SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
'15 
APR 30 All :50 
SENAX.ff 
S. B. No. ~'i'42 
Introduced by SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA 
AN ACT FACILITATING AND REGULATING 
INTERNATIONAL DISASTER RELIEF AND INITIAL RECOVERY 
ASSISTANCE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Following the declaration by President Aquino of a State of National Calamity 
for the Philippines on 11 November 2013 or three days after it was struck by 
Typhoon Haiyan and a US$348 million emergency aid appeal launched by the 
United Nations, the country received significant level of assistance in the form 
of donations, both in cash and in kind. Apart from donations, medical 
personnel and search-and-rescue teams were also deployed by countries like 
Japan, South Korea, Israel and the US to aid in the relief and recovery efforts 
by the government. 
At that time, the Department of Foreign Affairs set up a coordinating unit to 
facilitate the offer of aid from other countries while also providing information 
or directing the query to concerned Philippine agencies related to issues such 
as landing permits of aircrafts bringing relief goods and equipment, visa and 
visa concerns of foreign humanitarian missions and entry of goods, medicines 
and equipment. 
In order to facilitate the ease of flow of international assistance by foreign 
governments and aid agencies and ensure that the aid being offered is what is 
needed on the ground, this bill seeks to establish the National Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as the central focal point 
agency between the government of Philippines and assisting international 
actors in order to promote the effective facilitation, coordination and oversight 
of international disaster assistance. It requires the NDRRMC to consult with 
the local government units affected by a calamity in determining the list of 
goods, equipment and service needed for relief and recovery. A Single Window 


International Facilitation Teams (SWIFTs) is also proposed to be established in 
order to consolidate and expedite the legal requirements concerning entry of 
international disaster relief and personnel, goods, equipment and transport. 
By providing the mechanisms to ensure the timely and efficient entry and 
delivery of international aid assistance in the country, it is hoped that 
resources available will be put into good use. In view of the foregoing, 
immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
~~ 
Senator 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
"15 
J\PR 30 All :50 
SENATE 
__________ 
S_. _B_. N_o_._._2_7_4_2 _______ 
:,_I'_;:_: 
,; W,':_ ..•. ff.-
Introduced by SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA 
AN ACT FACILITATING AND REGULATING 
INTERNATIONAL DISASTER RELIEF AND INITIAL RECOVERY 
ASSISTANCE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Chapter I 
General Provisions 
Section 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the "International 
Disaster Relief and Initial Recovery Assistance Act". 
Section 2. Purpose and Scope -This Act sets out procedures, roles and 
responsibilities related to the facilitation and regulation of international 
disaster assistance provided to the Philippines in the event of a disaster on 
its territory. 
In particular, this Act: 
(i) 
sets out roles and responsibilities for key officials and 
departments concerned with the facilitation and regulation of 
international disaster assistance; 
(ii) 
establishes procedures for 
initiating, 
coordinating, and 
terminating international disaster assistance; 
(iii) 
establishes the mechanism for recognition of eligibility for legal 
facilities for certain assisting actors; 
(iv) 
specifies the legal facilities to be provided to such eligible actors; 
and 
(v) 
specifies that minimum standards are expected from assisting 
actors providing international disaster assistance; 
Section 3. Definitions - For purposes of this Act, 
a. "Assisting Actor' means any assisting international actor and any 
assisting domestic actor responding to a disaster in the Philippines; 
1 


1 
b. "Assisting Domestic Actor" means any non-profit entity established 
2 
under the laws of the Philippines, which is responding to a disaster in 
3 
the territory of Philippines; 
4 
c. "Assisting International Actor" means any foreign state, organization, 
5 
entity or individual responding to a disaster on the territory of the 
6 
Philippines; 
7 
d.« Assisting State" means any foreign government that is providing 
8 
disaster relief or initial recovery assistance to the Philippines, whether 
9 
through its civilian or military institutions; 
10 
e. "Disaster Relief' 
means the 
goods, 
equipment, 
services 
and 
11 
internationally donated funds provided to meet the immediate 
12 
humanitarian needs of disaster affected communities; 
13 
f. "Disaster" means a serious disruption of the functioning of society, 
14 
which poses a significant, widespread threat to human life, health, 
15 
property or the environment, whether arising from accident, nature, 
16 
or human activity, whether developing suddenly or as the result of 
17 
long-term processes, but excluding armed conflict; 
18 
g. "Domestic Non-Governmental Organization' or "Domestic Noo' means 
19 
any non-governmental, non-profit entity, which is registered or 
20 
created under the laws of the Philippines and whose mandate and 
21 
activities are exclusively focused on humanitarian relief, recovery or 
22 
development; 
23 
h. "Eligible Actor" means any assisting actor that has been determined to 
24 
be eligible to receive legal facilities, in accordance with Chapters V and 
25 
VI of this Act; 
26 
1. "Equipment:' means physical items, other than goods, which come 
27 
from international sources and are designated for use in disaster relief 
28 
or initial recovery assistance, including, but not limited to, vehicles, 
29 
medical, and telecommunications equipment; 
30 
j." Foreign Components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent 
31 
Movement:' means foreign National Red Cross or Red Crescent 
32 
Societies, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent 
33 
Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross; 
34 
k. "Foreign Non-Governmental Organization" or "Foreign NGO' means any 
35 
nongovernmental, not-for-profit entity not incorporated/registered in 
36 
the Philippines, whose mandate and activities are focused on 
37 
humanitarian relief, recovery or development' 
38 
1. "Goods" means supplies from international sources intended to be 
39 
provided to disaster-affected communities for their relief or initial 
40 
recovery; 
41 
m. "Initial Recovery Assistance" means goods, equipment, services and 
42 
internationally donated funds intended to restore or improve the pre-
43 
disaster living conditions of disaster-affected communities, including 
44 
initiatives to increase resilience to disasters and reduce disaster risk; 
45 
n. "Internationally Donated Funds" means any funds donated by foreign 
46 
persons or entities directly to the Government of Philippines or to an 
47 
assisting domestic actor for purposes of disaster relief or initial 
48 
recovery assistance; 
2 


