NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SEN
S. No.
of tljf f- f CiTtfii'P
*22 JUL 25 P2:18
R)TF!Vnnv
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are "persons or groups of persons who 
have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual 
residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed 
conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or 
human-made disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized 
State borderln
Internal displacement is a perennial problem in our country but there is 
currently no law responsive to the needs and concerns of IDPs. The most proximate 
government response on the issue of internal displacement Is the passage of the 
Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (PDRRMA). 
However, the Commission on Human Rights noted the limitations of the law. While it 
provides the frarr>ework for displacement due to natural disasters, it focuses more 
on the responsibility of state actors rather than the rights of displaced people2. This 
observation is supported by repotts submitted to the United Nation Economic and 
Social Council (ECOSOC) on this topic which state that "while existing law covers 
many aspects of particular relevance to internally displaced persons, there remain 
areas in which the law fails to provide sufficient protection for them.3"
As a remedy, the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement were submitted to the 
ECOSOC. The Guiding Principles state that "(n)ationa! authorities have the primary 
duty and responsibility to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to 
internally displaced persons within their jurisdiction.4" An increasing number of 
States, United Nations agencies and regional and non-governmental organizations 
are applying them as a standard.
1 https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-internally-displaced-persons/about-internally-displaced- 
persons#:~:text=Accorcfing%20to%20the%2C3uiding%20Principles,avoid%20the%20effects%20of%20armed
2 https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/samira-gutoc-push-for-law-protect-internally-displaced-persons/
3 https://www.unhcr.org/47949b212.pdf
4 Ibid.


This proposed measure seeks to provide a legal framework for the promotion 
and protection of IDPs In accordance with the abovementloned international 
standards. Furthermore, this bill seeks to ensure that IDPs in the Philippines are 
accorded the human dignity which the Constitution guarantees them and which they 
fully deserve. It should be remembered that human rights under the Constitution are 
guarantees of social justice and human dignity to all Filipinos. This is manifested 
most notably in Article XIII, which is entitled "Social Justice and Human Rights", the 
first section of which declares: "The Congress shall give highest priority to the 
enactment of measures that protect and enhance the right of all the people to 
human dignity," This bill embodies the previous discussions and consultations 
until the 16th Congress. It has also addressed the perceived legal and policy 
infirmities which caused a prior version of this bill to be vetoed.
Immediate approval of this bill is eagerly sought.
^ M GRACE POE^,
f T


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
s. No. 870
lAi'/il Senate
V V 
'7
of Uj? etavp
*22 JUL25 P2:18
-a£cemi.av
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Rights of Internally
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Displaced Persons Act" or RIDPA.
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Principles and State Policies. - Consistent with the
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principles of the Constitution, international human rights and humanitarian standards
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including the United Nations' Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (UNGPID),
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international treaties adhered to by the Philippines, and existing Philippine laws such
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as Republic Act No. 9851, otherwise known as the Philippine Act on Crimes Against
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International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and other Crimes against Humanity, it is
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hereby declared a State policy to adopt a rights-based approach for the promotion
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and protection of the rights of internally displaced persons in situations of armed
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conflict; generalized and/or organized violence; clan wars; violations of human
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rights; implementation of development projects; or natural or human-made hazards
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or disasters.
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The rights and obligations herein shall not be interpreted as restricting,
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modifying, or impairing the provisions of any international human rights or
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international humanitarian law treaties or declarations, or rights granted to persons
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under domestic law.


