TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
25 JUL U P2 54
Senate Bill No.
551
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A LIST OF LOW-LYING 
AREAS OF THE PHILIPPINE TERRITORY VULNERABLE TO RISING 
SEA LEVELS AS A RESULT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, AND AREAS AT 
HIGH RISK FOR NATURAL DISASTERS, MANDATING THE 
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, 
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, CLIMATE 
CHANGE COMMISSION, AND OTHER CONCERNED GOVERNMENT 
AGENCIES FOR ITS REGULAR UPDATING, APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution mandates the State to protect the 
people and promote their right to a balanced and healthful ecology. In a country as 
disaster-prone as the Philippines, this mandate cannot be realized without science- 
based planning, preparedness, and risk reduction.
The Philippines consistently ranks among the most disaster-vulnerable nations in 
the world. According to the 2024 World Risk Report, the Philippines topped the World 
Risk Index (WRI) among 193 member states of the United Nations, scoring 46.91—a 
reflection of both extreme exposure and high vulnerability to natural hazards.1 The 
World Bank's Climate Knowledge Portal further estimates that 60% of the country's 
land area and 74% of its population are exposed to floods, cyclones, droughts, 
earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides.2
1 
Bundnis Entwicklung Hilf. World Risk Index 2024. Published on 9 September 2024. Available at 
https://weltrisikobericht.de/worldriskreport/#iLightbox[efa5fa0bcb29544013c]/l (Accessed on 8 July 2025)
2 
World 
Bank. 
Climate 
Change Knowledge Portal. 
Available 
at
https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/philippines/vulnerability (Accessed on 8 July 2025)


Since 1990, the country has experienced 565 natural disasters, resulting in over 
70,000 deaths and $23 billion (around PI.3 trillion)3 in damages. With the exception 
of geologic events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the intensity and frequency 
of these hazards—especially typhoons and flooding—are expected to worsen due to 
climate change. The Philippines' location in the Northwestern Pacific Basin, the most 
active tropical cyclone basin in the world, further compounds this risk.4
Despite these known dangers, many areas in the Philippines still lack updated, 
detailed, and accessible hazard maps. This absence of reliable risk information 
weakens the ability of communities and local governments to properly prepare for and 
respond to disasters, plan safe settlements, or enforce zoning laws.
This bill seeks to address this urgent gap by establishing a comprehensive, 
centralized, and regularly updated National Hazard Mapping Program. The measure 
mandates relevant agencies to produce high-resolution, multi-hazard maps that are 
scientifically accurate, consistently updated, publicly accessible, and useful for local 
development planning, risk reduction, and emergency response.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought
JOEL VILLANUEVA
At $1 = P56.4460 based on the exchange rate as of 9 July 2025 (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Available at 
https://www.bsp.gov.ph/sitepages/statistics/exchangerate.aspx. Accessed on 9 July 2025).
Ibid.


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. ^51
25 JIJL 14 P2--54
lit'
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A LIST OF LOW-LYING 
AREAS OF THE PHILIPPINE TERRITORY VULNERABLE TO RISING 
SEA LEVELS AS A RESULT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, AND AREAS AT 
HIGH RISK FOR NATURAL DISASTERS, MANDATING THE 
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, 
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, CLIMATE 
CHANGE COMMISSION, AND OTHER CONCERNED GOVERNMENT 
AGENCIES FOR ITS REGULAR UPDATING, APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assem bled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "HazardMapping
2 
Act."
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect the
4 
safety and general welfare of the public. Towards this end, the State shall
5 
endeavor to formulate a science-based approach in planning, preparing, and
6 
reducing the risk of natural disasters through an orderly layout of the national land
7 
mass with the identification of low-lying areas vulnerable to rising sea levels as a
8 
result of climate change, and areas at high risk for natural disasters.
9 
The State shall likewise establish an organized and efficient system of 
10 evacuation from these areas in the event of imminent danger.
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SEC. 3. National Disaster Map. - Within one (1) year after the 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
(DENR), through the National Mapping and Resources Information Authority 
(NAMRIA), together with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), 
Climate Change Commission, and National Disaster Risk Reduction and 
Management Council (NDRRMC) are directed to provide and issue a national 
disaster map of the Philippines, identifying the low-lying areas vulnerable to 
rising sea levels as a result of climate change and areas at high risk for natural 
disasters. It shall also contain proper identification of lands bordering sea 
levels, exposed to volcanic eruption and lying earthquake faults, with the 
criteria for evacuation and illustration of recommended evacuation sites and 
routes.
Information sources for the national disaster map should not be limited 
to scientific instrument-based data, but shall utilize a holistic approach which 
may include indigenous peoples' knowledge, fieldwork, and historical disaster 
data.
The national disaster map shall be updated regularly to reflect the latest 
data and risk assessments, and shall be made available and easily accessible 
to the public and Local Government Units.
SEC. 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's 
appropriations of the implementing agencies under this Act. Thereafter, such 
sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be included 
in the annual General Appropriation Act.
SEC 5. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected 
thereby shall remain in force and effect.
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


1 
SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
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circulation.
Approved,