1 
o. "International Disaster Assistance' means disaster relief and initial 
2 
recovery assistance that is provided by assisting international actors, 
3 
or imported or otherwise brought to Philippines from abroad by or on 
4 
behalf of assisting domestic actors; 
5 
p. "International Disaster Relief Period:' means the period following a 
6 
disaster, as described in Sections 8 and 9 of this Act, during which 
7 
the relevant legal facilities described in Chapter VI are made available 
8 
to eligible actors for the purpose of providing disaster relief; 
9 
q. "International Initial Recovery Period" means the period following a 
10 
disaster, as described in Sections 8 and 10 of this Act, during which 
11 
the relevant legal facilities described in Chapter VI are made available 
12 
to eligible actors for the purpose of providing initial recovery 
13 
assistance; 
14 
r. "International Personnef' means the staff, and volunteers of any 
15 
assisting actor providing disaster relief or initial recovery assistance in 
16 
the Philippines, being persons who are neither citizens of Philippines 
17 
nor domiciled in Philippines prior to their recruitment by the assisting 
18 
actor; 
19 
s. "Legal Facilities" means the special entitlements and exemptions that 
20 
are made available to Eligible Assisting Actors under Chapter VI of 
21 
this Act; 
22 
t. "Locally Engaged Personnel" means nationals or persons domiciled in 
23 
the Philippines who are recruited as staff or volunteers by assisting 
24 
international actors to provide disaster relief or initial recovery 
25 
assistance; 
26 
u. "Services" means activities undertaken by assisting actors to assist 
27 
disaster affected communities with their relief or initial recovery, such 
28 
as search and rescue activities, medical care, protection services and 
29 
information services; 
30 
v. "Transit Facilities" means the special entitlements and exemptions 
31 
that are made available to assisting international actors under 
32 
Chapter VII of this Act. 
33 
w. "Transit Facilities Period" means the period following a disaster in 
34 
another country, as described in Section 62 of this Act, during which 
35 
the relevant legal facilities described in chapter vii are made available 
36 
to assisting actors for the purpose of providing disaster relief or initial 
37 
recovery assistance. 
38 
x. "Transport" means the land, air or water vehicles operated on or 
39 
behalf assisting actors to transport international personnel, goods and 
40 
equipment across an international border for the purpose of providing 
41 
disaster relief or initial recovery assistance. 
42 
43 
Section 4. Existing Rights, Privileges and Immunities - Nothing in this Act 
44 
shall be interpreted to limit or reduce the existing rights, privileges or 
45 
immunities of any assisting actor as separately recognized by other laws or 
46 
agreements of the Philippines, and any status or headquarters agreement 
47 
between the Philippines and an assisting international actor. 
48 
49 
3 


1 
Chapter II 
2 
Initiation and Termination of International Disaster Assistance 
3 
4 
Section 5. Assessment of the Need for International Disaster Assistance-
5 
a. Immediately after the onset of a major disaster, and in consultation with 
6 
relevant local government units and local authorities, the National Disaster 
7 
Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) shall make a 
8 
determination, based on initial estimates, as to whether domestic capacities 
9 
are likely to be sufficient to attend to the needs of affected persons for 
10 
disaster relief and initial recovery assistance. This determination may also 
11 
be made, at the discretion of the NDRRMC, prior to the onset of an 
12 
imminent major Disaster. 
13 
14 
b. In the event of a determination that domestic response capacities are not 
15 
likely to be sufficient due to the scale of the disaster, the NDRRMC shall 
16 
advise the President and recommend that an immediate request be made for 
17 
international disaster assistance. 
18 
19 
c. If such a recommendation is made, the NDRRMC shall, in consultation 
20 
with relevant local government units and local authorities, develop a 
21 
preliminary list of goods, equipment and services required. The NDRRMC 
22 
shall make this list available to potential assisting international actors 
23 
immediately upon the commencement of an international disaster relief 
24 
period pursuant to section 8. The list shall be updated as needed to reflect 
25 
new information and changing circumstances. 
26 
27 
d. A determination that domestic capacities are likely to be sufflcient and 
28 
that international disaster assistance is therefore unnecessary may be 
29 
reviewed and rescinded by the NDRRMC at any time, in light of updated 
30 
information. 
31 
32 
Section 6. Requests for International Disaster Assistance -
33 
a. Upon the advice of the NDRRMC, the President may make a request for 
34 
International Disaster Assistance. That request may be specifically 
35 
directed to particular international actors, or it may be a general request 
36 
directed to the international community as a whole. 
37 
38 
b. The request shall be accompanied by: 
39 
a. information as to the extent and type of assistance required, based 
40 
on the list prepared by the NDRRMC 
pursuant to Section 5, 
41 
unless this would lead to undue delay; and 
42 
b. information on the procedures for assisting international actors to 
43 
make offers or provide assistance pursuant to Section 7. 
44 
45 
Section 7. Offers and Acceptance of International Assistance-
46 
a. Assisting states and intergovernmental organizations interested in 
47 
providing international disaster assistance shall direct an offer to the 
48 
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through the appropriate Philippine 
49 
embassy. Offers should indicate, in general terms, the type, amount and 
4 


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estimated duration of assistance to be provided. The DFA shall then consult 
with the NDRRMC abov,t such offers. Upon the direction of the NDRRMC, 
the DFA may acceH1isuch offers, in whole or in part. 
il\ 
b. Assistin~ statelplanning to provide aid through mili~~ry .actors shall 
make such <liffers according to agreements between the Phlhppmes and the 
assisting states and other relevant ,laws of the Philippines. They may be 
accepted, in whole or in part, with the specific conditions set out in the 
aforementioned laws, n:gulations and/ or agreements. 
c. In the eveilt of a general request for international disaster assistance 
made pursuant to section 6(a), assisting international actors other than 
assisting states and intergovernmental organizations are exempt from 
making formal offers. However, they shall comply with the terms of the 
general request and shall inform the NDRRMC of the type, amount and 
estimated duration of assistance to be provided in advance of their arrival. 
d. In the absence of a general request for international disaster assistance, 
assisting international actors may make unsolicited offers to the DFA 
through, the appropriate Philippine embassy. The DFA shall consult with 
NDRRMC and, upon its direction, may accept such offers, in whole or in 
part. 
Section 8. International Disaster Relief and Initial Recovery Periods -
a. The international disaster relief and initial recovery periods shall both 
commence simultaneously upon the issuance of a request for international 
disaster assistance under Section 6, or upon acceptance of an offer under 
Section 7, and shall continue until terminated pursuant to Section 9 or 
Section 10, as appropriate. 
b. The legal facilities described in Chapter VI shall only be effective during 
the international disaster relief and initial recovery periods. 
Section 9. Tennination of the International Disaster Relief Period-
a. When, on the basis of updated needs assessments and other information, 
and in consultation with assisting actors, the NDRRMC is satisfied that 
the need for disaster relief is coming to an end, it shall advise the 
President to approve a termination date for the international disaster 
relief period, with due consideration for the impact on ongoing relief 
activities. This termination shall not affect the ongoing validity of the 
international initial recovery period. 
b. The termination date shall be announced to assisting actors no later than 
30 days prior to the proposed date. The announcement shall also include 
information about the anticipated ongoing needs for goods and services 
related to initial recovery assistance, if any. 
5 


