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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

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TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 59

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JURDIN JESUS M. ROMUALDO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This measure is a refiled bill originally introduced in the 17th Congress and subsequently
refiled in the 18th wherein both occasions, the same was forwarded to the Senate for
appropriate action.

During the 19th Congress, the measure underwent various discussions and consultations
however a counterpart bill eventually gained traction and was passed by both Houses of
Congress on June 10, 2025, entitled “An Act Strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management System, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 10121,
Otherwise known as the ‘Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of
2010’,” this proposed measure offers a more sustainable, institutional solution.

While the amendment of RA 10121 is a significant step forward, a more effective and
timely disaster response mechanism can be ensured only through the establishment of a
specialized agency solely responsible for disaster resilience. The creation of a
Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR) will centralize policy-making, planning,
coordination, and implementation efforts and eliminate dependency on multiple agencies
or bureaucratic procedures that may cause delays during emergencies.

The DDR shall serve as the principal agency for disaster risk and vulnerability reduction,
post-disaster recovery, and rehabilitation. It will assume the functions currently held by
the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), which will
be abolished under this proposal. Additionally, the powers, functions, funds, and
personnel of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) under the Department of National Defense
(DND) related to disaster risk reduction and management shall be transferred to the DDR.

To ensure seamless implementation at all levels, this bill mandates the establishment of
Local Disaster Resilience Offices (LDROs) in all provincial, city, and municipal local
government units (LGUs). These offices shall be provided with adequate funding from the
LGU's General Fund, covering personal services, maintenance and operating expenses,
and capital outlay. Each LDRO will be placed under the supervision and control of the
local chief executive, and shall have regular plantilla positions recognizing the technical
and administrative nature of their functions.

At the regional level, Regional Disaster Resilience Offices will be established, along with
a Metro Manila Disaster Resilience Office, all to be headed by Regional Directors
appointed by the Department Secretary, likewise with regular plantilla positions.


This measure also provides for the orderly reorganization of concerned agencies and the
protection of affected employees. Those who may be displaced shall be entitled to
separation pay, retirement benefits, and other entitlements in accordance with Republic
Act No. 6656 and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

The urgency of this legislation is underscored by the 2019 Status Report’ on “Disaster
Risk Reduction in the Philippines’ by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk
Reduction (UNDRR) - Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. The Philippines ranked
third globally in the World Risk Report 2018, with an index value of 25.14%. Approximately
60% of the country's total land area is exposed to multiple hazards, and about 74% of the
population is at risk. Due to its geographic location, the country faces regular threats from
typhoons, earthquakes, floods, landslides, and volcanic eruptions. Over the last five
decades, more than 80% of natural disasters in the Philippines have been hydro-
Meteorological in nature.

We have as very good policy reference, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction 2015-2030, the global blueprint to prevent new and reduce existing disaster
tisk which was adopted at the Third UN World Conference in Sendai, Japan on March 18,
2015.

Where are we now? We have five years till 2030 and yet, the Philippines is still at a high
risk on disasters from super typhoons, landslides, mass flooding and other risks. We
urgently need to strengthen disaster risk governance, invest more on risk reduction
measures, adequate training for professionals and personnel handling disaster resilience
efforts, and enhance preparedness and resilience as well as integrate sustainable
development resilience policies in all our local government units in collaboration with the
national government.

The time for the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience is now. We must act
for the countless lives lost, those injured, and the billions of pesos in property and
livelihood lost over the years. Disaster risk reduction and management have become
integral priorities of local governments across the country, reflecting a growing recognition
that proactive and integrated disaster governance is a benchmark of good local
leadership.

The national government must take a strong, unified stand and avoid fragmented, reactive
solutions. The passage of this bill is a decisive step toward building a more disaster-
resilient Philippines and ensuring safer, more secure f all Filipinos.

The immediate and favorable consideration of this bill is Yarnestly sought.

JURDI US M. ROMUALDO

1 https://www.unisdr.org/files/68265_682308philippinesdrmstatusreport.pdf


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS,

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO._99

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JURDIN JESUS M. ROMUALDO

ANACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE,
DEFINING ITS MANDATE, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATI
FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

Article I

GENERAL PROVISION

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Disaster Resilience Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy - \t shal] be the policy of the State to:

(a) Protect the lives and properties of its citizens by addressing and preventing the causes of

vulnerabilities to natural disaster;

(b) Uphold the

emergencies, including calamities and disasters, through the establishment of a focused,

sacredness of human life by efficiently and effectively addressing humanitarian

streamlined, independent, empowered, capacitated, 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 and management efforts shall be responsive to the humanitarian needs of the people, the

dignity and value of the human person, and respect for property;

(c) Promote a simple, strategic, systematic, continuous, comprehensive, inclusive, and integrated

approach to disaster risk reduction and management aimed at substantially reducing


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vulnerabilities and the risk of disasters and the other humanitarian emergencies, towards the
preservation of life and property, thereby ultimately preventing or deterring the loss of lives
and protecting the social, economic, historical and cultural heritage, and environmental assets

of the country;

(a) Establish a permanent, institutionalized, cohesive, and comprehensive framework for disaster
preparedness, prevention ang mitigation, and response, to be implemented by a focused
specialized agency with its own mandate, power and funding, coordinating with, and the
Philippine government, other foreign government and financial institutions, international
organizations, the private sector, and civil society. Disaster risk reduction and management
shall, first aim for the outright avoidance of the adverse impacts of hazards and related
disasters. 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 carries 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;

(c) Create an integrated, systematic, comprehensive and cohesive plan to simplify, streamline,
integrate, and coordinate the various programs, projects, and activities of the Government and
such other actors or stakeholders in disaster risk reduction and management to ensure
accountability, responsibility, and transparency as well as to ensure the efficient and effective

performance of their functions;

(f) Inculcate a culture of resilience and preparedness against natural disasters at the national,

regional and local levels;

(g) Establish a strong and empowered institution capable of responding to the grater onslaught of
normal or natural disasters brought by climate change, and spearhead efforts to ensure disaster
resilience by delivering the highly critical and intertwined functions of disaster risk reduction

and response, a with recovery and a strategy at building forward better;

(h) Address the different concerns and needs of sectors with special needs or higher vulnerabilities
such as women, children, elderly, persons with disabilities, and indigenous peoples with

respect to disaster resilience and disaster management;

(i Foster an enabling environment for substantial and sustainable participation of non-
government stakeholders such as civil society organizations, private groups, volunteers, and

communities in disaster resilience programs and projects;

(j) Adopt a whole-of-society, whole-of-government, and whole-of-nation approach in disaster

crease collaboration, planning and dialogue among all sectors of society in



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preparing for natural disasters and improving their strategies and actions plans for disaster risk

reduction; and

(k) Strengthen the chain of command and establish a unified command system for disaster

management.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

(a) Adaptation refers to the adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or
expected climactic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial

opportunities;

(b) Assisting actor refers to any Assisting intemational or domestic actor following a disaster in

the country:

(c) Assisting domestic actor refers to any not-for-profit entity established under domestic laws,

which is extending help following a disaster in the country;

(d) Assisting international actor refers to any foreign State, organization, entity or individual
extending help following a disaster within the country or transiting through the country to

extend help following a disaster in another country;

(©) Biological hazards refer to hazards that are of organic origin or conveyed by biological
vectors, including pathogenic microorganism, toxins, and bioactive substances. Example are
bacteria, viruses or parasites as well as venomous wildlife and insects. poisonous plants and

mosquitoes carrying disease-causing agents;

(® Building forward better refers to an approach to building or reconstructing an area or

community, which entails a shift from achieving simple recovery and restoration to creating

safer, more adaptive, resilient, and inclusive communities:

(g) Business continuity refers to the capability of an organization to continue the delivery of

products or services at acceptable predefined levels following a disruptive incident;

(h) Capacity refers to the combination of attributes and resources available within a community

or area that can reduce the level of risk(s) from, or impact(s) of, a disaster;

(i) Civil society organizations (CSOs) refer to non-State actors whose aims are neither to generate
profits nor to seek governing power, but to unite people to advance shared goals and interests.
CSOs may include nongovernment organizations (NGOs), professional associations,
foundations, independent research institutions, community-based organizations, and social

movements;


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(j) Climate change refers to a change in the state of the climate that ca be identified by changes
in the mean and/or the variability of its properties, and that persists in a extended period,
typically decades or longer, whether due to natural internal processes or externa forces such
as modulation of the solar cycles, volcanic eruptions and persistent anthropogenic changes in

the composition of the atmosphere or in land use;

(k) Complex emergency refers to a form of human-induced emergency in which the cause of the

emergency as well as the assistance to the afflicted is complicated by an intense level of

political considerations

() Consequence management refers to the totality of interventions and measures taken to restore
essential operations and services in a permissive environment, including measures to protect

public health and safety, restore essential government services, and provide emergency relief

to individuals, stakeholders, and communities affected by the consequences of emergencies,

hazards, and disasters;

(m) Contingency planning refers to 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;

(n) Cultural heritage refers to the totality of cultural property preserved and developed through
time and passed on to posterity;

(0) Deterministic risk assessment refers to an assessment that considers the possible disaster
impacts of a single scenario, in contrast to probabilistic risk assessment which considers all

possible scenarios, their likelihood, and associated impacts;

(p) Development assistance refers to financial, material or other forms of assistance to support

the economic, social and environment well-being of areas or people affected by a natural

(q) Disability refers to an evolving concept that results from the interaction between persons with
impairments, as defined under Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta
for Disabled Persons” and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinder their full and

effective participation in society on an equal basis with others;

(r) Disaster refers to 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 to cope using its own resources. Unless otherwise

specifically indicated in this Act, the term “disaster” shall refer to “natural disaster”;


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(s) Disaster assistance refers to financial, material, or other forms of assistance to address the
immediate and long-term needs of people, communities or areas affected by a disaster. This

term includes humanitarian assistance and development assistance;

(t) Disaster management refers to the planning, organization, and application of measures

preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters;

(u) Disaster mitigation refers to the reduction or limitation of the adverse impacts of disasters

and its related hazards;

(v) Disaster preparedness refers to the knowledge and capacities developed by governments,
professional response and recovery organizations, communities and individuals to effectively
anticipate, respond to, and recover from, the impacts of likely, imminent or current disasters

and related hazards;

(w) Disaster prevention refers to the intention to avoid, or the outright avoidance, of potential

adverse impacts of disasters and related hazards through action(s) taken in advance;

(x) Disaster recovery refers to restoration or improvement of livelihoods and health, as well as
economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets, systems and activities, of a
disaster-affected community or society, aligning with the principles of sustainable

development and “build forward better” to avoid or reduce future disaster risk;

(y) Disaster response or disaster relief refers to the provision of emergency services and public
assistance during or immediately after a disaster in order to secure and save lives, reduce
health impacts, ensure public safety and meet the basic subsistence needs of the people
affected. Disaster response is predominantly focused on immediate and short-term needs and

is something called “disaster relief”;

(2) Disaster rehabilitation refers to restoration of basic services and facilities for the function of

a community or a society affected by a disaster;

(aa) Disaster resilience refers to the ability of a system, community, or society exposed to hazards

is of a hazard,

to resist, absorb, accommodate, adapt to, transform, and recover from the eff
including the long-term impact of climate change, in a timely and efficient manner, including
through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions through

risk management;

(bb) Disaster risk refers to the potential losses in lives, health status, livelihoods, assets and
services that may occur to a particular community or society due to a disaster in the future,
and is determined by a combination of the vulnerability, capacity, exposure of persons and

assets, hazard characteristics and the environment;


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(cc) Disaster risk governance refers to the manner in which public authorities, civil servants,
media, private sector, and civil society coordinate at community, national and regional levels
in order to manage disaster and climate related risks. This includes ensuring that sufficient
levels of capacity and resources are made available to prevent, prepare for, manage and
recover from disasters. It also entails mechanisms, institutions, and processes for citizens to
articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights and obligations, and mediate their

differences;

(dd) Disaster risk management refers to the systematic approach or process of implementing

strategies, policies and programs to lessen the possibility and/or adverse impacts of disaster

and related hazards;

(ee) Disaster risk reduction refers to the prevention of new, or reduction of existing, disaster risks

and the management of residual risk, to enhance resilience to disaster;

(ff) Early warning system refers to an integrated system of hazard monitoring, forecasting and
prediction, disaster risk assessment, and communication and preparedness activities and
processes that enable individuals, communities, national government agencies, local
government units, the private sector, and other to take timely action to reduce disaster risk and

adequately prepare for disasters;

(gg) Emergency refers to unforeseen or sudden occurrence, especially danger, demanding

immediate action;
(hh) Emergency management refers to the organization and management of resource and
responsibilities for addressing all aspects of emergencies, in particular, preparedness, response

and initial recovery steps:

(ii) Environmental hazards refer to hazards which may be chemical, natural and biological, and

can be created by environmental degradation or physical or chemical pollution in the air water

and soil. However, many of the processes and phenomena that fall into this category may be

termed drivers of hazard and risk rather than hazards in themselves, such as soil degradation,

deforestation, loss of biodiversity, salinization and sea-level rise;

Exposure refers to the situation of people, infrastructure, housing, production capacities and

other tangible human assets located in hazard-prone areas:

(kk) Framework Agreement shall refer to a written agreement between a procuring entity and a
supplier of service provider that identifies the terms and conditions, under which specific
purchases, are made for the duration of the agreement. The Framework Agreement is in the

nature of an option contract between the procuring entity and the bidder(s) granting the


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procuring entity the option to either place an order for any of the goods or services identified
in the Framework Agreement List or buy or not buy at all, within the period of the Framework

Agreement.

