Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC DISASTER RISK 
REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT WORKERS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Even while we work hard to preserve our workforce and other labor sectors, like teachers, 
healthcare workers, engineers, and scientists, an increasing number of individuals perform 
critical and ongoing public service around the clock. Unfortunately, the Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management (DRRM) Employees received little attention, acknowledgment, 
or care.  
Being the legislative backbone of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils 
from the National to Local levels and the Office of Civil Defense since the enactment of 
Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 
2010, to secure the safety of the DRRM Employees, legislative action has been taken. 
The demand of our DRRM Workers for welfare benefits or at the very least hazard pay 
assistance has never been louder or more present, especially among those at the local level 
who continue to perform their duties as frontline responders in times of disaster, even during 
the current pandemic, in light of our country's constant exposure to threats from almost all 
types of hazards, the wake of recent disasters, and the challenges of the COVID-19. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
March 24, 2023
8:50 am
7778


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
______________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC DISASTER RISK 
REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT WORKERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta for Public Disaster 
Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Workers". 
SECTION 2. Statement of Policy. – It shall be the policy of the State to: 
a) Uphold the people's constitutional rights to life and property by addressing the root
causes of vulnerabilities to disasters, strengthening the country's institutional capacity for 
disaster risk reduction and management, and building the resilience of local communities 
to disasters including climate change impacts; 
b) Recognize and strengthen the capacities of Local Government Units (LGUs) and
communities in mitigating, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the impact 
of hazards and disasters; and 
c) Enhance the implementation of RA 10121, otherwise known as the “Philippine Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010” by enacting measures with special 
reference to the welfare of all Public DRRM Workers in the country. 
Towards this end, this Act aims to: 
a) Promote and improve socio-economic and psychological well-being of Public DRRM
Workers, through the improvement of working conditions, environment and terms of 
employment; 
b) Promote the development of skills and capabilities of Public DRRM Workers for them to
be more responsive and be better equipped for the delivery of DRRM services and 
programs; and 
c) Encourage those with proper qualifications and excellent abilities to join and remain in
7778


 
the government service and DRRM profession. 
 
SECTION 3. Definition. - For purposes of this Act, "Public DRRM Workers" refers to 
all persons who are engaged in the performance of duties covering any or all Thematic Pillars 
of 
DRRM- Prevention and Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Rehabilitation and 
Recovery- 
employed by the government or any of its political subdivisions, instrumentalities, or 
agencies. 
The Public DRRM Worker may either be civilian personnel engaged in a permanent, 
temporary, 
contractual, or casual employment or a Public DRRM Worker engaged through a Contract of 
Service (CoS) and Job Order (JO) and such other appointments, so long as their position or 
designation or actual work performed involves government service work and those functions 
provided under Section 5 of this Act. 
 
SECTION 4. Certification. – The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
Council (NDRRMC), shall be the certifying body to oversee the following: (i) That the DRRM 
functions or activities of an agency or LGU are authorized by law and/or proper authority; (ii) 
The positions are part of the authorized staffing of the organizational units performing the 
DRRM functions; and (iii) Monitor that the incumbents thereof are actually engaged in DRRM 
work. 
 
SECTION 5. Classification of DRRM Activities. – The following DRRM activities shall 
be classified according to the risks involved based on the nature of work or location that they 
are 
working in: 
a) Low Risk DRRM Activities- DRRM activities that subject a Public DRRM Worker to 
minimal exposure or lesser degree of occupational risks or perils to life, such as but not 
limited to, regular office or clerical work and those personnel that are not deployed for 
DRRM activities in high-risk areas. 
b) High Risk DRRM Activities- DRRM activities that expose the Public DRRM Worker to 
occupational risks or perils to life, such as but not limited to, search, rescue, and retrieval 
operations, management of the dead and missing, rapid damage needs assessment, post- 
disaster needs assessment, emergency response activities, post-disaster activities, health 
and epidemic/pandemic response operations, and Low Risk DRRM Activities in high- 
risk areas such as those Public DRRM workers deployed in identified activities under the 
different Thematic Pillars and in critical areas that are about to be affected, is affected 
and during the early recovery from natural or human-induced hazards. Such activities 


 
shall also cover those that are to be performed in high-risk areas. 
Low Risk DRRM activities shall be considered as high risk DRRM activities when the 
same is being performed in an affected area or in areas deemed high risk. Provided, that the 
determination of such classification shall be under the discretion of the respective heads of 
agencies concerned. 
 