1 
c. Upon the issuance of an announcement pursuant to this Section, the 
2 
NDRRMC shall consult with assisting actors actively involved in disaster 
3 
relief work in order to reduce any negative impact from the termination 
4 
and, 
where 
necessary, 
to 
ensure 
an 
adequate 
handover 
of 
5 
responsibilities. 
6 
7 
Section 10. Termination of the International Initial Recovery Period-
8 
a. When, on the basis of updated needs assessments and other information, 
9 
and in consultation with assisting actors, the NDRRMC is satisfied that 
10 
the need for international initial recovery assistance is coming to an end, 
11 
it shall advise the President to approve a termination date for the 
12 
international initial recovery period, with due consideration for the 
13 
impact on ongoing initial recovery activities. 
14 
15 
b. The termination date shall be announced to assisting actors no later than 
16 
30 days prior to the proposed date. 
17 
18 
c. Upon the issuance of an announcement pursuant to this Section, the 
19 
NDRRMC shall consult with assisting actors actively involved in initial 
20 
recovery assistance work in order to reduce any negative impact from the 
21 
termination and, where necessary, to ensure an adequate handover of 
22 
responsibilities. 
23 
24 
Chapter III 
25 
Coordination and Preparedness for International Disaster Assistance 
26 
27 
Section 11. Coordination Duties and Powers of the Focal Point Agency -
28 
a. The NDRRMC shall serve as a central focal point agency for liaison 
29 
between the government of Philippines and assisting international actors, 
30 
promoting the effective facilitation, coordination and oversight of 
31 
international disaster assistance pursuant to this chapter. As such, the 
32 
NDRRMC shall serve as the main counterpart for any applicable 
33 
international or regional coordination mechanisms. 
34 
35 
b. The NDRRMC shall inform assisting actors and relevant national and 
36 
local governmental agencies of their rights and responsibilities under this 
37 
Act and orient them to other laws, rules or procedures especially relevant 
38 
to international disaster relief and initial recovery assistance. 
39 
40 
c. During the international disaster relief and initial recovery periods, the 
41 
NDRRMC may order any relevant governmental body of Philippines to 
42 
undertake actions or make available assets or premises required to 
43 
facilitate the work of assisting international actors to provide disaster 
44 
relief or initial recovery assistance. Such bodies shall comply to the 
45 
fullest extent possible within their legal mandates. Any order that may 
46 
impose a substantial burden on the cooperating agency may be reviewed 
47 
at its request by the Secretary of agency or department involved. 
48 
49 
6 


1 
d. During the international disaster relief and initial recovery periods, the 
2 
NDRRMC may likewise request any private actor to undertake voluntary 
3 
actions, at their own expense, as needed to facilitate the work of assisting 
4 
international actors to provide disaster relief or initial recovery 
5 
assistance. This may include a request to lower or waive fees or charges 
6 
for key services required by assisting international actors and/or to 
7 
extend operating hours for their provision. 
8 
9 
Section 12. Taskforce on International Disaster Assistance Preparedness-
10 
a. A cross-sectoral Taskforce 
on 
International 
Disaster Assistance 
11 
Preparedness ("the Taskforce") shall be established, to operate in 
12 
accordance with this Section, under the chairmanship of the NDRRMC 
13 
with the primary role of enhancing preparedness for implementation of 
14 
this Act in case of a disaster requiring international disaster assistance. 
15 
16 
b. The Taskforce shall be composed of representatives from: 
17 
i. 
The NDRRMC; 
18 
ii. 
The Department of Social Welfare and Development; 
19 
111. 
The Philippine Red Cross; 
20 
iv. 
The Office of the Governor/s of the Province/s involved; 
21 
v. 
The Office of the Congressman/Congressmen of the District/s 
22 
involved; 
23 
VI. 
The Office of the Mayor / s of the city / ies involved; 
24 
vii. 
Such other members as the Taskforce may invite to participate, 
25 
including relevant United Nations agencies, regional organizations 
26 
and Foreign NGOs. 
27 
28 
c. The Taskforce shall provide technical advice on preparedness for the 
29 
facilitation of international disaster assistance to the NDRRMC. In 
30 
fulfilling this role, the Taskforce shall: 
31 
1. 
Prepare and update manuals, guidelines, plans or other 
32 
procedures for the entry and coordination of international 
33 
disaster relief and initial recovery assistance; 
34 
ii. 
Compile and update information on existing bilateral, regional 
35 
and international coordination mechanisms applicable the 
36 
Philippines, and provide technical advice to the NDRRMC on the 
37 
further development of such mechanisms; 
38 
iii. 
Develop and maintain a list of personnel nominated by the 
39 
relevant 
Secretaries 
to 
participate 
in 
Single 
Window 
40 
International Facilitation Teams (SWIFTs), as described in 
41 
Section 13, and to assist the NDRRMC to convene the SWIFTs 
42 
immediately upon the commencement of an international 
43 
disaster relief period pursuant to Section 8, if required for the 
44 
volume of international disaster assistance expected; 
45 
iv. 
Advise the NDRRMC on the development of technical quality 
46 
standards for international disaster relief and initial recovery 
47 
assistance, as described in Chapter IV of this Act; 
7 


1 
v. 
Develop, in accordance with Chapter V of this Act, procedures, 
2 
documentation requirements and 
information about the 
3 
responsibilities of assisting actors under this Act; 
4 
vi. 
Undertake other tasks related to 
international disaster 
5 
assistance, as requested by the NDRRMC. 
6 
7 
d. The Taskforce shall meet: 
8 
i. 
immediately upon the commencement of an international 
9 
disaster relief period pursuant to Section 8, to ensure the 
10 
effective operation of the SWIFTs described in Section 13 and 
11 
to advise the NDRRMC on the application of relevant 
12 
procedures, manuals and other technical materials concerning 
13 
the facilitation of international disaster assistance; and 
14 
ii. 
otherwise as necessary, and in no case less frequently than 
15 
twice 
per 
year, 
to 
review 
national 
preparedness 
for 
16 
implementing the provisions of this Act and to carry out the 
17 
functions assigned to it pursuant to this Section. 
18 
19 
Section 13. Single Window International Facilitation Teams (SWIFTs)-
20 
a. Single Window International Facilitation Teams (SWIFTs) shall be 
21 
established in accordance with this Section, for the purpose of 
22 
consolidating and expediting the legal requirements concerning entry 
23 
of incoming international disaster relief and initial recovery personnel, 
24 
goods, equipment and transport, as well as the application process for 
25 
eligibility, as described in Chapter V. 
26 
27 
b. In consultation with the Taskforce, the NDRRMC shall establish the 
28 
membership, functions, authorities and operating procedures for the 
29 
SWIFTs, consistent with this Act and other relevant legislation. 
30 
31 
c. The SWIFTs shall be composed of representatives of relevant 
32 
Departments and Agencies, from the list established and updated by 
33 
the Taskforce in accordance with Section 12. 
34 
35 
d. Upon the commencement of an international disaster relief period 
36 
pursuant to Section 8, SWIFTs shall be deployed to primary points of 
37 
entry 
for 
international 
disaster 
assistance, 
including, 
as 
38 
circumstances dictate, relevant airports, seaports and land border 
39 
crossing points. 
40 
41 
e. In the absence of a SWIFT team at a particular border crossing, 
42 
officials of the Bureau of Customs shall nevertheless apply the 
43 
relevant provisions of this Act. 
44 
45 
Section 14. Operational Coordination of Assisting Internationaillctors-
46 
a. National and local authorities shall endeavour to integrate the role of 
47 
assisting international actors into their contingency planning and 
48 
mechanisms for operational coordination for disaster relief and initial 
49 
recovery assistance efforts. In particular, they shall endeavour to 
8 


