EPRE By

RECEIVED 7
pare 27 AUG 105

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4076

House Bill No.

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA
2 District, locos Norte

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) is a critical
government function aimed at safeguarding lives, property, and livelihoods.
While Republic Act No. 10121 established the foundation for a comprehensive
DRRM framework, there remains a pressing need to recognize and support
the welfare of public DRRM workers—those who stand at the forefront of
disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

This proposed measure, to be known as the “Magna Carta for Public
DRRM Workers,” seeks to institutionalize policies that promote the
socio-economic and psychological well-being of DRRM personnel. It aims to
improve their working conditions and employment terms, while also ensuring
access to continuous training and skills development.

By investing in the people behind disaster response, this measure
aspires to build a competent, well-supported, and motivated DRRM
workforce—an essential pillar of resilient, disaster-ready communities.

In light of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.

ANGELO COS BARBA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4076

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA
2" District, locos Norte

AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT WORKERS

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 “Magna
Carta for Public Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM)
Workers.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of State Policy. — It shall be the policy of
the State:

(a) To uphold the people's constitutional rights to life and property by
addressing the root causes of vulnerabilities to disasters, strengthening
the country’s institutional capacity for disaster risk reduction and
management, and building the resilience of local communities to
disasters, including climate change impacts;

(b) To recognize and strengthen the capacities of local government units
(LGUs) and communities in mitigating, preparing for, responding to,
and recovering from the impact of hazards and disasters; and

(c) To enhance the implementation of Republic Act No, 10121 (R.A. No.
10121), otherwise known as the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Act of 2010” by enacting measures with special
reference to the welfare of all Public DRRM workers in the country.

Towards this end, this Act aims to:

(a)To promote and improve socio-economic and psychological
well-being of Public DRRM Workers, through the improvement


of working conditions, environment, and terms of employment;

(b) To promote the development of skills and capabilities of Public
DRRM workers for them to be more responsive and be better
equipped for the delivery of DRRM services and programs; and

(©) To encourage those with proper qualifications and excellent
abilities to join and remain in the government service and
DRRM profession.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act:

(a) “Ambulance Driver” refers to any person authorized to operate a
vehicle, primarily used for emergency medical transport, equipped with
life-saving equipment;

(b) “Patient Transport Vehicle Driver” refers to any person who operates
non-emergency medical transport services for patients requiring
medical support or monitoring during transit; and

(©) “Professionalization” refers to the process of standardizing
qualifications, training, and licensing of drivers under this Act to
ensure high-quality, ethical, and competent service delivery.

SECTION 3. Definition. — For purposes of this Act, “Public DRRM
Workers” refers to all persons engaged in the performance of duties covering
any or all Thematic Pillars of DRRM—Prevention and Mitigation,
Preparedness, Response, and Rehabilitation and Recovery—employed by the
government or any of its political subdivisions, instrumentalities, or agencies.
The Public DRRM Workers may either be civilian personnel engaged in a
permanent, temporary, contractual, or casual employment; or are those
engaged through a Contract of Service (CoS) and Job Order (JO) and such
other appointments, so long as their position or designation or actual work
performed involves government service work and those functions provided
under Section 5 of this Act.

SECTION 4. Certification. — The National Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council (NDRRMC), shall be the certifying body to oversee
the following: (i) That the DRRM functions or activities of an agency or LGU
are authorized by law and/or proper authority; (ii) The positions are part of
the authorized staffing of the organizational units performing the DRRM
functions; and (iii) Monitor that the incumbents thereof are actually engaged
in DRRM work.


SECTION 5. Classification of DRRM Activities. — The following
DRRM activities shall be classified according to the risks involved based on
the nature of work or location that they are working in:

(a) Low risk DRRM activities - DRRM activities that subject a Public
DRRM Worker to minimal exposure or lesser degree of occupational
risks or perils to life, such as but not limited to, regular office or clerical
work and those personnel that are not deployed for DRRM activities in
high-risk areas.

(b) High risk DRRM activities - DRRM activities that expose the Public
DRRM Worker to occupational risks or perils to life, such as but not
limited to, search, rescue, and retrieval operations, management of the
dead and missing, rapid damage needs assessment, post-disaster needs
assessment, emergency response activities, post-disaster activities,
health and epidemic/pandemic response operations, and Low risk
DRRM activities in high-risk areas, such as those Public DRRM
workers deployed in identified activities under the different Thematic
Pillars and in critical areas that are about to be affected, is affected, and
during the early recovery from natural or human-induced hazards.
Such activities shall also cover those that are to be performed in
high-risk areas.

