1 0
EIG H TEEN TH  CO N G RESS O F T H E  ) 
REPU BLIC O F T H E  PH IL IPPIN ES 
) 
F irst Regular Session 
)
S E  N A T
S.B. Nor | 4 5
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*19 JUL -8 P12 :05
RELl.
In tro d u ce d  by SEN A TO R V ICEN TE C. SO TTO  IH
AN ACT
CREATING TH E D EPARTM ENT O F D ISA STER  R ESILIE N C E , D EFIN IN G  
IT S POW ER AND FU N CTIO N S, A PPRO PRIA TIN G  FUNDS T H E R E FO R ,
AND FO R  O TH E R  PU R PO SES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The P hilippines is one of th e  c o u n trie s m o st v u ln erab le to n a tu ra l 
h a z a rd s  a n d  clim ate change. T he W orld R isk R eport 2 0 1 7  cites o u r c o u n try  
a s  h av in g  the 3 rd  h ig h e st e x p o su re a n d  3 rd  h ig h e st risk  to n a tu ra l h a z a rd s  
a m o n g  173 co u n trie s. N a tu ra l d is a s te rs  in clu d e ty p h o o n s, e a rth q u a k e s , 
floods, volcanic e ru p tio n s, la n d slid es, sto rm  su rg es, a n d  d ro u g h t, a m o n g  
o th e rs. C lim ate ch an g e h a s  also in c re ase d  th e  severity a n d  frequency o f th e  
o c cu rren c e  of n a tu ra l d is a s te rs  in th e  P hilippines. T he lo sses from  n a tu ra l 
d is a s te rs  could co st a s m u ch  a s  6.5%  of th e  Philippine GDP every y e a r.1
R epublic Act no. 10121 (R.A. No. 10121), otherw ise kno w n  a s  “T he 
P h ilippine D isaste r R isk R ed u ctio n  a n d  M anagem ent A ct of 2 0 1 0 ”, c re a te d  
th e  N ational D isaste r R isk R ed u ctio n  a n d  M anag em en t C ouncil (NDDRMC) 
a n d  m a n d a te d  th e Office of Civil D efense (OCD) a s  its se c re ta ria t a n d  
co o rd in a tin g  arm . T he NDDRMC w as given policy-m aking, co o rd in atio n , 
in te g ra tio n , su p erv isio n , m o nitoring, a n d  ev alu atio n  fu n ctio n s. H ow ever, 
th is  DRRM resp o n sib ility  is sh a re d  am o n g  th e  different lead a g en cies in 
s u c h  a  w ay th a t nobody is in  ch arg e of th e overall d is a s te r resilience o n  a  
fu ll-tim e, focused b a sis.2
F u rth er, b o th  h u m a n  in d u c e d  a n d  n a tu ra l d is a s te rs  are c u rre n tly  
lu m p e d  in one body -  th e  OCD a s  th e  co o rd in atin g  a rm  of th e NDRRMC.
1 World Bank, Unbreakable: Building the Resilience of the Poor in the Face of Natural 
Disasters, 2017.
2 The NDDRMC is composed of the following agencies: (1) Chairp)erson -  Secretary of 
Department of National Defense; (2) Vice Chairperson for Disaster Preparedness -  
Secretary of Interior and Local Government; (3) Vice Chairperson for Disaster Prevention 
and Mitigation -  Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology; and (4) Vice 
Chairperson for Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery -  Director-General of the National 
Economic Development Authority.
1


T his se t-u p  is b a se d  on th e  p re su m p tio n  th a t th e co m p eten cies, sk ills, 
policies, a n d  in stitu tio n a l a rra n g e m e n ts n e c e ssa ry  to e n s u re  resilien ce to 
n a tu ra l h a z a rd s  a n d  h u m a n -in d u c e d  d is a s te rs  a re  th e  sam e. H ow ever, th e  
realities of M other N atu re a n d  clim ate ch an g e d e b u n k  th is  p re su m p tio n . A 
carefu l review  of e ac h  of th e  n a tu ra l h a z a rd s th a t th e  c o u n try  faces will 
show  th a t th e  D e p a rtm e n t n e c e ssita te s a highly-specialized se t of p e rso n n el, 
re so u rc e s a n d  policies to b rin g  a b o u t d is a s te r resilience.
T he P h ilip p in es’ ex p erien ces w ith n a tu ra l d is a s te rs  s u c h  a s  s u p e r 
ty p h o o n  Pablo (2012), th e  B ohol E a rth q u a k e  (2013), a n d  s u p e r ty p h o o n  
Y olanda (2013), am o n g  o th e rs, have sh o w n  th a t th e  ex istin g  law s, policies, 
re so u rc e s, a n d  in stih itio n a l a rra n g e m e n ts governing d is a s te r m a n a g e m e n t 
lack ed  re sp o n siv e n e ss to th e  c o u n try ’s re q u ire m e n ts for d is a s te r resilience.
In h is 2 0 1 7  S ta te  of th e  N ation A ddress, P resid en t R odrigo D u te rte  
called o n  b o th  h o u se s of C ongress to expeditiously craft a  law  e sta b lish in g  a  
n ew  a u th o rity  or d e p a rtm e n t th a t is resp o n siv e to th e  prevailing 2 1 s t 
c e n tu ry  co n d itio n s a n d  em pow ered to deliver e n h a n c e d  d is a s te r resilien ce 
a n d  q u ick  d is a s te r resp o n se.
T his Bill seek s to c re ate  a n  em pow ered, highly-specialized a n d  
resp o n siv e D e p a rtm e n t of D isaste r R esilience (DDR) w ith clear u n ity  of 
co m m an d , h e re in a fte r referred to a s “th e  D e p artm en t.” w hich sh all be 
p rim arily  re sp o n sib le for e n su rin g  safe, adaptive, a n d  d isa ste r-re silie n t 
co m m u n ities. T he p ro p o sed  D e p artm en t sh all be fo u n d ed  on a  d is a s te r 
resilien ce fram ew ork u n d e rp in n e d  by th re e  (3) key re su lt a re a s  (KRAs): (1) 
D isa ste r R isk R eduction, (2) D isaste r P re p a re d n e ss a n d  R esponse; a n d  (3) 
R ecovery a n d  B uilding F orw ard B etter.
Framework for Disaster Resilience
Disaster Risk 
Reduction
DISASTER RESILIENCE
Disaster 
Preparedness 
and Response
Recovery 
and Building 
Forward Better
U nlike th e existing in stitu tio n a l a rra n g e m e n t th a t e n c o m p a sse s th e  
very w ide ra n g e  of b o th  n a tu ra l a n d  h u m a n -in d u c e d  d isa ste rs, 
th e  
D e p a rtm e n t sh all focus on n a tu ra l h a z a rd s a n d  clim ate ch an g e, w h ich  
in c lu d e s, a m o n g  o th e rs, th e  following:
a. 
G eological P h en o m en a a n d  R elated H azard s -  th e se  inclucle 
e a rth q u a k e s  (ground ru p tu re , g ro u n d  sh aking), liquefactio n , 
ts u n a m i, fire, a n d  lan d slid es; V olcanic activity -  a s h  fall, 
pyroclastic flow, lava flow, la h a r, fissu rin g , volcanic gas, a n d


seiche (lake w a te r oscillation); M ass m o v em en t -  la n d slid es, 
d eb ris flow, sinkholes);
b. 
H ydrological 
a n d  
M eteorological 
P h e n o m e n a  
a n d  
R elated 
H azard s -  in c lu d e s tropical cyclones, severe w inds, sto rm  su rg e, 
hail, floods, erosion; a n d
c. 
C lim atological V ariability -  th is in c lu d e s El N ino, extrem e 
te m p e ra tu re s. La N ina, a n d  S olar rad iatio n .
In o rd e r to stre n g th e n  th e c h a in  of co m m an d  a n d  e sta b lish  a  u n ified  
co m m an d  sy stem  for d is a s te r m a n ag e m e n t, w hich th e  c u rre n t sy stem  la ck s, 
th is D e p a rtm e n t sh all be led by a S ecretary, a ssiste d  by a t le a st fo u r 
U n d erse c re taries, w ho sh all be resp o n sib le for th e  following KRAs a n d  th e  
n e c e ssa ry  su p p o rt; 1) D isaste r R isk R eduction; 2) D isa ste r P re p a re d n e ss 
a n d  R esponse; 3) R ecovery a n d  B uilding F orw ard B etter; a n d  4) S u p p o rt to 
O p eratio n s w ith a  stro n g  ICT clu ster.
A key fe a tu re  of th is Bill is a  clear sy stem  of resp o n sib ility  for 
d is a s te r p re p a re d n e ss a n d  re sp o n se  classified into fo u r levels -  from  Levels 
1 to 4 or from  th e  m u n ic ip a l/c ity  m ay o r all th e w ay u p  to th e  S ecretary  of 
D isaste r R esilience. T his directly a n sw e rs th e o ft-rep eated  q u e stio n  in tim es 
of d isaste r: 
w ho 
is 
in 
charg e? T his 
sy stem  
of a ssig n in g  levels 
of 
resp o n sib ility  is aim ed a t e n su rin g  u n ity  of co m m an d  a n d  effective 
co llab o ratio n  in th e  c o u n try ’s d is a s te r resilience efforts.
As h a d  b een  sh o w n  by th e c o u n try ’s experience w ith su p e r ty p h o o n  
Y olanda a n d  by global b e st p ractices, th e  D e p artm en t n e e d s to be provided 
w ith tak e-o v er cap acity  u n d e r extrem e co n d itio n s by ta k in g  th e lead role for 
d is a s te r p re p a re d n e ss a n d  re sp o n se  in severely affected a re a s. F u rth er, th e  
D e p artm en t sh a ll have th e  pow er to tem porarily tak e-o v er or d irect an y  
p riv ate u tility  to av ert d isa ste rs a n d /o r  save lives.
To e n su re  speedy a n d  responsive p ro c u re m e n t of th e n e c e ssa ry  
goods 
a n d  
services, 
especially 
in 
critical 
s itu a tio n s, 
th e  
Bill 
sh all 
in stitu tio n a liz e  innovative, responsive, a n d  stre am lin ed  p ro c u re m e n t ru le s  
a n d  m e c h a n ism s, s u c h  a s, b u t n o t lim ited to, sta n d -b y  c o n tra c ts, p re ­
a rra n g e d  sy ste m s of p ro c u re m e n t w ith a  p re-ap p ro v ed  list of c o n tra c to rs, 
p re-n eg o tiated  c o n tra c ts, ad v an ced  p ro c u re m e n t c o n tra c ts, a n d  fram ew o rk  
c o n tra c ts, w ith th e  req u isite tra n sp a re n c y  a n d  ch eck s a n d  balan ce.
T he Bill likew ise in c lu d e s th e  e sta b lish m e n t a n d  im p le m e n ta tio n  of 
flexible ru le s on h irin g  by exem pting from  th e  p e rso n n el services cap th e  
c reatio n  of local d is a s te r resilience offices to e n su re  a d e q u a te  h u m a n  
re so u rce s. T hese in clu d e highly-skilled tech n ical e x p erts su c h  a s, b u t n o t 
lim ited to, DRRM sp ecialists, sc ie n tists, en v iro n m en tal a n d /o r  u rb a n  
p la n n e rs, civil a n d /o r  s tru c tu ra l en g in eers, p ublic m a n ag e rs, p ublic finan ce 
a n d  ICT sp ecialists, p u rs u a n t to th is D e p a rtm e n t’s science- a n d  IC T -based 
a p p ro a c h  in e n su rin g  d isa ste r resilience.


F u rth e r, th e re  sh all be a  N ational D isa ste r O p e ratio n s C en ter 
(NDOC) a n d  its co rre sp o n d in g  A lternative C o m m an d  a n d  C ontrol C en ters 
(ACCCs), a s  m ay be n e ce ssa ry , to m onitor, a ss e ss , m an ag e, a n d  re sp o n d  to 
d is a s te rs  in  all a re a s  of th e archipelago. T here sh all also be D isaste r 
R esilience R esearch  a n d  T raining In stitu te  (DRRTI), w hich sh a ll b e a  
p latfo rm  for providing train in g , a n d  for collecting, consolidating, m an ag in g , 
a n d /o r  sh a rin g  know ledge a n d  in form ation re so u rc e s to im prove a n d /o r  
b o o st d is a s te r resilience.
The D e p artm en t, w hich will o p erate th ro u g h  a  w hole-of-society 
a p p ro a c h , sh a ll m a n ag e, direct, a n d  fo ster a n  e n ab lin g  en v iro n m en t for th e 
im p le m e n ta tio n  of n a tio n a l, local, a n d  co m m u n ity -b a sed  d is a s te r resilience 
p ro g ra m s 
in 
co llab o ratio n  
w ith 
n a tio n a l 
g o v ern m en t 
agencies. 
Local 
G o v ern m en t 
U nits 
(LGUs), 
civil 
society 
o rg an izatio n s 
(CSOs), 
civic 
o rg an izatio n s, th e  co m m u n ities th em selv es, a n d  o th e r stak e h o ld e rs, a s 
n e ce ssa ry .
To achieve th is, th e  local DRRM O ffices sh all be em pow ered, 
re n a m e d  ap tly  a s  Local D isaste r R esilience O ffices, a n d  have th re e  levels -  
provincial, city a n d  m u n icip al d is a s te r resilience offices. The D e p artm en t 
sh a ll 
likew ise 
be 
a u th o riz ed  
to 
call 
u p o n  
all 
relev an t 
go v ern m en t 
in stru m e n ta litie s a n d  facilitate th e  a ss is ta n c e  of n o n -g o v em m en t a n d  
p riv ate o rg an izatio n s, especially in em ergency c a se s, to em pow er th e  
reg io n al a n d  local levels.
L ast b u t n o t le ast, th is bill striv es to h elp  e n su re  th a t th e  painful 
le sso n s le arn ed  from  s u p e r ty phoon Y olanda a n d  o th e r n a tu ra l d is a s te rs  are 
tra n s la te d  in to  a c tu a l law s, sy stem s, s tru c tu re s , a n d  policies th a t are tru ly  
resp o n siv e to th e d is a s te r resilience a n d  clim ate ch an g e a d a p ta tio n  a n d  
m itig atio n  re q u ire m e n ts of th e  p re se n t a n d  fu tu re  g e n eratio n s of Filipinos.
In view  of th e  foregoing, th e  im m ed iate p a ssa g e  of th is bill is 
e a rn e stly  so u g h t.
V ICEN TE/C. SO TTO  III


