NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill NoJL692
of Hip
23 JflN 18 P5:17
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA FOR THE PUBLIC DISASTER 
RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT WORKERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 18 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that it is the 
duty of the State to protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare. Since the 
implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Act of 2010" as the legislative anchor of Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Councils from the National to Local levels and the Office 
of Civil Defense, no legislative measure has been undertaken to ensure the protection 
of the DRRM Workers.
The Philippines is a typhoon-prone country that deals with 20 typhoons per 
year on average. The worst was super typhoon Yolanda (international name; Haiyan), 
which killed an estimated 10,000 people and displaced millions. The number of 
typhoons is set to increase as the issues brought about by climate change become 
more pronounced.
Furthermore, the government must guarantee that we have an adequate 
workforce to safeguard and save our citizens during emergencies. For that to happen, 
our Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Workers must receive 
consideration, appreciation, and care since they tirelessly battle the difficulties 
associated with protecting and serving our communities and rendering 24/7 public 
service. The need for better benefits or at the very least hazard pay for DRRM Workers 
must be addressed as their exposure to threats from nearly all types of hazards 
ceaselessly grow.
The bill aims to provide measures that promote the socioeconomic and 
psychological well-being of DRRM personnel, as well as their working conditions, 
employment terms, and the development and improvement of their skills. More


importantly, this aims to encourage those with the right credentials and strong talents 
to join or continue working in government services.
This bill honors "exemplary heroism and bravery" of many men and women 
disaster responders who died in the performance of their duty. This measure is
endorsed by the Office of Civil Defense.
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
Senator


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k.51,'2 Senate
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill NoJL692
i0ffitP of tljf ©riitrm’w
23 JAN 18 P5:17
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA FOR THE PUBLIC 
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT WORKERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Phiiippines, in Congress assembied:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Magna Carta
2 
for Public Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Workers'.
Sec 2. Declaration of Policy. — It shall be the policy of the State to:
a. 
Uphold the people's constitutional rights to life and property by 
addressing the root causes of vulnerabilities to disasters, strengthening
the country's institutional capacity for disaster risk reduction and 
management, and building the resilience of local communities to disasters 
including climate change impacts;
b. 
Recognize and strengthen the capacities of Local Government Units 
(LGUs) and communities in mitigating, preparing for, responding to, and 
recovering from the impact of hazards and disasters; and
c. 
Enhance the implementation of RA 10121, otherwise known as the 
"Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010' by enacting 
measures with special reference to the welfare of all Public DRRM Workers in 
the country.
Towards this end, this Act aims to:
a. Promote and improve socio-economic and psychological well-being of 
Public DRRM Workers, through the improvement of working conditions, 
environment and terms of employment;
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b. Promote the development of skills and capabilities of Public DRRNI
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Workers for them to be more responsive and be-better equipped for the
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delivery of DRRM services and programs; and
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c. Encourage those with proper qualifications and excellent abilities to join
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and remain in the government service and DRRM profession.
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Sec. 3. Definition. - For purposes of this Act, "Public DRRM Workers'
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refers to all persons who are engaged in the performance of duties covering
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any or all Thematic Pillars of DRRM- Prevention and Mitigation,
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Preparedness, Response, and Rehabilitation and Recovery-
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employed by the government or any of its political subdivisions,
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instrumentalities, or agencies. The Public DRRM Worker may either be civilian
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personnel engaged in a permanent, temporary, contractual, or casual
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employment or a Public DRRM Worker engaged through a Contract of Service
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(CoS) and Job Order (JO) and such other appointments, so long as their
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position or designation or actual work performed involves government service
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work and those functions provided under Section 5 of this Act.
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Sec. 4. Certification. — The National Disaster Risk Reduction and
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Management Council (NDRRMC), shall be the certifying body to oversee the
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following: (i) That the DRRM functions or activities of an agency or LGU are
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authorized by law and/or proper authority; (ii) The positions are part of the
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authorized staffing of the organizational units performing the DRRM functions;
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and (iii) Monitor that the incumbents thereof are actually engaged in DRRM
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work.
