Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila 1

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2995

HOUSE BILL NO.

introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Philippines is considered as one of the nation’s most “at risk” of being struck by
disasters due to its geographic location.’ Being along the Typhoon Belt. An average of 20
typhoons pass through the Philippines every year. Out of the 20. five are destructive.’ Also,
being situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire, it is vulnerable to frequent earthquakes and
volcanic eruptions. Due to its geographic features and environment, it is also highly

susceptible to tsunami, sea level rise, storm surges, landslides, and flash floods.”

ice the PI

s ippines frequently experiences various natural disasters and calamities,
there is a need to strengthen and enhance the country’s readiness and response mechanisms.
One of such mechanisms is the provision of temporary shelters or evacuation centers in order

to deal with the displaced population affected by the natural disaster or calamity. At times of

calamities, some families and individuals suffer the destruction of their homes. Some have to
abandon or evacuate their homes for safety. ‘Thus, temporary shelters must be readily

iduals affected by natural

available to accommodate mass displacement of families and indi

disasters or calamities.

Center,
internal

Disaster-Induced Internal Displacement In ‘The Philippines. Internal Displacement Monitorin
Retrieved July 8. 2022, trom hutps:/www.nternal-displucement.org/publicationvdisaster-induce
displacement-in-the-philippines
2 “Tropical — Cyclone mation.  PAGASA. — Retrieved July 82022, wm
!huips:/\www pagusa dost gov. phclimate/tropical-eyelone-information
> information on Disaster Risk Reduction of the Member Countries: The Philippines. Asian Disuster Reduction
Center, Retrieved July 8 2022, from
putpsi//\w ww adre.asia/nationin formation php?NationCode=6088tI ang=en&NationNum=l4



This bill seeks to provide for the implementation of an effective and efficient system

for the designation of community shelters which shall serve as evacuation centers in times of

natural disasters. calamities and other emergencies.

In view of the foregoing. the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRI
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2995

Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE DESIGNATION OF COMMUNITY SHELTERS IN TIMES.
OF NATURAL DI ERS, CALAMITIES AND OTHER EMERGENCIES,

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 “Community Shelter

Act!

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared as the policy of the government
to strengthen and enhance the country’s readiness and response mechanisms for disasters and
protect the welfare of displaced populations. Pursuant to this, the government. shall
implement an effective and efficient system for the designation of community shelters which
shall serve as evacuation centers in times of natural disasters, calamities and other

emergencies.

SEC. 3. Designation of Community Shelters. — \n all cities and municipalities, the
Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC), in coordination with
the Office of the City/Municipal Engineer or the Office of the Building Official, is hereby
mandated to designate and establish as community shelters all suitable government buildin;
and spaces, including but not limited to, gymnasiums. convention centers. multi-purpose

halls. covered courts. government warehouses. and other similar spacious structures.

Vhe National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), in
consultation with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of
Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other relevant
government agencies, shall formulate the guidelines on what will be considered as buildings
and structures suitable for designation as community shelters.


C. 4. Use of Classrooms and School Buildings ay Community Shelters. ~ The
designation of classrooms and school buildings shall only be done in the last resort, when it is
conclusively determined by the LDRRMC that no other buildings or structures qualify as
xelters or that there is a lack thereof, If'so designated, the local government units
community shelters shall not disrupt, or

community
shall adopt measures to ensure that its utilization
shall cause the least disruption, to the conduct of classes. Designation of classrooms and
school buildings as community shelters shall be done in coordination with the Department of
Education Schools Division exercising jurisdiction over the affected schools, Pursuant to this,
spaces and structures in school not regularly or constantly used for the conduct of classes,
such as school gyms, auditoriums, audio-visual rooms, multi-purpose halls. open spaces in
libraries, laboratories and faculty rooms, etc.. shall be prioritized for designation and
utilization as community shelters.

SEC. 5. List of Community Shelters. ~The LDRRMC shall draw up a complete list
of designated community shelters within the locality under its jurisdiction. Such list shall be
submitted to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and to the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Master lists in the provincial
and national level shall then be drawn up. The list for every city or municipality shall be
made available to all barangays, neighborhood or homeowners associations,
building/condominium administrators, and other people’s organizations.

SEC. 6. Information Dissemination, — he dissemination of information through
multiple communication channels concerning community shelters shall be the primary
responsibility of the city or municipal government where the calamity or emergency occurs.
In case of province-wide calamities or emergencies or those involving two or more cities or
municipalities within a province, information dissemination shall be the responsibility of both
the cities and/or municipalities concerned and the provincial government.

When the above local governments are rendered incapacitated to adequately fulfill
this function, the national government shall intervene and undertake to perform the same.

Information dissemination shall cover the entire period before, during and after the
calamity or emergency.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act. the National Disaster Risk Reduc
(NDRRMC), in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),
Department of Health (DOH). Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and
other relevant government agencies shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to
implement the provisions of this Act.

on and Management Council

SEC. 8 Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, rules and regulations, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.



SEC. 9. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision ot part of this Act. or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid. the remainder of
this Act shall not be affected thereby.

SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause, ~ ‘This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,