SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENAT~ 
S.B. No. 
~702 
Introduced by: Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV 
AN ACT INCLUDII\IG RESPONSIVE, EMPOWERED AND SERVICE-CENTERED YOUTH IN THE 
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT COUNCIL IN ALL LEVELS, AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10121, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE DISASTER RISK 
REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2010 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our beloved country is one of the most vulnerable nations to the threat of climate 
change1• 
In the past years, the Philippines has experienced a consistent battery of alarming 
natural calamities. In 2013, Typhoon Yolanda or Haiyan, the deadliest typhoon in our history, 
affected over 14 million people2 and took over 6,000 lives3. 
While the Philippines has been on the receiving end of countless disasters, our resilience 
and spirit of volunteerism has become a source of comfort and inspiration. 
In trying times, the youth sector serves as a beacon of hope and catalyst of action. 
Schools become depositories of donations and efficient centers for packing and deployment of 
relief goods, never running out of willing volunteers. 
Others are volunteer firefighters, first responders and peacekeepers in their respective 
localities, like the Rescue Assistance Peacekeeping Intelligence Detail (RAPID) of Cebu City and 
the Ormoc City-based Hayag Youth Organization. 
RAPID has vast experience in relief and rescue operation. They were one of the first 
responders in Tacloban City after the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda. They also helped rescue 
passengers of a passenger vessel that collided with a cargo ship in Cebu last year. 
Hayag, for its part, has been teaching swimming, disaster preparedness, first aid and 
open water safety training to youth. They have successfully taught their members when no one 
among them had a major accident when Typhoon Yalanda hit Ormoc City last year. 
1 Fisher, Ma)(, Washington Post. "This Map Shows hy the Philippines is so vulnerable to climate change". November 12, 2013. 
Last accessed 2.13.2015 from <http://www.washlngtonpost.com/blogs/wD rl dviews/wp/2013/11! 12/th Is-ma p-shows-why-the-
phili ppi nes-is-so-vu I nera ble-to-climate-cha ngel > 
2 Disasters Emergency Committee. "Haiyan Facts and Figures", Last accessed 2.13.2015 from < http !/www dec org,uk/facts-
and-figures> 
3 ill CNN. "Typhoon Haiyan death toll tops 6,000 in the Philippines". December 13, 2013. Last accessed 2.13.2015 from 
< http://edltlon.enn.com120 13/12/ 13/world/asla/ph i II PRI nes-typ hoo n-ha Iya nl > 
1 


With impending disasters in the country's future, it is important to move from post-
disaster relief to proactive disaster preparedness. And as the nation moves in this direction, it is 
important to include young Filipinos in this evolving discussion. 
The Responsive, Empowered and Service-Centric Youth (RESCYouthj Act proposes to 
include the Filipino youth in the nation's disaster risk reduction policy body to recognize their 
role in DRRM and empower them with information and skills to help communities in times of 
crisis. 
The measure seeks to have the National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairman be included 
in the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to voice out the 
concerns and proposals of the Filipino youth on disaster prevention, promotion, education, 
rescue, and rehabilitation, among others. 
There is nothing to lose, but so much to gain from engaging the youth in our quest to 
build a Philippines that is capable of efficiently responding to natural calamities and able to 
reduce its negative impact on society. 
In view ofthe foregoing, the approval ofthis bill is ear:a ;::t. (}J v...,' ~ 
Senator Pa:lo~enignO "'s;;~,, A. Aquino IV 
2 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
MAR 17 PI :40 
SENA"j:t: 
S.B. No. 
~702 
Introduced by: Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV 
AN ACT INCLUDING RESPONSIVE, EMPOWERED AND SERVICE-CENTERED YOUTH IN THE 
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT COUNCIL IN ALL LEVELS, AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10121, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PHILIPPINE DISASTER RISK 
REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2010 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. This Act shall be known as the "Youth Participation in Disaster Risk Reduction and 
2 
Management Act of 2014." 
3 
Section 2. Section 3 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10121 is hereby amended as follows: 
4 
Section 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following shall refer 
5 
to: 
6 
xxx 
7 
({PP) "YOUTH" -
REFERS TO THOSE PERSONS AGED FIFTEEN (15) TO THIRTY 
8 
(30) YEARS OLD AS PROVIDED UNDER REPUBLIC ACT (RA) 8044. 
9 
(QQ) "YOUTH PARTICIPATION" -
REFERS TO THE PROCESS OF INVOLVING 
10 
YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE INSTITUTIONS AND DECISIONS THAT AFFECT THEIR 
11 
LIVES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ORGANIZING GROUPS FOR SOCIAL 
12 
AND POLITICAL ACTIONS, PLANNING THEIR PROGRAMS, AND ADVOCATING 
13 
THEIR INTEREST IN THE COMMUNITY TO RAISE CONSCIOUSNESS, EDUCATE 
14 
OTHERS, AND PROVIDE SERVICES. 
15 
xxx 
16 
Section 3. Section 5 of RA No. 10121 is hereby amended as follows: 
17 
Section 5. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. - The 
18 
present National Disaster Coordinating Councilor NDCC shall henceforth be 
1 


