Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESHNTATIVES
Quezon City
NINHTEENTH CONGRHSS
First Regular Session
HousEBIL'i,-No.5850
Introduced by Hon. Representative Florida ``Rida P. Robes"
Lone District of the City of Sam Jos6` del Monte, Bulacan
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Countless of storms have passed yet the courage of rescuers of our national and local disaster
risk   reduction   and   management   councils   remains   unbreakable   and   indomitable.    Yet,   it   is
unconscionable that our laws are inadequate to protect them.
In the wake of the untimely and tragic demise of the "Bulacan Five" rescuers of the Bulacan
Provincial  Disaster  Risk  Reduction  and  Management  Office.  who  courageously  attempted  to  save
stranded residents  of Bulacan,  to the  point of sacrificing their lives.  A  gap  in our existing  disaster
resilience policies were uncovered.
The five (5) rescuers are only casual employees orjob orders earning Php 400.00 to Php 500.0
per day, or roughly Php 8,000.00 to Php 9,000.00 per month. How our goverrment treats them is not
commensurate to the valuable and selfless service they render in saving our countrymen. Their deaths
are not put in vain as it serves as an eye-opener of what need to be done for the welfare of multitudes
of disaster risk and emergency responders who are similarly situated.
The Government simply cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that our country relies heavily on
emergency  sector composed  of casunls, job orders  and volunteers  in times of crises.  Strengthening
resilience to  emergency, risk and disasters means  prioritizing,  empowering,  and taking care  of our
emergency responders and volunteers, and most especially according to them security of tenure.
This  is  the  time  to  stand up  for those  who  risk their  lives  to  save  countless  of lives.  This
proposed A4:agrc] CarJcr/or Dj.scrs/er Rz.s* o#d Emerge7!c}7 Respo#ders primarily aims to create a better
disaster  risk  reduction  and  management  outcomes  by  empowering  our  emergency  responders  and
volunteers  through  measures  creating  and  filling  up p/a#fi.//cr  positions  with  security  of tenure  for
emergency responders in national and local disaster risk reduction and management offices; increasing
the salaries of disaster risk and emergency responders to not less than salary grade 16; providing them
additional allowances such as:  hazard allowance,  special risk allowance, subsistence allowance, rice
subsidy  allowance,  longevity  pay,  clothing  and  laundry  allowance,  remote  assignment  allowance;
providing them health insurance, disability and death allowances and similar benefits.
. ROBES


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETHENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HousEB|i.L`ivo.5650
Introduced by Hon. Representative Florida ``Rida P. Robes"
Lone District of the City of Sam Jose del Monte, Bulacan
AN ACT
PROVIDING A MAGNA CARTA 0F
PUBLIC DISASTER RISK AND HMERGENCY RESPONDERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representative in Congress assembled:
SncTION 1. Ti.ffe. - This Act shall be known as the "A4crg7ea Car/cz/or P"a/i.c Djsczs/cr Rz.sk
and Emergency Responders."
SEC. 2. Dcc/ar¢Ji.o# a/Po/i.ey ¢#d Ofyiecfi.tie. -It shall be the policy of the State to:
(a)       Uphold the people's constitutional rights to life and property by addressing the root
causes  of  vulnerabilities  to  disasters,   strengthening  the  country's   institutional
capacity for disaster risk reduction and management and building the resilience of
local communities to disasters including climate change impacts;
(b)       Instill  health  consciousness among  our people to effectively  carry  out the  health
programs and projects of the government essential for the growth and health of the
nation,  especially  in  times  where  the  country  experiences  natural  or  manmade
disasters, calamities, risks and security threats;
(c)       Adopt   disaster   risk   reduction   and   management   approach   that   is   holistic,
comprehensive,   integrated  and  proactive  in   lessening  the  socioeconomic  and
environmental  impacts  of disasters  including  climate  changes,  and  promote  the
involvement and participation of all  sections ad all  stakeholders concerned, at all
levels, especially the local community;
(d)       Provide maximum care, assistance and services to individuals and families affected
by  disaster,  implement,  emergency rehabilitation  projects to  lessen the  impact of
disaster, and facilitate resumption of normal social and economic activities;


(e)       Recognize and strengthen the capacities ofLGUs and communities in mitigating and
preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the impact of disasters;
(f)        Institutionalize the policies, structures, coordination mechanisms and programs with
continuing budget appropriation on disaster risk reduction  from national down to
local levels towards building a disaster-resilient nation and communities;
(g)       Recognize  that  during  states  of public  of emergencies,  disasters  and  calamities,
disaster risk and emergency responders render invaluable services and contribution
to the protection of lives, properties, communities and the State.