Low risk DRRM activities shall be considered as high risk DRRM activities
when the same is being performed in an affected area or in areas deemed high
tisk: Provided, That the determination of such classification shall be under the
discretion of the respective heads of agencies concerned.

SECTION 6. Recruitment and Qualification. - Recruitment policy
and minimum requirements with respect to the selection and appointment
and/or assignment of Public DRRM Workers shall be developed by the
NDRRMC in accordance with the policies and standards of the Civil Service
Commission (CSC) and implemented by the respective agencies concerned:
Provided, That in the absence of qualified “eligibles” and it becomes necessary
in the public interest to fill a vacancy, a temporary appointment shall be
issued to the person, including persons with disability (PWDs), who meets all
the requirements for the position to which he/she is being appointed except
the appropriate civil service eligibility: Provided, further, That such
temporary appointment shall not exceed twelve (12) months nor be less than
three (3) months, renewable only once thereafter but that the appointee may
be replaced sooner if: (a) a qualified civil service eligible becomes available; or
(b) the appointee is found wanting in capacity or delivering poor performance
or conduct unbefitting a government employee.


SECTION 7. DRRM Volunteers. - DRRM Volunteers shall not be
covered by this Act, but shall otherwise be covered by the Guidelines on
Accredited Community Disaster Volunteers (ACDV) and pursuant to Section
9(0) of R.A. No. 10121 and its implementing rules and regulations issued by
the NDRRMC. For those that are not covered by the ACDV Guidelines, their
respective organizations shall provide ample protection to their
personnel-volunteers in consonance with the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 8. Non-permanent Public DRRM Workers. -
Non-permanent Public DRRM Workers engaged by the Government, such as
Job Order, Contract of Service personnel, and consultants may be provided
with such welfare benefits under Sections 25, 26, and 32 of this Act in relation
to the performance of their duties as premiums thereof should their contacts
require or allow them to provide services that are deemed high risk in nature:
Provided, That the Non-Permanent Public DRRM Worker shall secure a
certification from the head of agency or its duly designated representative that
he/she has performed either of the DRRM functions or activities as provided
for under Sec. 5 of this Act as a requirement to avail such benefits.

SECTION 9. Performance Evaluation and Merit Promotion. -
All concerned agencies, in consultation under Section 39 of this Act, shall
prepare a uniform career and personnel development plan applicable to all
Public DRRM workers. Such career and personal development plan shall
include provisions on merit promotion, performance evaluation, in-service
training grants, job rotation, and incentive and award system.

The performance evaluation plan shall consider foremost the
improvement of individual employee efficiency and organizational
effectiveness: Provided, That each employee shall be informed regularly by
his/her supervisor or his/her performance.

The merit promotion plan shall be in consonance with the rules of the
csc.

SECTION 10. Transfer or Geographical Reassignment of Public
DRRM Workers. -

(a) Transfer is the movement of an employee from one organizational unit
to another in the same department or agency or fom one department
or agency to another which is of equivalent rank, level, or salary
without gap in service.

On the other hand, Re-assignment is a movement of an employee
across the organizational structure within the same department or


agency which does not involve a reduction in rank, level, or salary.

‘A transfer requires an issuance of appointment while geographical
re-assignment does not.

(b)A Public DRRM worker shall not be transferred and/or reassigned,
except when made in the interest of public service, in which case, the
employee concerned shall be informed of the reasons therefore in
writing. If the Public DRRM Worker believes that there is no
justification for the transfer and/or reassignment, he/she may appeal
his/her case to the CSC. In case of an appeal, the transfer/reassignment
shall be held in abeyance and shall only take effect if the appeal is
denied: Provided, That no transfer and/or reassignment shall be made
for reasons merely of political affiliation: Provided, further, That no
transfer and/or reassignment whatsoever shall be made three (3)
months before and three (3) months after any local or national
elections: Provided, furthermore, That the transfer/reassignment of
Public DRRM Workers’ nature of work shall remain to be DRRM in
nature; Provided, finally, That the necessary expenses of the transfer
and/or reassignment of the Publie DRRM Worker and his/her
immediate family shall be paid for by the Government.