SECTION 6. Recruitment and Qualification. - Recruitment policy and minimum 
requirements with respect to the selection and appointment and/or assignment of Public 
DRRM 
Workers shall be developed by the NDRRMC in accordance with the policies and standards 
of 
the Civil Service Commission and implemented by the respective agencies concerned: 
provided, 
that in the absence of qualified “eligibles” and it becomes necessary in the public interest to 
fill a 
vacancy, a temporary appointment shall be issued to the person, including persons with 
disability 
(PWD), who meets all the requirements for the position to which he/she is being appointed 
except the appropriate civil service eligibility: provided, further, that such temporary 
appointment shall not exceed twelve (12) months nor be less than three (3) months, 
renewable 
only once thereafter but that the appointee may be replaced sooner if (a) a qualified civil 
service 
eligible becomes available, or (b) the appointee is found wanting in capacity or delivering 
poor 
performance or conduct unbefitting a government employee. 
 
SECTION 7. DRRM Volunteers. – DRRM Volunteers shall not be covered by this Act, 
but shall otherwise be covered by the Guidelines on Accredited Community Disaster 
Volunteers 
(ACDV) and pursuant to Section 9(o) of RA 10121 and its implementing rules and regulations 
issued by the NDRRMC. For those that are not covered by the ACDV Guidelines, their 
respective organizations shall provide ample protection to their personnel-volunteers in 
consonance with the provisions of this Act. 
 
SECTION 8. Non-permanent Public DRRM Workers. – Non-permanent Public DRRM 
Workers engaged by the Government, such as Job Order, Contract of Service personnel, 
and 
consultants may be provided with such welfare benefits under Sections 25, 26, and 32 of this 
Act 


 
in relation to the performance of their duties as premiums thereof should their contracts 
require 
or allow them to provide services that are deemed high risk in nature. Provided, that the Non- 
permanent Public DRRM Worker shall secure a certification from the head of agency or its 
duly 
designated representative that he/she has performed either of the DRRM functions or 
activities as 
provided for under Section 5 of this Act as a requirement to avail such benefits. 
 
SECTION 9. Performance Evaluation and Merit Promotion. – All concerned agencies, 
in consultation under Section 39 of this Act, shall prepare a uniform career and personnel 
development plan applicable to all Public DRRM Workers. Such career and personnel 
development plan shall include provisions on merit promotion, performance evaluation, in- 
service training grants, job rotation, and incentive and award system. 
The performance evaluation plan shall consider foremost the improvement of individual 
employee efficiency and organizational effectiveness: provided, that each employee shall be 
informed regularly by his/her supervisor of his/her performance evaluation. 
The merit promotion plan shall be in consonance with the rules of the Civil Service 
Commission. 
 