1 
facilitate the work of assisting international actors, while balancing 
2 
the urgent needs of people affected by disaster and necessary 
3 
safeguards relating to public safety and health, coordination and 
4 
oversight. 
5 
6 
b. Assisting international actors shall cooperate and coordinate with 
7 
National and local authorities in their disaster relief and initial 
8 
recovery assistance. In particular, they shaH provide them with such 
9 
information as is available to them on the needs, and on the location, 
10 
type and extent of their disaster relief and initial recovery assistance 
11 
operations, as required for a coordinated and effective response. 
12 
13 
c. Assisting international actors shall cooperate with any international or 
14 
regional mechanisms for coordination that have been specificaHy 
15 
approved for a particular operation by the NDRRMC. 
16 
17 
Section 15. Limited Exemption from Privacy of Personal Data -
Public 
18 
authorities and assisting actors shall be permitted to share personally 
19 
identifiable 
information 
concerning disaster-affected 
persons 
among 
20 
themselves for the purpose of avoiding imminent death or physical harm to 
21 
individuals, or grave and foreseeable harm to public health or safety, or for 
22 
facilitating family reunification. 
23 
24 
Chapter IV 
25 
General Responsibilities of Assisting Actors 
26 
27 
Section 16. Principles of International Disaster Assistance-
28 
a. Assisting actors shall comply with the principles of humanity and 
29 
impartiality in providing international disaster assistance. 
In 
30 
particular, they shall establish their aid priorities on the basis of need 
31 
alone and they shall not: 
32 
i. 
engage in any adverse distinctions, exclusions or preferences 
33 
based on status, such as nationality, race, ethnicity, religious 
34 
beliefs, class, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age or 
35 
political opinion; 
36 
ii. 
seek to further a particular political or religious standpoint or 
37 
interfere in internal matters irrelevant to disaster response; 
38 
111. 
seek to obtain commercial gain from their assistance; 
39 
iv. 
gather sensitive information of a political, economic or military 
40 
nature that is irrelevant to International Disaster Relief or Initial 
41 
Recovery Assistance. 
42 
43 
b. In addition, non-governmental organizations shall comply with the 
44 
principle of independence. 
In particular, they shall not act as 
45 
instruments of the foreign policy of any government. 
46 
47 
Section 17. Respect for the Dignity of Persons Affected by Disaster -
48 
Assisting actors providing international disaster assistance shall respect the 
49 
dignity of persons affected by a disaster. In particular, they shall consult 
9 


1 
with the beneficiaries of their assistance in the design, implementation, 
2 
monitoring and evaluation of the disaster relief and initial recovery 
3 
assistance they provide. 
4 
5 
Section 18. Quality of Goods and Services - Assisting actors shall ensure 
6 
that the goods and services they provide are appropriate to the needs and 
7 
circumstances of persons affected by the disaster and in compliance with 
8 
the requirements of this Act and all applicable laws of the Philippines. 
9 
Assisting actors shall additionally comply with technical quality standards 
10 
as contained by regulations to be developed by the NDRRMC. 
11 
12 
Section 19. Disposal of Unusable Goods, Non-Functioning Equipment and 
13 
other Waste - Assisting actors shall ensure that any goods or equipment 
14 
they import for the purpose of disaster relief or initial recovery assistance, 
15 
which are or which have become unusable, as well as any other waste 
16 
products produced by them in the course of their disaster relief or initial 
17 
recovery assistance operations, are recycled or otherwise disposed of in a 
18 
safe, environmentally sensitive and effective manner in compliance with 
19 
Philippine laws. 
20 
21 
Chapter V 
22 
Eligibility for Legal Facilities 
23 
24 
Section 20. Provision of Legal Facilities to Eligible Actors -
25 
a. The legal facilities described in Chapter VI are available only to eligible 
26 
actors as described in this chapter and are effective only during the 
27 
international disaster relief and initial recovery periods. 
Unless 
28 
otherwise stated in Chapter VI, the legal facilities are equally effective 
29 
during both of those periods. 
30 
b. All of the legal facilities described in Chapter VI shall be available to 
31 
assisting international actors deemed eligible pursuant to Section 21, 
32 
or approved as eligible pursuant to Section 22. 
33 
c. The legal facilities described in Parts 1 to 5 in Chapter VI shall only be 
34 
available to assisting domestic actors deemed eligible pursuant to 
35 
Section 21 or approved as eligible pursuant to Section 22, with 
36 
respect to international personnel, goods, equipment and transport 
37 
they bring to the country from abroad to provide disaster relief or 
38 
initial recovery assistance. 
39 
40 
Section 21. Deemed Eligibility for Legal Facilities for Certain Assisting Actors 
41 
42 
a. Upon the commencement of an international disaster relief period 
43 
pursuant to Section 8, the following assisting international actors 
44 
shall be deemed eligible to receive the legal facilities described in 
45 
Chapter VI of this Act without a further application process pursuant 
46 
to Section 22: 
47 
(i) Assisting States; 
48 
(ii) Relevant intergovernmental organizations, including United 
49 
Nations and regional organizations; 
10 


1 
(iii) Any other assisting actor that the NDRRMC wishes to deem 
2 
eligible. 
3 
4 
b. In order to facilitate access to the legal facilities, the NDRRMC shall 
5 
provide assisting international actors described in Subsection (a) a 
6 
certificate of eligibility, upon their request. 
7 
8 
Section 22. Application for Eligibility for Legal Facilities by Assisting Actors -
9 
a. With the exception of those deemed eligible pursuant to Section 21, 
10 
assisting actors seeking eligibility shall apply in accordance with this 
11 
Section. assisting international actors may apply only if they are 
12 
recognized as a 
legal person in a 
foreign country or under 
13 
international law. 
14 
15 
b. The eligibility of private businesses for legal facilities shall be limited 
16 
to assistance from which they make no profit or other commercial 
17 
gain. 
18 
19 
c. Applications for eligibility may be made in advance of any disaster, or 
20 
after the onset of a disaster. 
In the event that eligibility for legal 
21 
facilities is granted in advance of a disaster, it will remain valid for 1 
22 
year, after which a new application is required. The legal facilities will 
23 
enter into legal effect only during an international disaster relief or 
24 
initial recovery period. 
25 
26 
d. All Assisting Actors seeking eligibility shall submit: 
27 
(i) 
certified copies 
of documents 
evidencing their legal 
28 
personality in a foreign jurisdiction or under international law, 
29 
in the case of assisting international actors, or under the laws of 
30 
the Philippines, in the case of assisting domestic actors; 
31 
(ii) the name and full contact details of the authorized 
32 
representative of the organization and the address of its 
33 
headquarters, if any, in the Philippines; 
34 
(iii) documentation relating to their previous experience and 
35 
current capacity in providing effective disaster relief or initial 
36 
recovery assistance; 
37 
(iv) an undertaking relating to their organizational commitment 
38 
and practices concerning the responsibilities set out in Chapter 
39 
IV. 
40 
41 
Section 23. Eligibility Detennination and Certificates-
42 
a. The NDRRMC shall respond to any application under Section 22 by 
43 
either approving it and issuing a certificate of eligibility for the 
44 
relevant Chapter VI legal facilities, or by giving notice that the 
45 
application has not been approved. 
46 
(i) For applications made during the international disaster relief 
47 
period, the NDRRMC shall respond no later than 2 days after 
48 
receipt of all required documents. 
11 