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
F irs t R e g u la r S essio n  
)
S E N A T  
S.B. No:^45
‘A'' •
(OHice of tl,c g  ''--r(,M ry
•19 
JUL -8 P12 X)5
Introduced by SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO HI
AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE, DEFINING 
ITS POWER AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1 
SECTION 1. 
S h o rt T itle. -  This Act shall be know n as the “D isaster
2 
Resilience Act i
3 
SECTION 2. D e cla ra tio n  o f Policy. -  Given the following considerations;
4 
a. 
The Philippines is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire and the
5 
Tropical Cyclone Belt, and is considered a s one of the countries m ost
6 
vulnerable to n atu ral h azard s and clim ate change;
7 
b. 
E ach year the Philippines su sta in s im m ense dam ages and
8 
losses due to n a tu ra l disasters, including loss of life or injury, dam age
9 
to buildings, in frastru ctu res, properties, an d  equipm ent, dam age to or
10 
interruption of food supply, loss of public an d  other critical services.


t  '
1
2
loss of livelihood, b u sin ess or revenues from b u sin ess interruption, 
disruption of econom ic developm ent, an d  dam age to the environm ent;
3
4
5
6
7
8
c. 
The Sendai Fram ew ork, endorsed by the U nited N ations
G eneral Assembly, recognizes the need to address clim ate change a s  
one of the drivers of d isaster risk by fostering collaboration am ong th e 
national and local governm ents w ith other stakeholders including 
non-govem m ent organizations (NGOs), international organizations, 
the academ e, and the private sector;
9
10
11
12
13
14
d. 
The Philippines, a s a m em ber of the Asia-Pacific Econom ic
Cooperation (APEC), initiated the APEC D isaster Risk Reduction (DRR) 
Fram ew ork, w hich the 21-m em ber body adopted to facilitate collective 
w ork in building adaptive an d  disaster-resilient econom ies supporting 
inclusive an d  su stainable developm ent in the face of the “new  
norm al”;
15
16
17
18 
19
e. 
The N ational D isaster Risk R eduction and M anagem ent
Council (NDRRMC), w hich w as created u n d er Republic Act (RA) No. 
10121, m an d ates the Office of Civil Defense u n d er the D epartm ent of 
N ational Defense (DND) to m anage both hum an-induced and n a tu ra l 
disasters;
20
21
22
23
24
f- 
The Philippine D evelopm ent Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 recognizes
the great im portance of ensu rin g  the country’s resilience to n a h ira l 
disasters and m an d ates the urgent im plem entation of effective 
d isaster resilience m easu res to help induce poverty-reducing grow th 
an d  reduce inequality;
25
26 
27
g. 
The Philippines’ experiences w ith previous d isasters have
show n th a t the existing laws, policies, resources, an d  institutional 
arrangem ents are inadequate in squarely addressing the country’s


1 
d isaster 
prevention, 
m itigation, 
preparedness, 
response 
a n d
2 
rehabilitation requirem ents; and
3 
h. 
Resilience to n a tu ra l d isasters w arrant skills, resources, a n d
4 
m ethods th a t are different from th a t required to address h u m a n -
5 
induced disasters;
6 
the State shall:
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28 
29
2.1. Protect the lives an d  properties of its citizens by addressing a n d  
preventing the causes of vulnerabilities to n a tu ra l disasters;
2.2. Inculcate a culture of resilience an d  preparedness against n a tu ra l 
disasters a t the national, regional an d  local levels;
2.3. E stablish a strong an d em pow ered institution capable of responding 
to the “new  norm al” of n atu ral disasters an d  clim ate change, an d  
spearhead efforts to ensure d isaster resilience by delivering on th e  
highly critical and intertw ined functions of d isaster risk reduction, 
response, and recovery and building forward better;
2.4. A ddress the differentiated concerns an d  needs of sectors w ith special 
needs or higher vulnerabilities su ch  as women, children, elderly, 
persons w ith disabilities, and indigenous peoples w ith respect to 
d isaster resilience and disaster m anagem ent;
2.5. Protect the n atio n ’s historical and cultural heritage and resources 
from n atu ral hazards;
2.6. Foster a n  enabling environm ent for su b stan tial an d  su stainable 
participation of non-govem m ent stakeholders su ch  as the academ e, 
CSOs, private sector groups, volunteers and com m unities in d isaster 
resilience program s and projects;
2.7. Adopt a  whole-of-society approach in d isaster resilience to enh an ce 
collaboration, planning, and dialogue am ong all sectors of society; 
and in im proving their strategies a n d /o r action plans for d isaster 
risk  reduction; and


i?
1 
2.8. Strengthen the chain of com m and an d  establish a unified com m and
2 
system  to enhance our country’s d isaster resilience.
3 
SECTION 3. D efinition o f T erm s. -  For purposes of this Act, the following
4 
term s shall be defined as follows:
5 
3.1. A daptation - the adjustm ent in n a tu ra l or hu m an  system s in
6 
response to actu al or expected clim atic stim uli or their effects, w hich
7 
m oderates harm  or exploits beneficial opportunities.
8 
3.2. A ssisting Actor - any A ssisting International Actor and any A ssisting
9 
Dom estic Actor responding to a d isaster in the country.
10 
3.3. A ssisting Dom estic Actor - any not-for-profit entity established u n d e r
11 
dom estic laws, w hich is responding to a disaster in the country.
12 
3.4. A ssisting International Actor - any foreign state, organization, entity
13 
or individual responding to a d isaster w ithin the country, or
14 
transiting through the country to respond to a disaster in an o th er
15 
country.
16 
3.5. Biological hazards - hazards th a t are of organic origin or conveyed by
17 
biological vectors, including pathogenic m icroorganism s, toxins an d
18 
bioactive substances. Exam ples are bacteria, viruses or parasites, a s
19 
well as venom ous wildlife an d  insects, poisonous plants an d
20 
m osquitoes carrying disease-causing agents.
21 
3.6. Building 
Forw ard 
B etter 
- 
a n  
approach 
to 
building 
a n d /o r
22 
reconstructing an area or com m unity, w hich entails a shift from
23 
sim ple recovery an d  restoration to safer, more adaptive, resilient, a n d
24 
inclusive com m unities.
25 
3.7. B usiness C ontinuity - capability of an  organization to continue
26 
delivery of products or services a t acceptable predefined levels
27 
following a disruptive incident.
28 
3.8. C apacity - the com bination of a ttrib u tes a n d /o r resources available
29 
w ithin a com m unity or area th a t can reduce the level of risk(s) from,
30 
or impact(s) of, a disaster.


1 
3.9. Civil Society O rganizations (CSOs) - non-state actors w hose aim s are
2 
neither to generate profits nor to seek governing power, b u t to u n ite
3 
people to advance shared goals and interests. CSOs m ay include
4 
NGOs, professional associations, foundations, independent research
5 
institu tes, com m unity-based organizations, an d  social m ovem ents.
6 
3.10. CHmate Change - a change in the state of the clim ate th a t can be
7 
identified by changes in the m ean a n d /o r the variability of its
8 
properties, and th a t persists in a n  extended period, typically decades
9 
or longer, w hether due to n atu ral internal processes or external
10 
forces, such as m odulation of the solar cycles, volcanic eruption s
11 
an d  p ersistent anthropogenic changes in the com position of th e
12 
atm osphere or in land use.
13 
3.11. C ultural Heritage - the totality of cultural property preserved a n d
14 
developed through time and passed on to posterity.
15 
3.12. D epartm ent - the D epartm ent of D isaster Resilience.
16 
3.13. Developm ent A ssistance - financial, m aterial or other form s of
17 
assistance to support the econom ic, social, and environm ental well-
18 
being of areas a n d /o r people affected by a n atu ral disaster.
19 
3.14. D isability - an evolving concept th a t results from the interaction
20 
betw een persons w ith im pairm ents, as defined u n d er RA No. 7277,
21 
and attitu d in al and environm ental barriers th a t hinder their full an d
22 
effective participation in society on an  equal basis w ith others.
23 
3.15. D isaster - a serious disruption of the functioning of a  com m unity
24 
or a society involving w idespread hum an, m aterial, economic, or
25 
environm ental losses and im pacts, w hich exceeds the ability of th e
26 
affected com m unity to cope using its own resources. 
U nless
27 
otherw ise specifically indicated in this Act, the term  “disaster” shall
28 
refer to “n atu ral disaster”.
29 
3.16. D isaster assistance - financial, 
m aterial or other form s of
30 
assistance to address the im m ediate and long-term  needs of people,
31 
com m unities or areas affected by a disaster. 
This term  includes
32 
h u m an itarian  assistance a n d  developm ent assistance.


1 
3.17. D isaster Contingency F und - refers to a fund, in lum p-sum  form,
2 
m anaged by the D epartm ent to expediently provide funds an d
3 
resources for disaster relief or response in affected areas.
4 
3.18. D isaster m anagem ent -  the planning, organization, and application
5 
of m easures preparing for, responding to, and recovering from
6 
disasters.
7 
3.19. D isaster m itigation or m itigation - the reduction or lim itation of th e
8 
adverse im pacts of disasters and its related hazards.
9 
3.20. D isaster preparedness - the knowledge and capacities developed by
10 
governm ents, professional response and recovery organizations,
11 
com m unities, and individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to,
12 
and recover from the im pacts of likely, im m m ent or cu rren t disasters
13 
and related hazards.
14 
3.21. D isaster prevention - the intention to avoid, or the outright
15 
avoidance, of potential adverse im pacts of disasters and related
16 
h azards through action(s) taken in advance.
17 
3.22. D isaster relief or D isaster response - the provision of em ergency
18 
services and public assistance during or im m ediately after a disaster
19 
in order to preserve or save lives, and m eet the basic subsistence
20 
needs of affected people.
21 
3.23. D isaster resilience - the ability of a system , com m unity, or society
22 
exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accom m odate, adapt to,
23 
transform , and recover from the effects of a hazard a n d /o r the long-
24 
term  im pact of clim ate change in a tim ely and efficient m anner,
25 
including through the preservation and restoration of its essential
26 
basic stru ctu res an d  functions through risk m anagem ent.
27 
3.24. D isaster recovery - restoration or im provem ent of livelihoods an d
28 
health, 
as 
well 
as 
economic, 
physical, 
social, 
cultural 
and
29 
environm ental assets, system s and activities, of a disaster-affected
30 
com m unity or society, aligning w ith the principles of sustainable
31 
developm ent and “build forward better” to avoid or reduce future
32 
disaster risk.


1 
3.25. D isaster rehabilitation - restoration of basic services an d  facilities
2 
for the functioning of a  com m unity or a society affected by a  disaster.
3 
3.26. D isaster Resilience F und - refers to the budget m anaged by the
4 
D epartm ent, w hich includes funds appropriated to the D epartm ent
5 
by 
C ongress 
p u rsu a n t 
to 
an  
A ppropriations 
Act, 
D isaster
6 
Contingency Fund, an d R ehabilitation and Recovery Fund.
7 
3.27. D isaster risk - the potential losses in lives, health statu s,
8 
livelihood, assets, and  services caused by or due to a disaster, which
9 
could occur to a particular com m unity or society.
10 
3.28. D isaster risk  m anagem ent - the system atic approach or process of
11 
im plem enting strategies, policies, and program s to lessen the
12 
possibility a n d /o r adverse im pacts of disasters and related hazards.
13 
3.29. D isaster risk reduction -  the prevention of new, a n d /o r reduction
14 
of existing, disaster risk(s) and the m anagem ent of residual risk, to
15 
enhance resilience to disasters.
16 
3.30. Em ergency - unforeseen or sudden occurrence, or danger, which
17 
requires im m ediate action.
18 
3.31. E nvironm ental hazards -  hazards th a t m ay be chem ical, natural,
19 
and biological, and can be created by environm ental degradation or
20 
physical or chem ical pollution in the air, w ater, an d  soil. However,
21 
m any of the processes an d  phenom ena th a t fall into this category
22 
m ay be term ed drivers of hazard and risk ra th e r th an  hazards in
23 
them selves, 
such 
as 
soil 
degradation, 
deforestation, 
loss 
of
24 
biodiversity, salinization, and sea-level rise.
25 
3.32. Geological or geophysical hazards -  hazards th a t originate from
26 
internal earth  processes, su ch  as earthquakes, volcanic activities
27 
and em issions, and related geophysical processes, w hich include
28 
m ass m ovem ents, landslides, rockslides, surface collapses, and
29 
debris or m ud flows. Hydrometeorological factors are im portant
30 
contributors to som e of these processes. WhUe tsu n am is are
31 
triggered by u n d ersea earthquakes and other geological events, they


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essentially becom e an  oceanic process th a t is m anifested as a coastal 
w ater-related hazard.
3.33. H azard - a phenom enon, substance, h u m an  activity or condition 
th a t m ay cause loss of life, injury or im pacts to health; social an d  
econom ic disruption, environm ental dam age, or loss of/disruption to 
property, livelihood, a n d /o r services.
3.34. H istorical landm arks - sites or stru ctu res th a t are associated w ith 
events or achievem ents significant to Philippine history as declared 
by the N ational H istorical Institute or the applicable agency.
3.35. H um an-induced 
disasters 
- 
disasters 
induced 
entirely 
or 
predom inantly by h u m an  activities 
a n d /o r 
choices, 
such a s 
ideologically-m otivated conflict, or crim inality.
3.36. H um anitarian assistan ce - financial, m aterial or other sim ilar 
form s of assistan ce to address the im m ediate needs of people affected 
by a n atu ral disaster.
3.37. H ydrom eteorological hazards -  hazards th a t are of atm ospheric, 
hydrological, or oceanographic origin, such as tropical cyclones (also 
know n as typhoons and hurricanes); floods, including flash floods; 
drought; heatw aves and cold spells; and coastal storm  surges. 
Hydrom eteorological conditions m ay also be a factor in other hazards 
su ch  a s landslides, w ildland fires, locust plagues, epidem ics, and in 
the tran sp o rt an d  dispersal of toxic su b stan ces and volcanic eruption 
m aterial.
3.38. Im pact an d  needs assessm en t - involves assessing the n atu re an d  
m agnitude of a disaster, its im pact on affected populations, the type 
and extent of em ergency, and the requirem ents for recovery an d  
rehabilitation of the affected area(s).
3.39. Im plem enting Rules an d  R egulations (IRR) - the set of specific rules 
and regulations, w hich shall be issued to im plem ent the provisions of 
th is Act.
3.40. Legal Facilities - entitlem ents and exem ptions th a t are granted to 
A ssisting D om estic or International Actors th a t are declared to be


