(!)
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
S E N A T E
s. No. 124
mWi'xU: 
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irrtnrp
•19 
JUL -2 A8 59
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
REORGANIZING AND STRENGTHENING THE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION 
AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF THE PHILIPPINES, ESTABLISHING FOR 
THE 
PURPOSE 
THE 
DEPARTMENT 
OF 
DISASTER 
RESILIENCE 
AND 
EMERGENCY 
MANAGEMENT, 
EMPOWERING 
THE 
REGIONAL 
FIELD 
OFFICES, 
ESTABLISHING 
COORDINATING 
MECHANISMS, 
STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Explanatory Note
Some events are so tragic and catastrophic that they are permanently imprinted on 
a nation's collective memory. In the case of Japan, it was the Nagasaki and 
Hiroshima bombings. In the case of the Unite States, it was the Pearl Harbor 
bombing and the September 11 attacks. In the case of the Philippines, it was 
Typhoon Yolanda (internationally known as Haiyan).
No typhoon in Philippine history has been as traumatically remembered as Yolanda. 
Above and beyond the data- 5,500 dead, 1.14 million houses destroyed and Php 24 
billion worth of damaged infrastructure and agriculture- the imagery of 275 km/hour 
winds and huge waves of water wiping out communities will remain a national 
tragedy told and retold to generations hereafter.
We are witnesses not only to Yolanda, but also to a world of escalating risks and 
vulnerability. We have a responsibility not only to deliver justice not only to those 
whose lives were needlessly lost to the waves and winds of Yolanda, but also to 
prevent the same from happening to future generations. We have an inter- 
generational duty to leave a world where the next generations will be more 
prosperous and more resilient than before.
Our first step in fulfilling our duty is to strengthen our disaster risk reduction and 
management institutions. Currently, this is embodied by the National Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The NDRRMC was created through 
Republic 
Act 
No. 
10121, 
otherwise 
known 
the 
"Philippine 
Disaster Risk
1


Reduction and Management Act o f 2010". It was a response to Typhoon Ondoy 
which ravaged 4.9 million families, and led to the declaration of a state of calamity in 
23 provinces and Metro Manila, and caused an outbreak of leptospirosis. However, 
Typhoon Yolanda was clearly several orders of magnitude above Ondoy. Therefore, 
our institutions must adjust and be be strengthened to be able to meet the "new 
normal" set by Yolanda.
This measure intends to open the policy discussion on reforming our DRRM 
institutions. It proposes to create a Department of Disaster Resilience and 
Emergency Management which shall be in charge of all disaster risk reduction and 
management programs, policies and activities in the country.
The Department shall consist of two separate and distinct entities: the 
National Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the 
Department Proper. The NDRRMC shall retain its policy-making and coordinating 
functions under R.A. 10121. However, the Department proper shali be the 
Secretariat and executive arm, converting the NDRRMC's pians into specific 
operational guidelines and programs. The Department will be led by its own 
Secretary and shall be empowered by three bureaus- the Bureau of Disaster 
Resilience and the Bureau of Disaster Preparation and Response, and the Bureau of 
Knowledge Management and Dissemination.
It is envisioned that the Department proper will provide leadership with 
accountability. In the parlance of public management, the Department proper wiii 
"steer" the various stakehoiders towards a disaster-resilient Philippines. The 
Secretary of the Department wili wear two "hats" as he shail be the Chairperson of 
the NDRRMC and the Head of the Department Proper.
There shail also be created a National Disaster Risk Reduction and 
Management Research and Training Center which will serve as a repository of all 
knowledge and research and development, and as a capacity building entity on 
disaster risk reduction and management. This measure also envisions the creation of 
a Nationai Emergency Response Corps, which shali be a dedicated, trained and 
reliable team who can be deployed on short notice in the event of a disaster 
composed of full-time and part-time disaster managers, paramedics, debris clearing 
personnel, volunteers, and aid and relief managers.
This measure further proposes to empower the regional offices of the 
Department proper. The regionai offices shall have the same administrative structure 
as the Department proper. They will have two bureaus on resilience and disaster 
preparedness and response. They wili aiso have a regionai research and training 
center and a regional emergency response corps. In normal times, they will provide 
technicai assistance and capacity building to LCDs. In times of disaster, the regional 
offices will serve as an "operations center" for the coordination of disaster 
preparation and response.


These are but a few innovations which this measure seeks to introduce 
towards the improvement of our national disaster risk reduction and management 
system, speedy approval of this measure is eagerly sought.1
CE POE
1 We would like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance and inputs given to us by Vice Admiral Alexandar 
Pama, Mr. James Roman and Mr. Hector Brizuela in drafting this measure.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
S E N A T E
S. No. 
124
^>v•• ■ 
■ 
1 li ;
•=< <■!,-IP
’19 
JIJL-2 A 8:59
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
a^i^ R^mANIZING AND s t r e n g t h e n in g  th e d is a s t e r  r is k  REDUCTION 
AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF THE PHILIPPINES ESTABLISHING FOR 
THE 
PURPOSE 
THE 
DEPARTMENT OF 
DISASTER^ R E ^ L I E N A N n
^ p |Tfi (! ENCY 
m a n a g e m e n t , 
EMPOWERING 
THE 
REGIONAL 
FIELD 
OFFICES, 
ESTABLISHING 
COORDINATING
T H F R F F n o EA IN G  C0MMUNITY p a r t ic ip a t io n , APPROPRIATING FUN^DS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
UWUb
% n g " ^ as T s i l e d :  Sen3te and H° USe ° f  
Philippines in
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a r t ic l e  I
g e n e r a l p r o v is io n s
Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as "The Philippine Disaster 
Risk Reduction and Management System Act o f 2019".
