Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First kegulal Session
HOusE-:B`riL`NO.6559
Introduced by Hon. Representative Florida ``Rida" P. Robes
Lone District of the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan
EXPLANATORY NOTE
By the third quarter of 2022, the Province of Bulacan became the epicenter of a flood caused
by a super typhoon that devasted thousands of lives and livelihood.  Some municipalities in Bulacan,
which were not otherwise prone to flooding, were ravaged by floods. This sounds off a wake-up call to
set up a comprehensive and integrated flood prevention, control, defense, and management system in
the Province of Bulacan.
Flooding brings with it catastrophic effects that throw a wrench to years of blood, sweat and
toil of the people of Bulacan in ensuring the prosperity and development of the entire province. Floods
do not only bring deaths and destruction of livelihood, but they also pose a threat in destroying cultural
and natural heritage that have been passed on by our forebearers.
Nested in the province of Bulacan are numerous historical and cultural heritage of the Filipino
people,  such  as,  among  others,  the  Barasoain  Church  which  has  been  dubbed  as  the  "Cradle  of
Democracy in the East" where the first Philippine Republic was established; the Casa Real which served
as the National Printing Press of the revolutionary government in 1899; the Camestisuhan or Pariancillo
District where the Spanish and American-era houses and government structures remain tall throughout
the centuries; and churches and museums that hosts the significant relics of our distinct and unique
Filipino heritage.
The  vulnerability  analysis  conducted  by  Perez et.  al.  in  1999,  as  reported in  the journal  of
Climate Research, revealed that majority of the areas along the coast of Manila Bay specifically Cavite,
Metro Manila, and Bulacan could succumb to a one (I ) meter sea level rise by year 2100.I Areas near
riverbanks will also experience flooding when sea level rise reaches a height of two (2) meter.2
When compared to the global average of nineteen (19) centimeters, the Philippines  has the
largest observed sea level rise at sixty (60) centimeters.3 Owing to the archipelagic configuration of our
country, an unabated increase in sea water level further puts at risk 60% of Local Government Units;
I  Perez, R. T., Amadore, L. A., & Feir, R. 8. (1999). Climate change impacts and responses in the Philippines coastal sector.
Climate Research,  12(2/3), 97-107. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24866004
2 Perez, R. T., Amadore, L. A., & Feir, R. 8. (1999). Climate change impacts and responses in the Philippines coastal sector.
Climate Research,12(2/3), 97-107. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24866004
3 Perez, R. T., Amadore, L. A., & Feir, R. 8. (1999). Climate change impacts and responses in the Philippines coastal sector.
Climate Research,  12(2/3), 97-107. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24866004


64  coastal  provinces;  822  coastal  municipalities;  25  coastal  cities;  and  an  estimated  13.6  million
Filipinos who would need to relocate.
The same study also predicted that the most economically-depressed and densely-populated, as
well as already flood-prone areas, may withstand a gradual rise in sea level but not when combined with
the more powerful storm surges that strike the nation year in and out.4
In 2020, the World Bank estimated direct losses of 3.5 billion US dollars per year or over 1.0%
of the country's GDP to public and private assets from earthquakes and typhoons. According to a 2022
study of the Philippine Institute of Developmental Studies, the average temperature in the Philippines
has been increasing by 0.011  Celsius per year.
Karding  alone  killed  six  (6)  people  in  Bulacan.  Ironically,  five  (5)  of whom  were  trained
volunteer-rescuers. No  less than  5,239  Bulckefios,1,571  families,  including  I,447  children  and  231
senior citizens were displaced and forced to evacuate to escape the onslaught of Karding.5
According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), as Karding devastated Central Luzon -the
nation's top rice-producing region -the agriculture sector lost at least P160.1  mimon6 comprising of
rice,  com,  vegetables  and  other  high  value  crops.  The  economic  devastation  brought  about  by  the
COVID-19 pandemic sent many families starving. The last thing that our nation needs is a crisis in food
security.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) predicted in its 202/ C'/I.mcrfj.c C¢a#gr o72c7
FoocJ Scc#rj.ty J4#o/ysz.a /Ccrs4) that the confluence of climate risks including typhoons, floods, and
drought would pose major concerns to food security. Price volatility of food products resulting from
the  disruption  of food  production  in  regions  impacted  by  climate-related  risks  becomes  a  pressing
concern.
We cannot stop natural disasters but we can arm ourselves with preparation. This measure aims
to equip the Province of Bulacan with sufficient defense and strongholds that will mitigate against the
catastrophic impacts of floods on the provinces. Ultimately, this measure aims to protect its people and
its  bustling  economy,  preserve  its  cultural  and natural  heritage,  and  promote  inclusive growth and
sustainable development that the Bulakefios have worked hard all throughout the centuries.
FLORIDA#P ROBES
4 Perez, R. T., Amadore, L. A., & Feir, R. 8. (1999). Climate change impacts and responses in the Philippines coastal sector.
Climate Research,  12(2/3), 97~107. http://www.jstor.org/stal)le/24866004
5       Silverio,       F.       (2022       September       27).       5,239       displaced       by       'Karding'       in       Bulacan.       7lflc       WaH/./a
r;.mcs.https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/09/27/news/regions/5239-displaced-by-karding-in-bulacan/1859912
6  Rubio,  P.  (2022,  September  27).  Groups urge  govt to  declare  `climate  emergency'  as  Karding  leaves  millions  in  losses.
ycrfeoo /          Ivews.           https : //ph. news. yahoo. com/karding-I eaves-milhons-losses-groups-urge-government-declare-cl i mate-
emergency-083838691.html