known as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, 
2 
hereinafter referred to as the NDRRMC or the National Council. 
3 
The National Council shall be headed by the Secretary of the Department of 
4 
National Defense (DND) as Chairperson with the Secretary of the Department of 
5 
the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as Vice Chairperson for Disaster 
6 
Preparedness, the Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and 
7 
Development (DsWD) as Vice Chairperson for Disaster Response, the Secretary 
8 
of the Department of Science and Technology (DOsT) as Vice Chairperson for 
9 
Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, and the Director-General of the National 
10 
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) as Vice Chairperson for Disaster 
11 
Rehabilitation and Recovery. 
12 
The National Council's members shall be the following: 
13 
xxx 
14 
(v) Commissioner of the National Anti-Poverty Commission-Victims of 
15 
Disasters and Calamities Sector (NAPCVDC); 
16 
(W) CHAIRPERSON OFTHE NATIONAL YOUTH COMMISSION (NYC); 
17 
[(wI] (X) Chairperson, National Commission on the Role of Filipino 
18 
Women; 
19 
xxx 
20 
Section 4. Section 7 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
21 
Section 7. Authority of the NDRRMC Chairperson. - The Chairperson of the 
22 
NDRRMC may call upon other instrumentalities or entities of the government 
23 
and nongovernment, CIVIC, AND YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, for assistance In 
24 
terms of the use of their facilities and resources for the protection and 
25 
preservation of life and properties in the whole range of disaster risk reduction 
26 
and management. This authority includes the power to call on the reserve force 
27 
as defined in Republic Act No. 7077 to assist in relief and rescue during disasters 
28 
or calamities. 
29 
Section 5. Section 10 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
30 
Section 10. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Organization at the 
31 
Regional Level. - The current Regional Disaster Coordinating Councils shall 
32 
henceforth be known as the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
33 
Councils (RDRRMCs) which shall coordinate, integrate, supervise, and evaluate 
34 
the activities of the LDRRMCs. The RDRRMC shall be responsible in ensuring 
35 
disaster sensitive regional development plans, and in case of emergencies shall 
2 


convene the different regional line agencies and concerned institutions and 
2 
authorities. 
3 
xxx 
4 
The existing regional offices of the OCD shall serve as secretariat of the 
5 
RDRRMCs. The RDRRMCs shall be composed of the executives of regional offices 
6 
and field stations at the regional level of the government agencies, AS WELL AS 
7 
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CIVIL SOCIETY AND YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS. 
8 
Section 6. Section 11 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
9 
Section 11. Organization at the Local Gavernment Level. - The existing Provincial, 
10 
City, and Municipal Disaster Coordinating Councils shall henceforth be known as 
11 
the Provincial, City, and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
12 
Councils. The Barangay Disaster Coordinating Councils shall cease to exist and its 
13 
powers and functions shall henceforth be assumed by the existing Barangay 
14 
15 
Development Councils (BDCs) which shall serve as the LDRRMCs in every 
barangay. 
16 
(a) Composition: The LDRRMC shall be composed of, but not limited to, the 
17 
following: 
18 
xxx 
19 
(15) The President of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), 
20 
member; 
21 
(16) A LOCAL YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE 
22 
LGU, IN CONSONANCE WITH THE GUIDELINES ISSUED BY NYC AND THE 
23 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG); 
24 
[(16)] (17) The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), member; 
25 
((17)] (18) Four (4) accredited CSOs, members; and 
26 
[(18)] (19) One (1) private sector representative, member. 
27 
Section 7. Section 12 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
28 
Section 12. Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO). -
29 
(a) There shall be established an LDRRMO in every province, city and 
30 
municipality, and a Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
31 
Committee (BDRRMC) in every barangay which shall be responsible for setting 
32 
the direction, development, implementation and coordination of disaster risk 
33 
management programs within their territorial jurisdiction. 
3 