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Sec. 5. Ciassification of DRR/ Activities. — The following DRRM activities
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shall be classified according to the risks involved based on the nature of work
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or location that they are working in:
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a. Low Risk DRRM Activities - DRRM activities that subject a Public DRRM
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Worker to minimal exposure or lesser degree of occupational risks or perils to
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life, such as but not limited to, regular office or clerical work and those
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personnel that are not deployed for DRRM activities in high-risk areas.
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b. High Risk DRRM Activities - DRRM activities that expose the Public DRRM
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Worker to occupational risks or perils to life, such as, but not limited to, search,
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rescue, and retrieval operations, management of the dead and missing, rapid
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damage needs assessment, post-disaster needs 
assessment,
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emergency response activities, post-disaster activities, health and
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epidemic/pandemic response operations, and Low Risk DRRM Activities in high-
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risk areas such as those Public DRRM workers deployed in identified activities
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under the different Thematic Pillars and in critical areas that are about to be
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affected, is affected, and during the early recovery from natural or human-
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induced hazards. Such activities shall also cover those that are to be performed
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in high-risk areas. Low Risk DRRM activities shall be considered as high risk
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DRRN activities when the same is being performed in an affected area or in
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areas deemed high risk: Provided, That the determination of such classification
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shall be under the discretion of the respective heads of agencies concerned.
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Sec. 6. Recruitment and Qualification. - Recruitment policy and
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minimum requirements with respect to the selection and appointment and/or
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assignment of Public DRRM Workers shall be developed by the NDRRMC, in
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accordance with the policies and standards of the Civil Service Commission
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(CSC) and implemented by the respective agencies concerned; Provided, That
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in the absence of qualified "eligible" and it becomes necessary in the public
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interest to fill a vacancy, a temporary appointment shall be issued to the
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person, including persons with disability (PWD), who meets all the
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requirements for the position to which one is being appointed, except the
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appropriate civil service eligibility: Provided, further. That such temporary
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appointment shall not exceed twelve (12) months nor be less than three (3)
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months, renewable only once thereafter but that the appointee may be
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replaced sooner if a qualified civil service eligible becomes available, or the
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appointee is found wanting in capacity or delivering poor performance or
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conduct unbefitting a government employee.
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Sec. 7. DRRM Volunteers. — DRRM Volunteers shall not be covered by
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this Act, but shali otherwise be covered by the Guidelines on Accredited
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Community Disaster Volunteers (ACDV) and pursuant to Section 9(o) of RA
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10121 and its implementing rules and regulations issued by the NDRRMC. For
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those that are not covered by the ACDV Guidelines, their respective
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organizations shall provide ample protection to their personnel-volunteers, in
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consonance with the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 8. Non-Permanent Public DRRM Workers. - Non-permanent Pubiic
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DRRM Workers engaged by the Government, such as Job Order, Contract of
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Service 1 personnel, and consultants may be provided with such welfare
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benefits under Sections 25, 26, and 32 of this Act, in relation to the performance
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of their duties premiums thereof shouid their contracts require or ailow them
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to provide services that are deemed high risk in nature; Provided, That the
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Non-permanent Public DRRM Worker shall secure a certification from the
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head of agency or its duly designated representative that one has performed
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either of the DRRM functions or activities as provided for under Section 5 of
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this Act as a requirement to avail such benefits,
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Sec. 9. Performance evaluation and Merit Promotion. — All concerned
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agencies, in consuitation under Section 39 of this Act, shail prepare a uniform
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career and personnel development plan applicable to all Public DRRM Workers.
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Such career and personnei development plan shall include provisions on merit
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promotion, performance evaluation, in-service training grants, job rotation, and
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incentive and award system.
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The performance evaluation plan shall consider foremost the
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improvement of individual employee efficiency and organizational
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effectiveness: Provided, That each employee shall be informed regularly by the
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supervisor of said performance evaiuation.