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The State shall harmonize all legal measures pertinent to "Internally Displaced
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Persons or group of persons" (IDPs), and ensure that such are consistent with this
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Act.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
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a) Armed Conflict- refers to any use of force or armed violence between States
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or protracted armed violence between governmental authorities and
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organized armed groups or between such groups within a State; Provided,
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That such force or armed violence gives rise, or may give rise, to a situation
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to which the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, including their common
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Article 3, apply. Armed conflict may be International, that is, between two (2)
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or more States, including belligerent occupation; or non-International, that is,
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between governmental authorities and organized armed groups or between
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such groups within a State. It does not cover internal disturbances or tensions
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such as riots, isolated and sporadic acts of violence, or other acts of a similar
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nature.
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b) Clan War - refers to any conflict that may arise between members of different
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indigenous groups, indigenous cultural communities or clans, or between and
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among members of the same indigenous group, cultural community, or clan.
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c) Collective Punishment - refers to a situation in which a group of people is
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punished due to acts or omissions, whether real or perceived, of one or
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several members of the group.
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d) Generalized and/or organized violence - refers to the purposeful and
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systematic use of terror and brutality to control individuals, groups and
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communities, through the use of overwhelming force, and characterized by
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widespread, massive or sufficient Intensity.
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e) Implementation of development projects - refers to the carrying out of any
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undertaking or activity aimed at economic or political growth, advancement,
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and expansion that results or may result to the arbitrary internal displacement
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of persons: Provided, that the term does not include legitimate resettlement
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schemes and/or programs.
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f) Internal displacement - refers to the involuntary or coerced movement or
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relocation of persons, families, or communities from their homes or places of


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habitual residence within the nationai borders, as a result of or in order to 
avoid or minimize the effects of armed conflict; situations of generalized 
and/or organized violence; violations of human right; implementation of 
development projects; or natural or human-induced or human-made hazards 
or disasters.
g) Internally displaced person or group of persons (IDP) - refers to any person 
or group of persons who !ias or have been forced or obliged to flee or to 
leave their homes or places of habitual residence within the national borders, 
as a result of or in order to avoid or minimize the effects of armed conflict, 
situations of generalized and/or organized violence, violations of human 
rights. Implementation of development projects, or natural and human- 
induced or human-made hazards or disasters.
h) Order of Battle/Watchllst - refers to a document or an organizational tool 
used by military or law enforcement agencies that, inter alia, lists persons or 
organizations perceived as being hostile to the State, the Government or the 
Armed or Police Forces, or to any document made by non-state actors, 
whether natural or juridical, listing the names of persons and organizations, 
that are perceived to be obstacles to such non-state actor, and making those 
in such list vulnerable to arbitrary Internal displacement
Sec. 4. Scope. - This Act shall primarily provide for the protection of rights of 
IDPs during and after displacement, as well as their return, local integration or 
settlement elsewhere. This Act shall likewise cover arbitrary Internal displacement of 
civilians as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict; violations of 
human rights; implementation of development projects; or natural or human- 
induced or human-made hazards: or disasters. To address the risks involved in 
natural hazards or disasters, and the overall Impact of climate change on the rights 
of those internally displaced, due reference shall be made to the pertinent provisions 
of other relevant laws such as Republic Act No. 9729, otherwise known as the 
Climate Change Act of 2009, and Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the 
Phiiippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, and other related 
laws.


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Sec. 5. Prknary Duty to Protect the IDPs. - National authorities and Local 
Government Units (LGUs) have the primary duty and responsibility to provide 
protection and humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons within their 
jurisdiction, in accordance with their obligations under international law, including 
human rights law and humanitarian law, so as to prevent and avoid conditions that 
might lead to the arbitrary internal displacement of persons.
Sec. 6. Rights of IDPs. - All IDPs shall enjoy human rights in accordance with 
the Philippine Constitution and related laws without discrimination of any kind. In 
particular, they shall enjoy the following rights:
a) Access to Basic Necessities. - At the minimum, and with special attention to 
gender sensitivity, IDPs shall have the basic right to food, shelter, and 
clothing. Competent authorities shall provide the aforementioned basic rights 
with due respect to the cultural sensitivities and religious beliefs of IDPs.
b) Heath and Education-.
1) IDPs shall be entitled to access, to the fullest extent practicable, health 
services and with the least possible delay. Special attention shall be 
provided to the health needs of women, children, and the elderly and 
the prevention of contagious and infectious diseases among IDPs.
2) IDP children shall receive free and compulsory primary education at a 
minimum.
c) Freedom of Movement - Every IDP has the right to liberty of movement in 
and out of any evacuation center, transitory sites, or other settlements, 
subject to Its existing rules and regulations. Moreover, they shall be protected 
against forcible return or resettlement in any place where their lives, safety, 
liberty, and/or health would be at risk.
d) Recognition, Issuance, and Replacement of Documents. - The authorities 
concerned shall facilitate the issuance to the IDPs of all documents necessary 
for the enjoyment and exercise of their legal rights, including new documents 
or the replacement of documents lost in the course of displacement, without 
imposing unreasonable conditions.
e) Family Reunification, Missing Persons and Deceased. - Competent authorities 
shall provide conditions to expedite family reunification, search of missing


