Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos 
AN ACT REQUIRING ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, INSTRUMENTALITIES, AND 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO DEVELOP THEIR RESPECTIVE PUBLIC 
SERVICE CONTINUITY PLAN FOR PURPOSES OF CONTINUED DELIVERY OF 
ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN CASES OF DISASTERS OR EMEGENCIES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In the last 30 years, the Philippines has experienced major disaster events as well as several 
localized disasters that have incurred significant economic, physical, and institutional losses, 
derailing development in some of the poorest provinces in the country. In addition to this, health 
emergencies such as the recent COVID-19 Pandemic further caused significant losses on the same. 
Our experience with these has highlighted the need for the government to further build its capacity 
in providing uninterrupted front-line services, identifying and prioritizing interventions to quickly 
respond to urgent needs, managing crisis situations, and mitigating their impact. 
In the height of emergencies or disasters, the government is the main institution that is mandated 
to protect its jurisdiction. This also implies that the government must continue to exist and deliver 
its essential functions, particularly front-line agencies, regardless of any disruption that might 
occur. Towards this end, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 
(NDRRMC) devised the Public Service Continuity Plan (PSCP) to ensure that government entities 
will function during an emergency or disaster. This was institutionalized through NDRRMC 
Memorandum No. 33, series of 2018 which requires all government agencies of the Disaster Risk 
Reduction Management Councils at all levels to develop their respective PSCPs.  
The PSCP is necessary to avoid any gap in terms of public service delivery to its clientele and 
continue its internal capacities, as well as lay down necessary recovery requirements and strategies 
of an agency or institution to continuously function during emergencies, disaster incidents, and 
crises. It is imperative that the agency recovers quickly from any disruptive event and get back to 
performing its critical functions and facilitating the delivery of government’s commitments to 
bolster the attainment of its organizational goals and further the pursuit of the government’s 
agenda.  
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8:15 am
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In view of the foregoing, it is imperative that government institutions and local entities have 
formulated their respective PSCPs to ensure the continuous delivery of its services amidst 
disasters. Towards this end, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. MA. ALANA SAMANTHA TALIÑO SANTOS 
Representative, 3rd District of Cotabato 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos 
AN ACT MANDATING ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, INSTRUMENTALITIES, 
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO DEVELOP THEIR RESPECTIVE PUBLIC 
SERVICE CONTINUITY PLAN FOR PURPOSES OF CONTINUED DELIVERY OF 
ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN CASES OF DISASTERS, OR OTHER EMERGENCIES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Public Service Continuity Plan 
Act” 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote 
and maintain effectiveness, efficiency and economy in the government and enhance institutional 
capacity to improve public service delivery, and to ensure the attainment of the country’s societal 
and economic development goals and objectives.  
Section 3. Definition of Terms. – For the purposes of this Act, the following terms shall 
be used under the definition provided hereof, to wit: 
a.
Disaster - a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society at
any scale due to hazardous events interacting with conditions of exposure,
vulnerability and capacity, leading to one or more of the following: human,
material, economic and environmental losses and impacts.
b. Emergency - refers to the sudden condition or state of affairs calling for
immediate action
c.
Essential Services - refer to the most critical and important services of an
agency relative to their mandate where time and order recovery are necessary
to ensure its relevance.
d. Government Agency - refers to any of the various units of the Government,
including a department, bureau, office, instrumentality, or government-owned
or controlled corporation, or a local government or a distinct unit therein
e.
Instrumentality - refers to any agency of the National Government, not
integrated within the department framework vested with special functions or
jurisdiction by law, endowed with some if not all corporate powers,
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administering special funds, and enjoying operational autonomy, usually 
through a charter. This term includes regulatory agencies, chartered institutions 
and government-owned or controlled corporations 
 
f. Local Government Units - refers to the political subdivisions established by or 
in accordance with the Constitution 
 
g. Public Service Continuity Plan – refers to an all-hazard plan that aims to ensure 
continuous delivery of services to the public amid any disruption be it a 
pandemic, natural disaster, civil disturbance, or similar others.  
 
Section 4. Development of Public Service Continuity Plan. - All government agencies and 
instrumentalities, as well as LGUs, are mandated to develop their respective Public Service 
Continuity Plan which shall consist of the internal capacities as well as lay down necessary 
recovery requirements and strategies of an agency or institution to continuously function during 
emergencies, disaster incidents, and crises. To ensure relevance of the PSCP, it shall be reviewed 
annually relative to the government’s internal audit schedule or annual planning and budgeting to 
ensure that the plan gets assessed for relevance and continual improvement. 
 
Section 5. The Role of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). As the implementing arm of 
the NDRRMC, the OCD shall be primarily tasked to provide technical assistance in the 
formulation, development, and updating of the PSCP of concerned agencies, bureaus, offices, and 
local government units. 
 
Section 6. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of the 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the regular appropriations of all government agencies 
and instrumentalities following its enactment into law. The LGUs shall include in their respective 
appropriation ordinances such amounts needed for the implementation of this Act in their LGUs.  
 
Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within thirty (30) days upon the 
approval of this Act, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), 
in consultation with appropriate government agencies, local government units, and other 
stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act. 
 
Section 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or portions thereof, 
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified 
accordingly. 
 
Section 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,