1 
(ii) 
For applications made after the termination of an 
2 
international disaster relief period but during an international 
3 
initial recovery period, the NDRRMC shall respond no later than 
4 
5 days after receipt of all required documents. 
5 
6 
b. Applications from assisting actors with significant experience will be 
7 
accepted unless the documentation provided or external information 
8 
raises doubts as to their capacities, in which case, additional opinions 
9 
and information may be gathered prior to making a determination. 
10 
11 
c. Upon approval of an application pursuant to Section 22 or upon the 
12 
request of an assisting actor deemed eligible pursuant to Section 21, 
13 
the NDRRMC shall issue a certificate indicating that the assisting 
14 
actor is eligible for the relevant Chapter VI legal facilities. In the case 
15 
of a domestic assisting actor, the certificate shall state that the 
16 
eligibility extends to the legal facilities in Parts 1 to 5 of Chapter VI. 
17 
18 
d. A certificate issued in accordance with this Section shall be valid for a 
19 
period of 1 year from the date of issue and may be renewed through a 
20 
new decision under Section 20 or Section 22. 
21 
22 
Section 24. Termination of Eligibility for Legal Facilities -
Eligibility of 
23 
assisting actors for the relevant Chapter VI legal facilities may be terminated 
24 
upon the request of the eligible actor concerned or upon the termination of 
25 
the legal facilities for failure to comply with this Act, pursuant to Section 56 
26 
of this Act. 
27 
28 
Chapter VI 
29 
Legal Facilities for Eligible Actors 
30 
31 
Part 1 
32 
International Personnel 
33 
34 
Section 25. Disaster Visa - The international personnel of eligible actors 
35 
shall be entitled to waiver of entry visa requirements, induding any 
36 
associated fees or charges. International personnel who enter Philippines 
37 
under this Disaster Personnel visa waiver shall be allowed to undertake 
38 
disaster relief and initial recovery work for their sponsoring entities without 
39 
the requirement to seek a separate residence or work permit. As long as they 
40 
continue as international personnel of their sponsoring entities, they shall 
41 
be entitled to remain in or re-enter the territory as often as necessary 
42 
throughout the international disaster relief and international initial recovery 
43 
periods. After that time, they may apply for a relevant visa from within the 
44 
country. 
45 
46 
Section 26. Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications -
47 
a. Eligible assisting actors wishing to deploy international personnel for 
48 
tasks requiring legal recognition of their foreign professional qualifications 
12 


1 
shall certify the validity of those qualifications and the competence of their 
2 
personnel for the tasks envisaged. 
3 
4 
b. Within six months of the entry into force of this Act, the Department of 
5 
Foreign Affairs shall establish lists of countries and/ or educational 
6 
institutions whose health professionals, architectural, engineering and other 
7 
relevant professionals may be given automatic recognition of their foreign 
8 
qualifications when certified by an eligible assisting actor pursuant to 
9 
subsection (a) of this Section. The lists shall be reviewed at least once per 
10 
year and published electronically. 
11 
12 
c. The Department of Foreign Affairs shall also establish expedited 
13 
procedures to be applied for the assessment and recognition of the foreign 
14 
qualifications of the international personnel originating from countries or 
15 
institutions not included on the above-mentioned lists, when certified by 
16 
their sponsoring eligible assisting actor pursuant to subsection (a) of this 
17 
Section. 
18 
19 
d. 
Recognition 
of qualifications under this 
Section 
shall exempt 
20 
international personnel of eligible actors from any obligations for 
21 
compulsory membership of professional associations or other professional 
22 
registration processes within Philippines until the end of the international 
23 
initial recovery period. 
24 
25 
e. Recognition of qualifications under this Section shall remain valid until 
26 
the end of the international initial recovery period, absent individual 
27 
criminal conduct, or other professional misconduct sufficient to bar the 
28 
individual from professional practice in the Philippines. 
29 
30 
Section 27. 
Recognition of Foreign Driving Licenses -
The Land 
31 
Transportation Office (LTO) and other relevant authorities shall accord 
32 
temporary recognition of the foreign driving licenses of the international 
33 
personnel of eligible actors, during the international disaster response and 
34 
initial recovery periods. 
35 
36 
Section 28. Freedom of Access-
37 
a. The international personnel of eligible actors under this Act shall be 
38 
provided freedom of access to disaster-affected areas and persons requiring 
39 
disaster relief or initial recovery assistance, subject only to limitations based 
40 
on national security, public order or public health, weighed in the context of 
41 
the urgency of the disaster needs. They shall be permitted to provide their 
42 
goods and services directly to affected persons. 
43 
44 
b. In situations where the relevant authorities have decided to restrict public 
45 
access to affected areas out of concern for the safety of those persons 
46 
seeking to enter, they shall warn the international personnel of eligible 
47 
actors, but allow them to enter, if they may do so without endangering 
48 
others and if the international personnel assume the risk. 
49 
13 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
Part 2 
Entry of International Disaster Goods and Equipment 
Section 29. Customs Facilitation and Priority Treatment -
As further 
described in this Part, the Bureau of Customs shall facilitate the rapid 
importation of consignments of goods and equipment by eligible actors and 
shall accord them priority treatment in handling. 
Section 30. Duty of Compliance by Eligible Actors - In order to benefit from 
the legal facilities in this part, eligible actors shall: 
a. declare that all the goods and equipment they seek to import under 
this Part are exclusively for disaster relief or initial recovery assistance 
and that they comply with any relevant standards under national law, 
including as provided in this Act or its regulations; and 
b. pack, classify and mark their consignments in accordance with the 
requirements described in this part and as directed by the Bureau of 
Customs. 
Section 31. Representation to Customs -
Eligible actors may make 
representations directly to the Bureau of Customs with respect to their 
international disaster assistance consignments or through a designated 
third party acting on their behalf. 
Section 32. Exemption from Import Duties, Taxes and Restrictions -
Consignments of goods and equipment by or on behalf of eligible actors 
shall benefit from: 
a. 
exemption from all duties and taxes; 
b. 
waiver of economic prohibitions and restrictions except for 
categories of special goods and equipment as provided in Part 3 
of this Act; and 
c. 
clearance without regard to the country of origin or the country 
from which the goods have arrived, subject to monitoring for 
reasons of public health and security. 
Section 33. Simplification of Documentation Requirements - The Bureau of 
Customs shall: 
a. 
clear or release consignments of goods and equipment sent by 
or on behalf of eligible actors on the basis of a simplified / 
provisional 
goods 
declaration 
providing 
the 
mlllimum 
information necessary for the Bureau of Customs to identify the 
goods and equipment: Provided, that eligible actors are subject 
to completion of a more complete declaration within a specified 
period; 
b. 
allow a single goods declaration for all imports of goods or 
equipment by or on behalf of eligible actors; 
c. 
allow the goods declaration and any supporting documents 
relating to consignments of goods or equipment sent by or on 
14 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
34 
35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 
48 
behalf of eligible actors to be lodged electronically and without 
any fee; 
d. 
allow the lodging and registering or checking of the goods 
declaration and supporting documents prior to the arrival of 
consignments of goods or equipment sent by or on behalf of 
eligible actors, to facilitate their release upon arrival; 
e. 
waive any requirement of translation of details in documents 
relating to consignments of goods or equipment sent by or on 
behalf of eligible actors unless it is absolutely necessary for the 
purposes of release or clearance. 
Section 34. Extended Hours for Customs - During the international disaster 
relief period only, the Bureau of Customs shall: 
a. upon request, and without additional charges, carry out the functions 
necessary for the release or clearance of consignments of goods or 
equipment imported by or on behalf of eligible actors outside their 
designated hours of business and/or away from customs offices when 
necessary; and 
b. coordinate with the business hours and competencies of any other 
relevant Departments involved in the approval of incoming consignments 
and, whenever possible, carry out joint operations, such as joint customs 
controls, including participation in SWIFTs, if established under Section 13 
of this Act. 
Section 35. Inspections and Customs Security - During the international 
disaster relief period only, the Bureau of Customs shall: 
a. on the basis of risk analysis, take only such action as it deems essential 
to ensure compliance with customs and related laws for the purpose of 
checking the goods declaration of a consignment sent by or on behalf of 
eligible actors; 
b. waive, as feasible, any customs secljlrity that would normally be required 
in respect of consignments of goods and equipment imported on or behalf of 
eligible actors. 
Part 3 
Expedited Entry and Use Restrictions for 
Specific International Disaster 
Goods and Equipment 
Section 36. Telecommunications Equipment-
a. Eligible actors shaH be permitted to import telecommunications 
equipment for the purpose of disaster relief or initial recovery assistance 
without restrictions, except as required for purposes of national security or 
public order. 
15 


