Republic of the Philippines

Bouse of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1585

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE AURELIO "DONG" D. GONZALES, JR.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE BACOLOR RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM FOR THE
PROTECTION, REBUILDING, AND RECOVERY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BACOLOR,
PROVINCE OF PAMPANGA, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER

PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991 caused a gigantic devastation in the whole of Luzon,
which brought huge hardship and suffering to many of our countrymen. Among the hardest hit
was the Province of Pampanga, with the Municipality of Bacolor being the most ruined as it
became the focal point of the aftermath of the volcanic explosion. Many townsmen of Bacolor
were displaced by the lahar, forcing them to occupy temporary shelter on resettiement sites in
nearby towns, such as Bulaon in San Fernando; Camachile and Madapdap in Mabalacat City;
Pandacaqui in Mexico; Sta. Lucia and San Isidro in Magalang; Apalit and Palmayo in
Floridablanca; and Arenas and Buensuceso in Arayat, all in the Province of Pampanga

Rising from this catastrophic event, this representation earnestly sought the immediate
rehabilitation of the devastated Municipality of Bacolor by the passage of Republic Act No, 9506.
which established the Bacolor Rehabilitation Council. Simultaneous with this is the relentless
hard work to formulate and implement the Bacolor Comprehensive Rehabilitation Master Plan
and the Local Development Investment Program

This representation deemed fit to initiate this measure as there are more that needs to be
done to ameliorate the people of Bacolor from their misery. Now more than ever, the helping hand
of the government must be extended to the people of Bacolor so that they can finally reestablish
themselves in their beloved hometown and restore the Municipality of Bacolor in its former
splendor.

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

D. GONZALES, JR.
District, Pampanga


CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

1685

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE AURELIO "DONG" D. GONZALES, JR.

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE BACOLOR RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM FOR THE
PROTECTION, REBUILDING, AND RECOVERY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BACOLOR,
PROVINCE OF PAMPANGA, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER

PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Bacolor Reconstruction Program of
2022.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared as national policy to promote and provide
for appropriate measures ensuring that the Municipality of Bacolor in the Province of Pampanga
and its communities shall effectively and efficiently recover from the impact of disaster events, by
coordinating various national government agencies in the protection, rebuilding and recovery of
the same Municipality and its affected communities, and for such purpose, to provide for
development plans including the establishment, repair, and rebuilding of community and
government infrastructure and properties

SEC. 3. Definition of a Disaster Event. - Disaster event may mean any of the following:

a. The 1991 volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo;

b. Widespread flooding and massive lahars brought about by severe Typhoon Diding;

c. Another disaster within the purview of Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the
Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, and as prescribed under
its implementing rules and regulations; or

d. Presidential dectarations of a major disaster and/or national emergency.

SEC. 4. Role and Relationship of National Government Agencies and Local Government
Units in the Bacolor Reconstruction Program. — The following national government agencies,
through their respective Secretaries, in addition with their respective mandates and powers, are
hereby mandated to actively coordinate, cooperate, and align their efforts for the proper and
‘orderly planning, design, development, implementation, management, monitoring, and evaluation
of the Bacolor Reconstruction Program:

a. The Socioeconomic Planning Secretary of the National Economic and Development
Authority as the lead supervisory authority;

b. The Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management;

c. The Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways;

d. The Secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development;
e. The Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;

f. The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture;


g. The Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform;
h. The General Manager of the National Housing Authority:

i, The President and Chief Executive Officer of Home Development Mutual Fund (PAG-
IBIG):

j. The Administrator of the Land Registration Authority; and
k. The Administrator of the National Electrification Administration

For this purpose, any bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality of the government, including
government-owned-and-controlled corporations (GOCCs), in accordance with their respective
mandates and powers, may be called upon for any assistance, as may be necessary

The relevant departments and national government agencies shall ensure that the Municipality of
Bacolor and its affected communities be actively consulted, to ensure that their needs are taken
into consideration in the protection, rebuilding, and recovery efforts provided in the said Program.

SEC. 5. Bacolor Reconstruction Program. — The Bacolor Reconstruction Program, which shall
be submitted for approval by the President, shall include, among others, the following
infrastructure and services:

1. Allocation for rehabilitation and resettlement financing support;
2. Land survey and mapping programs;
3. Land use plan regulating development in the Municipality of Bacolor;

4. Plans for the management and settlement of boundary disputes involving two (2) or more
barangays in the same Municipality; and

5. Establishment of economic, socialized, and low-cost housing program and projects for on-
site development by the National Housing Authority;

The residents of the said Municipality shall be given preference in the hiring or employment for
the implementation of any of the programs, activities, and projects under the Bacolor
Reconstruction Program

SEC. 6. Annual Report to Congress. - At the close of the year, the concerned national
government agencies shall submit their annual report to Congress, giving detailed implementation
status and challenges of the projects, activities, and programs, as well as accomplishments during
the year, and recommend necessary measures for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 7. Appropriations.- The amount necessary for the immediate and effective
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the existing appropriations of the respective
national government agencies and such other funding sources as the Department of Budget and
Management may identify, and when necessary, the Contingent Fund, subject to relevant laws,
tules and regulations

Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be
included as separate line items in the respective annual budgets of the implementing national
government agencies in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 8 Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in
full force and effect.


SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. — Pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 7160, Republic Act No
9184, and alll other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations contrary to
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in
the Official Gazette and in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,