TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE​
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES​
) 
First Regular Session​
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. 2912 
INTRODUCED BY HON. RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
We are at a crossroads. And whatever decisions we reach and the actions we 
collectively take today will reverberate through many generations of Filipinos–to our 
children, our grandchildren, and all those who will come after us. We must step up 
now. Now is the best time to prepare our nation against calamities and disasters. 
Now is the best time to plant the seeds of preparedness. 
Every Filipino has to live with three realities. 
First, for the third straight year, the Philippines has been ranked the most 
at-risk country to disasters among 193 countries assessed in the 2024 World Risk 
Index (WRI) published by the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed 
Conflict and Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft (Alliance Development Works). On a scale of 
0 (very low risk) to 100 (very high risk), the Philippines’ score even worsened to 
46.91 in 2024 from 46.86 in 2023. Current mean projections of climate up to 2050 
suggest the Philippines will become warmer by 1.8 °C to 2.2 °C in 2050, with 
increasing temperature and decreasing rainfall during the dry season and more 
extreme rainfall events during the wet season exacerbating both water availability 
during periods of drought and the intensity of flood events during periods of heavy 
rainfall. The projected increase in sea level rise of 20 centimeters (cm) by the end of 
the 21st century will compound water stresses and affect coastal settlements. If we 
do not act now, there simply will be no tomorrow for our children and future 
generations of Filipinos. 
Second, there is a climate emergency affecting the world. From the devastating 
Super Typhoon Carina to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine to Super Typhoon Pepito, 
what kind of proof do we still need to show that there is a climate emergency? 
And third, hazards do not always need to end in disasters. We are far from 
powerless in the face of this global threat. As United Nations Secretary-General 
António Guterres pointed out in October 2020, “Bad situations only get worse without 
good disaster risk governance”. In other words, with good disaster risk governance, 
we can prevent or at least mitigate the negative impacts of disaster risks. 
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August 4, 2025
1:45 pm


 
The Philippines, by reason of our geography, is especially affected by various 
types of hazards. Our country is unfortunately located along the Pacific typhoon belt, 
in the midst of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Our archipelago of more than 7,600 islands 
experiences an average of 20 storms and typhoons and about five hundred 
magnitude 4.0 and above earthquakes in a year. The threat of “The Big One” has 
loomed over us for the longest time. The Philippines is also susceptible to slow-onset 
climate hazards such as sea level rise and drought. These events are not just 
statistics, but are tragedies that destroy lives and devastate communities, leaving 
scars that defy quantification. 
  
Being the country most at risk to disasters is not a death sentence, but a 
wakeup call and a challenge. We should learn from our neighbors like Japan, which 
has been able to adapt to the hazards they are facing. While Japan has a higher 
exposure to extreme natural events than the Philippines, faring third worldwide in 
terms of exposure respectively compared to the Philippines which ranks fourth, the 
former fares better than the latter – 24th over-all in the World Risk Index – because 
of its structural investments in early warning systems and infrastructure and disaster 
risk management systems. 
 
When we bandy our disaster risk reduction and management capabilities, 
Mother Nature comes in to audit our claims. From 2018 to 2022, disasters and 
incidents caused by natural hazards resulted in 3,265 deaths, affected 67 million 
people and caused Php 226 billion worth of damage and losses. In 2023 alone, 
natural hazards caused Php 24.49 billion in total damages. Whether the government 
is succeeding in its efforts to reduce and manage disaster risks is measurable in the 
number of lives lost, houses destroyed, and livelihoods ruined by hazards. 
 
Mother Nature’s audit requires not only reflection. It requires action. 
 
The Philippines faces increasing risks that exacerbate various types of 
hazards, resulting in both economic and non-economic loss and damage. 
Addressing these impacts requires strengthening our disaster risk reduction and 
management systems to enhance preparedness, response, and recovery in building 
resilience. 
 
While we undeniably made strides in improving our disaster resiliency, current 
geophysical and climatological risks necessitate a reassessment of our framework. 
Republic Act 10121 or the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, was 
enacted into law more than 15 years ago. Since then, our country has undergone 
multitudes of natural events from which we have learned lessons. 
 
Philippine experience shows that there is a need to establish a clear chain of 
command in times of major disasters, focusing on systematic, synergistic, and 
sustainable framework for effective and efficient preparation, anticipation, response, 
and recovery mechanisms to implement immediate emergency response, and 
establish transformative policy, operational, organization, functional, and resource 
mobilization interventions to address gaps and needs to stabilise and build resilience 
of communities over time.  
 
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Now is the time to double our efforts, and also the time to focus our resources, 
align our policies, and streamline our institutions. In view of the foregoing, the 
passage of the bill establishing the Emergency Response Department (ERD) is 
earnestly sought. This shall be the lead implementing agency of the Philippine 
Adaptation Master Plan for Disaster Risk Resilience. The ERD shall pursue not only 
a whole-of-government approach but a whole-of-society approach in facing sudden 
onset of emergencies. The agency shall ensure that policies will be more than 
aspirational but will ensure that there is synergy among all government agencies to 
steer the government towards a more resilient Philippines. 
While the challenge imposed by emergencies due to natural disasters is 
immense, we must rise to the challenge now. It is viewed that lessons learned from 
reactive, fragmented, and unscientific approaches lead to exacerbating impacts from 
said events, especially the cost of response and rehabilitation. 
This is the time to install a mechanism with direct accountability over the 
course of the four pillars of disaster risk reduction: prevention, response, recovery 
and rehabilitation, each with unique but complementary systems for overall 
convergence linking the ERD to pathways to sustainable development, across levels 
of governance and streams of stakeholders. 
As UN Secretary-General Guterres reminds us, “[w]e are not only in danger.  
We are the danger.  But we are also the solution… Tomorrow is too late. Now is the 
time to mobilise, now is the time to act, now is the time to deliver.” 
In line with the policy adopted by its original proponent Senator Alan 
Peter “Compañero” S. Cayetano, this bill therefore serves as a counterpart 
measure. It is for the reason stated above that the passage of this measure is 
earnestly sought. 
 RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR.
3 


