SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )

First Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIV! Te (TION UNIT
H.No._ 2600 BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

Introduced by Representative Vilma Santos-Recto
6th District of Batangas

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTIPURPOSE GYM IN ALL
MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES TO SERVE AS EVACUATION CENTER DURING
TIMES OF CALAMITY OR DISASTER AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Explanatory Note

Schools have traditionally been utilized as default evacuation centers in times of
calamities, disasters, conflicts, and emergencies. Schools however, are not well equipped to
accommodate evacuees since these lack the necessary facilities for displaced families.

‘The use of schools as evacuation centers for displaced families also gives rise to another
group of displaced individuals: the students. The education of children is severely affected when
families cannot immediately vacate school premises because their houses have not yet been
repaired or reconstructed. This relegates students to makeshift classrooms that may not be
conducive to learning. Moreover, its cost can take away from the meager budget what could be
better utilized for more permanent solutions to problems brought about by disasters.

rhe construction of multipurpose gyms in the country’s 1,489 municipalities’ and 145
cities? nationwide will be a permanent recourse for evacuation in times of calamities and natural
or man-made disasters. The gym must be able to withstand typhoons, earthquakes and other
disasters. It must be designed to have space that can be used flexibly for social activities,
sporting events, and as sleeping quarters during the evacuation. The multipurpose gym must be
well-ventilated, able to accommodate large groups of people, and must have ample bathing and
sanitation facilities. When not in use as a refuge center, the multipurpose gym, which should be
in a location where people and emergency rescue personnel can easily access, can be a
storehouse for disaster rescue equipment and emergency supplies.

With the reality of stronger typhoons brought about by climate change and the
geographical location of the country making it the second most disaster-prone country’, seeking
temporary solutions to the displacement of families by using schools as evacuation centers must
be stopped. There should be no tradeof? between protecting lives and the education of student.

"As of 31 March 2016, http:/nap.psa.gov. phi
Ibid.
2 United Nations University World Risk Report 2014 http://ehs.unu.edunews/news/world-risk-report-2014 html


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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE

H.No,__ £890

Introduced by Representative Vilma Santos-Recto
6th District of Batangas

AN ACT

PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTIPURPOSE GYM IN ALL
MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES TO SERVE AS EVACUATION CENTER DURING
TIMES OF CALAMITY OR DISASTER AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTIONL.Short Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the “Multipurpose Gym in all
ies Act of 2016”.

Municipalities and

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It shall be the policy of the State to protect the people’s
right to life and property, and to promote their general welfare. Towards this end, the State, in
cognizance of the vulnerability of the Philippines to calamities and disasters, shall provide for
the construction of a multipurpose gym in every municipality and city to serve primarily as
refuge for displaced families in times of calamities and disasters.

SEC. 3.Construction of a Multipurpose Gym.— The Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH) shall undertake the construction of a multipurpose gym in every

municipality and city throughout the country which shall serve as a civie center and as an
evacuation center for residents during calamities and disasters: Provided, That any such
construction is based on a program prepared by DPWH in coordination with a representative of
the municipality and city concerned: Provided, further, That the municipal or city mayor shall be
furnished with the pertinent documents, data and information before any construction shall
commence: Provided, finally, That Local Government Units (LGUs) may include in their
respective local infrastructure program the construction of a multipurpose gym.

SEC. 4. Construction Priority. ~ The DPWH shall give construction priority to third to
sixth class municipalities, especially those located in disaster-prone areas. DPWH. shall

coordinate with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the LGUs

concerned to determine which disaster-prone areas to prioritize in the construction of the facility.
Priority shall also be given to municipalities whose residents will volunteer labor services

for the construction thereof and for this purpose, DPWH shall issue the necessary guidelines.

SEC. 5. Multipurpose Gym Requirements. ~ The facilities shall, at the minimum, have

the following requirements:

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a. Location — The multipurpose gym should be easily accessible to evacuees and
to emergency rescue personnel. It should be kept at a safe distance from danger
areas or hazards. LGUs concerned shall coordinate with the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources to identify the appropriate location of the
multipurpose gym.

b. Structural Capacity ~The multipurpose gyms must be able to withstand wind
speeds of at least 155 miles per hour and seismic activity of at least 7.0
magnitude. The DPWH shall formulate the building specifications for the
multipurpose gyms and shall ensure the compliance with these specifications
during the construction of the facilities. DPWH shall periodically review, and if

necessary, revise the specifications as needed.

¢. Amenities ~ The multipurpose gym must be well-ventilated and able to
accommodate large numbers of evacuees. It shall have, at the minimum, the
following amenities:
1. Floor area devoid of permanent fixtures to be used flexibly for
assemblies, sports events, and as sleeping quarters for evacuees;
2. Shower and toilet facilities; and
3. Isolated area that can be used as a clinic in times of evacuations.

SEC. 6.Operation and Management of the Multipurpose Gym. ~ The operation and
management of the multipurpose gym shall be under the office of the municipal or city mayor.
For purposes of this Act, LGUs concerned are hereby authorized to issue rules and regulations on
the use of the facility and to impose minimal charges as may be necessary for the maintenance
and minimal repairs of the facility.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. ~ The amount necessary for the immediate implementation of
the provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the DPWH.
Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

‘The LGUs are authorized to utilize local funds as may be provided in their respective
appropriation ordinances for the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within thirty (30) days from the approval
of this Act, the DPWH shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of the provisions of this Act. The implementing rules and regulations issued
pursuant to this Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after its publication in two (2) national
newspapers of general circulation

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. ~ In the event that any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected by such

declaration.

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SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or portions
thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11.£ffectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.

Approved,

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