Republic of the Philippines
Bouse of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILLNO. 288

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ALYSSA MICHAELA “MICA” M. GONZALES

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE BACOLOR RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM FOR THE
PROTECTION, REBUILDING, AND RECOVERY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF
BACOLOR, PROVINCE OF PAMPANGA, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Mt. Pinatubo eruption in year 1991 caused a gigantic devastation in the
whole of Luzon, which bought huge hardship and ‘suffering to many of our countrymen.
‘Among the hardest hit was the Province of Pampanga, with the Municipality of Bacolor
being the most ruined as it became the focal point of the aftermath of the volcanic
explosion. Many townsmen of Bacolor were displaced by the lahar, forcing them to
‘occupy temporary shelter on resettlement sites in nearby towns, such as Bulaon in San
Fernando; Camachile and Madapdap in Mabalacat City; Pandacaq Mexico; Sta.
Lucia and San Isidro in Magalang; Apalit and Palmayo in Floridablanca; and Arenas and
Buensuceso in Arayat, all in the Province of Pampanga.

Rising from this catastrophic event, this representation earnestly sought the
immediate rehabilitation of the devastated Municipality of Bacolor by the passage of
Republic Act No. 9506, which established the Bacolor Rehabilitation Council
Simultaneous with this is the relentless hard work to formulate and implement the
Bacolor Comprehensive Rehabilitation Master Plan and the Local Development
Investment Program.

This representation deemed it fit to initiate this measure as there are more that
needs to be done to ameliorate the people of Bacolor from their misery. Now more than
ever, the helping hand of the government must be extended to the people of Bacolor so
that they can finally reestablish themselves in their beloved hometown and restore the
Municipality of Bacolor in its former splendor.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of the bill is eamestly sought.

aly

REP. ALYSSA MIC! LA “MICA” M. GONZALES
3" District, Pampanga


TWENTIETH CONGRESS

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 288 _

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE ALYSSA MICHAELA “MICA” M. GONZALES

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE BACOLOR RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM FOR THE
PROTECTION, REBUILDING, AND RECOVERY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF
BACOLOR, PROVINCE OF PAMPANGA, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Bacolor Reconstruction
Program”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared as national policy to
promote and provide for appropriate measures ensuring that the Municipality of
Bacolor in the Province of Pampanga and its communities shall effectively and
efficiently recover from the impact ‘of disaster events, by coordinating various
national government agencies in the protection, rebuilding and recovery of the same
Municipality and its affected communities, and for such purpose, to provide for
development plans including the establishment, repair, and rebuilding of community
and government infrastructure and properties.

Section 3. Definition of a Disaster Event. — Disaster event may mean any of the
following :

a. The 1991 volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo;

b. Widespread flooding and massive lahars brought about by severe Typhoon
Diding;

c. Another disaster within the purview of Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise
known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of
2010, and as pescribed under its implementing rules and regulations; or

d. Presidential declarations of a major disaster and/or national emergency.

Section 4. Role and Relationship of National Government Agencies and Local
Government Units in the Bacolor Reconstruction Program. — The following
national government agencies, through their respective Secretaries, in addition with
their respective mandates and powers, are hereby mandated to actively coordinate,
cooperate, and align their efforts for the proper and orderly planning, design,


development, implementation, management, monitoring, and evaluation of the
Bacolor Reconstruction Program:

a. The Socioeconomic Planning Secretary ‘of the National Economic and
Development Authority as the lead supervisory authority,

b. The Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management;
cc. _ The Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways;

d. The Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban
Development;

fe. The Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;
{The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture;

g. The Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform;

h. The General Manager of the National Housing Authority;

i. The President and Chief Executive Officer of Home Development Mutual
Fund (PAG-IBIG):

j. The Administrator of the Land Registration Authority; and

k. The Administrator of the National Electrification Administration.
For this purpose, any bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality of the government,
including government-owned-and-controlied corporations (GOCCs), in accordance
with their respective mandates and powers, may be called upon for any assistance,
as may be necessary.
The relevant departments and national government agencies shall ensure that the
Municipality of Bacolor and its affected communities be actively consulted, to ensure
that their needs are taken into consideration in the protection, rebuilding, and
recovery efforts provided in the said Program.
Section 5. Bacolor Reconstruction Program. - The Bacolor Reconstruction
Program, which shall be submitted for approval by the President, shall include,
among others, the following infrastructure and services:

4. Allocation for rehabilitation and resettlement financing support;

2. Land survey and mapping programs;

3, Land use plan regulating development in the Municipality of Bacolor,

4. Plans for the management and settlement of boundary disputes involving two
(2) or more barangays in the same Municipality; and


5. Establishment of economic, socialized, and low-cost housing program and
projects for on-site development by the National Housing Authority;

The residents of the said Municipality shall be given preference in the hiring or
employment for the implementation of any of the programs, activities, and projects
under the Bacolor Reconstruction Program.

Section 6. Annual Report to Congress. ~ At the close of the year, the concerned
national government agencies shall submit their annual report to Congress, giving
detailed implementation status and challenges of the projects, activities, and
programs, as well as accomplishments during the year, and recommend necessary
measures for the effective implementation of this Act.

Section 7. Appropriations.— The amount necessary for the immediate and
effective impiementation of this Act shall be charged against the existing
appropriations of the respective national government agencies and such other
funding sources as the Department of Budget and Management may identify, and
When necessary, the Contingent Fund, subject to relevant laws, rules and
regulations.

Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act
shall be included as separate line items in the respective annual budgets of the
implementing national govemment agencies in the General Appropriations Act.

Section 8. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the temaining parts or provisions not affected
thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 9. Repealing Clause. - Pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 7160,
Republic Act No. 9184, and all other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 10 Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette and in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,