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

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

4941

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Honorable Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Within our lifetime, we have witnessed the Province of Leyte
becoming the site of the worst disasters ever to afflict our country.

On November 8, 2013, the strongest tropical cyclone to have made
landfall in history rampaged through the province. Super Typhoon
“Yolanda” (“Haiyan”) battered the province resulting in the loss of
thousands of lives and enormous destruction to properties.

Just twenty-two (22) years earlier, on November 5, 1991, the worst
flashflood to have swept the country, triggered by Typhoon “Oreng”
(“Thelma”), roared down the hills of Ormoc City and inundated the Ormoc
River. Within an hour or so, 8,000 people perished and properties worth
millions of pesos were destroyed.

Parenthetically, we could also mention in this connection the sinking
of M/V Dojia Paz on December 20, 1987, said to be the worst peacetime
maritime disaster in the world (surpassing in terms of casualties the
infamous Titanic disaster). Although the actual sinking of the ship
happened off Dumali Point in Mindoro, M/V Dofia Paz was en route from
Tacloban City to Manila. Similarly, Dofia Paz’s sister ship, the M/V Doiia
Marilyn, sank the following year (October 24, 1988) while sailing from
Manila to Tacloban leaving 389 dead.

The frequency and intensity of disasters, both natural and man-
made, devastating the Province of Leyte prompted the filing of this bill. In
terms of disaster preparedness and mitigation, there is a compelling need
to address the incalculable damage wrought by calamities to the province.
Every time a calamity strikes, the education of our youth becomes
“collateral damage”, so to speak, since schools almost always serve as


evacuation centers. The lack of disaster and emergency centers (which
ought to be disaster-resilient themselves) compromise not only the welfare
of the typhoon victims but also the continued schooling of our children.

As a “center”, the proposed Life Centers under this measure shall
not only provide refuge or temporary shelter to the calamity victims but
shall represent an integrated response to the basic needs of the displaced
citizenry towards restoration of full normalcy in their lives. Once
established, these life centers shall be our “cities of refuge” in times of
disasters, our “isles of compassion” for those who have lost not only their
belongings but, more tragically, their loved ones.

In view of all the foregoing considerations, the early approval of this
bill is earnestly requested.

LUCYAORRE: MEZ
Representative
Fourth District of Leyte


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

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. pees

Introduced by Honorable Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A LIFE CENTER THAT WILL SERVE AS A
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY CENTER IN EACH OF THE CITY
OF ORMOC AND THE MUNICIPALITIES OF PALOMPON,
ALBUERA, MERIDA, KANANGA AND MATAG-OB IN THE
PROVINCE OF LEYTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

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

SECTION I. There shalll be established a Life Center that will serve
as a disaster and emergency center in each of the City of Ormoc and the
municipalities of Palompon, Albuera, Merida, Kananga and Matag-ob in
the Province of Leyte.

SEC. 2. The construction of such Life Centers shall be undertaken
by the Office of Civil Defense of the Department of National Defense.
Once established, the local government unit concerned shall undertake the

operation and maintenance of the Life Centers.

SEC. 3. The Life Centers shall serve as evacuation centers during
calamities or emergencies, providing temporary shelter and other basic
necessities to persons displaced by calamities, whether natural or man-


made. Whenever possible, they shall also provide trauma, other medical

and rehabilitation services to victims of calamities.

SEC. 4. The amount necessary for the establishment, maintenance
and operation of the Life Centers shall be appropriated from the national
budget and shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act as

part of the budget of the Department of National Defense.
SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication either in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of

general circulation.

Approved,