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE​
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES​
) 
First Regular Session​
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. 2912 
INTRODUCED BY HON. RICARDO S. CRUZ, JR. 
AN ACT CREATING THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE DEPARTMENT (ERD), 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 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 the “Emergency 
Response Department (ERD) Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State: 
a) To uphold the sacredness of human life by efficiently and effectively
addressing humanitarian emergencies, including calamities and disasters,
through the establishment of a focused, streamlined, independent,
empowered, capacitated, full-time, specialized agency on disaster risk
reduction and management as well as emergency response, which is national
in scope and civilian in character. The people are the most important assets of
the nation, and all disaster risk reduction and management efforts, including
preparations for, anticipation, response to, and recovery from the impact of
disasters, shall be responsive to the humanitarian needs of the people, the
dignity and value of the human person, and respect for property.
Recognizing that a strong and timely disaster response is essential to
achieving our long-term development goals, it is the policy of the State to
ensure that emergency measures are integrated into the recovery,
rehabilitation, and development efforts. Emergency measures is a step
towards long-term development;
b) To promote a simplified, strategic, systematic, continuous, comprehensive,
inclusive, 
and 
integrated 
approach 
to disaster risk reduction and
management, with the end in view of substantially reducing vulnerabilities and
the risk of disasters and other humanitarian emergencies, through principles
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such as Build Right at First Sight and Anticipatory Action, and the utilization of 
science-based and data-driven decision-making across all levels across the 
disaster risk reduction and management response, towards the preservation 
of life and property, thereby ultimately preventing or reducing the loss of lives 
and the social, economic, cultural, and environmental assets of the country; 
 
c)​ To value the dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect for 
human rights, as enshrined in Section 11, Article II of the 1987 Constitution. 
The state shall establish a permanent, institutionalized, cohesive and 
comprehensive policy framework for disaster preparedness, prevention and 
mitigation, and response, anchored on best available science-based and 
data-driven approaches, to be implemented by a full-time and focused 
specialized agency with its own mandate, powers, and funding, in 
coordination and with the participation of the Philippine government, other 
foreign governments and financial institutions, international organizations, the 
private sector, and civil society.  
 
In disaster risk reduction and management, disaster prevention and mitigation 
shall, first of all, aim the outright avoidance of the adverse impacts of hazards 
and related disasters. However, with the knowledge and capacities to 
effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from, the impacts of likely, 
imminent or current hazard events or conditions, preparedness action shall be 
carried out in the most effective and efficient manner. In a disaster scenario, 
the response shall ensure the provision of emergency services and public 
assistance, during or immediately after, a disaster; 
 
d)​ To create an integrated, systematic, comprehensive, and cohesive plan to 
simplify, streamline, integrate, and coordinate the various programs, projects, 
and activities of the Government by implementing a whole-of-government 
approach. This includes collaboration with other actors/stakeholders in 
disaster risk reduction and management and post-disaster rebuilding and 
rehabilitation efforts, consistent with One Country Team Approach as adopted 
in Executive Order No 74, s. 1993, to ensure policy coherence, alignment of 
priorities, and effective coordination in the program delivery to ensure 
accountability, responsibility, and transparency, and enhance efficiency and 
effectiveness of all involved institutions in the performance of their functions; 
and, 
 
e)​ Toward a unified emergency system, the State shall sustain and strengthen 
the “911” Nationwide Emergency Hotline established under Executive Order 
No. 56, series of 2018, as the unified center for all requests for police, fire, 
medical, rescue and disaster-related assistance. 
  
        ​ SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following 
shall refer to: 
 
a)​ Anticipatory Action - action taken to reduce the adverse humanitarian and 
other impacts of a forecasted hazard before it occurs, or before its most acute 
impacts are felt. It is performed by any individual, organization, or concerned 
2 


 
government agency to mitigate a disaster’s impact on people, animals, and 
properties that are likely to be affected; 
 
b)​ Contingency Planning - a management process that analyzes specific 
potential events or emerging situations that might threaten society or the 
environment and establishes arrangements in advance to enable timely, 
effective and appropriate responses to such events and situations; 
 
c)​ Disaster - a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society 
involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and 
impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to 
cope using its own resources; 
 
d)​ Disaster management - is the organization, planning and application of 
measures preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters; 
 
e)​ Disaster Risk - is the potential loss of life, injury, or destroyed or damaged 
assets which could occur to a system, society or a community in a specific 
period of time, determined probabilistically as a function of hazard, exposure, 
vulnerability and capacity; 
 
f)​
Disaster Risk Assessment - the qualitative or quantitative approach to 
determine the nature and extent of disaster risk by analysing potential hazards 
and evaluating existing conditions of exposure and vulnerability that together 
could harm people, property, services, livelihoods and the environment on 
which they depend; 
 
g)​ Disaster risk management (DRM) - is the application of disaster risk reduction 
policies and strategies to prevent new disaster risk, reduce existing disaster 
risk and manage residual risk, contributing to the strengthening of resilience 
and reduction of disaster losses; 
 
h)​ Disaster risk reduction (DRR) - is aimed at preventing new and reducing 
existing disaster risk and managing residual risk, all of which contribute to 
strengthening resilience and therefore to the achievement of sustainable 
development; 
 
i)​
Emergency - any occasion or instance for which, in the determination of the 
President, national assistance is needed to supplement local government 
efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health 
and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the 
country; 
 
j)​
Emergency Management - the organization and management of resources 
and responsibilities for addressing all aspects of emergencies, in particular 
preparedness, response and initial recovery steps; 
 
k)​ Exposure - the situation of people, infrastructure, housing, production 
capacities and other tangible human assets located in hazard-prone areas; 
 