Sec, 2, Declaration o f Policy. -  The State recognizes the country's severe 
vulnerability to natural and man-made disasters and their catastrophic impact on 
the people's constitutional rights to life, liberty and property, particularly of the poor 
and the marginalized. The State further recognizes the need to institutionalize the 
principles of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and management, 
and the imperative to embody these principles in responsive and capable' 
institutions. As such, it is hereby declared a policy of the State to:
a) Address the root causes of vulnerabilities to disasters by strengthening the 
country's institutional capacity for disaster risk reduction and management
and building the resilience of local communities to disasters including 
climate change impacts;
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b) Adopt a disaster risk reduction and management approach that is holistic, 
comprehensive, integrated, and proactive in lessening the socioeconomic 
and environmental impacts of disasters including climate change, and 
promote the involvement and 
participation of all 
sectors and all 
stakeholders concerned, at all levels, especially the local community;
c) Promote 
a whole-of-government and whole-of society approach to the 
development of disaster risk reduction and management, to ensure the 
buy-in of ail concerned stakeholders, whether from the government 
sector, private sector, or non-government sector;
d) Adhere to and adopt the universal norms, principles and standards of 
humanitarian assistance and the global effort on risk reduction as concrete 
expression of the country's commitment to overcome human sufferings 
due to recurring disasters;
e) Develop, promote, and implement a comprehensive National Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP) that aims to strengthen the 
capacity of the national government and the local government units 
(LGUs), together with partner stakeholders to build the disaster resilience 
of communities, and to institutionalize arrangements and measures for 
reducing disaster risks, including projected climate risks, and enhancing 
disaster preparedness and response capabilities at all levels;
f) Incorporate 
internationally 
accepted 
principles 
of 
disaster 
risk 
management in the creation and implementation of national, regional and 
local sustainable development and poverty reduction strategies, policies, 
plans and budgets;
g) Adopt and implement a coherent, comprehensive, integrated, efficient and 
responsive 
disaster 
risk 
reduction 
program 
incorporated 
in 
the 
development plan at various levels of government adhering to the 
principles of good governance such as transparency and accountability 
within the context of poverty alleviation and environmental protection;
h) Mainstream disaster risk reduction and climate change in development 
processes 
such 
as 
policy formulation, 
socioeconomic 
development 
planning, budgeting, and governance, particularly in the areas of


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environment, agriculture, water, energy, health, education, poverty 
reduction, land-use and urban planning, and public infrastructure and 
housing, among others;
i) Institutionalize the policies, structures, coordination mechanisms and 
programs with continuing budgot appropriation on disaster risk reduction 
from national down to local levels towards building a disaster-resilient 
nation and communities;
j) Streamline existing disaster risk reduction and management institutions, 
structures and mechanisms, in order to reduce redundancy, increase 
synergy and efficiency, and provide decisive and accountable leadership
in times of crisis;
k) Ensure that disaster risk reduction and climate change measures are 
gender responsive, sensitive to indigenous know ledge systems, and 
respectful of human rights;
l) Develop and strengthen the capacities of vulnerable and marginalized 
groups to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effects
of disasters;
m) Incorporate community and people's participation on a greater level, to 
ensure that all national disaster risk reduction programs, activities and 
policies are aligned with and responsive to the needs of the people,
n) Recognize the local risk patterns across the country and strengthen the 
capacity of LCDs for disaster risk reduction and management through 
decentralized powers, responsibilities, and resources at the regional and
local levels;
o) Recognize and strengthen the capacities of LGUs and communities in 
mitigating and preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the 
impact of disasters;
p) Engage the participation of civil society organizations (CSOs), the private 
sector and volunteers in the government's disaster risk reduction 
programs towards complementation of resources and effective delivery of 
services to the Citizenry;


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q) Provide maximum care, assistance and services to individuals and families 
affected by disaster, implement emergency rehabilitation projects to 
lessen the impact of disaster, and facilitate resumption of normal social 
and economic activities; and
r) Ensure that affected communities rise stronger than they were before 
incidents of disasters, towards reducing their vulnerability and preventing 
the repetition of the catastrophic loss of human life and livelihood and 
destruction of property.
Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. -  The following terms are defined for the 
purposes of this Act:
a) Buiid Back Better -  refers to an approach to disaster recovery and 
reconstruction which not only rebuilds communities to pre-disaster 
standards but also increases their resilience to future disasters;
b) LERC- refers to the Local Emergency Response Corps created under this 
Act;
c) Department -  refers to the Department of Disaster Resilience and 
Emergency Assistance and Management which encompasses the National 
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the 
Department proper;
d) Department proper -  vefers to the offices, agencies, bureaus, and services 
under the authority of the Secretary of the Department of Disaster 
Resilience and Emergency Assistance and Management;
e) Secretary -  refers to the Secretary of the Department Resilience and 
Emergency Assistance Management;
f) NERC -  refers to the National Emergency Response Corps created under 
this Act;
g) NDRRMC -  refers to 
the 
National 
Disaster 
Risk 
Reduction 
and 
Management Council created under R.A. No. 10121, otherwise known as 
the "Phiiippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act o f 2010";
h) RERC -  refers to the Regional Emergency Response Corps created under 
this Act;


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i) RFO -  refers to the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
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Councils created under R.A. No. 10121 and renamed as "Regional Field
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Offices" under this Act.
