r:: i-
'■ Ji' (OffIt" U; < i
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL 29 PI -00
SENATE
S.B. No.___ 746
fU'CElVrD Sv'
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
CREATING THE NATIONAL RESILIENCY AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT 
AUTHORITY, PRESCRIBING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 5 of the 1987 Constitution provides that 'the State shall 
maintain peace and order and protect life and property. The State recognizes its duty 
to ensure immediate and continuing means of assistance by the National Government 
to local government units on their responsibility in reducing the loss of life and property 
and protect the nation from all hazards."
The Philippines consistently ranks as one of the world's countries most exposed 
to all types of hazards - storms, volcanoes, epidemics, industrial accidents, etc. The 
country is even described as one of the most "typhoon-ravaged countries in the world." 
The Philippines experiences an average of 20 typhoons per year, with its urban 
residents facing risks from rising sea levels and increasing frequency of extreme 
weather events which cause economic losses that are increasing over time. Scientists 
believe this occurred because of climate change, in addition to the country's significant 
geographic location with over 7,641 islands.
Apart from natural calamities, armed conflict and other man-made hazards 
further threaten the lives of Filipino communities. The country is said to be a "haven 
for terrorists" and was reported as one of the countries with the greatest number of 
terrorist organizations over the last decade.
The current practice in disaster risk reduction, however, requires going through 
different government agencies delaying the mobilization of resources in times of 
disaster. During these events, lives are put in danger, basic needs like food, shelter 
water, and utilities are compromised and public infrastructures destroyed.


The measure seeks to create an Authority rather than a Department because 
the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) itself prefer 
to be under the Office of the President since their response and rescue capabilities 
require the cooperation of other departments and agencies. Moreover, the additional 
creation of a department would be in contrast to the administration's effort and 
direction in rightsizing the government.
Thus, it is imperative that an Authority be created under the Office of the 
President which will have the capacity to exercise command and control over concerned 
departments, agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, and local 
government units, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the 
Philippine National Police (PNP), on their respective functions, and be able to provide 
immediate response in times of disaster and other hazards.
In light of this, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARCOSr


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21
of !o. ■ .
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 JUL 29 P1 :00
SENATE
S.B. No. 74fi
RECEl'cO 3''
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
CREATING THE NATIONAL RESILIENCY AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT 
AUTHORITY, PRESCRIBING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "National and Disaster 
Management Authority Act."
SEC. 2. Deciaration of Policy. - The State shall uphold the people's right to life 
and property, strengthen the country's institutional capacity for disaster resiliency and 
disaster management, strengthen the capacities of departments, agencies, and Local 
Government Units (LGUs) in mitigating, preparing, responding, and recovering from 
the impact of disasters.
SEC. 3. National Resiliency and Disaster Management Authority. - There is 
hereby created the "National Resiliency and Disaster Management Authority," 
hereinafter referred to as the "Authority'' which shall be under the Office of the 
President.
The Authority shall be primary agency responsible for preparing, leading, 
organizing, and managing the government's effort to disaster resiliency and 
management, including coordination with different departments, agencies, and LGUs 
in the different phases of disaster: (1) Prevention and Mitigation, (2) Preparedness, 
(3) Response, (4) Rehabilitation and (5) Recovery.
The Authority shall be empowered with policy-making, coordination, 
integration, supervision, monitoring, implementation, evaluation, and capacity building


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
functions. The primary mission of the Agency is to reduce the loss of life and property 
and protect the country from all hazards, including natural and man-made disasters 
and armed conflicts.
Upon its creation, a Resiliency Administrator shall be appointed by the President, 
having a rank of cabinet secretary, who shall manage and coordinate the effective 
implementation of this Act.
SEC. 4. Powers and Functions. -The Authority shall have the following powers 
and functions:
(1) Formulate, in coordination with the Council, the "National Resiliency and 
Disaster Management Plan", as provided in Sections 5 and 6 of this Act;
(2) Issue administrative directives and promote operational skills and capacities 
to implement strategies, policies, and improved disaster resilience and 
management capacities in order to lessen the adverse impacts of hazards;
(3) Monitor the integration of disaster resilience and climate change adaptation 
in the national development plans and create an enabling environment that 
shall promote multi-stakeholder participation of concerned departments, 
agencies, local government units, organizations, and other stakeholders;
(4) Coordinate and exercise command and control with the concerned 
departments, agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, 
and local government units, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines 
(AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), on their respective functions 
in times of disaster and other hazards;
(5) Organize, train, equip, and maintain a response capacity system for search, 
rescue, and retrieval and delivery and distribution of relief goods;
(6) Monitor the implementation of this Act and the active participation of the 
concerned departments, agencies, government-owned and controlled 
corporations, and local government units, including the AFP and the PNP; 
and
(7) Perform such other functions, as may be necessary, for the effective 
implementation of this Act.
SEC. 5. Council. - To ensure the effective implementation of this Act, a 
"National Resilience and Disaster Management 
hereinafter referred to as the
"Council,"shaW be constituted to assist the Authority which shall be composed of the 
following:
(1) Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND);


