S” RECEIVED “2
owe 13. 2018

Republic of the Philippines 3
ae

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1400

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast. Abayon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This bill will allow us to establish a centralized effort to study the effects of flooding and
how best to prepare and respond to each flood-related catastrophe. This measure was previously
filed by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago in the 15 Congress. Passage of this Bill is eamestly

sought now in the 16" Congress

FES

HARLIN CAST. ABAYON
Representative
First District of Northem Samar


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

nouse pitno.__ 1400

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast. Abayon

ANACT
TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL FLOOD RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
CONSORTIUM TO PLAN, COORDINATE, CONDUCT, AND SHARE RESEARCH ON
FLOODING, FLOOD PREVENTION, AND OTHER FLOOD-RELATED ISSUES, 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 National Flood Research and Education
Act.

SECTION 2, Establishment - There is hereby established within the National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) an Office of Flood Research and Policy
(OFRP) which shall be headed by a Director.

SECTION 3. Duties - The Director of the OFRP shall -

(A) make recommendations and identify best practices for predicting, preventing,
and minimizing flooding and its effects in accordance with Section 4;

(B) submit to Congress an annual report in accordance with subsection (4);

(C) establish and maintain a page on the public NDRRMC website in accordance

with subsection (e); and

SECTION 4, Best Practices - The Director, in consultation with the NDRRMC, taking into
consideration the regional differences in hydrology, weather, geography, economy, and
population density across the country, shall develop recommendations and identify best practices
for predicting. preventing, and minimizing flooding and its effects, including-

(A) risk-assessment tools, methods, and models:
(B) strategies and techniques for monitoring and predicting Flooding:
(C) strategies and techniques for flood management and prevention;


(D) the adoption and use of relevant technologies:
(E) National, regional, and local Flood policies: and
(F) coordination and cooperation among local, national flood-related efforts

SECTION 5. Report. - The Director shall submit to Congress an annual report on the activities of
the Office and the Consortium. The OFRP shall establish and maintain a page within the public
NDRRMC web site in which it shall publish the recommendations and best practices described
in Section 4 and the annual report as provided in this section. The OFRP shall also provide the
local government units (LGUs) versions of the report which particularly applies to them.

SECTION 6. Granis to Institutions of Higher Education. - To aid the Director in performing his
functions, the OFRP may extend research grants to institutions of higher education who are
capable of conducting research on flooding, flood prevention and other flood related issues. The
OFRP shall ensure that the said grants are used for their designated purpose

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees. orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason. any provision of this Act is declared to be
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby
shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.