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Unless expressly defined in this Section, the other technical terms and
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concepts used in this Act shall be read as defined under Section 3 of Republic Act
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No. 10121, otherwise known as the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and
1 
Management Act o f 201 O'.
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ARTICLE I I
9 
THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE AND EMERGENCY
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ASSISTANCE AND MANAGEMENT
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Sec. 4. The Department o f Disaster Resilience and Emergency Assistance and
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Management -T o  carry out the objectives of this Act and those of R.A. No. 10121,
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the Department of Disaster Resilience and Emergency Assistance and Management
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is hereby established. The Department shall be the primary policy-making, planning,
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coordinating, integrating, supervising, implementing, monitoring and evaluating
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authority with regard to disaster risk reduction and management in the country.
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Sec. 5. Organization o f the Department -  The Department shall consist of
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two separate and distinct entities: the National Disaster and Risk Reduction and
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Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department Proper. The NDRRMC shall be
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attached for administrative and budgetary purposes to the Department.
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Sec. 6. Organization o f the Department Proper. -  The Department proper
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shall be comprised of the following:
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a) The Office of the Secretary, which shall encompass the Office of the
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Secretary and the Offices of the Undersecretaries and the Assistant
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Secretaries, and their immediate support staff;
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b) The Regional Field Offices;
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c) The Bureaus enumerated under Section 17 of this Act;
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d) The National Emergency Response Corps (NERC);
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e) The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Research and
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Training Center (NDRRMC-RTC)
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f) 
The attached agencies enumerated under Section 21 of this Act; and
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g) The Department Services enumerated under Section 18 of this Act;


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Sec. 7. Selection o f Personnel. -  The selection of the personnel of the 
Department shall be based strictly on merit and fitness in accordance with the Civil 
Service Code and other applicable laws and rules and regulations. The formulation of 
the organizational structure and staffing pattern shall be completed within one (1) 
year after the effectivity of this Act.
a r t ic l e  I I I
THE NATIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT COUNCIL
Sec. 8. The National Disaster Risk Reduction Council. -T h e  NDRRMC shall be
the policy-formulating and coordinating body of the Department which shall ensure a 
whole-of-government approach to formulating and implementing the Nabonal
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan.
Sec. 9. Organization. -  The membership of the NDRRMC under R.A. No.
10121 shall be retained: Provided, that the NDRRMC shall be chaired by the 
President: Provided further, that the Secretary of the Department of Disaster 
Management shall be the vice-chair of the NDRRMC, and shall preside as Chairman
when the President is unable to attend a meeting.
Sec. 10. Powers and Functions o f the NDRRMC. -T h e  NDRRMC shall:
a) Formulate the NDRRMP which shall be a comprehensive, all-hazards, 
multi-sectoral, inter-agency and community-based approach to disaster 
risk reduction and management. The NDRRMP shall serve as the principal 
guide to disaster risk reduction and management efforts in the country 
and shall be reviewed on a ten (lO)-year interval, or as may be deemed 
necessary, in order to ensure its relevance to the times,
b) Develop vertical and horizontal coordination mechanisms for a more 
coherent implementation of disaster risk reduction and management 
policies and programs by sectoral agencies and LGUs;
c) Constitute a technical management group composed of representatives of 
the concerned 
departments, 
offices, 
and 
organizations, 
that shall 
coordinate and meet as often as necessary to effectively manage and 
sustain national efforts on disaster risk reduction and management;
d) Serve as a coordinating body for all inter-agency efforts during risk 
reduction and management operations.


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e) Advise the President on the status of disaster preparedness, prevention, 
mitigation, response and rehabilitation operations being undertaken by the 
government, CSOs, private sector, and volunteers, and submit proposals 
to restore normalcy in affected areas;
0  Recommend to the President the declaration of a State of Calamity in 
areas extensively damaged and to submit proposals to restore normalcy in 
the affected areas;
g) In coordination with the Climate Change Commission, formulate and 
implement a single harmonized framework and action plan for climate 
change adaptation and disaster mitigation;
h) Receive, administer, mobilize and report the National Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Fund, and other recovery and rehabilitation 
funds;
i) Receive donations and grants from any person, government institution, 
corporation, international organization, and other similar entities, and the 
power to recommend the procurement of developmental assistance for the 
purpose of disaster risk reduction and management subject to Section 32 
of this Act;
j) Monitor and provide the necessary guidelines and procedures on the Local 
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF) releases as well 
as utilization, accounting and auditing thereof;
k) Develop appropriate risk transfer mechanisms that shall guarantee social 
and economic protection and increase resiliency in the face of disaster; 
and
l) Establish and monitor local and national capacity for disaster risk financing 
and insurance and other risk transfer strategies.
Sec. 11. Monitoring and Reporting. -
a.) On or before the last quarter of the preceding year, the member-agencies 
of the NDRRMC shall submit to the Secretary their respective disaster risk 
reduction and management annual work and financial management plans 
for the next year;


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b.) The member-agencies of the NDRRMC shall also submit to the Secretary
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quarterly progress reports on the implementation of their respective DRRM
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annual work and financial management plans within thirty (30) days from
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the end of each quarter.