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
(2) Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG);
(3) National Security Adviser of the National Security Council (NSC)
(4) Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD);
(5) Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH);
(6) Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH);
(7) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA);
(8) Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);
(9) Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
(10) 
Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications 
Technology (DICT); and
(11) 
One (1) Commissioner from the Climate Change Commission.
The abovementioned members shall be considered as ex officio members.
SEC. 6. National Resiliency and Disaster Management Plan. - With ninety (90) 
days after the effectivity of this Act, the Authority shall establish a "National Resiliency 
and Disaster Management Plan" hereinafter referred to as the "Piari' which shall 
contain a comprehensive, all hazards, multi-sectoral, inter-agency, and community- 
based strategy that shall build and strengthen capabilities necessary to prepare, 
respond, and recover from natural disasters, armed conflicts, and other man-made 
disasters while also building the unique capabilities necessary to respond to specific 
types of incidents that may pose greater risk.
The Plan shall set goals, objectives, and the guidelines for disaster resiliency 
and management in national and local levels, with a whole-of-nation approach. It shall 
also serve as the principal guide for the implementation of this Act and shall be 
reviewed every three (3) years thereafter, or as may be deemed necessary.
For purposes of this Act, "resilience"sh^W mean the ability of a system exposed 
to hazards to be able to, continuously and all year round, resist, absorb, respond, and 
recover from the immediate effects of a hazard, natural or man-made calamity, and/or 
armed conflict in a timely and efficient manner.
SEC. 7. Preparedness and Early Warning. - The Authority shall establish 
standards for disaster preparedness, contingency planning, localizing, operationalizing, 
disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management, preparedness for disaster 
response, preparedness for disaster response and early recovery, continuity of 
essential needs and services, and other relevant preparedness activities.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
The Authority shall mandate concerned government departments and agencies, 
such as the DOST, DICT, DILG, AFP, and PNP to establish integrated early warning 
systems, including information mechanisms, regarding meteorological, geologic, or 
terrestrial phenomena and man-made threats from real-time data both local and 
international sources.
The LGUs shall assist the Authority in identifying and/or establishing safe or 
strategic sites and evacuation centers with adequate facilities and in hazards 
assessment.
Provided, That, early warning system shall refer to the set of capacities needed 
to generate and disseminate timely and meaningful warning information to enable 
individuals, communities, and organizations threatened by a hazard to prepare and to 
act appropriately and in sufficient time to reduce the possibility of harm or loss. The 
system comprises of the following elements: (1) knowledge of risks; (2) monitoring, 
analysis, and forecasting of the hazards; (3) communication or dissemination of alerts 
and warnings; and (4) local capabilities to respond to the warning received.
SEC. 8. Disaster Response and Eariy Recovery. - The Authority shall ensure the 
provision of emergency services and public assistance during or immediately after a 
disaster or armed conflict in order to secure and save lives, reduce health impacts, 
ensure public safety and meet the basic subsistence needs of the people affected. 
Such response includes immediate relief assistance focused on immediate and short­
term needs of the victims and the vulnerable.
The Authority may declare a state of calamity, when appropriate, of affected 
barangays, municipalities, cities, provinces, and region and the lifting thereof based 
on the criteria set forth by the Council. Provided that, the declaration and lifting of the 
declaration may be issued by the LGUs, through a Resolution by the concerned 
Sanggunian, or by the President through the recommendation of the Authority based 
on the results of the damage and assessment and needs analysis.
The Authority shall ensure that the concerned departments and agencies, such 
as the DOH, DPWH, and DSWD will deliver immediate and adequate goods, articles, 
and/or equipment for relief assistance to affected areas.
Emergency responders, community practitioners, and organized volunteer 
organizations may contribute by providing timely and efficient emergency response


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
and providing training on basic life support, first aid, and search and rescue, in 
accordance with the standards as may be provided by the Authority.
SEC. 9. Rehabilitation and Recovery. - The Authority shail coordinate and 
ensure that concerned departments and agencies, such as the DSWD, DPWH, and 
DOH prepare, organize, impiement, and manage post-disaster assessment and 
recovery and rehabilitation programs, in coordination with the affected LCDs, and other 
stakehoiders.
Rehabilitative measures shouid provide the affected individuals and 
communities the ability to restore their normal level of functioning by restoring 
livelihoods and services, reconstructing damaged infrastructures and increasing the 
communities' organizationai capacity, among others.
The Authority shali aiso encourage and promote an approach to expedite 
rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. Provided that, the principie of "Build Forward 
Better" shall be applied to rehabiiitation and recovery efforts. For purposes of this Act, 
"Build Forward Better "shall refer to an approach to building and/or reconstructing an 
area or community, which entails a shift from simple recovery and restoration to safer, 
more adaptive, resilient, and inclusive communities.
SEC. 10. Regional Offices. - Upon the effectivity of this Act, Regional Offices 
shall be established in each region which shall be headed by a Regional Administrator 
who shali be appointed by the Resiliency Administrator and shall have the expertise in 
emergency response and management taking into consideration his/her famiiiarity with 
the geographic and demographic characteristics of the region.
Provided that, no person shall be appointed Regional Administrator uniess 
he/she is a citizen and resident of the Repubiic of the Philippines, is of good moral 
character, and is of proven competence and integrity.
The Regional Administrator shall have the following responsibilities:
(a) Ensure coordinated and integrated regional preparedness, protection, response, 
recovery, and mitigation activities and programs for natural disasters, acts of 
terrorism, and other man-made disasters (including planning, training, 
exercises, and professional development);


