NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
F/rst Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1200
of tl)C
'22 AUG 17 A 8 '45
RliCEIVLD BV: _
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING EVACUATION CENTERS IN EVERY CITY AND 
MUNICIPALITY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 for the period 2000-2019 is based on 
average values over a twenty-year period. It ranks to what extent countries have been 
affected by climate-related weather events such as storms and floods. Based on the 
same, the Philippines is the fourth most affected country affected by extreme weather 
events for the past two decades. Even in 2015, the United Nations Office for the 
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that 56% of the 100 cities most exposed 
to natural hazards are concentrated in just four countries: the Philippines, China, 
Japan, and Bangladesh.
The vulnerability to frequent climate-related catastrophes could be attributed 
to the fact that the Philippines is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where several 
earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
In recognition of this vulnerability, this bill seeks to establish and maintain a 
fully equipped and fully operational evacuation center, responsive to environmental or 
climatic events, in every city and municipality. This is to provide immediate and 
temporary accommodation for people who have been evacuated or displaced from 
their homes due to emergency events and outbreak of Illnesses and diseases that 
present imminent danger to life and property.


Sa dalas po ng kalamidad na tumatama sa ating bansa ay kailangan po tayong 
magkaroon ng permanenteng struktura para po sa ating mga kababayan lalo na sa 
pinaka-bulnerableng mga lugar. Makatutulong po ito hindi lamang para magligtas ng 
buhay kundi para magbigay ng kapanatagan sa ating mga kababayan at maipakita sa 
kaniia na iaging handa at nakaantabay ang ating gobyerno na bigyan siia ng 
matutuiuyan sa panahon ng deiubyo.
In view of this, early passage of this bill is sought.
M. LAPID
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. N0I2OO
of tijf ^rrrettU'ji’
•22 AUG 17 A8:45
RtiCElVED BV:
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
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AN ACT
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ESTABLISHING EVACUATION CENTERS IN EVERY CITY AND
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MUNICIPALITY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Ligtas Pinoy Centers
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Actof2022."
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Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to uphold 
the constitutional right of the people for the protection of their life and property and 
the promotion of the general welfare. Towards this end, the State shall establish and 
maintain a fully equipped and fully operational evacuation center, responsive to 
environmental or climatic events, in recognition of the vulnerability of the Philippines 
to climate change, the occurrence of severe floods, typhoons, and other natural or 
human-induced disasters, illnesses, diseases and other factors that affect the 
environment.
Section 3. Establishment of Evacuation Centers. - There shall be established 
an evacuation center to be called "Ligtas Pinoy Centers" in every city and municipality 
In the country which shall provide immediate and temporary accommodation for 
people who have been evacuated or displaced from their homes due to emergency 
events such as typhoons, floods, storm surges, drought and other severe climate 
disturbances, as well as fire, and the outbreak of illnesses and diseases that present 
Imminent danger to life and property.


Existing structures that would meet the minimum requirements or could be 
upgraded to effectively serve as evacuation centers could be designated as such In 
compliance with the local government unit concerned.
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Section 4. Requirements. - The following shall be the minimum requirements
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for every Ligtas Pinoy Center that will be established under this Act:
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a. Location Designation. - Each location for every Ligtas Pinoy Center shall be 
determined by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
(DENR), in close coordination with the LGUs concerned.
That location shall be determined based on the following criteria:
1. It must be centrally located in the community;
2. It must be of a safe distance from large trees, structures where 
hazardous materials are used and stored, or high-voltage power lines;
3. It must be near a health facility;
4. It must be located on geotechnically stable land to avoid risk of 
landslides or exposure to potential landslide of adjacent lands;
5. It must not be located near military base camps, camps of insurgent 
groups, power plants, factories, and other areas where the occurrence 
of human-induced disasters are very high.
b. Structurai and Buiiding Capacity. - The Ligtas Pinoy Centers shall be 
constructed and designed to withstand super typhoons or wind speeds of 
at least three hundred kilometers per hour (300 kph) and seismic activity of 
at least 8.0 magnitude. The structure must be calamity-resilient, built with 
sturdy materials, and in accordance with the specifications of Republic Act 
No. 6541, othehA/ise known as the "National Building Code of the 
Philippines" or shall be at par with the standards set by the International 
Building Code.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall be in charge 
of the construction of evacuation centers, including the formulation of 
building specifications and shall ensure that the same are based on