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1
eligible p u rsu a n t to th is Act a n d  its im plem enting rules a n d  
regulations.
3.41. Local D isaster Resilience Plan (LDRP) - a  docum ent prepared by a n  
LGU based on the N ational D isaster Resilience Fram ew ork (NDRF) 
and th e N ational D isaster Resilience Plan and Investm ent P lan 
(NDRPIP) th a t sets out specific program s, objectives and goals to 
im plem ent d isaster risk m anagem ent and clim ate change ad ap tatio n  
m easu res a t the local level. 
The plan includes, am ong others, a n  
evaluation an d  analysis of em erging d isaster risks, hazards a n d  
vulnerabilities applicable to an  LGU, and specific program s a n d  
activities to ensure responsive, effective, and appropriate d isaster 
preparedness and m anagem ent a t the local level.
3.42. Local G overnm ent U nit (LGU) -  refers to a body politic a n d  
corporate created or recognized u n d er Republic Act No. 7160, 
otherw ise know n as the Local G overnm ent Code, endow ed w ith 
pow ers, both governm ental an d  proprietary, to be exercised by it in  
conform ity w ith law.
3.43. N ational cultural treasu re - a unique cu ltural property found 
locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic, a n d /o r 
scientific value th a t is highly significant and im portant to th e  
country and nation, and officially declared as such by the p ertin en t 
cu ltu ral agency.
3.44. N ational C ontinuity Policy -  a policy aim ed a t the developm ent of 
an  organizational culture th a t h as the ability to provide a m inim um  
level of service during interruptions, em ergencies, an d  disasters, a n d  
re tu rn  to full operations quickly.
3.45. N ational D isaster Resilience Fram ew ork (NDRF) - a fram ew ork th a t 
provides for a com prehensive, all-hazards, m ulti-sectoral, whole-of- 
govem m ent, 
an d  
whole-of-society approach 
to 
attaining 
safe, 
adaptive, an d  resilient com m unities th a t can resist, prevent, m itigate 
against, absorb, accom m odate, a d ap t to, recover, or build b ack  
better from the effects of a  hazard in a timely and efficient m a n n er


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through, am ong others, d isaster risk reduction an d  m anagem ent a n d  
clim ate change adaptation and m itigation. 
The NDRF shall be 
com posed of a N ational D isaster Risk R eduction an d  M anagem ent 
Fram ew ork, and N ational Fram ew ork Strategy on Clim ate Change.
3.46. N ational 
D isaster 
Resilience 
Plan 
and 
Investm ent 
Program  
(NDRPIP) - a  plan form ulated and im plem ented by the D epartm ent in 
accordance w ith the NDRF th at sets out the outcom es, goals a n d  
objectives, priorities, program s and corresponding action plans for 
d isaster risk red\iction, preparedness, and m anagem ent, and clim ate 
change m itigation. 
The NDRPIP shall also include, am ong others, 
goals, objectives and action plans for a N ational C ontinuity Policy.
3.47. N atural disasters - disasters predom inantly associated w ith a n d /o r 
cau sed  by n atu ral processes a n d /o r phenom ena, su ch  as those 
related to geology (e.g., earthquakes, ground ru p tu re, liquefaction, 
landslides, tsunam is, sinkholes, volcanic activity); hydrology a n d  
m eteorology (e.g., floods, severe w inds, typhoons, storm  surges); a n d  
clim atological variability (e.g., extrem e tem peratures, El Nino, La 
Nina, forest fires).
3.48. Retrofitting -  reinforcing or upgrading of existing stru ctu res to 
becom e m ore resistan t and resilient to the dam aging effects of 
hazards.
3.49. Risk tran sfer - the process of shifting the financial consequences of 
d isaster risks from one party to another.
3.50. Safely stock -  item s, such as raw  m aterials, com ponent parts, o r 
finished goods, m aintained in inventory in order to reduce the risk  
th a t su ch  item  will be out of stock, in anticipation of unforeseen 
shortages or u n u su al dem and for such item s.
3.51. S tate of calam ity - a condition involving endangerm ent to a n d /o r 
loss 
of lives, 
dam ages 
to 
property, 
economic 
a n d /o r 
social 
disruption, interruption a n d /o r loss of hvelihood a n d /o r services, 
an d  destruction a n d /o r dam ages to infrastructure a s  a  re su lt of 
n a tu ra l disaster(s) or related hazard(s).
10


1 
3.52. V olunteers - individuals, groups or entities th a t offer a n d /o r
2 
provide services or assistance, w ithout com pensation, to help people
3 
a n d /o r areas affected by disasters.
4 
3.53. V ulnerability -  the characteristics a n d /o r circum stances of a
5 
com m unity, system  or a sse t th a t m ake it susceptible to the adverse
6 
effect(s) of disaster(s) a n d /o r related hazard(s).
7
8 
9
ARTICLE II
THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE: 
MANDATE, POWERS, AND FUNCTIONS
10 
SECTION 4. C reatio n  o f th e  D e p a rtm e n t o f D isaster R esilien ce. -  There
11 
is hereby created the D epartm ent of D isaster Resilience, hereinafter referred
12 
to a s the D epartm ent.
13 
SECTION 5. M andate. -  The D epartm ent shall be the principal governm ent
14 
institution responsible for ensuring safe, adaptive, and disaster-resilient
15 
com m unities. It is m andated to lead, spearhead, initiate, a n d /o r integrate
16 
the crafting and im plem entation of plans, program s, projects and activities
17 
to reduce the risk of n a tu ra l hazards an d  effects of clim ate change, a n d
18 
m anage the im pact of disasters w ith the prim ordial goal of saving lives a n d
19 
m inim izing dam age to property, in close collaboration with all relevant
20 
stakeholders a t the national and local levels.
21 
The m andate of the D epartm ent covers all n atu ral hazards, w hich
22 
includes, am ong others, the following:
23
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5.1. Geological Phenom ena and Related H azards
a. E arthquake -  ground ru p tu re, ground shaking, liquefaction, 
tsunam i, fire, an d  landslides
b. Volcanic activity -  a sh  fall, pyroclastic flow, lava flow, lahar, 
fissuring, volcanic gas, and seiche (lake w ater oscillation)
c. M ass m ovem ent -  landslides, debris flow, sinkholes
11


2
3
4
1
5.2. Hydrological and M eteorological Phenom ena an d  Related H azards
a. Tropical cyclone -  severe w inds, storm  surge, hail
b. Flood
c. Erosion
5
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7
8 
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5.3. Climatological V ariability
a. El Nino
b. Extrem e tem peratures
c. La Nina
d. Solar radiation
10 
The D epartm ent shall m anage and direct th e im plem entation of
11 
national, local, and com m unily-based d isaster resilience program s in
12 
collaboration w ith relevant national governm ent agencies, LGUs, CSOs, an d
13 
other stakeholders, as applicable.
14 
SECTION 6. Pow ers a n d  F u n c tio n s o f th e  D ep artm en t. -  The D epartm ent
15 
shall exercise the following pow ers and functions, in collaboration w ith the
16 
relevant departm ents, agencies, local governm ent u n its, non-govem m ent
17 
stakeholders and the com m unities, as necessary:
18
6.1. Overall Fruictions
19
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21 
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25
26
a. Craft the policies an d  lead the im plem entation of the 
program s, projects and activities necessary to reduce the 
country’s vulnerabilities to n atu ral h azards and clim ate 
change, using the PDP and the relevant DRRM an d  clim ate 
change fram ew orks as anchors;
b. Review an d  build upon, to the extent necessary, the existing 
disaster resilience fram ework, plans and strategies in the 
crafting of a n  NDRF and the corresponding NDRPIP;
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C. Oversee, review, and approve the translation, integration, 
and im plem entation of the NDRPIP into LDRPs;
d. C om m unicate and dissem inate critical inform ation to help 
the public prepare for, respond to, and recover from a 
disaster;
e. Receive, m anage, an d  adm inister the D isaster Resilience 
Fund, the D isaster Contingency Fund, donations and other 
funds, asse ts a n d /o r properties received by the D epartm ent 
to accom plish the purposes of this Act;
f. 
Recom m end 
to 
the 
President 
of the 
Philippines 
the 
declaration of a state of calam ity due to a n a tu ra l disaster, 
an d  the lifting thereof w hen conditions stabilize;
g. D irect any governm ent entity to help ensure the attain m en t 
of the goals and objectives of this Act;
h. Advance 
the 
country’s 
interests 
relating 
to 
disaster 
resilience an d  clim ate change in the regional an d  global 
arena;
i. 
Advise 
the 
President 
on 
m atters 
concerning 
disaster 
resilience an d  m ake recom m endations, as appropriate; and
j. 
U ndertake all other actions necessary to attain  the overall 
goal and objectives of this Act, p u rsu a n t to the relevant law s 
and policies.
23
6.2. D isaster Risk Reduction
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30
a. 
Develop coordinated regional and local strategies for the 
effective prevention and m itigation of d isaster risk resulting 
from n a tu ra l hazards, including the effects of clim ate 
change;
b. 
Develop, m aintain and u pdate an  integrated disaster 
resilience inform ation system  th a t includes, am ong others, 
m ulti-hazard m apping, vulnerability and risk assessm ents.
13


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and a t the national, regional, and provincial levels, w ith th e 
LGU in-charge of the provincial level;
C. Form ulate plans and program s to establish and im plem ent 
governm ent 
redundancy, 
governance 
an d  
b u sin ess 
continuity, an d  a N ational C ontinuity Policy;
d. Develop, in coordination w ith relevant governm ent agencies, 
policies 
and 
program s 
on 
land-use 
planning, 
u rb a n  
planning an d  zoning th a t shall, to the extent such policies 
and program s relate to d isaster risk reduction, m itigation, 
prevention or building back better, prevail over policies or 
decisions of other governm ent departm ents, governm ent 
agencies, 
governm ent 
ovraed 
a n d /o r 
controlled 
corporations, LGUs, or other governm ent institutions;
e. Develop an d  im plem ent policies and program s relating to 
the 
construction of new  settlem ents or relocation of 
settlem ents in safe areas th a t shall, to the extent such  
policies and program s relate to disaster risk reduction, 
m itigation, prevention or building back better, prevail over 
policies or decisions of other governm ent departm ents, 
governm ent agencies, governm ent owned a n d /o r controlled 
corporations, LGUs, or other governm ent institutions;
f. 
E stablish an d  m onitor com pliance w ith enhanced stan d ard s 
for d isaster risk reduction an d  continuity planning, such as, 
b u t not lim ited to, infrastructure stan d ard s and designs;
g. C ollaborate w ith the D epartm ent of Ihiblic W orks and  
Highways (DPWH) and other relevant governm ent agencies 
in the conduct of regular au d it of buildings and other types 
of infrastructure, and require the subm ission of necessary 
data, inform ation or reports related thereto;
h. U ndertake program s and projects to reduce the vulnerability 
of physical infrastructure, assets, an d  facilities including, 
b u t not Limited to, retrofitting, and stru ctu ral and non-
14


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stru ctu ral upgrading, in coordination w ith the relevant 
governm ent agencies;
i. 
Call on relevant governm ent agencies to develop alternative 
livelihood program s to reduce the vuLnerabUity to d isasters 
of certain areas or certain sectors of society;
j. 
Form ulate, facilitate, an d  m onitor efforts relating to certain 
resources or sectors tow ard addressing the long-term  effects 
of clim ate change on sustainable developm ent, su ch  a s  
w ater resources, agriculture, forestry, coastal and m arine 
resources, health, and infrastructure, in coordination w ith 
relevant governm ent agencies;
k. E stablish, develop, an d  m onitor program s and projects, in 
coordination 
w ith 
relevant 
governm ent 
agencies, 
th a t 
consider clim ate projections (including, b u t not lim ited to, 
tem perature increase an d  rainfall change in the Philippines) 
to ensure clim ate-resilient com m unities; and
l. 
U ndertake all other program s and projects necessary to 
a tta in  the overall goal an d  intended outcom es of this key 
resu lt area.
20
6.3. D isaster Preparedness an d  Response
21
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27
28 
29
a. Lead, 
m anage, 
and 
collaborate 
with 
the 
relevant 
governm ent 
instrum entalities 
and 
non-govem m ent 
stakeholders in providing the m inim um  basic needs of 
people in affected areas before, during a n d /o r im m ediately 
after a disaster to save lives an d  minimize casualties;
b. E nsure the efficient prepositioning of goods, m aintenance, 
and disposal of safety stocks;
c. 
E stablish a corps of first responders in p artnership w ith 
national and local stakeholders, both public and private;
15


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g
d. Develop, 
m aintain, 
and 
u p d ate 
early 
w arning, 
com m unication and em ergency m anagem ent system s a t 
the national, regional, and provincial levels, w ith the LGU 
in-charge of the provincial level;
e. 
Im plem ent projects and program s th a t will enhance the 
capacity of national and local governm ent instrum entalities 
to anticipate an d  cope w ith the im pact of a disaster;
f. 
Regulate the accreditation of donors, volunteers, a n d  
assisting non-govem m ent stakeholders, both dom estic and  
international;
U ndertake the establishm ent of evacuation centers, in 
coordination w ith the relevant governm ent agencies a n d /o r 
LGUs, as applicable;
h. Form ulate stan d ard s for contingency planning th a t shall be 
adopted by both national an d  local governm ent agencies; 
Develop a database of exposure or elem ents a t risk per a re a  
to facilitate and ensure quick im pact and needs assessm en t 
in th e event of a disaster;
E stablish a datab ase th a t includes, am ong others, a n  
inventory of hazardous m aterials per area, to better prepare 
for an d  respond to n atu ral disasters.
k. M aintain a database of volunteers and, w hen necessary, 
mobilize volunteers to augm ent the personnel com plem ent 
and logistical requirem ents for d isaster response a n d /o r for 
the delivery of DRRM program s, projects and activities;
l. 
May call upon other instrum entalities or entities of th e 
governm ent and non-govem m ent and civic organizations 
for assistance. In term s of the u se of their facilities an d  
resources for the protection an d  preservation of life an d  
properties in the whole range of d isaster risk reduction a n d  
m anagem ent. This function includes the pow er to call on
1.
J-
16