1 
xxx 
2 
(b) The provincial, city and municipal DRRMOs or BDRRMCs shall perform the 
3 
following functions with impartiality given the emerging challenges brought 
4 
by disasters of our times: 
5 
xxx 
6 
(8) Conduct continuous disaster monitoring and mobilize instrumentalities 
7 
and entities of the LGUs, C50s, private groups and organized volunteers, 
8 
INCLUDING YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, to utilize their facilities and resources 
9 
for the protection and preservation of life and 
properties during 
10 
emergencies in accordance with existing policies and procedures; 
11 
xxx 
12 
(17) MONITOR AND ENSURE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RESPONSE AND 
13 
REHABILITATION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH, SUCH AS 
14 
MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHO-SOCIAL SERVICES, GENDER SENSITIVITY 
15 
AND SECURITY, LIVELIHOOD, AND EDUCATION; 
16 
[(17)] (18) Within its area, promote and raise public awareness of and 
17 
compliance with this Act and legislative provisions relevant to the purpose of 
18 
this Act; 
19 
xxx 
20 
(d) The BDRRMC shall be a regular committee of the existing BDC and shall be 
21 
subject thereto. The punong barangay shall facilitate and ensure the 
22 
participation of at least ONE (1) YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE, THROUGH THE 
23 
GUIDELINES FORMULATED BY THE NYC AND THE DILG; THE SK CHAIRPERSON; 
24 
AND two (2) C50 representatives from existing and active community-based 
25 
26 
people's organizations representing the most vulnerable and marginalized 
groups in the barangay. 
27 
Section 8. Section 13 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
28 
Section 13. Accreditation, Mobilization, and Protection of Disaster Volunteers 
29 
and National Service Reserve Corps, CSOs and the Private Sector. - The 
30 
government agencies, C50s, YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, private sector and LGUs 
31 
may mobilize individuals or organize volunteers to augment their respective 
32 
personnel complement and logistical requirements in the delivery of disaster risk 
33 
reduction programs and activities. The agencies, C50s, YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, 
34 
private sector, and LGUs concerned shall take full responsibility for the 
35 
enhancement, welfare and protection of volunteers, and shall submit the list of 
36 
volunteers to the OCD, through the LDRRMOs, for accreditation and inclusion in 
37 
the database of community disaster volunteers. 
4 


