Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by REP. SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” I. MASTURA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction [UNISDR], the 
Philippines ranks fourth in the world among countries hit by the highest number of 
disasters over the past 20 years.1 
In times of calamities, disasters, conflicts, and emergencies, schools are utilized 
as evacuation centers. According to the Department of Education, more than 44,000 
schools were affected by calamities from 2016 to 2018 in which 39,000 of them were hit 
by tropical cyclones; more than 21,000 were struck by earthquakes; and 17, 937 others 
served as evacuation centers.2 
However, most schools lack the necessary facilities for evacuees.  The 
Department of Education further laments that the education of children is severely 
affected, and that using schools as evacuation centers must be stopped.  Republic Act 
10821 [“Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act’] emphasizes that the 
establishment of evacuation centers is the responsibility of Local Government Units 
[LGUs], and that a school may be used as an evacuation center only as a last resort, 
or only in cases where there is no other available place or structure which can be used 
for the said purpose. 
The construction of multipurpose gyms in the 1,488 municipalities3 and 146 
cities4 in the Philippines is a better and more permanent solution to the evacuation 
dilemma that arises in times of calamities and natural or man-made disasters. However, 
the evacuation centers must be able to withstand typhoons, earthquakes and other 
1 https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/weather/545760/philippines-4th-most-disaster-prone-
country-in-the-world-un-report/story/ 
2 Public schools should not be used as evacuation centers — DepEd. Accessed through 
https://ph.news.yahoo.com/public-schools-not-used-evacuation-042440602.html 
3 As of September 30, 2020, culled from DILG FACTS AND FIGURES, 
https://www.dilg.gov.ph/PDF_File/factsfigures/dilg-facts-figures-2020124_c3876744b4.pdf 
4 Ibid. 
November 7, 2022
8:00 am
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disasters.  It must also be designed for multiple purposes - for social activities, sporting 
events, and as sleeping quarters during the evacuation. It can also be used as a 
storehouse for emergency supplies and equipment. The multipurpose gym must be in a 
location that is easily accessed, well-ventilated, able to accommodate large groups of 
people, and must have ample bathing and sanitation facilities.   
In view of its vital importance, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” 
I. MASTURA
Representative 
First District of Maguindanao 
with Cotabato City 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by REP. SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” I. MASTURA 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTIPURPOSE GYM IN ALL 
MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES TO SERVE AS EVACUATION CENTER DURING 
TIMES OF CALAMITY OR DISASTER AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Multipurpose Gym in 
all Municipalities and Cities Act”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It shall be the policy of the State to protect the 
people’s right to life and property, and to promote their general welfare. Towards this 
end, the State, in cognizance of the vulnerability of the Philippines to calamities and 
disasters, shall provide for the construction of a multipurpose gym in every municipality 
and city to serve primarily as refuge for displaced families in times of calamities and 
disasters. 
SEC. 3. Construction of a Multipurpose Gym. –  The    Department    of    Public 
Works and Highways (DPWH) shall undertake the construction of a multipurpose gym in 
every municipality and city throughout the country which shall serve as a civic center 
and as an evacuation center for residents during calamities and disasters: Provided, 
That any such construction is based on a program prepared by DPWH in coordination 
with a representative of the municipality and city concerned: Provided, further, That the 
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municipal or city mayor shall be furnished with the pertinent documents, data and 
information before any construction shall commence: Provided, finally, That Local 
Government Units (LGUs) may include in their respective local infrastructure program 
the construction of a multipurpose gym.  
 
 
SEC. 4. Construction Priority. – The DPWH shall give construction priority to third 
to sixth class municipalities, especially those located in disaster-prone areas. The 
DPWH shall coordinate with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
Council and the LGUs concerned to determine which disaster-prone areas to prioritize 
in the construction of the facility.  
 
Priority shall also be given to municipalities whose residents shall render 
volunteer labor services for the construction of the multipurpose gym and for this 
purpose, the DPWH shall issue the necessary guidelines. 
 
SEC. 5. Multipurpose Gym Requirements. – The facilities shall, at the minimum, 
have the following requirements: 
 
a. Location – The multipurpose gym should be easily accessible to 
evacuees and to emergency rescue personnel. It should be kept at a safe 
distance from danger areas or hazards. LGUs concerned shall coordinate 
with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to identify the 
appropriate location of the multipurpose gym.  
 
b. Structural Capacity – The multipurpose gyms must be able to withstand 
wind speeds of at least 155 miles per hour and seismic activity of at least 
7.0 magnitude. The DPWH shall formulate the building specifications for 
the multipurpose gyms and shall ensure the compliance with these 
specifications during the construction of the facilities. DPWH shall 
periodically review, and if necessary, revise the herein stated 
specifications as needed. 


 
c. Amenities – The multipurpose gym must be well-ventilated and can 
accommodate large numbers of evacuees. It shall have, at the minimum, 
the following amenities: 
1. Floor area devoid of permanent fixtures to be used flexibly for 
assemblies, sports events, and as sleeping quarters for evacuees; 
2. Shower and toilet facilities; and 
3. Isolated area that can be used as a clinic in times of evacuations. 
 
SEC. 6. Operation and Management of the Multipurpose Gym. – The operation 
and management of the multipurpose gym shall be under the office of the municipal or 
city mayor. For purposes of this Act, LGUs concerned are hereby authorized to issue 
rules and regulations on the use of the facility and to impose minimal charges as may 
be necessary for the maintenance and minimal repairs of the facility.  
 
SEC. 7. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the immediate 
implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be charged against the current 
appropriations of the DPWH. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary to carry out 
the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
The LGUs are authorized to utilize local funds as may be provided in their 
respective appropriation ordinances for the implementation of this Act.  
 
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within thirty (30) days from the 
approval of this Act, the DPWH shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of the provisions of this Act. The implementing rules and 
regulations issued pursuant to this Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after its 
publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
 


SEC. 9. Separability Clause. – In the event that any provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the validity of the other provisions shall not be 
affected by such declaration. 
 
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or 
portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official 
Gazette. 
 
Approved,