SECTION 10. Transfer or Geographical Reassignment of Public DRRM Workers. – 
a) Transfer is the movement of an employee from one organizational unit to another in the 
same department or agency or from one department or agency to another which is of 
equivalent rank, level, or salary without gap in service. On the other hand, Re-assignment 
is a movement of an employee across the organizational structure within the same 
department or agency which does not involve a reduction in rank, level, or salary. A 
transfer requires an issuance of appointment while geographical re-assignment does not. 
b) A Public DRRM Worker shall not be transferred and/or reassigned, except when made in 
the interest of public service, in which case, the employee concerned shall be informed of 
the reasons therefore in writing. If the Public DRRM Worker believes that there is no 
justification for the transfer and/or reassignment, he/she may appeal his/her case to the 
Civil Service Commission. In case of an appeal, the transfer/reassignment shall be held in 
abeyance and shall only take effect if the appeal is denied: provided, that no transfer 
and/or reassignment shall be made for reasons merely of political affiliation; provided 
further, that no transfer and/or reassignment whatsoever shall be made three (3) months 
before and three (3) months after any local or national elections: provided furthermore, 
that the transfer/reassignment of Public DRRM Workers’ nature of work shall remain to 
be DRRM in nature; provided lastly, that the necessary expenses of the transfer and/or 
reassignment of the Public DRRM Worker and his/her immediate family shall be paid for 


 
by the Government. 
 
SECTION 11. Married Public DRRM Workers. - Whenever possible, the proper 
authorities shall take steps to enable married couples, both of whom are Public DRRM 
Workers, 
to be employed or assigned in the same LGU or government agency, but not necessarily in 
the 
same office department or division. 
 
SECTION 12. Security of Tenure. - In case of permanent employment of Public DRRM 
Workers, their services shall not be terminated except for cause provided by law and after 
due 
process: provided, that if a Public DRRM Worker is found by the Civil Service Commission 
to 
be unjustly dismissed from work, he/she shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of 
seniority rights and to his/her back wages with applicable commensurate interest, subject to 
prevailing laws and policies computed from the time his/her compensation was withheld from 
his/her up to the time of reinstatement. 
 
SECTION 13. Protection from Discrimination. – Public DRRM Workers shall be 
protected from discrimination regardless of their sex, age, gender, sexual orientation, race, 
ethnicity, pregnancy, physical disability or characteristics, civil status, creed, religious and 
political beliefs, or any other status in the exercise of his/her profession. Provided, that the 
disability of the Public DRRM Worker shall not limit his/her effective performance of the 
DRRM profession which he/she is hired and/or appointed to. 
 
SECTION 14. Duties and Obligations. - The Public DRRM Worker shall: 
a) Perform his/her duty with utmost respect for life, race, sex, ethnicity, gender, sexual 
orientation, religion, nationality, party policies, and social status; 
b) Discharge his/her duty humanely with conscience and dignity; 
c) Be duty-ready at all times and prepared to be deployed in any kind of emergencies and 
disasters, adhering to all emergency protocols. Provided, that in the event where the 
family of the Public DRRM Worker is directly affected by the disaster, he/she shall first 
ensure their safety and well-being; 
d) Be properly trained and proficient in his/her assigned position and tasks; 
e) Always endeavor to maintain a level of health and fitness consistent with the demands of 
the DRRM profession; 
f) Actively participate in all in-service training, drills, and simulation exercises that will 
enhance his/her capacity in performing his functions as a Public DRRM Worker; 


 
g) Be familiar with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, Contingency Plans, 
and Public Service Continuity Plan of the agency or LGU to which they are employed or 
engaged and contribute in their Occupational Safety and Health efforts; 
h) Conduct needs assessment as part of risk reduction and planning; 
i) Not consume liquor or any substances, legal or illegal, prior or while in the performance 
of duties that could impair his/her vigilance or judgement; 
j) Maintain an in-depth understanding of the emergency and DRRM procedures; 
k) Practice utmost safety and diligence in the performance of duty; and 
l) Always adhere that Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is first and foremost the most 
essential and that the same saves lives. 
 
SECTION 15. Code of Conduct. - Within six (6) months from the approval of this Act, 
the NDRRMC, upon consultation with the appropriate agencies and instrumentalities of the 
government, and appropriate DRRM worker’s organizations, shall formulate and prepare a 
Code 
of Conduct for Public DRRM Workers, in consonance with Republic Act No. 6714 or the 
“Code 
of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees”, which shall be 
disseminated as widely as possible. 
 