Towards this end, this Act aims to:
a)       Protect, promote and improve the physical, mental, social and economic well-
being of the health workers, their living and working conditions and terms of
employment;
b)       Enhance and develop their skills and capacities to equip and prepare them to
respond to natural or manmade disasters, risk or other security threats, and
deliver programs and projects that would enhance the risk reduction and/or
mitigation of individuals, groups and communities; and
c)       Encourage those with proper qualifications and skills to join and remain in
government service.
SIE:C. 3. Defilnition and Coverage-For quxposes of this Act, "Disaster Risk and Emergency
jlcspo73ders " shall include all persons who are engaged in the performance and deliver of risk
disaster reduction and management activities, project and programs, including but not limited
todisasterpreparedness,prevention,response,reduction,mitigation,disasterriskmanagement,
emergency risk management, and other life-saving measure in all  institutions,  agencies and
other disaster risk and emergency facilities owned and operated by the Government and  its
political subdivisions, regardless of their employment status; Provi-ded,  That the term c7z.sczs/er
r7.sfr and e"erge72ey respo#c7crs shall also include but not limited to emergency physicians and
nurses,  emergency medical technicians, paramedics, trained  first aiders,  criminologists,  and
personnel trained in basic and advanced life support as certified by the NDRRMC or local
disaster risk reduction and management offices.
SEC.   4.jRecrwj./menf  a#d  gw¢/irzcoffow.  -The   Civil   Service   Commission   (CSC),   in
coordination   with   the   National    Disaster   Risk   Reduction   and   Management   Council
OVDRRMC), the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Budget and Management
(DBM, and Department of Interior and Local Government, and other appropriate government
institutions and concerned government agencies  shall  develop and  implement standards  for
recruitment policy and minimum requirements with respect to the selection and appointment
of a disaster risk and emergency  responder or personnel;  Provj.decJ, That  in  the  absence  of
appropriate eligible and it becomes necessary in the public interest and exigencies of service
to  fill  a vacancy,  a temporary appointment shall be  issued to the person who meets  all the
requirements for the position to which he/she is being appointed except the appropriate civil
service eligibility: Prov;.d€d, ¢irfder, That such temporary appointment shall not exceed twelve


appointee may be replaced sooner if (a) a qualified civil service eligible becomes available, or
(b) the appointee is found wanting in performance or conduct befitting a government employee.
SEC. 5. Pt?r/ormu#ce Ev¢/#¢/I.o" a„d A4lcrit fronrofl.o#. -The NDRRMC, upon consultation
with the concerned government agencies, local government units, disaster risk and emergency
workers  groups,  and  civil  society,  shall  prepare  a  standardized  and  uniform  career  and
personnel development plan applicable to all risk reduction and emergency responder Such
career   and   personnel   development   plan,   shall   include   provisions   on   merit   promotion,
performance  evaluation,  in-service  training  grants, job  rotation,  suggestions  and  incentive
award system.
The  performance  evaluation  plan  shall  consider  foremost  the  improvement  of individual
employee efficiency, continuing professional development, and organizational effectiveness:
P7'ovz.c7ec7,  That  each  employee shall  be  informed regularly  by histher supervisor of histher
performance evaluation. The merit promotion plan shall be in consonance with the rules of the
Civil Service Commission.
S;Pf :. 6.. Transifer or Geographical Reassignnenl Of Public Health Workers. -(al) AL disaister
risk and emergency responder shall not be transferred and/or reassigned, except when made in
the interest of public service or exigencies of service, in which case, the employee concerned
shall be informed of the reasons therefore in writing.
(b)   If  the  public  health  worker  believes  that   such  transfer  and/or  reassignment   lacks
justification,  he/she  may appeal  histher case to the Civil  Service  Commission,  which  shall
cause histher transfer and/or reassignment to be held in abeyance: P7iovJ.ded, That no transfer
and/or reassignment whatsoever shall be made three (3) months before any local, national or
special   elections: Provj.dcd,  /w7.fder, That  the  necessary  expenses  of  the  transfer  and/or
reassignment of the public health worker and histher immediate family shall be paid for by the
Government.
(c) For the purposes of this Act, a `transfer" is a movement from one position to another which
is  of  equivalent  rank,   level  or  salary  without  break  in  service;  while  a  "geographical
reassignment"(hereinafterreferredtoas"reassignment")isamovementfromonegeographical
location to another.