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ARTICLE IV
6 
THE DEPARTMENT PROPER
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Sec. 12. The Department Proper. -  The Department proper shall be the
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Secretariat and executive arm of the Department. It shall be in charge of
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implementing and monitoring the implementation of disaster risk reduction and
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management policies, activities and programs as embodied in the NDRRMP.
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Sec. 13. The Secretary. -T h e  Department shall be headed by a Department
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Secretary who shall be a member of the Cabinet. He shall be appointed by the
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President for a term of six (6) years and shall be a member of the Cabinet.
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Sec. 14. Powers and Functions o f the Secretary. -  The Secretary shall:
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a) Monitor the integration of disaster risk reduction and management policies
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into local and national development plans;
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b) Oversee and direct the comprehensive implementation of disaster risk
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reduction and management policies, plans and programs as embodied in
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the NDRRMP;
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c) Review and evaluate Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plans
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to ensure their consistency with the NDRRMP through the regional offices;
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d) Call upon other instrumentalities or entities of the government and
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nongovernment and civic organizations for assistance in terms of the use
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of their facilities and resources for the protection and preservation of life
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and properties in the whole range of disaster risk reduction and
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management, which includes the power to call on the reserve force as
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defined in Republic Act No. 7077 to assist in relief and rescue during
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disasters or calamities;
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e) Exercise visitorial and examining powers over governmental and non-
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governmental entities engaged in DRRM operations;
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f) Commandeer any private property for urgent public purposes, subject to
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payment of just compensation in appropriate cases;
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g) Coordinate or oversee the implementation of the country's obligations with 
disaster risk reduction and management treaties to which it is a party and 
see to it that the country's disaster risk management treaty obligations be 
incorporated in its disaster risk reduction and management frameworks, 
policies, plans, programs, and projects; and
h) Lead the mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction and management in all 
stages and levels of national and local planning and budgeting processes;
i) Raise awareness among national agencies, local government units, and 
local communities on the importance of disaster risk reduction and 
management;
j) In lieu of the President, preside and lead meetings of the NDRRMC;
k) Coordinate with the members of the NDRRMC for the implementation, 
monitoring, review, and revision of the NDRRMP;
l) Provide secretarial support to the NDRRMC;
m) Advise the NDRRMC on matters relating to disaster risk reduction and 
management consistent with the policies and scope as defined in this Act;
n) Assess the strengths and weaknesses of NDRRMC members on aspects of 
DRRM and provide the corresponding capacity building through the 
Department proper;
o) Direct the deployment of the National Emergency Response Corps (NERC) 
and/oror Regional Emergency Response Corps (RERC) the to assist in 
relief and rescue during disasters or calamities;
p) Create regional and field offices and such other service units and divisions 
as may be necessary;
q) Exercise administrative supervision and control over the Regional Field 
Offices (RFOs);
r) Exercise supervision 
over the 
Local 
Disaster 
Risk 
Reduction 
and 
Management Offices (LDRRMOs) in all provinces, cities, municipalities, and 
barangays in the country;
s) Exercise all powers and functions provided to department secretaries 
under Book IV, Chapter 2 of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as 
the "Administrative Code o f1987"; and


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t) Perform such other functions as may be necessary or proper to attain the 
objectives of this Act.
Sec. 15. The Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries. -T h e  Secretary shall 
be assisted 
by three 
(3) 
undersecretaries for disaster mitigation, 
disaster 
preparedness and response, and disaster recovery and rehabilitation, respectively, 
and four (4) career assistant secretaries who shall perform such functions as may be 
assigned by the Secretary.
Sec. 16. Qualifications. -  No person shall be appointed as Secretary, 
undersecretary or assistant secretary unless he is a citizen and resident of the 
Philippines, is of good morai character, and is of proven competence and expertise 
in disaster risk reduction and management over the course of his career. He shall 
not hold any other position, whether public or private, during his tenure.
Sec. 17. The Department Bureaus. -  The Department shall have the following 
bureaus:
a) The Bureau of Disaster Resilience (BDR) -  The BDR shall assist the 
Secretary in formulating, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing policies 
and programs with regard to disaster mitigation, prevention, and post­
disaster rehabilitation. To this end, the BDR shall:
1. Advise the Secretary on all matters regarding disaster and emergency 
mitigation and preparation;
2. Advise the Secretary on the status of disaster mitigation and 
prevention 
and 
post-disaster 
rehabilitation 
operations 
being 
undertaken by the government, CSOs, private sector, and volunteers;
3. Cascade technical expertise on disaster mitigation and prevention and 
post-disaster rehabilitation to LGUs through the RFOs;
4. Develop, update, and make available a Disaster Risk Reduction and 
Management Information System and Geographic Information System- 
based national and local risk maps as policy, planning, and decision­
making tools;
5. Conduct and institutionalize pre-disaster risk assessment to identify 
vulnerable and at-risk communities and local government units, and
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provide technical assistance and capacity building on the same to local 
government units through the RFOs;
6. Develop unified and harmonized tools, guidelines, and policies on the 
existing and potential hazards and risks brought about by climate 
change in coordination with the Climate Change Commission;
7. Conduct a review of the National Building Code and Fire Code of the 
Philippines, together with the relevant government departments and 
the concerned stakeholders and technical experts, and submit the 
same to the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
towards the development of legislation which seek to strengthen 
infrastructure in line with disaster prevention and mitigation;
8. Conduct 
public 
information 
campaigns 
and 
drills 
on 
disaster 
preparedness;
9. Issue guidelines and rules and regulations to institutionalize the 
principle of "build back better" in all disaster reconstruction and 
rehabilitation operations;
10. Issue guidelines for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of disaster- 
affected areas and institutionalize the principles of "Build Back Better1'; 
and
11. Recommend the issuance of government bonds to secure the funding 
for the reconstruction of disaster-stricken areas; and
12. Prepare, organize and lead post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation 
programs in coordination with the concerned regional field office and 
the local government unit.
