EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
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S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No.
*19 JUL 16 AH 35
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Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A LIST OF LOW-LYING AREAS OF THE 
PHILIPPINE TERRITORY VULNERABLE TO RISING SEA LEVELS AS A RESULT 
OF CLIMATE CHANGE, AND AREAS AT HIGH RISK FOR NATURAL DISASTERS,
MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL 
RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, CLIMATE 
CHANGE COMMISSION AND OTHER CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 
FOR ITS REGULAR UPDATING AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
For a country that has lost millions of people to earthquakes, floods, and all 
sorts of natural disasters, effective disaster risk management measures are long 
overdue. This is a particularly urgent concern given that we are an archipelagic 
country in an age where the globe is facing rapid ecological decline. As global 
warming lays waste to the world, causing extreme weather changes, melting 
massive ice caps, and driving sea levels up, our coastal communities—if not a//of 
our communities—are left vulnerable to destruction. We also sit delicately on a 
volcanic warpath, awaiting the predicted Big One with much fear but few plans.
These disasters are unstoppable concerns, and it is imperative that we take 
risk assessment measures immediately. The creation of a national hazard map will 
be a solid first step in studying areas of high risk. This same hazard mapping 
approach to risk management is also used in the equally disaster-struck Japan, 
where hazard maps show the possibility of occurrence, magnitude, and location of 
potential earthquakes.1
Our national hazard map will identify the low-lying areas vulnerable to rising 
sea levels, as well as areas at high risk for earthquakes, volcanic eruption, and 
other destructive natural disasters.
Once identified, the State, through its local units, can make specific 
preparations for these high-risk areas to protect them for when disaster strikes. 
Apart from identifying high-risk areas, hazard mapping will also be instrumental in
1 Sagara, Junko and Keiko Saito. "Risk Assessment and Hazard Mapping." KNOWLEDGE NOTE 5-1 CLUSTER 5: 
Hazard and Risk Information and Decision Making. Oakland: Earthquake Engineering and Research Institute, 
nd. Retrieved from; https://www.eeri.org/wp-
COntent/uploads/Knowledee%20Notes%2C%20Cluster%205%20Hazard%20and%20Risk%201nformation
%20and%20Decision%20Making.pdf


developing evacuation routes, in a clear visual manner that can be easily 
disseminated to and understood by the Filipino people.
The national hazard map shall be continuously updated and improved as the 
natural world dictates, ensuring that it will be a constantly dependable bank of 
information to guide our risk management actions.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is urgently sought.
IGUEL F. ZUBIRI


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
i7
S E N A T E  
Senate Bill No.
/ ^ f f i r r  of i.;r ^7 ■ ■or iy
•19 JUL 16 All :35
_  R iai'vt:U 3,
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A LIST OF LOW-LYING AREAS OF THE 
PHILIPPINE TERRITORY VULNERABLE TO RISING SEA LEVELS AS A RESULT 
OF CLIMATE CHANGE, AND AREAS AT HIGH RISK FOR NATURAL DISASTERS, 
MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL 
RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, CLIMATE 
CHANGE COMMISSION AND OTHER CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 
FOR ITS REGULAR UPDATING AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "National Hazard Mapping 
Act o f 2019"
SEC. 2. Declaration Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to promote the public 
health, safety and general welfare. Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to 
formulate an orderly layout of the national land mass with identification of low-lying areas 
vulnerable to rising sea levels as a result of climate change, and areas at high risk for 
natural disasters.
The State shall otherwise establish an organized and efficient system of evacuation from 
these areas in the event of imminent danger.
SEC. 3. National Disaster Map -  Within one (1) year after the effectivity of this 
Act, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the National 
Mapping and Resources Information Authority (NAMRIA), together with the Department 
of Science and Technology (DOST), Climate Change Commission and National Disaster 
Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) are directed to provide and issue a 
national disaster map of the Philippines, identifying the low-lying areas vulnerable to 
rising sea levels as a result of climate change and areas at high risk for natural disasters. 
It shall contain proper identification of lands bordering sea levels, exposed to volcanic


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eruption and lying on earthquake faults, with the criteria for evacuation and illustration 
of recommended evacuation sites and routes.
Information sources for the national disaster map should not be limited to scientific 
instrument-based data, but shall utilize a holistic approach which may include indigenous 
peoples' knowledge.
SEC. 4. A ppropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be charged to the appropriations of the implementing agencies under the 
General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 5. S e p a ra b ility Clause. — In the event that any provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected by such 
declaration.
SEC. 6. R epealing C la u se .-k\\ laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations and 
other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 7. E ffectivity. -  This Act shall take effect 15 days following its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,