TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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SENATE 
S. No.
JUL-7 A10 :Q3
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
^ 
AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE, DEFINING ITS 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (the Council) was 
created by virtue of Republic Act No. 10121. The NDRRMC was tasked to develop a 
framework which shail provide for a comprehensive, all-hazards, multi-sectoral, inter­
agency and community-based approach to disaster risk reduction and management. The 
Council was tasked to perform policy making, coordination, integration, supervision, 
monitoring, and evaluation functions. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD), on the other 
hand, was mandated by the law to administer a comprehensive national civil defense and 
disaster risk reduction and management program. The law was passed with the end in 
view of providing a more effective system towards achieving disaster resilience.
However, years after the creation of the Council, it became apparent that the 
solution of creating a body composed of multiple offices of the government primarily 
responsible for disaster preparedness and response, was not the best approach. Natural 
disasters have the capability to cause such far-reaching and impactfui consequences that 
it has become clear that a comprehensive, specialized, and focused approach is the only 
way to move forward from the effects of natural disasters. As the country is known to be 
vulnerable to typhoons and other natural calamities, it is high time to continue to advocate


for the creation of a new department that would focus on preparing for, addressing, and 
mitigating the effects of natural and human-induced disasters.
It is only through the creation of a highly specialized government agency, with all 
its resources fully focused on its mandate, that the events of past disasters can be 
avoided.
The Department of Disaster Resilience, once established by law, shall possess the 
necessary powers and functions, along with the technical expertise and government 
support to carry out the ideas and plans which our earlier laws failed to realize. The 
establishment of a Department solely focused on this mandate will ensure that there shall 
be a body focused on the continuous development and growth of programs aimed 
towards ensuring disaster resilience.
The proposed measure shall unify and streamline the responsibilities and functions 
related to the country's disaster preparedness, provide a clear chain of command, and 
create a more holistic and proactive approach in dealing with emergency situations 
headed by a cabinet level secretary.
Emergency powers during, and in the aftermath of emergencies, hazards and 
disasters, shall be exercised by the Department to provide timely response and to mitigate 
the sometimes unavoidable consequences of natural disasters. Internationally accepted 
standards shall be used as basis for recovery efforts, guided primarily by the principle of 
"Building-Forward-Better".
The Bill also provides for remedial measures under a state of calamity that may be 
exercised at the national and local levels. Some examples of such remedial measures are 
the Imposition of price ceiling on basic necessities and prime commodities, the 
programming or reprogramming of funds for the repair of critical facilities or public


infrastructure, and the grant of no-interest loans by government financing or lending 
institutions to the most vulnerable and marginalized groups or individuals.
The Bill mandates LGUs to provide evacuation centers, when requested by the 
Department, in anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of emergencies, hazards and 
disasters. In providing such evacuation centers, due regard shall be given to the most 
vulnerable and marginalized groups, respecting the dignity and culture of persons and 
using proportionate force in implementing such emergency measures.
The Department, which will operate through a whole-of-society approach, shall 
manage, direct, and foster an enabling environment for the implementation of national, 
local, and community-based disaster resilience programs in collaboration with national 
government agencies. Local Government Units (LGUs), civil society organizations (CSOs), 
civic organizations, the communities themselves, and other stakeholders, as necessary.
Last but not least, this bill strives to help ensure that the painful lessons learned 
from super typhoons and other natural disasters are translated into actual laws, systems, 
structures, and policies that are truly responsive to the disaster resilience and climate
change adaptation and mitigation requirements of the present and future generations of 
Filipinos.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR CHRISTOPHER lAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
SENATE 
S. No. 3
25 JIJL -7 AlO :Q3
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE, DEFINING ITS 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Tssemnbl^d by 
Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
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ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
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Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the " Department of Disaster
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Resilience Act of2025."
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Sec 2. Declaration of Policies and Principles. -The State recognizes that:
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a. The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and
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various kinds natural hazards, including, among others, typhoons, earthquakes, floods, 
volcanic eruptions, landslides, storm surges, and drought;
b. 
Tremendous physical and economic, losses are sustained by the country, and in 
certain cases, damage to our national, cultural, and historical heritage, each time such 
natural hazards wreak havoc on an unsuspecting and unprepared populace;
c. 
There is an urgent need to establish a focused, streamlined, independent, 
empowered, capacitated, full-time, specialized agency on disaster risk reduction and


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management as well as emergency response, which is national in scope and civilian in 
character;
d. The people are the most important assets of the nation, and all disaster risk 
reduction and management efforts shall be responsive to the humanitarian needs of the 
people, the dignity and value of the human person, and respect for property.
Towards this end, the state shall endeavor to ensure:
1. That a strategic, systematic, continuous, comprehensive, inclusive, and integrated 
approach to disaster risk reduction and management is established, with the end 
in view of substantially reducing vulnerabilities and the risk of disasters and other 
humanitarian emergencies, towards the preservation of life and property, thereby 
ultimately preventing or deterring the loss of lives and the social, economic, 
cultural, and environmental assets of the country;
2. That a permanent, institutionalized, cohesive and comprehensive framework for 
disaster preparedness, prevention and mitigation, and response, is adopted, to be 
implemented by a highly specialized and focused agency bearing its own mandate, 
powers, and funding, in coordination and with the participation of the Philippine 
government, other foreign governments and financial institutions, international 
organizations, the private sector, and civil society;
3. That the differing concerns and needs of various sectors or those with higher 
vulnerabilities such as women, children, elderly, persons with disabilities, and
indigenous peoples, are specifically served, with respect to disaster resilience and 
disaster management;
4. The implementation of the principles, concepts and action plans of climate change 
and disaster risk reduction contained in international and national frameworks and 
commitments in various phases of policy formulation, development and investment 
plans, poverty reduction strategies and other development tools, and techniques 
by all national and local agencies, institutions and instrumentalities of the
government to enhance the country's capacity for climate change adaptation and 
mitigation;


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5. To inculcate a culture of resilience and preparedness for natural disasters at the 
national, regional and local levels, and adopt a whole-of-society approach in 
disaster resilience to enhance collaboration, planning, and dialogue among all
sectors of society, and in improving their strategies and/or action plans for disaster 
risk reduction.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. -As used in this Act:
a. 
Adaptation shall refer to the adjustment in natural or human systems in response
to actual or expected climactic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits 
beneficial opportunities.
b. 
Assisting Actor shall refer to any Assisting International Actor and any Assisting 
Domestic Actor responding to a disaster in the country.
c. 
Assisting Domestic Actor shall refer to any not-for-profit entity established under 
domestic laws, which is responding to a disaster in the country.
d. 
Assisting International ActordnaW refer to ahy foreign state, organization, entity or 
individual responding to a disaster within or transiting through the country to respond to 
a disaster in another country
e. 
Bioiogicai Hazards shall refer to hazards that are of organic origin or conveyed by 
biological vectors, including pathogenic microorganisms, toxins and bioactive substances. 
Examples are bacteria, viruses or parasites, as well as venomous wildlife and insects, 
poisonous plants and mosquitoes carrying disease-causing agents;
f. 
Build Forward Better shall refer to an approach to building and/or reconstructing 
an area or community which entails a shift from simple recovery and restoration to safer, 
more adaptive, resilient, and inclusive communities.
g. 
Business Continuity shaW refer to the capacity of a business entity to continue the
delivery of its products and/or services at acceptable pre-defined levels following a 
disruptive incident;
h. 
Capacity shall refer to the combination of all strengths, attributes and resources 
available within a community, society or organization that can reduce the level of risk, or 
impacts of a disaster. Capacity may include infrastructure and physical means.


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institutions, societai coping abilities, as well as human knowledge, skills and collective 
attributes such as sociai reiationships, ieadership and management. Capacity may also 
be described as capability.
i. 
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) shall refer to non-state actors whose aims are 
neither to generate profits nor to seek governing power, but to unite people to advance 
shared goals and interests. They have a presence in pubiic iife, expressing the interests 
and values of their members or other, based on ethicai, culturai, scientific, religious or 
philanthropic considerations. CGOs include nongovernment organizations (NGOs), 
professional associations, foundations, independent research institutes, community-
based organizations (CBOs), faith-based organizations, people's organization, social 
movements, and labor unions
j. 
Climate Change shall refer to a change in the state of the climate that can be 
identified by changes in the mean and/or the variabiiity of its properties, and that persist 
in an extended period, typicaliy decades or longer, whether due to natural variability or 
as a rest of human activity as defined under Republic Act No. 9729, otherwise known as 
the Climate Change Act of 2009". These include internal processes or external forces 
such as modulation of the soiar cycles, volcanic eruptions and persistent anthropogenic 
changes in the composition of the atmosphere or in land use.
k. 
Climate Mitigation shall refer to efforts to reduce or limit greenhouse gas emissions 
or enhance greenhouse gas sequestration;.
l. 
Cultural Heritage shali refer to the totality of cuitural property preserved and 
developed through time and passed on to posterity/.
m. 
Contingency Planning shall refer to a management process that analyzes specific 
potentiai events or emerging situations that might threaten society or the environment 
and establishes arrangements in advance to enable timely, effective and appropriate 
responses to such events and situations.
n. 
Departmentsh^W refer to the Department of Disaster Resilience or the DDR;
0. Development Assistance shail refer to any financiai, materiai or other forms of 
assistance to support the economic, social, and environmental well-being of areas and/or 
people affected by a natural disaster;


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p. 
Disability shall refer to an evolving concept that results from the interaction 
between persons with impairments, societal barriers, as defined under Republic Act No. 
7277, and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinder their full and effective 
participation in society on an equal basis with others.
q. 
Disaster shd\\ refer to a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a 
society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and 
impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its 
own resources. Unless othenwise used specifically in this Act, the term "disaster shall refer 
to "natural disaster";
r. 
Disaster Contingency Fund shall refer to a fund, in lump-sum form, managed by
the Department to expediently provide funds and resources for disaster reliefer response 
in affected areas;
s. 
Disaster Mitigation or Mitigation shall refer to the lessening or limitation of the 
adverse impacts of hazards and related disasters. Mitigation measures include hazard- 
resistant structures as well as improved environmental, land use planning, climate change 
and other sectoral policies and public awareness;
t. 
Disaster Preparedness shall refer to the knowledge and capacities developed by 
governments, professional, professional response and recovery organizations, 
communities and individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from, the 
impacts of likely, imminent or current hazard events or conditions. It includes 
preparedness for response such as contingency planning, stockpiling of equipment and 
supplies, the development of arrangements for coordination, evacuation, and public
information, and preparedness for recovery such as procurement of land for resettlement 
sites.
u. 
Disaster Prevention shall refer to the intention to avoid, or the outright avoidance, 
of potential adverse impacts of disasters and related hazards through action(s) taken in 
advance. It expresses the concept and intention to completely avoid potential adverse 
impacts through action taken in advance such as construction of dams or embankments 
that eliminate flood risks, land-use regulations that do not permit any settlement in high-


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risk zones, and seismic engineering designs that ensure the survivai and function of a 
critical building in any likely earthquake;
V. Disaster Resilience shall refer to the ability of a system, community, or society 
exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate, adapt to, transform, and recover 
from the effects of a hazard and/or the long-term impact of climate change in a timely 
and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its essential 
basic structures and functions through risk management;
w. Disaster Response shall refer to the provision of emergency services and public 
assistance during or immediately after a disaster in order to secure and save lives, reduce 
health impacts, ensure public safety and meet the basic subsistence needs of the people 
affected. Disaster response includes disaster relief focused on immediate and short-term 
needs of the victims and the vulnerable.
X. Disaster Resilience Fund shall refer to the budget managed by the Department, 
which includes funds appropriated to it by Congress pursuant to an Appropriations Act, 
the Disaster Contingency Fund, and the Rehabilitation and Recovery Fund;
y. 
Disaster Risk shall refer to the potential disaster losses in lives, health status, 
livelihoods, assets and services that could occur to a particular community or society in 
the future, and is determined by a combination of the vulnerability, capacity, exposure of 
persons and assets, hazard characteristics and the environment.
z. 