b) The Bureau of Disaster Preparation and Response (BDPR) -  The BDPR
shall assist the Secretary in formulating, implementing, monitoring, and
reviewing policies and programs with regard to disaster preparation and
response. To this end, the BDR shall:
1. Advise the Secretary on all matters regarding disaster preparation and 
response;
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2. Monitor and advise the Secretary on the status of disaster preparation 
and response operations being undertaken by the government, CSOs, 
private sector, and volunteers;
3. Cascade technical expertise on disaster preparation and response to 
LCDs through the RFOs;
4. Exercise administrative control over the National Emergency Response 
Corps (NERC);
5. Implement pre-positioning of necessary goods and supplies at least 
twenty four (24) hours before an expected disaster;
6. If needed, 
procure goods and 
services during emergencies in 
accordance 
with 
existing 
emergency 
procurement 
rules 
and 
regulations;
7. Establish and maintain an inventory of all necessary personnel, 
equipment and supplies critical during disasters in all RFOs and LGUs, 
and ensure that they are delivered within forty-eight (48) hours after 
the aftermath of a disaster;
8. Establish and maintain a national early warning and emergency alert 
system to provide accurate and timely 
advice to national or local 
emergency response, and to the general public through diverse mass- 
media such as digital and analogue broadcast, cable, satellite television 
and radio, wireless communications, and landline communications;
9. Implement the provisions of Republic Act No. 10639, otherwise known 
as "The Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act";
10. Establish and maintain an emergency communication system with and 
among LGUs through the RFOs;
11. Establish standard operating procedures for emergency response and 
cascade the same to the LGUs through the NDEMA RFOs; ancf
12. Establish unified guidelines and mechanisms for the recruitment, 
training, and deployment of the NERC, in coordination with the 
concerned government agencies and stakeholders.
c) The Bureau of Knowledge Management and Dissemination (BKMD) -  The
BKMD shall serve as the administrator of the Department's technical
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knowledge, materials, and research and development on disaster risk 
reduction and management. Towards this end, the BDKD shali;
1. Exercise supervision and control over the DRRM Research and Training 
Center;
2. Expand the content and materials of the DRRM Research and Training 
Center and ensure that they are up to date;
3. Liaise with international and domestic stakeholders towards the 
expansion of the DRRM Research and Training Center;
4. Provide full and free access to the materials in the DRRM Research and 
Training Center;
5. Disseminate materials on disaster risk reduction and management to 
the LCDs through the RFOs, to all stakeholders, and to the general 
public;
6. Provide short courses and trainings on disaster risk reduction and 
management and its various aspects, in coordination with the relevant 
Bureau(s) of the Department;
7. Offer grants and other financial incentives for researchers, members of 
the academe and/or developers in the field of disaster risk reduction 
] 
and management; and
8. Partner with the academe and research institutions, private sector, civil 
society, and community-based DRRM practitioners and other relevant 
sectors in developing research opportunities and programs on DRRM.
Sec. 18. The Department Services. -  The Department shall have the following 
Services:
a) Planning Service -  The Planning Service shall provide the department with 
services relating to planning, programming, and project development, and 
discharge such other functions as may be provided by law;
b) Financial and Management Service -  The Financial and Management 
Services shall advise and assist the Secretary on budgetary, financial and 
management matters and shall perform such other functions as may be 
provided by law; and
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c) Administrative Service -  The Administrative Service shall provide the
2 
Department with effective services relating to personnel, legal assistance,
3 
information, records, delivery and receipt of correspondence, supplies,
4 
equipment, collections, disbursement, security and custodial work.
5 
Sec. 19. The National Emergency Response Corps. -  There is hereby
6 
established a National Emergency Response Corps (NERC). The NERC shall be a
7 
dedicated, trained and reliable team who can be deployed on short notice in the
8 
event of a disaster. 
It shall be composed of full-time and part-time disaster
9 
managers, paramedics, debris clearing personnel, volunteers, and aid and relief
10 
managers. The NERC shall be under the administrative control of the BDPR.
11 
5ec< 20. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Research and
12 
Training Center. -  Within one (1) year from the approval of this Act, the Authority
13 
shall establish a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Research and
14 
Training center which shall serve as the Department's centralized repository and for
15 
its technical materials and research and development on disaster risk reduction and
16 
management.
17 
Sec. 21. The Attached Agencies. -  The following agencies and offices and
18 
their respective appropriations, records, equipment, property and personnel are
19 
hereby transferred to the Department:
20 
a) The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
21 
Administration (PAG-ASA);
22 
b) The Philippine Institute of Volcanology (PHIVOLCS);
23 
c) The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP);
24 
d) The Health Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB);
25 
e) The Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency; and
26 
f) All civilian personnel and operating units of the Department of National
27 
Defense (DND) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) with functions and
28 
responsibilities dealing with disaster risk reduction and management;
29 
The agencies transferred above shall continue to perform such functions as
30 
provided 
in 
existing 
laws: 
Provided, 
that 
the 
Department 
shall 
exercise
31 
administrative supervision over the transferred agencies.