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The merit promotion plan shall be in consonance with the rules of the
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Civil Service Commission.
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Sec. 10. Transfer or Geographical/ Reassignment of Public DRRM
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Workers-
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a. Transfer is the movement of an employee from one organizational unit
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to another in the same department or agency, or from one department or
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agency to another which is of equivalent rank, level, or salary without gap in
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service. On the other hand. Re-assignment is a movement of an employee
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across the organizational structure within the same department or agency
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which does not involve a reduction in rank, level, or salary. A transfer requires
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an issuance of appointment while geographical re-assignment does not.
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b. A Public DRRM Worker shall not be transferred and/or reassigned,
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except when made in the interest of public service, in which case, the employee
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concerned shall be informed of the reasons therefor in writing. If the Public
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DRRM Worker believes that there is no justification for the transfer and/or
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reassignment, one may appeal the case to the CSC. In
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case of an appeal, the transfer/reassignment shall be
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held in abeyance and shall only take effect if the appeal is denied: Provided,
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That no transfer and/or reassignment shall be made for reasons merely of
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political affiliation: Provided further. That no transfer and/or reassignment
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whatsoever shall be made three (3) months before and three (3) months after
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any local or national elections: Provided furthermore. That the
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transfer/reassignment of Public DRRPI Workers' nature of work shall remain to
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be DRRM in nature: Provided finally. That the necessary expenses of the
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transfer and/or reassignment of the Public DRRPI Worker and the immediate
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family shall be paid for by the Government.
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Sec. 11. Carried Public DRRM Workers. - Whenever possible, the proper
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authorities shall take steps to enable married couples, both of whom are Public
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DRRM Workers, to be employed or assigned in the same LGU or government
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agency, but not necessarily in the same office department or division.
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Sec. 12. Security of Tenure. - In case of permanent employment of
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Public DRRM Workers, their services shall not be terminated, except for cause
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provided by law and after due process: Provided, That if a Public DRRNI Worker
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is funded by the CSC to be unjustly dismissed from work. Public DRRM Worker
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shall be entitled to reinstatement without loss of seniority rights and to back
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wages with applicable commensurate interest, subject to prevailing laws and
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policies computed from the time the compensation was withheld from up to the
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time of reinstatement.
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Sec. 13. Protection from Discrimination. -Public DRRM Workers shall be
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protected from discrimination, regardless of their sex, age, gender, sexual
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orientation, race, ethnicity, pregnancy, physical disability or characteristics, civil
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status, creed, religious and political beliefs, or any other status in the exercise
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of profession: Provided, That the disability of the Public DRRM Worker shall not
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limit the effective performance of the DRRPI profession which the Public DRRM
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Worker is hired and/or appointed to.
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Sec. 14. Duties and Obiigations. - The Pubiic DRRM Workers shall:
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a. Perform their duty with utmost respect for iife, race, sex, ethnicity,
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gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, party poiicies, and social status;
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b. 
Discharge their duty humanely with conscience and dignity;
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c. 
Be duty-ready at ali times and prepared to be deployed in any kind of
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emergencies and disasters, adhering to aii emergency protocols: Provided, That
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in the event where the family of the Public DRRM Worker is directly affected by
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the disaster, they shall first ensure their safety and weli-being;
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d. 
Be properly trained and proficient in their assigned position and tasks;
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e. 
Always endeavor to maintain a level of health and fitness consistent with
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the demands of the DRRM profession;
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f. 
Actively participate in all in-service training, drills, and simulation
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exercises that wiii enhance their capacity in performing their functions as Public
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DRRM Workers;
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g. Be 
familiar 
with the Disaster Risk Reduction
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and 
management Plan,
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h. 
Contingency Plans, and Public Service Continuity Plan of the agency or
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LGU to which they are employed or engaged, and contribute in their
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Occupational Safety and Health efforts;
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i. 