SEC. 7. Sccwrty a/rc"wrc. -A disaster risk and emergency responder shall enjoy security of
tenure and shall not be terminated except for cause provided by law and after due process:
Provj.ded,  That  if a  disaster  risk  and  emergency  responder  is  found  by  the  Civil  Service
Commission to  be  unjustly  dismissed  from  work,  he/she  shall  be  entitled  to  reinstatement
without loss of seniority rights and to histher back wages with six percent (6%) interest per
annum, computed from the time histher compensation was withheld from himther up to the
time of reinstatement.
SrfLF. 8. Prohibition against all fiorms Of discrintination and violence. - (a) A disaster r.isk
and  emergency  responder  shall  not  be  discriminated  against  with  regard  to  age,  sexual
orientation gender identity and expression (SOGIE), civil status, creed, religious or political


beliefs and ethnic groupings in the course selection, appointment, discharge and exercise of
histher/their duties and responsibilities.
(b) No violence shall be inflicted on disaster risk and emergency responder  in the discharge of
their  duty.  In  the  application  of Articles   149  (Jndj.rec/ 4ssa#/f/  and   151   (Rcsr.sfcr7?ce  cr72c7
Disobedience  to  a  Person  in Authority  or  the  Agents  Of Such  PersonD  o£  ALct. No. 3815,
otherwise known as the "Revised Penal Code of the Philippines", a disaster risk and emergency
responder in the discharge of histher/their duties and responsibilities shall be deemed an agent
of a person in authority.
In addition to the penalties provided by Articles 149 (J}cc7i+ecJ,4ssa#//J and 151 (j2esz.sfc777cc c7J7c7
Disobedience to a Person in Authority or the Agents Of Such Person», 246 (Pairiidide), 248
(Murder), Article 249 (Homicide), 250 (Penalty for frustrated parricide, murder or homicide),
251  (Death caused in a tumultuous affray), 252  (Physical  injuries inflicted  in a tumultuous
affray), 262 (Mutilation), 263 (Serious Physical Injuries),  282 (Grave threats), and 286 (Grave
Coercions) of Act. No. 3815, any person who shall threaten, inflict violence or cause death or
serious  physical  injuries  or mutilation  on  a disaster  risk and  emergency  responder  for the
purposes  of obstructing,  preventing  and  interrupting  himther/them  from  freely  discharging
his/her/their function shall be punished with imprisonment of not less six (6) years to not more
than  twelve  (12)  years,  or  a  fine  of not  less  than  One  Hundred  Thousand  Pesos  (Php
100,000.00) to One Million Pesos (Php 1,000,000.00), or both at the discretion of the court.
S;HC.9.MaiutenanceandrctentionOfadequatecol'I'IpleneutOfdisasterriskandenergency
rcspo"der  i."  ctlcry  mw#!.cI.pa/try/ci.ty.  -  In  order  to  maintenance  and  retain  an  adequate
complement  of disaster  risk and  emergency  responder  in  every  municipality,  the  National
Disaster  Risk  Reduction  and  Management  Council  (NDRRMC),  in  coordination  with  the
Department of Health (DOH), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the respective municipal or city governments, shall
determine  an  adequate  and  reasonable  ratio  of disaster  risk  and  emergency  responder-to-
population; P7iov7.dec7, That such ratio shall only pertain to regularly employed disaster risk and
emergency   responder;   Provi.dgd rfurffoer,   That,   this  this   provision   shall   not   limit   local
government units from engaging the services of volunteers as far as practicable and as may be
necessaryinordertoaugmentitsregularcomplementofdisasterriskandemergencyresponder.
SEC 10. Profgcffo#/ro" £j.¢bi./i.fy. -No disaster risk and emergency responder shall be liable
for harmed caused by an act or omission if:
(1)    The disaster risk and emergency responder was acting in a disaster, calamity,
or emergency situation at the scene of the incident;
(2)    The disaster risk and emergency responder was properly licensed, certified, or
authorized by the appropriated authorities for the activities undertaken in an
emergency at the time of the act or omission;
(3)    The harm was not cause by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence,
reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the right or safety
of the individual harmed by the disaster risk and emergency responder.


SEC.  11. Excepfi.oHs.  -The  liability  protection  for disaster risk  and  emergency  responder
under this Act shall not apply to following conditions:
(I)     If the misconduct constitutes a crime under the Revised Penal Code or an offense in
any special penal law; and
(2)     If the misconduct was performed  by the disaster risk and/or emergency responder
under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any dangerous drug at the time of the act
or omisslon.
