THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHTLIPPINES 
, 
SEN 
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S.B. No. 
Introduced by Senator LUISA “LOI” P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our country has always been coping with a hostile environment, continuously 
expending efforts to survive against typhoons, floods, earthquakes, epidemics, fire and 
other calamities, both natural and man-made. 
P.D. 1566, which created the National Disaster Coordination Council, has been 
enacted in order to respond to these calamities. Unfortunately, the law does not 
completely address disaster issues. First, it confers disaster management responsibilities 
to the Department of National Defense, which has difficulty handling the same as it has 
already been saddled with numerous responsibilities. Second, its provisions do not 
approach disaster issues in their entirety. 
The series of volcanic eruptions in the country and the recent onslaught of 
typhoon “Feria”, which claimed 36 lives and devastated millions of properties, signal the 
need to revise said decree and other appropriate existing laws. 
If the government were to effectively pursue a comprehensive disaster 
management program, it should create a separate body tasked to handle the same and 
address disaster issues in their totality, i. e., prevention, mitigation, preparedness, 
emergency operations, relief, and rehabilitation, rather than the current emphasis on 
response operations. 
This bill seeks to create the National Disaster Management Commission in order 
to effectively undertake a comprehensive disaster management program. Hence, its 
immediate enactment into law is earnestly requested. 
LUISA “LOI” 
EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


Introduced by Senator LUISA “LOP P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT COMMISSION, 
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Comprehensive 
Disaster Management Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of State Policy. - It is hereby declared to be the policy 
of the State to develop, promote, and implement measures to prevent and counter the 
impact of disasters in the country, through collaboration of efforts and utilization of the 
resources of government, non-governmental organizations and other concerned sectors. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, 
(1) 
Disaster - An event, natural or man-made, sudden or progressive, that 
seriously disrupts the hnctioning of a society, causing human, material, or 
environmental losses of such severity that the affected community has to 
respond 
by taking exceptional measures. 
The disruption (including 
essential services and means of livelihood) is on a scale that exceeds the 
ability of the affected society to cope with using only its own resources; 
(2) 
Disaster Management - Disaster management includes all aspects of 
planning of and responding to disasters. It refers to the management of 
both the risks and the consequences of disasters, and includes both: 


prevention and preparedness measures taken in disaster-prone areas in 
anticipation of the known hazards - often referred to as “pre-disaster” and 
long-term rehabilitation (sometimes referred to as “reconstr~ction~~); 
Disaster Preparedness - Measures that ensure the readiness and ability of a 
society to: (a) forecast and take precautionary measures in advance of an 
imminent threat (in cases where advance warnings are possible), and (b) 
respond to and cope with the effects of a disaster by organizing and 
delivering timely and effective rescue, relief, and other appropriate post- 
disaster assistance. 
Emergency Situation - An extraordinary situation in which people are 
unable to meet their basic survival needs, and there are serious and 
immediate threats to human life and well being. 
Emergency Operation Centers - A suitably equipped and staffed area or 
room, from within which an emergency operation is conducted. 
Normal Phase (Normal Time) - 
A period when there is no immediate 
threat but long-term actions are required in anticipation of the impact, at 
some unknown time in the future, of known hazards; 
Alert and Warning Phase - The period from the issuing of an alert or 
public warning of an imminent disaster threat to its actual impact, or the 
passage of the threat and the liRing of the warning. The period during 
which pre-impact precautionary, or disaster containment measures are 
taken; 
Disaster Phase - 
The period during which direct impact of a natural 
calamity is felt. Disaster phase is long in case of slow on-set disasters 
(draughts, normal monsoon flood) and short in case of rapid on-set 
disasters (flash flood, cyclone, earthquake, fire, industrial accident, 
landslide etc); 
Recovery Phase - The period, following the emergency phase, during 
which actions are to be taken to enable victims to resume normal lives and 