Conduct needs assessment as part of risk reduction and planning;
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j. 
Not consume iiquor or any substances, legal or illegal, prior or while in
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the performance of duties that could impair their vigilance or judgement;
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k. 
Maintain an in-depth understanding of the emergency and DRRM
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procedures;
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I. Practice utmost safety and diligence in the performance of duty; and
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m. Always adhere that Disaster Prevention and mitigation is first and
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foremost the most essentiai and that the same saves lives.
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Sec. 15. Code of Conduct. - Within six (6) months from the approval of
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this Act, the NDRRMC, upon consuitation with the appropriate agencies and
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instrumentaiities of the government, and appropriate DRRPI workers'
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organizations, shall formulate and prepare a Code of Conduct for Public DRRN
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Workers, in consonance with RA 6714 or the "Code of Conduct and
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Ethics/Standards for Public Officials and Employees', which Shall be
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disseminated as widely as possible.
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Sec. 16. Administrative Charges. - Administrative charges against a
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DRRM Worker shall be heard by a committee created by the agency/office
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where the Public DRRM Worker belongs pursuant to the existing "Revised Ruies
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on Administrative Cases the Civil Service (RRACCS)". The committee shall
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submit its findings and recommendations to the head of agency/office within
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thirty (30) days from the termination Of the hearings.


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The Committee shall be appointed by the Head of Agency or LGU and 
shall be composed of seven (7) members, including the Chairperson. It shall be 
composed of the following:
a. 
Second highest ranking official, for NGAs, or Vice-Mayor for LGUs, or 
Vice- Governor for Provincial Level, as its Chairperson;
b. 
The Head of Human Resource as its Vice-Chairperson;
c. 
One (1) Division Chief with a salary grade of not lower than 22;
d. 
Two (2) Section Chiefs or employees with salary grade not lower than 
18;
e. 
One (1) representative from a recognized Public DRRM Workers' 
Association or its equivalent: Provided, That the said representative also 
belongs to the agency, in the absence thereof, an employee with a salary grade 
of not lower than 18; and
f. 
One (1) representative from the legal section or division, or its 
equivalent. The Head of Office may reorganize the composition of the 
Committee in such cases where one or more members of the Committee is/are 
the interested party or in cases necessary to discharge the functions of the 
Committee, such as when the prescribed composition of the Committee cannot 
be met due to insufficiency, unavailability, or absence of the position, rank, or 
office in the agency. In such a case, the Head of Office shall exercise diligence 
in choosing the members in accordance with their ranks or functions consistent 
with the prescribed composition.
Sec. 17. Legal Support. — Public DRRM Workers shall be exempted 
from any liability as to damage to any property or injury to a person caused in 
the direct performance of their duty relative to disaster or emergency response 
and other related activities where the same is necessary in order to save lives 
or properties, in accordance with Art. 11, Par. 5 of the Revised Penal Code 
and/or other applicable laws and issuances. In any case, however, the Public 
DRRM Worker shall be afforded with appropriate assistance by their respective 
agency or LGU concerned in view that any conflict that may arise shall be 
resolved amicably or extra-judicially through commensurate and peaceful 
means.
In cases where injury or death is involved and a case has been filed 
against the Public DRRM Worker, the latter shall be afforded with all possible 
legal assistance by the Agency or LGU concerned: Provided, That it is 
established by the Public DRRM Worker, through a Sworn Affidavit, that the 
injury or death caused is in direct connection of their duty, without any criminal 
or malicious intent.
Sec. 18. Safeguards in Disciplinary Procedures. - In every 
disciplinary proceeding, the Public DRRM Worker shall have:
a. 
The right to be informed, in writing, of the charges;
b. 
The right to full access to the evidence in the case;


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c. 
The right to defend oneself and to be defended by a representative of
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one's choice and/or by the organization, with adequate time given to the Public
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DRRM Worker for the preparation of defense;
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d. 
The right to confront witnesses presented against the Public DRRM
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Worker and summon witnesses in its behalf;
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e. 
