Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. JASON P. ALMONTE 
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT TO 
ESTABLISH, MAINTAIN, AND OPERATE THE MINDANAO DISASTER-RESILIENT 
RESOURCE CENTER FOR MINDANAO IN COORDINATION WITH THE MINDANAO 
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) plays a crucial role in 
disaster response by ensuring that the Philippine government's actions are well-
coordinated, adhere to established protocols, and are effectively communicated to the public. 
The DSWD is also responsible for delivering emergency assistance, such as 
distributing relief goods and providing rehabilitation services to individuals and 
communities affected by both natural and man-made disasters. Additionally, the DSWD 
collaborates with various government agencies to ensure efficient achievement of its 
objectives. 
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), based in Mindanao, serves as a 
coordinating body responsible for advancing and supporting sustainable economic growth 
and development across the region, under its mandate to promote, coordinate, and facilitate 
the integrated and balanced development of Mindanao. 
In recent years, Mindanao has experienced increasingly severe impacts of global 
warming and climate change. These have led to numerous catastrophic events intensified by 
extreme weather conditions, further compounded by environmental deterioration caused 
by unchecked illegal logging and irresponsible mining operations. 
Considering Mindanao's heightened vulnerability to both natural calamities and man-
made crises, there is an urgent call to enhance resilience efforts, bolster disaster mitigation 
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strategies, and improve preparedness, early response, and recovery initiatives across the 
entire region. 
Coordinating disaster management operations across multiple regions or throughout 
the whole of Mindanao poses consistent challenges in ensuring the timely and efficient 
distribution of relief goods and assistance. The establishment of the MDRC, in collaboration 
with MinDA, will function as the central hub in the Mindanao region for efficiently and 
promptly distributing relief goods and assistance to individuals and communities affected 
by natural or man-made disasters in Mindanao. 
Therefore, as part of enhancing resilience, this bill seeks to establish, maintain, and 
operate a larger, secure, accessible MDRC equipped with complete facilities for Mindanao in 
coordination with MinDA. This MDRC will serve as a central hub in the Mindanao region for 
storing food packs and warehousing of food and non-food commodities. Its purpose is to 
ensure efficient and prompt distribution of assistance and early response to emergencies 
across various regions in Mindanao, addressing both natural and man-made disasters. 
For the foregoing reasons, the immediate consideration and approval of this bill is 
earnestly sought. 
JASON P. ALMONTE 
Representative 
First District, Misamis Occidental 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____________ 
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. JASON P. ALMONTE 
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT TO 
ESTABLISH, MAINTAIN, AND OPERATE THE MINDANAO DISASTER-RESILIENT 
RESOURCE CENTER FOR MINDANAO IN COORDINATION WITH THE MINDANAO 
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
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 "Mindanao Disaster-Resilient 
Resource Center (MDRC) Act". 
SEC. 2. Establishment of Mindanao Disaster-Resilient Resource Center. 
- There shall be established a Mindanao Disaster-Resilient Resource Centers (MDRC)
equipped with complete facilities for Mindanao in coordination with the Mindanao
Development Authority (MinDA). This MDRC shall serve as a central disaster hub in the
Mindanao region for storing food packs and warehousing of food and non-food commodities.
Its purpose is to ensure efficient and timely distribution of assistance and early response to
emergencies across various regions in Mindanao, addressing both natural and man-made
disasters.
SEC. 3. Location of the Mindanao Disaster-Resilient Resource Center. 
- The central MDRC shall be located on a 4-hectare lot at the DSWD Field Office-X in Barangay
Lunocan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. This location is strategically located in the center of
Mindanao, ensuring easy accessibility via various routes for the efficient delivery of essential
services and goods across the island. Thereafter, satellite locations shall be chosen, built, and
equipped in the Zamboanga Peninsula to service the island provinces, another to service
eastern Mindanao and another for western Mindanao.
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SEC. 4. Requirements - The MDRC shall meet the following structural requirements, 
amenities, facilities, and equipment to effectively fulfill its role in storing supplies while 
ensuring operational efficiency, safety, and compliance with relevant regulations as 
established in this Act:  
 
a. Structural and Building Capacity. - The MDRC shall be constructed to endure 
extreme weather conditions such as super typhoons with wind speeds reaching at 
least 300 kilometers per hour (300 KPH) and seismic events of at least magnitude 8.0. 
It should be disaster-resistant, constructed using durable materials, and compliant 
with Republic Act No. 6541, also known as the "National Building Code of the 
Philippines," or must meet the standards outlined in the International Building Code. 
 