SECTION 11. Married Public DRRM Workers. - Whenever
possible, the proper authorities shall take steps to enable married couples,
both of whom are Public DRRM Workers, to be employed or assigned in the
same LGU or government agency, but not necessarily in the same office
department or division.

SECTION 12. Security of Tenure. - In case of permanent employment
of Public DRRM Workers, their services shall not be terminated except for
cause provided by law and after due process: Provided, That if a Public DRRM
Worker is found by the CSC to be unjustly dismissed from work, he/she shall
be entitled to reinstatement without loss of seniority rights and to his/her
back wages with applicable commensurate interest, subject to prevailing laws
and policies computed from the time his/her compensation was withheld
from his/her up to the time of reinstatement.

SECTION 13. Protection from Discrimination. - Public DRRM
Workers shall be protected from discrimination regardless of their sex, age,
gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, pregnancy, physical disability or
characteristics, civil status, creed, religious and political beliefs, or any other
status in the exercise of his/her profession: Provided, That the disability of the
Public DRRM Worker shall not limit his/her effective performance of the
DRRM profession which he/she is hired and/or appointed to.


SECTION 14. Duties and Obligations. - The Public DRRM Worker
shall:

(a) Perform his/her duty with utmost respect, race, sex, ethnicity, gender,
sexual orientation, religion, nationality, party policies, and social
‘status;

(b) Discharge his/her duty humanely with conscience and dignity;

(©) Be duty-read at all times and prepared to be deployed in any kind of
emergencies and disasters, adhering to all emergency protocols:
Provided, That in the event where the family of the Public DRRM
Worker is directly affected by the disaster, he/she shall first ensure
their safety and well-being;

(@) Be properly trained and proficient in his/her assigned position and
tasks;

(©) Always endeavor to maintain a level of health and fitness consistent
with the demands of the DRRM profession;

( Actively participate in all in-service training, drills, and simulation
exercises that will enhance his/her capacity in performing his functions
as a Public DRRM Worker;

(@ Be familiar with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan,
Contingency Plans, and Public Service Continuity Plan of the agency or
LGU to which they are employed or engaged and contribute in their
Occupational Safety and Health efforts;

(h) Conduct needs assessment as part of risk reduction and planning;

( Not consume liquor or any substances, legal or illegal, prior or while in
the performance of duties that could impair his/her vigilance or
judgment;

( Maintain an in-depth understanding of the emergency and DRRM
procedures;

( Practice utmost safety and diligence in the performance of duty; and

() Always adhere that Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is first and
foremost the most essential and that the same saves lives.


SECTION 15. Code of Conduct. - Within six (6) months from the
approval of this Act, the NDRRMC, upon consultation with the appropriate
agencies and instrumentalities of the government, and appropriate DRRM
workers’ organizations, shall formulate and prepare a Code of Conduct for
Public DRRM Workers, in consonance with Republic Act No. 6714 (R.A. No.
6714), or the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and
Employees,” which shall be disseminated as widely as possible.

SECTION 16. Administrative Charges. - Administrative charges
against a DRRM worker shall be heard by a committee created by the agency
or office where the Public DRRM worker belongs, pursuant to the existing
Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (RRACCS). The
Committee shall submit its findings and recommendations to the head of
agency or office within thirty (30) days from the termination of the hearings.

The Committee shall be appointed by the Head of Agency or IGU and shall
be composed of seven (7) members, including the Chairperson. It shall be
composed of the following:

(a) Second highest ranking official, for National Government Agencies
(NGAs), or Vice-Mayor for LGUs, or Vice-Governor for Provincial
Level, as its Chairperson;

(b) The Head of Human Resource as its Vice-Chairperson;
(©) One (1) Division Chief with a salary grade of not lower than 22;

(@) Two (2) Section Chiefs or employees with salary grade of not lower than
18;

(e) One (1) representative from a recognized Public DRRM Workers’
Association or its equivalent: Provided, That the said representative
also belongs to the agency, in the absence thereof, an employee with a
salary grade of not lower than 18; and

(6 One (1) representative from the legal section or division, or its
equivalent.

The Head of Office may reorganize the composition of the Committee in
such cases where one or more members of the Committee is/are the interested
party, or in cases necessary to discharge the functions of the Committee, such
as when the prescribed composition of the Committee cannot be met due to
insufficiency, unavailability, or absence of the position, rank, or office in the
agency. In such case, the Head of Office shall exercise diligence in choosing


the members in accordance with their ranks or functions consistent with the
prescribed composition.

