Page 1 of 9 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Eighteenth Congress 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
_______________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. EDGAR MARY S. SARMIENTO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
As a country geographically situated in the Pacific Typhoon Belt, the 
Philippines is always at the risk of being directly on the path of some tropical weather 
activity. An average of 24 typhoons enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility 
annually, making several landfalls in various islands of the archipelago. 
Scientists worldwide and the evidence at hand are in consensus: the global 
warming is taking effect, we – the countries astride the Pacific Ocean – are at high 
risk. Typhoons are getting stronger, more dangerous and damaging resulting in 
global damage amounting to a total of USD 170.3 billion this year.  
When Severe Tropical Storm Odette (internationally known as Rai) entered 
the Philippine Area of Responsibility last 14 December 2021, it made 9 landfalls in 
various provinces across six regions in the Visayas and Mindanao. 
The path it traversed was almost the same as that of Super Typhoon Yolanda 
in 2013. It flattened almost every structure it passed, affecting millions in population 
in the regions and cutting the supply and logistic chain to include damage to airports, 
seaports and major highways.  
Due to the severity of the damage brought about by these typhoons, search 
and rescue is an utmost importance. People in the affected areas should right away 
be provided with basic essentials for survival, which is food, drinking water, and 
shelter. These supplies, should must reach all affected areas the soonest time possible 
January 11, 2022
2:08 pm
10654


Page 2 of 9 
and the support on logistical requirement should come from the unaffected or less 
affected areas in the country. Thus, immediate transport of these goods are vital. 
In addition to the search and rescue, the immediate relief of the victims and 
individuals in the areas severely affected should be given due consideration on the 
regulatory requirements such as vehicle registrations and renewal of licenses set to 
expire in just few days or in a month since their priority is survival and it is expected 
that the offices both in government and private will be temporarily closed due to 
situation on the ground.   
These are recurring scenarios every time there is a weather catastrophe such 
as Typhoon Yolanda, Pablo and Sendong.  
Moving forward, as a country prone to tropical cyclones and weather related 
natural disasters, it is best that the nation take measures to ensure immediate conduct 
of search and rescue and relief operation that will have the logistical support to 
address them.  As an archipelago, we heavily rely on our nautical highways and 
maritime transportation.  
Hence, to hasten and make the process of transporting goods efficient, the 
government should be given the power to take immediate control of its maritime 
assets, and to enlist the participation of the private sector as well. This is to 
immediately respond and carry the needed search and rescue and immediate relief 
from the nearest unaffected areas to the affected areas. Neighboring provinces 
should likewise be involved and mandated to mobilize and allow their ports – both 
sea and air – to be used for the transport of goods and rescue services free of charge. 
Furthermore, the government should suspend transport charges and different added 
costs to encourage more private companies and individuals from all sectors to lend 
their resources and transportation assets (whether land or marine) to be used in 
transporting essential relief goods to address the shortage brought about by the 
damaged land and marine vehicles. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
REP. EDGAR MARY S. SARMIENTO 
First District of Samar 


Page 3 of 9 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Eighteenth Congress 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
_______________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. EDGAR MARY S. SARMIENTO 
AN ACT MANDATING IMMEDIATE NATURAL CALAMITY 
RESPONSE BY ALLOWING THE GOVERNMENT TO 
COMMANDEER TRANSPORTATION ASSETS, SUSPEND 
TRANSPORT CHARGES, TRUCK BANS, AND  
SUSPEND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS IN AREAS THAT 
ARE SEVERELY DAMAGED UPON PRESIDENTIAL 
DECLARATION OF A STATE OF CALAMITY  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled. 
SECTION 1. Short title. This Act shall be known as the “Immediate Natural 
Calamity Rescue and Relief Act of 2021.” 
SECTION 2. Suspension of Transport Charges and Fees. Upon Presidential 
declaration of a State of Calamity on severely affected areas, the President may 
declare the following transport charges in any area where the signal is raised as 
immediately suspended:  
10654


Page 4 of 9 
a. Seaport charges and fees in all ports where the signal is raised for cargo
vessels, Roll-on Roll-Off (RORO), and passenger ships used for
immediate evacuation and transport of goods and essentials to affected
Local Government Units;
b. Airport charges and fees in all airports where the signal is raised for all
evacuation/sweeper flights and transport of goods and essentials to
affected Local Government Units;
c. Land terminal charges and fees in all terminals where the signal is raised
for all evacuation/mercy trips and transport of goods and essentials to
affected Local Government Units;
d. Expressway Toll fees as may be applicable for all evacuation/mercy trips
and transport of goods and essentials to affected Local Government Units;
e. Usage, wharfage and anchorage fees for vessels carrying relief goods and
essentials, as well as for vessels unable to dock or waiting to be docked in
affected seaports;
f. Storage Fees for containers already deposited at ports affected upon the
issuance of the Tropical Cyclone Warning up to the lifting of the
suspension, or upon resumption of normal port operations, whichever
comes first;
g. Arrastre, stevedoring, and cargo handling fees for relief goods and
equipment to be used in clearing and rescue operations.