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall be responsible for 
overseeing the construction of the MDRC, which includes formulating building 
specifications. The DPWH ensures that these specifications adhere to standards, 
guidelines, and directives established by the DPWH and comply with the provisions 
of the National Building Code. Additionally, the DPWH guarantees that the 
construction of the MDRC aligns with these requirements throughout the 
construction phase. The specifications of the MDRC will be periodically reviewed and 
adjusted by the DPWH as needed. 
 
b. Amenities and Accessibility. - The MDRC shall meet the following essential 
requirements to maintain food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, operational 
efficiency, and employees' well-being.  
 
Amenities: 
 
1. Storage Space: Adequate shelving, racks, and floor space to accommodate various 
goods, including bulk items, pallets, and smaller packages.  The layout should 
allow efficient organization and easy access to stored relief supplies. 
 
2. Climate Control: Heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system which is 
essential to maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels, depending on the 
relief supplies being stored.   
 
3. Security Systems:  Perimeter fencing, security cameras, access control systems, 
and adequate lighting both indoors and outdoors in the MDRC to protect the 
stored relief supplies from theft and damage. 
 
4. Lighting:  Sufficient lighting throughout the MDRC to ensure safe working 
conditions and facilitate the easy identification, organization, and retrieval of 
relief supplies.  
 
5. Administrative Office or Meeting Room: It provides a space for managing 
inventory, order processing, and maintaining important documents such as 
inventory records, shipping manifests, employee records, and safety 


documentation required for regulatory compliance.  In summary, the 
administrative office and conference room serve as a control office where 
decisions are made, communications are coordinated, and operations are 
monitored to ensure the MDRC functions effectively and efficiently. 
 
6. Security Office: Equipped with Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) for monitoring 
access points and overseeing the entry and exit of individuals and vehicles on the 
premises. 
 
7. Loading Docks and Equipment:  Well-designed loading docks equipped with 
appropriate dock levelers, ramps, and space for trucks to maneuver.  Forklifts or 
other material-handling equipment should be available for moving goods within 
the MDRC. 
 
8. Fire Safety: Fire prevention and suppression systems, including fire alarms, fire 
extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and marked emergency exit routes in 
compliance with fire safety regulations. 
 
Accessibility: 
1. Safety and Regulations: Comply with building codes, zoning regulations, and 
safety standards such as fire safety, and emergency exits to ensure a secure and 
legally compliant environment. 
 
2. Accessibility for Employees, Visitors, and Delivery Trucks: Provide adequate 
parking lots for delivery trucks, staff, and visitors.  It should be easily accessible 
for both incoming and outgoing shipments.  This includes sufficient access points 
for trucks, loading docks equipped with appropriate ramps or lifts, and clear 
pathways inside the warehouse for maneuvering equipment like forklifts. 
 
SEC. 5. Operation and Management of the Mindanao Disaster-Resilient Resource Center 
- The DSWD shall be responsible for operating, supervising, and managing the MDRC 
established by this Act. They are also empowered to issue rules and regulations governing 
the appropriate use and maintenance of the MDRC, as well as its utilization when not in 
active use. The DSWD may impose suitable penalties for unauthorized activities that result 
in damage, defacement, or loss of supplies stored in the MDRC. 
 
SEC. 6. Coordination by DSWD with MinDA - The DSWD shall coordinate with MinDA to 
oversee the regional operations of the MDRC to ensure the effective and efficient 
implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC. 7. Support from Relevant Agencies - Relevant agencies such as the National Disaster 
Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) of the  


Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police and 
concerned local government units (LGUs) shall support the DSWD. 
 
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The DSWD shall, in consultation with MinDA, 
DPWH, and other concerned government agencies, promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations to carry out the provisions within Sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act. 
 
SEC. 9. Appropriations - The initial funding required for constructing and maintaining the 
MDRC, which will function as a central hub for storing food and non-food commodities, will 
be sourced from the budget allocated for this purpose under the DSWD. Subsequently, funds 
necessary for the ongoing construction and operation of the warehouse will be included in 
the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 10. Separability Clause If any part or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional 
or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof shall remain 
fully valid and enforceable. 
 
SEC. 11. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, executive orders, ordinances, rules and 
regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with any provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, superseded, or amended accordingly.  
 
SEC. 12. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect Fifteen (days) after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in any newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,