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l)​
Geographic Information System - a database which contains, among others, 
geo-hazard assessments, information on climate change, and climate risk 
reduction and management; 
 
m)​ Government - includes the National Government, and any of its subdivisions, 
agencies or instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled 
corporations and their subsidiaries, and Local Government Units; 
 
n)​ Hazard - a dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition 
that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, 
loss of livelihood and services, social and economic disruption, or 
environmental damage; 
 
o)​ Humanitarian - promoting and ensuring compliance with the principles of 
humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. Humanitarian action must 
be autonomous from the political, economic, military or other objectives that 
any actor may hold with regard to areas where humanitarian action is being 
implemented;  
 
p)​ Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment - the process of evaluating a hazard’s level of 
risk given the degrees of exposure and vulnerability in a specific area. It 
presents the possible impacts on the people, animals, production capacities, 
environmental services, and properties and is basis to determine the 
appropriate level of response actions from the national government agencies 
down to LGUs; 
 
q)​ Response - any and all projects, programs, plans, and activities pertaining to 
action or inaction to prevent/mitigate, prepare for, and generally perform any 
and all activities in relation to, disasters and other humanitarian emergencies. 
This includes, but is not limited to, the provision of emergency services and 
public assistance during or immediately after a disaster. Disaster response 
that is predominantly focused on immediate and short-term needs and is 
sometimes called “disaster relief”;  
 
r)​
State of Calamity - a condition involving mass casualty and/or major damages 
to property, disruption of means of livelihoods, roads and normal way of life of 
people in the affected areas as a result of the occurrence of natural or 
human-induced hazard; 
 
s)​ State of Imminent Disaster (SID) – a legal regime declared by the President, 
or by a Local Chief Executive (LCE) within the limits of their jurisdiction, when 
a PDRA demonstrates that an extreme hazard is highly probable to occur and 
cause severe impacts within at least seventy‑two (72) hours; and, 
 
t)​
Vulnerability - the conditions determined by physical, social, economic and 
environmental factors or processes which increase the susceptibility of an 
individual, a community, assets or systems to the impacts of hazards. 
​
Chapter I 
THE DEPARTMENT PROPER 
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        ​ SECTION 4. Emergency Response Department. - To carry out the 
above-declared policy, there is hereby created the Emergency Response 
Department, hereinafter referred to as the Department, which shall plan, prepare, 
integrate, coordinate, implement, supervise, control, monitor, and evaluate, and 
improve all policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities of the Government on 
humanitarian emergency assistance and disaster risk reduction and management, 
mobilizing convergence using the whole of government and the whole of society, 
including the international development community. 
 
         ​ SECTION 5. Powers and Functions. - The Department shall exercise the 
powers and functions relevant to Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster Preparedness 
and Response, and Recovery, in collaboration with the relevant departments, 
agencies, and other stakeholders. 
 
In addition to the powers and functions provided by this Act, the Department 
shall also assume the policymaking, coordination, integration, supervision, 
monitoring and evaluation functions currently lodged with the existing National 
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), and shall take over 
all of the latter’s responsibilities enumerated in Section 6 of Republic Act No. 10121. 
It shall also assume the powers and functions of the Office of the Civil Defense 
(OCD) as enumerated in Section 9 of Republic Act No. 10121.  
 
To this end, all references to the NDRMMC and the OCD in Republic Act No. 
10121 shall be understood to refer to the Department created under this Act.  
 
The Emergency 911 Office created pursuant to Executive Order No. 56, s. 
2018, is hereby attached to the Department for policy and program supervision. The 
Emergency 911 National Office shall continue to function as the primary 
implementing office of the Emergency 911 National Program. 
 
The Department shall also have administrative supervision and control over 
the existing Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices 
(RDRRMOs), and the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices 
(LDRRMOs), organized in all provinces, cities/municipalities and barangays in the 
country, which are hereby thereafter called Regional Emergency Response Offices 
(REROs) and Local Emergency Response Offices (LEROs), respectively. 
 
SECTION 6. Composition. - The Department Proper shall be composed of 
the Office of the Secretary and the Offices of the Undersecretaries and Assistant 
Secretaries, and the bureaus and services of the Department, including field units 
under Section 5 hereof. 
 
SECTION 7. Office of the Secretary. - The Office of the Secretary shall 
consist of the Secretary and immediate support staff. 
 
The Secretary shall be appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by 
the Commission on Appointments.  
 
The Secretary shall have the following powers and functions: 
5 


 
a)​ Advise the President in issuing executive orders, regulations, proclamations 
and other issuances, the promulgation of which is expressly vested by law in 
the President relative to matters under the jurisdiction of the Department; 
 
b)​ Establish the policies and standards for the effective, efficient, and economical 
operation of the Department pursuant to a national disaster risk reduction and 
management framework that is science-based, data-driven, and risk-informed, 
which shall provide for a comprehensive, all-hazards, multi-sectoral, 
inter-agency and community-based approach to humanitarian emergency 
assistance and disaster risk reduction and management; 
 
c)​ Promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out department 
objectives, policies, functions, plans, programs, and projects that are 
science-based and data-driven; 
 
d)​ Promulgate administrative issuances necessary for the efficient administration 
of the offices under his/her jurisdiction and for the proper execution of the 
laws relative thereto; 
 
e)​ Exercise direct supervision and control over all functions and activities of the 
Department, as well as all its officers and personnel; 
 
f)​ Create field units and such other service units and divisions, as may be 
necessary, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations;  
 
g)​ Serve as Co-Chairperson of the Emergency 911 Commission jointly with the 
Secretary of the DILG; and,  
 
h)​ Perform such other functions as may be necessary and/or proper to attain the 
objectives of this Act.    
 
