SIXTEENTH CONGIU~SS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
) 
) 
) 
S. No. 
,2547' 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
INCLUDING THE NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON AS A 
MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUC110N AND 
MANAGEMENT COUNCIL, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 
NO. 10121, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE DISASTER ruSK 
REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2010 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 13 provides: 
The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building 
and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, 
and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and 
nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs. 
The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) 
acknowledges the role of the youth in disaster risk reduction. [n the 2000 United Nations 
World Disaster Reduction Campaign, the UNISDR declared that the youth "represent 
powerful sources [or change and for mobilization. They occupy a central place in 
promoting a necessary change in behaviours and a shift in mentalities, if a success[ul 
disaster prevention and risk management are to be achieved. Young people should be 
given the chance to ensure their own protection and the protection of their world, through 
appropriate education and level of responsibility in the decision-making process.,,1 
There are three main reasons why youth participation in disaster risk reduction 
matters: First, to be nurtured, protected, and treated with respect, and, to be consulted and 
involved are considered a right that our youth cannot be denied of. Second, to improve 
I UN1SDR. 2000. United Nations 2000 World Disaster Reduction Campaign to Focus on Disaster Prevention, 
Education and Youth. http://www.unisdr.org/2000/campaign/pa-campOO-kit-eng.htm. 


, 
\ 
the services for the youth, one of the sectors of society who are gravely affected in times 
of disaster, their views and interests must be well articulated and represented. Lastly, 
there are developmental benefits from youth participation, not only for the youth 
themselves but also for the whole society. 2 
The youth comprise a fifth of our country's population. Indeed, they are a 
"valuable resource for risk communication, education, advocacy, and help with practical 
risk reduction activities. ,,3 Their innovative ideas, eagerness to learn and act, and social 
networks are a few of what the youth can offer to strengthen our country's disaster risk 
reduction and management efforts. 
This bill seeks to make the youth partners in disaster risk reduction at a national 
level. It proposes to include a representative of the youth in the National Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Council so as to empower them with coordination, 
integration, supervision, monitoring and evaluation functions, and more importantly, to 
engage them in a more valuable role of policy-making. 
~\,. 4!~~)~ 
MIRIAMDEF 
SOR SANTI/GO 
1f 
2 Head, B., qtd. in Fel'l1andez, Glenn, and Rajib Shaw. Yonth Participation in Disaster Risk Reduction in 
Infanta and Makati, Philippines: A Policy Review. Int. J. Disaster Risk Sci. 2013, 4 (3): 126-136.' 
http://download.springer.com/static/pdfl703/art%253A 10.1 007%252FsI3753-0 13-00 14-
x.pdf?anth66~1418394498 _ 8599808b41564d8f59ce45e5de370fl3&ex(~.pdf. 
J Mitchell, T., Tanner, T., and Haynes, K. April 2009. Children as agents of change for Disaster Risk 
Reduction: 
Lessons 
from 
El 
Salvador 
and 
the 
Philippines 
(Working 
Paper 
No. 
I). 
http://www.childreninachangingc 1 imate.org/ database/ccc/Pu b lications/M itchellT annerHaynes _ AgentsF orChange-
WorkingPaperl_ 2009.pdf. 
2 


, 
I 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF 'I HE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
'tC 
~ -
,~! 
';~'_ 
',I~!tHr n~ U', ~\i'frd,"HV 
SEN1fS47 
S. No. ~ 
_______________ ... ~ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
INCLUDING THE NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON AS A 
3 
MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND 
4 
MANAGEMENT COUNCIL, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT 
5 
NO, 10121, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE DISASTER RISK 
6 
REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2010 
7 
SECTION 1. Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster 
8 
Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, Section 5, is hereby amended to read as 
9 
follows: 
10 
Sec. 5. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. -
11 
12 
The National Council's members shall be the following: 
13 
14 
(KK) CHAIRPERSON OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION 
15 
(NYC). 
16 
SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
17 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
18 
or inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
19 
accordingly. 


.' 
I 
SECTION 3. Effectivity Clause, - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) days 
2 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
Itmdp 13Dec20 14 
2