The right to appeal to designated authorities;
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f. 
The right to reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in their
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defense in case of exoneration or dismissal of the charges; and
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g. 
Other rights that will ensure fairness and impartiality during proceedings
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is
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Sec. 19. Normal Hours of Work. - The normal hours of work of any
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Public DRRM Worker shall not exceed eight (8) hours a day or forty (40) hours
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a week hours worked shall include:
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a. 
All the time during which a Public DRRM Worker is required to 
be on
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active duty or to be at a prescribed workplace; and
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b. 
All the time during which a Public DRRM Worker is placed in On-Call
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status: Provided, That a Public DRRM Worker particularly placed in "On Call"
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status shall be entitled to an "On-Call" pay equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of
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their regular wage: Provided, further. That no Public DRRM Worker shall be
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place "On-Call" status beyond seven (7) days per month. "On-Call" status refers
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to a status where a Public DRRM Worker not on active duty is called upon to
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respond to urgent or immediate need for response-related activities relative to
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emergencies such that the Public DRRM Worker cannot devote the time for the
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latter's own use.
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Sec. 20. Overtime Work. - Where the exigencies of the service so
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require, any Public DRRM Worker may be required to render service beyond
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the normal eight (8) hours a day. In such a case, the workers shall be paid an
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additional compensation in accordance with existing laws and prevailing
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practices: Provided, That such compensation shall be subject to the same rates,
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conditions, and limitations applicable to qualified government personnel
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provided under relevant issuances of Civil Service Commission (CSC) —
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Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
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Sec. 21. Work During Rest Day. -
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a. 
Where a Public DRRM Worker is made to work on its scheduled rest day,
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an additional compensation shall be paid, in accordance with existing laws.
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b. 
Where a Public DRRM Worker is made to work on any special holiday,
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an additional compensation shall be paid, in accordance with existing laws.
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Where such holiday work falls on the worker's scheduled rest day, the latter
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shall be entitled to an additional compensation as may be provided by existing
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laws.
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Sec. 22. Night-Shift Differential. -
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a. Every Public DRRM Worker shall be paid a night-shift differential of ten
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percent (10%) of its regular wage for each hour of work performed during the
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night- shifts;
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b. Every Public DRRM Worker required to work on the period covered after
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its regular schedule shall be entitled to regular wage plus the regular overtime
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rate and an additional amount of ten percent (10%) of such overtime rate for
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each hour of work performed between ten (10) o'clock in the evening to six (6)
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o'clock in the morning.
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Sec. 23. Salaries. - In the determination of the salary scale of Public
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DRRM Workers, the existing applicable law on the salary scheme of government
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employees shall govern.
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a. Salary Scale for Local Public DRRM Worker - The salary scales of Public
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DRRM Workers whose salaries are appropriated by a municipality, city, or
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provincial government shall be based on the salary schedule being implemented
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by the LGU concerned.
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b. Salaries to be Paid in Legal Tender - Salaries of Public DRRPM Workers
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shall be paid in legal tender of the Philippines or the equivalent in checks or
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treasury warrants: Provided, however. That such checks or treasury warrants
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shall be convertible to cash in any national, provincial, city or municipal
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treasurers' office or any banking institution operating under the laws of the
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Republic of the Philippines.
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c. Deductions Prohibited - No person shall make any deduction whatsoever
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from the salaries of Public DRRM Workers, except under specific provision of
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law authorizing such deductions: Provided, however, That upon written
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authority executed by the Public DRRM Worker concerned, a) lawful dues or
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fees owing to any organization/ association where such Public DRRM Worker is
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an officer or member; and b) premiums properly due all insurance policies,
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retirement and medicare, shall be considered deductible.
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Sec. 24. Additional Compensation. - Notwithstanding Section 12 of RA
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6758, also known as the "Compensation and Position Classification Act of
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1989", Public DRRM Workers shall receive the following allowances: hazard
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allowance, subsistence allowance, reimbursement of allowable communication
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expense, longevity pay, laundry allowance, and quarters allowance.