means of livelihood, and to restore infrastructure, services and the 
economy in a manner appropriate to long-term needs and defined 
development objectives. Recovery encompasses both rehabilitation and 
reconstruction, and may include the continuation of certain relief (welfare) 
measures in favor of particular disadvantaged, vulnerable groups. 
SECTION 4. National Disaster Management Commission. - There shall be 
created a National Disaster Management Commission (hereinafter known as 
“Commission”). It shall be headed by a chairman and two commissioners who shall each 
have a term of four (4) years and shall be constituted by the President of the Philippines 
from among the list of nominees considered expert in the field of disaster management 
and preparedness. The chairman shall have the rank and privileges of a department 
undersecretary, and the appointive commissioners shall have the rank and privileges of 
assistant secretaries of a department. 
SECTION 5. Status andNature of the Commission. - 
The Commission shall be 
independent and autonomous and shall have the same status as that of a national 
government agency attached to the Office of the President. 
The Commission shall exercise corporate powers. It shall have a seal, may sue 
and be sued, and shall be the sole policy-making coordinating body of all disaster 
management programs. 
SECTION 6. Powers of the Commission. - 
The Commission shall have the 
following powers: 
(1) 
To appoint the officers and other personnel of the Commission and fix 
their compensation, allowances and other emoluments, subject to the civil 
service and other existing applicable laws, rules and regulations; 


(2) 
To suspend, dismiss, or otherwise discipline for cause, any employee, 
and/or to approve or disapprove the appointment, transfer or detail of 
employees, subject to the provisions of existing laws and regulations; 
(3) 
To enter into contracts; 
(4) 
To acquire, use and control any land, building, facilities, equipment, 
instrument, tools, and rights required or otherwise necessary for the 
accomplishment of the objectives of the Commission; 
To acquire, own, possess and dispose of any real or personal property; 
To accept donations, gifts, bequests, and grants; 
To ensure the implementation by various government departments and 
agencies of their disaster management programs; 
To issue rules and regulations in pursuance of the provisions of this Act; 
and 
To perform any and all other acts incident to or required by virtue of its 
creation. 
(5) 
(6) 
(7) 
(8) 
(9) 
SECTION 7 .  Responsibilities of National Disaster Mmagement Agency. - The 
Commission shall have the following responsibilities: 
(1) 
To formulate policy regarding Disaster Management and issue guidelines 
in this respect; 
(2) 
To ensure coordination among various government agencies, the Armed 
Forces of the Philippines and concerned N O S ,  such as the Philippine 
National Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and other related 
organizations, in the planning process of disaster management; 
To arrange framing of law for prevention, mitigation, preparedness and 
disaster response; 
To take necessary steps after evaluating the precautionary/preparedness 
measures immediately with the warning signals regarding imminent 
disaster; 
(3) 
(4) 


(9) 
To frame guidelines for distribution of relief materials and assign priority 
of steps during pre-disaster, disaster and post-disaster periods; 
To consider other related issues and dispose of them; 
To coordinate the activities of the government agencies concerned with 
disaster management and evaluate the activities of the same; 
To scrutinize the disaster preparedness of different departments and 
agencies every six months; 
To take steps for coordination of relief operations in post-disaster recovery 
period; 
To advise and issue guidelines for other related issues; 
To hold meetings with concerned departments, agencies and N O S  as 
often as necessary to effectively coordinate the national efforts on disaster 
preparedness emergency operations and recovery and rehabilitation 
activities; 
To call on all other departments, bureaus, agencies, instrumentalities and 
corporations of the government and the private sector for assistance in 
preparing for, reacting to and recovering from the effects of disasters and 
civil emergencies; 
To coordinate the activities and fhctions of the various agencies and 
instrumentalities of the National Government and private institutions and 
civic organizations to implement the policies set by the Commission 
relative to disaster management; 
To prepare and disseminate disaster control manuals and other 
publications related to measures on disaster prevention, control and 
mitigation; and 
To advise the President on matters concerning disaster management; 
A. 
Responsibilities regarding Disaster Preventiofltigation 
(1) 
To recommend to the President regarding the prioritization 
and inclusion of disaster preventiodmitigation projects in 


the National Development Plan; 
To determine the method of Disaster Impact Assessment 
(DIA) of large projects regarding their longevity against 
increasing disaster or damage during disaster; 
To coordinate preparation and implementation of disaster 
preventionhitigation projects and to recommend fkaming 
of policy, fixing priorities and distributing assets in this 
respect; 
To arrange for increasing efficiency at all levels of disaster 
management activities; 
To monitor the disaster risks and their mitigation according 
to priorities in the national policy and their implementation 
and to keep the Commission informed of their progress. 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 
B . 
Responsibilities regarding Disaster Preparedness 
. 
To scrutinize the disaster forecasts and warning procedure and 
coordinate among the different agencies; 
To review the action plan of all disaster related agencies; 
To monitor the overall disaster preparedness programmes and 
advise the President; 
To coordinate among different agencies responsible for educating 
people concerning their duties during disasters; 
To ensure coordination among government agencies and NGOs 
responsible for imparting training on disaster management; 
To extend help to concerned NGOs by sponsoring disaster 
management training programs; 
To ensure quick assessment of damage due to disaster and the 
quality of reconstruction work. 
To maintain liaison with different government agencies, aid-giving 
agencies, NGOs and Voluntary Organizations and ensure their 