•  
«
% 
*
1
the reserve force as defined in Republic Act No. 7077 to
2
a ssist in relief and rescue during disasters or calam ities;
3
m. Facilitate and regulate the acceptance, inventory, a n d
4
accounting of h u m an itarian  assistance, including rehef
5
goods;
6
n.
Accredit, m onitor, an d  evaluate training institutions on
7
d isaster resilience;
8
o.
By the authority of the President, secure the assistance of
9
the AFP an d  PNP to render the necessary assistance in  a
10
disaster-affected area; and
11
P-
U ndertake 
all 
other 
program s, 
projects and 
action s
12
necessary to attain  the overall goal and intended outcom es
13
of this key resu lt area.
14
6.4. Recovery an d  Building Forw ard B etter
15
a.
E stablish a system  th a t utilizes tem plates, exposure
16
d atabase, and other tools, and develop the D epartm ent’s
17
in-house 
capacity 
for 
the 
prom pt 
and 
expedient
18
preparation of rehabilitation plans, w hen needed, for
19
d isaster affected areas;
20
b.
Prepare and im plem ent the recovery and rehabilitation
21
plan(s) for disaster affected areas;
22
c.
Lead, m anage and oversee the im plem entation of d isaste r
23
recovery and rehabilitation m easures in close collaboration
24
w ith the relevant governm ent instrum entalities and non-
25
governm ent stakeholders;
26
d.
Form ulate policies an d  stan d ard s for post-disaster shelter
27
recovery th a t m ay include, am ong others, im plem entation
28
arrangem ents, coordination arrangem ent w ith relevant
29
agencies a n d /o r LGUs, an d  m odalities for em ergency
30
transitional and perm anent shelter recovery;
17


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n
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f.
g-
h.
1.
E stablish a system  to prom ptly deliver im pact and needs 
assessm ent, m cludm g strengthening the D epartm ent’s in - 
house capacity for such function;
Form ulate a n d /o r direct relevant governm ent agencies a n d  
LGUs to issue guidelines for fast-tracking the issuance of 
perm its, 
certifications, 
clearances 
and 
licenses 
to 
im plem ent d isaster recovery and rehabilitation m easures, 
including housing projects, in affected areas;
Collaborate 
w ith 
relevant 
governm ent 
agencies 
in  
u ndertaking program s and projects to restore a n d /o r 
generate Uvehhood m  d isaster affected areas;
E nsure th a t the principle of Building Forward Better, n o t 
m ere 
restoration, 
is 
applied 
to 
all 
recovery 
a n d  
rehabilitation efforts; and
U ndertake all other program s and projects necessaiy to 
attain  the overall goal an d  intended outcom es of this key 
resu lt area.
18
6.5. O ther functions
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
c.
C onstitute, call, convene a n d /o r deputize agencies of 
governm ent, 
and invite non-governm ent and private 
organizations, to assist, advise, a n d /o r coordinate w ith 
the D epartm ent to achieve the goals and purposes of th is 
Act.
Secure the assistance of the Armed Forces of th e  
Philippines, Philippine N ational Police, Phihppine C oast 
G uard, and other uniform ed services an d  governm ent 
instrum entalities to ensure the attain m en t of the goals 
an d  objectives of this Act;
E stablish a N ational Corps of V olunteers to be com posed 
of, am ong others; Reserve Officers’Training Corps (ROTC),
18


3
4
5
6 
7
2
d.
e.
N ational Service Training Program  (NSTP), reservists, an d  
other socio-civic organizations;
C reate or reorganize offices a n d /o r task  forces, as m ay be 
necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act; and 
Perform such other functions, as provided by law or 
assignm ent of the President, for the attain m en t of th e 
overall goal and objectives of this Act.
8
9
ARTICLE III
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
10 
SECTION 7. Office o f th e  S e c re tary . -  The head of the D epartm ent shall
11 
have the ran k  and em olum ents of a C abinet Secretary, and be appointed by
12 
the President subject to confirm ation by the C om m ission on A ppointm ents.
13 
SECTION 8. Pow ers a n d  F u n c tio n s o f th e  S e c re tary . -  The Secretary shall
14 
have the following pow ers and functions:
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26 
27
8.1. 
Provide executive direction and supervision over the entire 
operations and adm inistration of the D epartm ent;
8.2. 
E stablish policies an d  stan d ard s to ensure the efficient, 
effective, and responsive service delivery of the D epartm ent;
8.3. 
M anage the financial, h u m an  and other resources of th e 
D epartm ent;
8.4. 
Appoint 
and 
designate 
officers 
and 
em ployees 
of 
the 
D epartm ent, 
excluding 
those 
requiring 
Presidential 
appointm ent as provided for by law;
8.5. 
Exercise disciplinary pow ers over em ployees of th e D epartm ent 
in accordance w ith th e law, and investigate su ch  officers and  
employees, or designate a com m ittee or officer to conduct a n  
investigation;
19


2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
n
12
13
1
8.6. 
Collaborate w ith other governm ent instrum entalities an d  non­
governm ent stakeholders in the crafting of disaster risk 
resilience policies and 
the im plem entation 
of program s, 
projects and initiatives, a s necessary;
8.7. 
Advise the President on the prom ulgation of executive and 
adm inistrative orders, an d  the form ulation of regulatory and 
legislative 
proposals 
on 
m atters 
pertainin g 
to 
d isaster 
resilience;
8.8. 
Form ulate such rules an d  regulations, and exercise su ch  other 
pow ers as m ay be necessary to im plem ent the objectives of this 
Act; and
8.9. 
Perform su ch  other ta sk s as m ay be provided by law or 
assigned by the President.
14 
SECTION 9. U n d e rse c re taries. -  The Secretary shall be assisted by a t least
15 
four U ndersecretaries, who shall be responsible for D isaster Risk R eduction,
16 
D isaster Preparedness and Response, Recovery and Building Forward
17 
B etter, an d  Support to O perations.
18 
SECTION 10. A ssista n t S e c re ta rie s a n d  D irecto rs. -  The D epartm ent shall
19 
have the appropriate num ber of A ssistant Secretaries and D irectors
20 
necessary for the effective, efficient, an d  responsive im plem entation of the
21 
m andate and functions of the D epartm ent.
22 
SECTION 11. Q ualificatio n s. -  The Secretary of D isaster Resilience (SDR)
23 
shall have a  solid background in any of the scientific, engineering, and
24 
public m anagem ent fields relevant to resilience to n atu ral hazards and
25 
clim ate change; and dem onstrated m anagerial acum en.
26
27
28
All the U ndersecretaries, A ssistant Secretaries, and other officials of 
the D epartm ent shall preferably be specialists and have a  good track  record 
in any of the following fields: DRRM, science and technology, environm ental
20


1 
science/m anagem ent, u rb a n  planning, civil engineering, public finance,
2 
inform ation and com m unication technology, logistics m anagem ent, m ass
3 
com m unication, am ong other fields directly relevant to ensuring the
4 
country’s d isaster resilience.
5 
SECTION 
12. 
N ational 
D isaster 
O p eratio n s 
C en ter, 
A ltern ativ e
6 
C o m m and 
C en ter, 
a n d  
R ese arch  
a n d  
T raining 
In s titu te . 
-  The
7 
D epartm ent shall establish, w ithin one (1) year from the approval of th is Act,
8 
an d  a ct as the prim ary operator of the N ational D isaster O perations C enter
9 
(NDOC), Alternative C om m and and Control C enter (ACCCs) as m ay be
10 
necessary in each of the country’s m ajor island groups, and a D isaster
11 
Resilience R esearch and Training Institute (DRRTI).
12 
The NDOC is a physical center equipped w ith the necessary tools and
13 
system s to m onitor, m anage, and respond to disasters in all areas of the
14 
country. The NDOC shall also provide the necessary support for the overall
15 
coordination and im plem entation of em ergency and disaster response
16 
m easu res throughout the country.
17 
The ACCCs are com m and centers established in other locations as an
18 
alternative or to provide supplem ental support to the NDOC. The num ber
19 
an d  location of ACCCs shall be determ ined by the D epartm ent. Tem porary
20 
ACCC m ay likewise be established by the D epartm ent, if necessary.
21 
SECTION 13. DRRTI F u n c tio n s a n d  Inter-A gency K now ledge S haring. -
22 
The DRRTI shall be a platform  for providing training, and for collecting,
23 
consolidating, 
m anaging, 
analyzing, 
a n d /o r 
sharing 
knowledge 
and
24 
inform ation to improve a n d /o r enhance d isaster resilience.
25 
The DRRTI shall:
21


1 
13.1 
E stablish reliable and up-to-date Integrated D isaster Resilience
2 
Inform ation 
System  
(IDRIS) 
through 
close 
an d  
seam less
3 
collaboration w ith th e D epartm ent of Science and Technology
4 
(DOST), 
D epartm ent 
of 
Inform ation 
an d  
C om m unications
5 
Technology (DICT), an d  other appropriate agencies;
6 
13.2 
C onduct 
disaster-related 
research 
program s, 
sem inars, 
and
7 
trainings for all types of stakeholders;
8 
13.3 
C onsolidate, 
organize a n d /o r prepare training m aterials and
9 
pubhcaLions;
10 
13.4 
C onduct other activities consistent w ith prom oting the form ation
11 
an d  dissem ination of knowledge and inform ation relating to d isaster
12 
resilience and d isaster m anagem ent;
13 
13.5 
E stablish a database th a t includes relevant inform ation from other
14 
governm ent agencies and third parties for the D epartm ent to better
15 
prepare an d  respond to n atu ral hazards including, b u t not lim ited
16 
to, an  inventory of hazardous m aterials per area; and
17 
13.6 
C onsult and coordinate with, an d  consolidate in form ation/data
18 
from, relevant governm ent agencies, such as, b u t not lim ited to,
19 
DOST, LGUs an d  relevant CSOs to enhance the IDRIS and to
20 
prom ote knowledge sharing am ong all stakeholders.
21 
SECTION 14. M u lti-secto ral an d  In ter-ag en cy  C ollaboration. -  The
22 
D epartm ent shall coordinate and collaborate w ith relevant governm ent
23 
agencies, su ch  as, b u t not lim ited to, DOST, D epartm ent of E nvironm ent
24 
an d  N atural R esources (DENR), an d  DICT, an d  LGUs, academ ic institutions,
25 
CSOs, an d  private sector groups to establish a platform  for inform ation
26 
sharing to provide real-tim e d ata for science- and ICT-based planning and
27 
decision-m aking.
28 
SECTION 15. C om pliance a n d  A c cre d ita tio n  o f DRRTI w ith  In te rn a tio n a l
29 
S ta n d a rd s. -  The D epartm ent shall strive to obtain certification from, and
30 
accreditation by, international accreditation bodies of the DRRTI to ensure
22


1 
DRRTI’s com pliance w ith international stan d ard s. 
The D epartm ent shall
2 
likewise 
ensure 
collaboration 
w ith 
key 
countries 
and 
international
3 
organizations to incorporate best practices on d isaster resilience in the
4 
D epartm ent’s policies an d  program s.
5 
SECTION 16. D isaste r A ssistan ce A ction C en ter. — The D epartm ent shall
6 
institutionalize a one-stop shop m echanism  through a D isaster A ssistance
7 
Action C enter (DAAC), w hich shall, am ong others, process necessary
8 
docum ents for D om estic/International A ssisting Actors.
9 
SECTION 17. M agna C arta. -  Qualified em ployees of the D epartm ent and its
10 
attach ed agencies shall be covered by R.A. 8439, w hich provides a m agna
11 
carta for 
scientists, 
engineers, 
researchers, 
and 
other science an d
12 
technology personnel in governm ent.
13 
SECTION 18. H azard Pay. -  All personnel of the D epartm ent are entitled to
14 
receive hazard pay, subject to the guidelines set forth in the IRR of this Act.
15
16
ARTICLE IV
NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
17 
SECTION 19. C reatio n  o f Local D isaster R esilien ce O ffices. — Local
18 
d isaster resilience offices shall be established a t three levels — Provincial,
19 
City, and M unicipal — to im plem ent in their respective areas the NDRRM
20 
Fram ew ork an d  Plan, an d  other plans, program s, and policies of the
21 
D epartm ent. All Local DRRM C ouncils (LDRRMCs) shall be abolished and in
22 
their place shall be established the “Provincial D isaster Resilience Office
23 
(PDRO)”; “City D isaster Resilience Office (CDRO)”, an d  “M unicipal D isaster
24 
Resilience Office (MDRO)”, as applicable.
25 
SECTION 20. C o m p o sitio n  a n d  O rg an izatio n  o f L ocal D isaster R esilience
26 
O ffices. -  The local d isaster resilience office shall be u n d e r the supervision
23