(I) Geological or geophysical hazards refer to hazards which originate from internal earth
processes, such as earthquakes, volcanic activities and emissions, and related geophysical
processes which include mass movements, landslides, rockslides, surface collapses and debris
or mud flows. Hydrometeorological factors are important contributors to some of these
processes. While tsunamis are triggered by undersea earthquakes and other geological events,
they essentially become an oceanic process that is manifested as a coastal water-related

hazards;

(mm) Geographic information system refers to a database which contains, among others, geo-
hazard assessments, information on climate change, and climate risk reduction and

management;

(an) Geographically isolated and disadvantaged area (GIDA) refers to an area with a marginalized
population, which is physically and socio-economically separated from the mainstream
society and characterized by physical factor such as isolated due to distance, weather
conditions and transportation difficulties due to island, upland lowland, landlocked, hard to
reach and underserved communities; and/or socio-economic factors such as high poverty
incidence, presence of vulnerable sector, communities in or recovering from a situation of

crisis or armed conflict;

(00) Hazards refer to a phenomenon, substance, human activity, or condition that may cause loss
of life, injury or impacts to health; and social and economic disruption, environmental

damage, or loss of or disruption to property, livelihood and/or services;

(pp) Historical landmarks refer to sites or structures that are associated with events or
achievements significant to Philippine history as declared by the National Historical Institute

or the applicable agency:

(qq) Human-induced disaster refers to disaster induced entirely or predominantly by human

activities or choices, such as ideologically motivated conflict or criminality;

(1) Humanitarian assistance refers to financial, material or other similar forms of assistance to

address the immediate needs of people affected by a natural disaster:

(ss) Hydrometeorological hazards refer to hazards that are of atmospheric, hydrological and
oceanographic origin, such as tropical cyclones also known as typhoons and hurricanes;
floods, including flash floods, drought; heatwaves and cold spells, coastal storm surges, and

marine heatwaves, extreme sea events, and sea level rise, Hydrometeorological conditions


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may also be a factor in other hazards such as landslides, wildland fires, locust plagues,
epidemics, and in the transport and dispersal of toxic substances and volcanic eruption

materials;

(tt) Impact and needs assessment refers to assessing the nature and magnitude of a disaster, its
impact on affected populations, the type and extent of emergency, and the requirements for

recovery and rehabilitation of the affected areas;

(au) Land-use planning refers to the process undertaken by public authorities to identify, evaluate,
and decide on different options for the use of land, including consideration of long-term
economic, social, and environmental objectives and the implications for different
communities and interest groups, and the subsequent formulation and promulgation of plans

that describe the permitted or acceptable uses;

(wv) Legal facilities refers to entitlements and exemptions that are granted to assisting domestic or
international actors which are declare to be eligible pursuant to this Act and its implementing

rules and regulations;

(ww) Local Disaster Resilience Plan (LDRP) refers to a document prepared by a local
government unit (LGU) based on the National Disaster Resilience Framework (NDRF) and
National Disaster Resilience Plan and Investment Program (NDRPIP) that sets out specific
programs, objectives and goals to implement disaster risk management and climate change
adaptation measures at the local level. The plan shall include among others, an evaluation and
analysis of emerging disaster risks, hazards and vulnerabilities applicable to an LGU, and
specific programs and activities to ensure responsive, effective, and the appropriate disaster

preparedness and management at the local level;

(xx) National continuity policy refers to a policy aimed at the development of an organizational
culture that has the ability to provide a minimum level of service during interruptions,

emergencies, and disasters, and return to full operations quickly;

(yy) National cultural treasure refers 10 a unique cultural property found locally, processing
outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is highly significant and
important to the country and nation, and officially declared as such by the pertinent cultural

agency;

(22) National Disaster Resilience Framework (NDRF) refers to a framework that provides for a
comprehensive, all-hazards, multi-sectoral, inter-agency and community-based approach to
enable communities to resist, prevent, mitigate against, absorb, accommodate, adapt to,
recover, or buld forward better from the effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner
through, among others, disaster risk reduction and management and climate change adaptation

and mitigation. The NDRF shall be composed of National Disaster Risk Reduction and


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Management Framework (NDRRMF), and National Framework Strategy on Climate Change
(NFSCC);

(aaa) National Disaster Resilience Plan and Investment Program (NDRPIP) refers to a plan

formulated and implemented by the Department of Disaster Resilience in accordance with the
NDRF that sets out the outcomes, goals and objectives, priorities, programs and
corresponding action plans for disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and management, and
climate change mitigation. It shall also include, among others, the goals, objectives, and action

plans for a National Continuity Policy;

(bbb) National Disaster refers to a disaster predominantly associated with and/or caused by natural

processes or phenomena, such as those related to geology such as earthquakes, ground

rupture, liquefaction, landslides, tsunamis, sinkholes, volcanic activity; hydrology and

meteorology such as floods, severe winds, typhoons, storm surges, climatological variability
such as extreme temperatures, El Nifio, La Nifia, and forest fires: biological events such as
epidemics or pandemics caused by outbreaks of viral, bacterial, parasitic, fungal or prion
infectious diseases affecting human, animal or plant life, insect infestations or swarms; and

extra-terrestrial events such as a meteorite or asteroid strikes.

(ccc) Open data refer to facts and statistics that can be freely used, shared and built-on by

anyone, anywhere for any purpose, which must be available in bulk, free of charge, or at least
at no more than a reasonable cost and permit people to use, re-use, and redistribute, intermix

with other data providers;

(ddd) Post-Disaster recovery refers to the restoration improvement where appropriate, of facilities,

livelihood and living conditions, of disaster-affected communities, including efforts to

reduce disaster risk factors, in accordance with the principle of “build forward better”;

(cee) Preparedness refers to pre-disaster actions and measure being undertaken within the context

(fff)

of disaster risk reduction and management and are based on sound risk analysis as well as

pre-disaster activities to avert or minimize loss of life and property such as community

organizing, training, planning, equipping, stockpiling, hazard mapping, insuring of assets,
and public information and education initiatives. This also includes the development or
enhancement of an overall preparedness strategy, policy, institutional structure, warning and
forecasting capabilities, and plans that define measures geared to help at-risk communities
safeguard their lives and assets by being alert to hazards and taking appropriate action in the

face of an imminent threat or an actual disaster;

Prevention refers to activities and measures to avoid existing and new disaster risks, and the

concept and intention to avoid potential adverse impacts of hazardous events;


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(ggg)Probabilistic risk assessment refers to the simulation of those future disasters based on
scientific evidence, and which are likely to occur in order to resolve the problem posed by
the limits of historical data by reproducing the physics of the phenomena and recreating the
intensity of a large number of synthetic events, including all possible scenarios, their

likelihood, and associated impacts;

(ahh) Rehabilitation refers to measures that ensure the ability of affected communities or areas to

restore their normal level of functioning by rebuilding livelihood and infrastructures and

increasing the communities’ organizational capacity;

(iii) Resilience refers to the ability of a system, community or society exposed to hazards to resist,
absorb, accommodate, and recover from the effects thereof in a timely and efficient manner,
including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and

functions in a manner that will make them more resistant to future risks;

(iii) Response refers to any concerted effort by two (2) or more agencies, public or private, to
provide assistance or intervention during or immediately after a disaster to meet the life
preservation and basic subsistence needs of those people affected and in the restoration of

essential public activities and facilities;

(kkk) Retrofitting refers to an act reinforcing or upgrading existing structures to make them more

resistant and resilient to the damaging effects of hazards:

(ill) Risk refers to the combination of the probability of an event and its negative consequences;

(mmm)Risk assessment refers to a methodology to determine the nature and extent of risks by
analyzing potential hazards and evaluating existing conditions of vulnerability that together
could potentially harm exposed people, property, services, livelihood and the environment

review of

on which they depend. Risk assessment with associated risk mapping include:
the technical characteristics of hazards such as their location, intensity, frequency and
probability; the analysis of exposure and vulnerability including the physical, social, health,
economic, and environmental dimensions; and the evaluation of the effectiveness of

prevailing and alternative coping capacities in respect to likely risk scenarios;

(nnn)Risk transfer refers to the process of formally or informally shifting the financial
consequences of particular risks from one party to another whereby a household, community,
enterprise or State authority will obtain resources from the other party after a disaster occurs,

in exchange for ongoing or compensatory social or financial benefits provided to that other

party;


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(000)Safety stock refers to items of raw materials, component parts, or finished goods maintained
in inventory in order to reduce the risk that such items will be out of stock. in anticipation of

unforeseen shortages or unusual demand for such items;

(ppp)State of Calamity refers to a condition involving mass casualty, disruption of means of
livelihoods, and/or major damages to property, roads and normal way of life of people in the

affected areas as a result of the occurrence of natural or human-induced hazard;

(qqq)Sustainable development refers to development that meets the needs of the present generation
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. It contains within

it two (2) key concepts: first, the concept of “needs”, in particular, the essential needs of the

world’s poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and second, the idea of limitations
imposed by the state of technology and social cohesion and harmony, and ecological
integration ofa sound and viable economy, responsible governance, and ecological integrity
to ensure that human development now and through future generations is a life enhancing

process;

(rrr) Volunteers refer to individuals, groups of entities that offer and provide services or assistance,

without compensation, to help people and areas affected by disasters:

(sss) Vulnerability refers to the characteristics and circumstances of a community, system or assets
that make it susceptible to the damaging effects of a hazard. Vulnerability may arise from
various physical, social, economic. and environmental factors such as poor design and
construction of buildings, inadequate protection of assets, lack of public information and
awareness, limited official recognition of risks and preparedness measures, and disregard for

wise environmental management;

(ttt) Vulnerable and marginalized groups refer to those that face higher exposure to disaster risk
and poverty including women, children, the elderly, differently abled people, and ethnic

minorities;

(uuu) Whole-of.
participation and synergy of the different stakeholders of society toward climate change

ciety Approach refers to an approach that encourages the meaningful and active

adaptation and mitigation, and disaster risk reduction and management at the national and

local levels;

(vwv) Whole-of-Government Approach refers to an approach that instills and fosters collaboration
among all government instrumentalities both at the national and local levels towards shared

sustainable development goals and outcomes; and

(www) Whole-of-Nation Approach refers to an approach that seeks to bring about a concerted

effort towards sustainable development, and national peace and security by creating


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‘consensus and understanding of development and security that is shared not just among core
security forces and oversight government institutions, but also by the nation’s stakeholders

such as government, civil society, private sector, and the communities.

Article I
THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE
MANDATE, POWERS, AND FUNCTIONS

SEC. 4. Creation and Mandate of the Department of Disaster Resilience. — There is hereby

created a Department of Disaster Resilience, herein after referred to as the Department.

The Department shall be the primary government agency responsible for leading, organizing, and
managing the national effort to reduce disaster risk, prepare for and respond to disasters, recover and

rehabilitate, and build forward better after the occurrence of disasters.

‘The Department shall oversee and coordinate the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and
evaluation of disaster and climate resilience plan, programs, projects and activities, provide leadership in
the continuous development of strategic and systematic approaches to disaster prevention, mitigation,
preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation, to anticipatory adaptation strategies, measures,

techniques and options.

‘The Department shall augment the capacity of local governments units in collaboration with
relevant national government agencies and other stakeholders to implement disaster risk reduction and

management and climate change action plans, programs, projects, and activities.

‘The Department shall be the principal government institution responsible for ensuring safe,
adaptive, and disaster resilient communities. It is mandated to provide a clear and comprehensive direction
in the implementation of plans, programs, and projects to reduce the risk of natural hazards and the effects

of climate change and manage the impact of disasters.