Disaster Risk Governance shall refer to the way in which public authorities, civil 
servants, media, private sector, and civil society coordinate at community, national and 
regional levels in order to manage disaster and climate related risks. This means ensuring 
that sufficient levels of capacity and resources are made available to prevent, prepare 
for, manage and recover from disasters. It also entails mechanisms, institutions, and 
processes for citizens to articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights and 
obligations, and mediate their differences.
aa. Disaster Risk Management (DRM) shall refer to the systematic process of using 
administrative directives, organizations, and operational skills and capacities to implement 
strategies, policies and improved coping capacities in order to lessen the adverse impacts 
of hazards and the possibility of disaster;


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bb. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) shall refer to the prevention of new, and/or
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reduction of existing, disaster risk(s) and the management of residual risk, to enhance
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resilience to disasters;
cc. Eariy Warning System shall refer to an integrated system of hazard monitoring, 
forecasting and prediction, disaster risk assessment, and communication and 
preparedness activities and processes that enable individuals, communities, national 
government agencies, local government units, the private sector, and others to take 
timely action to reduce disaster risks and adequately prepare for disasters; 
dd. Eiigibie Assisting Actor refer to any assisting actor that has been determined 
to be eligible to receive legal facilities as provided for in this Act and/or its Implementing 
Rules and Regulations (IRR);
ee. Emergency shaW refer to an unforeseen or sudden occurrence, especially danger, 
demanding immediate and decisive action;
ff. Emergency Management shall refer to the organization and management of 
resources and responsibilities for addressing all aspects of emergencies, in particular 
preparedness, response and initial recovery steps;
gg. Environmentai Hazards- the hazards that may be chemical, natural, and biological, 
and can be created by environmental degradation or physical or chemical pollution in the 
air, water, and soil. However, many of the processes and phenomena that fall into this 
category may be termed drivers of hazard and risk rather than hazards themselves, such 
as soil degradation, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, salinization, and sea-level rise; 
hh. Exposure shall refer to the degree to which the elements at risk are likely to 
experience hazard events of different magnitudes;
ii. Geographic Information System (GIS) shall refer to a system used to capture, 
store, manipulate, manage and display all types of spatial or geographical data; 
jj. Geographicaiiy Isoiated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA) shall refer to areas with 
a marginalized population, which is physically and socio-economically separated from the 
mainstream society and characterized by physical factors—isolated due to distance, 
weather conditions and transportation difficulties (island, upland lowland, landlocked, 
hard to reach and underserved communities); and/or socio-economic factors—(highly


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poverty incidence, presence of vulnerabie sector, communities in or recovering from 
Situation of crisis or armed conflict);
kk. Geological or geophysical hazards shall refer to the hazards that originate from 
internal earth processes, such as earthquakes, volcanic activities and emissions, and 
related geophysical processes, which include mass movements, landslides, rockslides, 
surface collapses, and debris or mud flows. Hydrometeorological factors are important 
contributors to some of these processes. While tsunamis are triggered by undersea 
earthquakes and others geological events, they essentially become an oceanic process 
that is manifested as a coastal water-related hazard;
II. 
Hazards\\^W refer to a phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition that
may cause loss of life, injury or impacts to health; social and economic disruption, 
environmental damage, or loss of/disruption to property, livelihood, and/or services; 
mm. Historical landmarks shall refer to sites or structures that are associated with 
events or achievements significant to Philippine history as declared by the National 
Historical Institute or the applicable agency;
nn. Human-Induced Hazard shall refer to an event that is caused by humans and occur 
in or close to human settlements or a particular environmental area. This can include 
environmental degradation, technological or industrial conditions, pollution, accidents, 
e.g. high density events, industrial and transport accidents, complex emergencies, armed 
conflict, situations of generalized or organized violence, and violation of human rights;
00. Humanitarian assistance shall refer to financial, material or other similar forms of 
assistance to address the immediate needs of people affected by a natural disaster; 
pp. Hydrometeorological hazards shall refer to hazards that are of atmospheric, 
hydrological, or oceanographic origin, such as tropical cyclones (also known as typhoons 
and hurricanes); floods, including flash floods; drought; heat waves and cold spells; and 
coastal storm surges. Hydrometeorological conditions may also be a factor in other 
hazards such as landslides, wildland fires, iocust plagues, epidemics, and in the transport 
and dispersal of toxic substances and volcanic eruption material;
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qq. Impact and needs assessment shall refer to the assessment of the nature and 
magnitude of a disaster, its impact on affected populations, the type and extent of 
emergency, and the requirements for recovery and rehabilitation of affected area(s); 
rr. Immediate DangersUdW refer to a situation where, on the basis of official forecasts, 
it could reasonably be expected that a disaster will occur in a particular geographical area
and within an estimated period of time, and where necessary preparedness actions or 
financing are required;
ss. Integrated Disaster Resilience Information System shall refer to a specialized 
database, which contains, among others, information on disasters and their human, 
material, economic and environmental impact, risk assessment and mapping, and 
vulnerable and marginalized groups;
tt. 
International Disaster Relief and Initial Recovery Period shall refer to the period
that commences upon the issuance of a request for international disaster assistance or 
upon acceptance of an offer, and shall continue until terminated, pursuant to guidelines 
set in the implementing rules and regulations;
uu. 
Internally Displaced Persons shall refer to persons or groups of persons who have
been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence 
within national borders;
w. International Personnel shall refer to staff and volunteers of any assisting actor 
providing disaster relief or initial recovery assistance being persons who are neither
citizens of nor domiciled in the Philippines prior to their recruitment by the international 
assisting actor;
ww. Land Use Planning shall refer to the process undertaken by public authorities to 
identify, evaluate and decide on different options for the use of land, including 
consideration of long-term economic, social and environmental objectives and the 
implications for different communities and interest groups, and the subsequent 
formulation and promulgation of plans that describe the permitted or acceptable uses;
XX. Legal Facilities shall refer to entitlements and exemptions that are granted to 
Assisting Domestic or International Actors that are declared to be eligible pursuant to this 
Act and its implementing rules and regulations;


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yy. Local Disaster Resilience Rian (LDRP) shall refer to a document prepared by an 
LGU based on the National Disaster Resilience Framework (NDRF) and the National 
Disaster Resilience Plan and Investment Plan (NDRPIP) that sets out specific programs, 
objectives and goals to implement disaster risk management and climate change 
adaptation measures at the local level. The plan includes, among others, an evaluation 
and analysis of emerging disaster risks, hazards and vulnerabilities applicable to an LGU, 
and specific programs and activities to ensure responsive, effective, and appropriate 
disaster preparedness and managements at the local level;
zz. 
National Continuity Policy s\\a\\ refer to a comprehensive national policy consisting
of a set of programs and projects aimed at capacitating the government to ensure the 
continuity of governance and the delivery of public services during and after any disaster; 
aaa. National Disaster Resilience Framework {NDRF) shall refer to a framework that 
provides for a comprehensive, multi-sectoral, whole-of-government, and whole-of-society 
approach to attaining safe, adaptive, and resilient communities that can resist, prevent, 
mitigate against, absorb, accommodate, adapt to, recover, or build back better form the 
effects of a natural hazard in a timely and efficient manner through, among others, 
disaster risk reduction and management, and climate change adaptation and mitigation. 
The NDRF shall be composed of a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
Framework (NDRRMF), and National Framework Strategy on Climate Change (NFSCC); 
bbb. National Disaster Resilience Plan and Investment Program (NDRPIP) shall refer to 
a plan formulated and implemented by the national and local governments, in 
collaboration with NGOs, the private sector, academe, international development 
partners, and others, in accordance with the NDRF that sets out the outcomes, goals and 
objectives, priorities, programs and corresponding action plans for disaster risk reduction, 
preparedness, and management, and climate change mitigation. The NDRPIP shall also 
include, among others, goals, objectives and action plans for a national continuity
policy.—It shall be in conformity with the national disaster risk reduction and 
management framework.
ccc. Natural Hazard shaW refer to naturally occurring physical phenomena caused either 
by rapid or slow onset events, which can be geological (earthquakes, ground rupture.
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liquefaction, landslides, tsunamis, sinkholes, and volcanic activity), hydrological and 
meteorological (floods, sever winds, typhoons, storm surges), climatological variability 
(extreme temperatures, El Nino, La Nina, forest fires), or biological (disease, epidemics 
and insect/animal plagues);
ddd. Open Data shall refer to a set of data that can be freely used, shared and built-on 
by anyone, anywhere, for any purpose, it must be available in bulk, and should be 
available free of charge, or at least at no more than a reasonable reproduction cost. The 
information should be digital, preferably available by downloading through the internet, 
and easily processed by the end-user's computer. The data must permit people to use, 
re-use, and redistribute it, including intermixing it with other data sets and distributing 
the results. Lastly, it does not allow conditions to be places on how people can use such 
data but permit a data provider to require that data has been changed, or that any new 
datasets created using their data are also shared as open data; 
eee. Pre-Disaster Recovery Plan (PDRP) shall refer to a plan intended to help 
government officials working in small communities or across an entire nation, to define 
and follow a process to pre plan for disaster recovery, and thereby strengthen their own 
future recovery efforts and outcomes;
fff. Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) shall refer to a process to evaluate a hazard's 
level of risk given the degree of exposure and vulnerability in a specific area likely to be 
affected by an imminent hazard. It presents the possible impacts on the population and 
forms a basis to determine the appropriate level of response actions from the national 
level government agencies down to the local government units. It is hazard-specific, area 
focused, and time-bound;
ggg. Recovery s\\aW refer to rehabilitation measures that ensure the ability of affected 
communities or areas to return their normal level of functioning by restoring livelihoods 
and services, reconstruction of damaged infrastructures and increasing the communities' 
organizational capacity;
hhh. Rehabilitation shall refer to restoration of basic services and facilities for the 
functioning of a community or a society affected by a disaster;
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iii. Response shall refer to any effort to provide assistance or intervention during or 
immediately after a disaster to meet the life preservation and basic subsistence needs of
affected people and communities; and in the restoration of essential public activities and 
facilities;
jjj. Retrofitting shall refer to the reinforcement of upgrading of existing structures to 
make them more resistant and resilient to the damaging effects of hazards; 
kkk. 
Risk assessment shall refer to a methodology to determine the nature and extent
of risk by analyzing potential hazards and evaluating existing conditions of vulnerability 
that together could potentially harm exposed people, property, services, livelihood and 
the environment on which they depend;
III. Risk Transfer shall refer to the process of formally or informally shifting the 
financial consequences of particular risks from one party to another whereby a household, 
community, enterprise or state authority will obtain resources from the other party after 
a disaster occurs, in exchange for ongoing or compensatory social or financial benefits 
provided to that other party;
mmm. Safety stock shall refer to items, such as raw materials, component parts, or 
finished goods, maintained in inventory to reduce the risk that such item will be out of 
stock, in anticipation of unforeseen shortages or unusual demand for such items; 
nnn. Service Continuity shall refer to the capacity of a government instrumentality to 
continue delivering its mandated outputs and/or services to the public during and after a 
disaster;
000. State of Calamity shd\\ refer to a condition involving endangered to and/or loss of 
lives, damages to property, economic and/or social disruption, interruption and/or loss of 
livelihood and/or services, and destruction and/or damages to infrastructure as a result 
of natural disaster(s) or related hazard(s);
ppp. Simplified or Pre-Arranged ContractshdW refer to a written agreement in the nature 
of an option contract between the procuring entity on one hand, and the most responsive 
and lowest calculated bidder on the other, granting the procuring entity the option to
either place an order for any of the goods identified therein or not buy at all, within a 
given period of time;
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qqq. Sustainable Development sh^W refer to development that meets the needs of the 
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs; 
rrr. Volunteers shall refer to individuals, groups or entities that offer and/or provide
services or assistance, without compensation, to help people and/or areas affected by 
disasters;
sss. Vulnerabilityshd\\ refer to the conditions determined by physical, social, economic, 
organizational, and environmental factors or processes, which increase the susceptibility 
of an individual, a community, assets or systems to the impacts of hazards; 
ttt. Whole-of-Society Approach shall refer to an approach that encourages the 
meaningful the active participation and synergy of the different stakeholders of society 
toward ciimate change adaptation and mitigation, and disaster risk reduction and 
management at the national and local levels;
uuu. Whole-of-Government Approach shall refer to an approach that instills and fosters 
collaboration among all government instrumentalities both at the national and local levels 
toward shared sustainable development goals and outcomes; and 
vw. Whole-of-Nation Approach shall refer to an approach that seeks to bring about a 
concerted effort towards sustainable development, national peace and security by 
creating consensus and understanding of development and security that is shared not 
just among core security forces and oversight government institutions, but aiso by the
nation's stakeholders, e.g., government, civil society, private sector, and the 
communities.
ARTICLE II
THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE:
MANDATE, POWERS, AND FUNCTIONS
Sec. 4. Creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience. - There is hereby 
created the Department of Disaster Resilience, hereinafter referred to as the 
Department.
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The Department shall be the principal government institution responsible for 
ensuring safe, adaptive, and disaster-resilient communities. It shall lead, spearhead, 
initiate, and integrate the crafting and implementation of comprehensive, continuous, 
and strategic plans, programs, projects and activities to reduce the risk of all types of 
natural hazards and effects of climate change, and manage the impact of disasters with 
the primordial goal of saving lives and minimizing damage to property, in close 
collaboration with all relevant stakeholders at the national and local levels.
The Department shall oversee and coordinate the preparation, implementation, 
monitoring, and evaluation of disaster and climate resilience pians, programs, projects 
and activities, provide ieadership in the continuous development of strategic and 
systematic approaches to disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, 
recovery and rehabilitation and anticipatory adaptation strategies, measures, 
techniques, and options. It shali aiso manage and direct the implementation of national, 
local, and community-based disaster resiiience programs in coiiaboration with relevant 
national government agencies, LOUs, CSOs, and other stakeholders, as applicable.
