TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. ________ 
Introduced by REP. CLAUDINE DIANA D. BAUTISTA-LIM 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR FREE FREIGHT SERVICES IN THE TRANSPORTATION OF 
RELIEF GOODS TO CALAMITY-STRICKEN AREAS  
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines outranks 193 countries in terms of disaster risk exposure, 
vulnerability, susceptibility, as well as coping and adaptive capacities, according to 
World Risk Report 2024.1   Its geographic location makes it highly predisposed to 
extreme natural events, experiencing an average of twenty (20) typhoons per year, a 
number of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, among others.  Due to the enduring 
presence of these environmental hazards, compounded by incidence of man-made 
threats, the government is always challenged to mitigate the effects of disaster risks.  
Providing emergency relief to affected populations plays a critical role during 
these precarious situations.  Effective logistics during relief operations is essential in 
ensuring that resources reach those who are in need in a timely and efficient manner.2 
In a country like the Philippines that is often affected by natural calamities, 
further complicated by geographic and infrastructure challenges, delays in delivering 
relief can mean the difference between life and death. Free freight services for relief 
goods are therefore essential because they eliminate a major bottleneck in disaster 
response, such as cost and logistics of transporting aid to affected areas.  
To accelerate the delivery of food, medicine, shelter materials and other basic 
goods to disaster zones, this measure aims to provide for free freight services in 
transporting relief goods.  By removing freight charges, not only do we hasten the 
delivery of basic necessities to calamity-stricken areas, we also encourage small 
community groups and non-government organizations with limited budgets to send 
aid, making it easier to pool relief efforts.  And by offering incentives to participating 
1 Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft / IFHV (2024): WordRiskReport 2024. Berlin: Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft. 
2 The Role of Logistics in Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Aid | ULN Media Center 
September 10, 2025
2:05 pm
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freight companies by way of tax incentives, we offer a win-win setup for both 
humanitarian efforts and business operations. 
When a disaster strikes, effective logistics is essential in order for vital 
resources to get to people in dire circumstances promptly.3  Robust and flexible 
distribution networks, including free freight services, are therefore imperative to 
increase the efficiency of relief distribution.4   
In view of the foregoing, and having been already approved by the House of 
Representatives in the 18th and 19th Congresses, immediate approval of this measure 
is earnestly requested.  
REP. CLAUDINE DIANA D. BAUTISTA-LIM 
   DUMPER PTDA Partylist 
3 The Role of Logistics in Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Aid | ULN Media Center 
4 Krista, R & Leocadio, Raye & Ebasan, Michelle & Dangkeo, Beberlie. (2024). Relief Operations among 
Selected Typhoon Disasters in the Philippines: A Workplan for Disaster Relief Management. 10.7176/JEES/13-
7-04.


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
HOUSE BILL No. ________ 
Introduced by REP. CLAUDINE DIANA D. BAUTISTA-LIM 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR FREE FREIGHT SERVICES IN THE TRANSPORTATION OF 
RELIEF GOODS TO CALAMITY-STRICKEN AREAS  
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 “Free Transportation of 
Relief Goods Act.”  
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to strengthen the 
existing quick response mechanisms to address the needs of the people during 
disasters and emergencies.  To this end, the State shall encourage altruism among 
the citizens and engage the services of public and private common carriers, freight 
forwarders, freight companies, and other logistics companies to collect, sort, store, 
transport, and deliver relief goods donated by international and local donors to areas 
declared in a “state of calamity” in the most economical, reliable, speedy, and secure 
manner.  
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
(a) Arrastre refers to the fee for handling and hauling of cargo at the port.  It
covers the cost of unloading cargo from ships, moving it within the port area,
and loading it onto trucks or other means of transportation for further
delivery;
(b) Common carrier refers to persons, corporations, firms, or associations
engaged in the business of carrying or transporting passengers or goods,
or both, by land, water or air, for compensation, offering their services to the
public;
(c) Disaster refers to a severe disruption of the functioning of a community or a
society involving widespread human, material, economic, or environmental
losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or
society to cope using its own resources;
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(d) Pilotage refers to the services provided by the marine pilot, who is an 
experienced ship captain with in-depth knowledge of a specific port, harbor, 
or navigable waterway;  
(e) Relief refers to interventions to alleviate, ease, or mitigate a distressed or 
critical situation affecting persons, families, groups or communities;  
(f) Relief goods refer to food packs and non-food items such as clothing 
articles, mats, blankets, mosquito nets, kitchen wares, water containers, 
hygiene kits, and medical and health-related products to be given directly to 
the victims of a disaster or an emergency; and 
(g) State of calamity refers to a condition involving mass casualties of major 
damages to property and infrastructures such as roads, disruption of means 
of livelihood, and the normal way of life of people in the affected areas due 
to a natural or human-induced hazard.  
 
