EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

‘H. B. No. 3450

Introduced by Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto
6" District of Batangas

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

Explanatory Note

Schools have traditionally been utilized as default evacuation centers in times of
calamities, disasters, conflicts, and emergencies. Schools however, are not well equipped to
accommodate evacuees since these lack the necessary facilities for displaced families.

‘The use of schools as evacuation centers for displaced families also gives rise to
another group of displaced individuals: the students. The education of children is severely
affected when families cannot immediately vacate school premises because their houses have
not yet been repaired or reconstructed. This relegates students to makeshift classrooms that
may not be conducive to learning. Moreover, its cost can take away from the meager budget
what could be better utilized for more permanent solutions to problems brought about by
disasters.

The construction of multipurpose gyms in the country’s 1,489 municipalities’ and 145
cities nationwide will be a permanent recourse for evacuation in times of calamities and
natural or man-made disasters. The gym must be able to withstand typhoons, earthquakes and
other disasters. It must be designed to have space that can be used flexibly for social
activities, sporting events, and as sleeping quarters during the evacuation. The multipurpose
gym must be well-ventilated, able to accommodate large groups of people, and must have
ample bathing and sanitation facilities. When not in use as a refuge center, the multipurpose
gym, which should be in a location where people and emergency rescue personnel can easily
access, can be a storehouse for disaster rescue equipment and emergency supplies.

With the reality of stronger typhoons brought about by climate change and the
geographical location of the Philippines making it the second most disaster-prone country’,
seeking temporary solutions to the displacement of families by using schools as evacuation

As of 31 March 2019, haps:/ipsa gov phicassificationpsge!
* Ibid
> United Nations University World Rsk Report 2014 hup/ehs una edu/news/news/work-risk-report-2014 him!


centers must be stopped. There should be no tradeoff between protecting lives and the
education of students. A better and more permanent facility must be made available to people
in times of emergencies.

In the light of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is



we evyranne one

10
n
12
13
14
15
16
7

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
3450

H.B. No.

Introduced by Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto
6" District of Batangas

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 of 2019”.

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 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.


wernvanewone

10
cE
12
13
14
15
16
7
18
19
20
2
2
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
a1
32
33

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.

cc. Ameni

— 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 imal charges as may be necessary for

the maintenance and minimal repairs of the facility.


ernvranes one

10
u
12
13
14
15
16
7
18

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
Act, the DPWH shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective

approval of
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,