Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City SE pATELS AUG 2075

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 3665

Introduced by REP. DENNIS “TOM” L. HERNANDEZ

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE AND INTEGRATED FLOOD PREVENTION,
CONTROL, DEFENSE AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS,
THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Among the most frequent and devastating natural hazards affecting the Philippines
is flooding. Typhoons, monsoon rains, and localized thunderstorms trigger floods that
damage public and private infrastructure, destroy crops, displace communities, and even
claim lives. Our nation’s geographical location—coupled with the effects of climate change,
urban congestion, deforestation, and outdated drainage systems—intensifies the frequency
and severity of flooding.

Existing, well-intentioned flood control programs are often fragmented, reactive, and
short-term. These efforts are further hindered by limited inter-agency coordination,
inconsistent enforcement of land use and zoning laws, and grossly insufficient funding for
infrastructure and disaster mitigation projects. This fragmented approach hampers the
country’s ability to adequately protect communities from recurring flood risks.

This bill seeks to establish an integrated flood prevention, control, defense, and
management system that shall

+ Coordinate efforts among national government agencies, local government units, and
all relevant stakeholders;
+ Integrate scientific and engineering solutions with community-based disaster
preparedness;
Prioritize flood-prone and vulnerable areas for appropriate intervention;
+ Ensure sustainable funding for preventive, control, and rehabilitation measures; and
+ Promote climate-resilient infrastructure and nature-based solutions.

By adopting a proactive and science-based approach to flood prevention and
management, this bill aims to safeguard lives, protect livelihoods, ensure food security, and
sustain economic growth. It promotes not only structural defenses, but also environmental
restoration, community preparedness, and a resilient society capable of withstanding future
flood challenges.

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

REP. DENNIS “TOM” L. HERNANDI a
4 District of Rizal


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3665

Introduced by REP. DENNIS “TOM” L. HERNANDEZ

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE AND INTEGRATED FLOOD PREVENTION,
CONTROL, DEFENSE AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS.
THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Flood Management and
Mitigation Act.”
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — it is hereby declared the policy of the State to safeguard

the lives, properties, livelihoods, and general welfare of the citizens from the adverse effects
of flooding.

SEC. 3. Objectives. — This Act aims to:

Implement effective, sustainable, and community-based flood control and disaster risk
reduction programs in coordination with local government units (LGUs), national
agencies, and other stakeholders;

b) protect the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the
rhythm and harmony of nature;

Protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness
among our people to effectively carry out the programs and projects of the goverment
essential for the grown and health of the nation, especially in times where the country
experiences natural or manmade disasters, calamities, risks and security threats;

a)

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4) Adopt a holistic, comprehensive, integrated and proactive disaster risk reduction and
management approach in lessening the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of
disasters including climate changes, and promote the involvement and participation of
all stakeholders concemed, at all levels, especially in the local communities;

Recognize and strengthen the capacities of local government units and communities in
mitigating and preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the impacts of disasters;

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and,

f) Institutionalize the policies, structures, coordination mechanisms and programs with
continuing budget appropriation on disaster risk reduction at the national and local levels
towards building disaster-resilient communities across the country.

This Act aims to establish a comprehensive and integrated flood prevention, control,
defense and management system in the country to mitigate flooding caused by climate
change and other factors.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act:

a) Flood Control refers to measures designed to reduce or prevent the negative effects of
floodwaters.

b) Flood Defense includes both structural and non-structural strategies to prevent or
minimize flood risk.

¢) Flood Management involves the coordinated implementation of policies and programs
to address the causes and effects of flooding.

SEC. 5. Flood Control, Management and Defense System. — There shall be established
an Interagency Project Management Office headed by the Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH), in coordination and consultation with the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Local and Interior Government (DILG),
Department of Transportation (DOTr), National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council (NDRRMC), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), local government units, and accredited civil
society groups and indigenous peoples groups and/or communities, shall undertake the
construction of a flood prevention, control, defense and management system.

The Interagency Project Management Office shall identify and determine the projects that
shall be constructed in line with the purposes of this Act, embodied in a national
comprehensive flood management plan, such as, but not limited to: pumping stations,
rainwater harvesting facilities, water catchment and drainage systems.

SEC. 6. Operating and Guiding Principles. — \n establishing the flood prevention, control,
defense and management system, the DPWH, in coordination and consultation with the
agencies in the immediately preceding section, LGUs and civil society and indigenous
peoples groups, shall adhere to the following principles of safety, resilience and
sustainability.

a) As far as practicable, the flood prevention, control, defense and management system
shall

b) Ensure access to adequate, affordable and safe housing and resettlement;

c) Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, eco-friendly, and sustainable transport
systems and improved road safety;

d) Enhance inclusive, eco-friendly and sustainable urbanization;

e) Protect and safeguard the cultural and natural heritage in a manner consistent with
Republic Act No. 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009;

f) Significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected by floods
and water-related disasters;

g) Substantially decrease the direct economic losses caused by flood and water-related


disasters, with focus on protecting the people in vulnerable situations;

h) Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban and rural
areas by strengthening national and regional development planning;

‘Support LGUs and indigenous communities through financial and technical assistance
in building sustainable, eco-friendly and resilient flood prevention, flood control, and flood
defense infrastructure;

j) Respect the rights of the indigenous peoples communities to their ancestral
domains/lands, to free and prior consent, to indigenous knowledge systems and political
structures, and such other rights as provided under Republic Act No. 8371 or the
‘Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997”.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. — The amount needed for the implementation of the construction
of the flood prevention, control, defense and management system shall be included in the
appropriations of the DPWH under the General Appropriations Act. Such funds may be
augmented through loans, in accordance with the provisions of the law on government
borrowing from financial institutions.

This project may also be funded through a Public-Private Partnership in accordance with
laws, rules and regulations governing such partnerships.

SEC. 8. Submission of Reports. — Within ninety (90) days after approval of this Act, and
at the end of every calendar quarter thereafter, the Secretary of the Public Works and
Highways shall submit progress reports to each House of Congress on the implementation
of this Act.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

SEC. 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,