SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 
2867 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
AN ACT 
'15 JI1 27 P 1 :32 
Rf~CEiVEI,) BV:~ 
PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTIPURPOSE GYM IN ALL 
MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES TO SERVE AS EVACUATION CENTER DURING 
TIMES OF CALAMITY OR DISASTER AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Explanatory Note 
Schools have traditionally been utilized as default evacuation centers in times of 
calamities, disasters, conflicts, and emergencies. Schools however, are not well equipped to 
accommodate evacuees since these lack the necessary facilities for displaced families. 
The use of schools as evacuation centers for displaced families also gives rise to another 
group of displaced individuals: the students. The education of children is severely affected when 
families cannot immediately vacate school premises because their houses have not yet been 
repaired or reconstructed. This relegates students to makeshift classrooms that may not be 
conducive to learning. Moreover, its cost can take away from the meager budget what could be 
better utilized for more permanent solutions to problems brought about by disasters. 
The construction of multipurpose gyms in the country's 1,490 municipalitiesl and 144 
cities2 nationwide will be a permanent recourse for evacuation in times of calamities and natural 
or man-made disasters. The gym must be able to withstand typhoons, earthquakes and other 
disasters. It must be designed to have space that can be used flexibly for social activities, 
sporting events, and as sleeping quarters during the evacuation. The multipurpose gym must be 
well-ventilated, able to accommodate large groups of people, and must have ample bathing and 
sanitation facilities. When not in use as a refuge center, the multipurpose gym, which should be 
in a location where people and emergency rescue personnel can easily access, can be a 
storehouse for disaster rescue equipment and emergency supplies. 
With the reality of stronger typhoons brought about by climate change and the 
geographical location of the country making it the second most disaster-prone count:r;f, seeking 
temporary solutions to the displacement of families by using schools as evacuation centers must 
be stopped. There should be no tradeoff between protecting lives and the education of students. 
A better and more permanent facility must be made available to people in times of emergencies. 
t 
In the light of the foregoing, the approval ofthis bill is earnestly sought. 
IrMAJ> 
1 As of 30 June 2015. http://nap.psa.gov.ph/ 
2 As of 15 July 2014. http://www.dilg.gov.ph/ 
3 United Nations University World Risk Report 2014 http://ehs.unu.edu/news/news/world,risk-report-2014.html 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 
2867 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
AN ACT 
'15 J!Jl 27 P 1 32 
PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTIPURPOSE GYM IN ALL 
MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES TO SERVE AS EVACUATION CENTER DURING 
TIMES OF CALAMITY OR DISASTER AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Multipurpose Gym in all 
2 
Municipalities and Cities Act of2015". 
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to protect the people's 
4 
right to life and property, and to promote their general welfare. Towards this end, the State, in 
5 
cognizance of the vulnerability of the Philippines to calamities and disasters, shall provide for 
6 
the construction of a mUltipurpose gym in every municipality and city to serve primarily as 
7 
refuge for displaced families in times of calamities and disasters. 
8 
SEC. 3. Construction of a Multipurpose Gym. - The Department of Public Works 
9 
and Highways (DPWH) shall undertake the construction of a multipurpose gym in every 
10 
municipality and city throughout the country which shall serve as a civic center and as an 
11 
evacuation center for residents during calamities and disasters: Provided, That any such 
12 
construction is based on a program prepared by DPWH in coordination with a representative of 
13 
the municipality and city concerned: Provided, forther, That the municipal or city mayor shall be 
14 
furnished with the pertinent documents, data and information before any construction shall 
15 
commence: Provided, finally, That Local Government Units (LGUs) may include in their 
16 
respective local infrastructure program the construction of a multipurpose gym. 
17 
SEC. 4. Construction Priority. - The DPWH shall give construction priority to third to 
18 
sixth class municipalities, especially those located in disaster-prone areas. DPWH shall 
19 
coordinate with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the LGUs 
20 
concerned to determine which disaster-prone areas to prioritize in the construction of the facility. 
21 
Priority shall also be given to municipalities whose residents will volunteer labor services 
22 
for the construction thereof and for this purpose, DPWH shall issue the necessary guidelines. 
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1 
SEC. 5. Multipurpose Gym Requirements. - The facilities shall, at the minimum, have 
2 
the following requirements: 
3 
a. Location - The multipurpose gym should be easily accessible to evacuees and 
4 
to emergency rescue personneL It should be kept at a safe distance from danger 
5 
areas or hazards. LGUs concerned shall coordinate with the Department of 
6 
Environment and Natural Resources to identify the appropriate location of the 
7 
multipurpose gym. 
8 
b. Structural Capacity - The multipurpose gyms must be able to withstand wind 
9 
speeds of at least 155 miles per hour and seismic activity of at least 7.2 
10 
magnitude. The DPWH shall formulate the building specifications for the 
11 
multipurpose gyms and shall ensure the compliance with these specifications 
12 
during the construction of the facilities. DPWH shall periodically review, and if 
13 
necessary, revise the specifications as needed. 
14 
c. Amenities -
The multipurpose gym must be well-ventilated and able to 
15 
accommodate large numbers of evacuees. It shall have, at the minimum, the 
16 
following amenities: 
17 
1. Floor area devoid of permanent fixtures to be used flexibly for 
18 
assemblies, sports events, and as sleeping quarters for evacuees; 
19 
2. Shower and toilet facilities; and 
20 
3. Isolated area that can be used as a clinic in times of evacuations. 
21 
SEC. 6. Operation and Management of the Multipurpose Gym. - The operation and 
22 
management of the multipurpose gym shall be under the office of the municipal or city mayor. 
23 
For purposes of this Act, LGUs concerned are hereby authorized to issue rules and regulations on 
24 
the use of the facility and to impose minimal charges as may be necessary for the maintenance 
25 
and minimal repairs ofthe facility. 
26 
SEC. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the immediate implementation of 
27 
the provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the DPWH. 
28 
Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be 
29 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
30 
The LGUs are authorized to utilize local funds as may be provided in their respective 
31 
appropriation ordinances for the implementation ofthis Act. 
32 
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days from the 
33 
approval of this Act, the DPWH shall promulgate the rules and regulations implementing the 
34 
provisions of this Act. The implementing rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Act shall 
35 
take effect thirty (30) days after its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general 
36 
circulation. 
37 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - In the event that any provision of this Act is declared 
38 
unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected by such declaration. 
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, , 
1 
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause, - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or portions 
2 
thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly, 
3 
SEC. 11. Effectivity, -
This Act shall take effect fifteen (I5) days following its 
4 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or the Official Gazette. 
Approved, 
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