1 
b. Upon notification of the names, frequencies, as applicable, and locations 
2 
of intended use of such telecommunications equipment imported by eligible 
3 
actors, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) shall waive any 
4 
licensing requirements or fees for their use. 
5 
6 
c. The NTC shall also grant eligible actors priority over domestic users with 
7 
the exception of security forces, ambulance services and other domestic 
8 
emergency responders in access to bandwidth, frequencies and satellite use 
9 
for telecommunications and data transfer associated with disaster relief and 
10 
initial recovery assistance. 
11 
12 
Section 37. Medications-
13 
a. Eligible actors shall be permitted to import medications and medical 
14 
equipment for the purpose of disaster relief or initial recovery assistance so 
15 
long as they conform to the requirements of this Section. 
16 
17 
b. Any such medications and medical equipment shall be appropriate to the 
18 
needs of the disaster-affected persons, and shall be legal for use in the 
19 
country of origin according to its laws as well as in Philippines according to 
20 
appropriate laws on pharmaceuticals. Pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) 
21 
below, a distinction shall otherwise be made between medications intended 
22 
to be donated for the use of others and those that eligible actors intend to 
23 
use directly in providing medical services. 
24 
25 
c. Medications that eligible actors intend to use directly in providing medical 
26 
services in disaster relief or initial recovery assistance shall be: 
27 
(i) 
transported and maintained by the eJigible actor in appropriate 
28 
conditions at all times to ensure their quality and; 
29 
(ii) 
guarded against misappropriation and abuse. 
30 
31 
d. Medications intended for donation for the use of others shall be: 
32 
(i) 
at least 12 months from their expiry date upon arrival, unless 
33 
otherwise specifically agreed by the Department of Health 
34 
(DOH); 
35 
(ii) 
transported and maintained by the eligible actor in appropriate 
36 
conditions to ensure their quality until they reach their 
37 
intended domestic recipients; and 
38 
(iii) 
appropriately labelled in a language understood in the affected 
39 
State with the international non-proprietary name or generic 
40 
name, 
batch number, dosage form, 
strength, name of 
41 
manufacturer, quantity in the container, storage conditions and 
42 
expiry date. 
43 
44 
Section 38. Food - Food imported by eligible actors shall be admitted 
45 
pursuant to expedited procedures set out by regulations to be developed 
46 
within 6 months from the effectivity of this Act by the DOH and the 
47 
Department of Agriculture (DA). 
48 
16 


1 
Section 39. Imported Vehicles - The LTO shall grant temporary recognition 
2 
to foreign registration and plates to vehicles imported by eligible actors 
3 
during the international disaster relief period and the international initial 
4 
recovery period. 
5 
6 
Section 40. Search Dogs - Search dogs imported temporarily by eligible 
7 
actors shall be admitted without the need for quarantine so long as they 
8 
meet the conditions and requirements of special regulations to be developed 
9 
within 6 months from the effectivity of this Act by the Bureau of Animal 
10 
Industry. 
11 
12 
Part 4 
13 
Permitted Disposition of Equipment and Unused Goods 
14 
15 
Section 41. Disposition of Equipment and Unused Goods-
16 
a. This part sets out the permitted disposition of goods or equipment for 
17 
which eligible actors have received waivers or exemptions from fees, duties, 
18 
taxes or other charges pursuant to this chapter and which remain in their 
19 
possession as of the end of their disaster relief and initial recovery 
20 
assistance operations. 
21 
22 
b. Such goods and equipment may be: 
23 
(i) 
retained by eligible actors that are non-profit entities and used 
24 
or distributed by them for humanitarian, development or 
25 
charitable purposes in the Philippines; 
26 
(ii) 
re-exported pursuant to Section 42; 
27 
(iii) 
donated pursuant to Section 43; or 
28 
(iv) 
disposed of pursuant to Section 19. 
29 
30 
c. Additionally, such goods and equipment may be sold, but only: 
31 
(i) 
after the termination of the initial recovery period; and 
32 
(ii) 
with payment of all fees, duties, taxes or charges that were 
33 
previously waived or exempted for these items under this 
34 
Chapter. 
35 
36 
Section 42. Re-Export of Goods and Equipment - Eligible actors that import 
37 
equipment or goods benefitting from the legal facilities in this chapter are 
38 
permitted to re-export any equipment or unused goods and to do so without 
39 
the imposition of any taxes, export duties, or similar charges, provided that: 
40 
a. re-export is commenced no later than 2 months after the 
41 
termination of the international initial recovery period; and 
42 
b. they provide documentation that the equipment and goods in 
43 
question were originally imported for the purpose of disaster relief or initial 
44 
recovery assistance pursuant to this Chapter. 
45 
46 
Section 43. Donation of Unused Goods and Equipment - When they are no 
47 
longer needed for their disaster relief or initial recovery assistance, eligible 
48 
actors are permitted to donate any imported or locally purchased goods and 
17 


1 
equipment without the imposition of any taxes, fees, duties, or similar 
2 
charges on either the donor or the beneficiary, provided that: 
3 
a. the donation is made no later than two months after the 
4 
termination of the international initial recovery period; 
5 
b. the eligible assisting international actor provides documentation to 
6 
the BOC and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on the identity of the 
7 
importer or purchaser, the date of import or purchase, and the fact that the 
8 
item or group of items was imported or purchased pursuant to the legal 
9 
facilities in this chapter; 
10 
c. the beneficiary of the donation is the Philippine Red Cross, a 
11 
domestic NGO, or other non-profit charitable or humanitarian organization 
12 
established in the Philippines; and 
13 
d. any items thus donated may not be sold unless fees, duties, taxes 
14 
or charges that were previously waived or exempted for these items under 
15 
this Chapter are paid. 
16 
17 
Part 5 
18 
Transport 
19 
20 
Section 44. Facilitation of Means of Transport - Ground, air and water 
21 
transport vehicles operated by or on behalf of eligible assisting actors to 
22 
transport international and locally engaged personnel, goods, or equipment 
23 
for the purposes of disaster relief or initial recovery assistance shall: 
24 
a. Be accorded priority treatment for passage, including, as appropriate, 
25 
priority in air traffic routing and landing permissions subject to 
26 
existing laws, rules and regulations of the proper authorities. 
27 
b. Be exempt from any applicable taxes, levies, duties, fees or charges 
28 
normally imposed by governmental entities of the Philippines, 
29 
including, but not limited to: 
30 
(i) overflight, landing, parking, taking off and navigation service 
31 
fees; 
32 
(ii) demurrage and docking fees; and 
33 
(iii) road tolls. 
34 
c. Be exempt from any prohibitions, limitations or restrictions in respect 
35 
of their arrival, overflight, landing, stay and departure, other than 
36 
those necessary to guarantee national security, public safety or public 
37 
health. 
38 
39 
Section 45. Entry of Transport Operators - The appropriate authorities shall 
40 
endeavour to reduce and expedite any procedures for the entry of drivers, 
41 
pilots and crew of transport vehicles operated by on or behalf of eligible 
42 
actors. 
43 
44 
Section 46. Notice of Transport - To facilitate the prOVISIon of the legal 
45 
facilities in this part, eligible assisting actors or their carriers shall: 
46 
a. inform the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in 
47 
advance of the intended route of flights, type and call signs of the 
48 
aircraft, number of crew members, the character of the cargo, time-
49 
table of flights, and the list of all passengers, and shall comply with 
18 