SECTION 17. Legal Support. - Public DRRM Workers shall be
exempted from any liability as to damage to any property or injury to a person
caused in the direct performance of their duty relative to disaster or
emergency response and other related activities where the same is necessary
in order to save lives or properties, in accordance with Art. 11, par. 5 of the
Revised Penal Code (RPC) and/or other applicable laws and issuances. In any
case, however, the Public DRRM Worker shall be afforded appropriate
assistance by their respective agency or LGU concerned in view that any
conflict that may arise shall be resolved amicably or extrajudicially through
commensurate and peaceful means.

In cases where injury or death is involved and a case has been filed against
the Public DRRM Worker, he/she shall be afforded with all possible legal
assistance by the agency or LGU concerned: Provided, That it is established by
the Public DRRM Worker, through a Sworn Affidavit, that the injury or death
caused is in direct connection of his/her duty, without any criminal or
malicious intent.

SECTION 18. Safeguards in Disciplinary Procedures. - In every
disciplinary proceeding, the Public DRM Worker shall have:

(a) The right to be informed, in writing, of the charges;

(b) The right to full access to the evidence in the case;

(c) The right to defend himself/herself and to be defended by a
representative of his/her choice and/or by his/her organization, with
adequate time given to the Public DRRM Worker for the preparation of

his/her defense;

(@)The right to confront witnesses presented against him/her and
summon witnesses in his/her behalf;

(c) The right to appeal to designated authorities;

(O The right to reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in his/her
defense in case of exoneration or dismissal of the charges; and

(g) Such other rights that will ensure fairness and impartiality during
proceedings.


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SECTION 19. Normal Hours of Work. - The normal hours of work of
any Public DRRM Worker shall not exceed eight (8) hours a day or forty (40)
hours a week.

Hours worked shall include: (a) all the time during which a Public DRRM
Worker is required to be on active duty or to be at a prescribed workplace; and
(b) all the time during which a Public DRRM Worker is placed in “On-call”
status: Provided, That a Public DRRM Worker particularly placed in “On-call”
status shall be entitled to an “On-call Pay” equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of
his/her regular wage: Provided, further, That no Public DRRM Worker shall
be placed in “On-call” status beyond seven (7) days per month.

“On-call” status refers to a status where a Public DRRM Worker not on
active duty is called upon to respond to urgent or immediate need for
response-related activities relative to emergencies, such that he/she cannot
devote the time for his/her own use.

SECTION 20. Overtime Work. - With the exigencies of the service so
require, any Public DRRM Worker may be required to render service beyond
the normal eight (8) hours a day. In such a case, the workers shall be paid an
additional compensation in accordance with existing laws and prevailing
practices: Provided, That such compensation shall be subject to the same
rates, conditions, and limitations applicable to qualified government
personnel provided under relevant issuances of CSC-Department of Budget
and Management (DBM).

SECTION 21. Work during Rest Day. -

(a) Where a Public DRRM Worker is made to work on his/her scheduled
rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional compensation in
accordance with existing laws.

(b) Where a Public DRRM Worker is made to work on any special holiday,
he/she shall be paid an additional compensation in accordance with
existing laws.

Where such holiday work falls on the worker’s scheduled rest day,
he/she shall be entitled to an additional compensation as may be
provided by existing laws.


SECTION 22. Night Shift Differential. -

(a) Every Public DRRM Worker shall be paid a night shift differential of
twenty percent (20%) of his/her regular wage for each hour of work
performed during the night shifts.

(b) Every Public DRRM Worker required to work on the period covered
after his/her regular schedule shall be entitled to his/her regular wage
plus the regular overtime rate and an additional amount of twenty
percent (20%) of such overtime rate for each hour of work performed
between six (6) o'clock in the evening to six (6) o'clock in the morning.

SECTION 23. Salaries. - In the determination of the salary scale of
Public DRRM Workers, the existing applicable law on the salary scheme of
government employees shall govern.

(a) Salary Scale for Local Public DRRM Worker. - The salary scales of
Public DRRM Workers whose salaries are appropriated by a
municipality, city, or provincial government shall be based on the
salary schedule being implemented by the LGU concerned;

(b) Salaries to be Paid in Legal Tender. - Salaries of Public DRRM
Workers shall be paid in legal tender of the Philippines or the
equivalent in checks or treasury wants: Provided, however, That such
checks or treasury warrants shall be convertible to cash in any national,
provincial, city, or municipal treasurers’ office or any banking
institution operating under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines.