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Sec. 22. The Regional Field Offices. -  The current Regional Disaster Risk
2 
Reduction and Management Councils are hereby renamed as the "Regional Field
3 
Offices" (RFOs) and are hereby transferred under the administrative supervision of
4 
the Department. RFOs shall have the following mandates:
5 
a) To ensure that the principles of disaster risk reduction and management
6 
are institutionalized on the local level, particularly in their Comprehensive
7 
Development Plan (CDP) and Comprehensive Land-Use Plan (CLUP), and
8 
in pursuit of this mandate thereof, review the Local Disaster Risk
9 
Reduction 
and 
Management Plan 
(LDRRMP) of LGUs within their
10 
jurisdiction and ensure their alignment with the NDRRMP;
11 
b) To ensure the compliance of LGUs with their mandates under R.A. 10121;
12 
c) To pro-actively assess the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of LGUs in all
13 
phases of disaster risk reduction and management and remedy the same
14 
through technical assistance and capacity building activities;
15 
d) To consult LGUs and communities within their jurisdiction on their
16 
vulnerabilities in all phases of disaster risk reduction and management
17 
and forward their concerns to the central office to be included in the
18 
formulation and review of the NDRRMP; and
19 
e) To act as the operations center during disaster preparation and response
20 
operations.
21 
Sec. 23. Divisions. -T o  achieve the mandates stated above, each RFO shall
22 
have the following divisions:
23 
a.) Disaster Resilience -  This division shall be in charge of all matters on
24 
disaster mitigation and rehabilitation. It shall have the following powers
25 
and functions:
26 
1. Serve as liaison between the Department and the LGUs and establish
27 
efficient lines of communication and coordination between them;
28 
2. Provide technical assistance and capacity to LGUs on pre-disaster risk
29 
assessment and empower them to identify vulnerable communities and
30 
groups in their area;
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3. Collect and consolidate Information on the vuinerabilities of local 
government units in their jurisdiction and submit the same to the 
Central Office;
4. Provide technical assistance and capacity building to LCDs to empower 
them to institutionalize and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 
Information 
System 
and 
Geographic 
Information 
System-based 
national and local risk maps as policy, planning, and decision-making 
tools;
5. Conduct and institutionalize pre-disaster risk assessment to identify 
vulnerable and at-risk communities and local government units, and 
provide technical assistance and capacity building on the same to local 
government units through the RFOs;
6. Conduct drills and information campaigns on disaster preparedness;
7. Aid households in the preparation of disaster readiness kits, which shall 
serve as a pack of essential goods needed in the aftermath of a 
disaster; and
8. Lead rehabilitation operations and ensure their completion within their 
established schedule.
b.) Disaster Preparation and Response. -  This division shall be in charge of all
matters on disaster preparation and response. It shall have the following
powers and functions:
1. Establish a Regional Emergency Response Corps (RERC);
2. Establish a 
Regional 
Disaster Risk Reduction and 
Management 
Operations Center (RDRRMC-OC) that shall be operated and staffed on 
a twenty-four hour basis;
3. Establish and maintain an inventory of all necessary personnel, 
equipment and supplies critical during disasters in all RFOs and LGUs, 
and ensure that they are delivered within forty-eight (48) hours after 
the aftermath of a disaster;
4. Implement pre-positioning of necessary goods and supplies at least 
twenty four (24) hours before an expected disaster;
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5. Establish and maintain an emergency communication system with and
2 
among LGUs;
3 
6. When necessary, procure goods and services during emergencies in
4 
accordance with existing emergency rules and regulations;
5 
7. Cascade the established Standard Operating Procedures for emergency
6 
response to the LGUs; and
1 
8. Receive donations and grants from any person, government institution,
8 
corporation, international organization, and other similar entities, and
9 
the power to recommend the procurement of developmental subject to
10 
section 32 of this Act.
11 
c.) Knowledge Management -  This division shall be in charge of managing
12 
and disseminating technical knowledge and information on disaster risk
13 
and reduction in the region. It shall have the following functions:
14 
a.) Establish 
a 
Regional 
Disaster Risk Reduction 
and 
Management
15 
Research and Training Center (RDRRM-RTC);
16 
b.) Expand the content and materials of the DRRM Research and Training
17 
Center and ensure that they are up to date;
18 
c.) Liaise with international and domestic stakeholders towards the
19 
expansion of the DRRM Research and Training Center;
20 
d.) Provide full and free access to the materials in the DRRM Research and
21 
Training Center;
22 
e.) Disseminate materials on disaster risk reduction and management to
23 
LGUs and local communities; and
24 
f.) Provide short courses and trainings on disaster risk reduction and
25 
management and its various aspects, in coordination with the relevant
26 
divisions of the RFO.
27 
Sec. 24. The Regional Directors. -  The RFOs shall be headed by a Regional
28 
Director who shall be assisted by three Assistant Regional Directors for Disaster
29 
Resilience, Disaster Preparation and Response, and Knowledge Management. No
30 
person shall be appointed as Regional Director unless he is a citizen and resident of
31 
the Philippines, is of good moral character, and is of proven competence/expertise in
32 
emergency management and disaster risk reduction and management over the
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course of his career. He shall not hold any other position, whether public or private, 
during his tenure.
ARTICLE V
DISASTER MITIGATION AND PREVENTION
Sec. 25. Harmonization o f CCA and DRRM Pians. -  The NDRRMC shall ensure 
that the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan is harmonized and consistent 
with the National Climate Change Action Plan as defined under Republic Act No. 
