Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 2646 
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos 
AN ACT MANDATING ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, INSTRUMENTALITIES, AND LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT UNITS TO DEVELOP THEIR RESPECTIVE PUBLIC SERVICE CONTINUITY 
PLAN FOR PURPOSES OF CONTINUED DELIVERY OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN CASES OF 
DISASTERS, OR OTHER EMERGENCIES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines, as an archipelagic country along the Pacific Ring of Fire and the typhoon 
belt, is among the most disaster-prone nations in the world. Over the years, it has 
experienced a range of emergencies that have tested the strength and responsiveness of 
public institutions. From the COVID-19 pandemic to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, 
floods, and droughts, these events have repeatedly disrupted essential government services 
and exposed gaps in our preparedness. 
Natural hazards continue to affect many parts of the country, often causing significant 
damage and displacement. Earthquakes have struck various regions, triggering evacuations 
and damaging infrastructure. Volcanic unrest has forced communities to relocate, while 
prolonged droughts and extreme heat have reduced crop yields and limited access to clean 
water. Each of these emergencies has placed pressure on national agencies and local 
government units, many of which have struggled to maintain operations due to limited 
resources or the absence of comprehensive continuity plans. 
The pandemic, in particular, brought to light the full extent of our institutional 
vulnerabilities. As restrictions limited mobility and public health concerns intensified, 
many government offices found it difficult to continue serving the public. This experience 
underscored the importance of having Public Service Continuity Plans, or PSCPs, that are 
practical, regularly reviewed, and designed to ensure that vital services remain available 
even in the most difficult circumstances. 
July 30, 2025
12:15 pm


While Republic Act No. 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
Act of 2010, outlines the country’s framework for disaster preparedness, it does not 
specifically require all government agencies and local government units to establish 
continuity plans for essential services. This remains a significant gap, especially in light of 
the increasing frequency and complexity of emergencies. 
Other recent laws, such as Republic Act No. 12077 or the Student Loan Payment 
Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, reflect the growing awareness of the 
need for government to remain flexible and responsive during times of crisis. These 
measures emphasize that public services should not stop when people need them the most. 
This proposed measure seeks to institutionalize continuity planning across all levels of 
government by requiring the formulation, implementation, and regular updating of PSCPs. 
By promoting a culture of readiness and ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of essential 
services, this bill aims to build stronger and more resilient institutions that can continue 
serving the public no matter the situation. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MA. ALANA SAMANTHA TALIÑO SANTOS 
Representative, 3rd District of Cotabato 


  Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 2646 
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos 
AN ACT MANDATING ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, INSTRUMENTALITIES, AND LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT UNITS TO DEVELOP THEIR RESPECTIVE PUBLIC SERVICE CONTINUITY 
PLAN FOR PURPOSES OF CONTINUED DELIVERY OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN CASES OF 
DISASTERS, OR OTHER EMERGENCIES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Public Service Continuity 
Plan Act” 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State, 
consistent with the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, to 
promote and maintain effectiveness, efficiency, and economy in government, enhance 
institutional capacity for public service delivery, and ensure the continuous provision of 
essential services during disasters, emergencies, and other crises. The State recognizes the 
need to strengthen the resilience of government institutions to ensure the attainment of 
national development goals and the welfare of the people. 
Section 3. Definition of Terms. – For the purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall be used under the definition provided hereof, to wit: 
a.
Disaster - refers to a serious disruption of the functioning of a community
or society involving widespread human, material, economic, or
environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the
affected community or society to cope using its own resources, as defined
under Republic Act No. 10121.
b. Emergency - refers to an unforeseen or sudden occurrence, especially
danger, demanding immediate action, including but not limited to natural
or human-induced events.


 
c.​ Essential Services - refer to the most critical and indispensable services of 
an agency relative to its mandate, where timely and orderly recovery is 
necessary to ensure continued relevance and public welfare. 
 
d.​ Government Agency - refers to any of the various units of the 
Government, including a department, bureau, office, instrumentality, or 
government-owned or controlled corporation, or a local government or a 
distinct unit therein 
 
e.​ Instrumentality - refers to any agency of the National Government, not 
integrated within the department framework vested with special 
functions or jurisdiction by law, endowed with some if not all corporate 
powers, administering special funds, and enjoying operational autonomy, 
usually through a charter. This term includes regulatory agencies, 
chartered institutions and government-owned or controlled corporations 
 
f.​ Local Government Units (LGU) - refers to the political subdivisions 
established by or in accordance with the Constitution 
 
g.​ Public Service Continuity Plan (PSPC)  – refers to an all-hazard plan that 
aims to ensure the continuous delivery of essential services to the public 
amid any disruption, including but not limited to pandemics, natural 
disasters, civil disturbances, or other emergencies. 
 
Section 4. Development of Public Service Continuity Plan. - All government 
agencies, instrumentalities, and local government units are mandated to develop, 
implement, and regularly update their respective Public Service Continuity Plans. The PSCP 
shall identify internal capacities, recovery requirements, and strategies to ensure the 
agency or institution can continuously function during emergencies, disaster incidents, and 
crises. Each agency or LGU shall review and update its PSCP annually, in accordance with its 
internal audit schedule or annual planning and budgeting cycle, and submit a report to the 
Office of Civil Defense (OCD). 
 
Section 5. Role of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The OCD, as the implementing arm of the 
NDRRMC pursuant to Republic Act No. 10121, shall provide technical assistance, guidance, 
and oversight in the formulation, development, and updating of the PSCPs of concerned 
agencies, bureaus, offices, and local government units. The NDRRMC shall monitor 
compliance and may issue additional guidelines as necessary. 
 
Section 6. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the regular appropriations of all government agencies and 
instrumentalities, subject to the usual government budgeting process. Local government 


units shall likewise include in their respective appropriation ordinances such amounts as 
may be necessary for the implementation of this Act. 
 
Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within thirty (30) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the NDRRMC, in consultation with the OCD, appropriate government 
agencies, local government units, and relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary 
rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
 
Section 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or portions 
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, 
amended, or modified accordingly. 
 
Section 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,