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persons and collection, and identification of remains of the deceased, with 
due respect to cultural sensitivities and religious beliefs.
f) Security and Protection. - Competent authorities shall take necessary 
measures to ensure that IDPs are received, without discrimination of any 
kind, and live in satisfactory conditions of safety, dignity, and security. Special 
protection and assistance must be provided for IDPs with special needs, 
including separated and unaccompanied children, women, expectant mothers, 
mothers with young children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities or with 
communicable diseases.
g) Property and Possessions. - The property and possessions of IDPs shall, in all 
circumstances, be protected against pillage or looting, direct and 
indiscriminate attacks or other acts of violence, being used to shield military 
operations or objectives, being made the object of reprisal, being destroyed 
or appropriated as a form of collective punishment, and destruction, arbitrary 
and illegal appropriation, occupation or use. The LGU exercising territorial 
jurisdiction over the affected area/s, with the assistance of the national 
Government, shall endeavor to facilitate the transportation of such property 
and possessions of IDPs, in a safe and secure area, during and after 
displacement, subject to logistical considerations.
h) Right to participation. - The IDPs shall have the right to actively participate in 
the planning and management of their displacement situation as well as 
return, local integration, or settlement elsewhere. In addition, IDPs shall be 
provided with conditions to facilitate the exercise of their right to political 
participation.
i) Right to request protection and humanitarian assistance. - The IDPs have the 
right to request protection and humanitarian assistance from national and 
local authorities. They shall not be punished or persecuted for such acts.
j) Civil or Administrative Liabilities. - Any IDP shall be entitled to claim and be 
awarded civil damages from any public officer or employee, or any private 
person, who directly or indirectly obstructs, defeats, violates, or in any 
manner impedes or impairs any of the above rights and liberties. Any public 
officer shall be administratively liable for the same acts.


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Sec. 7. Applicability of the Revised Pena! Code and Special Pena! Laws. - An 
Order of Battle/Watchllst, or any document of similar nature issued by the military, 
any law enforcement agency of the government, or any armed group, including non­
state actors, shall not justify crimes against IDPs and shall subject the perpetrators 
to the penalties provided under the applicable provisions of the Revised Penal Code 
and special laws.
Criminal offenses and unlawful acts. If found to be committed against any IDP 
in the course of or during displacement, shall be penalized one degree higher than 
that provided by the Revised Penal Code and other special penal laws with respect 
to those acts.
Sec. 8. Assistance During Displacement of IDPs. - The primary duty and 
responsibility, for providing humanitarian assistance to IDPs lie with national 
authorities and with the LCDs exercising territorial jurisdiction over the affected 
areas. As such, existing mechanisms set up under Republic Act No. 10121 and 
relevant line agencies shall provide^ immediate relief and humanitarian assistance to 
IDPs, families, and communities.
Sec. 9. Early Recovery Plan. - The LGUs exercising territorial jurisdiction over 
the affected area/s shall craft an early recovery plan, in consultation with the IDPs.
Sec. 10. Return, Local Integration, or Settlement Elsewhere. - Competent 
national and local authorities shall have the primary duty and responsibility to 
establish conditions and provide means for IDPs to return voluntarily, in safety and 
with dignity, to their homes or places of habitual residence, or to locally integrate or 
to settle voluntarily in another part of the country, taking into consideration the right 
of IDPs to choose a residence, arid with due respect to the cultural heritage and 
traditions of Indigenous Peoples.
Said authorities shall ensure prior consultations and the full participation of 
IDPs, during and after the planning and management of their return, local 
integration, or settlement elsewhere.
Sec. 11. Mechanisms for International Humanitarian Assistance. - 
International humanitarian organizations, their local counterparts, and other 
appropriate actors shall have the right to offer their services, including humanitarian 
assistance, in support of IDPs. Relevant coordination mechanisms, where existing.