SECTION 16. Administrative Charges. - Administrative charges against a DRRM 
Worker shall be heard by a committee created by the agency/office where the Public DRRM 
Worker belongs pursuant to the existing “Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil 
Service (RRACCS)”. The committee shall submit its findings and recommendations to the 
head 
of agency/office within thirty (30) days from the termination of the hearings. 
The Committee shall be appointed by the Head of Agency or LGU and shall be composed 
of seven (7) members, including the Chairperson. It shall be composed of the following: 
a) Second highest ranking official, for NGAs, or Vice-Mayor for LGUs, or Vice-Governor 
for Provincial Level, as its Chairperson; 
b) The Head of Human Resource as its Vice-Chairperson; 
c) One (1) Division Chief with a salary grade of not lower than 22; 
d) Two (2) Section Chiefs or employees with salary grade of not lower than 18; 
e) One (1) representative from a recognized Public DRRM Worker’s association or its 
equivalent, provided, that the said representative also belongs to the agency, in the 
absence thereof, an employee with a salary grade of not lower than 18; and 
f) One (1) representative from the legal section or division, or its equivalent. 
The Head of Office may reorganize the composition of the Committee in such cases 


where one or more members of the Committee is/are the interested party or in cases 
necessary to 
discharge the functions of the Committee, such as when the prescribed composition of the 
Committee cannot be met due to insufficiency, unavailability, or absence of the position, rank, 
or 
office in the agency. In such case, the Head of Office shall exercise diligence in choosing the 
members in accordance with their ranks or functions consistent with the prescribed 
composition. 
SECTION 17. Legal Support. – Public DRRM Workers shall be exempted from any 
liability as to damage to any property or injury to a person caused in the direct performance 
of 
their duty relative to disaster or emergency response and other related activities where the 
same 
is necessary in order to save lives or properties, in accordance with Art. 11, par. 5 of the 
Revised 
Penal Code and/or other applicable laws and issuances. In any case, however, the Public 
DRRM 
Worker shall be afforded with appropriate assistance by their respective agency or LGU 
concerned in view that any conflict that may arise shall be resolved amicably or extra-
judicially 
through commensurate and peaceful means. 
In cases where injury or death is involved and a case has been filed against the Public 
DRRM Worker, he/she shall be afforded with all possible legal assistance by the Agency or 
LGU 
concerned. Provided, that it is established by the Public DRRM Worker, through a Sworn 
Affidavit, that the injury or death caused is in direct connection of his/her duty, without any 
criminal or malicious intent. 
SECTION 18. Safeguards in Disciplinary Procedures. - In every disciplinary 
proceeding, the Public DRRM Worker shall have: 
a) the right to be informed, in writing, of the charges;
b) the right to full access to the evidence in the case;
c) the right to defend himself/herself and to be defended by a representative of his/her
choice and/or by his/her organization, with adequate time given to the Public DRRM 
Worker for the preparation of his/her defense; 
d) the right to confront witnesses presented against him/her and summon witnesses in
his/her behalf; 
e) the right to appeal to designated authorities;
f) the right to reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in his/her defense in case of


 
exoneration or dismissal of the charges; and 
g) such other rights as will ensure fairness and impartiality during proceedings. 
 
SECTION 19. Normal Hours of Work. - The normal hours of work of any Public DRRM 
Worker shall not exceed eight (8) hours a day or forty (40) hours a week. 
Hours worked shall include: a) all the time during which a Public DRRM Worker is 
required to be on active duty or to be at a prescribed workplace; and b) all the time during 
which 
a Public DRRM Worker is placed in On-Call status; provided, that, a Public DRRM Worker 
particularly placed in "On Call" status shall be entitled to an "On Call" pay equivalent to fifty 
percent (50%) of his/her regular wage. Provided, further, that no Public DRRM Worker shall 
be 
placed “On-Call” status beyond seven (7) days per month. 
"On Call" status refers to a status where a Public DRRM Worker not on active duty is 
called upon to respond to urgent or immediate need for response-related activities relative to 
emergencies such that he/she cannot devote the time for his/her own use. 
 