SI]C.   12.Admi.in.a/roJrfe  Cfoarge§. -Administrative  charges  against  a  disaster  risk  and
emergency responder shall be heard by a committee composed of the provincial disaster risk
reduction  and  management  office  of the  province  where  the  disaster  risk  and  emergency
responder  belongs,  as  chairperson;  a  representative  of any  existing  national  or  provincial
disaster risk and emergency responder organization, as member; and the head of the municipal
disaster risk reduction and management office. The committee shall submit its findings and
recommendations to the Office of civil Defense being the Secretariat of the NDRRMC within
thirty  (30)  days  from  the termination  of the  hearings.  Where the  municipal  and  provincial
DRRM officer is an interested party, all the members of the committee shall be appointed by
the NDRRMC. The NDRRMC  shall render a decision or resolution within thirty (30) days
from the termination of the hearing. The aggrieved party may file a motion for reconsideration
within fifteen (15) days from notice of the decision only once. The aggrieved party may appeal
before Office of the President within a non-extendible period of thirty days (30) days from
receipt of the resolution denying his motion for reconsideration.
SEC.  13. Sa/egwards  i.#  Di.sci.p/j.#¢ry I+oced#re§. -  In  every  disciplinary  proceeding,  the
disaster risk and/or emergency responder shall have:
a)   the right to be informed, in writing, of the charges;
b)   the right to full access to the evidence in the case;
c)   the  right to  defend  himselfyherself and to  be  defended  by  a representative  of
histher choice and/or by histher organization, adequate time being given to the
public health worker for the preparation of histher defense;
d)   the right to confront witnesses presented against him/her and summon witnesses
in histher behalf;
e)   the right to appeal to designated authorities;
f)    the right to reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in histher defense in
case of exoneration or dismissal of the charges; and
g)   such other rights as will ensure fairness and impartiality during proceedings.
SEC. 14. DWJi.cs a#d Ob/I.grfl.oHs. -The disaster risk and emergency responder. shall:
a)   ethically perform histher duty with utmost respect for life and human dignity;
b)   subject  to  the  universal  principles  of triage,  emergency  and  disaster  risk
management,  perform  histher duty without discrimination as to age,  race,
gender, religion, nationality, partisan and political considerations, and social
standing;
c)   be prepared at all time for deployment in any kinds of emergency, disaster or
security threat;


d)   be   disciplines,   physically   and   mentally   fit,   trained   and   proficient   in
histher/their task and drills, and shall endeavor to maintain a level of health
and fitness consistent with the demands of his profession;
e)   actively  participate  in  all  in-service  training  and  drills  that  will  enhance
histher physical capacity, critical thinking, and metal fortitude in responding
to an disaster risk and emergency;
D    not consume substance,  legal  or illegal, that could  impar histher alertness,
vigilance, critical thinking, and judgment;
g)   Search  and rescue victims  in  any  emergency,  render basic  first aid and/or
advanced life support, as may be applicable and necessary, and bring them to
the appropriate treatment facilities within a reasonable time; and
h)   Do no harm and do the greatest good to the greatest number.
SEC.  15. Code  a/ Co#dwcf. -  Within  six  (6)  months  from  the  approval  of this  Act,  the
NDRRMC, upon consultation with other appropriate agencies, professional and disaster risk
and  emergency  workers'  organization,  shall  formulate and  prepare  a Code  of Conduct  for
Disaster Risk and Emergency Responder, which shall be disseminated as widely as possible.
SEIC.  16. IVormu/ ffowrs  a/ Worfu -  The  normal  hours  of work  of any  disaster  risk  and
emergency responder shall not exceed eight (8) hours a day or forty (40) hours a week. Hours
worked shall include:
a)   all the time during which a disaster risk and emergency responder is required to be on
active duty or to be at a prescribed workplace; Provz.ded, That active duty shall include
risk  prevention,  preparedness,  reduction,  mitigation  and  rehabilitation  trainings  and
seminar, whether conducted on-site or off-site; and
b)   all  the  time  during  which  a  disaster  risk  and  emergency  responder  is  suffered  or
permitted to work: Provj.did, That, the time when a public health worker is placed on
"07c Ccr//"  status shall not be considered as hours worked but shall entitle the public
health worker to an "0# Ccr//" pay equivalent to flfty percent (50%) of histher regular
wage. "07c Ccz/r' status refers to a condition when public health workers are called upon
to  respond  to  urgent  or  immediate need  for disaster risk reduction  and  emergency
response or relief work during emergencies such that he/she cannot devote the time for
histher own use.