The mandate of the Department covers all natural hazards, which include, among others, the

following:

(a) Geological Phenomena and Related Hazards
1) Barthquake - ground rupture, ground shaking, liquefaction, tsunami, fire, landslides, and
seiche or lake water oscillation
2) Volcanic activity - ash fall, pyroclastic flow, lava flow, lahat, fissuring, and volcanic gas
3) Mass movement ~ landslides, debris flow, sinkholes
(b) Hydrological, Oceanographic and Meteorological Phenomena and Related Hazards
1) Tropical cyclone ~ severe winds, storm surge, rouge waves, sever rainfall including hail

2). Flood, rain-triggered landslides and storm surges


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3) Erosion
4). Marine heatwaves, extreme sea events, and sea level rise
(c) Climate Variability/ Change with Related Hazards of Compound Events and Cascading Impacts
1) EI Niffo or La Nifia (ENSO) with associated rainfall and temperature (in particular, projected
extreme ENSOs)
2) Extreme temperature (heat waves or cold waves), extreme weather conditions (drought or
excessive rainfall)
3) Wildfire (forest of land fires)
(d) Biological and Related Hazards
1) Epidemic / Pandemic — viral, bacterial, parasitic, fungal, prion infectious diseases
2) Insect Infestation — grasshopper/locusts

(c) Extra-Terrestrial — Meteorite/ Asteroid impact

‘The Department shall manage and direct the implementation of national, local, and community-
based disaster resilience and disaster management programs, projects and activities, including disaster
response, recovery and rehabilitation, when applicable, in collaboration with relevant national government
agencies, LGUs, CSOs, academic institutions and other stakeholders: Provided, That for human-induced
disaster, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of National Defense
(DND), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and other relevant government
instrumentalities, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP),
Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PGC), and Office of Civil Defense (OCD),
shall continue to perform their functions: Provide, further, That the Department shall remain as the lead

agency in recovery and rehabilitation efforts in collaboration with all stakeholders when applicable.

Notwithstanding, the mandates and powers stated herein shall be without prejudice to the

President's directive to address natural, human-induced, or other disasters such as an epidemic.

SEC. 5. Power and Functions of the Department. — The Department shall exercise the following
powers and functions, in collaboration with the relevant departments, agencies, and non-government

stakeholders:

(a) General Functions

1) Conduct risk and vulnerability sment at the local level based on the national criteria,

and establish a database that includes, among others, an inventory of hazards to better
prepare for and respond to natural disasters;

2) Undertake the establishment or construction of evacuation center that conform to the
standards under the United Nations (UN) Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards
in Humanitarian Response or The Sphere Minimum Standards for Shelter and Settlement,
and Republic Act No. 10821, otherwise known as the “Children’s Emergency Relief and
Protection Act”, among others. The upkeep and maintenance of the evacuation centers shall

be the responsibility of the concerned LGUs;


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3) Develop, maintain and update an integrated disaster management and disaster resilience
information system that includes, among others, multi-hazard mapping, vulnerability and
probabilistic risk assessments, early warning, exposure database, communication and
emergency management systems at the national, regional, and provincial levels;

4) Undertake the formulation and implementation of the government's policies, plans,
program, projects, and budget for disaster resilience including those related to disaster risk
reduction, response, recovery, rehabilitation, and building forward better;

5) Review and build upon, to the extent necessary, the existing disaster resilience framework,
plans and strategies in the crafting of an NDRF and the corresponding NDRPIP;

6) Oversee, review, and approve the transition, integration, and implementation of the
NDRPIP into LDRPs;

7) Facilitate the availability of highly competent DRR professionals at all levels and prescribe
benefits, allowances, and similar emoluments for DRR professionals, as it may deem fit;

8) Communicate and disseminate critical information to help the public prepare for, respond
to, and recover from a disaster;

9) Receive, manage, administer, and control all the funds, assets and properties received by
the Department to accomplish the purposes of this Act;

10) Recommend to the President of the Philippines the declaration of a state of calamity due

to a natural disaster, and the lifting thereof when conditions stabilize;

11) Advise the President on matters concerning disaster resilience and make recommendations,
as appropriate;

12) Advance the country’s interests relating to disaster resilience in the regional and global
arena;

13)Collaborate with any government entity to help ensure the attainment of the goal and
objectives of this Act; and

14) Perform such other functions, as provided by law or assignment of the President, and
undertake all the necessary actions to ensure the attainment of the overall goals and

objectives of this Act.

(b) Disaster Risk Reduction

1) Develop coordinate regional and local strategies for the effective prevention and mitigation
of disaster risk resulting from natural hazards, including the effects of climate change;

2) Develop and implement policies and programs relating to the construction of new

settlements or relocation of settlements in safe areas which shall, to the extent such pol
and programs relate to disaster risk reduction, mitigation, prevention or building forward
better, prevail over policies or decisions of other government departments, government
agencies, government-owned and/or controlled corporations, LGUs, or other government
institutions;

3) Develop, in coordination with relevant government agencies, policies and programs on
land-use planning, urban planning and zoning which shall, to the extent such policies and
programs relate to disaster risk reduction, mitigation, prevention or building forward better,

prevail over policies or decisions of other government department, government agencies,


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government owned and/or controlled corporations, LGUs, or other government
institutions;

4) Establish or enhance standards for disaster preparedness and continuity planning, such as
on infrastructure standards and designs:

5) Collaborate with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other
relevant government agencies in the conduct of regular structural, safety audit of buildings
and other types of infrastructure, and require the submission of necessary data, information
or reports related thereto;

6) Formulate a National Continuity Policy including plans and programs to implement
government governance and business continuity;

7) Ensure the use of advanced science and technology in the anticipatory planning of
communities against the impact of natural hazards and climate change through
consultation, and employment with a regular department funding for relevant academic or
higher educational institutions with proven risk reduction record;

8) Establish a system to ensure that all disaster-related data are accessible to all stakeholders
to generate the best scientific information and technologies products for use in disaster
resilience:

9) Ensure that all climate change-related hazards are included in the development of climate
risk profiles of targeted LGUs as provided for in the Climate Risk and Management
Framework (CRMF) policy document of the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and that
the appropriate institutions such as the academe and other science experts or organizations
who have the capability to develop or have developed methodologies to establish climate
change risk profile are officially engaged;

10) Undertake programs and projects to reduce the vulnerability of physical infrastructure,
assets, and facilities including retrofitting, and structural and non-structural upgrading, in
coordination with the relevant government agencies;

11) Call on relevant government agencies to develop alternative livelihood programs to reduce
the vulnerability to disasters of certain areas or certain sectors of society;

12) Formulate, facilitate and monitor efforts relating to certain resources or sectors toward

addres

water resources, agriculture, forestry, coaster and marine resources, health, and

ing the long-term effects of climate change on sustainable development, such as

infrastructure, in coordination with relevant government agencies;
13) Design and implement an incentive system for greater private and public investment, both
at the local and national levels, on disaster risk reduction;
14) Oversee and ensure the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation and disaster risk
reduction in development and land use planning, and the preparation of contingency plans;
15) Create an enabling environment that shall promote broader multi-stakeholder participation
for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation;
16) Establish, develop, and monitor programs and projects, in coordination with relevant
government agencies, that consider climate projections, including temperature increase and

rainfall change in the Philippines to ensure climate-resilient communities;


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17) Establish and monitor national and local capacity for disaster risk financing and insurance
and other risk transfer strategies in coordination with the Department of Finance (DOF),
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), and
Insurance Commission;

18) Review and evaluate local disaster resilience plans and other local plans to ensure their
consistency with the National Disaster Resilience Framework; and

19) Undertake all other programs and projects necessary to attain the necessary outcomes for

disaster risk reduction.

(©) Disaster Preparedness and Response
1) Lead, manage, and collaborate with the relevant government instrumentalities, non-
government stakeholders, and international partners in providing the minimum basic needs
of people in affected areas before, during and/or immediately after a disaster to save lives

and minimize casualties;

2) Establish a corps of first responders in partnership with national and local stakeholders,
both public and private;

3) Implement projects and programs that will enhance the capacity of LGUs to prepare for
and respond to disasters, giving priority to LGUs with low income or those situated in high-
risk areas;

4) Ensure the efficient prepositioning of goods, maintenance and disposal of safety stocks;

5) Aceredit, monitor, and evaluate training institution on disaster resilience;

6) Regulate the accreditation of donors, volunteers, and assisting non-government
stakeholders, both domestic and international;

7) Formulate standards for contingency planning that shall be adopted by the LGUs;

8) Develop a database of exposure or elements at risk per area to facilitate and ensure quick
impact and needs assessment in the event of a disaster;

9) Facilitate and regulate the acceptance, inventory and accounting of humanitarian
assistance, including relief goods;

10)Maintain a database of volunteers and, when necessary, mobilize volunteers to augment
the personne] complement and logistical requirements for disaster response and/or for the
delivery of DRRM programs, projects and activities;

11) Oversee and maintain a national early-waming and emergency alert system that must
provide a specific, areas-focused and time-bound warning that are accurate, timely,
understandable and readily accessible to national and local emergency response
organizations and the general public;

12) Coordinate information-sharing and other disaster risk reduction protocols following the

principle of inter-operability among national government agencies and local government

units
13)Call upon other instrumentalities of entities of the government and non-government 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 function includes the power to call on the reserve force


COVNanRYNeE

as defined in Republic Act No. 7077, otherwise known as the “Citizen Armed Force of the
Philippines Reservist Act”, to assist in relief, rescue, retrieval and management of dead and
missing persons during disasters or calamities:

14) Organize, train, equip, and maintain a system of response capacity for search, rescue and
retrieval and the delivery and distribution of relief goods;

15)Recommend to the President to call upon the AFP and PNP to render the necessary
assistance in a disaster-affected area by the authority of the President;

16) Call upon, by authority of the President, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine
National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Philippine Coast Guard, and other
uniformed services to the extent necessary for the Department to achieve the purposes of
this Act;

17) Establish a National Corps of Volunteers to be composed of, among others: Reserve
Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), National Service Training Program (NSTP), reservists,

and other socio-civic organization

18) Assist in mobilizing necessary resources to increase the overall capacity of local
government units, specifically those with low income and situated in high-risk areas; and
19) Undertake all other programs and projects necessary to attain the necessary outcomes for

disaster preparedness and response.

(d) Recovery and Building Forward Better

1) Prepare, organize, lead, implement, and manage post-disaster assessment and recovery and
rehabilitation programs and plans, in coordination with the affected local governments
units, national government agencies, and other stakeholders;

2) Establish a system to promptly perform impact and needs assessment, including
strengthening the in-house capacity of the Department to conduct accurate and timely
impact and needs assessment;

3) Establish a system that utilizes templates, exposure database, and other tools, and develop
the Department's in-house capacity for the prompt and expedient preparation of
rehabilitation plans, when needed, for disaster affected areas;

4) Formulate or direct relevant government agencies and LGUs to issue guidelines for fast-
tracking the issuance of permits, certifications, clearances and licenses to implement
disaster recovery and rehabilitation measures, including housing projects, in affected areas;

5) Prepare and implement rehabilitation plans for disaster affected areas;

6) Manage and oversee the implementation of disaster recovery and rehabilitation measures;

7) Collaborate with relevant government agencies to establish programs to restore or generate
livelihood in disaster affected areas;

8) Formulate policies and standards for post-disaster shelter recovery which may include,
among others, implementation arrangements, coordination arrangements with relevant
agencies and LGUs, and modalities for emergency transitional and permanent shelter
recovery;

9) Ensure that the principle of building forward better is applied to rehabilitation or

reconstruction efforts; and


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10) Undertake all other programs and projects necessary to attain the necessary outcomes for
recovery and safer, adaptive, resilient, and inclusive communities

(e) Other Functions

1) Constitute, call, convene or deputize agencies of government, and invite non-government

and private organizations, to assist, advice, or coordinate with the Department to achieve
the purpose of this Act;
2) Inspect and examine the status of projects, programs, and activities undertaken by national

government agencies and local government units in furtherance of disaster resilience

efferts;

3) Save lives and/or minimize damages to livelihood and property, complement and
collaborate with relevant government agencies and non-government stakeholders in
providing humanitarian response and the consequence management of human-induced
disasters whenever it becomes necessary:

4) Negotiate, enter into, institutionalize, and coordinate arrangements with any private person
or entity for the purpose of ensuring the adequate and prompt availability of goods and
services necessary in anticipation of, during, and in aftermath of disasters;

5) Promulgate rules and regulations for the receipt, management, and accounting of donations
that are consistent with the rules of the Commission on Audit (COA) on the use of foreign
and local aid during calamities and disasters:

6) Create or reorganize offices and/or task forces, as may be necessary to carry out the
objectives of this Act; and

7) Perform such other functions, as may be necessary, for the attainment of the objectives of

this Act.