maximum cooperation and coordination in all matters of disaster 
management. 
C. 
Responsibilities to meet emergency situation 
1. 
Normal Phase 
To review existing disaster management programs every 3 
(three) months; 
To identifl disaster prone and special disaster prone areas 
and the population likely to be affected by the disaster; 
To update the list of foreign and private agencies willing to 
participate in the disaster preparedness, emergency 
response and rehabilitation programmes; 
To preserve information regarding food, relief materials 
and transports usable at all levels during disaster; 
To issue necessary orders for proper coordination of steps 
relating to disaster and response; 
To undertake various activities for creating awareness 
among the people, government employees and people of 
other professions for reducing risks during disaster. 
2. 
Alert and Warning Phase 
To issue orders, for dispatch of relief materials to required 
places and to keep the transports ready, in coordination 
with concerned government departments, agencies and 
instrumentalities; 
To direct local government units to establish Emergency 
Operation Center (EOC) of their own; 
To ensure direct communication with PAG-ASA and issue 
orders for collection of inputs (warning message and 
signal) fiom the department; 
To ensure publicity of warning signals through Radio, 


Television, Telegram, Fax, teleprinter etc and also inform 
departments and other concerned agencies and officials; 
To keep the EOC open day and night; 
To call a meeting with the Committee in order to solicit 
participation fiom each member; 
To request the AFP to keep a helicopter and transport plane 
ready for reconnaissance of loss and damages and for relief 
operations and to keep water vessels ready for rescue and 
relief operations; 
To issue directives to evacuate to safer places for saving 
life and property; 
To request the AFP to be on red alert for speedy 
mobilization to the affected areas; 
To instruct, in coordination with the DILG, authorities to 
requisition required transports for rescue and relief work. 
In consultation with PAG-ASA, to issue instructions to 
local administration for evaluation of the people likely to 
be affected to safer places; 
To arrange in advance necessary relief materials for the 
disaster prone areas; and 
To request the Department of Health and the Philippine 
National Red Cross to send medical teams to areas likely to 
be affected. 
3. 
Disaster Phase 
(a) 
To request the AFP to keep vessels and air planes ready for 
assessment of loss and damage and rescue operations as 
soon as weather becomes favorable; 
To request the DOH and other concerned agencies to assist 
the AFP in respect of , evacuation, relief and rescue 
(b) 


operations on the basis of need; 
To coordinate rescue and relief work with NGOs. 
To collect information of loss and damage. 
To fix additional requirement of fhds and materials for 
relief and rehabilitation work. 
To collect quickly hnds and relief materials for gratuitous 
relief 
To ensure rapid supply of additional equipment/materials to 
places where telecommunication has been disrupted on 
account of disaster by coordinating with the Department of 
Transportation and Communications; 
4. 
Rehabilitation Stage 
To arrange, in coordination with concerned departments 
and agencies for housing building grant, test relief and food 
for works programs; 
To continue emergency rehabilitation work in affected 
areas until return of normalcy. 
To coordinate rehabilitation programs, extended by various 
government agencies and non-governmental organizations. 
To coordinate with the Department of Public Works and 
Highways for the construction of infrastructure projects 
particularly in gravely devastated areas; 
SECTION 8. The Secretariat and the Executive Director. - 
The Commission 
shall organize a secretariat to be headed by an executive director who shall serve as the 
chief operating officer. 
The executive director shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon 
the recommendation of the Commission for a term of four (4) years with reappointment 
for another term, and must have the qualifications, rank and privileges of a bureau 


director. He must possess executive and management experience of at least three (3) 
years and with considerable exposure to disaster management programs. He shall be 
responsible for the effective implementation of the policies promulgated by the 
Commission and shall also direct and supervise the day-to-day operations of the 
Commission. 
The staffing pattern and compensation schedule of the secretariat shall be drawn 
up in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations. 
SECTION 9. Duties and Responsibilities of the Secretariat - 
The Secretariat 
shall be responsible for: 
Ensuring an effective and efficient performance of the functions of the 
Commission and prompt implementation of the programs; 
Proposing specific allocation of resources for projects instated under the 
approved programs; 
Submitting periodic reports to the Commission on the progress and 
accomplishment of programs and projects; 
Preparing an annual report on all activities of the Commission; 
Providing and performing general administrative and technical staff 
support; and 
Performing such other finctions as the Commission may deem necessary. 
SECTION 10. National Disaster Management Adiisory Committee. - There shall 
be created a National Disaster Management Advisory Committee, hereinafter known as 
“Committee” to be composed of the following: 
Secretary, Department of Health (DOH), Chairman 
Secretary, Department of Social Welfare 
and Development (DSWD), Vice Chairman 
Secretary, .Department of National Defense (DND), Member 
Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Member 


