EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE +)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
5966

H. B. No.

Introduced by Batangas Representatives
Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto, Rep. Elenita Milagros Ermita-Buhain, Rep. Raneo E. Abu,
Rep. Ma. Theresa V. Collantes, Rep. Lianda B. Bolilia and Rep. Mario Vittorio A. Marifio

ANACT
CREATING THE TAAL VOLCANO REHABILITATION AND DEVELOPMENT
COMMISSION, ESTABLISHING THE TAAL VOLCANO REHABILITATION AND
DEVELOPMENT FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXTENDING AID, RELIEF,
RESETTLEMENT, REHABILITATION, LIVELIHOOD, AND DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO COMMUNITIES ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY
THE TAAL VOLCANO ERUPTION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The eruption of Taal Volcano that began on January 12, 2020 and has persisted until
the present has impacted the lives and livelihood of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos,
Particularly Batanguefios, in the country. Based on the most recent situation report of the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Taal Volcano
eruption has affected 50,599 families or 203,763 Filipinos, with 26,767 families or 104,377
individuals taking temporary shelter in 408 evacuation centers in CALABARZON Region,
while another 17,391 families or 68,755 persons are being served outside evacuation centers.
Enforcement of full and partial lockdowns in the municipalities of Agoncillo, Alitagtag,
Balete, Cuenca, Laurel, Lemery, Malvar, San Nicolas, Sta Teresita, Taal, Talisay, Parts of
Lipa City, Parts of Matas Na Kahoy, and Parts of Tanauan City, however, is estimated to
displace roughly half a million population in affected communities. It has caused power
interruptions in 20 cities and municipalities, and has forced 264 local government units to
declare suspension of classes. The eruption had also paralyzed the operation of Ninoy Aquino
International Airport and Diosdado Macapagal International Airport for about three days,
forcing airlines to cancel 383 domestic and 260 scheduled international flights. NDRRMC
also reported that the eruption affected thousands of hectares of agricultural lands and fishing

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also reported that the eruption affected thousands of hectares of agricultural lands and fishing
areas, primarily in the province of Batangas, which caused an estimated three billion pesos’
worth of agricultural damage incurred by farmers, livestock raisers and fishermen. ac
losses, however, only foreshadow the economic and financial costs of the eruption,
particularly in terms of local tourism losses; reconstruction and rehabilitation requirements;
and healthcare, evacuation and relief operations costs, which is expected to reach tens of
billions of pesos.

‘This proposed measure seeks to strengthen the mechanisms of government to
the needs of families and communities affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano. It seel
establish a Taal Volcano Rehabilitation and Development Fund, which allocates fifty billi
Pesos (P50,000,000,000) to provide immediate relief to affected individuals and
establish resettlement centers, homesites and townsites for displaced families; ide
livelihood and employment opportunities for local residents; construct, repair, rehabilitate, or
reconstruct public infrastructure needed in the affected communities; and to adopt |and
implement other interventions that could expedite the retum to normalcy in affected
localities. The bill also allows Congress to increase this amount through a supplem
budget or through the annual general appropriations.

Additionally, the bill seeks to establish a Taal Rehabilitation and Develo
Commission to provide structure and direction in the utilization of the Taal Vo
Rehabilitation and Development Fund. The Taal Commission shall be comprised of five (5)
members from the Cabinet; a Vice Chairperson and Executive Director; two |(2)
Tepresentatives from non-government and civil society organizations; and the Executive
Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMMC), and
the Govemors of the provinces of Batangas and Cavite as ex-officio members. The Teal
Commission shall be mandated to prescribe the overall strategic framework in using the Teal
Volcano Rehabilitation and Development Fund to address the needs of the aff

communities; to spearhead the disaster relief and rehabilitation operations; and to sate
Prioritize and implement priority programs and projects to provide aid, relief, resettlement,
rehabilitation, livelihood and development services to localities affected by the Taal Volcano
eruption, among others.



hopes that the retum to normalcy will aid not only in the economic prosperity of the Southern
Tagalog Region, but of the entire country as well.

In light of the foregoing, immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought.