SECTION 20. Overtime Work. - Where the exigencies of the service so require, any 
Public DRRM Worker may be required to render service beyond the normal eight (8) hours 
a 
day. In such a case, the workers shall be paid an additional compensation in accordance 
with 
existing laws and prevailing practices. Provided, that such compensation shall be subject to 
the 
same rates, conditions, and limitations applicable to qualified government personnel 
provided 
under relevant issuances of Civil Service Commission (CSC) – Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM). 
 
SECTION 21. Work During Rest Day. - 
a) Where a Public DRRM Worker is made to work on his/her scheduled rest day, he/she 
shall be paid an additional compensation in accordance with existing laws. 
b) Where a Public DRRM Worker is made to work on any special holiday he/she shall be 
paid an additional compensation in accordance with existing laws. Where such holiday 
work falls on the worker's scheduled rest day, he/she shall be entitled to an additional 
compensation as may be provided by existing laws. 
 
SECTION 22. Night-Shift Differential. – 
a) Every Public DRRM Worker shall be paid a night-shift differential of ten percent (10%) 
of his/her regular wage for each hour of work performed during the night-shifts. 


 
b) Every Public DRRM Worker required to work on the period covered after his/her regular 
schedule shall be entitled to his/her regular wage plus the regular overtime rate and an 
additional amount of ten percent (10%) of such overtime rate for each hour of work 
performed between ten (10) o'clock in the evening to six (6) o'clock in the morning. 
 
SECTION 23. Salaries. - In the determination of the salary scale of Public DRRM 
Workers, the existing applicable law on the salary scheme of government employees shall 
govern. 
a) Salary Scale for Local Public DRRM Worker. - The salary scales of Public DRRM 
Workers whose salaries are appropriated by a municipality, city, or provincial 
government shall be based on the salary schedule being implemented by the LGU 
concerned; 
b) Salaries to be Paid in Legal Tender - Salaries of Public DRRM Workers shall be paid in 
legal tender of the Philippines or the equivalent in checks or treasury warrants: provided, 
however, that such checks or treasury warrants shall be convertible to cash in any 
national, provincial, city or municipal treasurers' office or any banking institution 
operating under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines. 
c) Deductions Prohibited - No person shall make any deduction whatsoever from the 
salaries of Public DRRM Workers except under specific provision of law authorizing 
such deductions: provided, however, that upon written authority executed by the Public 
DRRM Worker concerned, a) lawful dues or fees owing to any organization/ association 
where such Public DRRM Worker is an officer or member; and b) premiums properly 
due all insurance policies, retirement and medicare shall be considered deductible. 
 
SECTION 24. Additional Compensation. - Notwithstanding Section 12 of Republic Act 
No. 6758 also known as the “Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989”, Public 
DRRM Workers shall receive the following allowances: hazard allowance, subsistence 
allowance, reimbursement of allowable communication expense, longevity pay, laundry 
allowance, and quarters allowance. 
 
SECTION 25. Hazard Allowance. - As provided under Section 5 of this Act, Public 
DRRM Workers, who are exposed to high risks or perils to life in the performance of their 
duties 
and responsibilities, shall be compensated with hazard allowance equivalent to not 
exceeding 
twenty-five (25%) of their daily basic salary, and at least five percent (5%) for Public DRRM 
Workers exposed in low-risk activities when deployed to or are working in affected areas. 
Provided, that Public DRRM Workers under low risk DRRM activities shall be eligible to avail 
an increase hazard allowance equivalent to that of high risk DRRM Workers in the event that 


 
they are called to perform or are deployed for a limited period to high-risk DRRM activities, 
subject to appropriate computation of days rendered. The determination of the compensation 
of 
Hazard Allowance shall be based on the actual working days of exposure of the Public DRRM 
Worker to any given risks or perils to life. 
 