9279, otherwise known as the "Ciimate Change Act o f 2009" as amended. To this 
end, the NRRMC shall coordinate with the Climate Change Commission: Provided, 
that this provision shall not be construed as a limitation on the mandate, powers, 
and functions of the Climate Change Condition as set forth in R.A. No. 9279.
Sec. 26. Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment -  The Department proper shall 
formulate a national policy on risk assessment for environmental risk, national 
disaster risk, natural disaster risk and climate change risk, and shall take into 
consideration the 
interdependence of disaster risk reduction, 
environmental 
management, climate change adaptation and sustainable development. The 
Department proper shall develop tools and standards for Pre-disaster risk 
assessment and ensure that it is cascaded to the LDRRMOs through the RFOs.
Sec. 27. Nationai DRRM Information Management System. -  The Department 
proper shall establish a National Information Management System for DRRM. It shall 
be the centralized repository of all disaster risk-reduction and climate change data, 
which shall include a geographic information system component, down to the 
barangay level. The database shall be available at all times to all levels of the DRRM 
system, to members of academe and experts in the field of DRRM, and to the 
general public.
Sec. 28. Risk Assessment on the Local Level. -  The LDRRMOs and BDRRMOs 
shall conduct and risk assessments in coordination with the appropriate RFO and 
other stakeholders, which shall include vulnerable and marginalized groups, and 
submit the same to the RFOs. The LDRRMOs, with assistance provided by the RFOs, 
shall also develop Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Information System and 
Geographic Information System-based national and local risk maps as policy, 
planning, and decision-making tools.
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ARTICLE VI
2 
DISASTER PREPARATION AND RESPONSE
3 
Sec. 29. Standing Orders for Disaster Preparation and Response. -  Within one
4 
(1) year from the effectivity of this Act, the NDRRMC shall formulate and publish
5 
standing orders for all its member-agencies and their respective field office which
6 
shall delineate their respective roles and functions and the chain of command during
7 
disaster preparation and response: Provided, that the standing orders shall take Into
8 
Section 15 of R.A. No 10121.
9 
Sec. 30. Regional Field Offices as Operations Center. -  The Regional Field
10 
Offices shall serve as the Operations Center for all disaster preparation and response
11 
operations within their jurisdiction. For the purpose of effective coordination, there
12 
shall be formed a Disaster Response Committee to be composed, as a minimum, of
13 
the concerned local chief executives and their LDRRMO officers, the Regional
14 
Director of the RFOs, and such officers as may be assigned by the Secretary.
15 
Sec. 31. Evacuation Centers. -  LGUs shall identify and build permanent
16 
evacuation centers in accordance with standards to be issued by the Department
17 
proper to minimize the use of schools: Provided, that schools which are used as
18 
evacuation centers shall be provided with just compensation by the concerned LGU.
19 
Sec. 32. Donations. -  The Secretary shall have the power have the power to
20 
receive donations and grants from any person, government institution, corporation,
21 
international organization, and other similar entities, and the power to recommend
22 
the procurement of developmental assistance for the purpose of disaster risk
23 
reduction and management: Provided, that the Department shall certify the receipt
24 
of all DRRM donated funds and ensure their judicious management including their
25 
proper and accurate audit reporting to constituents.
26 
Sec. 33. Procurement -  The declaration of a state of calamity, as defined in
27 
R.A. No. 10121, shall be a sufficient basis for an LGU to undergo negotiated
28 
procurement, as defined under R.A. No. 9184, otherwise known as the "Government
29 
Procurement Reform Act".
30 
ARTICLE V II
31 
POST-DISASTER REHABILITATION AND RECOVERY
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Sec. 34. Rehabilitation Committee. -  The members of the Disaster Response
2 
Committee as defined under Sec. 30 of this Act may continue to sen/e as the
3 
coordinating committee for disaster rehabilitation and recovery operations.
4 
Sec. 36. Standards fo r Rehabilitation and Recovery. -  The Secretary shall
5 
promulgate rules and regulations which will set standards for disaster rehabilitation
6 
operations. Such rules and regulations shall, at the very least:
7 
a) Improve the physical, social and economic resilience of the community, in
8 
accordance with the principles of "Build Back Better";
9 
b) Redirect development outside of danger zones; and
10 
c) Maximize the use of Public-Private Partnerships.
n  
ARTICLE V III
!2 
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
13 
Sec. 37. Community Input in Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment. -  In conducting
14 
pre-disaster risk assessments, the LDRRMO and BDRRMO shall include interviews
15 
and consultations with local communities in order to identify their vulnerabilities,
16 
Such consultations shall complement data gathered from data-oriented pre-disaster
17 
risk assessments and shall be incorporated in the formulation of all disaster risk
18 
reduction and management plans on the local and national levels.
19 
Sec. 38. Volunteers. -  The Department proper and the RFOs shall provide
20 
training in first aid, disaster management and leadership in times of disasters. 1
21 
Individuals who complete such training shall be deputized by the Department and
22 
considered as partners in disaster management who shall have the following
23 
responsibilities:
24 
a) Directly receive early warning messages from the Department and
25 
disseminate the same to their communities;
26 
b) Mobilize their communities away from vulnerable areas;
27 
c) Disseminate the provisions of this Act as well as its corresponding rules
28 
and regulations to local communities;
29 
d) Conduct interviews and consultations with local communities on their
30 
satisfaction with 
the DRRM programs, activities and policies of the
31 
government;
32 
e) Provide first aid when necessary; and
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f) Aid the government in distributing goods and maintaining order during 
disaster response and rehabilitation operations,
ARTICLE IX
RESOURCES FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
Sec. 39. Human Resources for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management -  
The department proper shall provide grants and other forms of support for 
individuals who study and complete courses in disaster risk reduction and 
management: Provided, that individuals shall render disaster risk reduction and 
management service for at least two (2) years in a community determined by the 
Department proper.
