Page Lor 4

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1535

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES ALFREDO A. GARBIN, Jr. and
ELIZALDY S. CO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to mandate schools and universities to identify the types of disasters to
which they are prone and to mandate the posting of warning signs and illustrations for
the information of the school community, especially the students and parents. It aims to
1) establish a grading systam for schools and universities by which their vulnerability to
disasters is quantified: 2) inform the school community, especially the parents and
children, of the vulnerabilities of the school to disaster, and 3) establish and practice a
comprehensive disaster preparedness and emergency plan specifically designed for the

school

In 2010, Republic Act 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Act was passed. It adopted a disaster risk reduction and management
approach that is holistic, comprehensive, integrated, and proactive in lessening the
socioeconomic and environmental impacts of disasters including climate change, and
promote the involvement and participation of all sectors and all stakeholders concermed,
at all levels, especially the local community.

Through the years, we have opened public schools in disaster-prone areas to serve as
the refuge of evacuees, people who have lost their homes or are in grave danger if they
remain in their homes. However, we have also seen our very own schools succumb to
disaster. We have seen our children wade through the floods with their heavy
backpacks in the pouring rain. We have seen students step on dilapidated chairs to
avoid the murky floodwaters that invaded their classroom. A few years ago, we saw @
Bicolano child, Janella Lelis, brave the pouring rain and the strong winds to save a
Philippine flag that was blown away from her schoo!'s flagpole.

It is therefore of paramount importance that the parents, prior to enrolling their child in
school, are made aware of the possible risks that their child might face while in the
school premises. More importantly, students must know how to act as a quick response
to an oncoming disaster.

In light of all these circumstances, the swift passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

\Y S. CO



10
uM
12
13
14
15

16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

27
28

Page 2 of 4

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1535_

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES ALFREDO A. GARBIN, Jr. and
ELIZALDY S. CO

AN ACT
MANDATING ALL SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES TO ESTABLISH AN AREA-
SPECIFIC DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT AND EDUCATION PROGRAM IN THEIR
RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT
NO. 10121, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, PROVIDING FOR
THE NATIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
AND INSTITUTIONALIZING THE NATIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND
MANAGEMENT PLAN, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES”

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

sembied.

SECTION 1. Section 14 of Republic Act no. 10121, otherwise known as the Philippine
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010" is hereby amended as follows:

Section 14. Integration of Disaster Risk Reduction Education into the Schoo!
Curricula and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Program and Mandatory Training for
the Public Sector Employees. - The DepED, the CHED, the Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in coordination with the OCD, the
National Youth Commission (NYC), the DOST, the DENR, the DILG-BFP, the
DOH, the DSWD and other relevant agencies, shall integrate disaster risk
reduction and management education in the school curricula of secondary and
tertiary level of education, including the National Service Training Program
(NSTP), whether private or public, including formal and non-formal, technical-
vocational, indigenous learning, and out-of-school youth courses and programs

The said agencies shall conduct a risk assessment survey to identify all
disaster-prone schools and universities, and specify the kind of disasters
to which they are vulnerable. A numerical grade equivalent to the dangers
present in the school location shall be imposed on the school. Such grade
shall be based on the extent of potential danger in the school as well as the
capacity of the school to conduct an emergency response system and a
contingency plan in case the need arises.

Such information shall be depicted in warning signs and illustrations and
shall be posted in at least five (5) conspicuous places in the school
premises. The faculty and staff, students and parents shall be regularly
informed of the risks and methods of preparedness and response.

The warning signs and posters to be posted shall contain the following
information:


Page 3 of 4

1 1) a large, conspicuous text indicating that the school is disaster-prone,

2 and specifying the kind of disaster/s;
3 2) a large illustration of the said disaster/s;
4 3) a sequential illustration and text of a preparedness plan and a
5 contingency plan in case of disaster; and
6 4) a hazard map plotting escape routes from where such sign is posted.
7 The school or university administration shall inform the parents intending
8 to enroll their chilciren to the said school about the disaster risks and the
9 preparedness and contingency plans of the school prior to enrollment
10 The NDRRMC, the RDRRMCs, the LDRRMCs, the LDRRMOs, the BDRRMCs
u and the SK councils shall encourage community, specifically the youth,
12 participation in disaster risk reduction and management activities, such as
13 organizing quick response groups, particularly in identified disaster-prone areas,
14 as well as the inclusion of disaster risk reduction and management programs as
15 part of the SK programs and projects.
16 The public sector employees shall be trained in emergency response and
7 preparedness. The training is mandatory for such employees to comply with the
18 provisions of this Act

19 SECTION 2. Section 20 of the said Act is hereby amended as follows:

Section 20. Penal Clause. - Any individual, corporation, partnership, association,
or other juridical entity that commits any of the prohibited acts provided for in
Section 19 of this Act shall be prosecuted and upon conviction shall suffer a fine
of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (Php50,000.00) or any amount not to
exceed Five hundred thousand pesos (php500,000.00) or imprisonment of not
less than six (6) years and one (1) day or more than twelve (12) years, or both, at

26 the discretion of the court, including perpetual disqualification from public office if
27 the offender IS a public officer, and confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the
28 government of the objects and the instrumentalities used in committing any of
29 herein prohibited acts.

If the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, or other juridical entity,
the penalty shall be imposed upon the officer or officers of the corporation,
partnership, association or entity responsible for the violation without prejudice to
the cancellation or revocation of these entities license or accreditation issued to
them by any licensing or accredited body of the government. If such offender is
an alien, he or she shall, in addition to the penalties prescribed in this Act, be
deported without further proceedings after service of the sentence.

37 If a school or university fails to post warning signs and its grade as
38 required in Section 14 of this Act, or fails to inform the parents of the status
39 of the school as a disaster-prone area, the same penalty shall be imposed
40 upon the principal, president or such other designated position
41 responsible for the violation without prejudice to the cancellation or
42 revocation of their license or accreditation.

43 However, the prosecution for offenses set forth in Section 19 of this Act shall be
44 without prejudice to any liability for violation of Republic Act No. 3185, as
45 amended, otherwise known as the Revised Penal Code, and other civil liabilities

46 Section 5. Separability Clause. — if any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
47 unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full
48 force and effect


wre

Noone

o

Page 4 of 4

Section 6. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders or rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation

Approved.