FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
First Regular Session 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is one of the countries which is often visited by various natural 
calamities such as floods and earthquakes. Man-made disasters such as fires and flash 
floods are also common occurrences. 
It is important to have institutionalized programs and services that will readily 
provide communities aid in times in times of disasters and emergencies.' 
This bill was originally filed in the Thirteenth Congress, Third Regular Session. 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING ONE LOCAL EMERGENCY CENTER 
IN EVERY MUNICIPALITY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY 
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 “Local Emergency 
Centers Act of 2007” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy 
It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to: (1) provide emergency centers throughout the country to aid citizens during times of 
disaster and calamities; and (2) provide proper disaster preparedness and emergency 
rescue training to volunteers. 
SECTION 3. Local Emergency Centers. There shall be established one Local 
Emergency Center (hereinafter referred to as Center) in every municipality throughout 
the country. 
SECTION 4. Membership and training. - All able-bodied citizens who are 18 
years of age and above, and resident of the respective municipality where they are 
applying for membership with the Center, shall be eligible for membership. Members of 
the Centers shall undergo proper disaster preparedness and emergency rescue training. 
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Trainees shall be provided with the necessary materials and paraphernalia as needed 
during the course of their training. 
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SECTION 5. Purpose of the Centers , - The purpose of a local emergency 
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centers shall be: 
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to provide temporary housing, medical, and humanitarian 
assistance to individuals and families dislocated due to an emergency or major 
disaster; 
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to provide centralized locations for the purpose of training; and 
to provide centralized locations to improve the coordination of 
preparedness, response, and recovery efforts of government, private, and not-for- 
profit entities and faith-based organizations. 
SECTION 6. Minimum requirements of Centers. - A site designated as a local 
emergency center shall be- 
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capable of meeting for an extended period of time the housing, health, and 
other humanitarian needs of a large number of individuals affected by an 
emergency or major disaster; 
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may use the center; 
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coordination requirements during non-disaster periods; 
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temporary housing, medical, and humanitarian assistance needs; and 
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medical facilities, including during an emergency or major disaster. 
environmentally safe and shall not pose a health risk to individuals who 
capable of housing necessary equipment for training and first responders 
capable of hosting the infrastructure necessary to rapidly adjust to 
easily accessible at all times and be able to facilitate handicapped and 
SECTION 7. Implementing Agency. - The Department of National Defense 
(DND), in coordination with the respective local government units shall be the 
implementing agencies for this Act. The DND shall formulate implementing rules and 
regulations for this Act not later than 90 days after its enactment. 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
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accordingly. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
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SECTION 10. Efectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
rcc/5/23/07 
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