SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session ) |
i
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES \
\
Introduced by Representative Rufus B, Rodriquez anc
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

___ 3987

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Philippines, considering that it is an archipelago in the Pacific Ring of Fire and near the
equator, is very prone to earthquakes and typhoons and is especially hard hit by the negative
Gtrects of climate change and it is one of the ten nations most at-risk of being hit by extreme
\veather events including typhoons, tsunamis and earthquakes which result in major damage to
infrastructure and agriculture and loss of human life;

Since 2009 alone, numerous storms, typhoons and other natural disasters have hit us in the
Bhilippines. The most recent of which was typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) which struck parts of
Visayas and claimed at least 5,759 lives and caused total damages amounting fo at least Pp
36 billion.

Former US Vice President Al Gore said that, “As human beings, we are vulnerable to confusing
the unprecedented with the improbable. In our everyday experience, if something has never
happened before, we are generally safe in assuming itis not going to happen in the future, but
the exceptions can kill you and climate change is one of those exceptions”

In view of this, there is a need for all our governments to implement a comprehensive
fehabilitation and recovery program that would repair damaged infrastructure in the areas hit by
these tragedies. The effects of these calamities and natural disasters are multiplied by the fact
that, unfortunately, numerous countries are stil lacking in disaster preparedness and post
disaster recovery plans and facilities are also not very efficient which make it harder for the
victims to recover and bring normalcy back to their lives. And while some countries are more
prepared compared to others, there is no reason to be complacent.

Many countries, including the Philippines, are also quite unprepared when it comes to climate
change adaptation which also aggravates the effects of natural calamities.

Disaster risk reduction is the concept and practice of reducing disaster risks through systematic
efforts to analyse and reduce the causal factors of disasters including reducing exposure to
hazards, lessening vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land and the
environment. and improving preparedness for adverse events.

‘According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),
adaptation refers to adjustments in ecological, social, or economic systems in response to
Sctual or expected climatic stimuli and their effects or impacts. It refers to changes in processes,
practices, and structures to moderate potential damages or to benefit from opportunities
associated with climate change.

F
oie 24FEB 2044



Based on these definitions, we need to ensure that there is a synergy between disaster risk
reduction (ORR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) at the highest levels by developing
Specific policies at both the intemational and local levels on the linkages between reducing
disaster risk and responding to climate change. There is also a very strong need for the full
implementation and stronger adoption of CCA and ORR laws and regulations in the international
‘and local levels, in coordination with further studies and policy planning for focused, responsive
‘and adequate policies that will be expansive, enhanced and acceptable to everyone for the
benefit of better CCA and DRR programs. Further, the trend in the intemational community now
ig to focus on disaster resilient development. This means that our aovernment should start
managing disaster risk through development planning and practices to ensure that socio-
economic development will not generate exposure and vulnerability of countries and
communities to natural hazards and reduce disaster risk to the minimum,

This is why we need a Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Academy which
shall aim to teach how to apply Science and Strategies at the Community Level in order to
provide students an opportunity to learn from experienced trainers and local communities about
both the theory and practice of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

The aim is to enrich the research activities of the students and increase their practical
knowledge of the possibilities for, and the limits to, implementation of the theory at the
community level.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ
ee a UEZ, JR.


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Requiar Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriquez and
Representative Maximo B. Roegue. Jr.

House

AN ACT
= ACADEMY FOR CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION, DEFINING {TS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

THE PHILI

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy — Its the policy of the State to afford full protection and the
srvancement of the right of the people to a healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and
harmony of nature, in this light, the State has adopted the Philippine Agenda 24 framework
Wich espouses sustainable development, to fulfil human needs while maintaining the quality of
the natural environment for current and future generations.

‘Towards this end, the State adopts the principle of protecting the climate system for the benefit
of humankind, on the basis of climate justice or common but differentiated responsibilities and
the Precautionary Principle to quide decision-making in climate risk management As a party to
the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the State adopts the ultimate
objective of the Convention which is the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentiatons the
atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate
system which should be achieved within a time frame sufficient to allow ecosystems fo adapt
raturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened and to enable
ceoromic development to proceed ina sustainable manner. As a party to the Hyogo Framework
for Action the State likewise adopts the strategic goals in order to build national and local
resilience to climate change-related disasters,

Recognizing the vulnerability of the Philippine archipelago and its local communities, particularly
the poor, women, and children, to potential dangerous consequences of climate charge such as
rising seas, changing landscapes, increasina frequency and/or seventy of droughts, res floods
ond storms, climate-related linesses and diseases, damage to ecosystems, biodiversity loss
that affect the country's environment, culture, and economy, the State shall cooperate with the
global community in the resolution of climate change issues. including disaster risk reduction. It
Shall be the policy of the State to enjoin the participation of national and local governments,
businesses, nongovernment organizations, local communities and the public to prevent and
reduce the adverse impacts of climate change and, at the same time, maximize the benefits of
Climate change. It shall also be the policy of the State to incorporate a gender-sensitive, pro.
Shildren and pro-poor perspective in all climate change and renewable energy efforts, plans and
programs. In view thereof, the State shall strenathen. integrate, consolidate and institutionalize
government initiatives to achieve coordination in the implementation of plans and programs to
address climate change in the context of sustainable development.


Further recognizing that climate change and disaster risk reduction are closely interrelated and
effective disaster risk reduction will enhance climate change adaptive capacity, the State shall
integrate disaster risk reduction into climate change programs and initiatives.

Cognizant of the need to ensure that national and subnational government policies, plans,
programs and projects are founded upon sound environmental considerations and the principle
of sustainable development, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to systematically
integrate the concept of climate change in various phases of policy formulation, development
plans, poverty reduction strategies and other development tools and techniques by all agencies
and instrumentalities of the government.