SEC.17. Otierfi.ime Wrorfa -Where the exigencies of the service so require, any public health
worker may be required to render service beyond the normal eight (8) hours a day. In such a
case,  the  workers  shall  be  paid  an  additional  compensation  of twenty  percent  (20%)  of
histher/their daily salary in accordance with existing laws and prevailing practices.
SEIC. 18. Work During Rest Day. -
a)   Where  a  disaster  risk  and  emergency  responder  is  made  to  work  on  histher
scheduled rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional compensation twenty percent
(20%) of histher/their daily salary in accordance with existing laws.


b)   Where a disaster risk and emergency responder is made to work on any regular or
special  holiday  he/she  shall  be  paid  an  additional  compensation  twenty  percent
(20%) of histher/their daily salary in accordance with existing laws.  Where such
holiday work also falls on the disaster risk and emergency responder's scheduled
rest day, he/she  shall  be entitled to an additional compensation  of thirty percent
(30%) of his/her/their daily salary as may be provided by existing laws.
S;EC. T9 . Night-Shift DiiffjJ;erential. -
a)   Every disaster risk and emergency responder shall be paid a night-shift differential of
ten percent (10%) of histher daily salary for each hour of work performed during the
night-shifts;
b)   Every disaster risk and emergency responder required to work on the period covered
after histher regular schedule shall be entitled to histher regular wage plus the regular
overtime rate and an additional amount of ten percent (10%) of such overtime rate for
each hour of work performed between ten (10) o'clock in the evening to five (5) o'clock
in the moming.
SEC. 20. Sa/a".es. -The determination of the salary scale of an entry-level disaster risk and
emergency responder shall in no case be not less than Salary Grade 16, in accordance with the
provisions of Republic Act No 11466, otherwise known as the "Salary Standardization Law of
2019."  The  NDRRMC,  in  coordination  with  the  DOH,  DBM,  DILG,  respective  city  or
municipality, and disaster risk and emergency responders' group, shall determine:
a)   ScJ/czry Sca/c. -Salary scales of disaster risk and emergency responder shall be provided
in progression: Prov7.dec7, That the progression from the minimum to maximum of the
salary scale shall not extend over a period often (10) years: Provj.c7ed, further, That the
efficiency rating of the disaster risk and emergency responder concerned  is  at  least
satisfactory.
b)   Eg#ch.fy I.# Scr/crry Sccz/e. -The salary scales of disaster risk and emergency responder
whose   salaries   are   appropriated   by   a   city,   municipality,   district,   or  provincial
government  shall  not  be  less  than  those  provided  for disaster risk  and  emergency
responder of the National Government: P7iovj.did, That the National Government shall
subsidize  the  amount  necessary  to  pay  the  difference  between  that  received  by
nationally-paid and locally-paid disaster risk and emergency responder of equivalent
positions.
c)   Scz/ar7.es fo be Paz.c7 i.77 I,egr/ re#c7er. - Salaries of disaster risk and emergency responder
shall be paid in legal tender of the Philippines or the equivalent in checks or treasury
warrants: Provj.dec7,    frowever, That   such   checks   or   treasury   warrants   shall   be
convertible to cash in any national, provincial,  city or municipal treasurers' office or
any banking institution operating under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines.
d)   Dcd#c/z.o#s Prohi.bj./ed.  - No person  shall  make any deduction whatsoever from  the
salaries of disaster risk and emergency responder except under specific provision of
law  authorizing  such  deductions: Provz.ded,   however, That  upon  written  authority


executed by the disaster risk and emergency responder concerned,  a)  lawful  dues or
fees  owing to  any  organization/association  where  such  disaster risk  and  emergency
responder is an officer or member; b) premiums properly due all  insurance policies,
retirement and health insurance shall be considered deductible.
SEC. 21. Addj./I.o#a/ Coapcus¢fi.on. -Notwithstanding Republic Act 11466, disaster risk and
emergency responders shall receive the following allowances: hazard allowance, special risk
allowance, subsistence allowance, rice subsidy allowance, longevity pay, clothing and laundry
allowance and remote assignment allowance.
SEC. 22. Haz¢rd4/Jow¢#ce -All disaster risk and emergency responders performing disaster
risk prevention, prepartation, reduction, mitigation, rescue and/or emergency response shall be
entitled to a monthly hazard allowance amounting to Five Thousand Pesos (Php  5,000.00):
Prow.dad, That the rate shall be exempt form income taxes; ProvJ.dec7/#rffocr,  That this rate
shall be reviewed periodically and increase accordingly by the NDRRMC in consultation with
theappropriategovemmentagenciesanddisasterriskandemergencyresponders'associations,
organizations and unions.