SECTION 26. Transportation, Communication, and Subsistence Allowance. - Public 
DRRM Workers who are required to render service in the field during emergencies and 
disasters 
in order to make their services available at any and all times, shall be entitled to full 
subsistence 
allowance of three (3) meals which may be computed in accordance with prevailing 
circumstances. Provided, that, no subsistence allowance shall be given in the event where 
the 
concerned agency has already prescribed meals for the Public DRRM Worker. 
Public DRRM workers required to report outside of their regular workstations other than 
responding to disasters or emergencies shall be entitled to such transportation and travel 
expenses pursuant E.O No. 77. S, 2019 or other existing budgeting, accounting and auditing 
guidelines as well as reimbursement of allowable communication expenses. 
 
SECTION 27. Longevity Pay. - A monthly longevity pay equivalent to five percent (5%) 
of the monthly basic pay shall be paid to a Public DRRM Worker for every five (5) years of 
continuous, efficient, and meritorious services rendered as certified by the chief of office 
concerned, commencing with the Public DRRM Worker’s service upon the effectivity of this 
Act. 
Those entitled to Longevity Pay can no longer avail of the Step Increment benefit due to 
length of service. 
 
SECTION 28. Laundry Allowance. – All Public DRRM Workers who are required to 
wear uniforms regularly shall be entitled to laundry allowance equivalent to One Hundred 
Fifty 
Pesos (Php 150) per month: provided, that this rate shall be reviewed periodically and 
increased 
accordingly by the NDRRMC in consultation with the appropriate government agencies 
concerned taking into account existing laws and prevailing practices. 
 
SECTION 29. Housing. - All Public DRRM Workers who are on tour of duty and those 
who, because of unavoidable circumstances are forced to stay in their offices, shall be 
entitled to 


 
free living quarters within the office, or if such quarters are not available, shall receive 
quarters 
allowance as may be determined by their respective agencies. 
A qualified Public DRRM Worker who has no residence within a fifty (50) kilometer 
radius from such government facility or deployment area shall be granted quarters allowance 
at 
the local room rental rate in the area until free living quarters are available. 
 
SECTION 30. Medical, Mental, and Psychosocial Examination. - Compulsory medical, 
mental, and psychosocial examination shall be provided free of charge to all Public DRRM 
Workers before entering the service in the Government or its subdivisions and shall be 
repeated 
once a year during the tenure of employment of all Public DRRM Workers and every after 
deployment of Public DRRM Workers for more than three (3) days to seven (7) days in high-
risk 
areas, as may be determined by the agency where the Public DRRM Worker belongs: 
provided, 
that where medical examination shows that medical treatment, mental, or psychosocial 
intervention, and/or hospitalization is necessary for those already in government service, the 
treatment and/or hospitalization including medicines shall be provided free either in a 
government or a private hospital by the government entity paying the salary of the Public 
DRRM 
Worker: provided, further, that the cost of such medical examination and treatment shall be 
determined by the respective agency who the Public DRRM Worker is engaged with and 
such 
amount be subject to process of the agency. 
In cases of extreme exposure to a traumatic experience while rendering DRRM Work, the 
agency shall, aside from those that are provided for above, provide necessary support for 
the 
rehabilitation of the Public DRRM Worker. A post medical examination shall be provided for 
the 
Public DRRM Worker prior to leaving the service. 
 
SECTION 31. Personal Protective Equipment, Vaccination, and other Prophylaxis. – 
Public DRRM Workers, as frontliners in disaster response, shall be provided with appropriate 
personal protective equipment, free vaccinations and other prophylactic medicines against 
common and present diseases in the locality where the Public DRRM Worker is assigned. 
The 
immediate family of Public DRRM Workers deployed in high risks area who are exposed to 
any 


 
highly contagious disease/illness shall also be entitled to vaccinations or any available 
immediate 
medical intervention. 
 