Page 5 of 9 
Any fee and charge paid when the same should have been suspended shall 
be applied to future billings in favor of the payor, subject to approval by the 
local port authority involved. 
 
In addition to suspension of Charges for Ports and Terminal Fees and Charges, 
there shall likewise be a Price Freeze on fares for all land, maritime, rail, and 
air travel for all evacuation/mercy trips and transport of goods and essentials 
to affected Local Government Units. 
 
SECTION 3. Extension of Motor Vehicle Registration and Driver’s License 
Validity. The validity of motor vehicle registrations and drivers licenses of 
individuals in the areas where the Tropical Cyclone Warning signals 3 to 5 are raised 
that are set to expire within 60 days from the issuance of the said warning signal are 
automatically extended 2 months from the day of their original expiry. Affected 
individuals shall present a Sworn Statement stating he/she was in the affected area 
during and/at the time of the tropical cyclone and present proof of residence therein 
at the time of renewing said registration/license and when availing of the extension 
of validity. 
 
SECTION 4. Suspension of and Exemption from Truck Bans – Upon Presidential 
declaration of the State of Calamity on severely affected areas, the President may 
declare truck bans implemented in any affected Local Government Unit as 
immediately suspended.  
 
 
Trucks not within areas where Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals 3 to 5 is 
raised but will be used in transporting relief goods, equipment, and personnel to said 
affected areas shall likewise be exempt from truck bans. To avail of the exemption, 


Page 6 of 9 
the operator/driver must present proof by way of waybill or certification from 
sender/consignee that the goods, equipment, and/or passengers are transported for 
relief and rescue operations. 
 
SECTION 5. Enlistment of Maritime Assets and Incentives – Upon Presidential 
declaration of a State of Calamity on severely affected areas, the Maritime Industry 
Authority (MARINA) and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) shall immediately 
commandeer unaffected and available government-owned vessels, RoRo ships, 
cargo ships, passenger ships, fast crafts, and all other marine vehicles to transport 
essential relief goods, equipment (medical and road-clearing), and rescue personnel 
from unaffected areas to those areas that were severely affected; 
 
Unaffected and available privately-owned vessels, RoRo ships, cargo ships, 
passenger ships, fast crafts, and all other marine vehicles duly registered with 
MARINA shall also be enlisted and commandeered with consent from the registered 
owner for immediate use for transport of rescue and relief operations. 
 
Provided, that any such volunteer vessels, RoRo ships, cargo ships, passenger ships, 
fast crafts, and all other marine vehicles shall receive, upon presentation of receipts 
for costs and certification by the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), incentives in 
the form of just compensation and fuel refunds. These incentives shall be on top of 
the non-payment of port fees, anchorages, toll fees and other charges as listed under 
Section 2 hereof. Payment of these incentives and refunds shall be sourced from the 
designated disaster fund; 
 


Page 7 of 9 
Provided further, that MARINA and PPA shall only enlist and commandeer ships 
and vessels exclusively for the following purposes and only during the period 
applicable under Section 6 hereof: 
a. Search and Rescue Operations 
b. Emergency Medical Services 
c. Immediate Recovery and Recuperation (temporary and evacuation 
shelters) 
 
SECTION 6. Period of Suspension. The suspension of the truck bans, transport fees 
and charges as applicable in Sections 2 and 4 hereof shall be fifteen (15) days; 
 
Provided, such period may be lifted earlier or extended by the President upon 
recommendation by the National Disaster Coordinating Council, taking into 
consideration the severity of the damage sustained and the number of areas/Local 
Government Units affected. 
 
Provided further, that any suspension and corresponding extensions shall not 
exceed three (3) months in total, to curtail the possibility of abuse of the 
suspension as well as to encourage immediate transportation of relief goods and 
rescue services.  
 
SECTION 7. Priority Dockage and Airport Queue; Cargo Handling. – Considering 
the urgency of the transport of essential goods, equipment, and rescue service 
personnel, vessels, trucks, and planes shall be afforded priority dockage, boarding, 
flight queueing, and cargo handling in seaports and airports for any of the duration 
in Section 6 hereof, as the case may be. The usual cash transactions for cargo 


Page 8 of 9 
handling fees shall be suspended, allowing for streamlined release of cargo and 
extension of credits for the fees for the same. 
SECTION 8. Implementing Body. – Upon Presidential declaration of a State of 
Calamity and subsequent suspension of all charges and truck bans, and application 
of all other provisions of Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 hereof, the Secretary of the 
Department of Transportation shall act as Emergency Transportation Chief and 
ensure implementation of the provisions of the Act.  
SECTION 9. Separability Clause – In the event that any provision of this Act is 
declared invalid, the remainder of this Act not affected thereby shall continue in 
operation. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders or 
parts thereof that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed 
or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 10. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Adopted,