SECTION 8. The Undersecretaries.  - The Secretary shall be assisted by 
four (4) Undersecretaries in the performance of the Department’s functions and 
duties related to the pillars of disaster risk reduction and management, namely, (a) 
disaster preparedness, (b) disaster response, and (c) disaster prevention and 
mitigation. Another undersecretary shall be in charge of internal management to 
oversee legal, planning, administrative and finance services.1 
  
The Undersecretaries shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation 
of the Secretary. They shall have the powers and functions, as provided in Section 
10, Chapter 2, Book IV of the Administrative Code of 1987, relative to the scope of 
their responsibilities. 
  
The Office of the Undersecretaries shall consist of the Undersecretaries and their 
respective immediate staff. 
 
​
SECTION 9. Assistant Secretaries. - The Secretary shall also be assisted by 
three (3) Assistant Secretaries, one (1) for training; one (1) for operations; and one 
1 Section 15, EO No. 292 or the Administrative Code of 1987 
6 


 
(1) for legal affairs. The Assistant Secretaries shall be appointed by the President 
upon the recommendation of the Secretary. 
SECTION 10. Qualifications. - No person shall be appointed Secretary, 
Undersecretary, or Assistant Secretary of the Department, unless he/she is a Filipino 
citizen, of good moral character, and of proven experience or competence/expertise 
in humanitarian relief assistance and disaster risk reduction and management, local 
and regional governance, economics and other social sciences, physical science 
and green infrastructure, community development, among other related disciplines.  
  
    ​
SECTION 11. Bureaus and Services.  - Subject to the power of the 
Secretary, with the approval of the President, to reorganize, restructure, and redefine 
the functions of the bureaus and services for the effective discharge of the powers 
and functions of the Department under this Act, the Department shall have the 
following bureaus and services: 
  
(a) Bureau of Hazard Education and Risk Mitigation; 
  
(b) Bureau of Disaster Preparedness;  
 
(c) Bureau of Humanitarian Emergency Relief Operations;  
  
(d) Bureau of Data Science; 
 
(e) Bureau of Administration and Finance; 
 
        ​ SECTION 12. Powers and Functions of the Bureaus and Services. - The 
bureaus and service shall have the following powers and functions: 
 
(a) The Bureau of Hazard Education and Risk Mitigation shall assist the Secretary in 
the formulation of policies, programs, and plans related to disaster prevention and 
mitigation, as defined in Sections 2(k) and 2(i), respectively, of the Philippine 
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. In particular, it shall take the 
lead in: 
  
(1) Making an inventory and checklist of all personnel, equipment, and 
supplies critical during disasters in all local government units, in accordance 
with protocols and contingency plans, and endeavoring that the same be 
provided to the local government unit within a period of twelve (12) months 
upon the passage into law of this Act; 
  
(2) Conducting, in coordination with relevant agencies, a review of the 
National Building Code and Fire Code of the Philippines, and submitting the 
results thereof to the President, as also recommended by heads of line 
agencies concerned, for authorization for adoption and implementation, and to 
the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines, with a view of 
developing legislation, which seeks to strengthen infrastructure in line with 
disaster prevention and mitigation; 
 
(3) Developing, updating, and maintaining a national geographic information 
system which shall be the basis of national, regional, and local disaster 
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protocols and contingency plans, which shall be under the control and custody 
of the Department. The same shall also be maintained at all local government 
units, as possible; 
 
(4) Mainstreaming and integrating disaster risk reduction and management 
(DRRM) and climate change adaptation (CCA) in all national, sectoral, 
regional and local development policies, plans and budgets, relating to 
environmental protection, including, but not limited to, those for land use and 
natural resource management, enforcement and updating of all national 
legislation relating to modification of infrastructure towards resiliency; 
  
(5) Developing and implementing community-based and best available 
science-based and data-driven DRR-CCA hazard assessment, mapping, 
analysis, and monitoring; 
  
(6) Establishing disaster risk financing, insurance, and other risk transfer 
mechanisms at the community level; 
  
(7) Establishing, developing and improving the end-to-end monitoring and 
forecasting of hazards, including early warning systems and practices; 
  
(8) Such other functions relevant to its mandate of disaster prevention and 
mitigation. 
  
(b) The Bureau of Disaster Preparedness shall assist the Secretary in the 
formulation of policies, programs, and plans related to disaster preparedness, as 
defined in Section 2(j) of the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
Act of 2010. In particular, it shall take the lead in: 
  
(1) Developing DRRM and CCA information, education, communication and 
advocacy plans; 
  
(2) Developing standard DRRM training modules and the conduct of trainings, 
simulation exercises, and other capacity-building activities for communities 
and specific groups, including, but not limited to, quick respond teams, 
frontline government and private responders, and humanitarian aid workers; 
  
(3) Establishment of a 24-hour National Operation Center consolidating all 
relevant information on disaster prevention such as hazard maps, hospitals, 
evacuation centers, NDRRMC offices, among others; 
 
(4) Developing and monitoring the implementation of locality-based DRRM 
contingency plans; 
  
(5) Developing and implementing comprehensive, scenario-based national 
and local preparedness policies, plans and systems, in primary coordination 
with the local government unit/s concerned, in the wake of an imminent 
humanitarian emergency and/or disaster. Such policies, plans, and systems 
include, but are not limited to, preventive evacuation; the procurement of 
facilities, equipment, tools, systems and other mechanisms to cope with the 
8 


 
effects thereof; the deployment of essential personnel and manpower in 
critical areas of concern; the conduct of rapid needs assessment to identify 
the needs of the affected population; and the formulation of such other 
courses of action to avert the loss of lives, livelihood and/or property;  
  
(6) Strengthening the partnership and coordination between and among all 
key players and stakeholders in a humanitarian emergency and/or disaster; 
  
(7) Preparing the criteria and procedure for the enlistment of accredited 
community disaster volunteers (ACDVs), and the drafting of a manual of 
operations for ACDVs, in consultation with relevant stakeholders; and 
  
(8) Such other functions relevant to its mandate of disaster preparedness. 
  