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Sec. 25. Hazard Allowance. - As provided under Section 5 of this Act,
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Public DRRPI Workers, who are exposed to high risks or perils to life in the
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performance of their duties and responsibilities, shall be compensated
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with hazard allowance equivalent to not exceeding twenty-five (25%) of
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their daily basic salary, and at least five percent (5%) for Public DRRM Workers
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exposed in low-risk activities when deployed to or are working in affected areas:
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Provided, That Public DRRM Workers under low risk DRRM activities shall be
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eligible to avail an increase hazard allowance equivalent to that of high risk
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DRRM Workers in the event that they are called to perform or are deployed for
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a limited period to high-risk DRRM activities, subject to appropriate
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computation of days rendered. The determination of the compensation of
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Hazard Allowance shall be based on the actual working days of exposure of the
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Public DRRM Worker to any given risks or perils to life.
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Sec. 26. Transportation, Communication, and Subsistence Allowance. -
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Public DRRM Workers who are required to render service in the field during
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emergencies and disasters in order to make their services available at any and
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all times, shall be entitled to full subsistence allowance of three (3) meals, which
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may be computed in accordance with prevailing circumstances: Provided, That,
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no subsistence allowance shall be given in the event where the concerned
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agency has already prescribed meals for the Public DRRM Worker.
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Public DRRM workers required to report outside of their regular
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workstations other than responding to disasters or emergencies shall be
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entitled to such transportation and travel expenses pursuant E.O No. 77. S.
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2019 or other existing budgeting, accounting and auditing guidelines, as well
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as reimbursement of allowable communication expenses.
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Sec. 27. Longevity Pay. - A monthly longevity pay equivalent to five
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percent (5% ) of the monthly basic pay shall be paid to a Public DRRM Worker
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for every five (5) years of continuous, efficient, and meritorious service
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rendered as certified by the chief of office concerned, commencing with the
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Public DRRM Worker's service upon the effectivity of this Act.
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Those entitled to Longevity Pay can no longer avail of the Step
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Increment benefit due to length of service.
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Sec. 28. Laundry Allowance. — All Public DRRM Workers who are
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required to wear uniforms regularly shall be entitled to laundry allowance
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equivalent to One Hundred Fifty Pesos (Php 150) per month: Provided, That
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this rate shall be reviewed periodically and increased accordingly by the
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NDRRMC in consultation with the appropriate government agencies concerned
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taking into account existing laws and prevailing practices.
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Sec. 29. Housing. - All Public DRRM Workers who are on tour of duty
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and those who, because of unavoidable circumstances are forced to stay in
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their offices, shall be entitled to free living quarters within the office, or if such
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quarters are not available, shall receive quarters allowance, as may be
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determined by their respective agencies.
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A qualified Public DRRM Worker who has no residence within a fifty (50)
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kilometer radius from such government facility or deployment area shall be
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granted quarters allowance at the local room rental rate in the area until free
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living quarters are available.


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Sec. 30. Medical, Mental, and Psychosocial Examination. - Compulsory
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medical, mental, and psychosocial examination shall be provided free of charge
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to all Public DRRM Workers before entering the service in the Government or
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its subdivisions, and shall be repeated once a year during the tenure of
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employment of all Public DRRM Workers, and after every deployment of Public
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DRRM Workers for more than three (3) days to seven (7) days in high-risk
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areas, as may be determined by the agency where the Public DRRM Worker
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belongs: Provided, That where medical examination shows that medical
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treatment, mental, or psychosocial intervention, and/or hospitalization is
10 
necessary for those already in government service, the
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treatment and/or hospitalization, including medicines shall be
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provided free either in a government or a private hospital by the government
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entity paying the salary of the Public DRRM Worker: Provided, further. That the
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cost of such medical examination and treatment shall be determined by the
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respective agency who the Public DRRM Worker is engaged with, and such
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amount be subject to process of the agency. In cases of extreme exposure to
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a traumatic experience while rendering DRRM Work, the agency shall, aside
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from those that are provided for above, provide necessary support for the
19 
rehabilitation of the Public DRRM Worker. A post medical examination shall be
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provided for the Public DRRM Worker prior to leaving the service.