Sec. 5. Powers and Functions of the Department - The Department shall exercise 
and perform the foilowing powers and functions:
Overali functions:
1. Craft the policies and lead the implementation of the programs, projects and 
activities necessary to reduce the country's vulnerabilities to naturai hazards and 
climate change, using the PDRP and the relevant climate change and DRR 
frameworks as anchors;
2. Review and build upon, to the extent necessary, the existing disaster resilience 
framework, pians and strategies in the crafting of an NDRF and the corresponding 
NDRPIP;
3. Oversee, review, and approve the translation, integration, and implementation of 
the NDRPIP into LDRPs;
4. Communicate and disseminate criticai information to heip the public prepare for, 
respond to, and recover from a disaster;
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5. Receive, manage, and administer the Disaster Resilience Fund, the Disaster 
Contingency Fund, donations and other funds, assets and/or properties received 
by the Department to accomplish the purposes of this Act;
6. Recommend to the President of the Philippines the declaration of a state of 
calamity due to a natural disaster, and the lifting thereof when conditions stabilize;
7. Direct any government entity to help ensure the attainment of the goals and 
objectives of this Act;
8. Advance the country's interests relating to disaster resilience and climate change 
in the regional and global arena;
9. Advise the President on matters concerning disaster resilience and make 
recommendations, as appropriate; and
10. Perform such other functions, as provided by law or assignment of the President, 
and undertake all other necessary actions to ensure the attainment of the overall 
goals and objectives of this Act.
Disaster Risk Reduction;
1. Develop coordinated national, regional, and local strategies for the effective 
prevention and mitigation of disaster risk resulting from natural hazards, including 
the effects of climate change;
2. Monitor and ensure the integration of disaster risk reduction and management, 
and climate change adaptation policies into national development plans;
3. Establish a disaster resilience information system to facilitate the creation of an 
integrated risk assessment platform built from the inputs of government and 
private scientific and academic institutions, national government agencies and 
local government units, local communities, and other stakeholders and that is able 
to provide readily accessible and actionable information for purposes of risk 
governance and humanitarian action;
4. Formulate plans and programs to establish and implement government 
redundancy, service and business continuity, and a National Continuity Policy, as 
a high priority and urgent undertaking;
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5. Ensure the use of advanced science and technology in anticipatory planning of 
communities against the impact of natural hazards and climate change through 
consultation, and employment with a regular department funding the academe or 
higher education institutions;
6. Develop and implement policies and programs related to the construction of new 
settlements or relocation of settlements in safe areas that shall, to the extent such 
policies and programs relate to disaster risk reduction, mitigation, prevention or 
building forward better, prevail over policies or decisions of other government 
departments, government agencies, government owned or controlled 
corporations, LGUs, and other government instrumentalities;
7. Design and implement an incentive system for greater private and public 
investment, both at the local and national levels, on disaster risk reduction;
8. Oversee and ensure the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation and disaster
risk reduction in development and land use planning, and the preparation of 
contingency plans;
9. Create an enabling environment that shall promote broader multi-stakeholder
participation for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and 
mitigation;
10. Communicate and disseminate critical information to help the public prepare for, 
respond to, and recover from a disaster;
11. Establish and monitor local and national capacity for disaster risk financing and 
insurance and other risk transfer strategies in coordination with the Department 
of Finance (DOF), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and the Land 
Bank of the Philippines (LBP), and the Insurance Commission;
12. Coordinate directly with local government units and private entities to address 
Disaster Risk Assessment (DRA) of regions and provinces at the meso-scale, cities 
and municipalities at the micro-scale, and barangays at the meta-scale;
13. Review and evaluate local disaster resilience plans and other local plans to ensure 
their consistency with the National Disaster Resilience Framework; and
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14. Undertake all other programs, projects, and actions necessary to attain the overall 
goals and intended outcome of this key result area.
Disaster Preparedness and Response
1. Lead, manage, and coiiaborate with the relevant government instrumentalities, 
non-government stakehoiders, and international partners in providing the 
minimum basic needs of people in affected areas before, during and/or 
immediately after a disaster to save lives and minimize casualties;
2. Ensure the efficient prepositioning of goods, maintenance, and disposal of safety 
stocks;
3. Prepare pre-disaster recovery plans in anticipation of future disasters by engaging
the community and pianning for recovery activities that are comprehensive and 
iong-term;
4. Establish a corps of first responders in partnership with national and local 
stakeholders, both public and private;
5. Formuiate standards for contingency pianning for adoption by both national 
government agencies and local government units;
6. Recommend to the President of the Philippines the declaration of a state of 
calamity due to a natural disaster, and the iifting thereof when conditions stabiiize;
7. Oversee and maintain a national early-warning and emergency aiert system that 
must provide a specific, areas-focused and time-bound warning that are accurate, 
timely, understandable and readily accessible to national and local emergency 
response organizations and the general public;
8. Implement Pre-Disaster Risk Assessments to include deployment of rapid 
assessment teams to gather information for precise actions as a basis for 
emergency preparedness and humanitarian response;
9. Coordinate information-sharing and other disaster risk reduction protocols 
following the principle of inter-operability among national government agencies 
and local government units;
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10. Establish and maintain a national humanitarian logistics system with a network of
warehouses, transport and resources, including response assets and disaster relief 
food and non-food items;
11. Call upon the relevant government instrumentalities, non-government 
stakeholders, CSOs, and international partners for assistance in ensuring the 
protection and preservation of life and property such as through the use of their 
resources and facilities, among others. This function includes the power to call on 
the reserve force as defined in Republic Act no. 7077 to assist in search and rescue, 
and the relief and disaster preparedness and response operations;
12. Organize, train, equip, and maintain a system of response capacity for search, 
rescue and retrieval and the delivery and distribution of relief goods;
13. Monitor and support LGUs in the management of evacuation centers and ensure 
the welfare and dignity of internally-displaced persons;
14. Procure goods and services prior to, during, and after emergencies for 
preparedness, response, and recovery activities, including those prompted by a 
declaration of a state of calamity or of an imminent disaster;
15. Issue special procurement rules and regulations, in close coordination with the 
Government Procurement Policy Board, for preparedness, response, and recovery 
activities, including those prompted by a declaration of a state of calamity or of an 
imminent disaster;
16. Assist in mobilizing necessary resources to increase the overall capacity of local
government units, specifically those with low income and situated in high-risk 
areas;
17. By the authority of the President, secure the assistance of the Armed Forces of the 
Philippines (APP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), DILG-Bureau of Fire 
Protection (BFP), DOTr-Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and other uniformed 
services in undertaking disaster preparedness and response operations in at-risk 
and/or disaster- affected areas; and
18. Undertake all other programs, projects, and actions necessary to attain the overall 
goals and intended outcomes of this key result area.
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Recovery and Building Forward Better;
1. Prepare, organize, lead, implement, and manage post-disaster assessment and 
recovery and rehabiiitation programs and plans, in coordination with the affected 
local governments units, national government agencies, and other stakeholders;
2. Establish a system that utilizes templates, exposure database, and other tools; and 
develop the Department's in-house capacity for the prompt and expedient 
preparation of rehabilitation plans, when needed, for disaster affected areas;
3. Prepare and implement the recovery and rehabilitation plan(s) for disaster affected 
areas;
4. Implement the cluster approach to expedite reconstruction efforts, e.g., post­
disaster shelter recovery, and orchestrate and serve as the clearinghouse for the 
participation of assisting actors in such efforts;
5. Coilaborate with relevant government agencies and non-government stakeholders 
in undertaking programs and projects to restore and/or generate livelihood and 
entrepreneurial activities and opportunities in disaster-affected areas;
6. Ensure that the principle of Building Forward Better, not mere restoration, is 
applied to all recovery, reconstruction, and rehabiiitation efforts; and
7. Undertake all other programs, projects, and actions necessary to attain the overali 
goals and intended outcomes of this key result area.
Other Powers and Functions;
1. Constitute, cail, convene and/or deputize agencies of government, and invite non­
government and private organizations, to assist, advise, and/or coordinate with 
the Department to achieve the goals and purposes of this act;
2. Provide operating guidelines to the LDROs for the Declaration of Imminent Disaster 
in their respective areas, which shall allow them to implement preemptive 
measures and use their quick response funds in order to save lives and minimize 
damage to property, loss of livelihood, and other assets;
3. Estabiish and monitor local and national capacity for disaster risk financing and 
insurance and other risk transfer strategies in coordination with the DOF, GSIS, 
LBP, and the Insurance Commission;
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4. Coordinate information-sharing and other disaster risk reduction protocols 
following the principle of inter-operability among National Government Agencies 
and Local Government Units, before, during, and after a disaster;
5. Administer, mobilize, monitor, and oversee the utilization of disaster resilience- 
related funds, including, but not limited to, the National Disaster Resilience Fund 
and the Supplemental Disaster Resilience Support Fund for low income provinces, 
cities, and municipalities, and multi-hazard local government units;
6. Inspect and examine the status of projects, programs, and activities undertaken
by national government agencies and local government units in furtherance of 
disaster resilience efforts;
7. Whenever it becomes necessary, to save lives and/or minimize damages to 
livelihood and property, assume supervision over the implementation of any 
government program, project, or activity in anticipation of, during, and in the 
aftermath of a disaster;
8. Negotiate, enter into, institutionalize, and coordinate arrangements with any 
private person or entity for the purpose of ensuring the adequate and prompt 
availability of goods and services necessary in anticipation of, during, and in the 
aftermath of disasters;
9. Manage all funds appropriated to it by law and from other sources, including all 
donations and grants received by it;
10. Promulgate rules and regulations for the receipt, management, and accounting of 
donations that are consistent with the rules of the Commission on Audit (COA) on 
the use of foreign and local aid during calamities and disasters;
11. Receive humanitarian assistance from local and foreign sources, recommend the 
acquisition of developmental assistance for the purpose of disaster resilience, 
acknowledge and certify the receipt of all humanitarian assistance, and ensure 
their judicious use and management;
12. Establish and operate a platform, including an online platform, to monitor and
provide public access to infon-nation on humanitarian assistance received by the 
Department;
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13. Secure the assistance of the AFP. PNP, DILG- BFP, DOTr-PCG, and other uniformed 
services and government instrumentalities to ensure the attainment of the three 
key result areas, and the overall goals and objectives of this Act;
14. In consultation with the COA, promulgate rules and regulations for the retention, 
re- exportation, donation, and disposition of unused goods and equipment after 
the termination of disaster relief and initial recovery operations;
15. Assist appropriate national government agencies and offices and concerned local 
government units in protecting national cultural heritage including national 
treasures and national historical landmarks, sites or monuments from hazards and 
disasters; and
16. Perform such other functions, as provided by law or assignment of the President, 
and undertake the necessary actions to ensure the attainment of the overall goals 
and objectives of this Act.
ARTICLE III
EMERGENCY MEASURES 
Sec. 6. Emergency Measures. -
a. The Department shall undertake and implement such immediate measures 
as may be necessary to ensure the protection and preservation of life or 
property in anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of emergencies, 
hazards and disasters, including preemptive and forced evacuations.
Local government units shall enact an ordinance on and implement necessary 
and appropriate emergency measures, including preemptive and forced 
evacuations, to ensure the protection and preservation of life or property in 
anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of disasters.
It shall be mandatory for Local Government Units to provide evacuation 
centers, with due consideration to the capacity of local facilities, when 
requested by the Department, in anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath 
of emergencies, hazards and disasters. In providing such evacuation centers,
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due regard shall be given to the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, 
respecting the dignity and culture of persons, observing equality, and using 
proportionate force in implementing such emergency measures.
Preemptive evacuation shall be the preferred as the primary mode of moving 
people that will be affected by disasters.
Forced evacuation shall be considered as an emergency measure of last resort, 
and shall be carried out by the affected local government unit, pursuant to a 
duly issued order by the local chief executive: Provided, That in case of the 
failure of the local chief executive to issue such an order, the forced evacuation 
shall be implemented by the Department, which may direct and compel the 
assistance of law enforcement and other relevant government agencies to 
implement such measure.
Any person who willfully and deliberately disregards or disobeys a preemptive 
or forced evacuation implemented by the local government unit or the 
Department, as the case may be, releases such local government unit or the 
Department from any liability for injury, death, damage to, or loss of property 
due to such disobedience.
b. Whenever necessary, the Department may recommend to the President the 
calling out of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to prevent or suppress lawless 
violence occurring before, during, and in the aftermath of disasters.
b. The Department may ration the distribution of basic goods in critical shortage, 
and/or restrict or ban the transfer of such goods outside the area covered by 
the emergency measure.
b. The Department may temporarily take over or direct the operation of any 
private utility or business for urgent public purpose in anticipation of, during, 
and in the aftermath of emergencies, hazards, and disasters and only when 
there is imminent danger of loss of lives and/or damage to property, subject 
to the payment of just compensation.
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b. Local government units shall likewise enact the abovementioned emergency 
measures including preemptive and forced evacuations, to ensure the 
protection and preservation of life or property in anticipation of, during, and in 
the aftermath of disaster.
b. With the concurrence of the DOF, the Department shall recommend to the 
Monetary Board the deferment of payment for monetary debts of LGUs and/or 
private entities that have been affected by disasters
ARTICLE IV
ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
Sec. 7. The Secretary. - The Department shall be headed by the Secretary of 
Disaster Resilience, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, who shall be appointed by 
the President, subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.
The Secretary shall preferably have a solid background in any of the scientific, 
engineering, and public management fields relevant to resilience to natural hazards and 
climate change; and demonstrated managerial acumen.
Sec. 8. Powers and Functions of the Secretary. - The Secretary shall exercise the 
following powers and functions:
a. 
Establish and promulgate policies, rules, and regulations for the effective and 
efficient operation of the Department and implement these to carry out its mandate, 
functions, programs, and activities;
b. 