1 
and control of the provincial governor, an d  city or m unicipal m ayor, a s
2 
applicable. The local disaster resilience offices shall have regular plantilla
3 
staff responsible for, am ong others, adm inistration, research and planning,
4 
training, and operations. The organization, com position, functions, a n d
5 
responsibilities of the local disaster resilience offices shall comply w ith th e
6 
requirem ents an d  stan d ard s of this Act and the IRR.
7 
SECTION 21. E x em p tio n  from  th e  P erso n al S ervices C ap. -  The Personal
8 
Services (PS) budget of the local disaster resilience offices of provinces, cities
9 
and m unicipalities shall be exem pted from the PS cap stipulated in th e
10 
Local G overnm ent Code of 1991 (P^ 7160).
11 
SECTION 22. L ocal D isaster R esilience O fficer. -  The local d isaster
12 
resilience office shall be headed and m anaged by a well-qualified and full-
13 
time local D isaster Resilience Officer w ith a regular plantilla position. The
14 
local D isaster Resilience Officer and staff shall be appointed by the Local
15 
Chief Executive subject to the requirem ents of an d  endow ed w ith th e
16 
em olum ents an d  benefits indicated in the IRR and other applicable laws.
17 
SECTION 23. Pow ers a n d  F u n c tio n s o f C ity a n d  M unicipal DROs. -  The
18 
City and M unicipal DROs (CDRO and MDRO) shall have the following
19 
powers and functions:
20 
23.1 
Form ulate and im plem ent, in close coordination w ith th e
21 
D epartm ent, a com prehensive and integrated LDRP in accordance
22 
w ith the NDRF an d  the NDRPIP;
23 
23.2 
Design, 
program , 
coordinate, 
a n d /o r 
im plem ent 
d isaster
24 
resilience activities and m easures consistent w ith the stan d ard s an d
25 
guidelines provided by the D epartm ent, and im plem ent the NDRF an d
26 
the NDRPIP a t the city or m unicipal 
level;
27 
23.3 
Prepare an d  subm it to the local sanggunian, the LDRP, th e
28 
proposed program m ing of the LDR Fund, other dedicated d isaster
24


1 
resilience resources, and other regular funding source of the local
2 
d isaster resilience office;
3 
23.4 
Recom m end to the local sanggunian the enactm ent of local
4 
ordinances to im plem ent the LDRP, NDRF, an d  NDRPIP a t the
5 
city/m unicipal level, and to comply w ith other requirem ents of th is
6 
Act;
7 
23.5 
Prepare and subm it to the D epartm ent, the local Com m ission
8 
on Audit, an d  the applicable Regional D isaster Resilience Office a
9 
report on the utilization of its Local D isaster Resilience F und an d
10 
other disaster risk reduction and m anagem ent resources;
11 
23.6 
E stablish an d  m aintain, in coordination w ith the D epartm ent,
12 
an  inform ation m anagem ent system  w ithin the LGU that, am ong
13 
others, consolidates and includes local risk inform ation (such a s
14 
n a tu ra l hazards, profile of the LGU’s vulnerable or m arginalized
15 
groups), local risk m aps, an d  a disaggregated database of h u m an
16 
resource, equipm ent, services, resources, directories, and location of
17 
critical in frastru ctu res w ith their capacities (such as hospitals a n d
18 
evacuation centers);
19 
23.7 
O perate an d  m aintain, in coordination w ith the D epartm ent, a
20 
m ulti-hazard early w arning and com m unications system  to provide
21 
accurate an d  tim ely inform ation to the public;
22 
23.8 
Organize and conduct training and knowledge m anagem ent
23 
activities on d isaster resilience a t the local level, in coordination w ith
24 
the DRRTl;
25 
23.9 
Procure em ergency works, goods, and services in com pliance
26 
w ith the regulations, orders, and policies of the D epartm ent of
27 
B udget and M anagem ent (DBM) and the G overnm ent Procurem ent
28 
Policy Board (GPPB), to im plem ent the LDRP 
or support 
early
29 
recovery an d  post-disaster activities;
30 
23.10 
In coordination w ith the DOF an d  other relevant agencies,
31 
access foreign loans to finance its projects, program s, and policies
32 
for d isaster preparedness, response, recovery, an d  
rehabilitation.
25


1 
subject to term s and conditions agreed upon by the local d isaster
2 
resilience office and the lender;
3 
23.11 
M onitor and mobilize instrum entalities an d  entities of the LGU
4 
and its p artn er LGUs, CSOs, private sector, organized volunteers,
5 
an d  sectoral organizations for d isaster resilience activities, in
6 
accordance w ith policies an d  procedures of the departm ent and
7 
applicable laws;
8 
23.12 
C oordinate an d  provide the necessary support or assistance to
9 
the D epartm ent in the im plem entation of rehabilitation plan(s)
10 
w ithin the city or m unicipality covered by the local d isaster
11 
resilience office;
12 
23.13 
C oordinate w ith the D epartm ent, other governm ent agencies,
13 
m em bers of the private sector and other stakeholders in the LGU to
14 
establish a B usiness C ontinuity Plan as p a rt of their LDRP’s d isaster
15 
resilience m easures;
16 
23.14 
E stablish linkage/netw ork and coordination m echanism s w ith
17 
other LGUs an d  the D epartm ent for d isaster resilience activities and
18 
to achieve the purposes of this Act; and
19 
23.15 
C onduct other activities a n d /o r act on other m atters, in
20 
accordance w ith policies and procedures of the D epartm ent and
21 
applicable laws, to achieve the purposes of this Act.
22 
SECTION 24. P ow ers a n d  F u n c tio n s o f th e  P ro v in cial D isaste r R esilience
23 
O ffices (PDROs). -  The PDROs shall have the following pow ers and
24 
functions:
25
26
27
28 
29
24.1 
Form ulate and im plem ent, 
in close coordination w ith e 
D epartm ent and
cities/m unicipalities w ithin its jurisdiction, a com prehensive and 
integrated Provincial LDRP in accordance w ith the NDRF and the 
NDRPIP;
26


1 
24.2. 
Review the LDRPs of cities a n d /o r m unicipalities w ithin its
2 
jurisdiction, 
an d  require the am endm ent of such LDRPs if
3 
necessary, to ensure com pliance w ith the Provincial LDRP a n d /o r
4 
the NDRF and NDRPIP;
5 
24.3. Design, program , coordinate, a n d /o r im plem ent disaster resilience
6 
activities consistent w ith the stan d ard s and guidelines provided by
7 
the D epartm ent, and im plem ent the NDRF and the NDRPIP a t the
8 
provincial level;
9 
24.4 
Prepare and subm it to 
the sanggunian panlalaw igan, the
10 
Provincial LDRP, the proposed program m ing of the province’s Local
11 
D isaster 
Resilience 
Fund, 
other 
dedicated 
disaster 
resilience
12 
resources, and other funding sources of the PDRO;Recommend to
13 
the sanggunian panlalavdgan the enactm ent of local ordinances to
14 
im plem ent the Provincial LDRP, NDRF and NDRPIP at the provincial
15 
level, and to comply w ith other requirem ents of this Act
16 
24.5 
Prepare and subm it to the D epartm ent, the local Com m ission
17 
on Audit, and the 
applicable Regional D isaster Resilience Office a
18 
report on the utilization of the province’s Local D isaster Resilience
19 
Fund and other disaster risk reduction and m anagem ent resources;
20 
24.6 
E stablish and m aintain, in coordination w ith the D epartm ent, a
21 
Provincial Com m and an d  Control C enter (PCC), w hich includes,
22 
am ong others, an  inform ation m anagem ent system  a t the provincial
23 
level, w hich consolidates and integrates inform ation from the cities
24 
a n d /o r m unicipalities w ithin its jurisdiction, a m ulti-hazard early
25 
w arning an d  com m unications system  th a t is connected w ith the
26 
cities a n d /o r m unicipalities w ithin its jurisdiction, an d  a m onitoring
27 
system  th a t enables the PDRO to oversee, supervise, m onitor and
28 
respond to the needs of cities a n d /o r m unicipalities w ithin its
29 
jurisdiction in relation to d isaster resilience activities;
30 
24.7 
Procure em ergency w orks, goods, and services in com pliance
31 
w ith the regulations, orders, an d  policies of DBM and GPPB, to
27


1 
im plem ent the provincial LDRP or support early recovery an d  post-
2 
d isaster activities of the PDRO;
3 
24.8 
In coordination w ith the DOF, access foreign loans to finance its
4 
projects, program s, and policies for disaster preparedness, response,
5 
recovery, and rehabilitation, subject to term s and conditions agreed
6 
u p o n  by the PDRO an d  th e lender;
7 
24.9 
Form ulate an d  establish m echanism s to mobilize an d  direct
8 
local disaster resilience offices w ithin its jurisdiction as necessary for
9 
d isaster preparedness and response at the provincial level;
10 
24.10 
C oordinate an d  provide the necessary support or assistance to
11 
the D epartm ent in the im plem entation of rehabilitation plan(s) w ithin
12 
the cities a n d /o r m unicipalities covered by the PDRO; and
13 
24.11 
C onduct other 
activities a n d /o r act on other m atters, in
14 
accordance w ith policies and procedures of the D epartm ent and
15 
applicable laws, to achieve the purposes of this Act.
16 
SECTION 25. Local D isaster R esilience F u n d  a n d  Local D isaster
17 
C o n tin g e n cy  F und. -  LGUs shall annually set aside not less th an  ten
18 
percent (10%) of their local budget, to constitute a Local D isaster Resilience
19 
F und (LDRF). The LGU shall use its LDRF to m aintain and operate its local
20 
d isaster resilience office to m aintain its officers, em ployees and staff, and to
21 
im plem ent plans, program s and activities u n d er its LDRP. Thirty percent
22 
(30%) of the LDRF shall be set aside as Local D isaster Contingency Fund
23 
(LDCF), w hich shall be u sed  for d isaster response and quick recovery
24 
m easures. Nothing contained in this Act shall prevent LGUs from providing
25 
additional funding or allocating additional resources for d isaster resilience
26 
activities, plans an d  program s w ithin their jurisdiction.
27 
SECTION 26. Supplem ental LDRF. 
The D epartm ent m ay allocate and
28 
d isb u rse funds to supplem ent an  LGU’s LDRF based on param eters and
29 
requirem ents indicated in the IRR. In determ ining such param eters and
30 
requirem ents, the IRR shall aim  to provide supplem ental funds to LGUs w ith
28


1 
low incom e a n d /o r high exposure to n a tu ra l hazards. Supplem ental LDRFs
2 
shall, as m uch as possible, fill gaps or shortages in LGU resources to en su re
3 
th a t LGUs can  im plem ent d isaster resilience m easures such as, am ong
4 
others, im plem enting their LDRP/Provincial LDRP, establishing their local
5 
d isaster resilience offices, obtaining a n d /o r m aintaining the necessary
6 
equipm ent 
and 
staff in 
their local 
d isaster resilience 
offices, 
an d
7 
im plem enting the NDRF an d  NDRPIP a t the local levels.
8 
SECTION 27. 
R egional D isaster R esilience O ffices. -  The D epartm ent
9 
shall establish and m aintain Regional D isaster Resilience Offices (RDROs) a t
10 
each region, an d  a Metro M anila D isaster Resilience Office (MMDRO). The
11 
size, com position and organization of RDROs an d  MMDRO shall be based on
12 
p aram eters provided in the IRR (such as ability of LGUs w ithin its
13 
jurisdiction to cope w ith previous disasters, 
or to im plem ent their
14 
LD RPs/Provincial LDRPs; the level of incom e, population, hazard exposure
15 
of LGUs). The RDROs an d  MMDRO shaill be funded by the D epartm ent. It
16 
shall be headed and m anaged by a Regional D irector an d  assisted by a n
17 
A ssistant Regional Director, both of whom shall have regular plantilla
18 
positions.
19 
SECTION 28. S p ecial D isaster R esponse T eam s. -  The RDROs m ay
20 
organize a n d /o r activate Special D isaster R esponse Team s (SDRTs) to a ssist
21 
LGUs in responding to hazards and disasters th a t are beyond their
22 
capacities, as deem ed necessary.
23 
SECTION 29. Pow ers a n d  F u n c tio n s o f RDROs a n d  MMDRO. -  The
24 
RDROs and MMDRO shall have the following pow ers and functions:
25 
29.1. Review the LDRPs an d  Provincial LDRPs of LGUs w ithin its
26 
jurisdiction, an d  require the am endm ent of su ch  LDRPs a n d /o r
27 
Provincial LDRPs if necessary, to ensure com pliance w ith the NDRF an d
28 
NDRPIP;
29


1 
29.2. M onitor and direct local disaster resilience offices to im plem ent
2 
their respective LDRPs;
3 
29.3. Recom m end to the appropriate sanggunian (at the city, m unicipal
4 
or provincial level) the enactm ent of local ordinances to im plem ent
5 
the LDRP, NDRF and NDRPIP at the city, m unicipal or provincial
6 
level, and to comply w ith other requirem ents of this Act;
7 
29.4. Review reports on the utilization of the LDRF an d  other d isaster
8 
risk reduction and m anagem ent resources of LGUs w ithin its
9 
jurisdiction, and give recom m endations, as necessary;
10 
29.5. D isburse to, and m onitor the u se by, LGUs of Supplem ental LDRF
11 
as granted by the D epartm ent p u rsu a n t to this Act an d  its IRR;
12 
29.6. D isburse to, and m onitor the use by LGUs of the People’s Survival
13 
F und for clim ate change adaptation projects;
14 
29.7. Provide, upon the request of LGUs or unilaterally a t its own
15 
discretion, 
assistance 
to 
LGU(s) 
w ithin 
its jurisdiction 
a s
16 
necessary to ensure the im plem entation of LD RPs/Provincial
17 
LDRPs, NDRF and NDRPIP, and to render efficient and timely
18 
d isaster preparedness, response and recovery m easures;
19 
29.8. Identify and report to the D epailm ent issues and problem s
20 
relating to, or affecting, the d isaster resilience of LGUs w ithin its
21 
jurisdiction, and m ake recom m endations to the D epartm ent
22 
a n d /o r to the LGUs to address such issues or problem s;
23 
29.9. Procure goods and services in com pliance w ith the regulations,
24 
orders, an d  policies of DBM an d  GPPB, to im plem ent the NDRPIP
25 
and NDRF a t the regional level;
26 
29.10. 
Form ulate and establish m echanism s to mobilize and direct
27 
local d isaster resilience offices w ithin its jurisdiction as necessaiy
28 
for d isaster preparedness and response a t the regional level;
29 
29.11. 
E stablish and m aintain, in coordination w ith the D epartm ent, a
30 
Regional Com m and and Control (RCC) C enter, w hich includes,
31 
am ong others, an  inform ation m anagem ent system  a t the regional
32 
level th a t consolidates and integrates inform ation from the
30