(c) Deductions Prohibited. - No person shall make any deduction
whatsoever from the salaries of Public DRRM Workers except under
specific provision of law authorizing such deductions: Provided,
however, That upon written authority executed by the Public DRRM
Worker concerned: (i) lawful dues or fees owing to any organization or
association where such Public DRRM Worker is an officer or member;
and (ii) premiums properly due all insurance policies, retirement and
medicare shall be considered deductible.

SECTION 24. Additional Compensation. - Notwithstanding Sec. 12
of Republic Act No. 6758 (R.A. No. 6758), also known as the “Compensation
and Position Classification Act of 1989,” Public DRRM Workers shall receive
the following allowances: hazard allowance, subsistence allowance,
reimbursement of allowable communication expense, longevity pay, laundry
allowance, and quarters allowance.


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SECTION 25. Hazard Allowance. - As provided under Sec. 5 of this
Act, Public DRRM Workers, who are exposed to high risks or perils to life in
the performance of their duties and responsibilities, shall be compensated
with hazard allowance equivalent to not exceeding twenty-five percent (25%)
of their daily basic salary, and at least five percent (5%) for Public DRRM
Workers exposed in low risk activities when deployed to or are working in
affected areas: Provided, That Public DRRM Workers under low risk DRRM
activities shall be eligible to avail an increase hazard allowance equivalent to
that of high risk DRRM Workers in the event that they are called to perform or
are deployed for a limited period to high risk DRRM activities, subject to
appropriate computation of days rendered. The determination of the
compensation of Hazard Allowance shall be based on the actual working days
of exposure of the Public DRRM Worker to any given risks or perils to life.

SECTION 26. Transportation, Communication, and
Subsistence Allowance. - Public DRRM Workers who are required to
render service in the field during emergencies and disasters in order to make
their services available at any and all times, shall be entitled to full subsistence
allowance of three (3) meals which may be computed in accordance with
prevailing circumstances: Provided, That no subsistence allowance shall be
given in the event where the concerned agency has already prescribed meals
for the Public DRRM Worker.

Public DRRM Workers required to report outside of their regular
workstations other than responding to disasters or emergencies shall be
entitled to such transportation and travel expenses pursuant to Executive
Order No. 77 (E.0. No. 77), series of 2019, or other existing budgeting,
accounting, and auditing guidelines, as well as reimbursement of allowable
communication expenses.

SECTION 27. Longevity Pay. - A monthly longevity pay equivalent to
five percent (5%) of the monthly basic pay shall be paid to a Public DRRM
Worker for every five (5) years of continuous, efficient, and meritorious
services rendered, as certified by the chief of office concerned, commencing
with the Public DRRM Workers’ service upon the effectivity of this Act.

Those entitled to Longevity Pay can no longer avail of the Step Increment
Benefit due to length of service.

SECTION 28. Laundry Allowance. - All Public DRRM Workers who
are required to wear uniforms regularly shall be entitled to laundry allowance
equivalent to One Hundred Fifty Pesos (150.00) per month: Provided, That
this rate shall be reviewed periodically and increased accordingly by the


NDRRMC, in consultation with the appropriate government agencies
concerned taking into account existing laws and prevailing practices.

SECTION 29. Housing. - All Public DRRM Workers who are on tour of
duty and those who, because of unavoidable circumstances, are forced to stay
in their offices, shall be entitled to free living quarters within the office, or if
such quarters are not available, shall receive quarters allowance, as may be
determined by their respective agencies.

‘A qualified Public DRRM Worker who has no residence within a fifty (50)
kilometer radius from such government facility or deployment area shall be
granted quarters allowance at the local room rental rate in the area until free
living quarters are available.

SECTION 30. Medical, Mental, and Psychosocial Examination.
- Compulsory medical, mental, and psychosocial examination shall be
provided free of charge to all Public DRRM Workers before entering the
service in the Government or its subdivisions and shall be repeated once a
year during the tenure of employment of all Public DRRM Workers and every
after deployment of Public DRRM Workers for more than three (3) days to
seven (7) days in high risk areas, as may be determined by the agency where
the Public DRRM Worker belongs: Provided, That where medical examination
and treatment shall be determined by the respective agency who the Public
DRRM Worker is engaged with and such amount be subject to process of the

agency.