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standards, issuances, and other guidelines set by the DPWH, and are 
compliant with the provisions of the National Building Code. The DPWH shall 
also ensure that the construction of such evacuation centers Is In 
accordance with the abovementioned requirements during its construction 
phase.
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The specifications of the Ligtas Pinoy Centers shall be periodically reviewed
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and, if necessary, revised by the DPWH every three (3) years.
The Ligtas Pinoy Centers must at least meet the following parameters:
1. The structure must be elevated, in such a manner that is safely above the 
reach of a high tide storm surge level of at least ten (10) meters;
2. The structure must be a minimum of one (1) meter above the average flood 
level in the area where the same shall be built; and
3. The structure shall not be less than nine (9) meters in height and shall be 
designed in accordance with earthquake load standards.
c. Amenities and Accessibiiity. ~ The evacuation centers shall be well- 
ventilated and shall have the capacity to accommodate a large number of 
evacuees. The evacuation center shall have the following minimum 
amenities:
1. Sleeping quarters for the evacuees;
2. Separate shower and toilet facilities designated for males and females, 
with one (1) facility for every twenty (20) persons;
3. Amenities to enable access thereto by persons with disabilities;
4. Emergency exit doors;
5. Food preparation areas with adequate ventiiation;
6. Trash and waste segregation and collection areas;
7. Health care areas which shall include an isolation or quarantine area for 
potentially infectious persons;
8. Rainwater harvesting and collection facilities; and
9. Other facilities as may be prescribed by the appropriate authorities.
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Section 5. Operation and Management-The. LCDs concerned shall be primarily


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responsible for the operation, supervision, and management of evacuation centers 
established under this Act. They are also hereby authorized to issue rules and 
regulations on their proper use and maintenance.
The local sdnggunian shall promulgate guidelines and procedures for the use 
and operation of the Ligtas Pinoy Centers under its jurisdiction. The guidelines shall 
prescribe rules on the utilization of the evacuation center when it is not used as such: 
Provided, That the evacuation center may only be used for such other activities or 
purposes that involvd the use of collapsible amenities and those that shall not In any 
way compromise the serviceability of the evacuation center or impede the use thereof 
when a disaster occurs: Provided further. That the LGU shall impose such penalties as 
may be deemed proper on the organizers of authorized activities when the evacuation 
center suffers any damage, defacement, or loss during or as a result of such activities.
The mandatory audit of infrastructures used as evacuation centers shall be 
conducted by the City or Municipality at least once every year and immediately after 
the occurrence of a hazard or disaster.
Section 6. Roie of the Nationai Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
Councii (NDRRMC) and Progressive Reaiization of this Act - The National Disaster 
Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) shall be the lead implementing 
agency of this Act. The objectives of this Act shall be realized progressively. In 
implementing this Act, the NDRRMC shall prioritize the construction of Ligtas Pinoy 
Centers based on the LGUs: (a) vulnerability to disasters/calamities; (b) financial 
capability; and (c) existing evacuation centers suitable to their needs.
The NDRRMC shall enter into memoranda of agreement (MOA) with the 
concerned LGUs for the maintenance, operation, and management of a permanent 
evacuation center in their respective areas of jurisdiction. It shall provide technical 
assistance and support services to these LGUs in the management of the facility.
Local chief executives concerned shall evaluate and provide suitable sites for 
evacuation centers to determine their geographical stability, and public accessibility in 
times of disasters. They shall provide for the maintenance, operation, and


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management of the facility taking Into consideration the goal of life preservation and 
meeting the basic subsistence needs of affected population based on acceptable 
standards during or immediately after a disaster.
Section 7. Coordination among Agencies. - The NDRRMC shall coordinate with 
the DPWH and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) with regard to the 
design specifications, cost estimates, and construction details of the evacuation 
centers that will be constructed pursuant to this Act.
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Concerned government agencies and instrumentalities, when necessary, shall
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provide assistance to the NDRRMC to ensure the effective and efficient implementation
of this Act. 
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Section 8. Impiementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the NDRRMC shall, in consultation with the DPWH, DOST, 
League of Cities of the Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, and 
other concerned government and private agencies, promulgate the necessary rules 
and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Section 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the Initial 
implementation to fund the construction and maintenance of multipurpose gyms to 
serve as evacuation centers shall be charged against the budget for this purpose under 
the DPWH. Thereafter, such amounts necessary for the construction of multipurpose 
gyms as evacuation centers shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations 
Act. The LGU concerned shall provide the continued maintenance, operation, and 
management of the facility.
Section 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision, section, or part of this Act 
shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgement shall not affect, invalidate 
or impair any other provisions, sections or parts hereof.
Section 11. Repealing Clause. - All provisions of existing laws, orders, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof which are in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.


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Section 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
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circulation.
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Approved,