] 
provinces, cities and m unicipalities w ithin its jurisdiction, a m ulti-
2 
hazard early w arning and com m unications 
system , 
and a
3 
m onitoring system  th a t enables the RDRO to oversee, supervise,
4 
m onitor an d  respond to the needs of LGUs w ithin its ju risdiction
5 
in relation to disaster resilience activities;
6 
29.12. 
Im plem ent or assist in the im plem entation, a s directed by th e
7 
D epartm ent, of rehabilitation plan(s) for LGUs w ithin its coverage;
8 
and
9 
29.13. 
C onduct other activities a n d /o r act on other m atters, in
10 
accordance w ith policies and procedures of the D epartm ent a n d
11 
applicable laws, to achieve the purposes of this Act.
12 
SECTION 30. In ter-R eg io n al D isaster R esilience Office C ollaboration. -
13 
The D epartm ent shall craft policies and im plem ent program s to engender
14 
effective collaboration and coordination am ong the different RDROs.
15 
SECTION 31. N ational organization of all Local D isaster Resilience Officers.
16 
There shall be a national organization of all local disaster resilience officers
17 
for the prim ary purpose of:
18 
31.1 Developing capacity, and exchanging knowledge, experiences, an d
19 
b est practices concerning local governm ent d isaster resilience;
20 
31.2 Fostering inter-operability of the local d isaster resilience offices’
21 
system s;
22 
31.3 Facilitating inter-LGU cooperation and collaboration;
23 
31.4 Providing in p u ts and feedback to the D epartm ent on resilience
24 
concerns a t the local level; and
25 
31.5 E nhancing synergy in other areas of com m on concern.
31


1 
SECTION 32. Levels of Responsibility for D isaster Preparedness an d
2 
R esponse. The prim ary responsibility for d isaster preparedness a n d
3 
response shall be exercised a t the local or national level, as applicable, in
4 
close 
and 
seam less 
collaboration 
w ith 
the 
relevant 
governm ent
5 
instrum entalities and non-govem m ent stakeholders. The four levels o f
6 
responsibility send the conditions th a t w arrant each are a s follows:
Levels of 
R esponsibility
Responsible O fficial/s
C onditions
Level 1 -  City or 
M unicipality
Mayor of the
city/m unicipality (Lead)
Local D isaster Resilience 
Office
(In the case of ARMM: 
M unicipal /  City Mayor and 
ARMM Local D isaster 
Resilience Office)
If a d isaster affects a 
single m unicipality/city
Level 2 -  Province
Governor (Lead)
Provincial D isaster 
Resilience Office
Applicable Local D isaster 
Resilience Offices
(In the case of ARMM: 
Provincial Governor, ARMM 
Local D isaster Resilience 
Office(s))
If a  d isaster affects two or 
m ore m unicipalities/cities
Level 3 -  Region
Regional D irector of the 
Regional D isaster Resilience 
Office (RDRO)
(Lead)
Applicable G overnors
Applicable Provincial 
D isaster Resilience Offices
(In the case of ARMM:
If a  d isaster affects two or 
m ore provinces
32


Regional Governor and 
ARMM Local D isaster 
Resilience Office(s))
(In the case of Metro 
M anila: MMDA Chair)
Level 4 -  National
Secretary of D isaster 
Resilience (Lead)
G overnors of the Affected 
Provinces
a. If a d isaster affects at 
least two (2) regions;
b. W hen the LGU is 
unable to effectively 
cope w ith the risk 
a n d /o r im pact of a 
hazard; or
C. W hen the President 
directs a Level 4 
response or declares a 
state of calam ity.
1 
SECTION 33. Inter-L ocal G o v ern m en t A ssistan ce. -  LGUs are hereby
2 
authorized to extend assistance to another LGU, w hether through funding
3 
or donation of goods a n d /o r 
services, 
to ensure 
effective disaster
4 
p reparedness an d  response, su ch  as the pre-positioning and provision of
5 
basic goods, training of first responders, am ong others, subject to auditing
6 
an d  accounting rules to be defined in the IRR.
7 
SECTION 
34. 
R e c o n stru c tio n  
a n d  
R eh a b ilitatio n  
Pow ers 
o f th e
8 
D e p artm en t. -  
The D epartm ent shall be prim arily responsible for
9 
reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the event of a n a tu ra l disaster. In
10 
u ndertaking reconstruction an d  rehabilitation efforts, the D epartm ent shall,
11 
a s m uch as possible, retrofit stru ctu res to m ake them  m ore resistan t and
12 
resilient to the effects of n a tu ra l disasters.
13
14
ARTICLE V
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
15 
SECTION 35. C ollaboration w ith  S ta k eh o ld ers. -  The D epartm ent shall
16 
ensure 
seam less 
collaboration 
and 
coordination 
w ith 
stakeholders.
33


1 
including other governm ent agencies, CSOs, the academ e, and the private
2 
sector, in relation to d isaster resilience program s and projects, an d  the
3 
developm ent and prom otion of education and training m echanism s w ith
4 
relevant stakeholders.
5 
The D epartm ent shall establish a  platform  and m echanism s for
6 
coordination w ith stakeholders, including the developm ent of standard
7 
operating procedures for collaboration in the event of a disaster.
8 
SECTION 
36. 
E sta b lish m e n t 
o f 
N on-G overnm ent 
S tak eh o ld ers
9 
C o o rd in atio n  U nit. -  The D epartm ent, with the assistance of other relevant
10 
governm ent agencies and stakeholders, shall establish a Non-G overnm ent
11 
Stakeholders Coordination U nit (NSCU), w hich shall align the disaster
12 
resilience 
efforts 
of the 
private 
sector, 
CSOs, 
academ e and 
other
13 
stakeholders w ith the D epartm ent by assisting, coordinating or providing
14 
services th a t strengthen public-private coordination in disaster resilience,
15 
including, b u t not Umited to, the following:
16 
36.1 E stablishm ent and im plem entation of business continuity practices
17 
to ensure the continued delivery of products and services in the
18 
event of a n atu ral disaster;
19 
36.2 E stablishm ent an d  im plem entation of a N ational C ontinuity Policy
20 
to ensure service continuity during interruptions, em ergencies, and
21 
disasters and ensure the quick retu rn  to full operations;
22 
36.3 E stablishm ent, 
incorporation, 
and 
application 
of 
business
23 
continuity plans as p a rt of the LDRP of LGUs;
24 
36.4 Facilitation or assistance in obtaining or processing incentives for
25 
the private sector or other non-govem m ent stakeholders, such as
26 
b u t not lim ited to tax credits; and
27 
36.5 Preparation and facilitating the issuance of special rules for Micro,
28 
Small, and M edium E nterprises (MSMEs) su ch  as, b u t not limited
34


1
2
to, m echanism s involving procurem ent and liquidity to create 
enabling environm ents for disaster preparedness and recovery.
3 
The NSCU shall establish a platform  th a t includes, am ong others, a
4 
d atab ase for m onitoring an d  coordinating efforts an d  resources of non-
5 
governm ent stakeholders.
6 
SECTION 37. D isaster R esilien ce A ssem bly. -  The D epartm ent, w ith the
7 
assistance of RDROs, shall establish and convene a D isaster Resilience
8 
A ssem bly (DRA), a t the regional and national level, w hich will be held on a
9 
sem estral 
basis 
to 
ensure 
the 
proactive 
engagem ent 
of 
different
10 
stakeholders, such as, b u t no t lim ited to, governm ent agencies, the U nion of
11 
Local A uthorities of th e Philippines (ULAP), League of M unicipalities of the
12 
Philippines (LMP), CSOs, academ e, DRRM practitioners, and the private
13 
sector, to ensure and foster coordination and collaboration tow ards
14 
achieving the goals of this Act.
15
The LGUs m ay convene local DRAs w ithin their jurisdictions.
16 
SECTION 38. In te r-o p era b ility  o f S y stem s. -  The D epartm ent shall
17 
estab lish m echanism s to ensure the inter-operabiU ty of system s am ong
18 
governm ent agencies, and to allow access of agencies to the IDRIS, as
19 
established p u rsu a n t to Section 13 of this Act. It shall develop protocols to
20 
allow real-tim e access to inform ation by governm ent agencies in relation to
21 
n a tu ra l disasters and the im plem entation of d isaster resilience m easures.
22 
SECTION 39. T ran sfer o f F u n c tio n s. -  The following are hereby transferred
23 
to th e D epartm ent:
24
39.1 All th e functions of the Clim ate C hange Com m ission (CCC);
35


1 
39.2 N atural disaster-related functions of the N ational D isaster Risk
2 
R eduction an d  M anagem ent Council (NDRRMC) an d  Office of Civil
3 
D efense (OCD); and
4 
39.3 N atural disaster-response functions of the D epartm ent of Social
5 
W elfare and Developm ent (DSWD)
6 
Accordingly, the CCC and NDRRMC are hereby abolished. The OCD shall
7 
retain  all its pow ers and functions to m anage hum an-induced disasters.
8 
SECTION 
40. T ran sfer o f R eso u rces. -  The transfer of powers an d
9 
functions 
listed 
above shall 
include 
the 
corresponding 
funds 
an d
10 
appropriations, plantilla positions, data, records, equipm ent, facilities,
11 
properties 
an d  
other resources 
of 
the 
concerned 
governm ent
12 
instrum entalities. The D epartm ent shall have the power to reorganize or
13 
reallocate these resources and positions, as m ay be necessary to attain th e
14 
goals an d  objectives of this Act.
15 
SECTION 41. P rogram  M anag em en t Office for th e  Elarthquake R esiliency
16 
o f th e  G reater M etro M anila A rea. -  The Program  M anagem ent Office for
17 
the E arthquake Resiliency of the G reater Metro M anila Area (PMO-ERG), a s
18 
created p u rsu a n t to Executive O rder no. 52, s. 2018, shall be attached to
19 
th e D epartm ent an d  be given program  and project im plem entation powers,
20 
a s provided in th is Act’s IRR.
21
22
23
24
25
ARTICLE VI
DECLARATION OF STATE OF CALAMITY
SECTION 42. D eclaratio n  o f S ta te  o f C alam ity. -  A state of calam ity m ay 
be declared w hen any of the following requisites are present:
26 
42.1 
A n a tu ra l hazard, including clim ate change, poses im m inent
27 
th re a t to h u m an  fife a n d /o r danger to property; or
36


1 
42.2 
A significant im pact is caused by a  n a tu ra l hazard or clim ate
2 
change, w hich dem ands im m ediate action.
3
4 
The following shall exercise this power, respectively:
5 
a. The President, upon recom m endation of the SDR, w hether in whole or
6 
p a rt of an  area;
7 
b. The SDR, upon recom m endation of th e RDRO, covering two or m ore
8 
provinces of the sam e region; and
9 
c. The local sanggunian, upon recom m endation of the local d isaster
10 
resilience office, w ithin their jurisdiction.
11 
SECTION 43. M andatory a n d  rem ed ial m e asu re s. - The declaration of a
12 
state of calam ity shall allow the im m ediate im plem entation of any or aU of
13 
the following rem edial m easures:
14 
43.1 
Im position of price ceiling on basic necessities an d  prim e
15 
com m odities as provided for u n d e r Republic Act No. 7581,
16 
otherw ise know n as the "Price Act", or the N ational Price
17 
C oordinating Council;
18 
43.2 
M onitoring, prevention and control by the Local Price C oordination
19 
Council 
of 
overpricing/profiteering 
and 
hoarding 
of 
prim e
20 
com m odities, m edicines and petroleum  products; or
21 
43.3 Use of alternative m odes of procurem ent, such as negotiated
22 
procurem ent u n d er Section 57 of this Act, by the D epartm ent,
23 
LGUs 
or relevant governm ent agencies 
in relation 
to 
th e
24 
procurem ent of em ergency works, goods or services to respond or
25 
quickly recover from disasters.
26 
SECTION 44. E m ergency m easu res. To ensure public safety and welfare
27 
due to im pending h azards and actu al occurrence of disasters, th e
28 
D epartm ent m ay im plem ent the following m easures:
37


1 
44.1 R ation the distribution of basic goods in critical shortage, a n d /o r
2 
restrict or b an  the transfer of such goods outside the area covered
3 
by the em ergency m easure;
4 
44.2 Tem porarily take over or direct th e operation of any private utility
5 
or bu sin ess for u rg en t public purpose in anticipation of, during,
6 
an d  in the afterm ath of em ergencies, hazards, an d  disasters a n d
7 
only w hen there is im m inent danger of loss of lives and / or dam age
8 
to property, subject to paym ent of ju s t com pensation; and
9 
44.3 Witli die concurrence of the DOF, recom m end to Oie M onetary
10 
B oard the deferm ent of paym ent for m onetary debts of LGUs
11 
a n d /o r private entities th a t have been affected by disasters.
12
13
ARTICLE VII 
FUNDS AND RESOURCES
14 
SECTION 45. 
A p p ro p riatio n s a n d  M anagem ent o f D isaster R esilien ce
15 
F u n d . -  The budget of the D epartm ent shall be com posed of the following,
16 
w hich shall be collectively called the D isaster Resilience Fund:
17
18
19
20 
21 
22 
23
45.1 A nnual G eneral A ppropriations -  shall provide the funding 
requirem ents 
for, 
am ong 
others, 
research, 
operations, 
m aintenance, plans, and program s of the D epartm ent of 
D isaster Resilience, including, b u t not lim ited to, establishm ent 
of evacuation centers, retrofitting of stru ctu res, establishm ent of 
em ergency operating centers, and im plem entation of o th er 
d isaster risk reduction projects.
24
25
26 
27
45.2 D isaster Contingency Fund -  shall be in a lum p-sum  form to 
provide funds in case of im m inent hazards or actu al d isasters 
for, 
am ong others, im m ediate response, relief and quick 
recovery m easures for d isaster affected areas.
38