SECTION 32. Compensation for Work-Related Injuries and Sicknesses. - Public DRRM 
Workers shall be protected against the consequences of employment injuries or sickness in 
accordance with existing laws. Injuries or sickness incurred in line of duty shall be presumed 
work-connected. 
SECTION 33. Leave Benefits for Public DRRM Workers. - Public DRRM Workers are 
entitled to such vacation, sick leaves as provided by existing laws and prevailing practices: 
provided, that in addition to the leave privilege now enjoyed by Public DRRM Workers- men 
and women Public DRRM Workers are entitled to such paternity and maternity leaves, 
respectively, provided by existing laws and prevailing practices: provided, further, that upon 
separation of the Public DRRM Workers from service, they shall be entitled to all accumulated 
leave credits with pay. Public DRRM Workers are also entitled to rehabilitation leave privilege 
for physical, mental, or emotional injuries/damage sustained in the performance of official 
duties 
subject to the provisions under relevant issuances of Civil Service Commission (CSC) – 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM). 
 
SECTION 34. Capacity Building, Scholarship and Grants. - Public DRRM Workers 
shall undergo necessary training and other capacity building activities on a regular basis. 
They 
shall also be given opportunity to avail of scholarship benefits and grants for pursuing 
graduate 
and post-graduate studies in accordance with the existing rules to be implemented by the 
concerned agencies or LGUs. Grantees of the program may study within the Philippines or 
abroad provided that the concerned agency or LGU shall provide strict measures to ensure 
continuity and render service obligation. The concerned agency shall give utmost preference 
to 
post-graduate DRRM-related studies in granting such benefits. 
 
SECTION 35. Mandatory Insurance Coverage - Public DRRM Workers shall be entitled 
to insurance coverage as provided by the Social Security System (SSS) as mandated under 
Republic Act No. 8282 otherwise known as the “Social Security Law”, by the Government 
Service Insurance System (GSIS) as provided by Republic Act No. 8291 also known as “The 
Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997”, by the Universal Health Care Act as 
mandated by RA No. 11223, and by the Philippine Health Insurance (Philhealth) as 
mandated by 


 
Republic Act No. 7875 or the “National Health Insurance Act of 1995”, whichever is 
applicable. 
 
SECTION 36. Highest Basic Salary Upon Retirement. - Three (3) months prior to the 
compulsory retirement, the Public DRRM Worker shall automatically be granted one (1) 
salary 
range or grade higher than his/her basic salary and his/her retirement benefit thereafter 
computed 
on the basis of his/her highest salary: provided, that he/she has reached the age and fulfilled 
service requirements under existing laws. 
 
SECTION 37. Right to Self-Organization. - Public DRRM Workers shall have the right 
to freely form, join or assist organizations or associations, to the extent allowable by law 
and/or 
existing policies, for purposes not contrary to law in order to defend and protect their mutual 
interests and to obtain redress of their grievances through peaceful concerted activities. 
 
SECTION 38. Freedom from Interference or Coercion. - It shall be unlawful for any 
person to commit any of the following acts of interference or coercion: 
a) to require as a condition of employment that a Public DRRM Worker shall not join a 
DRRM Workers' organization, association, or union or shall relinquish membership 
therein: 
b) to discriminate in regard to hiring or tenure of employment or any item or condition of 
employment in order to encourage or discourage membership in any DRRM Workers' 
organization, association, or union; 
c) to prevent a Public DRRM Worker from carrying out duties laid upon him/her by his/her 
position in the organization, association, or union, or to penalize him/her for the action 
undertaken in such capacity: 
d) to harass or interfere with the discharge of the functions of the Public DRRM Worker 
when these are calculated to intimidate or to prevent the performance of his/her duties 
and responsibilities; and 
e) to otherwise interfere in the establishment, functioning, or administration of DRRM 
Worker's organizations or unions through acts designed to place such organization or 
union under the control of government authority. 
 
