholder Responsibilities - For the prompt and efficient execution of
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evacuation and rescue operations, aid delivery, and rehabilitation efforts, LGUs
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shall determine vital stakeholders that could be called upon during volcanic
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unrest. Specific activities and operations for each stakeholder in the different
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hazard zones shall be designated by the LGUs, in coordination with the
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NDRRMC. More importantly, medical assistance and engineering services that
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could be utilized shall also be identified.


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The specific operations of each stakeholder shall be laid out and
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communicated to the public in order to facilitate coordination regarding
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evacuation, rescue and relief operations.
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The sequence of the emergency and recovery activities that will be
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executed during a threat and impact of a volcanic eruption shall be determined
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by the LGUs in order to optimize resources and increase effectiveness of
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response.
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C) Permanent Public Awareness Campaign - A permanent public awareness
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campaign on the hazards of volcanic eruptions and disaster risk reduction
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procedures shall be designed and implemented by the LGUs concerned, taking
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into account the special needs of different communities, such as the
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marginalized, the indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities. Information
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on volcanic risks and measures taken if the threat of eruption is present in the
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area shall be simplified and made available in a language or dialect understood
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by the citizens therein.
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Teaching volcanic hazards as part of the regular school curriculum shall
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be mandatory for provinces or municipalities directly affected by volcanic
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eruptions and routine evacuation simulation drills or exercises shall be
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conducted by the LGUs as often as practicable.
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D) Ash Clean Up - Public utilities and live-saving facilities shall be prioritized in
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clean-up operations by the Government, which includes, but is not limited to,
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communication lines, power supply, water systems, medical facilities and road
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networks. Public entry in areas not yet cleared from hazards by the LGU
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authorities shall be restricted.
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LGUs shall designate ash disposal pits and the separation of volcanic ash
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from garbage shall be mandatory to prevent damage to collection vehicles and
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filling up of regular landfills.
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E) Zoning - For structures within the hazard area, repairs or rebuilding may start
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upon the determination, by the proper local authorities, of the viability of the
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area affected by the volcanic eruption. Pertinent zoning measures shall be
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implemented to avoid cyclic evacuation and clearance operations, especially if
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returning to the area is deemed extremely hazardous for human habitation.


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F) Donations - LCDs, in coordination with their corresponding Provincial Disaster
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Risk Reduction Management Offices, the Office of the Civil Defense/NDRRMC
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and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, shall identify proper
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organizations in their localities to receive, record, manage and distribute
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donations for those affected by the volcanic unrest. Provided that a framework
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for this purpose shall be created.
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G) Consultations - LGUs shall regularly engage, coordinate and consult with
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PHIVOLCS and the NDRRMC for relevant and timely transmission of information
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on the current status of the active volcano/es in the area and the possible
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attendant threats such seismic activities pose.
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Sec 8. Appropriations. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this
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Act, shall be charged against the current year's appropriation of the Disaster Risk
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Reduction Management (DRRM) Fund and of other pertinent LGUs. Thereafter, such
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amount as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be
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included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.
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Sec. 9. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. The PHIVOLCS, the DOST, the
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NDRRMC and other concerned government agencies shall formulate and prescribe,
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after public hearing and publication as required by law, the Implementing Rules and
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Regulations in order to carry out the provisions of this Act within 90 days from its
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effectivity.
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Sec. 10. Separabiiity Ciause. If any provision of this Act shall be held
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in
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full force and effect.
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Sec. 11. Repeaiing Ciause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations
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and other executive issuances which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions
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of this Act are hereby amended or repealed accordingly.
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Sec. 12. Effectivity Ciause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following
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its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of
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general circulation.
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Approved,