1 
with international humanitarian organizations, shall facilitate the timely provision of
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humanitarian assistance to IDPs.
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The importation and donation of food, clothing, medicine, and equipment
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necessary for relief and assistance of IDPs are hereby authorized in accordance with
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Section 800 of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs
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Modernization and Tariff Act, as regards national Internal revenue taxes and import
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duties of national and local government agencies, and the prevailing provisions of
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the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
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Sec. 12. Non-Monetary Reparation. - The Department of Health (DOH), the
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Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of
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Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical
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Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and such other agencies, shall
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render necessary services as non-monetary reparation for IDPs and their families
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pursuant to the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 13. Role of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
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Council (NDRMMC) and Line Agencies. - The NDRRMC and government line
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agencies shall exercise their mandate and powers in accordance with Republic Act
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No. 10121 in responding to situations of internal displacement. In these situations,
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the CHR shall be part of the NDRRMC deliberations to provide advice as a non-voting
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member.
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Sec. 14. Roie of the CHR. -The CHR shall be designated as the Institutional
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focal point on the human rights of IDPs. As such, the CHR shall have the following
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additional functions:
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a) To monitor IDP conditions through the development of a system to track
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concerns, actions taken, and other relevant information to ensure that IDP
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rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled in all phases of Internal
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displacement;
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b) To establish guidelines to identify the legitimacy of an individual's claim of
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internal displacement;
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c) To conduct public inquiries, document violations of human rights, assist IDPs
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In seeking redress of grievances, and work to ensure an effective response by
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the concerned authorities;


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d) To investigate, on its own cr on a complaint by any party, all forms of human 
rights violations against IDPs involving civil and political rights, in accordance 
with Section 18(1) of Article XIII of the Constitution, and when found in the 
investigation that the filing of a case In court Is warranted, request the 
assistance of any department, bureau, office or agency, such as the National 
Prosecution Service of the DOJ, or the Ombudsman, by virtue of Executive 
Order No. 163, series of 1987;
e) To render financial assistance at its sole discretion, and to issue necessary 
guidelines to implement the same;
f) To recommend to the other agencies of government, taking into 
consideration their respective mandates and functions, the grant of assistance 
to IDPs, as may be appropriate;
g) To follow up on early warning and ensure effective measures to protect the 
civilian population against arbitrary internal displacement;
h) To undertake educational activities and training programs for state 
authorities, including the AFP;
I) To hold public Information drives on the protection and rights of IDPs, and 
foster their participation in the decision-making process regarding Issues that 
concern them; and
j) To carry out such other acts that may be necessary to fully implement the 
purposes of this Act.
Sec. 15. Role of the DSWD. - The DWSD shall have the following functions, 
among others:
a) To render ^^ycho-social interventions and similar services to IDPs;
b) To facilitate linking IDPs to employment opportunities, support services, and 
other livelihood programs, in cooperation with other government agencies, 
such as, but not limited to, the Department of Labor and Employment 
(DOLE), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform 
(DAR) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);
c) To provide capital assistance to IDPs, who wish to start their respective trade 
or business, subject to reasonable rules and regulations; and