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEHNTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOusE Bin`L`N`O.    6559
Introduced by Hon. Representative Florida "Rida P. Robes"
Lone District of the City of Sam Jose del Monte, Bulacan
AN ACT
ESTABLISIIING A COMPREIIENSIVE AND INTEGRATED FLOOD
PREVENTION, CONTROL, DEFENSE AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE
PROVINCE 0F BULACAN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representative in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. ri.f/a. -This Act shall be known as the "Compr€7!e7isz.ve and J7c/egro/ec7 B#/oco77
Flood Prevention, Control, Dof;ense and Management System"
SEC. 2. Dcc/ar¢fi.o" a/Po/;.c}7 ¢Hd 04/.CCJI.vc. -It shall be the policy of the State to:
(a)       Protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature;
(b)       Protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness
among  our  people  to  effectively  cany  out  the  programs  and  proj.ects  of  the
government essential  for the growth and health of the nation,  especially  in times
where the country experiences natural or manmade disasters, calamities, risks and
security threats;
(c)       Adopt   disaster   risk   reduction   and   management   approach   that   is   holistic,
comprehensive,   integrated   and   proactive   in   lessening  the   socioeconomic   and
environmental  impacts  of disasters  including  climate  changes,  and  promote  the
involvement and participation of all  sections ad all  stakeholders concerned, at all
levels, especially the local community;
(d)       Recognize and strengthen the capacities ofLGUs and communities in mitigating and
preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the impact of disasters;