Exercise executive direction over the operations of the Department and 
administrative supervisions over its attached agencies;
c. 
Exercise control and supervision over all functions and activities of the Department 
and its officers and personnel;
d. 
Appoint officers and employees of the Department, except those whose
appointments are vested in the President, in accordance with civil service law, rules, and 
regulations;
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e. 
Exercise disciplinary authority over officers and employees of the Department in 
accordance with law, and investigate such officers and employees, or designate a 
committee or officer to conduct an investigation;
f. 
Manage the financial, human, and other resources of the Department;
g. 
Collaborate with other government agencies, the private sector, and civil society
organizations on the policies, programs, projects, and activities of the Department, as 
may be necessary;
h. 
Advise the President on the promulgation of executive and administrative
issuances and the formulation of regulatory and legislative proposais on matters 
pertaining to disaster resiiience;
i. 
Represent the Philippines and articulate the national contribution to global, 
regional, and other inter-governmental disaster risk reduction and humanitarian 
platforms, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs; and
j. 
Perform such other funcBons as may be provided by law or assigned by the 
President.
Sec. 9. The Undersecretaries. -The Secretary shall be assisted by at least four (4) 
Undersecretaries, who shall be responsible for the following funcHonal areas, including 
the establishment of a robust and responsive ICT system to effectively support the 
mandate and operations of the Department:
a. 
Disaster Risk Reduction - the formulation, adoption, and implementation of policies 
and programs to reduce existing and future disaster risks to minimize ioss and damage 
to lives and properties, inciuding the formulation of the required policies and programs in 
the NDRF and relevant national investment plans;
b. 
Disaster Preparedness and Response - the implementation of projects and 
programs to prepare and respond to disasters, including the enhancement of capabilities 
of iocal government units, the development of a database of exposure or elements at risk 
per area and database of volunteers, the establishment of safe and strategic evacuation
centers, and the impiementation of responsive and efficient prepositioning and 
distribution of goods;
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c. 
Recovery and Building Forward Better - the formulation and implementation of 
rehabilitation plans for disaster-affected areas and ensuring the implementation of 
disaster recovery and rehabilitation measures, such as post-disaster shelters and 
livelihood projects, in collaboration with relevant government agencies, local government 
units, and other stakeholders; and
d. 
Support to Operations - the formulation and implementation of policies, programs, 
projects, and activities to ensure the efficient, effective, and responsive performance of 
the Department's mandate, powers, and functions. Support to operations includes 
knowledge management, institutional development and planning, finance, administration, 
and human resources management.
The Undersecretaries shall have operational control and supervision over the 
bureaus, divisions, offices, and units assigned to their respective functional areas.
Sec. 10. The Assistant Secretaries and Directors. - The Department shall have 
such number of Assistant Secretaries and Directors as may be necessary for the effective 
and efficient implementation and performance of its mandate, powers, and functions.
Sec. 11. Qualifications. - All the Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and 
other officials of the Department shall preferably be specialists and have a good track 
record in any of the following fields, as applicable to their mandated key result areas 
and functions: disaster risk reduction and management, science and technology, 
environmental science or management, urban planning, civil engineering, public finance, 
information and communications technology, logistics management, mass 
communication, among other fields directly relevant to ensuring the country's disaster 
resilience. The appointing authority and other responsible officials shall ensure that the 
Department's human resources possess the competencies, skills, behavioral attributes, 
training and experience necessary for them to become efficient, effective, and 
responsive in performing their functions and contribute to the attainment of the overall 
goals and delivery of the intended outcomes of this Act.
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Sec. 12. Structure and Staffing Pattern. -The Department shall determine its 
organizationai structure and staffing pattern and create such services, divisions, and 
units, as It may require or deem necessary, subject to the approval of the Department 
of Budget and Management.
Sec. 13. Regional Disaster Resilience Offices. - The Department shall establish 
and maintain Regional Disaster Resilience Offices (RDROs) in each administrative 
region, to be headed by a Regional Director. The Department shali create poiicies and 
programs to establish collaboration and coordination among the different RDROs.
Sec. 14. Powers and Functions of RDROs. -The RDROs shall have the following 
powers and functions:
a. 
Review the LDRPs and Provincial DRPs of LGUs within its jurisdiction, and require 
the amendment of such LDRPs and/or Provincial DRPs if necessary, to ensure compliance 
with the NDRF and relevant national investment plans;
b. 
Monitor and direct LDROs and PDROs to implement their respective LDRPs and 
PDRPs;
c. 
Recommend to the appropriate local legislative body the enactment of ordinances 
to implement the LDRP, NDRF and relevant national investment plans at the city, 
municipal or provincial level, and to comply with other requirements of this Act;
d. 
Review reports on the utilization of the LDRF and other disaster risk and
management resources of LGUs within its jurisdiction, and give recommendations, as 
necessary;
e. 
Disburse to, and monitor the use by, LGUs of funds granted by the Department 
pursuant to this Act and its IRR;
f. 
Provide, upon the request of LGUs or unilaterally at its own discretion, assistance 
to LGU(s) within its jurisdiction as necessary to ensure the implementation of 
LDRPs/Provincial LDRPs, NDRF and relevant national investment plans, and to render 
efficient and timely disaster preparedness, response and recovery measures;
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g. 
Identify and report to the Department issues and problems relating to, or affecting, 
the disaster resilience of LGUs within its jurisdiction, and make recommendations to the 
Department and/or to the LGUs to address such issues or problems;
h. 
Formulate and establish mechanisms to mobilize and direct LDROs and PDROs 
within its jurisdiction as necessary for disaster preparedness and response at the regional 
level;
i. 
Establish and maintain, in coordination with the Department, a Regional Command 
and Control Center (RCCC), which includes, among others, an information management 
system at the regional level, which consolidates and integrates information from the 
provinces, cities and municipalities within its jurisdiction, a multi-hazard early warning 
and communications system, and a monitoring system that enables the RDRO to oversee, 
supervise, monitor and respond to the needs of LGUs within its jurisdiction in relation to 
disaster resilience activities;
j. 
Assist in the implementation, of rehabilitation plan(s) for LGUs within its coverage: 
and
k. 
Conduct other activities and act on other matters, in accordance with policies and 
procedures of the Department and applicable laws, to achieve the purposes of this Act.
Sec 15. Special Disaster Response Teams. — The RDROs may organize and/or 
activate Special Disaster Response Teams (SDRTs) to assist LGUs in responding to 
hazards and disasters that are beyond their capacities, as deemed necessary.
Sec. 16. Local Disaster Resilience Offices. - The Local Disaster Risk Reduction 
Management Offices in provinces, cities, and municipalities are hereby renamed as the 
Provincial, City, and Municipal Disaster Resilience Offices, respectively, and shall 
collectively be called the Local Disaster Resilience Offices (LDROs). Provincial, city, and 
municipal governments shall establish their respective LDROs.
The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees are hereby 
renamed as the Barangay Disaster Resilience Committees (BDRC).
All Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils are hereby abolished.
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The LDROs shall be under the control and supervision of the provincial governor 
or the city or municipal mayor, as the case may be. The budgetary requirements for 
personal services, maintenance and other operating expenditures, and capital outlay of 
the LDROs shall be sourced from the General Fund of the local government units 
concerned: Provided, That, the personal services limitations under Section 325(a) of 
Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, shall 
not apply in relation to the creation and appointment of at least five (5) positions in the 
LDROs. Other maintenance and operating expenditures and the capital outlay 
requirements of LDROs in the implementation of disaster risk reduction management and 
ciimate change adaptation programs shall be charged to the Local Disaster Resiiience 
Fund of locai government units.
Sec. 17. Local Disaster Resilience Officer. -The LDRO shall be headed by a full­
time Local Disaster Resilience Officer, who shall have a regular plantilla position and shail 
be appointed by the local chief executive: Provided, That the qualifications standards 
pertaining to experience and training set by the Civil Service Commission for the position
may be waived by the Department in exceptional cases upon the request of the local 
chief executive.
Sec. 18. Powers and Functions of City and Municipal Disaster Resilience Offices -
The City and Municipal Disaster Resilience Offices shall have the following powers and 
functions:
a. 
Formulate and implement, in coordination with the Department, a comprehensive 
and integrated Local Disaster Resilience Plan in accordance with the NDRF and the 
relevant national investment plans;
b. 
Design, program, coordinate, and implement disaster resilience activities 
consistent with the standards and guidelines provided by the Department, and implement 
the NDRF and the relevant national investment plans at the city or municipal level;
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c. 
Prepare and submit to the Sangguniang Panglungsod or Bavan, as the case may
be, the LDRP, the proposed programming of the LDR Fund, other dedicated disaster 
resilience resources, and other funds of the LDRO;
d. 
Recommend to the Sangguniang Panglungsod or Bavan, as the case may be, the 
enactment of ordinances to implement the LDRP, NDRF, relevant national investment 
plans, and the provisions of this Act;
e. 
Prepare and submit to the Department a report on the utilization of its Local 
Disaster Resilience Fund and other disaster risk reduction and management resources;
f. 
Establish and maintain, in coordination with the Department, an information 
management system within the LGU, which, among others, consolidates and includes 
local risk Information (such as natural hazards, profile of the LOU's vulnerable or 
marginalized groups), local risk maps, and a disaggregated database of human resource, 
equipment, services, resources, directories and location of critical infrastructures with 
their capacities (such as hospitals and evacuation centers);
g. 
Operate and maintain, in coordination with the Department, a multi-hazard early
warning and communications system to provide accurate and timely information to the 
public;
h. 
Organize and conduct training and knowledge management activities on disaster 
resilience at the local level, in coordination with the Disaster Research, Education, and 
Training Institute;
i. 
Recommend to the local chief executive the procurement of emergency works, 
goods, and services in compliance with the regulations, orders, and policies of DBM and 
Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), to implement the LDRP or support early 
recovery and post-disaster activities;
j. 
Recommend, in coordination with the DOF and other relevant agencies, to the 
local chief executive, access to foreign loans to finance projects, programs, and policies 
for disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation, subject to terms and 
conditions agreed upon by the local government unit and the lender;
k. 
Monitor and mobilize instrumentalities and entities of the LGU and its partner LGUs, 
CSOs, private sector, organized volunteers, and sectoral organizations for disaster
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resilience activities, in accordance with policies and procedures of the Department and 
applicable laws;
l. 
Coordinate and provide the necessary support or assistance to the Department in
the implementation of rehabilitation plan(s) within the city or municipality covered by the 
LDRO;
m. 
Coordinate with the Department, other government agencies, members of the 
private sector and other stakeholders in the LGU to establish a Business Continuity Plan 
as part of their LDRP's disaster preparedness measures;
n. 
Establish linkage/network and coordination mechanisms with other LGUs and the 
Department for disaster resilience activities and to achieve the purposes of this Act; and 
0. Conduct other activities and act on other matters, in accordance with policies and 
procedures of the Department and applicable laws, to achieve the purposes of this Act.
Sec. 19. Powers and Functions of the Provincial Disaster Resilience Offices. —The
Provinciai Disaster Resilience Offices shall have the following powers and functions:
a. 
Formulate and implement, in close coordination with the Department and the local 
government units under the jurisdiction of the provincial government, a comprehensive 
and integrated Provincial Disaster Resilience Plan in accordance with the NDRF;
b. 
Review the LDRPs of cities and/or municipalities within its jurisdiction, and require
the amendment of such LDRPs if necessary, to ensure compiiance with the Provincial DRP 
and the NDRF;
c. 
Design, program, coordinate, or implement disaster resilience activities consistent 
with the standards and guidelines provided by the Department, and implement the NDRF 
and the relevant national investment plans at the provincial level;
d. 
Prepare and submit to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the Provincial DRP, the 
proposed programming of the province's Local Disaster Resilience Fund, other dedicated 
disaster resilience resources, and other funding sources of the PDRO;
e. 
Recommend to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan the enactment of local ordinances 
to implement the Provincial LDRP, NDRF and relevant national investment plans at the 
provincial level, and to comply with other requirements of this Act:
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f. 
Prepare and submit to the Department, a report on the utilization of the province's
Local Disaster Resilience Fund and other disaster risk reduction and management 
resources;
g. 
Establish and maintain, in coordination with the Department, a Provincial 
Command and Control Center (PCCC), which includes, among others, an information 
management system at the provincial level, which consolidates and integrates information 
from the cities and/or municipalities within its jurisdiction, a multi-hazard early warning 
and communications system that is connected with the cities and/or municipalities within 
Its jurisdiction, and a monitoring system that enables the PDRO to oversee, supervise,
monitor and respond to the needs of cities and/or municipalities within its jurisdiction in 
relation to disaster resilience activities;
h. 
Recommend to the Provincial Governor the procurement of emergency works, 
goods, and services in compliance with the regulations, orders, and policies of DBM and
GPPB, to implement the provincial LDRP or support early recovery and post-disaster 
activities of the PDRO;
i. 
Recommend, in coordination with the DOF, to the Provincial Governor to access 
foreign loans to finance its policies, programs, projects, and activities for disaster 
preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation, subject to terms and conditions 
agreed upon by the Provincial Government and the lender;
j. 
Formulate and establish mechanisms to mobilize and direct LDROs within its 
jurisdiction as necessary for disaster preparedness and response at the provincial level;
k. 