(c) The Bureau of Humanitarian Emergency Relief Operations shall assist the 
Secretary in the formulation and implementation of policies, programs, and plans 
related to disaster response, as defined in Section 2(l) of the Philippine Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Act of 2010. In particular, it shall take the lead in the 
following activities, in primary coordination with the local government unit/s 
concerned: 
  
(1) Establishing and implementing a comprehensive, well-coordinated, 
effective and efficient Disaster Response Action Plan (DRAP) for every 
humanitarian emergency or disaster, with the primary goal of preventing or 
deterring the loss of lives, property and livelihood; 
  
(2) Developing and implementing an integrated and coordinated system of 
search, rescue and retrieval (SRR), and evacuations procedure; 
  
(3) Establishing a mechanism to ensure the prompt and accurate assessment 
of damage in disaster areas, including, but not limited to, the loss of lives, 
bodily injuries, damages to infrastructure and public facilities, and the 
destruction of social, economic, cultural, and environmental assets; 
 
(4) Establishing a mechanism to ensure the prompt and accurate assessment 
of humanitarian needs in disaster areas, including, but not limited to, food, 
nutrition, health, clothing, shelter, livelihoods, water, sanitation, hygiene, 
protection, and the preservation of peace and order; 
  
(5) Identifying standard-based relief shelters and sites for internally displaced 
persons, as well as developing and implementing of a set of minimum 
standards for such temporary shelters; 
  
(6) Supplementing the efforts of the local government unit concerned in 
providing basic social services, livelihood-oriented activities and psychosocial 
interventions to the affected population, whether inside or outside temporary 
shelters;  
 
(7) Developing and implementing best available science-based and 
data-driven Rehabilitation and Rebuilding Plans; and, 
9 


 
(8) Such other functions relevant to its mandate of disaster response.  
 
In case there is a total or considerable breakdown of authority resulting from 
the humanitarian emergency or disaster, which requires response that goes 
beyond the mandate or capacity of the local government unit/s concerned, the 
Bureau shall, with prior authorization from the Department, directly formulate, 
implement, manage and coordinate all disaster response activities. In such 
case, the Department shall be possessed with the power to call upon other 
agencies and instrumentalities of government, and neighboring local 
government units, to augment, supplement and/or implement disaster 
response efforts. Further, the authority of the Bureau shall be provided, 
described, and limited in the authorization.  
 
(d) The Bureau of Data Science shall assist the Secretary in the provision of best 
available science-based and data-driven technical support across all phases of 
disaster risk reduction and management, including both pre-disaster and 
post-disaster activities. 
  
(e) The Bureau of Administration and Finance shall be composed of the Office of the 
Legal Counsel and the Financial and Management Office. The Office of the Legal 
Counsel shall be responsible for providing legal services and advice on all policies, 
programs, and operational matters of the Department. It shall provide legal 
counseling services in cases where the Department is a party and shall also handle 
administrative cases against any personnel of the Department and submit 
recommendations pertaining thereto. 
  
The Financial and Management Office, which shall consist of the Human Resources 
Management Division, General Services Division, and the Finance Division, shall be 
responsible for providing the Department with services relative to personnel 
information, records, supplies, equipment, collection and disbursements, security, 
and custodial work. It shall also be responsible for providing the Department with 
staff advice and assistance on budgetary, financial, and management improvement 
matters. 
 
Chapter II 
ATTACHED AGENCIES AND COORDINATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES 
 
SECTION 13. Relationship with Other Government Departments. - In the 
discharge of their respective responsibilities, the Department’s bureaus shall 
coordinate with the relevant Government departments, agencies, offices and 
instrumentalities, whose powers and functions are relevant to each bureau’s 
respective focus area. 
 
SECTION 14. Coordination with Other Entities. - The Secretary is hereby 
empowered to constitute, call, convene, meet with, and/or deputize agencies of 
government, or an aggrupation or cluster thereof, to assist, advise or otherwise 
coordinate 
with 
the 
Secretary. 
The 
representatives 
from 
the 
civil 
society/non-governmental organizations and the private sector may also be included, 
as necessary, as members of the coordination mechanism called for by the 
Secretary. 
10 


 
        ​ SECTION 
15. 
Attached 
Agencies. 
- 
The Philippine Atmospheric, 
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) and the 
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) are hereby placed 
under the supervision of the Department; Provided, however, that they shall continue 
to perform their respective functions as provided by law. 
   
Chapter III 
THE HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE 
AND DISASTER FUND, DONATIONS, AND ACCOUNTABILITY 
 
         ​ SECTION  16. Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Disaster Fund. – 
At least one percent (1%) of the estimated revenue from regular sources of 
government, or Twenty Five Billion Pesos (PhP 25,000,000,000.00), whichever is 
higher, shall be set aside as an annual lump sum appropriation for unforeseen 
expenditures arising from the occurrence of calamities: Provided, however, That 
such appropriation shall be used only in the area, or a portion thereof, of the country 
declared as in a state of calamity. Provided further, that the unutilized fund shall be 
reverted to the national treasury. 
  
The present National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) 
and the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) shall 
henceforth be known as the Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Disaster Fund 
(HEAD Fund) and Local Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Disaster Fund 
(Local HEAD Fund), respectively.  
  
The ERD shall manage, mobilize, and with the approval of the President, release 
resources for disaster risk reduction and management, including the funds herein 
provided for. It shall also monitor and provide the necessary guidelines and 
procedures for the release, utilization, accounting, and auditing of the Local HEAD 
Fund. 
 
