FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. No. 
3 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is geographically located in the circum-pacific belt of fire and 
typhoon in the Asia-Pacific region. Thus, it is prone to natural disasters. It has 
continually sought to survive against many calamities, including typhoons, 
earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, as well as fire, plane crashes, and maritime 
collisions. 
The threat of disasters continues to haunt the Philippines. Thus, there is a 
need to revitalize the system for disaster preparedness and mitigation to enhance 
the survival capability of our country against all types of disasters, whether natural or 
man-made. 
Natural and man-made disasters often disrupt the normal life of communities, 
and adversely affect individuals and families with great severity. These disasters 
usually result in loss of life, human suffering, loss of income, and property loss and 
damage. Measures designed towards disaster preparedness and mitigation and 
emergency services are, therefore, necessary. 
During the 112th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, a resolution proposed 
by the Philippine delegation was adopted, recognizing the role of parliaments in the 
prevention, rehabilitation, reconstruction and protection of groups that are vulnerable 
to natural and man-made disasters, and further encouraging the creation of Regional 
Disaster, Training, Logistics and Reaction Centers in collaboration with international 
humanitarian organizations and their local counterparts such as the Philippine 
National Red Cross as well as local disaster coordinating councils to train local field 
disaster response teams, share international technical know-how, expertise, 
technology and other information relating to disaster prevention training, and 
management. 
This bill intends to provide the measures for the government to carry out its 
responsibilities to alleviate the suffering of its people, which result from such 
disasters, and promote their general welfare through comprehensive plans and 
practicable programs for preparation against disasters, including hazard reduction, 
avoidance and mitigation. This bill aims to instill a culture of disaster preparedness 
among our people through the utilization of disaster preparedness and mitigation 


measures, the establishment of a warning system, and the provision for emergency 
operations during disasters. 
RICHARD J. GORDON 
Senator 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
OF THE REPUBLIC) 
1 
1 
SENATE 
S. No. 
% 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
V 
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND MITIGATION 
MEASURES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Disaster 
Preparedness and Mitigation Act of 2007.” 
Sec. 2. Policy. - It is the policy of the State to carry out its responsibilities to 
alleviate the suffering of its people, which result from natural and man-made 
disasters, and promote their general welfare through comprehensive plans and 
practicable programs for preparation against disasters, including hazard reduction, 
avoidance, and mitigation. 
Sec. 3. Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation. - The President is 
authorized to establish measures for disaster preparedness and mitigation for any 
natural or man-made disaster that utilize the services of all appropriate agencies and 
include - 
(1) Preparation of hazard maps for areas that are subject to disasters and 
disaster preparedness and relief plans and programs for mitigation, warning, 
emergency operations, rehabilitation, and recovery; 
(2) Printing and dissemination of 
disaster awareness, preparation and 
preparedness manuals for distribution to the public and private sectors 
throughout the country by the National Disaster Coordinating Council, the 
Philippine Volcanology and Seismology Commission, and the Philippine 
National Red Cross; 
(3) Training and exercises, including the integration of disaster preparedness 
programs in schools nationwide through the Philippine National Red Cross; 


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(4) Post disaster critiques and evaluations; 
(5) Annual review of programs; 
(6) Coordination of national and local preparedness programs; 
(7) Application of science and technology; and 
(8) Research. 
Sec. 4. Warning System. - The President shall ensure that all appropriate 
government agencies are prepared to issue warnings of disasters to national and 
local officials. The President shall direct the appropriate government agencies to 
provide technical assistance to local governments to ensure that timely and effective 
disaster warning is provided. 
Sec. 5. Emergency. - Any occasion or instance which, in the determination 
of the President, requires the national and local efforts and capabilities to save lives 
and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat 
of a disaster in any part of the Philippines, all necessary public and private facilities, 
including communication system facilities for the purpose of providing warning to the 
people in areas endangered by disasters and transportation equipment and facilities 
for the purpose of engaging in rescue and relief operations, shall be made available 
for public use. 
Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations 
or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected 
thereby shall remain in force and effect. 
Sec. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of 
general circulation in the Philippines. 
Approved,