In cases of extreme exposure to a traumatic experience while rendering
DRRM Work, the agency shall, aside from those that are provided for above,
provide necessary support for the rehabilitation of the Public DRRM Worker.
A post medical examination shall be provided for the Public DRRM Worker
prior to leaving the service.

SECTION 31. Personal Protective Equipment, Vaccination, and
other Prophylaxis. - Public DRRM Workers, as frontliners in disaster
response, shall be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment
(PPE), free vaccinations, and other prophylactic medicines against common
and present diseases in the locality where the Public DRRM Worker is
assigned. The immediate family of Public DRRM Workers deployed in high
risk areas who are exposed to any highly contagious disease or illness shall
also be entitled to vaccinations or any available immediate medical
intervention.

SECTION 32. Compensation for Work-Related Injuries and
Sicknesses. - Public DRRM Workers shall be protected against the


consequences of employment injuries or sickness in accordance with existing
laws. Injuries or sickness incurred in line of duty shall be presumed
work-connected.

SECTION 33. Leave Benefits for Public DRRM Workers. - Public
DRRM Workers are entitled to such vacation, sick leaves as provided by
existing laws and prevailing practices: Provided, That in addition to the leave
privileges now enjoyed by Public DRRM Workers, men and women Public
DRRM Workers are entitled to such paternity and maternity leaves,
respectively, provided by existing laws and prevailing practices: Provided,
further, That upon separation of the Public DRRM Workers from service, they
shall be entitled to all accumulated leave credits with pay. Public DRRM
Workers are also entitled to rehabilitation leave privilege for physical, mental,
or emotional injuries or damage sustained in the performance of official duties
subject to the provisions under relevant issuances of CSC-DBM.

SECTION 34. Capacity Building, Scholarship, and Grants. -
Public DRRM Workers shall undergo necessary training and other capacity
building activities on a regular basis. They shall also be given opportunity to
avail of scholarship benefits and grants for pursuing graduate and
post-graduate studies in accordance with the existing rules to be implemented.
by the concerned agencies or LGUs. Grantees of the program may study
within the Philippines or abroad provided that the concerned agency or LGU
shall provide strict measures to ensure continuity and render service
obligation. The concerned agency shall give utmost preference to
post-graduate DRRM-related studies in granting such benefits.

SECTION 35. Mandatory Insurance Coverage. - Public DRRM
Workers shall be entitled to insurance coverage as provided by the Social
Security System (SSS) as mandated under Republic Act No. 8282 (R.A. No.
8282), otherwise known as the “Social Security Law,” by the Government
Service Insurance System (GSIS) as provided by Republic Act No. 8291 (R.A.
No. 8291), also known as “The Government Service Insurance System Act of
1997,” by the Universal Health Care Act as mandated by Republic Act No.
11223 (R.A. No. 11223), and by the Philippine Health Insurance (PhilHealth),
as mandated by Republic Act No. 7875 (R.A. No. 7875) or the “National
Health Insurance Act of 1995,” whichever is applicable. Further, Public DRRM
Workers holding permanent positions and are assigned on field work shall
also be entitled to personal accident insurance amounting to One hundred
thousand pesos (P100,000.00); at a minimum, it must include coverage for
accidental death or dismemberment, permanent disability, and
hospitalization cost reimbursement.


SECTION 36. Highest Basic Salary Upon Retirement. - Three (3)
months prior to the compulsory retirement, the Public DRRM Worker shall
automatically be granted one (1) salary range or grade higher than his/her
basic salary and his/her retirement benefit thereafter computed on the basis
of his/her highest salary: Provided, That he/she has reached the age and
fulfilled service requirements under existing laws.

SECTION 37. Right to Self-Organization. - Public DRRM Workers
shall have the right to freely form, join, or assist organizations or associations,
to the extent allowable by law and/or existing policies, for purposes not
contrary to law in order to defend and protect their mutual interests and to
obtain redress of their grievances through peaceful concerted activities.

