FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
·11 
MAY 11 
P 2 :22 
SE~l:E 
S. No. iets15 
RECEi\ ED BY; (7~ 
\, 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is said to be vulnerable to a variety of natural hazards, such as typhoons, 
periodic droughts, earthquakes, and floods, 
Further, an ongoing conflict in the southern 
Philippines has displaced hundreds of thousands of people over the last three decades. l 
According to Citizen's Disaster Response Center (CDRC), the Philippines is ranked 
second to China in the top ten list of countries most affected by natural disasters in 2009.2 
There is an immediate need for comprehensive and coordinated emergency preparedness 
planning suppoti for public schools nationwide. Historically, public schools have: 
1, 
had limited roles in the emergency preparedness planning process administered by 
other government agencies; 
2, 
not received priority consideration in that process; and 
3. 
had minimal access to funds allocated to emergency preparedness. 
The grants made under this bill will enable public schools to take an active role in 
emergency planning and give them access to the broad range of skills and expertise of the many 
other govermnent agencies involved in emergency planning and preparedness.3 
'http;//www.usaid.gov/our work/humanitarian assistance/disaster assistance/publications/prep mit/mods/program 
updates/philippines preparedness.pdf. 
2 http;//www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6333080-the-philippine-needs-a-better-disaster-preparedness-program. 
3 http;//www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill-hI12-l128. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
"11 
MAY 11 
P 2 :22 
SENATE 
S. No. 2815 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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AUTHORIZING THE SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE TO ESTABLISH A 
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COMPETITIVE PROGRAM TO MAKE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PLANNING AND 
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IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS LOCATED IN AREAS UNDER A 
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HIGH THREAT OF TERRORIST ATTACKS, NATURAL DISASTERS, OR PUBLIC 
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HEALTH EMERGENCIES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Elementary and Secondary 
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School Emergency Preparedness Planning Act." 
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SECTION 2. Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Preparedness Planning 
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Grant Program. -
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(A) 
Establishment. - The Secretary of National Defense (here called the "Secretary") 
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shall establish a competitive program to make grants for emergency preparedness planning and 
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implementation to local edncational agencies and districts located in areas under a high threat of 
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terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or public health emergencies. 
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(B) 
Eligibility. - The Secretary may only award a grant under this section to a public 
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school that: 
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(1) 
is located near a place that is under a high threat of: 
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(a) 
terrorist attacks, as determined by the Secretary; 
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(b) 
natural disasters, as determined by the Secretary, in his 01' her 
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capacity as chairperson of the National Disaster Risk Reduction 
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and Management Council; 01' 
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( c) 
public health emergencies, as determined by the Secretary, 111 
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consultation with the Secretary of Health; and 
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(C) 
(D) 
(2) 
submits an application at such time, in such form, and with such 
information and assurances as the Secretary may require, including 
assurances that a public school will use such grant amounts to carry out 
the activities authorized under this Act; and a budget and timeline for 
carrying out such activities. 
Priority. -
(1) 
(2) 
Initial Priority. - In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall 
give priority to public schools located in areas with higher popUlation 
densities and that are under a higher threat of terrorist attacks, natural 
disasters, or public health emergencies than other local educational 
agencies and districts eligible lmder subsection (B). 
Further Priority. - Among the priority local educational agencies and 
districts described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give further 
priority to public schools that have in the past demonstrated the ability to 
formulate and implement effective emergency preparedness plans. 
Grant Amount. - Amounts awarded under this Act shall not exceed P500,OOO.OO 
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per public school per fiscal year. 
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SECTION 3. Use o/Funds.-
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(A) 
Required Use o/Funds.-
(I) 
In General. - A public school receiving a grant under this Act shall use 
such funds to implement or to formulate and implement an emergency 
preparedness plan. 
(2) 
Elements a/Plan. - The plan required shall provide for: 
(a) 
the creation in the office of the superintendent or other chief 
executive officer of the public school of a School Emergency 
Response Center to provide coordination, communication, and 
support for school-based emergency preparedness planning and 
implementation; 
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(b) 
(c) 
the creation of a Regional Advisory Council chaired by the 
superintendent or other chief executive officer of the public school 
and composed of other appropriate representatives from the public 
school and from emergency management and law enforcement 
agencies, 
local 
public 
health 
offices, 
nongovernmental 
organizations, and other appropriate stakeholders; and 
the development of a plan specific to each school under the public 
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school's authority for each type of emergency likely to occur in the 
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area. 
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(B) Permitted Use of Funds. - A public school receiving a grant under this Act may use 
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any such funds remaining after complying with the requirements under paragraph (A)(l) for any 
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purpose relating to emergency preparedness planning or implementation. 
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SECTION 4. Authorization of Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, 
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there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year. 
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SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
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unconstitutional, any other provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
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SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or 
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parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
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in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
/fIdp 
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