Coordinate and provide the necessary support or assistance to the Department in
the implementation of rehabilitation plan(s) within the cities and/or municipalities covered 
by the PDRO; and
l. 
Conduct other activities and/or act on other matters, in accordance with policies
and procedures of the Department and applicable laws, to achieve the purposes of this 
Act.
Sec. 20. Service continuity of the Department -To ensure service continuity, the 
Department and its regional and attached offices shall be established in a reasonably
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resilient location; and/or undertake the necessary interventions to make its offices and 
systems disaster- resilient.
ARTICLE V
WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT AND WHOLE OF NATION APPROACH
Sec. 21. Synergy with Stakeholders. - The Department shall ensure seamless 
synergy and coordination with stakeholders, including national government agencies, 
local government units, government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), CSOs, 
the academe, and the private sector, in relation to disaster resilience programs and 
projects and the development and promotion of research, education, and training 
mechanisms. The Department shall establish a platform, paradigm, and mechanisms for 
convergence and coordination with stakeholders, including the development of standards, 
protocols, and procedures for seamless collaboration for disaster resilience.
Sec. 22. Establishment of Multi-Stakeholders comergence Unit. -The Department, 
wrth the assrstance of other relevant government agencies and stakeholders, shall 
establish a Multi-Stakeholders Convergence Unit (MSCU), which shall closely engage the 
private sector, CSOs, academe, and other non-government stakeholders and strengthen 
public-private collaboraHon towards disaster resilience by way of the following 
interventions, among others:
a. 
Implementation of business continuity practices to ensure the continued delivery 
of products and services, in the event of disasters;
b. 
Crafting and implementation of a National Continuity Policy to ensure government 
service continuity during and after emergencies and disasters, and ensure the quick 
return of government to full operations;
c. 
Establishment, incorporation, and application of business continuity plans as part 
of the LDRPs of LGUs;
d. 
Facilitation or assistance in obtaining and/or processing incentives for the private 
sector and other non-government stakeholders, such as but not limited to tax credits;
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e. 
Preparation and facilitation of the issuance of special rules for Micro, Small and 
Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) such as, but not limited to, mechanisms involving 
procurement and liquidity to create enabling environments for disaster preparedness, 
recovery and building forward better; and
f. 
Formulation of investment programs for disaster affected areas in partnership with 
the private business sector and civil society organizations.
The MSCU shall establish a platform that includes, among others, a database for 
monitoring and coordinating efforts and resources of stakeholders.
Sec. 23. Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders. -The commitment, goodwill, 
knowledge, experience and resources of relevant stakeholders are critical to realize a 
safer, adaptive, resilient and inclusive Filipino community. Citizens have the shared vision 
and duty to provide support to the State in the implementation of policies and programs,
particularly the Disaster Resilience Framework and Disaster Resilience Plan at the 
national, regional and local levels.
a. 
Civil society, non-governmental organizations, international non-govemmental 
organizations, private sector, practitioners, and volunteers shall participate, in 
collaboration with public institutions, in the exchange of information, learnings, and 
guidance on disaster resilience. The Department shall encourage and institutionalize their 
engagement in the implementation of local, regional, national, and global plans and 
strategies: enhance public awareness and promote a culture of disaster resilience;
b. 
The women, children, and youth, as agents of change, shall endeavor to contribute 
actively and participate in disaster resilience trainings and information dissemination;
c. 
Senior citizens, and persons with disabilities shall contribute their knowledge and 
experience on disaster preparedness and resiliency;
d. 
Indigenous peoples and Muslim Filipinos shall share their traditional knowledge 
and practical experience on disaster resiliency;
e. 
Urban and rural poor, and migrants shall participate in building resilient 
resettlement communities;
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f. 
Emergency responders and volunteer organizations shali contribute to resilience 
by promptly and efficiently responding to disasters and emergencies consistent with the 
policies of the Research, Education and Training Institute of the Department;
g. 
Academia, scientific and research entities, and networks are encouraged to 
undertake relevant research on disaster resiliency in partnership with the Department 
and other stakeholders for better decision-making;
h. 
The private sector is encouraged to integrate disaster resiliency projects and 
programs in their corporate social responsibility initiatives; and
i. 
The media shall provide prompt and accurate information to the public on early 
warning systems, natural hazards, and disaster resilience activities of the Department.
Sec. 24. Disaster Resilience Assembly. -The Department, with the assistance of 
RDROs, shail establish and convene a Disaster Resilience Assembly (DRA), at the regional 
and national level, which will be held on a semestral basis, or as frequently as necessary 
to ensure the proactive engagement of the reievant government and non-government 
stakeholders, such as the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), League of 
Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), CSOs, academe, DRRM practitioners, the private 
sector, and the national government agencies, among others, to ensure effective 
coilaboration towards achieving the goals of this Act.
The LGUs may convene iocal DRAs within their jurisdictions, as necessary for the 
attainment of disaster resilience at the local level.
Sec. 25. Inter-operabiUty of Systems. - The Department shall establish 
mechanisms to ensure the inter-operability of systems among government agencies, and 
to allow access of agencies to the IDRIS (Integrated Disaster Resilience Information 
System). It shall develop protocols to allow real-time access to information by 
government agencies in relation to natural disasters and the implementation of disaster 
resilience measures.
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Sec. 26. National organization Of all Local Disaster Resilience Officers. - There 
shall be a national organization of all local disaster resilience officers for the primary 
purpose of:
a. 
Developing capacity, and exchanging knowledge, experiences, and best practices 
concerning local government disaster resilience;
b. 
Fostering inter-operability of the local disaster resilience offices' systems; 
Facilitating inter-LGU cooperation and collaboration;
c. 
Providing inputs and feedback to the Department on resilience concerns at the 
local level; and
d. 
Enhancing synergy in other areas of common concern.
ARTICLE VI
MAINSTREAMING, INTEGRATION AND CONVERGENCE 
OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
Sec. 27. Integration of DRR and Climate Change Adaptation in the National 
Disaster Resilience Framework and Disaster Resilience Rian. - The existing NDRRM 
Framework and Plan, and the National Climate Change Strategic Framework and Plan 
shall be integrated and harmonized into the NDRF and the NDRPIP. The NDRF and 
NDRPIP shall be reviewed and updated every three (3) years.
Sec. 28. Ecosystem-Based Approach to Prevention and Mitigation, Rehabiiitation 
and Recovery from Disasters. - The Department shall ensure the application of 
ecosystems-based approaches in disaster risk reduction, particularly through ecosystem 
management and restoration as defined in this Act, and ensuring that environmental and 
natural resource policies are risk-informed.
ARTICLE VII
NATIONAL DISASTER OPERATIONS CENTER, ALTERNATIVE COMMAND CENTER, AND
RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE
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Sec. 29. National Disaster Operations center. - The Department shall establish, 
within one (1) year from the approval of this Act, and act as the primary operator of, the 
Nationai Disaster Operations Center (NDOC), Aiternative Command and Control Centers 
(ACCCs), and a Disaster Resilience Research and Training Institute (DRRTI).
The NDOC is a physical center equipped with the necessary tools and systems to 
monitor, manage, and respond to disasters in all areas of the country. The NDOC shall 
also provide the necessary support for the overall coordination and implementation of 
emergency and disaster response measures throughout the country.
The ACCCs are command centers established in other locations as alternative or 
to provide supplemental support to the NDOC. The number and location of ACCCs shall 
be determined by the Department as may be necessary in each of the country's major 
island groups. Temporary ACCC may likewise be established by the Department, if 
necessary.
Sec. 30. DRRTI functions and inter-agency knowledge sharing. -The DRRTI shall 
be a platform for providing training, and for collecting, consolidating, managing, 
analyzing, and/or sharing knowledge and information to improve and/or enhance disaster 
resilience. The DRRTI shall:
a. 
Establish reliable and up-to-date IDRIS through close and seamless collaboration 
with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Information and 
Communications Technology (DICT), and other appropriate agencies;
b. 
Conduct disaster-related research programs, seminars, and trainings for all types 
of stakeholders;
c. 
Consolidate, organize and/or prepare training materials and publications;
d. 
Conduct other activities consistent with promoting the formation and dissemination 
of knowledge and information relating to disaster resilience and disaster management;
e. 
Estabiish a database that inciudes relevant information from other government 
agencies and third parties for the department to better prepare and respond to natural 
hazards including, but not limited to, an inventory of hazardous materials per area; and
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f. Consult and coordinate with, and consolidate information/data from, reievant 
government agencies, such as, but not limited to, DOST, LGUs and reievant CSOs to 
enhance the IDRIS and to promote knowledge sharing among ali stakeholders.
Sec. 31. Compliance and Accreditation of DRRTI with International Standards. - 
The Department shall strive to obtain certification from, and accreditation by, 
internationai accreditation bodies of the DRRTI to ensure DRRTI's compliance with 
international standards. The Department shall likewise ensure coilaboration with key 
countries and international organizations to incorporate best practices on disaster 
resilience in the Department's policies and programs.
ARTICLE VIII
INTEGRATION, MAINSTREAMING 
DISASTER RESILIENCE INFORMATION,
EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION CONVERGENCE
Sec. 32. Integrated Disaster Resilience Information System. - The Department 
shall establish a National and Regional Information Management System for Disaster 
Resiiience, which shall be a database of all relevant disaster risk reduction and climate 
change data, including a geographic information system on geo-hazard assessments and 
climate risk. It shall be the repository of current and multi- temporal information for wide- 
scale disaster risk analysis. The IDRIS shali be accessible at all times to the responsible 
officials and entities to enable the timely, reliable, and accurate collection, processing, 
anaiysis, and dissemination of information to support overall decision-making and 
effective coordination at both the national and sub-national level. The protocols and 
procedures for this shall be defined in the IRR of this Act.
Sec. 33. Disaster Resilience Education and Training. —To instill a culture of safety 
and security including emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency, the Department, 
in partnership with the public and private sectors shall encourage the inclusion of
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appropriate information on disaster resilience in their various training programs and 
immersion activities. The Information Education and Communication materials on disaster 
resilience shall be informative and holistic, gender, culture and disability sensitive using 
various available platforms.
ARTICLE IX
DISASTER RISK TRANSFER,
INSURANCE AND INCENTIVES
Sec. 34. Disaster Risk Transfer Insurance and Sociai Weifar^. -
a. 
The Department shall oversee all disaster risk-sharing and risk-transfer 
instruments and other related initiatives to ensure the protection of property and 
livelihood, both public and private.
b. 
The Department, in collaboration with the DOF, BSP, LBP, GSIS, and the Insurance 
Commission, shall create, establish, and implement, among others, disaster insurance 
pools, revolving funds, insurance and risk-transfer schemes and/or facilities, and other 
financial disaster resilience measures to ensure the protection of public and/or private 
properties and livelihood against the adverse effects of natural disasters. For this purpose, 
the Department and/or DOF may engage or require the participation of government 
banks, insurance agencies and financial institutions.
c. 
To attain disaster resilience and to achieve the purposes of this Act, the 
Department shall have the discretion and authority to require government agencies and 
GOCCs to insure their assets and/or properties such as, among others, vessels, vehicles, 
equipment, machineries, permanent buildings, properties stored therein, or properties in 
transit, against insurable risks and pay the premiums therefor, to compensate the 
Government and/or GOCC, as applicable, for any damage to, or loss of properties due to 
a natural disaster.
d. 
The Department shall endeavor the local government units to insure primary 
assets for unforeseen or contingent potential losses, damages and disruption from natural 
hazards chargeable against their respective Local Disaster Resilience Fund (LDRF).
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Sec. 35. Recognition and Incentives. —The Department, in partnership with the 
private sector, shall establish an incentives program that recognizes outstanding 
performance of LDRO, NGOs, CSOs, schools, hospitals, and other stakeholders in 
promoting and implementing significant disaster risk reduction management-climate 
change adaptation programs and innovations, and meritorious acts of individuals, groups 
or institutions during natural.
ARTICLE X
PREPAREDNESS AND INTEGRATED EARLY WARNING
Sec. 36. Standards for Disaster Preparedness Activities. -
a. 
The Department shall establish standards and protocols for disaster preparedness, 
contingency planning, localizing and operationalizing disaster risk reduction and 
management, preparedness for disaster response, preparedness for early recovery, 
continuity of essential services, and other relevant preparedness activities.
b. 
The LGUs shall identify safe and strategic sites, and establish evacuation centers 
with appropriate and adequate facilities in accordance with government-approved 
standards as provided under Republic Act No. 10821, otherwise known as 'The Children 
s Emergency Relief Protection Act", to avoid disruption of school classes and lessen the 
use of school buildings and facilities as evacuation centers.
The LGUs shall immediately compensate said schools used as evacuation centers. 
The schools may seek compensation for renovation, replacement, or repairs of damaged 
facilities for such use.
Sec. 37. Muiti-Hazard Eariy Warning and Risk communication Standards. -
a. 
There shall be a streamlined policy governing early warning systems and risk 
communication protocols to ensure effective and efficient measures to prepare for, 
respond to and recover from potential risks and disasters.
b. 
The Department shall formulate and implement multi-hazard early warning 
protocols integrating all disaster preparedness systems in collaboration with local
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executives, community-based organizations, civil society organizations, and other non­
governmental organizations for proper use and application.
Sec. 38. Early Warning Mandate. -
a. 