Secretary, Department of Agriculture @A), Member 
Secretary, Department of Education (DepEd), Member 
Secretary, Department of Finance @OF), Member 
Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Member 
Secretary, Department of Justice (DOJ), Member 
Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Member 
Secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Member 
Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Member 
Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Member 
Secretary-General, Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), Member 
The Committee shall meet once every three (3) months, or as often as may be 
necessary upon call of its chairman, advise and be consulted by the Commission on 
important matters relating to disaster management. 
The Committee may form task forces which shall convene between the meetings. 
The Commission shall provide the technical support and the secretariat required by the 
Council to hnction according to this Act. 
SECTION 11. Advisory cqucity. - The Committee shall be the advisory arm of 
the Commission, tasked primarily to formulate policy programs which the Commission 
may adopt. Specifically, the Committee shall have the following responsibilities: 
To advise the Commission on technical management and socio-economic 
aspects of Disaster Preventionhfitigation, preparedness, emergency 
response and development (rehabilitation and reconstruction matters); 
To alert the Commission 
about the risk of disaster and mitigation 
possibilities and encourage them in respect of workshop, training and 
research; 
To create a forum for discussion by experts on the risk of disaster, opening 
opportunities for cooperation towards solution of problems relating to 
disaster management; 


(4) 
To recommend release of funds for special project works and also for 
introduction of special emergency methods or empowerment, if needed; 
To recommend solution of problems identified by the Commission; 
To propose long term rehabilitation plans; 
To evaluate and approve programmes undertaken by the Commission in 
order to meet the disaster and submit a report with recommendations to the 
Commission; 
Propose legislation on Disaster, Preparedness and Mitigation and other 
instructions. 
(5) 
(6) 
(7) 
(8) 
SECTION 12. Other responsibilities - The members of the Committee shall also 
have the following responsibilities: 
The DILG Secretary shall be responsible for overseeing the organization 
of, disaster coordinating councils and the establishment of operation 
centers of all local governments; 
The Labor Secretary shall be responsible for the organization of disaster 
control groups in all factories and industrial complexes, utilizing the 
existing safety committee therein; 
The DECS Secretary shall be responsible for the organization of disaster 
control groups and reaction teams in all schools and institutions of 
learning; 
The DTI Secretary shall be responsible for the organization of disaster 
control groups and reaction teams in large buildings used for commercial 
and recreational purposes; 
The DSWD Secretary shall be responsible in the extension of emergency 
relief assistance and social services to the victims which will immediately 
restore them to rehabilitation and a life of normalcy; 
The DOH Secretary shall provide medicines and other relief materials and 
prepare medical teams to be dispatched whenever necessary, provide 


(7) 
emergency medical treatment of disaster victims and subsequent 
hospitalization if necessary, provide medicine, other medical supplies and 
equipment, institute preventive and curative measures to check and control 
occurrence and spread of disease, maintain sanitary conditions in disaster 
affected areas, check and monitor quality of water supplies in disaster 
affected areas, recommend evacuation when necessary and advise on 
health resources to cover evacuation requirements, and provide field 
hospital and resources at the disaster site, if necessary; 
All members of the Committee shall make available their personnel, 
facilities and expertise to effectively carry out the hnctions of the 
Commission. 
SECTION 13. Appropriations. - 
There is hereby authorized to be appropriated 
the amount of 
Seventy million pesos (P70,000,000) as additional hnding for the 
Commission to be charged against the unexpended contingency hnds of the Office of the 
President. Thereafter, the amount needed for the operation and maintenance of the 
Commission shall' be included in the annual General Appropriations Act: Provided, That 
operating expenses of the Commission itself shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the 
annual appropriation and that at least ninety percent (90%) of said annual appropriation 
shall be disbursed for disaster management programs, projects and activities. 
SECTION 14. Rules and Regulations. - The Commission shall issue rules and 
regulations to implement this Act. 
SECTION 15. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 


SECTION 16. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 17. Effectivily Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
afler its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
EPUdisaster3