Sec. 4. Free Freight Services. – The National and Regional Logistics Cluster 
led by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), in coordination with the Department of 
Transportation (DOTr) and in partnership with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC), 
freight companies, common carriers, freight forwarders, and other companies 
providing logistic services in the Philippines shall provide free freight services to duly 
registered relief organizations in the transportation of emergency relief goods and 
donated articles to areas declared to be in a state of calamity by the President of the 
Philippines or by a local government unit (LGU) through its Sanggunian.  When the 
area of destination is not accessible, the relief goods shall be delivered and consigned 
to the local chief executive of the nearest LGU.  
 
The areas where these entities operate shall be considered when availing of 
the free freight services of common carriers, private carriers, freight forwarders, and 
other logistics companies.   
 
The shipping auxiliary cost, such as those for arrastre services, pilotage, and 
other port charges, as well as the airport charges, such as those for landing and takeoff 
fees, aircraft parking, navigation charges, and other related airport charges that are 
routinely passed on to customers, shall be waived by the concerned port and airport 
authorities: Provided, That container van costs, turnaround time, and volume of cargo 
being shipped free of charge shall be considered to minimize the loss of profits for the 
private sector.  ‘ 
 
Sec. 5. Vigilance over Relief Goods. – The National and Regional Disaster Risk 
Reduction Management Councils, through their Response Clusters, shall facilitate the 
speedy movement of people, goods, and equipment to the affected population and 
responding agencies in coordination with local law enforcement agencies, port 
authorities, and organizations with similar mandates and responsibilities.  
 


 
Sec. 6. Release of Relief Goods. – The release of relief goods and articles 
intended for distribution to areas under a state of calamity shall comply with existing 
rules and procedures of responsible government agencies such as the Department of 
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Department of 
Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), LGUs, and other government 
agencies authorized to distribute the relief goods and articles, and in consideration of 
prevailing policies of freight service and logistics companies and carriers.  
 
Sec. 7. Tax Deduction. – Common carriers, private carriers, and other logistics 
companies mandated to provide free freight services for the transportation of relief 
goods under Section 4 of this Act shall be entitled to one hundred percent (100%) 
additional deduction from gross income of the amount of the cost incurred for the 
service provided, including the actual cost of salaries and allowances of personnel 
directly involved in transporting the relief goods, subject to the rules and limitations 
prescribed under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended, existing 
laws, rules and regulations: Provided, That to avail of the additional deduction, 
common carriers, private carriers, and other logistics companies shall secure proper 
certification from the appropriate government agency that the expenses claimed as 
deduction relate specifically to the services for the transportation of relief goods as 
contemplated in this Act.  This availment, however, is without prejudice to the conduct 
of post-audit by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.  
 
The availment of the tax incentives shall bar the concerned common carriers 
and other logistics companies’ availment of any similar incentives granted by other 
general or special laws, rules, or regulations for such freight services.   
 
Sec. 8. Oversight Agencies. – The OCD and the DOTr, through the Civil 
Aeronautics Board (CAB), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and Land 
Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), shall monitor and oversee 
the compliance of freight service companies, common and private carriers, and other 
logistics companies in providing free freight services as provided under Section 4 of 
this Act.  
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Administrator of OCD shall, in coordination with the heads of 
CAB, MARINA, LTFRB, BOC, PPC, DSWD, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine 
Coast Guard, and the association or authorized representatives of freight service 
companies and freight forwarders, common and private carriers, and other companies 
offering logistics services in the country, issue the necessary rules and regulations for 
the effective implementation of this Act.  
 
Sec. 10. Separability Clause.  If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the 
other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect. 
 


 
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, order, rules and regulations, or 
parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions if this Act are hereby repealed, amended 
or modified accordingly.  
 
Sec. 12. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the 
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation.  
 
Approved,