SEC 2. Objectives — It is the purpose of this Act:

1. to provide national and local government officials, the academe, the Non-Governmental
Organizations and Civil Societies an opportunity to learn from experts and experienced
trainers about both the theory and practice of disaster risk reduction and climate change
adaptation; and

2, to contribute to the solution of complex socio-ecological problems in support of @
sustainable society as promoted by Agenda 21 and the Millennium Development Goals,
among others.

SEC 3, Philippine Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Academy ~ To carry
out the policy and objectives enunciated in Sections 1 and 2 hereof, there is hereby established
the Philippine Academy for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction, herein
referred to as the Academy. The Academy shall be located at the Clark Freeport Zone.

“The Clark Development Corporation shall set aside a 5,000 square meter area inside the
Clark Freeport Zone for the use of the Academy.

SEC 4, Functions — The Academy shall serve as a training schoo! for the participants to learn
about the theory and practice of climate change adaptation and disaster resilient development
For this purpose, it shall provide and implement a curriculum for climate change adaptation and
disaster risk reduction as well as conduct seminars, workshops and other training programs to
enhance and upgrade climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction knowledge,
capabilities and efficiency, and shall perform such other functions es may be necessary in
carrying out its mandate

The academy shall also pursue community engagement across disciplinary and
institutional boundaries, from the local to the international level in order to equip its participants
with the know-how on how to solve the complex problem of climate change adaptation and
disaster risk reduction thru a full understanding of the issue, including the multiple perspectives
of the affected stakeholders

‘The Academy shall also collaborate with other universities, research institutes,
governmental and non-governmental sectors, industry, and communities in order to provide a
link between theory and policy/practice.

SEC 5. Board of Trustees — The Academy shall have as its governing body, a Board of Trustees
composed of the Executive Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Counell (NDRRMC) and a Commissioner of the Climate Change Commission (CCC) as Co-
Chairpersons, and the Socio-Economic Planning Secretary of the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA), the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG). the Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPW14),
the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the
Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and the Chairperson of the House of


Representatives Special Committee on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk
Reduction as ex officio members.

‘The Chairpersons and the ex officio members of the Board of Trustees shall serve as
such for the duration of their incumbency in their respective offices.

‘all members shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to a reasonable per
diem and/or allowance for the performance of their duties

SEC 6. Executive Board — The Executive Board of the Academy shall be designated by the
Board of Trustees, and shall be composed of a Chancellor, two (2) Vice Chancellors and an
Executive Director. The Executive Board shall serve for a term of three (3) years without
prejudice to subsequent reappointments.

in case of a vacancy in any Executive Board position, the Board of Trustees shall
fe a replacement who shall serve in such position for the remainder of the unfinished

SEC 7. Powers and Duties of the Executive Board ~ The administration of the Academy and the
‘exercise of its corporate powers are vested in the Executive Board.

The Board shall exercise the following specific powers and duties:

(a) To define in general terms the thrusts of the Academy and adopt broad policy guidelines
to ensure their implementation;

(b) To preserve the intearity of the Academy:

(¢) To approve and determine the institution, merger or abolition of academic programs and
courses;

(d) To determine the criteria for the selection and admission to the Academy,

(@) To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided by law for the support of the
‘Academy to the ends specified by law, and all other sums in the manner it may, in its
discretion, determine to carry out the purposes and functions of the Academy

( To authorize the construction, maintenance or repair of its buddings, machinery,
equipment and other faclities, and the purchase and acquisition of real and personal
properties, including necessary supplies, materials and equipment:

(@) To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal property of all kinds
and to administer and dispose the same when necessary for the benefit of the Academy
and subject to the instructions of the donor, if any:

(h) To exercise such powers as may be proper and necessary to carry out the objectives of
this Act.

Provided: That all the acts of the Executive Board shall be subject to approval of the Board of
Trustees.

SEC 8, Executive Director - The Executive Director shall, among others, execute and
administer the policies and resolutions approved by the Board of Trustees and the Executive
Board and direct and supervise the day to day operations of the Academy.

SEC 9. Academy Staff — The Academy shall be staffed by a corps of professional lecturers. A
lecturer shall be nominated by any of the members of the Executive Board of the Academy; and,
such nomination shall be submitted to the Board of Trustees for approval. Lecturers whose
nominations are approved by the Board of Trustees shall be included in the list of lecturers, and
shall be entitled to reasonable honoraria/allowance as deemed fit by the Board of Trustees as
provided by law.


SEC 10. Tax Exemptions — The provision of any general or special law to the contrary
notwithstanding:

(a) All revenues and assets of the Academy used actually, directly and exclusively for
‘educational purposes shall be exempt from all taxes and duties;

(b) Gifts and donations of real and personai properties of all kind to the Academy shall be
exempt from the donor's tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deductions
from the gross income of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of the National
Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended;

(c) Importation of economic, teaching, vocational. scientific. philosophical. historical and
cultural book & supplies, equipment, machinery and other materials, including scientific
and educational computer and software equipment, shall be exempt from customs duties
and taxes; and

(d) Educational services rendered by the Academy shall be exempt from value-added tax.

SEC 11. Appropriations — The amount necessary to carry out the implementation of this Act,
including the construction of the Academy Building and the operation and maintenance of the
Academy, shall be included in the regular appropriations of the National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council under the Department of National Defense in the General
Appropriations Act of every year thereafter.

SEC 12. Separability Clause — Should any provision under this Act be deemed invalid the
remainder of this Act not otherwise affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC 13. Repealing Clause — All laws and requlations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC 14, Effectivity Clause ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,