Article UT
EMERGENCY MEASURES

SEC. 6. Emergency Measures. — (a) To protect and preserve life and property and ensure and

promote public safety and welfare, the Department may undertake and implement the following

emergency measures in anticipation of during and in the aftermath of disasters;

)
2)
3

4)

5)

Carrying out of preemptive evacuation;

Imposition of curfew:

Rationing of the distribution of basic goods in critical shortage, and when necessary, preventing
or restriction the transfer of such goods outside of the area affected by the disaster, including
access to rice inventory of the National Food Authority (NFA) office or storage located in the
affected area;

When there is imminent danger of loss of lives or damage to property, temporarily take over
or direct the operation of any private utility or business, subject to payment of just
compensation: and

With the concurrence of the DOF, recommend to the Monetary Board the deferment of the
payment of monetary obligations of local government units and private entities that have been

severely affected by disaster.


(b) Local government units shall enact ordinances on and implement necessary and appropriate
emergency measures to ensure the protection and preservation of life and property and the promotion of

public safety and welfare in anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of disaster;

(c) Emergency measures shall be carried out in a manner that is humane, respectful of the dignity
and culture of persons, without the use of discrimination and disproportionate force, and with conscious

attention to the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups.

(d) Appropriate steps shall be taken to inform the public of the need to implement emergency

measures for their safety.

SEC. 7. Preemptive and Force Evacuations. — Preemptive evacuation shall be the preferred and
primary mode of moving and relocating people that will be affected by impending disaster

A forced evacuation shall be considered as an emergency measure of the last resort that may be
undertaken in anticipation of or during a disaster and carried out by the concerned local government unit:
Provided, That in case if the failure or inability of the local government units to implement the same, the
forced evacuation shall be implemented by the Department which may direct and compel the assistance
of law enforcement and other government agencies to implement such measure.

Any person who willfully disregards or disobeys a preemptive or force evacuation carried out by
the local government unit or the Department releases such local government unit or the Department, as
the case may be, from any liability for injury, death, damage to, or loss of property due to such

disobedience.

Article 1V
ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT

SEC. 8. The Secretary. — The Department shall be headed by the Secretary of Disaster Resilience,
hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, who shall be appointed by the President, subject to confirmation

by the Committee on Appointments, The Secretary shall preferably have a good background in any of the

sciet

ic, engineering, and public management fields relevant to the attainment and promotion of

resiliency to natural hazards and climate change, and demonstrated managerial acumen.

SEC. 9. Powers and Functions of the Secretary. — The Secretary shall have the following powers

and functions:

a) Provide executive direction and supervision over the entire operations of the Department;

b) Establish and promulgate policies, rules, and regulations for the effective and efficient
operation of the Department and implement these to carry out its mandate, functions, programs,
and activities;

c) Exercise control and supervision over all functions and activities of the Department and its
officers and personnel;

d) Manage the financial, human and other resources of the Department;


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e) Appoint and designate officers and employees of the Department, excluding those requiring
presidential appointment as provided for by law;

f) Exercise disciplinary powers over officers and employees of the Department in accordance
with law, and investigate such erring officers and employees, or designate a committee or
officer to conduct an investigation:

g) Collaborate with other government agencies, the private sector, and civil society organizations
on the policies, programs, projects, and activities of the Department, as may be necessary;

h) Advise the President on the promulgation of executive and administrative orders, and the
formulation of regulatory and legislative proposals on matters pertaining to disaster resilience:

i) Represent the Philippines and articulate the national contribution to global, regional, and other

inter-governmental disaster risk reduction and humanitarian platforms, in coordination with

the Department of Foreign Affairs;

j) Formulate such riles and regulations, and exercise such other powers as may be required to
implement the objectives of this Act;

k) Serve as a member of the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB); and

1). Perform such other tasks as may be provided by law or assigned by the President.

SEC. 10. The Undersecretaries. — The Secretary shall be assisted by four (4) Undersecretaries,

which shall be responsible for the following key result areas:

a) Disaster Preparedness and Response ~ to implement projects and programs that will enhance
the capacity of LGUs to prepare against, and respond tom disasters. This also includes
development of a database of exposure or elements at risk per area and database of volunteers,
among others. It involves the establishment of evacuation centers and the implementation of
responsive and efficient prepositioning of goods, maintenance and disposal of stocks, among
others;

b) Disaster Risk Reduction ~ to formulate, adopt, and/or implement, among others, a whole-of-
society approach in policies and programs to prevent new, if not reduce existing disaster risks,
to address the effects of climate change, and to minimize loss and damage to lives and
properties. This includes the formulation of the required policies and/or programs for disaster
risk reduction and climate change adaptation in, among others, the NDRF and the NDRPIP;

©) Recovery and Building Forward and Better —to formulate and implement rehabilitation plans
for disaster-affected areas, and to ensure the implementation of disaster recovery and
rehabilitation measures, such as, but not limited to, post-disaster shelters and livelihood
projects, in collaboration with relevant agencies, LGUs, and other stakeholders.

4) Support to Operations —to formulate and implement, among others, policies, programs and/or
projects to ensure the efficient, effective, and responsive delivery of the Department's key
result areas. Support to Operations covers knowledge management, institutional development
and planning, finance, office administration, human resource management, and development

of the Department’s in-house capacities among others


SEC. IL. The Assistant Secretaries and Directors. — The Department shall have four (4) Assistant
Secretaries and appropriate number of Directors to ensure for the effective, efficient, and responsive
implementation of the mandate and funetions of the Department.

SEC. 12. Qualifications. ~ No person shall be appointed Secretary, Undersecretary, or Assistant
Secretary of the Department unless a citizen and resident of the Philippines, of good moral character, and
proven experience, competence or expertise in humanitarian relief assistance and disaster management.
The Secretary, Undersecretary, or Assistant Secretary shall not hold any other position, public or private,
during their term of office.

SEC. 13. Structure and Staffing Patter. - The Department shall determine its organizational
structure and staffing pattern and create such services, divisions, and units, as it may require or deem
necessary, subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management

14. National Disaster Operations Center, Alternative Command Center, and Research and
Training Institute. — The Department shall establish, within one (1) year from the approval of this Act,
and act as the primary operator, the National Disaster Operations Center (NDOC), Alternative Command
and Control Center (ACCCs) as may be necessary in each of the country’s major island groups, and the
Disaster Resilience Research and Training Institute (DRRT1).

‘The Department is authorized to collect fees derived from the DRRTI.

The NDOC is a physical center equipped with the necessary tools and systems to monitor, manage,
and respond to disasters in all areas of the country. The NDOC shall also provide the necessary support
for the overall coordination and implementation of emergency and disaster response measures throughout
the country the country.

The ACCCs are command center established in other locations to provide supplemental support to
the NDOC. The number and location of ACCCs shall be determined by the Department. Temporary
ACCCs may likewise be established by the Department, if necessary.

SEC. 15. DRRTI Functions and Inter-Agency Knowledge Sharing. — The DRRTI shall be a
platform for providing training preferably on site, and for collecting, consolidating, managing, analyzing,
and sharing knowledge and information to improve or enhance disaster resilience.

The DRRTI shall:

a) Establish reliable and up-to-date disaster-related information and communication systems and
technologies through close collaboration with the DOST and with academic institutions;

b) Institutionalize, maintain, and update an integrated disaster resilience information system
(IDRIS), which includes, among others, multi-hazard mapping, probabilistic risk assessment, risk
analysis, early warning, exposure database, communication and emergency management systems;

c) Establish a database that includes relevant information from other government agencies and
third parties for the Department to better prepare and respond to natural hazards including, but not limited
to, an inventory of hazardous materials per area;

d) Consult and coordinate with, and consolidate information/data from, relevant government
agencies, such as, but not limited to, DOST, LGUs, academic institutions, and relevant CSOs to enhance
the IDRIS and to promote knowledge sharing among all stakeholders;

©) Conduct disaster-related research programs, seminars, and trainings for all types of
stakeholders;

f) Consolidate, organize and/or prepare training materials and publications; and

g) Conduct other activities consistent with promoting the formation and dissemination of
knowledge and information relating to disaster resilience and disaster management.

SEC. 16. Compliance and Accreditation of DRRTI with Internation Standards. - The
Department shall strive to obtain certification from, and accreditation by, international accreditation
bodies of the DRRTI to ensure DRRTI’s compliance with international standards. The Department shall
likewise ensure collaboration with key countries and international organizations to incorporate best
practices on disaster resilience in the Department's policies and programs.

SEC. 17. Disaster Assistance Action Center. - The Department shall institutionalize a one-stop
shop mechanism through a Disaster Assistance Action Center (DAAC) which shall, among other, process
necessary documents for both domestic and international assisting actors.


SEC. 18. Incentives. — The Department has the authority to prescribe benefits, allowances, and
similar emoluments for disaster management professionals and disaster resilience officers at the national
and local levels.

Article V
NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

SEC. 19. Retention of Local DRRM Offices and Creation of Local Disaster Resilience Offices
~ The Local DRRM Offices (LDRRMOs) in provinces, cities, and municipalities shall be retained and
renamed as Provincial, City, and Municipality Disaster Resilience Offices, respectively. They shall
collectively be called Local Disaster Resilience Offices (LDROs). All LGUs shall establish and LDRO at
the provincial, city, and municipal levels. All Local DRRM Councils (LDRRMCs) shall be abolished.

The budgetary requirements for personal services, maintenance and other operating expenses, and
capital outlay of the LDROs shall be sourced from the General Fund of the LGU, subject to Section 76 of
Republic Act No. 7169, otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1991”, as amended.

Other maintenance and operating expenses and other capital outlay requirements of the LDRO in
the implementation of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction management and climate change adaptation
programs shall be charged to the Local Disaster Resilience Funds of the LGUs.

Provinces, cities or municipalities shall be exempted from the Personnel Services (PS) limi
on local government budgets in relation to the creation of the LDROs and the appointment of its officers
and personnel.

ation

SEC. 20. Composition and Organization of LDROs. ~ The LDRO shalll be under the supervision
and control of the provincial governor, and city or municipal mayor, as applicable. The LDRO shall be
composed of an officer and five (5) permanent personnel responsible for, among others, administration,
research and planning, training, and operations. The organization, composition, functions, and
responsibilities of retained LDRRMOs shall be modified to the extent provided in, all shall comply with
the requirements and standards of, this Act and the IRR for the establishment, maintenance and operations
of LDROs.

SEC. 21. Local Disaster Resilience Officer. ~ The LDRO shall be headed and managed by a well-
qualified and full-time Local Disaster Resilience Officer with regular plantilla position. The Local
Disaster Resilience Officer and Staff shall be appointed by the Local Chief Executive subject to the
requirements and endowed with the emoluments and benefits in accordance with existing laws, rules and
regulations.

SEC. 22. Powers and Functions of City and Municipal DROs. ~ The City and Municipal (CDRO

and MDRO) shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Formulate and implement, in close coordination with the Department, a comprehensive and
integrated LDRP in accordance with the NDRF and the NDRPIP;

(b) Design, program, coordinate, and implement disaster resilience activities including
preparedness, risk reduction, response, recovery and rehabilitation measures consistent with
the standards and guidelines provided by the Department, and implement the NDRF and the
NDRPIP at the city or municipal level;

(c) Prepare and submit to local Sanggunian, the LDRP, the proposed programming of the LDR
Fund, other dedicated disaster resilience resources, and other regular funding source of the
LDRO;

(4) Recommend to the local Sanggunian the enactment of local ordinances to implement the
LDRP, NDRF and NDRPIP at the city or municipal level, and to comply with other
requirements of this Act;

(e) Prepare and submit to the Department, the local Commission on Audit, and the applicable
Reginal Disaster Resilience Office a report on the utilization of its Local Disaster Resilience
Pund and other disaster risk reduction and management resources;

(®) Establish and maintain, in coordination with the Department, an information management
system within the LGU which, among others, consolidates and includes local risk information
on natural hazards, profile of the LGU’s vulnerable or marginalized groups, local risk maps,
and a disaggregated database of human resource, equipment, services, resources, directories
and location of critical infrastructure with their capacities as hospitals and evacuation centers;

(g) Operate and maintain, in coordination with the Department, a multi-hazard early warning and
‘communication system to provide accurate and timely information to the public;



(h) Organize and conduct training and knowledge management activities on disaster resilience at
the local level. in coordination with the DRRTI;

(i) Procure emergency works, goods, and services in compliance with the regulations, orders, and
policies of DBM and Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), to implement the DRP
or support early recovery and post-disaster activities;

(In coordination with the Department, the DOF and other relevant agencies, access foreign loans
to finance its projects, programs, and policies for disaster preparedness, response, recovery,
and rehabilitation, subject to terms and conditions agreed upon by the LDRO and the lender;

(k) Monitor and mobilize instrumentalities and entities of the LGU and its partner LGU’s, CSO,
private sector, organized volunteers, and sectoral organizations for disaster resilience activities,
in accordance with policies and procedures of the Department and applicable laws;

(1) Coordinate and provide the necessary support or assistance to the Department in the
implementation of rehabilitation plan within the city or municipality covered by the LDRO;

(m) Coordinate with the Department, other government agencies, members of the private sector
and other stakeholders in the LGU to establish a Business Continuity Plan as part of their
LDRP’s disaster preparedness measures:

(n) Establish linkage or network and coordination mechanisms with other LGUs and the
Department for disaster resilience activities and to achieve the purpose of this Act; and,

(0) Conduct other activities and/or act on other matters, in accordance with policies and procedures
of the Department and applicable laws, to achieve the purposes of this Act.