The Department shall issue an integrated early warning alert for the impending 
occurrence of hazards that will enable the public to prepare timely and act appropriately 
to minimize potential harm or loss.
b. 
The Department shall require mobile phone service providers to send out alerts at 
regular intervals in the event of an impending natural hazard, in accordance with Republic 
Act No. 10639, otherwise known as the "Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act".
c. 
The Department shall recognize and proactively support local or indigenous modes 
of early warning systems and allow open access to near real-time data from both local 
and international sources made available through various platforms such as websites, 
mobile apps, and social media to empower local communities and individuals.
d. 
Any person who transmits early warning concerning the abovementioned 
phenomena by means of signs in designs, colors, lights, or sound shali do so in 
compliance with the methods recognized or approved by the Department.
e. 
The Department at the national and local level shall use an integrated early 
warning system to ensure it is consistent and locaily contextualized with the 
communication protocol and safe evacuation procedure of the affected communities.
f. 
The Department shaii work with other agencies or organizations on pre-crisis 
information mapping of the humanitarian needs of at-risk Communities that wili enhance 
the overall prepositioning of resources at the national and local level.
g. 
The Department shall recognize and proactively support local or indigenous modes 
of early warning systems and allow open access to near real-time data from both iocal 
and international sources made available through various platforms such as websites, 
mobile apps, and social media to empower locai communities and individuals.
ARTICLE XI
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DISASTER RESPONSE AND EARLY RECOVERY
Sec. 39. Declaration of State of Calamity. - The Department shall declare a cluster 
of barangays, municipalities, cities, provinces, and regions under a state of calamity, and 
the lifting thereof, based on the criteria set by the Department.
The declaration and lifting of the state of calamity may also be issued by the local 
Sanggunian, upon the recommendation of the LDRO, based on the results of the damage 
assessment and needs analysis: Provided, That through the Department, the LDRO may 
seek from the local legislative body or Sanggunian, the declaration of a state of imminent 
disaster to enable the local executives to implement pre-emptive evacuation and 
precautionary measures in order to save lives and minimize damage to property, loss and 
disruption of livelihood that require the use of funds and resources under the LDRF.
Sec. 40. Levels of Responsibility for Disaster Preparedness and Response. -The 
primary responsibility for disaster preparedness and response shall be exercised at the 
local or national level, as applicable, in close and seamless collaboration with the relevant 
national government instrumentalities, non-government stakeholders, and international
partners. The four levels of responsibility and the conditions that warrant each are as 
follows:
LEVELS OF
RESPONSIBILITY
RESPONSIBLE
OFFICIALS
CONDITIONS
Level 1: City or
Municipality
Lead Official:
Mayor of the affected city 
or municipality
Support:
City or Municipal Disaster
Resilience Officer
If a disaster affects a single city
or municipality
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Level 3: Region
Lead Official:
Provincial Governor of the 
affected province
Support:
Provincial Disaster 
Resilience Officer
Municipal and/or City 
Disaster 
Resilience
Officers concerned
Lead Official:
Regional Director, DDR
Support:
Governors of affected 
provinces
Concerned 
Provincial
Disaster 
Resilience
Officers
If a disaster affects two or more 
municipalities and/or cities within 
a province
Level 4: National
Lead Official:
Secretary of Disaster 
Resilience (SDR)
Support:
Governors concerned
Disaster Resilience 
Officers concerned
a. 
If a disaster affects at
east two (2) regions;
b. 
When the LGU is unable to 
effectively cope with the risk 
and/or impact of a hazard; or
c. 
When the President 
directs a Level 4 response or 
declares a state of calamity.
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Sec. 41. Disaster Preparedness and Response in the NCR. - When at least two 
cities and/or municipality in the NCR are affected, the SDR shail be responsible for leading 
the disaster preparedness and response efforts, in collaboration with the affected LCDs,
the MMDA, and the concerned government instrumentalities and non-government 
stakeholders.
Sec. 42. Inter-Locai Government Assistance. - LGUs are hereby authorized to 
extend the necessary assistance to another LGU, whether through funding or donation of 
goods and/or services, and conducting disaster preparedness and response operations, 
to help save lives and minimize damage to property. These include the pre-positioning 
and provision of basic goods, training of first responders, among others, subject to the 
accounting and auditing rules to be defined in the IRR of this Act.
Sec. 43. Accreditation, Mobiiization, and Protection of Disaster Voiunteers and 
NationaiService Reserve Corps, CSOsandthePrivateSector. -The government agencies, 
CSOs, private sector and LGUs may mobiiize individuals or organized volunteers to 
augment their respective personnei complement and logistical requirements in the 
deiivery of disaster risk reduction programs and activities. The agencies, CSOs, private 
sector, and LGUs concerned shail take full responsibility for the enhancement, weifare 
and protection of volunteers, and shall submit the list of volunteers to the Department,
through the LDROs, for accreditation and inclusion in the database of community disaster 
volunteers.
A national roster of Accredited Disaster Resilience Volunteers and Institutions, 
National Service Reserve Corps, CSOs and the private sector shall be maintained by the 
Department through the LDROs. Accreditation shall be done at the municipal or city level.
The mobilization of volunteers shall be in accordance with this Act and 
implementing guidelines to be formulated by the Department. Any volunteer who incurs 
death or injury whiie engaged in any of the activities defined under this Act shail be
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entitled to compensatory benefits and individuai personnel accident insurance as may be 
defined in the IRR.
Sec 44. Reporting of Humanitarian Assistance. -The concerned local government 
unit shall submit a report to the Department, taking into account all domestic or 
international humanitarian assistance received and distributed within its area of 
responsibility.
ARTICLE XII
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
Sec. 45. Management of Humanitarian Assistance. -
a. 
The Department shall have the power to receive and manage humanitarian 
assistance from any person or entity, whether from local or international sources.
b. 
The importation by, and humanitarian assistance to, the Department of, among 
others, food, clothing, medical assistance, equipment, and materials for relief, recovery 
and other disaster management activities are hereby authorized in accordance with 
Section 105 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended, and the 
prevailing provisions of the General Appropriations Act covering national internal revenue 
taxes and import duties of national and local government agencies.
Sec. 46. Internationai Humanitarian Assistance. - The Department shall 
promulgate guidelines on international humanitarian assistance, including the initiation, 
entry, facilitation, transit, regulation and termination thereof, as well as those involving 
international disaster relief and personnel assisting international actors, visa waiver, 
recognition of foreign professionai quaiifications, entry of internationai disaster goods and 
equipment, and exemption from port duties, taxes, and restrictions.
Sec. 47. Assessment of the Need for Internationai Humanitarian Assistance. -
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a. 
Immediately after the declaration of a state of caiamity by the locai sanggunian of 
the relevant local government unit or by the Department, as the case may be, the 
Department shall determine whether domestic capacities are likely to be sufficient to 
attend to the needs of affected persons for international humanitarian assistance. Tbis
determination may also be made, at the discretion of the President, prior to the onset of 
an imminent disaster.
b. 
In the event of a determination by the Department that domestic response 
capacities are not likely to be sufficient due to the impact of the disaster, the Department
shall recommend to the President that a request be made for international humanitarian 
assistance.
c. 
A determination that domestic capacities are iikely to be sufficient and that 
international humanitarian assistance is therefore unnecessary may be reviewed and 
rescinded by the Department, with the approval of the President, at any time, in light of 
prevailing circumstances and available information.
Sec. 48. Humanitarian Assistance Action Center. -The Department shall create an 
inter-agency one-stop shop mechanism called the Humanitarian Assistance Action Center 
(HAAC) for the processing and release of entry and facilitation of goods, articles or 
equipment and senrices and internaHonal relief workers for the provision of international
humanitarian assistance and the processing of necessary documents for assisting 
international actors.
The Department shall lead and manage the HAAC, which shall be composed of the 
following:
a. 
Bureau of Customs;
b. 
Department of Foreign Affairs;
c. 
Department of Social Welfare and Development;
d. 
Department of Health;
e. 
Food and Drug Administration;
f. 
Department of Agriculture;
g. 
Department of Energy;
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Department of National Defense;
Philippine National Police;
Philippine Coast Guard; and 
Bureau of Immigration.
Sec. 49. Request for international Humanitarian Assistance.
a. 
In cognizance of the urgency, criticality and intensity of an imminent risk, the 
Department shall issue a flash appeal to the family of nations, under regional and 
multilateral conventions, for assistance in preparedness, including preemptive measures, 
search, rescue, and retrieval, relief, recovery, and reconstruction.
b. 
The President may request international humanitarian assistance, upon the advice 
of the Secretary. Such request may be specifically directed to particular assisting 
international actors or may be a general request directed to the international community.
Sec. 50. Regulation of Humanitarian Assistance. -
a. 
The Department shall ensure the efficient and effective monitoring of humanitarian
assistance from domestic or international donors, establish and operate a platform,
rncluding an online platform, to facilitate, and provide public access to information on 
donations.
b. 
The Department shall include in the IRR of this Act guidelines and accountabilities 
on the receipt, management, distribution, accounting, and reporting of all humanitarian 
assistance, whether in cash or in kind, consistent with the rules on the use of foreign and
local aid during calamities and disasters issued by the COA and other relevant government 
agencies.
ARTICLE XIII
OFFER AND FACILITATION OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE 
TO FOREIGN STATES
Sec. 51. Offer and Facilitation of International Humanitarian Assistance to Foreign 
States. - In the event of a disaster occurring in a foreign state for which international
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humanitarian assistance is required, the Department, in coordination with the DFA, may 
offer, facilitate, provide, and deploy international humanitarian assistance to said foreign
state, which shall be subject to guidelines to be promulgated by the Department for the 
purpose.
Sec. 52. Accreditation. - The Department, in coordination with 
relevant government agencies and organizations, shall provide and facilitate the 
necessary training and accreditation to the respective government personnel to be
deployed for such offer, facilitation and provision of international humanitarian assistance 
to a foreign state.
ARTICLE XIV 
RECOVERY
Sec. 53. Standards for Recovery. -The Department shall observe internationally 
accepted standards for recovery, planning, programming and implementation of the 
recovery process. Towards this end, the Department shall:
a. 
Improve the community's physical, social and economic resilience, consistent with 
the principle of "building forward better";
b. 
Use locally-driven, centrally-supported processes based on legal mandates with 
supplementary capacity support when requested;
c. 
Redirect development outside danger zones to minimize loss of lives and structures 
resulting from typhoons, flooding, landslides, and other hazards
d. 
Employ outcome-driven planning and implementation;
e. 
Maximize use of Private-Public sector partnership where possible;
f. 
Consider local conditions such as culture, security situation and existing capacities 
of communities in identifying programs and projects;
g. Ensure access to pubiic transport, physicai and mental health services,
markets, schools, sustainable livelihoods, and other public services in planning 
for settlement areas; and
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h. Ensure restoration of peace and order and recovery of government functions.
ARTICLE XV
REMEDIAL MEASURES UNDER STATE OF CALAMITY
Sec. 54. Declaration of State of Calamity. - A state of calamity may be declared 
when any of the following requisites are present:
a. A natural hazard, including climate change, poses imminent threat to 
human life and/or danger to property; or
b. A significant impact is caused by a natural hazard or climate change, which 
demands immediate action.
The following shall exercise this power, respectively:
a. 
The President, upon recommendation of the SDR, whether in whole or part of an 
area;
b. 
The SDR, upon recommendation of the RDRO, for disasters covering two or more 
provinces of the same region; and
c. 
The local sanggunian, upon recommendation of the concerned local disaster 
resilience office, within its jurisdiction.
Sec. 55. Remedial Measures understate of Calamity. - Upon the declaration of a 
state of calamity, the following remedial measures shall be immediately undertaken by 
concerned government agencies at the national and local levels:
Imposition of price ceiling on basic necessities and prime commodities by the Price 
Coordinating Council (PCC), as provided for under Republic Act no. 7581. otherwise 
known as the "Price Act", as amended by Republic Act no. 10623; 
b. Monitoring, prevention and control by the Local Price Coordination Council of
overpricing or profiteering and hoarding of prime commodities, medicines and petroleum 
products;
C. 
Programming or reprogramming of funds for the repair of critical facilities or public
infrastructures that are vital for the quick delivery of humanitarian assistance, to reduce
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further threat to lives and arrest further deterioration of properties and ioss of iiveiihoods 
in the affected communities, foilowing the "buiid fon^/ard better" principle;
d. 
Grant of no-interest loans by government financing or iending institutions to the 
most vulnerable and marginalized groups or individuals;
e. 
Local tax exemptions, incentives or reiiefs under such terms and conditions as may 
be deemed necessary by the affected locai government unit; and
f. 
Use of alternative modes of procurement under Articie XVI of this Act, by the 
Department, LGUs or the reievant government instrumentaiities in relation to the urgent 
procurement of emergency works, goods or services to effectively respond to, quickly 
recover from disasters, and build forward better.
ARTICLE XVI 
PROCUREMENT
Sec. 56. Procurement - In general, the procurement rules provided under 
Republic 31 32 Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the "Government Procurement Reform 
Act, shali apply. However, alternative modes of procurement as provided in this Act may
be resorted to by the Department, RDROs, or LGUs in any of the following emergency 
situations:
a. 