(e)       Institutionalize the policies, stmctures, coordination mechanisms and programs with
continuing budget appropriation on disaster risk reduction  from  national  down to
local levels towards building a disaster-resilient nation and communities;
Towards  this  end,  this  Act  aims  to  establishing  a  comprehensive  and  integrated  flood
prevention, control, defense and management system  in the province of Bulacan to mitigate
flooding caused by climate change and other factors.
SiEC. 3. Flood Control, Prevention, Managei'I'Ient and Deifense System - T:he Depairfuen+ of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in coordination and consultation with the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Health (DOH), Department of
Local  and  Interior  Government  (DILG),  Department  of Transportation  (DOTr),  National
Disaster   Risk   Reduction   and   Management   Council   (NDRRMC),   National   Economic
Development Authority a{EDA), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples OVCIP), local
government  units  within the  Province  of Bulacan,  and  accredited  civil  society  groups  and
indigenous  peoples  groups  and/or  communities  representing  residents  of the  province  of
Bulacan,     shall  undertake  the  construction  of  a  flood  prevention,  control,  defense  and
management system in the Province of Bulacan.
SHC. 4. Opera/i.#g and Gwjdi."g Prf."ci.p/cs  - In establishing the Bulacan flood prevention,
control, defense and management system, the DPWH,  in coordination and consultation with
the  aforementioned  government  agencies,  local  government  units  and  civil  society  and
indigenous peoples group,  shall  adhere to the following principles of safety,  resilience  and
sustainability.
As far as practicable, the Bulacan flood prevention, control, defense and management system
shall secure the residents of Bulacan from floods while -
(i)      ensuring the residents' access to adequate, affordable and safe housing
and resettlement;
(ii)     providing residents access to safe, affordable, accessible, ecofriendly and
sustainable transport systems and improving road safety;
(iii)    enhancing inclusive, ecofriendly and sustainable urbanization;
(iv)    protecting  and  safeguarding  the  cultural  and  natural  heritage  of the
province in a manner consistent with Republic Act No. 10066 ("Ivafz.o#cr/
Cultural Heritage Act Of 2009 '').,
(v)     significantly reducing the number of deaths and the number of people
affected by floods and water-related disasters;
(vi)    substantially decreasing the direct economic losses caused by flood and
water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in
vulnerable situations;
(vii)   supporting positive economic,  social and environmental  links between
urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional
development planning;


(viii)  supporting local government units and indigenous communities within
the province of Bulacan, through financial and technical assistance,  in
building sustainable, ecofriendly and resilient flood prevention, control
and defense infrastructures; and
(ix)    Respecting  the  rights  of the  indigenous  peoples  communities  to  their
ancestral   domains/lands,     to  free  and  prior  consent,  to   indigenous
knowledge  systems  and  political  structures,  and  such  other  rights  as
provided under Republic Act No. 8371 ("Jnd7.gr7io#s Peep/es ' Zzz.gfo/s <4cJ
a/J997 ") where infrastructure projects of the DPWII undertaken to give
effect to this shall directly or indirectly affect or involve areas inhabited
by indigenous peoples/communities.
SEC.  5. Fw#dz.mg.  - The amount needed for the  implementation of the construction  of the
Bulacan flood   prevention, control, defense and management system shall be included in the
appropriations  of the  DPWII  under  the  General  Appropriations  Act.  Such  funds  may  be
augmented  through  loans,  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of the  law  on  government
borrowing from financial institutions.
This project may also be funded through a Public-Private Partnership in accordance with laws,
rules and regulations governing such partnerships.
S;PF. 6._ Transifer or Geographical Reassignl'I'.eat Of Public Health Workers. -(a),) AL disaster
risk and emergency responder shall not be transferred and/or reassigned, except when made in
the interest of public service or exigencies of service, in which case, the employee concerned
shall be informed of the reasons therefore in writing.
(b)   If  the  public  health  worker  believes  that  such  transfer  and/or  reassignment  lacks
justification,  he/she may  appeal histher case to the Civil  Service  Commission,  which  shall
cause histher transfer and/or reassignment to be held in abeyance: Provz.dec7, That no transfer
and/or reassignment whatsoever shall be made three (3) months before any local, national or
special  elections: Prow.ded,  /#r/her, That  the  necessary  expenses  of  the  transfer  and/or
reassignment of the public health worker and histher immediate family shall be paid for by the
Government.
(c) For the purposes of this Act, a `transfer" is a movement from one position to another which
is  of  equivalent  rank,   level  or  salary  without  break  in  service;  while  a  "geographical
reassignment"(hereinafterreferredtoas"reassignment")isamovementfromonegeographical
location to another.
SEC. 7. Submission of Reports. -Within ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act, and
at the end of every calendar quarter thereafter, the Secretary of Public Works and Highways
shall submit progress reports to each House of congress on the implementation of this Act.
SHC. 8. Separ¢bJ./I.fy Ctowsc. -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.


SEC.  9. jRcpe¢/I.#g  a/awse -All  laws,  presidential  decrees,  executive  orders  and  their
implementing rules, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended
or modified accordingly.
SEC.10. EflTt?c/I.tJJ.fy. -This Act shall take effect flfteen (15) days after its publication in the
Offlcial Gazette or in one ( I ) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,