SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 1078 
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) 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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JUL 23 P 1 :29 
In a National Conference on National Disaster Mitigation, funded by the 
International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR), it was shown that 
Filipinos people are more reactionary than anticipatory in their disaster preparedness 
and hazard awareness programs. The same data indicated that proactive planning to 
anticipate a probable disaster is low in the priorities of a majority of the Philippine 
population, particularly among those of lower brackets. This is primarily because of a 
preoccupation with daily subsistence and survival. 
Ironically, the Philippines is perhaps one of the most disaster-prone countries in 
the world. 
The Philippines' geologic and geographical conditions make it prone to 
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons, tsunami, floods, and droughts. Further, the 
country lies between two major tectonic plates of the world which makes it a highly 
seismic area. 
Every year, an average of twenty typhoons enter the Philippines and frequently 
damage not only properties but the very lives of its citizens. As a consequence, flooding 
due to typhoons causes chronic problems in Metro Manila, particularly so because of 
the inadequate drainage system· in the metro. 
In response to the need to minimize loss of life, damage to property, and other 
socio-economic losses caused by natural disasters and in recognition to the imminent 
need to promote a proactive disaster preparedness program, this proposed measure 
shall integrate in the curricula of all primary and secondary schools a subject on disaster 
awareness and disaster mitigation. 
Such curricula shall include, among others, discussions on natural and man-
made disasters in order to instill disaster awareness and promote active participation of 
the youth, students and society as a whole in disaster preparedness for the benefit of 
the nation. 
~ 
MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPIJlI 
Senator 
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1 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 1078 
) 
) 
) 
i;l'fI,It !' 
<;;)11." "f HI' ":h",br~ 
'13 
JUL 23 P 1 :29 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING THE TEACHING OF DISASTER AWARENESS AND 
DISASTER MITIGATION AS PART OF THE CURRICULUM OF ALL 
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. The teaching of disaster awareness and disaster mitigation is 
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hereby required to be integrated into the curriculum of all primary and secondary 
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schools in the Philippines. 
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SEC. 2. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The Department of 
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Education, Culture and Sports shall adopt the necessary rules and regulations to 
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implement the proVisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 3. 
Appropriations. - The funds needed for this purpose shall be 
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taken from the appropriations of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports 
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(DECS). Thereafter, such amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be 
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included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 4. 
Repealing Clause. -
All laws presidential decrees, executive 
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orders, proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with 
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the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 5. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
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from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
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circulation. 
Approved,