A national roster of ACDVs, National Service Reserve Corps, CSOs, YOUTH 
2 
ORGANIZATIONS, and the private sector shall be maintained by the OCD 
3 
through the LDRRMOs. Accreditation shall be done at the municipal or city level. 
4 
YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS UNDER THE YOUTH ORGANIZATION REGISTRATION 
5 
PROGRAM (YORP) OF THE NYC, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT SPECIALIZE IN 
6 
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT, SHALL BE TAPPED BY THE 
7 
NDRRMC TO ASSIST IN PREPARING FOR, RESPONDING TO, AND RECOVERING 
8 
FROM DISASTERS. 
9 
Mobilization of volunteers shall be in accordance with the guidelines to be 
10 
formulated by the NDRRMC consistent with the provisions of this Act. Any 
11 
volunteer who incurs death or injury while engaged in any of the activities 
12 
defined under this Act shall be entitled to compensatory benefits and individual 
13 
personnel accident insurance as may be defined under the guidelines. 
14 
Section 9. Section 14 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
15 
Section 14. Integration of Disaster Risk Reduction Education into the School 
16 
Curricula and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Program and Mandatory Training for 
17 
the Public Sector Employees. - The DepED, the CHED, the Technical Education 
18 
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in coordination with the OCD, the 
19 
National Youth Commission (NYC), the DOST, the DENR, the DILG-BFP, the DOH, 
20 
the DSWD and other relevant agencies, shall integrate disaster risk reduction 
21 
and management education in the school curricula of secondary and tertiary 
22 
level of education, including the National Service Training Program (NSTP), 
23 
whether private or public, including formal and non-formal, technical-vocational, 
24 
indigenous learning, and out-of-school youth courses and programs. 
25 
The NDRRMC, the RDRRMCs, the LDRRMCs, the LDRRMOs, the BDRRMCs the SK 
26 
councils, AND THE BARAN GAY YOUTH 
REPRESENTATIVE, shall ENSURE 
27 
COMMUNITY 
PARTICIPATION, 
SPECIFICALLY 
THE 
YOUTH, 
[encourage 
28 
community, specifically the youth, participation] in disaster risk reduction and 
29 
management activities, such as organizing quick response groups, particularly in 
30 
identified disaster-prone areas, as well as the inclusion of disaster risk reduction 
31 
and management programs as part of the SK programs and projects. 
32 
The public sector employees shall be trained in emergency response and 
33 
preparedness. The training is mandatory for such employees to comply with the 
34 
provisions of this Act. 
35 
Section 10. Section 15 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
36 
Section 15. Coordination During Emergencies. - The LDRRMCs shall take the lead 
37 
in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the effects of any disaster 
38 
based on the following criteria: 
5 


(a) The BDC, if a barangay is affected; 
2 
(b) The city/municipal DRRMCs, if two (2) or more barangays are 
3 
affected; 
4 
(c) The provincial DRRMC, if two (2) or more cities/municipalities are 
5 
affected; 
6 
(d) The regional DRRMC, if two (2) or more provinces are affected; and 
7 
(e) The NDRRMC, if two (2) or more regions are affected. 
8 
The NDRRMC and intermediary LDRRMCs shall always act as support to LGUs 
9 
which have the primary responsibility as first disaster responders. Private sector 
10 
and civil society groups, INCLUDING YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, shall work in 
II 
accordance with the coordination mechanism and policies set by the NDRRMC 
12 
and concerned LDRRMCs. 
13 
Section 11. Section 21 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
14 
Section 21. Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF). -
15 
The present Local Calamity Fund shall henceforth be known as the Local Disaster 
16 
Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF). Not less than five percent 
17 
(5%) of the estimated revenue from regular sources shall be set aside as the 
18 
LDRRMF to support disaster risk management activities such as, but not limited 
19 
to, pre-disaster preparedness programs including training, purchasing life-saving 
20 
rescue equipment, supplies and medicines, for post-disaster activities, and for 
21 
the payment of premiums on calamity insurance. The LDRRMC shall monitor and 
22 
evaluate the use and disbursement of the LDRRMF based on the. LDRRMP as 
23 
incorporated in the local development plans and annual work and financial plan. 
24 
Upon the recommendation of the LDRRMO and approval of the sanggunian 
25 
concerned, the LDRRMC may transfer the said fund to support disaster risk 
26 
reduction work of other LDRRMCs which are declared under state of calamity. 
27 
xxx 
28 
NOT LESS THAN FIVE PERCENT (5%) OF THE LDRRMF SHALL BE ALLOCATED TO 
29 
SUPPORT YOUTH-ORIENTED PRE- AND POST-DISASTER ACTIVITIES INCLUDED 
30 
IN THE YOUTH PLAN SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TREE-PLANTING, 
31 
TRAINING, 
INFORMATION 
DISSEMINATION, 
AND 
CLIMATE 
CHANGE 
32 
ADAPTATION EFFORTS. 
33 
xxx 
34 
Section 12. All other laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations and other executive 
35 
issuance's which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby 
36 
amended or repealed accordingly. 
6 


Section 13. If any provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
2 
provisions not otherwise affected shall remain m full force and effect. 
3 
Section 14. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete publication in the 
4 
Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
7