REPRES,

; —_ RECEIVED
Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 10969

Introduced by: REP. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The State is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all its
citizens, including those with disabilities. Disasters pose significant risks to
individuals with disabilities, and their unique needs require specific
considerations for effective ‘disaster risk management. Persons with
disabilities are disproportionately affected in disaster, emergency, and conflict
situations due to inaccessible evacuation, response (including shelters, camps,
and food distribution), and recovery efforts. In situations of disasters, persons
with disabilities tend to be overlooked and left out from aid which makes them
highly vulnerable to disasters.

Disabilities and special needs can make it challenging to prepare for and
respond to a disaster. Often, people with disabilities and special needs require
assistance and additional lead time when a disaster strikes. The importance
of capturing community knowledge in disaster risk management (DRM)
planning has been recognized for some time. This understanding, however,
does not regularly extend to people with physical impairments, which is
problematic for communities as a whole. Leaving people with disabilities out
of the planning process robs them of a voice and everyone else of their
expertise.

Living in poverty further increases their vulnerability, where they have
limited capacity to deal with disasters and the government becomes their only
shelter. It is imperative to implement measures that promote disability
inclusion and equity in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

SALVAD\ PLEYTO, SR.

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E-Filed

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 10969

Introduced by: REP. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR.

AN ACT ENSURING THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES (PWDS) DURING DISASTER CALAMITIES AND PROMOTING
DISABILITY INCLUSION AND EQUITY IN DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT
IN THE COUNTRY

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

SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “Disability
Inclusion and Equity in Disaster Risk Management in the Country”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy —‘The State recognizes the importance
of disability inclusion and equity in disaster risk management. It is hereby
declared the policy of the State to:

+ Ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to disaster
preparedness, response, and recovery services;

* Promote the full participation and inclusion of individuals with
disabilities in all aspects of disaster risk management;

+ Develop and implement disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction
plans and strategies;

+ Ensure that the built environment and infrastructure are accessible to
individuals with disabilities during and after disasters.


SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act:

+ Disability means any physical, sensory, intellectual, or mental
impairment that limits a person’s ability to participate fully and effectively in
society on an equal basis with others.

+ Disaster means a serious disruption of the functioning of a community
caused by a natural or man-made hazard that leads to widespread human,
material, or economic losses and exceeds the coping capacity of the affected
community.

+ Disaster Risk Management refers to the systematic process of
identifying, assessing, and reducing risks to people, property, and the
environment from disasters.

*Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan shall refer to a
comprehensive plan developed by the City Government to address disaster
calamities, including specific provisions for PWDs.

+ PWDs shall refer to individuals with physical, sensory, intellectual, or
mental impairments that limit their everyday activities and participation in
society.

* Triage is often used to prioritize needs during emergencies, so that
limited resources can be maximally used.

SECTION 4. ENFORCEMENT. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC) under the Office of Civil Defense shall be
responsible for the implementation of this ordinance.

SECTION 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF PWD EMERGENCY RESPONSE
TEAM. A PWD Emergency Response Team shall be established within the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to
coordinate and implement measures for the safety and well-being of PWDs
during disaster calamities.

It is highly encourage to involve representatives from the PWD sector in
the Response Team to fully understand and to communicate accurately the
needs of the said sector.

SECTION 6. INCLUSION OF PWDs IN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
AND RESPONSE PLANS. The NDRRMO shall ensure that PWDs are included
in all disaster preparedness and response plans, including evacuation
procedures, shelter management, and distribution of relief goods. The
following should be taken into consideration:


* Accessibility:

oEnsure that all disaster preparedness, response, and recovery facilities
and services are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

oPromote the development of accessible infrastructure, including
evacuation routes, shelters, and communication systems.

* Communication:

oDevelop and disseminate disaster preparedness information in
accessible formats, such as Braille, large print, and audio recordings.

oEnsure that emergency alerts and warnings are accessible to
individuals with disabilities.
+ Evacuation:

Develop evacuation plans that take into account the specific needs of
individuals with disabilities.

o Provide training to emergency responders on how to assist individuals
with disabilities during evacuations.

* Shelters:

oEnsure that disaster shelters are accessible to individuals with
disabilities.

0 Provide necessary accommodations and support services for individuals
with disabilities in shelters.

+ Recovery:

o Prioritize the needs of individuals with disabilities in disaster recovery
efforts.

o Ensure that reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts result in a more
inclusive and accessible built environment.

SECTION 7. ACCESSIBILITY OF EVACUATION CENTERS. Evacuation
centers shall be made accessible to PWDs by:

+ Providing ramps, elevators, and other necessary facilities.

+ Ensuring the availability of accessible toilets and bathrooms taking into
consideration the physical mobility needs of the PWDs.

+ Providing sign language interpreters and other communication aids.

SECTION 8. ESTABLISHMENT OF A TRIAGE IN THE EVACUATION
CENTERS. A triage shall be set up in the Evacuation Centers during
calamities and disasters. There should a signage stating that the triage
serves PWDs. The personnel in the triage shall provide communication


avenues for the PWDs asking for vital information as to their identity, actual
disability and next of kin. Thereafter, the PWD shall be instructed as to the
space he/she can use in the Evacuation Center.

SECTION 9. PRIORITIZATION OF PWDs IN RELIEF OPERATIONS.
PWDs shall be prioritized in the distribution of relief goods and services during
disaster calamities.

SECTION 10. TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING. The National
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)shall conduct
training and capacity building programs for PWDs, their caregivers, and
emergency responders to enhance their preparedness and response
capabilities during disasters.

SECTION 11. INFORMATION DISSEMINATION. The National Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)shall disseminate
information about disaster preparedness and response measures to PWDs
through accessible channels, including sign language interpreters, braille,
and audio recordings.

SECTION 12. Appropriations

‘The amount needed for the implementation of this Act shall be include
in the budget of the Office of Civil Defense in the annual General
Appropriations Act (GAA) of the year following its enactment to law and
thereafter.

SECTION 13. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. If any provision of this
ordinance is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions
shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 14. EFFECTIVITY. This ordinance shall take effect
immediately upon its approval.

Approved,