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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
"13 
JUL 22 P5:13 
SENATE 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Global warming refers to the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near 
surface air and oceans in recent decades and its projected continuation. The global average air 
temperature near the Earth's surface rose 0.74 f 0.18 "C (1.33 =k 0.32 "F) during the last 100 
years. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes that "most of the' 
observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely 
due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations" via the greenhouse 
effect. 
Climate models referenced by the IPCC project that global surface temperatures are 
likely to increase by 1.1 to 6.4 "C (2.0 to 11.5 OF) between 1990 and 2100. The range of values 
results from the use of differing scenarios of future greenhouse gas emissions as well as models 
with differing climate sensitivity. Although most studies focus on the period up to 2100, 
warming and sea level rise are expected to continue for more than a millennium even if 
greenhouse gas levels are stabilized. l This reflects the large heat capacity of the oceans. 
An increase in global temperatures is expected to cause other changes, including sea level 
rise, increased intensity of extreme weather events, and charges in the amount and pattern of 
precipitation. Other effects include changes in agricultural yields, glacier retreat, species 
extinctions, reduced summer stream flows and increases in the ranges of disease vectors. 
Changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation may result in flooding and drought. There 
may also be changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. 
I Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment 
Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2007-02-
05). Retrieved on 2007-02-02. 
1 


Due to these concerns, a topographical map should be crafted to identify the low-lying 
areas of the Philippine territory, vulnerable to rising sea levels as result of global warming.
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2 Originally filed during the Fourteenth Congress, First Regular Session, 
2 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
JUL 22 P5 :13 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
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MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, 
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THROUGH THE NATIONAL MAPPING AND RESOURCE FORMATION AUTHORITY, 
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TO IDENTIFY THE LOW-LYING AREAS OF THE PHILIPPINE TERRITORY, 
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VULNERABLE TO RISING SEA LEVELS AS RESULT OF GLOBAL WARMING 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Topographical Map of Low-
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Lying Areas in the Philippines Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote the public 
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health, safety, and general welfare; to further the orderly layout of land and identification of 
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low-lying areas vulnerable to rising sea levels as a result of global warming; and to establish the 
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procedure for vacating these areas in the event of imminent danger caused by global warming. 
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SECTION 3. Department of Environment and Natural Resources: National Mapping and 
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Resource Information Authority; Local Government Units. - Within one (1) year after the 
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affectivity of this act, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through 
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the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), is mandated to submit a 
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topographical map of the Philippines, identifying the low-lying areas vulnerable to rising sea 
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levels as a result of global warming. The DENR and the NAMRIA shall consult with the 
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applicable local government units to come up with the most accurate data. 
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SECTION 4. Appropriation of Funds. - Seventy Million Pesos (F70,OOO,OOO.OO) is 
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hereby appropriated from the National Treasury to fund the activities covered in this Act. 
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SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2