SEC. 23. fpccJ.a/ jR..§k .4/Jow¢#ce -In circumstance, situations, and location of work wherein
the  performance  of their  duties  and  responsibilities  expose  disaster  risk  and  emergency
responders to great danger, occupational risks, and threats to health and life, such as but not
limited to as notifiable or infectious diseases,  weapons of biological warfare, radiation  and
nuclear threats,  and other risks as may be determined by the DOH and other health-related
agencies,shallbeentitledtospecialriskallowanceofatleasttwenty-five(25%)ofthemonthly
basic salary.
SEC. 24. Swdsi.stc#ce .4/Jowa#cc. - Disaster risk and emergency responders who are required
to  render  service  within  the  premises  of the  local  disaster risk  reduction  and  management
council,  or  other  disaster risk  reduction  and  management-related  establishments  within  or
outside the  locality in  order to  make their services  available at any and  all  times,  shall  be
entitled to full subsistence allowance of three (3) meals which may be computed in accordance
with  prevailing  circumstances  as  determined  by  the  NDRMMC  in  consultation  with  the
appropriate  government  agencies  and  disaster  risk  and  emergency  responders'   groups,
associations and unions: Prow.ded, That subsistence allowance shall be computed   not lower
than One Hundred Fifty Pesos (Php  150.00) per meal; Provz.decJ/#r/her, That representation
and travel  allowance shall be given  in accordance with a tariff schedule determined by the
NDRMMC  in  consultation  with the appropriate  government agencies and  disaster risk and
emergency responders' groups, associations and unions.
SEC. 25. jRi.ce Swdsj.dry .4//owo#cc. - All disaster risk and emergency responders as defined in
this Act shall be entitled to a rice subsidy allowance in the fonn of cash amounting to One
Thousand Five Hundred Fifty Pesos (Php 1,500.00) monthly.
SEC. 26. I,o#gevrty P¢j7. - A monthly longevity pay equivalent to five percent (5%) of the
monthly basic pay shall be paid to a disaster risk and emergency responder for every flve (5)
years of continuous, efficient and meritorious services rendered as certified by the chief of
office concerned, commencing with the service after the approval of this Act: ProvJ.cJcd,  That
for every ten (10) years of service, they shall be entitled to special longevity pay equivalent to
one (1) month basic salary.


SEC. 28. CJof„I.Hg ¢#dz,¢wHdry A/Jow¢#cc. -All disaster risk and emergency responders who
are required to wear uniforms regularly shall be entitled to clothing and laundry allowance of
One Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (Php 1,500.00) per month: Provi.c7ed, That this rate shall be
reviewed periodically and increased accordingly by the NDRRMC  in consultation with the
appropriate  government  concerned  agencies  and  disaster  risk  and  emergency  responders'
groups, associations and unions taking into account existing laws and prevailing practices.
SEC. 29. j[cmofe Assi.g#mc#f 4//ow¢Hcc. - All disaster risk and emergency responders who
accept assignments as such in remote areas or isolated stations, which for reasons of far distance
or hard accessibility, such positions had not been fllled for the last two (2) years prior to the
approval of this Act, shall be entitled to an incentive bonus in the forin of remote assignment
allowance  equivalent  to  fifty  percent  (50%)  of their  basic  pay,  and  shall  be  entitled  to
reimbursement of the cost of reasonable transportation to and from such remote post or station,
upon assuming or leaving such position and during official trips.
In  addition  to  the  above,  such  disaster  risk  and  emergency  responders  mentioned  in  the
preceding paragraph shall be given priority in promotion or assignment to better areas. Their
tour of duties in the remote areas shall not exceed two (2) years, except when there are no
positions  for their transfer or they prefer to  stay  in  such posts  in  excess of two  (2)  years.
SEC. 30. ZJo#si.#g. - All disaster risk and emergency responders who are on tour of duty and
those who, because of unavoidable circumstances are forced to stay in the area of deployment,
shall be entitled to free living quarters within premises of the assignment or if such quarters are
not available,  shall receive quarters allowance as may be determined by the NDRRMC and
other appropriate government agencies concerned: Provi.dcd, That this rate shall be reviewed
periodically and  increased accordingly  by the  Secretary  of Health  in  consultation  with  the
appropriate government agencies concerned.
For purposes  of this  Section,  the NDRRMC,  the  DOH  and/or  local  government  units  are
authorized to develop housing projects in its own lands, not otherwise devoted for other uses,
for public health workers in coordination with appropriate government agencies.