Sec. 40. The NDRRM Fund. -  At least three per cent (3%) of all estimated 
regular government revenues shall be set aside for the NDRRM Fund to be used for 
the purposes identified under Section 22 of R.A. No. 10121. The NDRRM fund shall 
not be reduced, transferred, realigned, or used for purposes other than those 
identified under R.A. No. 10121.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS AND FINAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 41. 
Transition Period. -  The transfer of functions, assets, funds, 
equipment, properties, transactions, assets, funds, properties transactions and 
personnel of the affected agencies, and the formulation of the internal organic 
structure, staffing pattern, operating and revised budget of the Department, shall be 
completed within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act, during which time 
the existing personnel shall continue to assume their posts in holdover capacities 
until new appointments are issued.
Sec. 42. Separation from Service. -  Employees separated from the service as 
a result of this reorganization shall, within six (6) months from their separation from 
the service, receive the retirement benefits to which they may be entitled under 
existing laws, rules and regulations.
Sec. 43. Prohibited Acts. -T h e  following Acts shall be prohibited:
a) Dereliction of duties which leads to destruction, loss of lives, critical 
damage of facilities and misuse of funds;
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b) Preventing the entry and distribution of relief goods in disaster-stricken 
areas, including appropriate technology, tools, equipment, accessories, 
disaster teams/experts;
c) Buying, for consumption or resaie, from disaster relief agencies any relief 
goods, equipment or other and commodities which are intended for 
distribution to disaster affected communities;
d) Buying, for consumption or resale, from the recipient disaster affected 
persons any relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities received by 
them;
e) Selling of relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities which are 
intended for distribution to disaster victims;
f) Forcibiy seizing relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities intended 
for or consigned to a specific group of victims or relief agency;
g) Diverting or misdeiivery of reiief goods, equipment or other aid 
commodities to persons other than the rightfui recipient or consignee;
h) Accepting, possessing, using or disposing relief goods, equipment or other 
aid commodities not intended for nor consigned to him/her;
i) Misrepresenting the source of relief goods, equipment or other aid 
commodities by:
1. Either covering, replacing or defacing the labels of the containers to 
make it appear that the goods, equipment or other aid commodities 
came from another agency or persons;
2. Repacking the goods, equipment or other aid commodities into 
containers with different markings to make it appear that the goods 
came from another agency or persons or was released upon the 
instance of a particular agency or persons; or
3. Making false verbal claim that the goods, equipment or other and 
commodity m its untampered original containers actually came from 
another agency or persons or was released upon the instance of a 
particular agency or persons;
j) Substituting or replacing relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities 
with the same items or inferior/cheaper quality;
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k) Illegal solicitations by persons or organizations representing others as
2 
defined in the standards and guidelines set by the Authority
3 
I) 
Deliberate use of false at inflated data in support of the request for
4 
funding, relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities for emergency
5 
assistance or livelihood projects; and
6 
m) Tampering with or stealing hazard monitoring and disaster preparedness
7 
equipment and paraphernalia.
8 
Sec. 
44. 
Pena! Clause. 
-  Any 
individual, 
corporation, 
partnership,
9 
association, or other juridical entity that commits any of the prohibited acts provided
10 
for in the preceding section shall be prosecuted and upon conviction shali suffer a
11 
fine of not less than one hundred thouand pesos (Php 100,000.00) or any amount
12 
not to 
exceed 
seven 
hundred 
fifty thousand 
pesos 
(Php 
750,000.00) 
or
13 
imprisonment of not iess than six (6) years and one (1) day or more than twelve
14 
(12) years, or both, at the discretion of the court, including perpetual disqualification
15 
from public office if the offender is a public officer, and confiscation or forfeiture in
16 
favor of the government of the objects and the instrumentalities used in committing
17 
any of herein prohibited acts.
18 
Sec. 45. Appropriations. -  The amount needed for the initial implementation
19 
of this Act shali be taken from the current fiscal year's appropriation of the NDRRMC,
20 
OCD, and all agencies herein transferred to the Department as well. Thereafter, the
21 
amount needed for the operation and maintenance of the Authority shall be included
22 
in the General Appropriations Act.
23 
Sec. 46. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The members of the
24 
NDRRMC shall within sixty (60) days form the effectivity of this Act the implementing
25 
rules and regulations necessary for its effective implementation.
26 
Sec. 47. Repealing Clause. -  Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 19, and 20 of R.A.
27 
No. 10121 are hereby repealed. The provisions of R.A. No. 10121 not expressly
28 
repealed in this section shall remain in full force and effect: Provided, That all
29 
references to the NDRRMC and OCD shall be understood to refer to the Department,
30 
unless otherwise provided in this Act.
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All other decrees, laws, executive orders, proclamations and administrative 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are likewise 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Sec. 48. Separability Clause. -  If any provision or part of this Act Is declared
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full 
force and effect.
Sec. 49. EffectM ty Clause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
Its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
Circulation.
Approved,
24