There is imminent danger to life or property during a state of calamity, as provided
under this Act, and the procurement is necessary to avert or reduce such danger to life 
or property; or
b. 
The procurement is necessary to restore vital public services, infrastructure 
faciiities and other public utiiities; or
c. 
Time is of the essence in implementing a project, program or activity to effectiveiy 
respond to a disaster and save lives or
d. 
There are other circumstances that require immediate procurement necessary to 
prevent damage to or ioss of life or property.
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Sec. 57. Alternative Modes qf Procurement - During emergency situations as
provided under this Act, the Department, RDROs or LGUs may resort to the following 
modes of procurement:
a. 
Direct negotiation under Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the 
"Government Procurement Reform Act", and its implementing rules and regulations;
b. 
Simplified or pre-arranged contracts such as, among others, pi«-slgned 
agreements, stand-by contracts, pre-arranged systems of procurement with a pte- 
approved list of contractors for construction projects, pre-negotiated contracts, advanced 
procurements contracts, and framework contracts. The parameters, requirements and 
conditions for these types of contracts shall be defined in this Act's IRR.
Sec. 58. Special Rules on Procurement for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of 
Affected Areas. -
a. 
The Department, with the assistance of, or in collaboration with, relevant 
government agencies, shall create special rules on procurement for services, goods, and 
materials to be used for reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in case of a natural 
disaster, including but not limited to, the construction of post-disaster shelters and 
provision of service contracts, to ensure the procurement of quality-oriented goods,
materials, and equipment and to guarantee effective, efficient, and speedy procurement 
to achieve the goals of this act.
b. 
In case of procurement of services, goods, or materials for reconstruction and 
rehabilitation efforts, whether from local or international sources, the Department and 
the relevant government agencies shail provide less bureaucratic restrictions, more 
flexible procurement policies, or exemption from, or reduction of, customs duties.
Sec. 59. Procurement from Qualified Suppliers or Contractas. - As an exception 
to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the "Government 
Procurement Reform Act", and its implementing rules and regulations, the Department 
shail have the power to procure goods and services from either local or foreign suppliers 
or contractors for purposes of implementing programs, projects, and activities reiated to
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disaster resilience and disaster management. The conditions, limitations, application 
processes, eligibility requirements and assessment criteria for local and foreign suppliers 
and contractors shall be provided in this Act's IRR.
Sec. 60. Pre-Arranged Contracts or Agreements with Private Sector Entiti^. -
Notwithstanding Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the "Government
Procurement Reform Act", the Department shall have authority to enter into pre-arranged
or contingency contracts or agreements with private sector entities for the purpose of,
among others, establishing, a logistics system for the efficient and prompt distribution of
goods, equipment or other materials required for disaster response and management;
securing food, medicines, fuel, or other supplies from groceries, pharmacies, gas stations
or other sources in the event of a disaster in a specific area; ensuring an alternative
source of power or water from private utilities in the event of a disaster in a specific area;
or other arranging the immediate supply of other goods, services or equipment necessary
for disaster response and management. The conditions, limitations and parameters of
contracts or arrangements authorized under this Section shall be provided in this Act's 
IRR.
Sec. 61. Other Procurement Ruies and Poiicies. - In view of the urgency and to 
avoid unnecessary delays to procure goods, services, and implement projects for the 
purpose of providing responsive, effective, and efficient rescue, recovery, relief, and 
rehabilitation efforts for, and to continue the provision of basic services to, disaster 
victims or disaster affected areas, the DBM and GPPB shall issue appropriate resolutions, 
orders, and policies to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 62. Government Accounting and Auditing Poiicies. - The COA shall review, 
align, and issue policies or rules to improve the efficiency and expediency of procurement
and audit processes for programs and projects related to disaster resilience and 
management.
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ARTICLE XVII
SPECIAL RULES ON BORROWINGS AND TAXES
Sec. 63. Rules on Borrowing. -The LGUs shall access foreign financing, through 
the DOF, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and other relevant agencies, as applicable,
to implement disaster prevention, mitigation, early recovery, and rehabilitation measures 
at the provincial, city, or municipal level.
Sec. 64. Special Rules on Tax and Duties. -To facilitate prompt, efficient and
effective response to, recovery from disasters, and building forward better in disaster-
affected areas, the following shall be granted special exemptions from existing taxation 
laws, rules, and regulations:
a. 
Exemption from taxes and import duties for foreign disaster assistance or 
international donations coursed through the Department;
b. 
Exemption from donor's tax and allowing the treatment of donations as a 
deductible expense for local disaster assistance coursed through the Department;
c. 
Exemption from the Value Added Tax (VAT) for goods or services donated from 
abroad as coursed through the Department;
d. 
Tax incentives to encourage members of the private sector to render aid or provide 
disaster assistance, and/or to invest in disaster resilience and climate change adaptation 
and mitigation measures for their residences, communities and/or businesses.
LGUs may also implement local tax rules that would grant disaster victims 
reasonable reduction, exemption, or deferment of local taxes or other types of tax
assessments; or take other necessary action at the local level to provide tax relief to 
disaster victims.
Sec. 65. Customs Duties and Tariffs on Donations. -The BOC shall create rules 
that would, among others, hasten the processing and release of donated goods and 
equipment to disaster victims and/or affected areas.
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Sec. 66. Economic Recovery and Development of Disaster-Prone Areas. - The 
Department, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other 
relevant agencies, shall craft policies, and implement the necessary programs and 
projects to stimulate economic activities and encourage investments to assist disaster- 
affected areas develop or recover faster, as applicable.
The Department, in collaboration with the relevant LGUs and other stakeholders, 
shall likewise establish dual purpose structures in disaster-affected areas, such as, among 
others, community agricultural centers, classrooms, and water harvesting tanks to 
develop and promote investments in disaster-prone or affected areas.
ARTICLE XVIII
PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES
Sec. 67. Prohibited Acts. -Any public official, private person, group or corporation
who commits any of the following prohibited acts shall be held liable and be subjected to
the criminal and administrative penalties as provided for in Section 71 of this Act, without
prejudice to the imposition of other criminal, civil and administrative liabilities under 
existing laws.
a. Prohibited Acts of Public Officials. - The following acts, if committed by public 
officials without justifiable cause, shall be considered as gross neglect of duty:
1. Dereliction of duties that leads to destruction, loss of lives, critical 
damage of facilities and misuse of funds;
2. Failure to enforce laws, standards, or regulations such as the National 
Building Code, Solid Waste Management Act, Water Code, and other
relevant laws, leading to destruction, loss of lives, and/or critical damage 
of facilities;
3. Failure to create a functional LDR Office within six (6) months from the 
approval of this Act;
4. Failure to appoint a permanent iocal disaster resilience officer within six 
(6) months from approval of this Act;
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b.
5. Failure to prepare and implement a Contingency and Adaptation Plan for 
hazards frequently occurring within their jurisdictions;
6. Failure to formulate and implement the LDRP with the corresponding 
budget allocation; and
7. Sexual exploitation and abuse and other forms of sexual misconduct on 
the affected population or at-risk communities.
Prohibited Acts of Public Officials and Private Persons or Institutions. -
1. Delay, without justifiable cause in the delivery, proper handling or 
storage of aid commodities, resulting to damage or spoilage; (2)
2. Withholding the distribution of relief goods due to (i) political or partisan 
considerations; (ii) discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, or 
gender; and (iii) other similar circumstances;
3. Preventing the entry and distribution of relief goods in disaster-stricken 
areas, including appropriate technology, tools, equipment, accessories, 
disaster teams or experts;
4. Buying, for consumption or resale, from disaster relief agencies any 
relief goods, equipment or other and commodities, which are intended 
for distribution to disaster-affected communities;
5. Buying, for consumption or resale, from the recipient disaster affected
persons any relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities received 
by them;
6. Selling of relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities, which are 
intended for distribution to disaster victims;
7. Forcibly seizing relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities 
intended for or consigned to a specific group of victims or relief agency;
8. Diverting or misdeliver/ of relief goods, equipment or other aid 
commodities to persons other than the rightful recipient or consignee;
9. Accepting, possessing, using or disposing relief goods, equipment or 
other aid commodities not intended for nor consigned to him or her;
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10. Misrepresenting the source of reiief goods, equipment or other aid 
commodities by:
1. Either covering, replacing or defacing the labels of the containers to 
make it appear that the goods, equipment or other aid commodities 
came from another agency or persons;
2. Repacking the goods, equipment or other aid commodities into 
containers with different markings to make it appear that the goods 
came from another agency or persons or was released upon the 
instance of a particular agency, person, or persons; and
3. Making false verbal claim that the goods, equipment or other and 
commodity in its untampered original containers actually came from 
another agency or persons or was released upon the instance of a 
particular agency, person, or persons;
11. Substituting or replacing relief goods, equipment or other aid 
commodities with the same items or inferior/cheaper quality;
12. Illegal solicitations by persons or organizations representing others as 
defined in the standards and guidelines set by the Department;
13. Deliberate use of false at inflated data in support of the request for 
funding, relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities for 
emergency assistance or livelihood projects;
M.Stealing, taking, or processing of any of the equipment, accessories and 
Other vital facility or items or any part thereof;
15. Selling or buying stolen equipment, accessories, and other vital facility 
items or any part thereof;
16. Tampering with or stealing hazard monitoring and disaster preparedness 
equipment and paraphernalia;
17. Attempting to commit any of the abovementioned prohibited acts; and
18. Benefitting from the proceeds or fruits of any of the abovementioned 
prohibited acts knowing that the proceeds or fruits are derived from the 
commission of said prohibited acts.
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Sec. 68. Penalties. -Any individual, corporation, partnership, association or other
juridical entity that commits any of the prohibited acts in the preceding section shall be 
made liable for the following:
a. 
The penalty of imprisonment of not less than twelve (12) years but not more than 
fifteen (15) years or a fine of not less than One Million Pesos (Php 1,000,000.00) but not 
more than Three Million Pesos (Php3,000,000.00), or both imprisonment and fine at the 
discretion of the court shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of violating 
subsections (a)(1) to (b)(16) of the preceding section, as well as the confiscation or 
forfeiture in favor of the government of the objects and the instrumentalities used in the 
commission of the prohibited acts;
b. 
The penalty of imprisonment of not less than six (6) years but not more than eight 
(8) years or a fine of not less than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 500,000.00) but 
not more than One Million Pesos (Php 1,000,000.00), or both imprisonment and fine at 
the discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon any person who attempts to commit
any of the prohibited acts in the preceding Section, in violation of Subsection (b)(17) 
thereof;
c. 
The penalty of imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than six 
(6) years or a fine of not less than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 200,000.00) but 
not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 500,000.00), or both imprisonment 
and fine at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of 
unlawfully benefiting from the proceeds or fruits of any of the prohibited in the preceding 
section, in violation of subsection (b)(18) thereof;
d. 
Aside from the penalty of fine or imprisonment or both, perpetual disqualification 
from public office shall be imposed if the offender is a public officer, along with the 
confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the government of the objects and the
instrumentalities used in the commission of any of the prohibited acts in the preceding 
section;
e. 
If the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, or other juridical entity, 
the penalty shall be imposed upon the officer or officers of the corporation, partnership.
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association or entity responsibie for the vioiation without prejudice to the canceliation or 
revocation of these entities' registration, license or accreditation issued to them by any 
licensing or accredited body of the government. If such offender is an alien, he or she
shall, in addition to the penalties prescribed in this act, be deported without further 
proceedings after service of sentence;
f. 
Payment of the full cost of repair or replacement of the government risk reduction 
and preparedness equipment, accessories and other vital facility Items, or any part 
thereof; which is the object of the crime shall likewise be imposed upon any person who 
shall commit any of the prohibited acts in the preceding Section; and
g. 
7,16 prosecution for offenses set forth under the preceding section shall be without
prejudice to any criminal liability for violation of Republic Act No. 3815, as amended, 
otherwise known as the "Revised Penal Code", and other existing laws, as well as the 
imposition of applicable administrative or civil liabilities.
Sec. 69. uabmty for Unlawful Performance of Duties and State Uablllty in case of 
Defense Litigation. - In case a lawsuit is filed against any personnel of the Department 
as a result of the performance of his or her duties, and such performance was found to 
be lawful, or she shall be reimbursed by the Department for reasonable costs of litigation.
For this purpose, the Department is authorized to procure applicable liability insurance 
for its officers and employees.
Sec. 70. Disciplinary Powers of the President - The President, subject to the 
recommendation of the Department Secretary and the Department of the Interior and 
Local Government (DILG), shall have the power to impose administrative sanctions 
agarnst local chief executives and barangay officials for willful or negligent acts that relate 
to the implementation of, or compliance with, this Act and its IRR or relating to their 
official functions, which adversely affect disaster resilience projects such as, but not 
limited to, delayed issuance of permits or failure to implement local ordinances.
ARTICLE XIX
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DISASTER RESILIENCE FUND
Sec. 71. Appropriations and Management of Disaster Resiiience Fund. - The 
budget of the Department shall be composed of the following, which shail be coilectively 
cailed the Disaster Resiiience Fund:
a. 
Annual General Appropriations - shall provide the funding requirements for, among 
others, research, operations, maintenance, plans, and programs of the Department of 
Disaster Resilience, including, but not limited to, establishment of evacuation centers, 
retrofitting of structures, establishment of emergency operating centers, and 
implementation of other disaster risk reduction projects.
b. 