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Sec. 31. Personal Protective Equipment, Vaccination, and other
22 
Prophylaxis. — Public DRRM Workers, as frontliners in disaster response, shall
23 
be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment, free vaccinations
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and other prophylactic medicines against common and present diseases in the
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locality where the Public DRRM Worker is assigned. The immediate family of
26 
Public DRRM Workers deployed in high risk areas who are exposed to any highly
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contagious disease/illness shall also be entitled to vaccinations or any available
28 
immediate medical intervention.
29 
Sec. 32. Compensation for Work-Related injuries and Illnesses. - Public
30 
DRRM Workers shall be protected against the consequences of employment
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injuries or sickness in accordance with existing laws. Injuries or sickness
32 
incurred in line of duty shall be presumed work-connected.
33 
Sec. 33. Leave Benefits for Public DRRM Workers. - Public DRRM
34 
"Workers are entitled to such vacation, sick leaves as provided by existing laws
35 
and prevailing practices: Provided, That in addition to the leave privilege now
36 
enjoyed by Public DRRM Workers - men and women Public DRRM Workers are
37 
entitled to such paternity and maternity leaves, respectively, provided by
38 
existing laws and prevailing practices: Provided, further. That upon separation
39 
of the Public DRRM Workers from the service, they shall be entitled to all
40 
accumulated leave credits with pay. Public DRRM Workers are also entitled to
41 
rehabilitation leave privilege for physical, mental, or emotional injuries/damage
42 
sustained in the performance of official duties, subject to the provisions under
43 
relevant issuances of CSC — DBM.
10


1 
Sec. 34. Capacity Building, Scholarships and Grants. - Public DRRM
2 
Workers shall undergo the necessary training and other capacity building
3 
activities on a regular basis. They shall also be given opportunity to avail of
4 
scholarship benefits and grants for pursuing graduate and post-graduate
5 
studies, in accordance with existing rules to be implemented by the concerned
6 
agencies or LCDs. Grantees of the program may study within the Philippines or
7 
abroad: Provided, That the concerned agency or LGU shall provide strict
8 
measures to ensure continuity and render service obligation. The concerned
9 
agency shall give utmost preference to post-graduate DRRN-related studies in
10 
granting such benefits.
11 
Sec. 35. Mandatory Insurance Coverage - Public DRRM Workers shall
12 
be entitled to insurance coverage as provided by the Social Security System
13 
(SSS), as mandated under RA 8282, otherwise known as the "Social Security
14 
Law", the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) as provided by RA
15 
8291, also known as " the Government Service insurance System Act of 1997'",
16 
the Universal Health Care Act as mandated by RA 11223; and the Philippine
17 
Health Insurance (PhilHealth) as mandated by RA 7875, or the " National Health
18 
Insurance Act of 1995", whichever is applicable.
19 
Sec. 36. Highest Basic Salary Upon Retirement. - Three (3) months prior
20 
to compulsory retirement, the Public DRRM Worker shall automatically be
21 
granted one (1) salary range or grade higher than the basic salary, and the
22 
retirement benefit thereafter computed on the basis of the highest salary:
23 
Provided, That the age and fulfilled service requirements are met under existing
24 
laws.
25 
Sec. 37. Right to Self-Organization. - Public DRRM Workers shall have
26 
the right to freely form, join or assist organizations or associations, to the extent
27 
allowable by law and/or existing policies, for purposes not contrary to law in
28 
order to defend and protect their mutual interests and to obtain redress for
29 
their grievances through peaceful concerted activities.