¢ SANTOS.
Batangas, 6" District

REP. ELENITA MILAGROS ERMITA-BUHAIN _ REP. RANEO E. ABU
Batangas, 1" District Batangas, 2™ District

REP. MA. THERESA V. COLLANTES REP. [0 VITTORIO A. MARIN‘
Batangas, 3 District Batangas, 5" District



ou

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE. )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B.No, 5966

Introduced by Batangas Representatives
Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto, Rep. Elenita Milagros Ermita-Buhain, Rep. Raneo E. Abu,
Rep. Ma. Theresa V. Collantes, Rep. Lianda B. Bolilia and Rep. Mario Vittorio A. Mario

AN ACT
CREATING THE TAAL VOLCANO REHABILITATION AND DEVELOPMENT
COMMISSION, ESTABLISHING THE TAAL VOLCANO REHABILITATION AND
DEVELOPMENT FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXTENDING AID, RELIEF,
RESETTLEMENT, REHABILITATION, LIVELIHOOD, AND DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO COMMUNITIES ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY
THE TAAL VOLCANO ERUPTION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congtess
assembled:

Section 1. Title, ~ This Act shall be known as the “Taal Volcano Rehabilitation and
Development Act.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
extend assistance to individuals, families and communities in difficult circumstances brought
about by catastrophic meteorological, hydrological, and geological events. Towards this end,
the State shall provide programs and services to individuals and communities affected by the
Taal Volcano Eruption in 2020 and its aftermath to ensure that the lives of individuals and
communities in affected provinces, cities and municipalities may return to normalcy at the
earliest possible time and that the economic gains and development in the affected localities
are sustained and accelerated.

Sec. 3. Statement of Objectives. — This Act is intended to provide assistance] to
victims, and individuals and communities affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano and lits
aftermath through the provision of funds for the immediate relief; establishment of
resettlement centers, homesites and townsites, particularly for those living within the
volcano’s permanent danger zone; provision of livelihood and employment opportunities;


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construction, repair, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of public infrastructure; and the adoption
and implementation of other interventions to expedite the return to normalcy in affected
localities.
The Taal Volcano Rehabilitation and Development Commission, created in Section 6

of this Act, shall prioritize victims of the Taal Volcano eruption and its aftermath in the
provision of programs and services under this Act. The term “victims” shall refer to the
following:
(a) _ Individuals who perished or disappeared as a result of the Taal Voleano
eruption or its aftermath;
(b) _ Individuals who suffered death in the family as a result of the Taal Volcano
eruption or its aftermath;
(©) _ Individuals who were displaced or injured as a result of the Taal Voleand and

its aftermath;
(d) Individuals whose dwellings have been damaged, rendered uninhabitable, or
destroyed as a result of the Taal Volcano and its aftermath; and
(©) _ Individuals whose sources of livelihood have been Permanently lost as a result

of the Taal Volcano and its aftermath.
Sec. 4. Taal Volcano Rehabilitation and Development Fund. - The Taal Vol¢ano
Rehabilitation and Development Fund, hereinafter referred to as the Taal Fund, is hereby
Created with a funding of Fifty Billion Pesos (PS0,000,000,000) to carry out the purposes of
this Act. Donations and grants from foreign and domestic sources made for the purpose of
Providing aid, relief and rehabilitation services in areas affected by the eruption of Taal
Volcano shall form part of the Taal Fund. The amount may be augmented by appropriations
from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund as provided in lic
Act No. 11260 and Republic Act No. 11465, otherwise known as the General faites
Act for Fiscal Years 2019 and 2020, respectively. In the subsequent years, Congress may
increase the amount allocated to the Taal Fund through a supplemental budget or through the
annual general appropriations.
Sec. 5. Guidelines in Allocation and Utilization of the Taal Fund. - The following
guidelines shall be observed in the utilization of the Taal Fund:
(a) The Taal Fund can be used to augment aid, relief, resettlement, rehabilitation