The HEAD and Local HEAD Funds may also be used to fund anticipatory action 
programs. Identified funds shall be disbursed immediately for this purpose and may 
be used until the lifting of the declaration of a State of Imminent Disaster. 
 
In coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Finance (DOF), and 
the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev), and the Climate 
Change Commission (CCC), devise a system of budgetary allocation for 
transformative and anticipatory interventions based on scientific evidence and local 
circumstances, including development gaps and needs for long-term rehabilitation, 
as may also be supported by tracking budgets and expenditures for resilience 
building, to inform public and private investments for the purpose. 
 
        ​ SECTION 17. Donations. - All monetary contributions, and donations in kind 
from local or international sources, including, but not limited to, equipment, food, 
clothing, medicine, and related supplies from international and local sources, shall be 
coordinated with the Department. This central coordination mechanism would ensure 
that the same are equitably and properly allocated and utilized actually, directly, and 
solely/exclusively for disaster risk reduction and management efforts.  
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The Department shall maintain and make publicly available a complete, accurate, 
timely, and separate record and transparency portal of such donations, indicating the 
particular areas where such donations were allocated, and the exact purposes for 
which the same were utilized. 
  
        ​ SECTION 18. Accountability, Responsibility, Transparency, and Access 
to Information. - The Department and all regional and local councils and offices 
under its supervision or control, shall make available to the public for scrutiny, 
copying, and reproduction, (i) any and all records of their financial transactions, 
including, but not limited to, donations received, funds allocated, and amounts 
disbursed; (ii) all information pertaining to their official acts, transactions or decisions; 
and (iii) relevant research data used as basis for policy development, regardless of 
the physical form or format in which such record, information, or data is contained. 
  
The Department and the Local Government Units (LGU) concerned shall also upload 
such records, information or data on their websites, which shall be regularly updated 
every fifteen (15) days. In case of voluminous records, information or data, the 
Department and/or local government units concerned may, in its/their discretion, 
upload 
only 
an 
executive 
summary thereof, with a note outlining the 
procedure/requirements to obtain full access to the complete record, information, or 
data. 
 
The record, information, or data uploaded in the websites may be withdrawn after a 
period of three (3) years from the time of uploading; Provided, That an abstract 
thereof shall remain uploaded in the website, with an indication of the dates of 
posting and withdrawal, and a note outlining the procedure/requirements to obtain 
full access to the withdrawn record, information, or data. 
 
Chapter IV 
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS 
  
        ​ SECTION 19. Abolition of the Office of Civil Defense; Transfer of Powers 
and Functions.  - The Office of Civil Defense is hereby abolished, and its powers 
and functions are hereby transferred to the Department. The foregoing transfer of 
powers and functions shall include all applicable funds and appropriations, records, 
equipment, property, and personnel, as may be necessary. 
  
The Department shall, by virtue of this Act, be subrogated to all the rights and 
assume all the liabilities of the Office of Civil Defense, and all other agencies, or 
government units whose functions and powers have been transferred to the 
Department, and all their funds, records, property, assets, equipment, and such 
personnel as necessary, including unexpended appropriations and/or allocations. All 
contracts and liabilities of the said offices, agencies, and government units are 
hereby transferred to and assumed by the Department and shall be acted upon in 
accordance with the Auditing Code and other pertinent laws, rules, and regulations; 
Provided, That the officers and employees of said offices, agencies, and government 
units shall continue in a holdover capacity until such time as the new officers and 
employees of the Department shall have been duly appointed pursuant to the 
provisions of this Act. 
  
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The same shall apply to agencies and government units which have not been 
abolished, but whose functions have been transferred to the Department. 
  
        ​ SECTION 20. Structure and Staffing Pattern. - The organizational 
framework and staffing pattern of the Department shall be prescribed and approved 
by the Secretary, in coordination with DBM, within sixty (60) days after the approval 
of this Act and the authorized positions created therein shall be filled by regular 
appointments by the President or the Secretary as the case may be; Provided, That, 
in the filling of positions created, preference shall be given to the personnel of the 
Office of Civil Defense. 
 
The Department, in coordination with the DILG and DBM, shall endeavor to create or 
institutionalize DRRM units in the LGUs, to be staffed with qualified personnel, 
consistent with the Civil Service Commission rules and regulations and the Local 
Government Code. 
  
        ​ SECTION 21. Separation from Service. - Employees separated from the 
service as a result of this reorganization shall, within six (6) months from their 
separation from the service, receive the retirement benefits to which they may be 
entitled under existing laws, rules, and regulations. 
  
        ​  SECTION 22. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the initial 
implementation of this act shall be taken from the current year’s appropriations of the 
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Local Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Councils, and the Office of Civil Defense. Thereafter, 
the amount needed for the operation and maintenance of the Department and its 
Line Agencies shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
  
Chapter V 
STATE OF IMMINENT DISASTER 
 
SECTION 23. Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster. – The President 
of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the ERD utilizing recognized and 
adopted pre-disaster risk assessment mechanisms as informed by mandated 
national government agencies, may declare a State of Imminent Disaster over a 
cluster of barangays, municipalities, cities, provinces, and regions. The Local Chief 
Executive, upon the recommendation of the, may declare a State of Imminent 
Disaster through an executive order in their respective jurisdictions that are 
forecasted to be affected by an imminent disaster. 
 
If the latest pre-disaster risk assessment states that the projected impacts are 
not met, the ERD or REROs shall recommend the immediate lifting of such 
declaration by the President or the local chief executive, respectively. The State of 
Imminent Disaster shall automatically be lifted upon the occurrence of the hazard. 
 
The ERD shall monitor the areas declared to be under a State of Imminent 
Disaster by the President, while concerned government agencies shall report to the 
ERD: (a) the status of declarations at the local level, (b) Anticipatory Action Funds 
and utilizations, and (c) estimated economic and social costs minimized.  
 
