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RECEIVED
07 JUL mes

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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._1372

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR.

AN ACT INCLUDING DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE SUBJECT AS
PART OF THE CURRICULUM IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOLS,

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines, being inside the Pacific Ring of Fire, is prone to several volcanic
eruptions and earthquakes. In fact, according to the Philippine Institute of Vulcanology and
Seismology or PHIVOLCS, the Philippines experiences an estimate of one hundred to one
hundred fifty earthquakes annually with a magnitude of 4.0 and above.' On November 17,
2023, Sarangani, Davao Occidental was hit by a powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake, leaving
eleven persons dead and seven hundred thirty individuals injured.? On December 2, 2023, a
powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Surigao del Sur according to PHIVOLCS.} According
to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, over five hundred (500) families or more than two-
thousand five hundred persons have been affected by the quake.

Aside from volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, the Philippines is also a typhoon-prone
country, experiencing an average of twenty typhoons per year. In 2013, the country was
devastated by the super typhoon Yolanda which left at least six thousand (6,000) dead. And
the most recent destructive typhoons that entered the Philippines were typhoons Rolly in 2020

+ https://newsinf er.net/1635871/list-killer-earthquakes-in-the-philippines
? https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1863570/death-toll-in-davao-occidental-quake-reaches-11

* https://www_philstar.com/headlines/2023/12/04/2316295/magnitude-74-quake-rocks-surigao-del-sur-1-
dead



and Paeng in 2022 which left twenty-two (22) and one hundred sixty (160) deaths respectively.
In addition, the country also experiences heavy rains brought by southwest monsoon. ‘These
natural occurrences cause substantial flooding which affect the livelihood of our fellow
Filipinos. According to Statista, an estimate of sixty billion pesos worth of damages due to

storms and other natural disasters were recorded in 2021 alone.*

Since these natural disasters are inevitable, it is only proper that the government
Prepare our citizens by educating them the correct and appropriate emergency and disaster
preparedness and response in order to minimize civilian casualty. It is also enshrined in Section
2(1), Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution which states “The State shall establish, maintain,
and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of
the people and society;”

This measure will amend the existing provisions of Republic Act No. 10121 or the
Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 and strengthen its disaster
preparedness education provisions by providing mandatory disaster preparedness subject in the

high school level

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnest

HON. JOS! ” J. TEVES, JR.
Representative, TGP Party-List

“ https://www_statista.com/topics/5845/natural-disasters-

+the-philippines-at-a-glance/#topicOverview


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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__1372

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR.

AN ACT INCLUDING DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE SUBJECT AS
PART OF THE CURRICULUM IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOLS

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 “Disaster Preparedness and
Response Education Act.”

SECTION 2. Incorporation of Disaster Preparedness and Response Subject. - All
public and private educational institutions shall adopt and include into their respective curricula
the mandatory subject Disaster Preparedness and Response in high school level.

SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulation. ~ The Department of Education
(DepEd), in coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
(NDRRMOC), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and shall, within one hundred eighty (180) days
from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations

relative to the implementation of this Act.


SECTION 4. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, such declaration shall not invalidate other parts thereof which shall

remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. Amendatory and Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders,
presidential decrees or issuances, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules, and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,

amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,