and livelihood programs and projects implemented by government ‘agencies concerned for the
victims of the Taal Volcano eruption and its aftermath in the affected communities: Provided,
That any program or project charged against the Taal Fund shall only be deemed
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complementary and supplementary to and shall not be a replacement of any existing program,
project or activity on disaster relief, risk reduction and management already implemented by
the government agencies concemed, including local government units;
() The Taal Fund shall be used for infrastructure projects, including but not imi
to the construction, repair, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of resettlement centers, homesit
and townsites; roads and bridges; flood control, drainage, water and irrigation systems;
communication systems and power lines; hospitals; school buildings; government offices;
tourism facilities; public markets; and other similar infrastructure and facilities;
(©) Aid, relief, resettlement, rehabilitation and livelihood services shall be equitably
extended to all victims of the Taal Volcano eruption and its aftermath, irrespective bf
political or party affiliation, sex, creed, religious belief, or ethnic origin;
(@) Labor-intensive technology shall be used in the identification, selection and
implementation of programs and projects; and
(©) No money from the Taal Fund shall be released without prior identification bf
programs and projects to be funded, nor shall it be used to settle obligations incurred before
the approval of this Act.
See. 6. Taal Volcano Rehabilitation and Development Commission. — The Taal
Volcano Rehabilitation and Development Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Taal
Commission, is hereby created to carry out interventions necessary for the realization of the
purposes of this Act.
The Taal Commission shall be organized within thirty (30) days after the approval pf
this Act. It shall have a term of six (6) years from its organization: Provided, That the
President may, through the issuance of a proclamation within six (6) months prior to
expiration of the term, extend the term once for not more than a period of three (3) years.
the purpose of coordination and administration, the Taal Commission shall be attached to the
Office of the President.
Sec. 7. Powers and Functions of the Taal Commission. ~ To carry out its objectives
‘under this Act, the Taal Commission shall have the following powers and functions:
(a) To prescribe the overall strategic framework in the utilization of the Taal Fund as.
provided in Section 4 of this Act;
(b) To formulate policies and plans for the implementation of aid, reli
resettlement, rehabilitation, livelihood, and development programs and_ services
communities adversely affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano and its aftermath, |in

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harmony with the plans and policies of other agencies and instrumentalities of the Natignal
Government;

(©) To make a determination of the areas to be prioritized to mitigate potential
damage to lives, habitation, infrastructure, agricultural and other resources;

(d) To identify, prioritize and coordinate the implementation of the various programs
and projects to be funded in accordance with Section 4 of this Act;

(e) To sue and be sued in its name, and to adopt, alter and use a seal;

(f) To enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every class, kind and
description which are necessary to the realization of its purposes with any individual, firm} or
corporation, organization or association, private or public, subject to the usual budgeting,
accounting and auditing requirements: Provided, That approval of contracts or agreements
with foreign government entities shall require prior consultation with and approval of the
President;

(g) To apply for, receive and accept grants and donation of funds, equipment,
materials and services needed for the development of the affected localities from fale
and foreign sources;

(h) To monitor the progress of the relief, resettlement, rehabilitation, livelihood, and
development efforts of the government in relation to the eruption of Taal Volcano and jits
aftermath;

(i) To coordinate and consult with national government agencies, local government
units and non-government organizations concemed in the prioritization of programs and
Projects;

@)_ To call upon any department, office, instrumentality, agency, or any politi¢al
subdivision of the government for assistance, including the detail or secondment of
Personnel, as may be necessary for the attainment of the objectives of the Taal Commis: Ik
and

(k) To perform such other powers as may be necessary and proper to carry out the
Purposes of this Act,

Sec. 8. Composition of the Taal Commission. — The Taal Commission shall be
‘composed of the following members:

(a) Secretary of Agriculture as ex-officio member,

(b) Secretary of Budget and Management as ex-officio member

(c) Secretary Labor and Employment as ex-officio member,

(@) Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as ex-officio member;