SECTION 38. Freedom from Interference or Coercion. - It shall
be unlawful for any person to commit any of the following acts of interference
or coercion:

(a) to require as a condition of employment that a Public DRRM Worker
shall not join a DRRM Workers’ organization, association, or union, or
shall relinquish membership therein;

(b) to discriminate in regard to hiring or tenure of employment or any item
or condition of employment in order to encourage or discourage
membership in any DRRM Workers’ organization, association, or
union;

(©) to prevent a Public DRRM Worker from carrying out duties laid upon
him/her by his/her position in the organization, association, or union,
or to penalize him/her for the action undertaken in such capacity;

(d) to harass or interfere with the discharge of the functions of the Public
DRRM Worker when these are calculated to intimidate or to prevent
the performance of his/her duties and responsibilities; and

(eto otherwise interfere in the establishment, functioning, or
administration of DRRM Workers’ organizations or unions through
acts designed to place such organization or union under the control of
government authority.

SECTION 39. Consultation with Public DRRM Workers’
Organizations. - In the formulation of national policies governing the social
security of Public DRRM Workers, professional, and Public DRRM Workers’
Consultative Councils for national, regional, and other appropriate levels shall
be established and operationalized.


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SECTION 40. Human Resource Development/Management
Study. - The Human Resource Department/Division of respective concerned
agencies shall conduct a periodic human resource development/management
study into, among others, the following areas:

(a) adequacy of facilities and supplies to render quality DRRM services to

client population;

(b) opportunity for Public DRRM workers to grow and develop their
potentials and experience a sense of worth and dignity in their work;

(c) mechanisms for democratic consultation in government DRRM
institutions;

() appropriate organizational and staffing patterns;

(@) ways and means of enabling the rank-and-file workers to avail of
educational opportunities for personal growth and development;

(O upgrading of work conditions, reclassification of positions and salaries
of Public DRRM Workers to correct disparity vis-a-vis other
professions, such that those positions requiring longer study be
upgraded and given corresponding pay scale; and

(g) assessment of the national policy on exportation of skilled human
resources to focus on how these resources could instead be utilized
productively for the country’s needs.

There shall be a Congressional Oversight Committee to review and assess
human resource development, particularly on continuing education and
training and the other areas described above. The Committee shall be
composed of five (5) members of the House of Representatives and five (5)
members of the Senate. It shall be co-chaired by the chairpersons of the
Committee on Disaster Resilience of both houses. It shall render a report and
recommendation to Congress which shall be the basis for policy legislation in
the field of Disaster Resilience or DRRM. Such a congressional review shall be
undertaken once every five (5) years.

SECTION 41. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The
NDRRMC, after consultation with appropriate agencies of the Government, as
well as professional and DRRM Workers’ organizations or associations, shall
formulate and prepare the necessary rules and regulations to implement the
provisions of this Act. Further, the DBM, in coordination with the NDRRMC,
shall issue the guidelines on the grant of compensation-related benefits to


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Public DRRM Workers. Rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Section
shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication in a newspaper of general
circulation.

SECTION 42. Prohibition Against Double Recovery of Benefits.
- Whenever other laws provide for the same benefits covered by this Act, the
Public DRRM Worker shall have the option to choose which benefits will be
paid to him/her. However, in the event that the benefits chosen are less than
that provided under this Act, the worker shall be paid only the difference.

SECTION 43. Prohibition Against Elimination and/or
Diminution. - Nothing in this law shall be construed to eliminate or in any
way diminish benefits being enjoyed by Public DRRM Workers at the time of
the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 44. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the
implementation of this Act shall be determined by the concerned agencies and
be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its
enactment under the budgetary appropriations of concerned agencies or
chargeable against local funds of LGUs subject to Personal Service Limitations
pursuant to Sec. 325 of Republic Act No. 7160 (R.A. No. 7160) where
applicable.

However, such special benefits, including injury and burial benefits, as
well as hazard pay, may be sourced from the local DRRM fund of the agencies
or LGUs.

SECTION 45. Penal Provision. - Any person who shall willfully
interfere with, restrain, or coerce any Public DRRM Worker in the exercise of
his/her rights or shall in any manner commit any act in violation of any of the
provisions of this Act, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less
than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) or imprisonment of not more than one
(a) year or both at the discretion of the court.

If the offender is a public official, the court, in addition to the penalties
provided in the preceding paragraph, may impose the additional penalty of
disqualification from office.

SECTION 46. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby
shall remain in full force and effect.


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SECTION 47. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, rules,
and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 48. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen
(a5) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the
Philippines.

Approved,