Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero  
    EXPLANATORY NOTE
Last 2010, Republic Act 10072 or “The Philippine Red Cross Act of 2009,” 
authored by Senator and PNRC Chairman Gordon, was signed into law by then 
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, officially changing the name of the 
organization from PNRC to Philippine Red Cross (PRC). 
Then in 2011 The nationwide Red Cross Million Volunteer Run was held, in 
celebration of the UN Declaration of the year 2011 as International Year of 
Volunteers, and December 5 as International Day of Volunteers. 
Came 2013, The PRC leadership called for an emergency meeting with Movement 
Partners to discuss actions to be taken to address the needs of the vulnerable 
population affected by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) 
PRC mobilized its staff and volunteers to dispatch cadaver bags to assist the 
government in the retrieval and management of the dead. A refrigerated van was 
also deployed to store bodies waiting for proper identification. 
2014, To solve access problems encountered in delivering relief to affected areas 
of Typhoon Yolanda, PRC and delegates from Partner National Societies and the 
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) agreed 
to purchase a 195-foot military prototype vessel that can dock even on the 
shallowest water. Said vessel would be used to aid the movement in its 
humanitarian efforts in the Philippines and Asia Pacific. 
June 13, 2024
12:23 pm
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2015, PRC Chairman Gordon led the inauguration of the Philippine Red Cross 
Tower. The PRC's new building stands as a symbol of the PRC’s growth through 
the years and a mark of its strong commitment to humanitarian service. 
2017, As of March 24, 77,066 shelters have already been built for the victims of 
Typhoon Haiyan. Five hundred fourteen classrooms and 85 health facilities have 
also been rehabilitated and reconstructed. 
On its 70th Anniversary, the PRC welcomes the country’s first ever humanitarian 
ship, the M/V PRC Amazing Grace. PRC launched its humanitarian vessel at 
the Philippine Navy National Headquarters, Roxas Boulevard, Manila, with the 
President of the Republic of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, as the guest of 
honor. 
The Philippine Red Cross, through the effort of its staff and volunteers has 
incessantly stepped up its humanitarian efforts for the affected people since the 
conflict started in Marawi.  
This House Bill seeks to provide protection and assistance to people affected by 
disasters and conflict, thus providing modernization funding to the Philippine 
Red Cross.  
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.  
MICHAEL L. ROMERO Ph.D.    


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19TH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Representative Michael L. Romero  
    AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINE RED 
CROSS, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, TO PROVIDE 
QUALITY LIFE-SAVING SERVICES, TO PROTECT THE LIFE AND 
DIGNITY ESPECIALLY OF INDIGENT FILIPINOS IN ALL 
VULNERABLE SITUATIONS, PROVIDING APPROPRIATIONS 
THEREFOR, 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 
Philippine Red Cross Modernization Act of 2024. 
SECTION 
2. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY — It is a declared policy of 
the State in conformity with the mandate of the Constitution, to 
provide humanitarian network.  
The Movement is to be neutral and impartial and; 
To provide protection and assistance to people affected by disasters and 
conflicts. as having priority over its other functions. 
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Pursuant to Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution which provides for 
the adoption of the generally accepted principles of international law as part of 
the law of the land, the State shall at all times act in conformity with the Geneva 
Conventions of 1949 and their additional protocols, and the Statutes of the 
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and shall establish and 
promote the development of a duly recognized independent and autonomous 
nongovernmental Red Cross Society that shall provide humanitarian relief and 
assistance in times of peace and armed conflict.  
The State shall at all times respect the adherence by the Red Cross Society 
to 
the 
fundamental 
principles 
of 
humanity, 
impartiality, 
neutrality, 
independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. 
SECTION 
3. 
MODERNIZATION FUNDING. – The amount of Two 
Billion Pesos (Php 2, 000,000,000.00) for the operation and administration of 
the Philippine Red Cross shall be chargeable against funds for the purpose 
and other sources recommended by the Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM).  
 
Thereafter, appropriations for the Philippine Red Cross, shall be 
included in the budget proposals under the Office of the President. 
 
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall rationalize the 
existing organizational structure and staffing pattern of the (Philippine Red 
Cross) in accordance with the prevailing provisions and relevant compensation 
and position classification laws, rules and regulations. 
Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of the 
modernization program shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act (GAA). 