3
4
5
1
2
45.3 R ehabilitation and Recovery F und -  shall provide the funding 
requirem ents for rehabilitation a n d /o r reconstruction projects 
of 
disaster 
affected 
areas 
su ch  
as 
public 
classroom s, 
governm ent buildings, public hospitals, perm anent shelters an d  
Livelihood program s.
6 
The D isaster Resilience F und shall be m anaged by the D epartm ent to
7 
finance its operations, and d isaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness,
8 
response, recovery, rehabilitation and building forward better program s,
9 
projects and activities form ulated a t the national level.
10 
SECTION 46. C o n tin u in g  A p propriations. -  The unutilized balances from
11 
the D isaster Contingency Fund, a n d  R ehabilitation and Recovery F und shall
12 
be treated as C ontinuing A ppropriations, w hich m ay be u sed  to finance the
13 
cost of projects, program s, a n d /o r activities even w hen such costs are
14 
incurred beyond the fiscal year of the GAA w here such funds w ere
15 
appropriated.
16 
SECTION 47. F u n d  R eg u latio n s. -  The DBM and COA shall establish rules
17 
an d  regulations th a t apply specifically to the D isaster Resilience Fund to
18 
ensure 
th a t 
funds 
required 
for 
disaster 
response, 
recovery, 
and
19 
rehabilitation are available a n d /o r released efficiently and expeditiously
20 
through innovative budgeting and auditing m echanism s, w hich m ay
21 
include, am ong others, providing for longer validity periods for funds a n d /o r
22 
exem ption from cash-based budgeting rules; im posing auditing or reporting
23 
requirem ents, w hich apply specifically to the utilization of the D isaster
24 
Resilience Fund.
25 
SECTION 48. P eo p le’s S urvival F und. -  The D epartm ent shall m anage and
26 
adm inister the People’s Survival Fund, created u n d er Republic Act No.
27 
10174, and facilitate its utilization by LGUs, through RDROs, to im plem ent
39


, 
clim ate change adaptation projects of LGUs an d  equip vulnerable LGU 
2 
com m unities against th e im pacts of clim ate change.
3
4
5
6
7
8
15
16
SECTION 49. Multi-Donor T rust Fund. -  The D epartm ent shall create and 
m anage, together w ith the B ureau of Treasury, a M ulti-D onor T ru st F und 
for th e processing, releasing an d  accounting of m oney an d  other sum lar 
reso u rces intended tor d isaster assistance. The D epartm ent shall estab b sh  a 
system  to en su re transparency in the m anagem ent and use of the M ulo-
D onor T rust Fund.
9 
SECTION 50. Financial A dm inistration. -  The D epartm ent shall m anage 
,0 
all fu n d s appropriated to it by C ongress an d  received from other sources. 
,, 
The D epartm ent shall also m anage all donations received by it. subject to
12 
the auditing pow ers of the COA.
13
14
To fund its operations, the D epartm ent shaU have the power to coUect 
fees derived from the DRRTI and other related activities.
SECTION 51. D onations M anagem ent. -  The D epartm ent shall have the 
power to receive an d  m anage donations from any person or entity, w hether 
17 
from local or international sources.
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
The im portation by, a n d  donation to, the D epartm ent of, am ong 
others, food, clothing, m edical assistance, equipm ent, and m aten als for 
relief, recovery an d  other disaster m anagem ent activities are hereby 
authorized in accordance w ith Section 105 of the Tariff an d  C ustom s Code 
of the Philippines, as am ended, an d  the prevailing provisions of th e G eneral 
A ppropriations Act covering national internal revenue taxes an d  im port 
duties of national and local governm ent agencies.
25 
SECTION 52. Regulation of Donations. -  The D epartm ent shall establish
26 
an d  operate a platform , including an  online platform , to facilitate, m onitor.
40


1 
an d  provide public access to inform ation on donations. To ensure com plete
2 
accounting an d  reporting of donations, the D epartm ent shall form ulate an d
3 
issue rules a n d  guidelines for the receipt, m anagem ent and accounting of
4 
donations, w hich are consistent w ith the rules on the u se of foreign and
5 
local aid during calam ities and disasters issued by COA an d  other relevant
6 
governm ent agencies.
7 
ARTICLE VIII
8 
SPECIAL RULES ON BORROWING, TAXES, AND PROCUREMENT
9 
SECTION 53. R ules on B orrow ing. -  The LGUs shall access foreign
10 
financing, through the DOF, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and other
11 
relevant 
agencies, 
as 
applicable, 
to 
im plem ent 
d isaster 
prevention,
12 
m itigation, early recovery, and rehabilitation m easures a t the provincial,
13 
city, or m unicipal level.
14 
SECTION 54. S pecial R ules o n  T ax a n d  D uties. -  To facilitate prom pt and
15 
efficient response to, a n d /o r recovery from disasters, th e following shall be
16 
granted 
special exem ptions from existing taxation laws, 
rules, 
and
17 
regulations:
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26 
27
54.1. 
Exem ption from taxes and im port duties for foreign disaster 
assistance or international donations coursed through the 
D epartm ent;
54.2. 
Exem ption from donor's tax an d  allowing the treatm ent of 
donations a s a deductible expense for local disaster assistance 
coursed through the D epartm ent;
54.3. 
Exem ption from Value Added Tax (VAT) for goods or services 
donated from abroad coursed through the D epartm ent;
54.4. 
Tax incentives to encourage m em bers of the private sector to 
render aid or provide disaster assistance, a n d /o r to invest in
41


1
2
d isaster resilience and clim ate change adaptation m easures for 
their residence, com m unities or businesses.
3 
LGUs m ay also im plem ent local tax  rules th a t w ould grant d isaster
4 
victim s reasonable reduction, exem ption, or deferm ent of local taxes or other
5 
types of tax assessm ents; or take other necessary action a t the local level to
6 
provide tax relief to disaster victims.
7 
SECTION 55. C u sto m  D u ties a n d  T ariffs o n  D onatio n s. -  The BOC shall
8 
create rules th a t would, am ong others, h a ste n  the processing and release of
9 
donated goods and equipm ent to disaster victim s a n d /o r affected areas.
10 
SECTION 56. Ek:onom ic R ecovery a n d  D evelopm ent o f D isaster-P ro n e
11 
A reas. -  The D epartm ent, in coordination w ith the D epartm ent of Trade a n d
12 
Industry (DTI) and other relevant agencies, shall create and provide policies,
13 
program s, an d  projects, such as, b u t not lim ited to, bu sin ess tax relief a n d
14 
subsidies, to encourage business investm ents, and to stim ulate econom ic
15 
activities in affected or disaster-prone areas.
16 
The D epartm ent, in collaboration w ith the relevant LGUs and other
17 
stakeholders, shall likewise establish dual purpose stru ctu res in d isaster
18 
affected areas, such as, am ong others, com m unity agricultural centers,
19 
classroom s, and w ater harvesting tan k s to develop and prom ote investm ents
20 
in affected or disaster-prone areas.
21 
SECTION 57. S p ecial P ro cu rem e n t P olicies a n d  A udit R ules for D isaster
22 
R esilien ce a n d  M anagem en t. -  The G overnm ent Procurem ent Policy B oard
23 
(GPPB) shall im plem ent special policies for procurem ent of services, goods,
24 
an d  m aterials to be used for pre-, during, and post-disaster efforts of th e
25 
D epartm ent, thereby am ending related provisions of RA 9184 and its
26 
Im plem enting Rules and Regulations.
42


1 
The D epartm ent’s procurem ent activities relating to services, goods, o r
2 
m aterials for preparation, response, recovery, and rehabilitation efforts,
3 
w hether procured from local or international sources, shall be u n d e rtak en
4 
using the following m odes;
5 
57.1 D uring p re -a n d  post-disaster phases, the D epartm ent m ay enter into
6 
simplified or pre-arranged contracts, w hich shall cover the following:
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
a. E stablishm ent of a  logistics system  for the efficient and prom pt 
distribution of goods, equipm ent or other m aterials required for 
d isaster response and m anagem ent; securing food, m edicines, 
fuel, or other supplies from groceries, pharm acies, gas stations or 
other sources in the event of a d isaster in a specific area; en su rin g  
a n  alternative source of power or w ater from private utilities in th e  
event of a d isaster in a specific area; or other arranging th e 
im m ediate supply of other goods, services or equipm ent necessary 
for d isaster response and m anagem ent.
16
17
18
19
20
b. Procurem ent of services, goods, and m aterials to be used for 
recovery an d  rehabilitation efforts, including b u t not lim ited to th e  
construction of post-disaster shelters and provision of service 
contracts, to ensure the procurem ent of quality-oriented goods, 
m aterials, and equipm ent
21
22
23
24
25
The pre-arranged contracts shall include, am ong others, pre-signed 
agreem ents, stand-by contracts, pre-arranged system s of procurem ent 
w ith a pre-approved list of contractors for construction projects, p re­
negotiated 
contracts, 
advanced 
procurem ents 
contracts, 
a n d  
fram ew ork contracts.
26 
57.2 D irect p u rch ase during a state of calam ity, of im m inent danger to life
27 
or property during a  state of calam ity, or w hen tim e is of the essence
43


3
1
2
arising from natxiral hazards and disasters w here im m ediate action is 
necessary to prevent dam age to or loss of life or property, or to resto re 
vital public services, infrastructure facilities and other public utilities.
4 
SECTION 58. G o v ern m en t A ccounting a n d  A uditing P olicies. -  The COA
5 
shall continually improve and update its policies, rules, and regulations to
6 
ensure their responsiveness to the disaster resiliency requirem ents of th e
7 
country.
8 
ARTICLE IX
9 
DISASTER RISK TRANSER AND INSURANCE 
10
11 
SECTION 59. D isaste r R isk T ran sfer a n d  In su ra n ce . -  The D epartm ent, in
12 
collaboration w ith the DOF and Insurance Com m ission, shall create,
13 
establish, and im plem ent, am ong others, d isaster insurance pools, revolving
14 
funds, insurance and risk-transfer schem es a n d /o r facilities, an d  oth er
15 
financial disaster resilience m easures to ensure the protection of public
16 
a n d /o r private properties and livelihood against the adverse effects of
17 
n atu ral disasters. For this purpose, the D epartm ent a n d /o r DOF m ay
18 
engage or require the participation of governm ent banks, insurance agencies
19 
an d  financial institutions.
20 
SECTION 60. M an d ated  In su ra n ce  C overage. -  To attain  d isaster resilience
21 
an d  achieve the purposes of this Act, the D epartm ent shall have th e
22 
discretion and authority to require governm ent agencies, governm ent-ow ned
23 
or controlled corporations (GOCCs), or LGUs to insure their assets a n d /o r
24 
properties 
(such 
as, 
am ong 
others, 
vessels, 
vehicles, 
equipm ent,
25 
m achineries, perm anent buildings, properties stored therein, or properties
26 
in transit) against insurable risks and pay the prem ium s therefor, to
27 
com pensate th e G overnm ent, GOCC or LGU, as applicable, for any dam age
28 
to, or loss of, properties due to a n a tu ra l disaster
44


1
2
ARTICLE X
PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES
3 
SECTION 61. P ro h ib ited  A cts a n d  P en alties. -  Any individual, corporation,
4 
partnership, association or any juridical entity th a t com m its any of th e
5 
following prohibited acts shall be m ade liable:
6 
61.1 Prohibited Acts of Public Officials - The following acts, if com m itted
7 
by public officials w ithout justifiable cause, shall be considered a s
8 
neglect of duty:
9 
10 
11
Simple neglect of duty
a. Failure to create functional local d isaster resilience offices 
w ithin six (6) m onths from approval of this Act;
12
13
14
b. Failure to prepare and im plem ent an  LDRP or PDRP, a s  
applicable, or Contingency Plan for hazards frequently occurring 
w ithin their jurisdiction; and
15
16
17
18 
19
G ross neglect of duty
c. Failure to enforce laws, standards, or regulations such as th e  
N ational Building Code, Solid W aste M anagem ent Act, W ater 
Code, and other relevant laws, leading to destruction, loss of 
lives, a n d /o r critical dam age of facilities.
20 
61.2 Prohibited Acts of Public 
Officials an d  Private Persons or
21 
Institutions
22
23
24
a. Delaying w ithout justifiable cause the delivery, or im proper 
handling or storage of, aid com m odities, resulting in dam age or 
spoilage;
45


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
2
b. W ithholding the distribution of relief goods due to a) political o r 
p artisan  considerations; b) 
discrim ination based on race, 
ethnicity, religion, or gender an d  c) other sim ilar circum stances;
c. Preventing the entry and distribution of relief goods in disaster- 
stricken 
areas, 
including 
appropriate 
technology, 
tools, 
equipm ent, accessories, d isaster team s/experts;
d. Buying, for consum ption or resale, from d isaster relief agencies 
any relief goods, equipm ent or other and com m odities th a t are 
intended for distribution to disaster affected com m unities;
e. Buying, for consum ption or resale, from the recipient disaster 
affected persons any relief goods, equipm ent or other aid 
com m odities received by them ;
f. Selling of relief goods, equipm ent or other aid com m odities th a t 
are intended for distribution to d isaster victims;
g. Forcibly 
seizing 
relief 
goods, 
equipm ent 
or 
other 
aid 
com m odities intended for or consigned to a specific group of 
victim s or relief agency;
h. D iverting or m isdelivering relief goods, equipm ent or other aid 
com m odities to persons other th an  the rightful recipient or 
consignee;
i. Accepting, 
possessing, 
using 
or 
disposing 
relief 
goods, 
equipm ent or other aid com m odities not intended for n o r 
consigned to him  or her;
j. M isrepresenting th e source of relief goods, equipm ent or other 
aid com m odities by:
i. E ither covering, replacing or defacing the labels of the 
containers to m ake it appear th a t the goods, equipm ent or 
other aid com m odities cam e from another agency or persons
ii. Repacking the goods, equipm ent or other aid com m odities 
into containers w ith different m arkings to m ake it appear 
th a t the goods cam e from an o th er agency or persons or w as
46


