nz}1,t.} 
(f~th;r "fl1tl' :~hq;tb!\! 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
SENATE BILL NO. 841 
,80 
""' II 
'13 
JUL n 
t ~ -
"""FOI, 
" ... fI' ."""'# "j Ii -.,,,a 
INTRODUCEDBYSENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCnO 
A " ,,*, 
11_ 'iif 
Of i<E. 
; 
,"".'AI,*A 
M,.UiiifPifM!>iF ,~ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The world is now experiencing the impact of global warming 
in various ways, not only in simple increase in air temperature but 
in changing weather patterns and the unexpected deluge is raising 
global sea levels. The latter situation should be a foremost concern 
for the Philippines because of its archipelagic nature. Scientists 
say rising sea levels could eventually submerge island nations, 
flood cities, and expose millions of coastal residents to destructive 
storm surges. 
In order to cope with the new trend, there is a need to 
promote a holistic approach to disaster reduction. Cooperation 
among all sectors of the society is crucial to promote a holistic 
approach to disaster reduction, also making early warning effective 
and mitigating disaster risk. 
Hazard mapping could be a component of the approach. A 
national hazard map will be necessary to correctly inform the 
people of possible disasters and their potential damages. In order 
to obtain the widest reach of information and accurate data, tbere 
must be consultation with the applicable local government units 
and indigenous groups. Information sources should be diverse, 
with a combination of low-tech and high-tech methods. The hazard 
map must include simple and easy-to-·understand information tbat 
the community will need. The hazard map also must be revised 
and updated regularly. 
Three Caribbean countries are finalizing hazard maps which 
will be used in future planning as a part of their safe and resilient 
development thrust. Grenada's maps focus on flood, landslide, and 
coastal erosion. For St. Lucia, they are on flood, landslide, and 
wind/wave/ stonn surge. Belize has focused on coastal erosion and 
wind/wave/storm surge. As in these coastal nations, a mapping of 
d 
,I 
,. r 
• \ \ 
,-I ,; 
• 


the Philippine archipelago is intended to assist the country's 
disaster management agencies in making decisions so as to 
achieve safe and resilient development in the future which in turn 
will reduce the level of damage from hazards. 
For the foregoing reasons, the urgent passage of this bill is 
earnestly sought. 
.. <::s(:?-
JOSEPH VICTOR Gr. EJERCXTO 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
F'irst Regular Session 
SENATE 
SENATE B1LLJ~lO. 84~ _ 
pvUtlT 
U"U'rr \If H)f ~-0I'(rrt1tt~ 
'1:3 
JUL 17 
i\ <:) :11 
IIY:-f-
_____ 
"'_"'''_,,_, _______________ 
'_' _____ 
m ____ 
'_''"' __ ___ 
INTRODUCJEDBYSENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR ~G. EJERClTO 
hi" I 
, 
AO .... "iii i 
; 
l .. , 
; 
; '" 
"",."'ShOO 
AN ACTTO DIRECT TH}l~ DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT 
AND NATURAL RESOURCES, THROUGH THle: NATIONAL 
MAPPING AND RESOURCE INFORMATION AUTHORITY, 
TOGETHER WITH THE NATIONAL DISASTER COORDINA'l'ING 
COUNCIJ~, TO IDENTIFY LOW-LYING AREAS OF THE 
PHILIPPINE TERRITORY VULNERABLE TO RISING SEA 
LEVELS AS A RESULT OF GLOBAL WARMING, AND AREAS A'1' 
HIGH RISK FOR NATURAL DISASTERS, APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives 
of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the 
"National [{azar'd Mapping Act of 2013." 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy, - It is the policy of the State 
to promote the public health. safety and general welfare. Towards 
this end, the State shall endeavor to formulate an orderly layout of 
the national land mass with identificatjon of low-lying areas 
vulnerable to rising sea levels as a result of global warming, and 
areas at high risk for natural disasters. 
The State shall likewise establish an organized and efficient 
system of evacuation from these areas in the event of imminent 
danger. 
Se(l. 3. National Disaster Map. -Within one (1) year after 
the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Environment and 
Natural 
I'~esources (DJENR), through the National Mapping and 
Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), together vdth the 


National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), is directed to 
submit a national disaster map of the Philippines, identifying the 
low-lying areas vulnerable to rising sea levels as a result of global 
warming and areas at high risk for natural disasters. It shall 
contain proper identification of lands bordering sea levels, expoBed 
to volcanic eru piions and lying on earthquake faults, with thc 
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 wisdom. 
Sec. 4. Appropriati.ons.-The amount necessary for the 
implementation of this Act shall be charged to the appropriations 
of the implementing agencies under the General Appropriations 
Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued 
implementation sball be included 
in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - In the event that any 
provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the validity of the 
other provisions shall not be affected by such declaration. 
Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules 
and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are 
inconsistent wit.h the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly 
Sec. 7. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect 15 days 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least t.wo 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,