1 
d) To cany out such other acts that may be necessary to fully implement the
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aforementioned functions.
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Sec. 16. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. - A Joint Congressional
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Oversight Committee is hereby created, composed of the Chairperson of the Senate
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Committee on Justice and Human Rights and seven (7) other Senators designated
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by the Senate President, and the Chairperson of the House Committee on Human
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Rights and seven (7) other Members of the House of Representatives, designated by
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the Speaker of the House of Representatives: Provided, That of the seven (7)
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Members to be designated by each House of Congress, four (4) shall represent the
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22 Majority and three (3) shall repi esent the Minority.
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The Joint Congressional Oversight Committee shall also have the power to
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inquire into, summon, and investigate the Orders of Battle/Watchllst as defined
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under this Act, and/or any document of similar nature, as well as the legal and
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factual justifications for the inclusion of specific persons and groups in said Orders of
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Battle/Watch list or similar documents. In this regard, the Joint Congressional
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Oversight Committee may issue a mandatory process directing the transmission of
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all such documents relevant and necessary for the Committee to determine the
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validity of the inclusion of specific persons or groups in the Orders of Battle/
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Watchlist, or simitar documents. For this purpose, the highest-ranking officers or
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heads of offices shall be charged with testifying before the Joint Congressional
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Oversight Committee in relation to any inquiries on the Orders of Battle/Watchlist, or
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similar documents.
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The invocation of national security as a defense may not prevent the Joint
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Congressional Oversight Committee from inquiring Into the factual and/or legal
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bases for the existence of an Order of Battle/Watchlist, or any similar document, or
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the inclusion of specific persons or groups In said Orders of Battle/Watchlist, or
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similar documents. Should there be a need to inquire into the factual basis for the
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Invocation of national security, the Committee shall convene in an executive session
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and hear the offk:ials Invoking it. Should the basis not be satisfactory to the
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Committee, the public hearings will continue and appropriate recommendations shall
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thereafter be made by the Committee.


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Sec. 17. Monitoring of Compiiance. - An inter-agency coordinating committee 
shall be tasked to periodically monitor the compliance with this Act. The Committee 
shall be headed by the Executive Director of the NDRRMC and shall be composed of:
a) A representative, with the rank of Undersecretary, from the DSWD;
b) A representative, with the t ank of Undersecretary, from the Department of 
National Defense (DND);
c) A representative, with the rank of Undersecretary, from the Department of 
Interior and Local Government (DILG);
d) A representative, with the rank of Undersecretary, from the DOH;
e) A representative, with the rank of Undersecretary, from the DOJ;
f) A representative, with the rank of Undersecretary, from the DepEd;
g) A representative from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF);
h) A representative from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples 
(NCIP);
i) A representative from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace 
Process;
The Committee shall work towards the collection of data on the number and 
conditions of IDPs, leading to a registry that will aid the government In efficient 
planning and policv'-making regarding issues affecting IDPs.
The Committee shall submit an annual report to the Joint Congressional 
Oversight Committee herein created, thirty (30) days after the end of each fiscal 
year. Such annual report shall be the basis for proposed amendments to existing 
legislation to improve the conditions of IDPs.
Sec. 18. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations 
of the NDRRMC, CHR, the DSWD, the DOH, the DND, and the DILG. Thereafter, 
such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall 
be included In the GAA.
Sec. 19. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the NDRRMC In coordination with the CHR, DSWD, DND, 
DILG, DOH, DOJ, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), 
DepEd, AFP, Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Commission on Women
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(PCW), Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), NCIP, National Commission on 
Disability Affairs (NCDA), Presidential Commission on Urban Poor (PCUP), Housing 
and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), National Housing Authority 
(NHA), and NCMF shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for its 
implementation and consult with the LGUs concerned, relevant non-governmental 
human rights organizations, and people's organizations.
Sec. 20. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not 
affected thereby shall remain In full force and effect.
Sec. 21. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, 
memorandum orders, memorandum circulars, administrative orders, ordinances, or 
parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
deemed repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 22. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette Or in a newspaper of national circulation.
Approved,
11