Disaster Contingency Fund - shall be in a lump-sum form to provide funds in case 
of imminent hazards or actual disasters for, among others, immediate response, relief 
and quick recovery measures for disaster affected areas.
c. 
Rehabilitation and Recovery Fund - shall provide the funding requirements for 
rehabilitation and/or reconstruction projects of disaster affected areas such as public
classrooms, government buildings, public hospitals, permanent shelters and livelihood 
programs.
The Disaster Resilience Fund shall be managed by the Department to finance its 
operations, and disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness, response, recovery,
rehabilitation and building forward better programs, projects and activities formulated at 
the national level.
Sec. 72. Continuing Appropriations. - The unutilized balances from the Disaster 
Contingency Fund, and Rehabilitation and Recovery Fund shall be treated as Continuing 
Appropriations, which may be used to finance the cost of projects, programs, and/or 
activities even when such costs are incurred beyond the fiscal year of the GAA from which 
such funds were appropriated.
Sec. 73. Fund Regulations. - The DBM and COA shall establish ruies and 
regulations that apply specifically to the Disaster Resilience Fund to ensure that funds
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required for disaster response, recovery, and rehabilitation are available and/or released 
efficiently and expeditiously through innovative budgeting and auditing mechanisms, 
which may include, among others, providing for longer validity periods for funds and/or 
exemption from cash-based budgeting rules; imposing auditing or reporting 
requirements, which apply specifically to the utilization of the Disaster Resilience Fund.
Sec. 74. Local Disaster Resilience Fund and Local Disaster Contingency Fund. - 
LGUs shall annually set aside not less than ten percent (10%) of their local budget, to 
constitute a Local Disaster Resilience Fund (LDRF). The LCD shall use its LDRF to maintain 
and operate its local disaster resilience office to maintain its officers, employees and staff, 
and to implement plans, programs and activities under its LDRP. Thirty percent (30%) of 
the LDRF shall be set aside as Local Disaster Contingency Fund (LDCF), which shall be 
used for disaster response and quick recovery measures. Nothing contained in this Act 
shall prevent LGUs from providing additional funding or allocating additional resources 
for disaster resilience activities, plans and programs within their jurisdiction.
Sec. 75. Supplemental LDRF. —The Department may allocate and disburse funds 
to supplement an LGU's LDRF based on the parameters and requirements indicated in 
the IRR. In determining such parameters and requirements, the IRR shall aim to provide 
supplemental funds to LGUs with low income and/or high exposure to natural hazards. 
Supplemental LDRFs shall, as much as possible, fill gaps or shortages in LGU resources 
to ensure that LGUs can implement disaster resilience measures such as, among others, 
implementing their LDRP/Provincial LDRP, establishing their local disaster resilience 
offices, obtaining and/or maintaining the necessary equipment and staff in their local 
disaster resilience offices, and implementing the NDRF and at the local levels.
Sec. 76. People's Survival Fund. -The Department shall manage and administer 
the People's Survival Fund, created under Republic Act no. 10174, and facilitate its 
utilization by LGUs, through RDROs, to implement climate change adaptation and 
mitigation projects of LGUs and enhance the climate resilience of vulnerable 
communities.
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Sec. 77. Multi-Donor Trust Fund. - The Department shall create and manage, 
together with the Bureau of Treasur/, a Multi-Donor Trust Fund for the processing, 
releasing and accounting of money and other similar resources intended for disaster 
assistance. The Department shall establish a system to ensure transparency in the 
management and use of the Muiti-Donor Trust Fund.
Sec. 78. Financial Administration. - The Department shall manage all finds 
appropriated to it by Congress and received from other sources. The Department shall 
also manage all donations received by It, subject to the auditing powers of the COA. To
fund its operations, the Department shall have the power to collect fees derived from the 
DRRTI and other related activities.
ARTICLE XX
SPECIAL COURTS AND INJUNCTIONS
Sec. 79. Special Courts on Disaster Resilience Matters. - To ensure the prompt 
and expeditious resolution of disputes relating to disaster response, recovery or 
rehabilitation measures, the Supreme Court shall designate special courts to hear, try, 
and decide cases arising from the following, among others:
a. 
Expropriation, eminent domain or right-of-way issues related to the 
implementation of disaster resilience projects;
b. 
Failure to comply with standards for disaster risk reduction and continuity planning, 
including, but not limited to, infrastructure standards and designs;
c. 
Commission of prohibited acts under Article XVIII of this Act; and
d. 
Disputes involving donations, relief goods, or contracts executed or implemented 
pursuant to the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 80. Dispute Resolution Mechanisms. - The Department shall establish a
Disaster Resolution Board, which shall resolve disputes involving administrative matters 
related to:
a. 
Accreditation or deniai of accreditation of disaster resiiience training institutions, 
trainers, instructors, donors, volunteers, and Assisting Domestic or International Actors;
b. 
Decisions of the RDROs;
c. 
Contracts entered into by the Department or any of its agents pursuant to the 
provisions of this Act; and
d. 
Other administrative matters or issues as may be determined by the Department. 
The composition, structure, and other organizational matters related to the DRB
shall be defined and provided in this Act's IRR.
Sec. 81. Imposition of Temporary Restraining Order. - No Court, except the 
Supreme Court, shall have the power to issue an injunction or a temporary restraining 
order against any action taken or projects implemented by the Department or its agents 
pursuant to this Act.
ARTICLE XXI 
FINAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 82. Transfer of Functions. — The foliowing are hereby transferred to the 
Department:
a. 
All the functions of the Climate Change Commission (CCC);
b. 
Natural disaster-related functions of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and 
Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civii Defense (OCD); and
c. 
Natural disaster-response functions of the Department of Sociai Welfare and 
Development (DSWD).
Accordingly, the CCC and NDRRMC are hereby abolished. The DILG, DND, DSWD, 
and other relevant government instrumentalities, including the AFP, BFP, PNP, PCG, and
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OCD, shall continue to perform their functions related to the management of human- 
induced disasters, as provided by existing laws.
Sec. 83. Transfer of Resources. -The transfer of powers and functions listed above 
shall include the corresponding funds and appropriations, plantilla positions, data, 
records, equipment, facilities, properties and other resources of the concerned 
government instrumentalities. The Department shall have the power to reorganize or 
reallocate these resources and positions, as may be necessary to attain the goals and 
objectives of this Act.
Sec. 84. Program Management Office for the Earthquake Resiliency of the Greater 
Metro Manila Area. -The Program Management Office for the Earthquake Resiliency of 
the Greater Metro Manila Area (PMO-ERG), as created pursuant to and mandated by 
Executive Order no. 52, s. 2018, shall be attached to the Department and be authorized 
to implement earthquake resiliency programs, projects, and activities, as it may deem 
necessary to carry out its mandate and attain its overall goals. The Head of the PMO-ERG 
shall report directly to the SDR.
Sec. 85. Post-Disaster Shelters. -The Department shall establish a post-disaster 
shelter recovery policy framework for low-income/informal settler families, with the 
assistance of the appropriate housing agencies and the applicable LGUs. It shall 
determine, among others, the appropriate shelter modalities depending on the following 
phases: emergency, temporary or transitional, and permanent. The Department shall 
likewise identify, assess, and decide on safe zones for the implementation of recovery or 
rehabilitation projects.
Sec. 86. Cultural Heritage. - To protect, preserve, and promote the nation's 
historical and cultural heritage, the Department shall assist the relevant cultural and 
heritage agencies and the appropriate LGUs to give priority protection and restoration to
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all national cultural treasures or national historical landmarks, sites, or monuments in 
post-disaster recovery or rehabilitation measures.
Sec. 87. Indigenous People. -The Department, with the assistance of the National 
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the applicable LGUs, shall devise and 
implement mechanisms that foster social protection for indigenous communities that are 
vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters.
The Department shall ensure respect for, and protection of, the traditional 
resource right of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) to 
their ancestral domains, and recognize the customary laws and traditional resource use 
and management, knowledge, and practices in ancestral domains.
In ancestral domains that are disaster-prone, the Department, with the assistance 
of the NCIP and applicable LGUs, shall create an Ancestral Domain Disaster Management 
and Resiliency Plan. It shall likewise properly communicate and explain information on 
disaster risks in ancestral domains with the concerned ICCs/IPs and, as much as possible,
engage such ICCs/IPs in jointly formulating a disaster resiliency plan for their ancestral 
domain.
Sec. 88. Incentives Program. - The Department shall establish an incentives 
program that recognizes the outstanding promotion and implementation by local disaster 
resilience offices, CSOs, academe, and other institutions of disaster resilience programs 
and/or projects, and the meritorious acts of individuals or entities during natural
23 disasters.
Sec. 89. Structural Audit of Government Buildings and Critical Infrastructure. -The 
Department shall be assisted by the DPWH, DOTr, Department of Energy (DOE), DON, 
DepEd, DICT, DILG, local building officials, and other relevant government 
instrumentalities and stakeholders, in ensuring the effective and expeditious conduct of 
structural audit, as often as necessary, on government buildings, critical infrastructure, 
and private structures to attain the disaster risk reduction goals of this Act.
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Sec. 90. Transitory Provision. - The functions, assets, funds, equipment, 
properties, transactions, and personnel of the affected and transferred agencies, and the 
formulation of the internal organic structure, staffing pattern, operating system, and 
revised budget of the Department, shall be completed within one (1) year from the 
effectivity of this Act, during which time the existing personnel shall continue to assume 
their posts on holdover capacity. The Department, in collaboration with the DBM, shall 
come up with its Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern, both of which shall be 
approved within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act.
The Secretary of National Defense shall serve as the interim SDR until such time 
that the SDR has been appointed and taken his/her oath of office. Upon assumption to 
duty, the SDR shall make use of the existing structure, systems, and personnel in 
responding to natural hazards and disasters within the transition period.
In accordance with Section 12 of this Act and the critical importance of attracting 
the most competent and dedicated personnel to the Department, suitable and qualified 
career personnel from the NDRRMC-OCD, DSWD, and the CCC, as defined by the CSC 
and other pertinent ruies, may be absorbed by the Department. The system and 
mechanics for this shall be defined in the IRR of this Act.
Sec. 91. Magna carta Benefits. -Qualified employees of the Department, including 
those of its attached agencies, shall be covered by and entitled to the benefits under 
Republic Act No. 8439, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, 
Researchers and other 5 & T Personnel in the Government, and Republic Act No. 7305, 
otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers.
Sec. 92. Hazard Pay. - All personnel of the Department and the local disaster 
resilience offices are entitled to receive hazard pay, subject to the guidelines to be set 
forth in the IRR of this Act.
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Sec. 93. Separation Benefits of Officiais and Empioyees of Affected Agencies. - 
National government employees displaced or separated from service as a result of this 
Act shall be entitled to either separation pay and other benefits in accordance with 
existing laws, rules, or regulations, or be entitled to avail themselves of the privileges 
provided under a separation plan that shall be one and one-half month salary for every 
year of service in the government.
In no case shall there be any diminution of benefits under the separation plan until 
the full implementation of this Act. With respect to employees who are not retained by 
the Department, the government, through the Department of Labor and Employment, 
shall endeavor to implement training, job counseling, and job placement programs.
Sec. 94. Appropriations. -The amount necessary for the initial implementation of 
this Act shall be taken from the current fiscal year's unexpended and unobligated 
appropriations of all agencies herein absorbed, transferred, and attached to the 
Department. Thereafter, the amounts necessary for the operation of the Department and 
the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 95. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - The Department, DBM, DND, 
DOF, DILG, DOST, NEDA, and the PMS shail collectively craft and issue, within ninety 
(90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) 
for the effective implementation of this Act. They may call upon other relevant 
government instrumentalities and stakeholders to assist in the crafting of the IRR.
Sec. 96. Joint Congressionai Oversight Committee on Disaster Resiiience. -There 
shall be created a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Disaster Resilience to 
monitor the implementation of this Act. The committee shall be composed of six (6) 
Members of the House of Representatives and six (6) Senators to be designated by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, respectively; 
Provided. That; two (2) Members of the House of Representatives and two (2) Senators 
shall come from the Minority of their respective houses of Congress. The committee shall 
be jointly chaired by a Member of the House of Representatives and a Senator designated
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by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, 
respectiveiy.
Sec. 97. Manddtory Review. - Within five (5) years after the effectivity of this Act, 
or as the need arises, the Joint Congressionai Oversight Committee on Disaster Resiiience 
shali conduct systematic evaluation of the accomplishments and impact of this Act, as 
well as the performance of the Department of its mandate and functions, for purposes of 
determining remedial legislation.
Sec 98. Interpretation. - Any doubt in the interpretation of any provision of this 
Act shall be resolved in favor of a liberal interpretation that will fulfill the objectives of 
this Act, especially in relation to the provision of effective, efficient and timely disaster 
response, rehabilitation and recovery.
Sec. 99. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions or parts thereof not otherwise affected 
shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 100. Repeaiing Ciause. -The provisions of Republic Act no. 10121, Republic 
Act no. 7160, Republic Act no. 7916, Republic Act no. 9184, and all other laws, decrees, 
executive orders, proclamations and other executive issuances, which are not consistent 
with or contrary to the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or amended.
Sec. 101. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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