30 
Sec. 38. Freedom from Interference or Coercion. - It shall be unlawful
31 
for any person to commit any of the following acts of interference or coercion:
32 
a. To require as a condition of employment that a Public DRRM Worker
33 
shall not join a DRRM Workers' organization, association, or union, or shall
34 
relinquish membership therein;
35 
b. To discriminate in regard to hiring or tenure of employment or any item
36 
or condition of employment, in order to encourage or discourage membership
37 
in any DRRM Workers' organization, association, or union;
38 
c. To prevent Public DRRM Workers from carrying out duties laid upon
39 
them by their position in the organization, association, or union, or to penalize
40 
them for the action undertaken in such capacity;
41 
d. To harass or interfere with the discharge of the functions of the Public
42 
DRRM Worker when these are calculated to intimidate, or to prevent the
43 
performance of duties and responsibilities; and
11


1 
e. To otherwise interfere in the establishment, functioning, or
2 
administration of DRRM Workers' organizations or unions through acts designed
3 
to place such organization or union under the control of government authority.
4 
Sec. 39. Consultation with Public DRRM Workers' Organizations. - In the
5 
formulation of national policies governing the social security of Public DRRM
6 
Workers, professional and Public DRRM Workers' organizations, the appropriate
7 
government agencies concerned shall be consulted by the NDRRMC. For this
8 
purpose, Management-DRRM Workers' Consultative Councils for national,
9 
regional and other appropriate levels shall be established and operationalized.
10 
Sec. 40. Human Resource Development Management Study. - The
11 
Human Resource Department/Division of respective concerned agencies shall
12 
conduct a periodic human resource development/management study into,
13 
among others, the following areas:
14 
a. Adequacy of facilities and supplies to render quality DRRM services to
15 
client population;
16 
b. Opportunity for Public DRRPI Workers to grow and develop their
17 
potentials and experience a sense of worth and dignity in their work;
18 
c. Mechanisms for democratic consultation in government DRRM
19 
institutions;
20 
d. 
Appropriate organizational and staffing patterns;
21 
e. 
Ways and means of enabling the rank-and-file workers to avail of
22 
educational opportunities for personal growth and development;
23 
f. Upgrading of working conditions, reclassification of positions and salaries
24 
of Public DRRM Workers to correct disparity vis-a-vis other professions such
25 
that positions requiring longer study be upgraded and given corresponding pay
26 
scale; and
27 
g. Assessment of the national policy on exportation of skilled human
28 
resources to focus on how these resources could instead be utilized
29 
productively for the country's needs.
30 
There is hereby created a Congressional Oversight Committee to review
31 
and assess human resource development, particularly on continuing education
32 
and training and the other areas described above. The Committee shall be
33 
composed of five (5) members of the House of Representatives and five (5)
34 
members of the Senate. It shall be co-chaired by the Chairpersons of the House
35 
Committee on Disaster Resilience and Senate Committee on National
36 
Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation.
37 
It shall render a report and recommendation to Congress which shall be
38 
the basis for policy legislation in the field of Disaster Resilience or DRRM. A
39 
congressional review shall be undertaken once every five (5) years.
40 
Sec. 41. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within thirty (30)
41 
days from effectivity of this Act, the NDRRMC, in consultation with appropriate
42 
government agencies and professional DRRM Workers' organizations or
12


1 
associations, shall formulate and prepare the IRR to implement the provisions
2 
of this Act.
3 
Further, the DBM, in coordination with the NDRRMC, shaii issue the
4 
guideiines on the grant of compensation-reiated benefits to Pubiic DRRM
5 
Workers. Ruies and reguiations issued pursuant to this Section shaii take effect
6 
thirty (30) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
7 
Sec. 42. Prohibition Against Double Recovery of Benefits. - Whenever
8 
other laws provide for the same benefits covered by this Act, the Public DRRM
9 
Worker shall have the option to choose which benefits will be paid. However,
10 
in the event that the benefits chosen are less than that provided under this Act,
11 
the worker shall be paid only the difference.
12
Approved^
13