13 


 
​
SECTION 24. Criteria for Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster. – The 
ERD or the REROs shall conduct a pre-disaster risk assessment in anticipation of a 
highly probable disaster with projected catastrophic impacts which shall serve as the 
basis for the Declaration of a State of Imminent Disaster. The following conditions 
shall be present in the pre-disaster risk assessment:  
 
a)​ Classification of a forecasted hazard’s impacts as severe or its equivalent, 
with adverse effects on the concerned population, particularly vulnerable 
groups of the community, and on significant sectors such as, but not limited 
to, agricultural, business, and industrial sectors taking into consideration the 
local risk profiles, institutional capacities, and potential for occurrence of 
cascading hazards notwithstanding the forecasted impacts falling below the 
established thresholds for scenarios classified as severe; and  
 
b)​ An allowable or sufficient lead time of three (3) days, which may be extended 
to five (5) days for the national or local government to implement Anticipatory 
Action interventions. 
 
SECTION 25. Anticipatory Measures for the Disaster Risk Reduction 
Management Councils. - The declaration of a State of Imminent Disaster shall allow 
the ERD, REROs, and LEROs the use of national and local resources and 
mechanisms to implement anticipatory actions within the identified or allowable lead 
time, including but not limited to the following:  
 
a)​ Issue and disseminate public information advisories on recommended actions 
to relevant sectors in consultation with experts from various concerned 
agencies; 
 
b)​ Mobilize and strategically preposition inter-agency response teams; 
 
c)​ Initiate pre-emptive or forced evacuation, as needed; 
 
d)​ Mobilize duly accredited and trained volunteers; 
 
e)​ Procure, mobilize, strategically preposition, and distribute food and non-food 
items to forecasted affected population; 
 
f)​ Implement a social amelioration program for the indigent and most vulnerable 
members of the population within their jurisdiction; 
 
g)​ Implement contingency plans to mitigate damage to agricultural products and 
food supply; and 
 
h)​ Provide technical and advisory assistance for the management, control, and 
reduction of the immediate threats to public health and safety. 
 
SECTION 26. Funding for Anticipatory Measures. - The ERD and LGUs 
shall include anticipatory action measures in their regular Programs, Plans, and 
Activities (PPAs) lodged under their HEAD and Local HEAD Funds, respectively. The 
unexpended fund from the HEAD and Local HEAD Funds, accruing to the Special 
14 


 
Trust Fund may also be used for such anticipatory action measures, in addition to 
the purposes provided under this Act. Further, the ERD and LGUs may obtain funds 
from other sources to fulfill the objectives of this Act, subject to pertinent accounting 
and auditing laws and regulations.  
 
The disbursement of funds shall be graduated and proportionate to the 
forecasted severity, lead time, and anticipated extent of damage as determined in 
the pre-disaster risk assessment. The graduation of allowable disbursements for 
each level of forecasted hazard and risk shall be defined in the implementing rules 
and regulations (IRR), taking into account scientific forecasts, operational feasibility, 
and the need to balance responsiveness with fiscal prudence. The graduation of 
disbursement shall not apply to other funding sources that may be lawfully utilized for 
anticipatory action, including agency budgets, external grants or donations, or other 
sources authorized by law.  
 
All relevant national government agencies shall ensure that anticipatory action 
measures are included in their regular agency PPAs to be funded by their regular 
agency budgets as Anticipatory Action Funds and be properly included in the 
General Appropriations Act.  
 
Chapter VI 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
  
SECTION 27. Visitorial Powers. - The Secretary of the Department and/or 
his/her authorized representative shall have visitorial and examining authority over 
governmental and non-governmental entities engaged in post-disaster relief in order 
to ensure that all donations, financial or otherwise, coursed through them, are 
actually used for disaster risk reduction and management efforts. During such 
examination, the entity concerned shall produce all the reports, records, books of 
accounts, and other papers that may be required. 
  
The refusal by any such entity to allow an examination of its books of accounts and 
pertinent records, or the concealment of any material information concerning its 
financial status, shall constitute a legal ground for the cancellation of its registration, 
and the revocation of all tax-exemption privileges and other benefits granted to it by 
law, in the case of a non-governmental entity, or the institution of any proper legal 
action against the erring official concerned, in case of a governmental entity. 
 
        ​ SECTION 28. Stand-by Arrangements with the Private Sector. - At any 
time, the Secretary of the Department shall have the power to negotiate, enter into, 
institutionalize, and coordinate arrangements with any private person, natural or 
juridical, for the purpose of ensuring the adequate, prompt, and ready availability of 
all goods and services, necessary for disaster response, for as long as the 
emergency circumstances require, to be deployed before, during, and after an 
emergency or disaster, subject to the payment of just compensation in appropriate 
cases. 
 
​
SECTION 29. Commandeering Private Property for Public Purpose. - The 
Secretary of the Department shall have the power to commandeer any private 
property for urgent public purposes, when there is a clear and present danger that a 
15 


 
disaster or humanitarian emergency would cause imminent loss of lives and/or the 
massive destruction of property, and time is of the essence. Provided, That 
reasonable compensation for any additional damage or costs incurred by the owner 
or the possessor of the subject private property solely on account of complying with 
the directive shall be given to the person entitled to the possession of such private 
properties or businesses after the situation has stabilized or at the soonest time 
practicable. The commandeering powers shall last no longer than necessary or for 
as long as the circumstances require. 
  
The refusal by any such person or entity to be commandeered, shall constitute a 
legal ground for the cancellation of its registration, if any, and the revocation of all 
tax-exemption privileges and other benefits granted to it by law, in the case of a 
non-governmental entity, or the institution of any proper legal action against the 
erring official concerned, in case of a governmental entity. In addition, the official of 
the establishment, situation, or functionality shall be subjected to a fine and/ or 
imprisonment as provided for in Sec. 28 of this Act. 
 