SECTION 
4. 
PHILIPPINE RED CROSS MODERNIZATION FUND – 
There is hereby created the Philippine Red Cross Modernization Fund to be 
used exclusively for the Philippine Red Cross Modernization Program. 
The Philippine Red Cross Modernization Fund shall be administered by the 
Office of the President in accordance with existing government budgeting, 
accounting, and auditing rules and regulations. 
SECTION 
5. 
PROGRESS REPORT – The Office of the President 
shall prepare an annual report on the status of the implementation of the 
Philippine Red Cross Modernization Programs which shall be submitted, to the 
President of the Republic and to the Chairpersons of the Committee on 
Economic Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives. 
SECTION 
6. 
INCREASE OF PERSONNEL. – The Philippine Red 
Cross shall maintain a sufficient staffing pattern. Hence, it is authorized to 
increase its manpower to meet such required and may continue to increase 
personnel per percentage rate increase of committed mandates annually or as 
the need arises. 
SECTION 
7. 
PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION – The modernization 
program under this Act shall be implemented for an initial period of three (3) 
years:  
Provided, that payments for multi-year contract obligations incurred 
under this Act may extend beyond this period:  
Provided, further, That the Philippine Red Cross shall continue to develop, 
modernize and constantly update its operational capabilities to keep pace with 
best global practices. 


SECTION 
8. 
SUPERVISING AND ASSESSMENT CONCERNS. — the 
Office of the President, shall provide the necessary technical and financial 
assistance to ensure effective operations and build-up. 
SECTION 
9. 
IMPLEMENTING AGENCY. — Office of the President 
SECTION 
10. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. — Within 
ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Office of the President 
shall, in consultation with other concerned government and private agencies, 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of 
this Act. 
SECTION 
11. 
TRANSITORY PROVISION – Existing industries, businesses 
and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given six (6) 
months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other period as 
may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
The agencies concerned shall provide for the continued maintenance, 
operation, and management of all the facilities and equipment. 
SECTION 12. 
PERIODIC REPORTS - The Office of the President 
shall submit periodic reports on its findings and make recommendations on 
actions to be taken by both Congress and Senate and the appropriate 
departments, in order to carry out the objectives and mandates of this Act. 
SECTION 
13. 
AUTOMATIC REVIEW - Every three (3) years after the 
effectivity of this Act, an independent review panel composed of experts to be 
appointed by the President of the Republic shall review the policies and 
programs in the defense and security sector and shall make recommendations, 
based on its findings, to the President and to both Houses of Congress. 
SECTION 14.  POWERS & FUNCTIONS – The Philippine Red Cross shall 
be as follows: 


(a) To cooperate with public authorities in the prevention of disease, 
the promotion of health and the mitigation of human suffering by 
their own programs in such fields as education, health and social 
welfare, for the benefit of the community; 
(b) To organize, in liaison with public authorities, emergency relief 
operations and other services to assist the sick and wounded of 
armed forces in time of armed conflict, in accordance with the spirit 
of and under the conditions prescribed by the Geneva Conventions 
to which the Republic of the Philippines proclaimed its adherence; 
(c) For the purposes mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, to 
perform all duties devolving upon the Philippine Red Cross as a 
result of the adherence of the Republic of the Philippines to the said 
Convention; 
(d) To act in matters of voluntary relief and of communication 
between the people of the Republic of the Philippines and their 
Armed Forces, in time of peace and in time of armed conflict, and to 
act in such matters between similar national societies of other 
countries and the Governments and people and the Armed Forces of 
the Republic of the Philippines; 
(e) To establish and maintain a system of national and international 
relief in time of peace and in time of armed conflict and apply the 
same in meeting emergency needs caused by typhoons, floods, fires, 
earthquakes, and other natural or man-made disasters, and to 
devise and carry on measures for alleviating the suffering caused by 
such disasters; 
(f) To devise and promote such other services in time of peace and 
in time of armed conflict as may be found desirable in improving the 
health, safety and welfare of the Filipino people, and of all peoples 
in general; and 
(g) To devise such means as to make every citizen and/or resident 
of the Philippines a member of the Philippine Red Cross. 
 
SECTION 15. 
PENAL CLAUSE. – Any person, whether natural or 
juridical, violating any section of this Act shall, upon conviction, therefore, be 
liable to a fine of not less than two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) or 


imprisonment for a term not less than one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of 
the court for each and every violation.  
In case the violation is committed by a corporation or an association, the 
penalty shall devolve upon the president, director, or any other officer 
responsible for such violation. 
SECTION 
16. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, 
executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
17. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, 
any section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the 
other sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
18. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take 
effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or 
in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever 
comes earlier. 
 
Approved,