SEC. 31. Medi.co/ E:rami."¢Ji.o#. -Compulsory medical examination shall be provided free of
charge  to  all  disaster  risk  and  emergency  responders  before  entering  the  service  in  the
Government  or  its  subdivisions  and  shall  be  repeated  once  a  year  during  the  tenure  of
employment of all public health workers: Provz.c7ec7, That where medical examination shows
that medical  treatment and/or hospitalization  is necessary  for those already  in government
service, the treatment and/or hospitalization including medicines shall be provided free either
in a government or a private hospital by the government entity paying the salary of the public
health worker: ProvjcJed, rfurfrfeer, That the cost of such medical examination and treatment shall
be included as automatic appropriation in said entity's annual budget.
¥PC. .?2. Co::.pensation fior  Injuries,  Disability,  Death  and  Hospitalization  Benefits.  -
Notwithstanding any death and/or disability (whether total or partial) under provisions of other
special law, the heirs of the volunteer shall be entitled to receive -


(a)  One  million  pesos  (Php   1,000,000.00),  in  case  of death  of the  disaster  risk  and
emergency responders;
(b) Five Hundred thousand pesos (Php 500,000.00), in case of injury or disability; and
(c)  One Hundred Thousand pesos (Php  100,000.00),  in case of hospitalization requiring
medical attendance of more thirty (30) days.
In any case, an injured volunteer shall be entitled to prompt, quality and reasonable emergency
and  medical  services  in  any  government  hospital.  Medical  services  shall  include,  but  not
limited, to preventive, curative and rehabilitative services or treatment that would save the life
of the injured volunteer and prevent further injuries or disability.
EEC.  33. Leave  Benefiits fior  Public  Health  Workers. -  AL+1  disaster  I.isk and  emergency
responders  are  entitled  to  such  vacation  and  sick  leaves  as  provided  by  existing  laws  and
prevailing practices: Prov7.c7ed, That in addition to the leave privilege now enjoyed by disaster
risk and emergency responders, women health workers are entitled to such gynecological and
matemity leaves, and special leaves for victims of violence against women and their children
provided by existing laws and prevailing practices: Provj.ded, /#rfher, That upon separation of
the  disaster  risk  and  emergency  responders  from   service,  they  shall   be  entitled  to  all
accumulated leave credits with pay.
SEC. 34. Hi.g4c§/ B¢si.c Sa/any tJpo" jRc/i.reme"£ - Three (3) months prior to the compulsory
retirement  as  provided  by  applicable  retirement  laws,  the  disaster  risk  and  emergency
respondersshallautomaticallybegrantedone(I)salaryrangeorgradehigherthanhisther/their
basic   salary   and   histher/their  retirement  benefit  thereafter,   computed   on   the   basis   of
histher/their highest  salary: Prov7.dec7, That he/she  has  reached the  age  and  fulfllled  service
requirements under existing laws.
SEC. 35. jRJ.gw Jo ScJ/-Orga"J.z¢JI.o#. - Disaster risk and emergency responders shall have the
right to freely form, join or assist organizations or unions for purposes not contrary to law in
order to defend and protect their mutual  interests and to obtain  redress  of their grievances
through peaceful concerted activities.
However, while the State recognizes the right of disaster risk and emergency responders to
organize orjoin such organizations, public health workers on-duty cannot declare, stage orjoin
any strike or cessation of their service to patients in the interest of public health,  safety or
survival of patients.
SEC. 36. Freedom/row J#/er/ere"ce or Cocncl.o#. -It shall be unlawful for any person to
commit any of the following acts of interference or coercion:
a.   to require as a condition of employment that a disaster risk and emergency responders
shall not join a disaster risk and emergency responders' organization or union or shall
relinquish membership therein;
b.   to discriminate in regard to hiring or tenure of employment or any item or condition of
employment in order to encourage or discourage membership in any disaster risk and
emergency responders' organization or union;


c.   to prevent a disaster risk and emergency responders from canying out duties laid upon
himther by histher position in the organization or union, or to penalize him/her for the
action undertaken in such capacity;
d.   to  harass  or  interfere  with  the  discharge  of the  functions  of the  disaster  risk  and
emergency  responder  when  these  are  calculated  to  intimidate  or  to  prevent  the
performance of histher duties and responsibilities; and
e.   to otherwise interfere in the establishment,  functioning,  or administration of disaster
risk and emergency responders' organizations or unions through acts designed to place
such organization or union under the control of government authority.