SEC. 23. Provincial Disaster Resilience Officer. - The Provincial Disaster Resilience Office

(PDRO) shall be headed and manage by a Provincial Disaster Resilience Officer with regular plantilla
position.

SEC. 24. Powers and Functions of the PDRO. — The PDRO shall have the following powers and

functions:

(a) Formulate and implement, in close coordination with the Department and cities or
municipalities within its jurisdiction, a comprehensive and integrated Provincial LDRP in
accordance with the NDRF and the NDRPI

(b) Review the LDRPs of cities and municipalities within its jurisdiction, and require the
amendment of such LDRPs if necessary, to ensure compliance with the Provincial LDRP
and/or the NDRF and NDRPIP;

(c) Design, program, coordinate, and/or implement disaster resilience activities consistent with the
standards and guidelines provided by the Department, and implement the NDRF and the
NDRPIP at the provincial level;

(a) Prepare and submit to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the Provincial LDRP, the proposed
programming of the province’s Local Disaster Resilience Fund, other dedicated disaster
resilience resources, and other funding sources of the PDRO;

(e) Recommend to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan the enactment of local ordinances to
implement the Provincial LDRP, NDRF and NDRPIP at the provincial level, and to comply
with other requirements of this Act;

(f) Prepare and submit to the Department, the local Commission on Audit, and the applicable
Regional Disaster Resilience Office a report on the utilization of the province's Local Disaster
Resilience Fund and other disaster risk reduction and management resources;

(g) Establish and maintain, in coordination with the Department, a Provincial Command and
Control Center (PCC) which includes, among others, an information management system at
the provincial level which consolidates and integrates information from the cities and/or
municipalities within its jurisdiction, a multi-hazard early warning and communications
system that is connected with the cities and/or municipalities within its jurisdiction, and a
monitoring system that enable the PDRO to oversee, supervise, monitor and respond to the
needs of cities and/or municipalities within its jurisdiction in relation to disaster resilience
activites;

(h) Procure emergency works, goods, and services in compliance with the regulations, orders, and
policies of DBL and GPPB, to implement the provincial LDRP or support early recovery and
post-disaster activities of the PDRO;

(i) In coordination with the Department and the DOF, access foreign loans to finance its projects,
programs, and policies for disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation, subject
to terms and conditions agreed upon by the PDRO and the lender;



Nee epee eee
SOBUADRONESGVMVauaUNH

57

(j) Formulate and establish mechanisms to mobilize and direct LDROs within its jurisdiction as
necessary for disaster preparedness and response at the provincial level;

(k) Coordinate and provide the necessary support or assistance to the Department in the
implementation of rehabilitation plan(s) within the cities and/or municipalities covered by the
PDRO; and

(1) Conduct other activities and/or act on other matters, in accordance with policies and procedures
of the Department and applicable laws, to achieve the purposes of this Act.

SEC. 25. Regional Offices. — The Department shall establish and maintain Regional Offices (ROs)
at each region, and a National Capital Region Officer (NCR). The size, composition and organization of
ROs and NCR shall be based on parameters provided in the IRR on the ability of LGUs within its
jurisdiction to cope with previous disasters, or to implement their LDRPs or Provincial LDRPs; the level
of income, population, hazard exposure of LGUs. The ROs and NCR shall be funded by the Department.

SEC. 26. Regional Director. — Each RO and the NCR shalll be headed and managed by a Regional
Director with regular plantilla position, The Regional Director shall be appointed by the Department
Secretary for a fixed term pursuant to requirements, terms of office and endowed with the emoluments
and benefits subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

SEC. 27. Powers and Functions of ROs and NCR. ~The ROs and NCR shall have the following

powers and functions:

(a) Review the LDRPs and Provincial LDRPs of LGUs within its jurisdiction, and require the
amendment of such LDRPs and/or Provincial LDRPs if necessary, to ensure compliance with
the NDRF and NDRPIP;

(b) Monitor and direct LDROs and PDROs to implement their respective LDROs and PDROs:

(c) Recommend to the appropriate Sanggunian at the city, municipal or provincial level, the
enactment of local ordinances to implement the LDRP, NDRF and NDRPIP at the city,
municipal or provincial level, and to comply with other requirements of this Act;

(a) Review reports on the utilization of the LDRF and other disaster risk reduction and
management resources of LGUs within its jurisdiction, and give recommendations, as
necessary;

(e) Disburse to, and monitor the use by, LGUs of Supplemental LDRF as granted by the
Department pursuant to this Act and its IRR;

(f) Provide, upon the request of LGUs or unilaterally at its own discretion, assistance to LGU(s)
within its jurisdiction as necessary to ensure the implementation of LDRPs or Provincial
LDRPs, NDRF and NDRPIP, and to render efficient and timely disaster preparedness, response
and recovery measures:

(g) Identify and report to the Department issues and problems relating to, or affecting, the disaster
resilience of LGUs within its jurisdiction, and make recommendations to the Department
and/or to the LGUs to address such issues or problems;

(h) Procure goods and services in compliance with the regulations, order, and policies of DBM
and GPPB, to implement the NDRPIP and NDRF at the regional level;

(i) Formulate and establish mechanisms to mobilize and direct LDROs and PDROs within its
jurisdiction as necessary for disaster preparedness and response at the regional level:

(j) Establish and maintain, in coordination with the Department, a Regional Command and
Control Center (RCC) which includes, among others, an information management system at
the regional level which consolidates and integrates information from the provinces, cities and
municipalities within its jurisdiction, a multi-hazard early warning and communication system,
and a monitoring system that enables the RO to oversee, supervise, monitor and respond to the
needs of LGUs within its jurisdiction in relation to disaster resilience activities; Implement or
assist in the implementation, as directed by the Department, of rehabilitation plans for LGUs
within its coverage; and

(k) Conduct other activities and/or act on other matters, in accordance with policies and procedures
of the Department and applicable laws, to achieve the purposes of this Act.

SEC. 28. Inter-Regional Disaster Resilience Office Collaboration. — The Department shall create
policies and programs to establish collaboration and coordination among the different ROs.


BUNK

SEC. 29. Levels of Responsibility for Disaster Preparedness and Response. — The primary
responsibility for disaster preparedness and response shall be exercised at the local and national level in

collaboration with the relevant departments and agencies, as follows:

LEVELS OF
RESPONSIBILITY

RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS

CONDITIONS

Level 1 — City or Municipality

Mayor of the City / Municipality
| (Lead)

Local Disaster Resilience Office

(In the case of BARMM:
Municipal / City Mayor and
BARMM Local Disaster
Resilience Office)

Ifa disaster affects a single
municipality / city

Level 2 — Province

| Governor (Lead)

Provincial Disaster Resilience
| Office
Applicable Local Disaster
Resilience Offices

(In the case of BARMM.

Provincial Governor and

BARMM Local Disaster
Resilience Office/s)

municipalities / cities

Level 3 — Region

Regional Director of the
Regional Office
(RO) (Lead)

Applicable Governors
Applicable Provineial Disaster

Resilience
| Offices

(In the case of BARMM:
Regional Governor and ARMM.
Local Disaster Resilience
Office/s)

(In the case of Metro Manila:
MMDA Chair)

Ifa disaster affects two or more
provinces and/or independent
component or highly urbanized
cities

Level 4 — National

During a state of calamity in
any area(s) or affecting several
regions

Secretary of the Department of
Disaster Resilience (Lead)

Governors of the affected
Provinces

a. When a state of calamity is
declared by the President

b. Ifa disaster affects at least
two (2) regions

c, When the affected LGU
cannot dispense its functions, or
respond to the threat or effect of
disaster;

d. When the local chief
executive or, in his/her absence
or incapacity, the next high-



CONAMAWNE

45

T ranking official, directly request
the Department to take over;
When the President directs a
! Level 4 response.

SEC. 30. Inter-Local Government Assistance. — LGUs are hereby authorized to extend assistance
to another LGU, whether through funding or donation of goods and/or services, to ensure effective disaster
preparedness and response, such as the pre-positioning and provision of basic goods, and training of first
responders, among others, subject to auditing and accounting,

SEC. 31. Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Powers of the Department. — The Department shall
be primarily responsible for the identification, planning and funding of priority reconstruction and
rehabilitation projects and programs on areas affected by disasters: Provided, That the Department of
Public Works and Highways shall be the primary implementor of all infrastructure-related rehabilitation
and reconstruction projects, including retrofitting of structures to make them more resistant to the effects
of natural disasters.

SEC. 32. Service Continuity of the Department. — To ensure service continuity, the Department
and its regional and attached offices shall be established in a reasonably resilient location; and undertake
the necessary interventions to make its offices and systems disaster-resilient.

SEC. 33. Assistance to Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. ~The National
Government, thru the Secretary of Disaster Resilience, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Regional
Government shall create an inter-governmental mechanism for humanitarian relief assistance in the
BARMM during times of natural disasters.

Article VI
WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT, WHOLE OF NATION, AND WHOLE OF SOCIETY
APPROACH AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

SEC. 34. Inter-operability of Systems. ~ The Department shall establish mechanisms to ensure
the inter-operability of systems among government agencies, and to allow access of agencies, and to allow
access of agencies to the IDRIS as established pursuant to Section 15 of this Act. It shall develop protocols
to allow real-time access to information by government agencies in relation to natural disasters and the
implementation of disaster resilience measures.

SEC. 35. Synergy with Stakeholders. ~ The Department shall ensure close collaboration and
coordination with stakeholders, including CSOs, the academe, and the private sector, in relation to disaster
resilience programs and projects, and the development and promotion of education and training
mechanisms with relevant stakeholders.

The Department shall establish a platform and mechanisms for coordination with stakeholders,
including the development of standard operating procedures for collaboration in the event of a disaster.

SEC. 36. Establishment of Multi-Stakeholders Convergence Unit. ~ The Department shall, with
the assistance of other relevant government agencies and stakeholders, establish a Multi-Stakeholder
Convergence Unit (MSCU) which shall align the disaster resilience efforts of the private sector, CSOs,
academe and other stakeholders with that of the Department by assisting, coordinating or providing
services that strengthen public-private coordination in disaster resilience, including the following:

(a) Establishment and implementation of business continuity practices to ensure the continued

delivery of products and services in the event of a natural disaster;
(b) Crafting and implementation of a National Continuity Policy to ensure service continuity
erruptions, emergencies, and disasters and ensure the quick return to full operations;
(c) Establishment, incorporation, and application of business continuity plans as part of the LDRP
of LGUs;

(4) Facilitation or assistance in obtaining or processing incentives for the private sector or other
non-government stakeholders, such as tax credits; and

(e) Preparation and facilitating the issuance of special rules for Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSMEs) such as mechanisms involving procurement and liquidity to create
enabling environments for disaster preparedness and recovery.



‘The MSCU shall establish a platform for that includes, among others, a database for monitoring
and coordinating efforts and resources of nongovernment stakeholders. It shall be headed by one (1) for
the Undersecretaries of the Department.

SEC. 37. Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders. - The commitment, goodwill, knowledge,
experience and resources of relevant stakeholders are critical to realize a safer, adaptive, resilient and
inclusive Filipino community. Citizens shall have the shared vision and duty to provide support to the
State in the implementation of policies and programs, particularly the Disaster Resilience Framework and
Disaster Resilience Plan at the national, regional, and local levels.