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
(b) Assist in the development of regional capabilities needed for a national 
catastrophic response system;
(c) Coordinate the establishment of effective regional operable and interoperable 
emergency communications capabilities with the concerned stakeholders;
(d) Designate an individual responsible for the development of strategic and 
operational regional plans in support of the Framework;
(e) Foster and promote the development of mutual aid and other cooperative 
agreements;
(f) Identify critical gaps in regional capabilities to respond to populations with 
special needs;
(g) Maintain and operate a Regional Response Coordination Center;
(h) Coordinate with the private sector to help ensure private sector preparedness 
for natural disasters, armed conflicts, and other man-made disasters;
(i) Assist State, local, and tribal governments, where appropriate, to pre-identify 
and evaiuate suitable sites where a multijurisdictionai incident command system 
may quickly be established and operated from, if the need for such a system 
arises; and
(j) Perform such other responsibilities, as may be necessary in the implementation 
of this Act.
SEC. 11. Donations. -The Authority shall have the power to receive donations 
and grants from any person, government institution, corporation, international 
organization, and other similar entities, and the power to recommend the procurement 
of developmental assistance for the purpose of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction 
and management and climate change adaptation.
The importation and donation of food, clothing, medicine, and equipment for relief 
and recovery and other disaster management and recovery-related supplies is 
authorized in accordance with Sec. 800 of R.A. No. 10863 otherwise known as the 
"Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)," as amended, and the prevailing 
provisions of the General Appropriations Act. Provided that, the Authority shall 
acknowledge, through receipts, all donations and grants to ensure judicious 
management including proper and accurate audit reporting.
SEC. 12. International Humanitarian Assistance. - The Authority, in 
coordination with the Council, shall promulgate guidelines on international assistance 
including initiation, entry, facilitation, transit, regulation, and termination thereof, as 
well as those involving international disaster relief and personnel assisting international


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
actors, visa waiver, recognition of foreign professional qualifications, entry of 
international disaster goods and equipment, and exemption from port duties, taxes, 
and restrictions.
In the event that the Authority determines that domestic response capabilities 
are not sufficient, the Authority may recommend to the President that request/s be 
made for international humanitarian assistance.
SEC. 13. Visa Waiver. - As may be determined by the Authority, eligible 
assisting international actors who shall perform disaster relief and initial recovery 
assistance shall be entitled to waiver of entry visa requirements, including associated 
fees and charges, in so far as such are still needed in the affected areas.
SEC. 14. Customs Facilitation and Priority Treatment -The Bureau of Customs 
(BOC) shall facilitate and assist in the rapid importation and/or consignment of goods 
and equipment by eligibie assisting actors and shall accord them priority treatment in 
handling.
SEC. 15. Exemption from Import Duties, Taxes, and Restrictions. - 
Consignment of goods and equipment by or on behalf of eligible assisting international 
actors shall benefit from exemption of all duties and taxes; waiver of economic 
prohibitions and restrictions, except for categories of special goods, as may be 
determined by the Authority; and clearance without regard to the country of origin or 
the country from which the goods have arrived, subject to monitoring for public health 
and security concerns.
SEC. 16. Emergency Procurement - In order to expedite disaster response and 
recovery, the procurement or lease of equipment and delivery of goods and services 
through emergency procurement or purchase at site shall be allowed. Periods of action 
on procurement activities may also be waived for the same purpose and conditions.
SEC. 17. Disaster Resilience and Climate Change Management Information 
System. - The Authority shall establish a Disaster Resiiience and Climate Change 
Management Information System which shall constitute an online central database of 
all disaster and climate change data including a geographic information system on 
mapping, geo-hazard assessment, climate risks, disaster-risk analysis, and climate 
change vulnerability assessment. Such Information System shall be made available to 
all concerned departments and agencies.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
SEC. 18. Transfer and Attachment. - Upon the effectivity of this Act, the 
applicable powers, functions, funds, assets, personnel, and appropriation of the 
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) shall be 
transferred to the Authority.
SEC. 19. Fiscal Management - The Authority shall manage all funds 
appropriated to it by Congress and from other sources, including donations as provided 
in Sec. 11 of this Act.
SEC. 20. National Disaster Resilience Fund (NDRF). - The utilization and 
allocation of the entire NDRF and its quick response fund component shall be managed 
by the Authority except as provided in other laws.
SEC. 21. Appropriation. - The amount needed for the implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
SEC. 22. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd shall formulate and promulgate the necessary 
rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 23. 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. 24. Separability Cause. - 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. 25. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,