SECTION 39. Consultation with Public DRRM Workers' Organizations. - In the 
formulation of national policies governing the social security of Public DRRM Workers, 
professional and Public DRRM Workers' organizations as well as other appropriate 
government 


 
agencies concerned shall be consulted by the NDRRMC. For this purpose, Management-
DRRM 
Workers' Consultative Councils for national, regional and other appropriate levels shall be 
established and operationalized. 
 
SECTION 40. Human Resource Development/ Management Study. - The Human 
Resource Department/Division of respective concerned agencies shall conduct a periodic 
human 
resource development/management study into, among others, the following areas: 
a) adequacy of facilities and supplies to render quality DRRM services to client population; 
b) opportunity for Public DRRM Workers to grow and develop their potentials and 
experience a sense of worth and dignity in their work; 
c) mechanisms for democratic consultation in government DRRM institutions; 
d) appropriate organizational and staffing patterns; 
e) ways and means of enabling the rank-and-file workers to avail of educational 
opportunities for personal growth and development; 
f) upgrading of working conditions, reclassification of positions and salaries of Public 
DRRM Workers to correct disparity vis-a-vis other professions such that positions 
requiring longer study be upgraded and given corresponding pay scale; and 
g) assessment of the national policy on exportation of skilled human resource to focus on 
how these resources could instead be utilized productively for the country's needs. 
There is hereby created a Congressional Oversight Committee to review and assess 
human resource development, particularly on continuing education and training and the other 
areas described above. The Committee shall be composed of five (5) members of the House 
of 
Representatives and five (5) members of the Senate. It shall be co-chaired by the 
chairpersons of 
the Committee on Disaster Resilience of both houses. It shall render a report and 
recommendation to Congress which shall be the basis for policy legislation in the field of 
Disaster Resilience or DRRM. Such a congressional review shall be undertaken once every 
five 
(5) years. 
 
SECTION 41. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The NDRRMC after consultation 
with appropriate agencies of the Government as well as professional and DRRM Workers' 
organizations or associations, shall formulate and prepare the necessary rules and 
regulations to 
implement the provisions of this Act. Further, the DBM, in coordination with the NDRRMC, 
shall issue the guidelines on the grant of compensation-related benefits to Public DRRM 


 
Workers. Rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Section shall take effect thirty (30) 
days 
after publication in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
SECTION 42. Prohibition Against Double Recovery of Benefits. - Whenever other laws 
provide for the same benefits covered by this Act, the Public DRRM Worker shall have the 
option to choose which benefits will be paid to him/her, However, in the event that the benefits 
chosen are less than that provided under this Act, the worker shall be paid only the difference. 
 
SECTION 43. Prohibition Against Elimination and/or Diminution. - Nothing in this law 
shall be construed to eliminate or in any way diminish benefits being enjoyed by Public DRRM 
Workers at the time of the effectivity of this Act. 
 
SECTION 44. Appropriations. – the amount needed for the implementation of this Act 
shall be determined by the concerned agencies and be included in the General 
Appropriations 
Act of the year following its enactment under the budgetary appropriations of concerned 
agencies or chargeable against local funds of Local Government Units subject to Personal 
Service Limitations pursuant to Sec. 325 of RA 7160 where applicable. 
However, such special benefits, including injury and burial benefits as well as hazard pay 
may be 
sourced from the Local DRRM Fund of the agencies or Local Government Units. 
 
SECTION 45. Penal Provision. - Any person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain 
or coerce any Public DRRM Worker in the exercise of his/her rights or shall in any manner 
commit any act in violation of any of the provisions of this Act, upon conviction, shall be 
punished by a fine of not less than ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) or imprisonment of not 
more 
than one (1) year or both at the discretion of the court. 
If the offender is a public official, the court, in addition to the penalties provided in the 
preceding 
paragraph, may impose the additional penalty of disqualification from office. 
 
SECTION 46. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the 
remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect. 
 
SECTION 47. Repealing Clause. - All laws and issuances and their implementing rules, 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified 
accordingly. 


 
SECTION 48. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,