1 
any directions from the CAAP as to air traffic control and landing 
2 
procedures. 
3 
b. inform the relevant marine authority in advance, of the intended port 
4 
or location of arrival of each water vessel, the type, make and 
5 
registration number of each vessel, the number of personnel operating 
6 
and on board each vessel and the equipment, facilities and other 
7 
materials on board each vessel, and shall comply with any directions 
8 
from the relevant authority as to the control of incoming vessels or 
9 
docking procedures. 
10 
11 
Part 6 
12 
Legal Capacity and Employment 
13 
14 
Section 47. Legal Capacity of Assisting International Actors - The status of 
15 
eligibility for legal facilities of an assisting international actor includes such 
16 
legal capacity as may be relevant for the exercise of its functions and the 
17 
fulfilment of its purposes in providing international disaster relief or initial 
18 
recovery assistance in accordance with the laws of Philippines during the 
19 
international disaster relief and initial recovery periods, in particular the 
20 
capacity to: 
21 
a. 
open bank accounts; 
22 
b. 
enter into contracts, including leases; 
23 
c. 
acquire and dispose of movable property; 
24 
d. 
receive and disburse private funds; 
25 
e. 
initiate legal proceedings; 
26 
f. 
engage and terminate locally engaged personnel, as set out in 
27 
Section 49 of this Act. 
28 
29 
Section 48. Engagement and Termination of Locally Engaged Personnel-
30 
a. Subject to Section 4 of this Act, and except as provided in this 
31 
Section, all eligible assisting international actors shall comply with the 
32 
applicable law in Philippines with regard to the employment of locally 
33 
engaged personnel; 
34 
b. Eligible assisting international actors shall not be required to make 
35 
any separate registration as employers, including for the purposes of 
36 
taxation, 
social 
security, 
and 
social 
insurance 
registration 
37 
requirements relating to the employment of locally engaged personnel. 
38 
c. Notwithstanding any provisions of labor and employment laws to the 
39 
contrary, eligible assisting international actors may: 
40 
i. 
recruit any individual legally entitled to perform the work 
41 
envisaged in Philippines through a non-discriminatory process; 
42 
ii. 
engage local personnel pursuant to fixed-term contracts, 
43 
which may be of short duration, and may be renewed as required 
44 
without creating an open-ended obligation. 
45 
46 
Section 49. Jurisdiction over International Personnel -
Jurisdiction 
47 
concerning contracts between eligible assisting international actors and 
48 
international personnel engaged by them shall be determined based on the 
49 
application Philippine laws on jurisdiction. 
19 


1 
2 
Part 7 
3 
Taxation of Eligible Assisting International Actors 
4 
5 
Section 50. Value-Added Tax (VAT)-
6 
a. The supply of disaster relief and initial recovery assistance by an eligible 
7 
assisting international actor shall be exempt from all vat, service taxes and 
8 
similar taxes, duties, levies and governmental fees where such supply takes 
9 
place during the international disaster relief or initial recovery periods. 
10 
Eligible assisting international actors shall also be exempt from registration 
11 
for vat during the same periods. 
12 
b. In providing this legal facility the BIR shall take all practical steps to 
13 
ensure that local suppliers suffer no negative financial or administrative 
14 
impact in providing goods or services to eligible assisting international 
15 
actors. 
16 
17 
Section 51. Income Tax-
18 
a. The activities of an eligible assisting international actor carried on for 
19 
the purpose of providing disaster relief or initial recovery assistance 
20 
shall be subject to income tax on any actual or deemed income or gain 
21 
arising from such activities. 
22 
b. The international personnel of an eligible assisting international actor 
23 
shall not be treated as a resident of the Philippines or as having any 
24 
other connection with the Philippines relevant for taxation purposes 
25 
by reason of their presence in the Philippines or activities undertaken 
26 
there during the international disaster relief and initial recovery 
27 
periods except in instances where any actual or deemed income or 
28 
gain is realized. 
29 
30 
Section 52. Property, Assets and Other Similar Taxes -
During the 
31 
international disaster relief or international initial recovery periods, no 
32 
taxes, duties, levies or governmental fees having similar effect shall accrue 
33 
or be payable by eligible assisting international actors in connection with: 
34 
a. land, a building or any part of a building where such land, building 
35 
or part thereof is wholly or primarily used by an eligible assisting 
36 
international actor for the purpose of disaster relief or initial recovery 
37 
assistance; and 
38 
b. the assets of an eligible assisting international actor. 
39 
40 
Part 8 
41 
Currency and Banking 
42 
43 
Section 53. Right to Bring Necessary Funds and Currencies into the Country 
44 
- The Department of Finance (DOF) shall facilitate the entry of such funds 
45 
and currencies by eligible assisting international actors to provide disaster 
46 
relief and initial recovery assistance. 
47 
48 
Section 54. Preferential Exchange Rates - The DOF shall make available to 
49 
eligible assisting international actors the best available legal exchange rates 
20 