2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 
17
1
released upon the instance of a particular agency or 
persons;
iii. 
M aking false verbal claim  th a t th e goods, equipm ent or other 
and 
com m odity in its u ntam pered original containers 
actually cam e from another agency or persons or w as 
released upon the instance of a particular agency or 
persons;
k. S ubstituting or replacing relief goods, equipm ent or other aid 
com m odities with the sam e item s of inferior or cheaper quality;
l. Illegal solicitations by persons or organizations representing 
others as defined in the stan d ard s and guidelines set by this 
Act’s IRR;
m. Deliberately using false or inflated d ata in support of the request 
for funding, relief goods, equipm ent or other aid com m odities for 
em ergency assistance or other projects; and
n. Tam pering w ith or stealing hazard m onitoring and disaster 
preparedness equipm ent and paraphernalia.
18 
Any individual, corporation, partnership, association or other juridical
19 
entity th a t com m its any of the prohibited acts in the preceding paragraph
20 
shall be m ade hable for the following:
21 
1. A fine of not less th an  one h u ndred th o u san d  pesos (Php 100,000.00)
22 
or not to exceed five h u n d red  tho u san d  pesos (Php 500,000.00), or
23 
im prisonm ent of not less th a n  six (6) m onths an d  one (1) day nor
24 
m ore th an  twelve (12) years, or both, a t the discretion of the court,
25 
including perpetual disqualification from public office if the offender is
26 
a  public officer, and  confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the
27 
governm ent of the 
objects and 
the 
instrum entalities used in
28 
com m itting any of herein prohibited acts.
29 
2. If the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, or other
30 
juridical entity, th e penalty shall be im posed upon th e officer or
47


2
3
4
5
6 
7
1
officers 
of the 
corporation, 
partnership, 
association 
or 
entity 
responsible for the violation w ithout prejudice to the cancellation or 
revocation of these entities license or accreditation issued to them  by 
any licensing or accredited body of the governm ent. If such offender is 
a n  alien, he or she shall, in addition to the penalties prescribed in this 
Act, be deported w ithout fu rth er proceedings after service of the 
sentence.
8 
3. If the offender is a public officer, the offense shall also be punishable
9 
by adm inistrative suspension of six (6) m onths an d  one (1) day to one
10 
(1) year for the first offense, an d  dism issal from the service for th e
11 
second offense. 
The penalty of dism issal shall c a n y  w ith it the
12 
cancellation of eligibility to or forfeiture of retirem ent benefits,
13 
perpetual 
disqualification 
from 
holding 
pubhc 
office 
an d
14 
disqualification from taking civil service exam inations.
15 
Acts com m itted in violation of this Section shall be w ithout prejudice to the
16 
im position of other crim inal, civil an d  adm inistrative liabilities u n d er other
17 
existing laws.
18 
SECTION 62. L iability for U nlaw ful P erfo rm an ce o f D uties a n d  S ta te
19 
L iab ility in case o f D efense L itig atio n . -  In case a law suit is filed against
20 
any personnel of the D epartm ent as a resu lt of the perform ance of his or h e r
21 
duties, an d  such perform ance w as found to be lawful, he or she shall be
22 
reim bursed by the D epartm ent for reasonable costs of litigation. 
For this
23 
purpose, the D epartm ent is authorized to procure applicable liability
24 
in su ran ce for its officers and employees.
25 
SECTION 63. D isciplinary pow ers o f th e  P resid e n t. -  The President,
26 
subject to the recom m endation of the D epartm ent Secretary and the
27 
D epartm ent of the Interior an d  Local G overnm ent (DILG), shall have the
28 
power to im pose adm inistrative sanctions against local chief executives and
48


1 
baxangay 
officials 
for willful 
or 
negligent 
acts 
th a t 
relate 
to 
th e
2 
im plem entation of, or com pliance w ith, this Act and its IRR or relating to
3 
th eir official functions, w hich adversely affect disaster resilience projects
4 
su ch  as, b u t not lim ited to, delayed issuance of perm its or failure to
5 
im plem ent local ordinances.
6
7
ARTICLE XI
SPECIAL COURTS AND INJUNCTIONS
8 
SECTION 64. S pecial C ourts on D isaster R esilience M atters. -  To en su re
9 
the prom pt and expeditious resolution of disputes relating to d isaster
10 
response, recovery or rehabilitation m easures, the Suprem e C ourt shall
11 
create a n d /o r designate special courts to hear, try, and decide cases arising
12 
from the following, am ong others:
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
64.1. Expropriation, em inent dom ain or right-of-way issu es related to 
the im plem entation of d isaster resilience projects;
64.2. Failure to comply w ith stan d ard s for d isaster risk reduction an d  
continuity planning, including, b u t not lim ited to, in frastructure 
stan d ard s and designs;
64.3. Com m ission of prohibited acts u n d er Article X of this Act; and
64.4. D isputes involving donations, reUef goods, or contracts executed 
or im plem ented p u rsu a n t to the provisions of this Act.
21 
SECTION 65. D ispute R eso lu tio n  M echanism s. -  The D epartm ent shall
22 
estab lish a D isaster R esolution Board, w hich shall resolve disputes involving
23 
adm inistrative m atters related to:
24
25
26 
27
65.1. A ccreditation or denial of accreditation of d isaster resilience 
training institutions, trainers, instructors, donors, volunteers, 
an d  A ssisting Dom estic or International Actors;
65.2. D ecisions of the RDROs;
49


2
3
4
1
65.3. C ontracts entered into by the D epartm ent or any of its ag en ts 
pursuaint to the provisions of th is Act; and
65.4. O ther adm inistrative m atters or issues a s m ay be determ ined by 
the D epartm ent.
5 
The com position, stru ctu re, and other organizational m atters related
6 
to the DRB shall be defined and provided in th is Act’s IRR.
7 
SECTION 66. Im p o sitio n  o f T em p o rary  R e stra in in g  O rder. -  No C ourt,
8 
except the Suprem e C ourt, shall have the power to issue an  injunction or a
9 
tem porary 
restraining 
order 
against 
any 
action 
taken 
or 
projects 
10 
im plem ented by the D epartm ent or its agents p u rsu a n t to th is Act.
11
12
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
13 
SECTION 67. P o st-D isaster S h e lte rs. -  The D epartm ent shall establish a
14 
p ost-disaster shelter recovery policy fram ew ork for low -incom e/inform al
15 
settler families, w ith the assistance of the appropriate housing agencies a n d
16 
the applicable LGUs. It shall, am ong others, determ ine the appropriate
17 
shelter 
m odalities 
depending 
on 
the 
following 
phases: 
em ergency,
18 
tem porary/transitional, an d  perm anent. The D epartm ent shall likewise
19 
identify, assess, an d  decide on safe zones for the im plem entation of recovery
20 
or rehabilitation projects.
21 
SECTION 68. C u ltu ral H eritag e. -  To protect, preserve, and prom ote th e
22 
n atio n ’s historical and cultural heritage, the D epartm ent shall assist th e
23 
appropriate cultural agencies an d  the appropriate LGUs to give priority
24 
protection an d  restoration to all national cu ltural treasu res or national
25 
historical landm arks, sites, or m onum ents in post-disaster recovery or
26 
rehabilitation m easures.
50


1 
SECTION 69. In d ig en o u s People. -  The D epartm ent, w ith the assistan ce of
2 
th e N ational C om m ission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) an d  the applicable
3 
LGUs, shall devise and im plem ent m echanism s th a t foster social protection
4 
for indigenous com m unities th a t are vulnerable to the effects of n a tu ra l
5 
disasters.
6 
The D epartm ent shall en su re respect for, and protection of, th e
7 
traditional 
resource 
right 
of 
the 
Indigenous 
C ultural
8 
C om m unities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) to their ancestral dom ains, a n d
9 
recognize 
the 
custom ary 
laws 
and 
traditional 
resource 
use 
a n d
10 
m anagem ent, knowledge, and practices in ancestral dom ains.
11 
In ancestral dom ains th a t are disaster-prone, the D epartm ent, w ith
12 
the assistance of the NCIP and applicable LGUs, shall create an  A ncestral
13 
D om ain D isaster M anagem ent and Resiliency Plan. It shall likewise properly
14 
com m unicate and explain inform ation on disaster risks in an cestral
15 
dom ains w ith the concerned IC C s/IPs and, as m uch as possible, engage
16 
su ch  IC C s/IPs in jointly form ulating a disaster resiliency plan for th eir
17 
ancestral dom ain.
18 
SECTION 70. L ivelihood. -  The D epartm ent, w ith the assistance of th e
19 
relevant governm ent agencies, such as b u t not lim ited to, the DTI an d
20 
D epartm ent of Labor and Em ploym ent (DOLE), shall establish policies a n d
21 
program s to restore a n d /o r generate livelihood in areas affected by n a tu ra l
22 
disasters.
23 
SECTION 71. In c e n tiv e s P rogram . -  The D epartm ent shall establish a n
24 
incentives 
program  
th a t 
recognizes 
the 
outstanding prom otion 
a n d
25 
im plem entation by local disaster resilience offices, CSOs, academ e, a n d
26 
other institutions of d isaster resilience program s a n d /o r projects, a n d th e
27 
m eritorious acts of individuals or entities during n atu ral disasters.
51


1 
SECTION 72. S tru c tu ra l a u d it o f g o v e rn m e n t build in g s a n d  c ritic a l
2 
in fra s tru c tu re . -  The D epartm ent shall be assisted by the DPWH, DOTr,
3 
D epartm ent of Energy (DOE), DICT, DILG, local building officials, an d  other
4 
relevant governm ent instrum entalities an d  stakeholders, in ensuring th e
5 
conduct of stru ctu ral audit, as often as necessary, on governm ent buildings,
6 
critical public infrastructure, and private stru c tu re s as m ay be determ ined
7 
by the D epartm ent.
8 
SECTION 73. T ra n sito ry  P rovision. -  The functions, assets, funds,
9 
equipm ent, properties, transactions, and personnel of the affected a n d
10 
transferred agencies, and the form ulation of the internal organic stru ctu re,
11 
staffing pattern, operating system , an d  revised budget of the D epartm ent,
12 
shall be com pleted w ithin one (1) year from the effectivity of th is Act, during
13 
w hich tim e the existing personnel shall continue to assum e their posts on
14 
holdover capacity. The D epartm ent, in collaboration w ith the DBM, shall
15 
come u p  w ith its O rganizational S tructure and Staffing P attern, both of
16 
w hich shall be approved w ithin thirty (30) days from the effectivity of th is
17 
Act.
18 
The Secretary of N ational Defense shall serve a s the interim  SDR u n til
19 
su ch  tim e th a t the SDR h a s been appointed. Upon appointm ent, th e SDR
20 
shall m ake use of the existing stru ctu re, system s, and personnel in
21 
responding to n atu ral hazards and disasters during the transition period.
22 
SECTION 74. A p p ro p riatio n . -  The am ount of Three Billion and Five
23 
H undred MiUion pesos (PhP3,500,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for th e
24 
initial im plem entation of th is Act. This excludes the quick response a n d
25 
other calam ity funds th a t shall be placed u n d er the m anagem ent of the
26 
D epartm ent.
27 
SECTION 75. S e p a ra tio n  o f B enefits o f O fficials a n d  E m ployees o f
28 
A ffected 
A gencies. 
-  
N ational 
governm ent 
em ployees 
displaced 
or
29 
separated from service a s a  resu lt of th is Act shall be entitled to either
52


1 
separation pay and other benefits in accordance w ith existing laws, rules, or
2 
regulations, or be entitled to avail them selves of the privileges provided
3 
u n d e r a separation plan th a t shall be one an d  one-half m onth salary for
4 
every year of service in the governm ent; provided, however, th a t those w ho
5 
avail them selves of su ch  privileges shall sta rt their governm ent service anew
6 
if absorbed by the D epartm ent. In no case shall there be any dim inution of
7 
benefits u n d e r the separation plan until the full im plem entation of this Act.
8 
D isplaced or separated personnel as a resu lt of the im plem entation of th is
9 
Act, if qualified, shall be given preference in the hiring of the m anpow er
10 
requirem ents of the D epartm ent. With respect to em ployees who are n o t
11 
retained by the D epartm ent, the governm ent, through the D epartm ent of
12 
Labor and 
Em ploym ent, 
shall endeavor to im plem ent training, job
13 
counseling, and job placem ent program s.
14 
SECTION 76. Im p lem e n tin g  R ules a n d  R eg u latio n s. -  The D epartm ent,
15 
DBM, D epartm ent of Finance (DOF), DILG, DOST, N ational Economic an d
16 
Developm ent A uthority (NEDA), and Presidential M anagem ent Staff (PMS)
17 
shall issue, w ithin ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, th e
18 
necessary rules and regulations (IRR) for the effective im plem entation of th is
19 
Act. They m ay call upon other relevant governm ent agencies to a ssist in th e
20 
crafting of the IRR.
21 
SECTION 77. C o n g ressio n al O versight C o m m ittee. -  A C ongressional
22 
O versight C om m ittee is hereby created to m onitor and oversee th e
23 
im plem entation of this Act. The Com m ittee shall be com posed of six (6)
24 
m em bers from the Senate an d  six (6) m em bers from the House of
25 
R epresentatives w ith the C hairpersons of the Com m ittee on G overnm ent
26 
R eorganization of both the Senate an d  the H ouse of R epresentatives as jo in t
27 
C hairpersons of this Com m ittee. The five (5) other m em bers from each
28 
C ham ber are to be designated by the Senate President an d  the Speaker of
29 
the H ouse of R epresentatives, respectively. The m inority shall be entitled to
53


1 
pro ra ta  representation b u t shall have a t least two (2) representatives from
2 
each C ham ber.
3 
SECTION 78. M an d ato ry  R eview . -  C ongress shall u ndertake a m andatory
4 
review of th is Act w ithin five (5) years after the effectivity of this Act, or a s
5 
often as it m ay deem  necessary.
6
7
8 
9
SECTION 79. In te rp re ta tio n . -  Any doubt in the interpretation of any 
provision of th is Act shall be resolved in favor of a liberal interpretation th a t 
will fulfill the objectives of th is Act, especially in relation to the provision of 
effective, efficient and timely disaster response, rehabilitation an d  recovery.
10 
SECTION 80. R epealing C lause. -  The provisions of Republic Act No. 10121,
11 
Republic Act No. 7160, Republic Act No. 7916, Republic Act No. 9184, and
12 
all other laws, decrees, executive orders, proclam ations and other executive
13 
issuances, w hich are not consistent w ith or contrary to the provisions of this
14 
Act, are hereby repealed or am ended.
15 
SECTION 81. S ep arab ility  C lause. -  If any provision of th is Act shall be
16 
held unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherw ise affected
17 
shall rem ain in full force an d  effect.
18 
SECTION 82. E ffectiv ity . -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
19 
its publication in a t least two (2) new spapers of general circulation.
Approved,
54