(a) Civil society, non-governmental organizations, international non-governmental organizations,

private sector, DRRM practitioners, and volunteers shall participate, in collaboration with
tutions, in the exchange of information, learnings, and guidance on disaster
.¢ Department shall encourage and institutionalize their engagement in the
implementation of local, regional, national, and global plans and strategies to enhance public
awareness and promote a culture of disaster resilience;

(b) Women, children, and youth, as agents of change, shall endeavor to contribute actively and
participate in disaster resilience trainings and information dissemination;

(c) Senior citizens and persons with disabilities shall contribute their knowledge and experience
on disaster preparedness and resiliency;

(4) Migrants and the urban and rural poor shall participate in building resilient resettlement
communities;

(ce) Emergency responders and volunteer organizations shall contribute to resilience by promptly
and efficiently responding to disaster and emergencies consistent with the policies of the
Department;

(£) Academia, scientific and research entities, and networks are encouraged to undertake relevant
research on disaster resiliency in partnership with the Department and other stakeholders for
better decision-making;

(g) The private sector is encouraged to integrate disaster resiliency projects and programs in their
corporate social responsibility initiatives; and

(h) The media shall provide prompt and accurate information to the public on early waming
systems, natural hazards, and disaster resilience activities the Department.

The Department, with the assistance of the ROs, shall establish and convene a Disaster Resilience
Assembly at the regional and national levels which shall be held on a quarterly basis to ensure the
proactive engagement of different stakeholders, such as government agencies, the Union of Local
Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), League of
Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), CSOs, NGOs, academe, DRRM practitioners, and the private
sector, to ensure and foster coordination and collaboration towards achieving the goals of this Act.

LGUs may convene local DRAS within their jurisdiction, as necessary for the attainment of disaster
resilience at the local level

SEC. 38. Recognition and Incentives. ~ The Department, in partnership with the private sector,
shall establish an incentives program that shall recognize the outstanding performance of LDRO, NGOs,
CSOs, schools, hospitals, and other stakeholders in promoting and implementing significant disaster risk
reduction management-climate change adaptation programs and innovations, and meritorious acts of
individuals, groups or institutions during natural disasters subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

Article VI
PREPAREDNESS AND INTEGRATED EARLY WARD

SEC. 39. Standards for Disaster Preparedness Activities. — (a) The Department shall establish
standards and protocols for disaster preparedness, contingency planning, localizing and operationalizing
disaster risk reduction and management, preparedness for responding to disasters and undertaking early
recovery, continuity of essential services, and other relevant preparedness activiti

(b) LGUs shall identify safe and strategic sites, and establish evacuation centers with appropriate
and adequate facilities in accordance with government-approved standards as provided under Republic
Act No. 10821, otherwise known as the “Children’s Emergency Relief Protection Act”, to avoid disruption
of school classes and lessen the use of school buildings and facilities as evacuation centers.

(c) The concerned LGUs shall immediately compensate school used as evacuation centers. The
schools used as evacuation centers may seek compensation for renovations, replacement, or evacuation
centers.



SEC. 40. Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Risk Communication Standards. — There shall be a
streamlined policy governing early warning systems and risk communication protocols to ensure effective
and efficient measures to prepare for, respond to and recover from potential risks and disasters.

‘The Department shall formulate and implement multi-hazard early warning protocols integrating
all disaster preparedness systems in collaboration with local executives, community-based organizations,
civil society organizations, and other non-governmental organizations for proper use and application.

SEC. 41. Early Warning Mandate. — (a) The Department shall issue an integrated early warning
alert for the impending occurrence of hazards that will enable the public to prepare in time and act
appropriately to minimize potential harm or loss.

(b) The Department at the national and local level shall use an integrated early waming system to
ensure it is consistent and locally contextualized with the communication protocol and safe evacuation
procedure of the affected area communities. It shall work with other agencies or organizations on pre-
crisis information mapping of the humanitarian needs of at-risk communities that will enhance the overall
prepositioning of resources at the national and local level.

(©) The Department shall require mobile phone service providers to send out alerts at regular
intervals in the event of an impending natural hazard, in accordance with Republic Act No. 10639,
otherwise known as “The Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act

(@) The Department shall recognize and proactively support local or indigenous modes of early
warning systems and allow open access to near real-time data from both local and international sources
made available through various platforms such as websites, mobile apps, and social media to empower
local communities and individuals. Any person who transmits early warning concerning the
abovementioned phenomena by means of signs in designs, colors, lights, or sound shall do so in
compliance with the methods recognized by the Department.

Article VII
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

SEC. 42. Management of Humanitarian Assistance. ~ (a) The Department shall have the power
to receive and manage humanitarian assistance from any person or entity, whether from local or
international sources.

(b) The importation by, and acceptance of humanitarian assistance donated to the Department,
consisting of, among others, food, clothing, medical assistance, equipment, and materials for relief,
recovery and disaster management activities, are hereby authorized in accordance with Section 120 and
121 of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act
(CMTA)”, and the prevailing provisions of the General Appropriations Act covering national internal
revenue taxes and import duties of national and local governments agencies.

SEC. 43, International Humanitarian Assistance. ~ The Department, in consultation with the
Bureau of Immigration and the Bureau of Customs shall promulgate guidelines on international
humanitarian assistance, including the initiation, entry, facilitation, transit, regulation and termination
thereof, as well as those involving international disaster relief and personnel assisting international actors,
visa waiver, recognition of foreign professional qualifications, entry of international disaster goods and
equipment, and exemption from port duties, taxes and restrictions.

SEC. 44, Assessment of the Need for International Humanitarian Assistance. ~ (a) Immediately
after the declaration of a state of calamity by the local Sanggunian of the relevant local government unit
or by the Department, as the case may be, the Department shall determine whether domestic capacities
are likely to be sufficient to attend to the needs of affected persons for international humanitarian
assistance. This determination may also be made, at the discretion of the President, prior to the onset of
an imminent disaster.

(b) In the event of a determination by the Department that domestic response capacities are not
likely to be sufficient due to the impact of the disaster, the Department shall recommend to the President
that a request be made for international humanitarian assistance.

(c) A determination that domestic capacities are likely to be sufficient and that international
humanitarian assistance is therefore unnecessary may be reviewed and rescinded by the Department, with
the approval of the President, at any time, in light of prevailing circumstances and available information.



SEC. 45. Humanitarian Assistance Action Center, ~The Department shall create an inter-agency
one-stop shop mechanism called the Humanitarian Assistance Action Center (HAAC) for the processing
and release of entry and facilitation of goods, articles or equipment and services and international relief
workers for the provision of international humanitarian assistance and the processing of necessary
documents for assisting international actors.

‘The Department shalll lead and manage the HAAC, which shall be composed of the following:

(a) Bureau of Customs;

(b) Department of Foreign Affairs;

(c) Department of Social Welfare and Development;

(d) Department of Heal

(c) Food and Drug Administration;

(1) Department of Agriculture:

(g) Department of Energy;

(h) Department of National Defense;

(i) Philippine National Police;

() Philippine Coast Guard;

(k) Department of Transportation;

()) Department of Environment and Natural Resources; and

(m)Bureau of Immigration.

SEC. 46. Request for International Humanitarian Assistance. —(a) In cognizance of the urgency,
criticality and intensity of an imminent risk, the Department shall issue a flash appeal to the family of
nations, under regional and multilateral conventions, for assistance in preparedness, including preemptive
measures, search, rescue, and retrieval, relief, recovery, and reconstruction.

(b) The President may request international humanitarian assistance, upon the advice of the
Secretary. Such request may be specifically directed to particular assisting international actors or may be
a general request directed to the international community.

SEC. 47. Regulation of Humanitarian Assistance. ~ (a) The Department shall ensure the efficient
and effective monitoring of humanitarian assistance from domestic or international donors, establish and
operate a platform, including an online platform, to facilitate, and provide public access to information on
donations.

(b) The Department shall include in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act guidelines
and accountabilities on the receipt, management, distribution, accounting, and reporting of all
humanitarian assistance, whether in cash or in kind, consistent with the rules on the use of foreign and
local aid during calamities and disasters issued by the COA and other relevant government agencies.

SEC. 48. Humanitarian Relief for Human-Induced Disasters. ~ The Secretary of the Department
of Disaster Resilience shall have the authority to provide humanitarian relief in the consequence
management of human-induced emergencies such as acts of terrorism, insurgency, fire, and other related
human-induced disasters.

Article IX
OFFER AND FACILITATION OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
TO FOREIGN STATES

SEC. 49. Offer and Facilitation of International Humanitarian Assistance to Foreign States. —
In the event of a disaster occurring in a foreign State for which international humanitarian assistance is
required, the Department, in coordination with the DFA, may officer facilitate, provide, and deploy
international humanitarian assistance to said foreign State, which shall be subject to guidelines to be
promulgated by the Department for the purpose.

SEC. 50. Accreditation. ~ The Department, in coordination with relevant government agencies
and organizations, shall provide and facilitate the necessary training and accreditation to the respective
government personnel to be deployed for such offer, facilitation and provision of international
humanitarian assistance to a foreign State.



Article X
DECLARATION OF STATE OF CALAMITY

SEC. 51, Declaration of State of Calamity. ~ The Department shall recommend to the President
the declaration of a state of calamity, whether in whole or part of an area, in case of an extraordinary
disaster wherein the repercussions on public safety and welfare are serious and far-reaching.

SEC. 52. Conditions for the Declaration of a State of Calamity, ~The President shall declare a
state of calamity when all of the following requisites are present;

(a) There is a grace, unforeseen, or sudden occurrence which demands immediate actions;

(b) The occurrence was caused by a natural disaster;

(c) The occurrence is likely to cause a threat to life and/or danger to property: and

(d) The declaration of a state of calamity shall cover a limited period only.

SEC. 53. Mandatory and Remedial Measures. ~ The declaration of a state of calamity shall allow

the immediate implementation of any or all of the following remedial measures;

(a) Imposition of price ceiling on basic necessities and prime commodities by the President upon
the recommendation of the implementing agency as provided for under Republic Act No. 7581,
otherwise known as the “Price Act”, or the National Price Coordinating Council;

(b) Monitoring, prevention and control by the Local Price Coordination Council of overpricing or
profiteering and hoarding of prime commodities, medicines and petroleum products;

(c) Grant of tax credits or exemptions by the BIR, upon the recommendation of the President or
the Department

(d) Use of alternative methods of procurement under Article XVI of Republic Act (RA) No. 9184,
otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”, its implementing rules and
regulations (IRR) and other relevant government instrumentalities in relation to the urgent
procurement of emergency works, goods and services to effectively respond to, quickly
respond to disasters, and build forward better.

Article XE
RECOVERY

SEC. 54. Standards for Recovery. — The Department shall observe internationally accepted
standards for recovery, planning, programming and implementation of the recovery process. Towards this
end, the Department shall:

(a) Improve the community’s physical, social and economic resilience, consistent with the

principle of “building forward better”;

(b) Use locally driven centrally supported processes based on legal mandates with supplementary

capacity support when requested;

(c) Redirect development outside danger zones to minimize loss of lives and structures resulting

from typhoons, flooding, landslides, and other hazards;

(d) Employ outcome-driven planning and implementation;

(e) Maximize use of private-public sector partnership where possible:

(0 Consider local conditions such as culture, security situation and existing capacities of

communities in identifying programs and projects;

(g) Ensure access to public transport, physical and mental health services, markets, schools,

sustainable livelihoods, and other public services in planning for settlement areas; and

(h) Ensure restoration of peace and order and recovery of government functions.

Article XII
FUNDS AND RESOURCES,

SEC. 55. Fund Regulations. ~ The DBM and COA shail establish rules and regulations to ensure
that funds for disaster response, recovery, and rehabilitation are available and/or released efficiently and
expeditiously through innovative budgeting and auditing mechanisms.

SEC. 56. Local Disaster Resilience Fund and Local Disaster Contingency Fund. ~ LGUs shall
annually set aside not less than ten percent (10%) of their local budget, to constitute a Local Disaster
Resilience Fund (LDRF). The LGU shall use its LDRF to maintain and operate its LDRO to maintain the
officers, employees and staff of the LDRO, and to implement plans, programs and activities under its


CHOVAHEWNHE

52

LDRP, Thirty percent (30%) of the LDRF shall be set aside as Local Disaster Contingency Fund (LDCF)
which shall be used for disaster response and quick recovery measures.

Nothing contained in this Act shall prevent LGUs from providing additional funding or allocating
additional resources for disaster resilience activities, plans and programs within their jurisdiction.