        ​ SECTION 30. Declaration of State of Calamity. - Whenever warranted by 
circumstances, the Department shall recommend to the President of the Philippines 
the declaration of a state of national calamity and the lifting thereof.  It shall also 
have the power to, motu proprio or upon the favorable recommendation of the 
LDRRMCs, declare a cluster of barangays, municipalities, cities, provinces, and 
regions under a state of calamity, and the lifting thereof, based on the criteria set by 
the Department. The President’s declaration shall entail access to international 
humanitarian assistance, as deemed necessary. 
  
The declaration and lifting of the state of calamity shall be based on the results of the 
damage assessment and needs analysis. The causes, effects and incidents of the 
calamity and the need for the declaration shall be specified. 
  
        ​ SECTION 31. Emergency and Contingency Powers. - Whenever it 
becomes necessary, the Department Secretary, subject to the chain of command 
and with the consent of the President, may engage the Armed Forces of the 
Philippines and/or the Philippine National Police to ensure the protection and 
preservation of life and/or properties, in the whole range of disaster risk reduction 
and management.  
  
In times of disasters, and whenever warranted by the circumstances, the 
Department Secretary may call upon other instrumentalities or entities of the 
government and nongovernment and civic organizations for assistance in terms of 
the use of their facilities and resources for the protection and preservation of life and 
properties in the whole range of disaster risk reduction and management. This 
authority includes the power to call on the reserve force as defined in Republic Act 
No. 7077 to assist in relief and rescue during disasters or calamities. 
  
        ​  SECTION 32. Prohibited Acts. - In addition to the prohibited acts penalized 
under Section 20, in relation to Section 19, of the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction 
and Management Act of 2010: 
 
16 


 
a)​ Any person, group or corporation who directly or indirectly requests or 
receives any part of the funds devoted to disaster risk reduction and 
management, as well as monetary contributions and donations in kind, where 
such person, group or corporation has no right to receive such proceeds from 
the fund, in whole or in part, monetary contribution or donation, shall be guilty 
of the crime of corruption of calamity funds or donations, and shall be 
prosecuted and upon conviction shall suffer a fine of not less than One 
Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php150,000.00) or any amount not to exceed 
One 
Million 
Five 
Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php1,500,000.00), or 
imprisonment of not less than twelve (12) years and one (1) day, nor more 
than twenty (20) years, or both, at the discretion of the court, including 
perpetual disqualification from public office if the offender is a public officer, 
and confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the government of the objects and the 
instrumentalities used in committing the herein prohibited act; 
 
b)​ Any person who, with intent to gain, but without violence against or 
intimidation of persons nor force upon things, shall take personal property 
devoted to any disaster risk reduction and management activity, without the 
consent of the Secretary, shall be guilty of the crime of qualified theft, and 
shall be prosecuted and upon conviction shall be punished by the penalties 
next higher by three degrees than those respectively specified in Article 309 
of the Revised Penal Code; 
 
c)​ Any public officer who, by reason of the duties of his office, is accountable for 
calamity funds or property devoted to disaster risk reduction and management 
efforts, shall appropriate the same or shall take or misappropriate or shall 
consent, through abandonment or negligence, shall permit any other person 
to take such public funds, or property, wholly or partially, or shall otherwise be 
guilty of the misappropriation or malversation of such funds or property, shall 
be punished by the penalties next higher by three degrees than those 
respectively specified in Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code; 
  
In all the above, if the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, or other 
juridical entity, the penalty shall be imposed upon the officer or officers of the 
corporation, partnership, association or entity responsible for the violation, without 
prejudice to the cancellation or revocation of these entities license or accreditation 
issued to them by any licensing or accredited body of the government. If such 
offender is an alien, he or she shall, in addition to the penalties prescribed in this Act, 
be deported without further proceedings after service of the sentence. 
  
The prosecution for the offenses shall be without prejudice to any liability for violation 
of Republic Act No. 3185, as amended, otherwise known as the Revised Penal 
Code, and other civil liabilities. 
  
SECTION 33. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department 
shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of 
this Act within ninety (90) days after approval of this Act. The Secretary, in 
consultation with relevant government agencies and other key stakeholders, shall 
take the lead in the preparation of the implementing rules and regulations. 
  
17 


 
        ​ SECTION 34. Annual Report. - The Department shall submit to the Office of 
the President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, within the first quarter 
of the succeeding year, an annual report relating to the progress of the 
implementation of all disaster risk reduction and management efforts, and a detailed 
inventory of available personnel, supplies and equipment. Such reports shall be 
made available to the public for scrutiny, copying, and reproduction, and shall also 
be uploaded in the Department’s website. 
  
        ​ SECTION 35. Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby 
created a Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor and oversee the 
implementation of the provisions of this Act. The Committee shall be composed of 
six (6) members from the Senate and six (6) members from the House of 
Representatives with the Chairpersons of the Committees on National Defense and 
Security of both the Senate and the House of Representatives as joint Chairpersons 
of this Committee. The five (5) other members from each Chamber are to be 
designated by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, respectively. The minority shall be entitled to pro rata 
representation but shall have at least two (2) representatives from each Chamber. 
  
        ​ SECTION 36. Sunset Review. - Within five (5) years after the effectivity of 
this Act, or as the need arises, the Congressional Oversight Committee shall conduct 
a systematic evaluation of the accomplishments and impact of this Act, as well as 
the performance and organizational structure of the Department, for purposes of 
determining remedial legislation. 
  
        ​ SECTION 37. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, and other executive issuances which are inconsistent with or contrary 
to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or repealed accordingly. 
 
         ​ SECTION 38. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this law is declared 
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions thereof not affected thereby shall remain in 
full force and effect. 
 
         ​ SECTION 39. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation. 
  
Approved, 
18