SELC. 37. Consultation With Health Workers' Organizations. -In the flormulation of nedionat
policies governing the social security of disaster risk and emergency responders, disaster risk
and emergency responders' organizations or unions as well as other appropriate government
agencies concerned shall be consulted by the NDRMMC. For this purpose, Disaster Risk and
Emergency  Responders  Consultative  Councils  for  national,  regional  and  other  appropriate
levels shall be established and operationalized.
SEC. 34. ffwm¢" jRcsowrce Devc/opm®e"4fl4¢#agemce#f Sfndj?. - The NDRRMC shall conduct
a periodic disaster risk and emergency human resource development/management study into,
among others, the following areas:
a.    adequacy  of facilities  and  supplies to  render  quality  service to  individuals,  groups,
communities and other client population;
b.   opportunity  for disaster risk  and  emergency  responders to  grow  and  develop  their
potentials and experience a sense of worth and dignity in their work. Disaster risk and
emergency responders who undertake postgraduate studies in a degree course shall be
entitled to an upgrading in their position or raise in pay: Prov..ded, That it shall not be
more often than every two (2) years;
c.    mechanisms for democratic consultation in government health institutions;
d.   staffing patterns and standards of disaster risk and emergency preparedness, mitigation
and response to ensure that the people receive quality care. Existing recommendations
on staffing and standards of health care shall be immediately and strictly enforced;
e.   ways  and  means  of  enabling  the  rank-and-file  workers  to  avail   of  educational
opportunities for personal growth and development;
f.    upgrading of working conditions, reclassification of positions and salaries of disaster
riskandemergencyresponderstocorrectdisparityvis-a-visotherprofessionssuchthat
positions requiring longer study be upgraded and given corresponding pay scale; and
9.   assessment of the national policy on exportation of skilled disaster risk and emergency
human resource to focus on how these resources could instead be utilized productively
for the country's needs.
ThereisherebycreatedaCongressionalCommissionOversightCommitteeoreviewandassess
health  human  resource  development,  particularly  on  continuing  professional  education  and
training and the other areas described above. The Commission shall be composed of five (5)
members of the House of Representatives and five (5) members of the Senate. It shall be co-
chaired by the chairpersons of the Committee on Disaster Resilience of both houses. It shall
renderareportandrecommendationtoCongresswhichshallbethebasisforpolicylegislation


in the field of disaster resilience. Such a congressional review shall be undertaken once every
five (5) years.
SEC.  35. jRw/es  ¢"d  jRcgw/afz.o„s. -The  NDRRMC   after  consultation  with  appropriate
agencies of the Government as well as disaster risk and emergency responders' organizations
or unions,  shall formulate and prepare the necessary rules and regulations to implement the
provisions of this Act. Rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Section shall take effect
thirty (30) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
S_;_E:C: 36. Prohibition Against Double Recovery Of Benef its. - Whenever orfuer +ows prow.\de
for the  same benefits covered by this Act, the disaster risk and emergency responders  shall
have the option to choose which benefits will be paid to himther. However, in the event that
the benefits chosen are less than that provided under this Act, the worker shall be paid only the
difference.
SE:C. 37 . Prohibition Against Elimination and/or I)iminution. -"othing .in this lzNI shaL+i be
construed to  eliminate or  in  any  way diminish  benefits  being  enjoyed  by  disaster risk and
emergency responders at the time of the effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 38. 4aprapri.a!/I.o#s. - The amount necessary for the immediate implementation of the
provisionsofthisActshallbeincludedintheGeneralAppropriationsActintheyearfollowing
the approval of this Act.
SEC.  39. Pt?"¢/ ProvisJ.OEL - Notwithstanding the  provisions  of Section  8  of this  Act,  any
person who shall willfully interfere with, restrain or coerce any disaster risk and emergency
responders in the exercise of histher rights or shall in any manner commit any act in violation
of any of the provisions of this Act, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less
than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php  loo,000.00) but not more than One Million pesos
(Php1,000,000.00)orimprisonmentofnotlessthanone(1)yeartonotmorethansix(6)years
or both at the discretion of the court.
If the  offender  is  a  public  official,  the  court,  in  addition  to  the  penalties  provided  in  the
preceding  paragraph,  may  impose  the  additional  penalty  of disqualification  from  office.
SEC. 40. Scprmbi./try CJ¢us& -If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the remainder
of  this   Act   or  any   provision   not  affected   thereby   shall   remain   in   force   and   effect.
SEC.  41. jRepca/i.Hg  Cfows& -All  laws,  presidential  decrees,  executive  orders  and  their
implementing rules, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended
or modified accordingly.
SEC. 42. E/grccJi.tJrty. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Offlcial Gazette or in one ( I) national newspapers of general circulation.