1 
into the state's currency for funds to be used for the purpose of providing 
2 
disaster relief or initial recovery assistance. 
3 
4 
Chapter VII 
5 
Supervision, Reporting and Sanctions 
6 
7 
Section 55. Supervision of Assisting Actors -
8 
a. The NDRRMC shall be responsible for monitoring the compliance of 
9 
assisting actors with their responsibilities under this Act, and in particular 
10 
Chapter IV. 
11 
b. To facilitate the NDRRMC's oversight, it may require assisting actors to 
12 
report to it, at reasonable intervals, about the disaster relief and initial 
13 
recovery assistance they provide. These reports shall be made public 
14 
through electronic means. 
15 
c. Any reporting requirements imposed by the NDRRMC under this Section 
16 
shall be designed so as to reduce any administrative burden on assisting 
17 
actors to the minimum necessary. 
18 
19 
Section 56. Non-Compliance by Assisting Actors-
20 
a. If, on the basis of credible information, the NDRRMC suspects that any 
21 
assisting actor has failed to materially comply with its responsibilities under 
22 
this Act, and in particular its responsibilities under Chapter IV, it shall 
23 
immediately consult with the assisting actor and seek clarification or 
24 
explanation. If still unsatisfied, the NDRRMC shall provide written notice of 
25 
non-compliance along with a decision either: 
26 
(i) to require the assisting actor to bring itself into compliance within a 
27 
specified period of time, with or without temporary suspension of its 
28 
eligibility, if any, for legal facilities under Chapter VI; 
29 
(ii) to revoke the assisting actor's eligibility, if any, for legal facilities 
30 
under Chapter VI; 
31 
(iii) in the case of deliberate misrepresentation or fraud, to impose 
32 
fines to be set out by implementing regulation; or 
33 
(iv) in the most extreme cases concerning an assisting international 
34 
actor, to revoke the Philippine's consent for it to provide disaster relief 
35 
or initial recovery assistance in response to the disaster. 
36 
37 
b. In the event of a decision to revoke pursuant to subsection (a)(iv) of this 
38 
Section, if the assisting international actor lacks a legal basis independent 
39 
of this Act to remain in the country, it may be required to depart, as of a 
40 
date no sooner than 30 days from the date of the notice. 
41 
42 
c. Decisions to suspend or revoke legal facilities pursuant to subsections 
43 
(a)(i) or (a)(ii) of this Section may not be given retroactive effect, except in 
44 
cases of fraud or criminal misconduct attributable to the assisting 
45 
international actor. 
46 
47 
Section 57. Transparency as to Internationally Donated Funds-
48 
a. Internationally donated funds received by the Government of the 
49 
Philippines for the purposes of disaster relief and initial recovery assistance 
21 


1 
shall be subject to audit by the Commission on Audit (COA) no later than six 
2 
months after the termination of the international disaster relief period or the 
3 
international initial recovery period. The results of these audits shall be 
4 
made publicly available. 
5 
6 
b. International donated funds received by assisting domestic actors shall 
7 
be: 
8 
(i) maintained in a dedicated account for disaster relief or initial 
9 
recovery assistance; 
10 
(ii) subjected to an external audit no later than six months after the 
11 
termination of the international disaster relief period or the international 
12 
initial recovery period, whichever is sooner. The results of these audits shall 
13 
be reported to the appropriate authority and made publicly available. 
14 
15 
Section 58. Congressional Oversight Committee - A Congressional Oversight 
16 
Committee is hereby created to be composed of the 3 members each from 
17 
the Senate and the House of Representatives who shall be designated 
18 
by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives: 
19 
provided, that 1 of the 3 Senators and 1 of the 3 House members shall 
20 
be nominated by the respective minority leaders of the Senate and the 
21 
House of Representatives. 
22 
23 
The Oversight Committee is hereby mandated to oversee the implementation 
24 
of this act. For this purpose, the Oversight Committee shall set the 
25 
guidelines and overall framework for the monitoring of the implementation 
26 
of this Act and shall adopt its internal rules of procedures. 
27 
28 
Section 59. Annual Reporting on Implementation - The NDRRMC shall report 
29 
annually to the Congressional Oversight Committee created by Section 58 of 
30 
this Act on steps taken to implement this Act, including preparedness 
31 
measures taken prior to a disaster. 
32 
33 
Section 60. Sanction for Non-Compliance by Officials -
Officials of the 
34 
Philippines that fail to abide by their responsibilities under this Act shall be 
35 
subject to administrative sanctions, without prejudice to any civil or 
36 
criminal liability under other laws that might also attach to the official's 
37 
actions or omissions. 
38 
39 
Chapter VIII 
40 
Transit of International Disaster Assistance 
41 
42 
Section 61. Facilitation for Transit - In the event a Disaster occurs in 
43 
another country for which international disaster assistance is required the 
44 
BOC and the Bureau of Immigration (81) shall facilitate the speedy transit or 
45 
transhipment across the national territory of the Philippines of international 
46 
disaster assistance by assisting international actors, including international 
47 
personnel, goods, equipment and transport, in order to reach the affected 
48 
country, 
49 
22 


1 
Section 62. Transit Facilities Period -
2 
a. When, after seeking the views of the relevant authorities of a disaster 
3 
affected country, the BOC and the BI are satisfied that international 
4 
disaster relief or initial recovery assistance is likely to be required and 
5 
that the transit or transhipment of international personnel, goods or 
6 
equipment through its territory is likely to be helpful, the BOC and 
7 
the BI may declare the beginning of a Transit Facilities Period. 
8 
b. The Transit Facilities Period shall continue until terminated by the 
9 
BOC and the BI, when they are satisfied that Transit Facilities are no 
10 
longer required. 
11 
c. The termination of a Transit Facilities Period shall be announced to 
12 
assisting international actors no later than 5 days prior to the 
13 
proposed date. 
14 
d. The transit facilities described in this Chapter shall be effective only 
15 
during the Transit Facilities Period. 
16 
17 
Section 63. Entitlement to Transit Facilities -
18 
a. Subject to subsection (b), all assisting international actors shall be 
19 
entitled to the Transit Facilities provided in this Chapter upon declaration 
20 
that the international personnel, equipment and goods that they seek to 
21 
send in transit through the Philippines are for the purpose of providing 
22 
international disaster relief or initial recovery assistance to a disaster-
23 
affected country. 
24 
b. The BOC and the BI may deny transit facilities to any assisting 
25 
international actor, in case of actual or suspected fraud or if necessary to 
26 
safeguard national security or public health. 
27 
28 
Section 64. Disaster Transit Visa - International Personnel entering the 
29 
Philippines for the purpose of transit to a disaster-affected country shall be 
30 
entitled to waiver of entry visa requirements, including any associated fees 
31 
or charges on the condition that they exit the territory of the Philippines 
32 
within a period of 24 hours. 
33 
34 
Section 65. Goods and Equipment in Transit and Transhipment -
The 
35 
provisions of Parts 2 and 3 of Chapter VI shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to 
36 
consignments of goods and equipment by eligible actors, when placed under 
37 
customs transit or transhipment to an affected country. 
38 
39 
Section 66. Transport for Transit and Transhipment - The provisions of Part 
40 
5 of Chapter VI shall also apply, mutatis mutandis, to the ground, air and 
41 
water vehicles of eligible actors in transit through the territorial lands, 
42 
waters or airspace of the Philippines to provide international disaster relief 
43 
or initial recovery assistance to an affected country. 
44 
45 
Chapter IX 
46 
Implementation, Transitional and Final Provisions 
47 
48 
Section 67. Implementing Rules and Regulations -The NDRRMC together 
49 
with the DOF, BIR, BOC, LTO and other government agencies mentioned in 
23 


1 
this Act shall draft the rules and regulations concerning all matters which 
2 
are required or permitted to be prescribed, or which are necessary to carry 
3 
this Act into effect or to give effect to any power, function, duty, or authority 
4 
under this Act. 
5 
6 
Section 68. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the 
7 
application thereof to any person or circumstances, is held invalid or 
8 
unconstitutional, the remaining sections of this Act or the application of 
9 
such provision or part hereof to other persons or circumstance shall remain 
10 
in full force and effect. 
11 
12 
Section 69. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules 
13 
and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
14 
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
15 
16 
17 
Section 70. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
18 
approval and publication in the Official Gazette and/or in two (2) 
19 
newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
20 
21 
Approved, 
24