SEC. 57. Supplemental LDRF. — The Department may allocate and disburse funds to supplement
an LGU’s LDRF based on parameters and requirements indicated in the IRR. In determining such
parameters and requirements, the IRR shall aim to provide supplemental funds to LGUs with low income
and/or high exposure to natural hazards. Supplemental LDRFs shall, as much as possible, fill gaps or
shortages in LGU resources to ensure that LGUs can implement disaster resilience measures such as,
among others, implementing their LDRP or Provincial LDRP, staff in their LDROs or PDROs, and
implementing the NDRF and NDRPIP at the local levels.

SEC. 58. People’s Survival Fund. ~ The Secretary of the Department shall be a member of the
People’s Survival Fund Board mandated to manage and administer the People’s Survival Fund created
under Republic Act No. 10174, otherwise known as the “Climate Change Act of 2009”, and facilitate its
utilization by LGUs, through Ros, to implement climate change adaptation projects of LGUs, and equip
vulnerable LGU communities against the impacts of climate change.

SEC. 59, Multi-Donor Trust Fund, - The Department shall create and manage, together with the
Bureau of Treasury, a Multi-Donor Trust Fund for the processing, releasing and accounting of money and
other similar resources intended for disaster assistance. The Department shall establish a system to ensure
transparency in the management and use of the Multi-Donor Trust Fund.

SEC. 60. Donations Management. ~ The Department shall have the power to receive and manage
donations from any person or entity, whether from local or international sources.

The importation by, and donation to, the Department of, among other, foods, clotting, medical
assistance, equipment, and materials for relief, recovery and other disaster management activities are
hereby authorized in accordance with Sections 120 and 121 of Republic Act No. 10863. otherwise known
as the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)”, and the prevailing provisions of the General
Appropriations Act covering national internal revenue taxes and import duties of national and local
government agencies.

SEC. 61. Regulations of Donations. — The Department shall establish and operate a platform,
including an online platform, to facilitate, monitor, and provide public access to information on donations.
To ensure complete accounting and reporting of donations, the Department shall formulate and issue rules
and guidelines for the receipt, management and accounting of donations, which are consistent with the
rules of the use of foreign and local aid during calamities and disasters issued by COA and other relevant
government agencies.

Article XUL
SPECIAL RULES ON BORROWING, TAXES,
ECOZONES AND PROCUREMENT

SEC. 62. Rules on Borrowing. - The LGUs shall coordinate with the DOF, Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP), and other relevant agencies to access foreign loans to implement disaster prevention,
mitigation, early recovery, and rehabilitation measures at the provincial, city, or municipal level

SEC. 63. Special Rules on Tax and Duties, ~ To facilitate prompt and efficient response to, and/or
recovery from disasters, the following shall be granted special exemptions from existing taxation laws,
rules, and regulations:

(a) Foreign di sistance or international donations coursed through the Department shalll be

exempted from taxes and import duties;

(b) Local disaster assistance shall be exempted from donor’s tax and allowing the treatment of

donations as a deductible expense for local disaster assistance coursed through the Department;

(c) Goods or services donated from abroad coursed through the Department shall be exempted

from the value added tax (VAT); and

(d) Aid or assistance rendered by members of the private sector or their investments in disaster

resilience and climate change adaptation measures for their residence, communities or
businesses.



LGUs may also implement local tax rules which would grant disaster victims reasonable reduction,
exemption, or deferment of local taxes or other types of tax assessments; or take other necessary action at
the local level to provide tax relief to disaster victims.

SEC. 64. Custom Duties and Tariffs on Donations. ~The BOC shall create rules which would,
among others, hasten the processing and release of donated goods and equipment to disaster victims and/or
affected areas pursuant to Sections 120 and 121 of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the
“Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA”.

SEC. 65. Economic Recovery and Development of Disaster-Prone Areas. ~ (a) The Department,
in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DT!) and other relevant agencies, shall create
and provide policies, programs, and projects, such as, business tax relief and subsidies, to encourage
business investments, and to stimulate economic activities in affected or disaster-prone areas.

(b) The Department, in the collaboration with the relevant LGUs and other stakeholders, shall
likewise establish dual purpose structures in disaster affected areas, such as, among others, community
agricultural centers, classrooms, and water harvesting tanks to develop and promote investments in
affected or disaster-prone areas.

SEC. 66. Procurement. — The Department, ROs, LGUs may resort to any of the Alternative
Methods of Procurement provided in RA No. 9184, including Negotiated Procurement (Emergency Cases)
under Sections 53(b) of RA No. 9184, in any of the following instances:

a) In case of imminent danger to life or property during state of calamity;
b) When time is of the essence arising from natural or man-made calamities; and
©) Other causes when immediate action is:
i, To prevent damage to or loss of life or property, or
ii, Restore vital public services, infrastructure facilities and other public utilities.
Furthermore, the Department, ROs, LGUs may use Shopping under Section 52(a) of RA No. 9184,
when there is an unforeseen contingency requiring immediate purchase.

SEC. 67. Alternative Modes of Procurement. — The Department, ROs, LGUs may resort to any
of the Alternative Methods of Procurement provided in RA No. 9184, including but not limited to,
‘Shopping and Negotiated Procurement (Emergency Cases) under Sections 52(a) and 53(b) RA No. 9184,

The Department, ROs or LGUs may also use Framework Agreements in accordance with the rules
and regulations of the GPPB.

SEC. 68. Special Rules Procurement for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Affected Areas.
—(a) The GPPB shall create special rules on procurement for services, goods, and materials to be used for
reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in case of a natura disaster, including but not limited to, the
construction of post-disaster shelters and provision of service contracts, to ensure the procurement of
quality-oriented goods, materials, and equipment and to guarantee effective, efficient, and speedy
procurement to achieve the goals of this Act.

SEC. 69. Procurement from Qualified Suppliers or Contractors, — The Department shall have
the power to procure goods and services from either local or foreign suppliers or contractors for purposes
of implementing programs, projects, and activities related to disaster resilience and disaster management
in accordance with RA No. 9184, its IRR and other issuances of the GPPB.

SEC. 70. Framework Agreement. - The Department shall have authority to enter into Framework
Agreement for the purpose of, among others, establishing a logistics system for the efficient and prompt
distribution of goods, equipment or other materials required for disaster response and management;
securing food, medicines, fuel, or other supplies from groceries, pharmacies, gas stations or other sources
in the event of a disaster in a specific area; ensuring an alternative source of power ot water from private
utilities in the event of a disaster in a specific area; or other arranging the immediate supply of other goods,
services or equipment necessary for disaster response and management. The conditions, limitations and
parameters of contracts or arrangements authorized under this Section shall be provided in RA No. 9184
and its 2016 IRR.

SEC. 71. Other Procurement Rules and Policies. — In view of the urgency and avoid unnecessary
delays to procure goods, services, and implement projects for the purpose of providing responsive,


effective, and efficient rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts for, and to continue the provision
of basic services to, disaster victims or disaster affected areas, the GPPB shall issue appropriate
resolutions, orders, and policies to effectively implement the provision of this Act.

Article XIV
DISASTER RISK TRANSFER AND INSURANCE

SEC. 72. Mandate Insurance Coverage. ~ To attain disaster resilience and achieve the purpose of
this Act, the Department shall have the discretion and authority to require government agencies,
government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCS), or LGUs to insure their assets and/or properties
such as, among others, vessels, vehicles, equipment, machineries, permanent buildings, properties stored
therein, or properties in transit against insurable risks and pay the premiums therefor, to compensate the
Government, GOCC or LGU, as applicable, for any damage to, or loss of, properties due to a natural
disaster.

Article XV
YOUTH ASSISTANCE AND PARTICIPATION

SEC. 73. Youth Organizations. — The Department, with the assistance of the National Youth
Commission (NTC), shall create policies, projects, and programs that address the special needs of the
youth for disaster preparedness and management which shall include, among others:

(a) Supporting youth-oriented pre- and post-disaster activities;

(b) Conducting disaster risk training and management programs involving the youth; Coordinating
with the Department of Education to create schoo! curricula or programs that educate and train
children on disaster risk awareness and disaster preparedness;

(c) Mobilizing youth organizations; and

(d) Encouraging the participation of the youth, through the barangay your representative and the
Sanggunian Kabataan (SK) to participate in disaster resilience and disaster management
activities.

SEC. 74. Youth Oriented Disaster-Related Programs, Policies, and Projects. — (a) The
Department, with the assistance of the National Youth Commission, shall provide training on, and
implement, response and rehabilitation programs for the youth, including mental health and psycho-social
services.

(b) The Department, in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other relevant agencies, shall integrate
disaster risk and disaster resilience education in the school curriculum.

SEC. 75. Comprehensive Emergency Program for Children, Pregnant and Lactating Mothers.
~ The Department shall establish and implement a comprehensive emergency program to provide
emergency relief and protection to children, and pregnant and lactating mothers in the event of a natural
disaster.

Article XVI
PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES

SEC. 76. Prohibited Acts. ~ Any public officials, private person, group or corporation who
iny of the following prohibited acts shall be held liable and be subjected to the criminal and
Section 70 of this Act, without prejudice to the imposition of

commi
administrative penalties as provided for
other criminal, civil and administrative liabilities under existing laws.
(a) Prohibited Acts of Public Officials. The following acts, if committed by public officials without
justifiable cause, shall be considered as gross neglect of duty:
1) Dereliction of duty which leads to destruction, loss of lives, critical damage of facilities
and misuse of funds;
2) Failure to enforce laws, standards, or regulations such as the National Building Cose, Solid
Waste Management Act, Water Code, and other relevant laws, thereby increasing the risk
of disaster or adversely affecting of disaster resilience:
3) Failure to expeditiously act on reported violations;
4) Failure to create LDRO(s) or PDRO(s) and appoint a permanent Local or Provincial
Disaster Resilience Officer within six (6) months from the approval of this Act;



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5) Failure to prepare and implement an LDRP or PDRP, as applicable or a contingency plan
for hazards frequently occurring within their jurisdiction.

(b) Prohibited Acts of Public Officials and Private Persons or Institutions.

1) Delating without justifiable cause the delivery of aid commodities, their improper handling
or storage, resulting to damage or spoilage:

2) Withholding the distribution of relief goods due to (a) political or partisan considerations;
(b) discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, or gender; and (c) other similar
circumstances;

3) Preventing the entry and distribution of relief goods in disaster-stricken areas, including
appropriate technology, tools, equipment, accessories, disaster or experts;

4) Buying, for consumption or resale, from disaster relief agencies any relief goods,
equipment or other and commodities which are intended for distribution to disaster affected
communities;

5) Buying for consumption or resale, from the disaster affected persons any relief goods,
equipment or other aid commodities received by them;

6) Selling of relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities intended for distribution to
disaster victims;

7) Forcibly seizing relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities intended for or
consigned to a specific group of victims or relief agency;

8) Diverting or misdelivering relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities to persons
other than rightful recipient or consignee;

9) Accepting, possessing, using or disposing relief goods, equipment or other aid
commodities intended for or consigned to other rightful recipient or consigne:

10) Misrepresenting the source of relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities by:

i. Either covering, replacing or defacing the labels of the containers to make it appear
that the goods, equipment or other aid commodities came from another agency or
persons;

ii, Repacking the goods, equipment or other aid commodities into containers with

different markings to make it appear that the goods came from another agency or
persons or was released upon the instance of a particular agency or person;

iii. Making false verbal claim that the goods, equipment or other aid commodity in its
untampered original containers actually came from another agency or person or was
released upon the instance of a particular agency or person;

11) Substituting or replacing relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities with the same
items or inferior or cheaper quality;

12) Illegal ation of relief goods, equipment or other air commodities by persons or
organizations representing others as defined in the standards and guidelines set by this
Acts’s IRR;

13) Deliberately using false or inflated data in support of the request for funding, relief goods,
equipment or other aid commodities for emergency assistance or other projects; and

14) Tampering with or stealing hazard monitoring and disaster preparedness equipment and
paraphernalia,

SEC. 77. Penalties. ~ Any individuals, corporation, partnership, association or other juridical
entity that commits any of the prohibited acts in the preceding Section shall be made liable for the
following:

(a) A fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (PhP 100,000.00) or not to exceed Five
hundred thousand pesos (PhP 500,000.00), or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months and
one (1) day nor more than twelve (12) 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 any of herein prohibited acts.

(b) 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 the
license or accreditation issued to these entities by any licensing or accredited body of the
government. If such offender is an alien, he or she shall, in addition to the penalties prescrived
in this Act, be deported without further proceedings after service of the sentence.

