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

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO._4327

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR NATURAL FLOOD MANAGEMENT AND EROSION
CONTROL MECHANISMS, STRENGTHENING ECOSYSTEM-BASED
APPROACHES TO DISASTER RISK REDUCTION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Flooding and soil erosion remain among the most persistent natural hazards in the
Philippines. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
(NDRRMC), flooding accounts for a significant portion of annual disaster-related damages,
displacing thousands of families and causing billions of pesos in agricultural and infrastructure
losses every year. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) further
estimates that soil erosion affects nearly half of the country’s total land area, reducing
agricultural productivity, polluting water systems, and accelerating siltation of rivers and dams.

Current strategies to address these hazards rely heavily on structural or “hard
engineering” solutions such as dikes, seawalls, and concrete floodways. While essential, these
approaches are often costly, difficult to maintain, and limited in scope, as they fail to address
the root causes of flooding and erosion: deforestation, degraded watersheds, clogged river
systems, and the loss of wetlands and natural buffers.

International experience has shown that Natural Flood Management (NFM) and
ecosystem-based erosion control are cost-effective and sustainable complements to traditional
infrastructure. These include watershed reforestation, mangrove rehabilitation, wetland
restoration, riverbank stabilization with bamboo and vetiver grass, and the conservation of
upstream catchments to slow down water flow and reduce disaster risk. Such measures not
only mitigate flooding and erosion but also provide multiple co-benefits, such as biodiversity
protection, improved soil fertility, carbon sequestration, and rural livelihood opportunities.

This proposed measure institutionalizes a National Program on Natural Flood
Management and Erosion Control (NP-NFMEC) under the Department of Environment and


Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with the Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG), the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and the National Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). It seeks to:

1. Identify priority watersheds, river basins, and coastal zones vulnerable to flooding and
erosion;

2. Implement large-scale reforestation, mangrove planting, and riverbank stabilization
programs;

3. Promote the use of bioengineering solutions such as contour hedgerows, bamboo
planting, and vegetative barriers;

4, Restore wetlands and floodplains as natural retention areas;
5. Integrate natural flood management in local development and land use plans; and

6. Engage communities as frontliners in flood and erosion control through their Local
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils.

The bill also provides incentives: crop insurance coverage for farmers participating in
erosion control and agroforestry; eligibility of local government units (LGUs) for Seal of Good
Local Governance incentives; and private sector participation under the Green Jobs Act (RA
10771). Funding support shall be drawn from the appropriations of concerned agencies, the
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (DRRME), and climate finance facilities such
as the People’s Survival Fund (RA 10174).

By adopting natural flood management and crosion control, this measure provides the
country with a long-term, science-based, and cost-effective strategy to reduce disaster risks,
protect agricultural lands, and safeguard vulnerable communities. It transforms natural
‘ecosystems into allies for disaster resilience and sustainable development.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is eamestly sought.

RAYMON! SN SALCEDA


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

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 4327

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR NATURAL FLOOD MANAGEMENT AND EROSION
CONTROL MECHANISMS, STRENGTHENING ECOSYSTEM-BASED
APPROACHES TO DISASTER RISK REDUCTION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Natural Flood Management
and Erosion Control Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to safeguard lives, property,
and the environment by promoting sustainable, science-based, and ecosystem-driven measures
to prevent flooding and erosion. The State shall integrate natural flood management
mechanisms into disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and infrastructure
planning.

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

(a) Natural Flood Management (NFM) refers to the use of natural processes, land use,
and ecosystem restoration to reduce flood risk, including reforestation, wetland
restoration, riverbank stabilization, and watershed management.

(b) Erosion Control refers to measures that prevent or reduce soil erosion and
sedimentation through vegetative, structural, and natural engineering methods.

(c) Watershed Management refers to the coordinated conservation and sustainable use
of soil, water, and vegetation resources within a watershed to regulate water flow and
reduce disaster risk.

(@) Ecosystem-based Adaptation refers to the use of biodiversity and ecosystem
services as part of a broader strategy to adapt to climate change impacts.


SEC. 4. National Program on Natural Flood Management and Erosion Control, There
is hereby established a National Program on Natural Flood Management and Erosion Control
(NP-NFMEC), led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in
coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of
Agriculture (DA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National
Irrigation Administration (NIA), and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council (NDRRMC).

The NP-NFMEC shall:

(a) Identify priority watersheds, river basins, and coastal zones vulnerable to flooding
and erosion;

() Implement large-scale reforestation, mangrove planting, and riverbank stabilization
programs;

(c) Promote the use of bioengineering solutions, such as vetiver grass, bamboo planting,
and contour hedgerows;

(d) Restore wetlands, floodplains, and upstream catchments as natural flood retention
areas;

(e) Integrate natural flood management into infrastructure planning to complement hard
engineering solutions; and

( Engage local communities in river monitoring, tree planting, and maintenance of
NEM structures.

SEC. 5. Role of Local Government Units (LGUs). LGUs shall:

(a) Integrate NFM and erosion control into their Local Climate Change Action Plans
(LCCAPs) and Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs);

(b) Establish community-based flood and erosion monitoring systems;

(c) Allocate at least five percent (5%) of their Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Fund (DRRMF) for NFM and erosion control activities; and

(a) Coordinate with DENR and DPWH for technical support and capacity building.

SEC. 6. Incentives for Natural Flood Management. The following incentives shall be
granted:
(a) Farmers and cooperatives engaged in agroforestry, riverbank planting, and erosion

control shall be eligible for crop insurance under the Philippine Crop Insurance
Corporation (PCIC);

(b) Private sector participation in NFM projects shall qualify for incentives under the
Green Jobs Act (RA 10771);


(c) LGUs with exemplary NFM initiatives shall be eligible for additional grants under
the Seal of Good Local Governance.

SEC. 7. Funding. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall
be charged against the current appropriations of the DENR, DPWH, DA, and NIA. Thereafter,
such sums as may be necessary shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
LGUs may access support through the People’s Survival Fund (RA 10174), DRRMF, and
climate financing facilities

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the DENR, in coordination with the DPWH, DA, NDRRMC, and other
concemed agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause, All laws, decrees, and executive issuances inconsistent
with this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,