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(©) Secretary of Public Works and Highways as ex-officio member;
(f) Vice-Chairperson and Executive Director to be appointed by the President,
(g) Two (2) members from non-government and civil society organizations engaged
in disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts to be appointed by the President;
(h) Executive Director of NDRRMC as ex-officio member;
(i) Governor of the Province of Batangas as ex-officio member; and
(j)_ Governor of the Province of Cavite as ex-officio member.
The President shall designate from among the ex-officio members of the Taal Commission
the Chairperson thereof. The Executive Director and members of the Taal Commission
serve for a term of six (6) years unless sooner terminated for cause or further extended
pursuant to Section 6 of this Act.
Sec. 9. Powers and Responsibilities of the Executive Director. - The Executive
Director of the Taal Commission shall have the following powers and functions:
(a) To execute and administer the policies and decisions of the Taal Commission;
(b) To manage the day-to-day operation of the Taal Commission;
(©) To directly coordinate the activities of all agencies and instrumentalities of the
Government in the planning and implementation of projects in affected communities;
(d)_ To monitor the programs and projects and evaluate the effects of execution by
these agencies and instrumentalities;
(©) To submit to the Taal Commission periodic reports relating to the development
of the affected communities; and
(f) To perform such other powers as may be necessary and proper to carry out the
Purposes of this Act.
Sec. 10. Implementation of Programs and Projects. ~The agencies of government
involved with the aid, relief, resettlement, rehabilitation and livelihood services as well as
infrastructure support shall be the implementing agencies of the Taal Commission jn
accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.
The survey, construction, repair, rehabilitation or reconstruction of public
infrastructure and facilities, and the provision of aid, relief, resettlement, rehabilitation and
livelihood services to individual beneficiaries may be undertaken by the implementing
government agencies concerned in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No.
‘9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.”
The Taal Commission may also seek the assistance or engage the services of private
sector entities, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, and other volunteer
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organizations in the implementation of priority programs and projects as provided in Section
11 of this Act and in accordance with existing rules and regulations.

Sec. 11 Partnership with Private Sector Entities, Non-Government Organizatic
Civil Society Organizations, and Other Volunteer Organizations. — To tap the resources
expertise of the private sector, the Taal Commission is hereby authorized to enter
cooperative agreements with private sector entities in the implementation of relief,
resettlement, rehabilitation, and livelihood programs and projects in accordance with existing
laws, rules and regulations,

‘The Taal Commission, in the implementation of relief, resettlement, rehabilitation and
livelihood programs and projects, may also seek the assistance of or enter into agreements
with non-government, civil society and other volunteer organizations: Provided, That these
organizations have proven track records in the provision of relief, resettlement, rehabilitation
and livelihood services in the country.

Sec. 12. Preference for Locally-Available Manpower. — Residents in the affected
‘communities, particularly the victims of Taal Volcano eruption, shall be given preference in
hiring or employment in the construction, repair, rehabilitation and reconstruction projects as
may be identified by the Taal Commission.

Sec. 13. Report to Congress. - The Taal Commission shall submit to Con; a
detailed quarterly report on the implementation of this Act, which includes, but is not limit
to the following information:

(a) Revenues that accrue to the Taal Fund, including the list of local and for
donors and the nature of their donation;

(b) Aid, relief, resettlement, rehabilitation and livelihood services funded
the Taal Fund, including the amounts released, obligated and disbursed for such services; the
list of names of approved individual beneficiaries; the implementing agency, private
contractor, or partner organization that has undertaken the project; and the evaluation of the
effectiveness of the system used to deliver such services; and

(©) Construction, repair, rehabilitation and reconstruction projects financed or being
financed by the Taal Fund, including the amounts released, obligated and disbursed for such
Projects, the mode of procurement for such projects; the roster of contractors; and the
accomplishments for the expended appropriations, including the percentage of completion.

Sec. 14. Appropriations for the Taal Fund. — The amount of Fifty Billion Pesos
(P50,000,000,000) is hereby appropriated from any available funds in the National Trea



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BSEBSSEETSRREERE

not otherwise appropriated. Such amount shall remain valid until the dissolution of the Taal
Commission.

The release and validity of the allotments from the Taal Fund shall be subject to th
specific guidelines and procedures as may be issued by the Department of Budget
Management (DBM) upon consultation with the Taal Commission: Provided, That the
release of the said amount shall be programmed as follows:

(a) From the approval of this Act to December 31, 2020, the sum of Thirty Billion
Pesos (P30,000,000,000);

(b) For fiscal year 2021, the sum of Ten Billion Pesos (P10,000,000,000); and

(©) For fiscal year 2022, the sum of Ten Billion Pesos (P10,000,000,000)..
Provided, That undisbursed amounts at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried over to the
succeeding fiscal year.

Sec. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The President shall issue
necessary implementing rules and regulations within thirty (30) days upon the approval
this Act.

Sec. 16. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision, section or part of this Act shall
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, invalidate or impair an}
other provisions, sections or parts hereof.

Sec. 17. Repealing Clause. — All laws, acts, decrees, executive orders, issuances, and
rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to and inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 18. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.

Approved,