(c) If the offender is a public officer, the offense shall also be punishable by administrative
suspension of six (6) months and one (1) year for the first offense, and dismissal from the


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service for the second offense. The penalty of dismissal shall carry with in the cancellation of
eligibility to or forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification from holding public
office and disqualification from taking civil service examinations.
Acts committed in violation of this Section shall be without prejudice to the imposition of other
criminal, civil and administrative liabilities under other existing laws.

SEC. 78. Liability for Unlawful Performance of Duties and State Liability in Case of Defense
Litigation, — In case a lawsuit is filed against an officer or employee of the Department as a result of the
performance of official duties, and such performance was found to be lawful, the officer shall or employee
shall be reimbursed by the Department for reasonable costs of litigation. For this purpose, the Department
is authorized to procure the applicable liability insurance for its officers and employees.

SEC. 79. Disciplinary Powers of the President. — The President, upon the recommendation of the
Department Secretary, shall impose administrative sanctions against local chief executives and barangay
officials for willful or negligent acts performed in the implementation of, or compliance with, this Act and
its IRR or relating to their official functions which adversely affect disaster resilience projects such as
delayed issuance of permits or failure to implement local ordinances

Article XVII
SPECIAL COURTS AND INJUCTIONS

SEC. 80. Special Courts on Disaster Resilience Matters. ~ To ensure the prompt and expeditious
resolution of disputes relating to disaster response, recovery or rehabilitation measures, the Supreme Court
shall establish special courts to hear, try, and decide cases arising from the following, among others:

(a) Implementation of the government's policies, plans, programs, projects and budge related to
the NDRPIP, LDRP, PDRP, other disaster resilience activities, or pursuant to the provision of
this Act;

() Construction of new settlements, or relocation of informal settlers or settlements, to promote
disaster resilience:

(©) Expropriation, eminent domain or right-of-way issues relating to the implementation of
disaster resilience proje

(d) Failure to comply with standards for disaster preparedness and continuity planning, including,
but not limited to infrastructure standards and designs;

(e) Declaration of state of calamity under Article X of this Act;

(f) Imposition of tax, customs duties, or the implementation of tax relief, exemptions, reductions
and other tax or customs rules and regulations in relation to donations, disaster assistance, or
other tax policies implemented by the BIR or BOC pursuant to the provision of this Act;

(g) Commission of prohibited acts under Article XVI of this Act;

(h) Disputes involving donations, relief goods, or contracts executed or implemented pursuant to
the provisions of this Act;

(i) Other maiters relating to achieving the purposes of this Act which the Supreme Court may
determine as falling under the jurisdiction of the special courts created pursuant to this Section.

(C. 81. Dispute Resolution Mechanisms. — The Department shail establish a Disaster
Resolution Board which shall resolve disputes involving administrative matters related to:
(a) Accreditation or denial of accreditation of disaster resilience training institutions, trainers,
instructions, donors, volunteers, and Assisting Domestic or International Actors:
(b) Decisions of the ROs;
(c) Contracts entered into by the Department or any of its agents pursuant to the provisions of this
Act;
(d) Other administrative matters or issues as may be determined by the Department
‘The composition, structure, and other organizational matters related to the DRB shall be defined
and provided in the IRR of this Act.

SEC. 82. Special Prosecutors. ~ The Ombudsman shall designate special prosecutors to handle
and prosecute violations of this Act involving public officials and employees.

SEC. 83. Imposition of Temporary Restraining Order. ~ No Court, except the Supreme Court,
shall have the powers to issue an injunction or a temporary restraining order against any action taken or
projects implemented by the Department or its agents pursuant to this Act.


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Article XVII
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 84. Transfer.

(a) The disaster risk reduction and management powers, functions, assets, personnel, fund and
appropriations of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) currently under the DND, are hereby
transferred to the Department, and the civil defense functions shall remain with the DND.
‘The existing organizational and administrative systems and processes of the OCD, as
transferred, shall serve as the core organization of the Department.

(b) The applicable powers, functions, funds and appropriations of the Disaster Response

Assistance and Management Bureau and the National Resource and Logistics Management
Bureau under the DSWD, are hereby transferred to the Department.

(c) The NDRRMC is hereby abolished.

The DILG, DND, DSWD, and other relevant government instrumentalities, including the AFP,
BEP, PNP, PCG, and OCD, shall continue to perform their functions related to the consequence
management of human-induced disasters, as provided for by existing laws.

The Department shall, by virtue of this Act, be subrogated to all the rights and assume all the
liabilities of the agencies transferred under this Act, and all their funds, records, property, assets,
equipment, and such personnel as necessary, including unexpended appropriations of allocations. All
contracts and liabilities of the said agencies 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.

SEC. 85. Coordination and Convergence with the Climate Change Commission. — The
Department, and the Climate Change Commission, pursuant to its mandate under Republic Act No. 9729,
as amended, shall establish and implement a convergence mechanism to facilitate coordination on the
following areas:

a) Conduct of current and future climate and disaster risk assessments as basis for sustainable
development and resilient investment planning and programming at the national, sectorial, and
local levels;

b) Establishment of a National Integrated Climate and Disaster Risk Information System, a
singular platform for integrating and sharing climate and disaster risk information;

c) Development and implementation of capacity-building and technical assistance programs for
local government units and stakeholders on climate change adaptation and disaster risk
reduction;

4) Monitoring and evaluation of progress of implementation of national, sectorial, and local plans
and programs on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction; and

) Development of knowledge exchange platforms and implementation of information,
education, and communication program, including goods practices on Climate Change
Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction.

SEC. 86. Transitory Provision. — The Transfer of functions, assets, funds, equipment, properties,
transactions, and personnel of the affected and transferred agencies, and the formulation of the internal
organic structure, staffing pattern, operating system, and revised budget of the Department, shall be
completed within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, during which time the existing personnel
shall continue to assume their posts in holdover capacities until new appointments are issued: Provided,
That, after the abolition of the agencies as specified in Section 77 of this Act, the Department, in
coordination with the DBM, shall evaluate, abolish old and/or create new positions.

SEC. 87. Inter-Departmental Relations and Coordination. ~ The Department shall continuously
call upon the following Department and agencies: (a) DOST over the Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and Philippine Institute of
Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS); (b) DENR over the Geo-Hazard Assessment and Engineering
Geology Section of the Mines and Geoscience Bureau (MGB), (¢) DOH over the Health Emergency
Management Bureau (HEMB), and (d) DILG over the Bureau of Fire and Protection: Provided, That DDR
and these departments shall establish systems and protocols for fostering, inter-departmental relations and
close coordination, through sustained sharing of data, information technology, facilities and other
resources critical to the DRR, among other: Provided, further, That the said agencies will cooperate fully
with the DDR, in anticipation of, during and as necessary in the determination of the DDR Secretary, and
perform agency mandate in close coordination with DDR as circumstances warrant in the aftermath of



emergencies and disasters: Provided, finally, That PAGASA, PHIVOLCS and the Geohazards Unit of the
MGB shall provide staff augmentation to DDR Operation Cenire as need arises.

SEC. 88. Transfer of Resources. ~ The transfer of powers and functions of agencies listed in
Section 77 shall include the corresponding funds and appropriations, plantilla positions, records,
equipment, facilities, and properties of such agencies, subject to the power of the Department to reorganize
or reallocate the resources and positions from such agencies, as may be necessary to attain the objectives
of this Act.

SEC. 89. Program Management Office for the Earthquake Resiliency of the Greater Metro
Manila Area. ~ The Program Management Office for the Earthquake Resiliency of the Greater Metro
Manila Area (PMOERG), as created pursuant to Executive Order No. 52, s. 2018, shall be transferred to
the Department under the supervision and control of the Secretary and shall continue to exercise its
mandate functions.

SEC. 90, Post-Disaster Shelter. ~ The Department shall establish a post-disaster shelter recovery
policy framework for low-income or informal settler families, with the assistance of the appropriate
housing agencies and the concerned LGUs. It shall, among other, determine the appropriate shelter
modalities depending on the following post-disaster phases: emergency, temporary or transitional, and
permanent. The Department shall likewise identify, assess, and designated safe zones where the
appropriate shelters shall be built.

SEC. 91. Cultural Heritage. ~ To protect, preserve, and promote the nation’s historical and
cultural heritage. the Department shall assist the appropriate cultural agencies and the appropriate LGUs
to give priority protection and restoration to all national cultural treasures or national historical landmarks,
sites, or monuments in post-disaster recovery or rehabilitation measures.

SEC. 92. Indigenous People. — (a) The Department shall, with the assistance of the National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the concerned LGUs, devise and implement mechanisms
that foster social protection for indigenous communities that are vulnerable to the effects of natural
disasters.

(b) The Department shall ensure respect for, and protection of, the tradition resource right of the
Indigenous Cultural Communities or Indigenous Peoples (ICCs or Ips) to their ancestral domains and
recognize the customary laws and traditional resource use and management, knowledge, and practices in
ancestral domains.

(c) In ancestral domains which are disaster-prone, the Department, with the assistance of the NCIP
and applicable LGUs, shall create an Ancestral Domain Disaster Management and Resiliency Plan. It shall
likewise properly communicate and explain information on disaster risks in ancestral domains with the
concerned ICCs or IPs and, as much as possible, engage such ICCs or IPs in jointly formulating a disaster
resiliency plan for their ancestral domain

SEC. 93. Livelihood, ~ The Department shall, with the assistance of the relevant government
agencies, such as the DTI and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), establish policies and
programs to restore and/or generate livelihood in areas affected by natural disasters

SEC. 94. Structural Audit of Government Buildings. — The Department, with the assistance of
the DPWH and other relevant government agencies and stakeholders, shall ensure and conduct structural
audit, as often as necessary, on government buildings, especially those located in congested and disaster-
prone areas, to ensure structural integrity and disaster risk of urban buildings and to prevent the loss of
life and property in the event of an anticipated natural disaster.

SEC. 95. Magna Carta Benefits. - Qualified employees of the Department including those of its
attached agencies, shall be covered by and entitled to benefits under Republic Act No. 8439, otherwise
known as the “Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other Science and Technology
Personnel in the Government”; Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta of Public
Health Workers”; and Republic Act No. 9433, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Social Workers”.

SEC. 96. Hazard Pay. — Qualified personnel of the Department and the local disaster resilience
offices are entitled to receive hazard pay, subject to existing policies and guidelines


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SEC. 97, Separation of Benefits of Officials and Employees of Affected Agencies. — Public Sector
employees who have been displaced or separated from the service pursuant to reorganization under this
Act shall be entitled to separation pay, retirement and other benefits in accordance with Republic Act No.
6656 or the Government Reorganization Law, and other laws, and rules and regulations issued by the Civil
Service Commission on government reorganization.

In no case shall there be any diminution of benefits under the separation plan until the full
implementation of this Act.

Employees who shall be displaced or separated as aresult of the implementation of this Act shall
be given preference for appointment in the Department and in other government agencies if they meet the
qualification requirements of the positions

No New employees shall be considered for appointment until all incumbent employees have been
placed, The placement of an incumbent employee to a higher position which constitutes a promotion shall
not be allowed until all incumbent employees have been placed to comparable positions for which they
are considered.

SEC. 98. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall
be taken from the current fiscal year’s appropriations of all agencies herein absorbed, and transferred to
the Department. Thereafter, the amounts necessary for the operation of the Department and the
implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 100. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Disaster Resilience. ~ There shall be
created a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Disaster Resilience to monitor the implementation
of this Act. The Committee shall be composed of six (6) members of the House of Representatives and
six (6) members of the Senate, respectively: Provided, That two (2) members of the House of
Representatives and two (2) Senators shall come from the Minority of their respective house of Congress.
The Committee shall be jointly chaired by a Member of the House of Representatives and a Senator
designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, respectively.

The Join Congressional Oversight Committee on Disaster Resilience shall be assisted by a
secretariat to be composed by personnel under secondment from the Senate and the House of
Representatives and may retain consultants.

SEC. 101. Mandatory Review. ~ Within five (S) 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 impacts of this Act, as well the performance, and organizational structure of the
Department, for purposes of determining remedial legislation.

SEC. 102, Interpretation. — Any doubt in the interpretation of any provision of this Act shall be
resolved in favor of a liberal interpretation that will fulfill the objectives of this Act, especially in relation
to the provision of effective, efficient and timely disaster response, rehabilitation and recovery.

SEC. 103. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or
invalid, the other provision or parts thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 104, Repealing Clause. — The provision of Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the
“Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010”; Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise
known as the “Local Government Code of 1991”; Republic Act No. 7916, otherwise known as the “Special
Economic zone Act of 1995”; and all other laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations and other
executive issuances, which are not consistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act, are hereby
repealed or amended.

SEC. 105. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved.