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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representative Rudys Caesar G. Fariñas I 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Under Section 5, Article II of the 1987 Constitution, the State recognizes 
“the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and property, 
and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all 
the people of the blessings of democracy” and Section 25, “The State shall ensure 
the autonomy of the local governments.”  
This bill aims to create a Department of Public Safety in every province, 
city, and municipality to enhance public safety in their respective jurisdiction. 
The State recognizes the role and mandate of the Department of Transportation 
in addressing national issues, precisely the demand for greater security and 
safety for every Filipino, the constant problem with traffic congestion, and the 
enhancement of disaster preparedness. However, to effectively deliver their 
responsibilities to the Filipinos, assistance from local government units is vital. 
The representatives from local government units can provide immediate and 
better services to their constituents. Thus, this bill aims to designate the State’s 
responsibilities to its core. 
Traffic is one of the most pressing concerns of the country today. The 
Boston Consulting Group reports that Metro Manila has the third (3rd) worst 
traffic in Southeast Asia. Studies estimate an average of 66 minutes per day for 
motorists and commuters to get stuck in traffic. Further, the Japan International 
Cooperation Agency (JICA) reported that the country is losing P3.5 billion daily 
because of traffic congestion. If this scenario happens in Metro Manila alone, 
how will this affect our country if other cities and municipalities face the same 
situation?  
The passage of this measure can address public safety-related issues in 
the countries efficiently through the help of the Local Government Units. 
November 21, 2022
3:39 pm
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Hence, this representation seeks the passage of this measure. 
RUDYS CAESAR G. FARIÑAS I 


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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representative Rudys Caesar G. Fariñas I 
AN ACT 
ENHANCING PUBLIC SAFETY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL BY ESTABLISHING 
AND MAINTAINING A DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN EVERY 
PROVINCE, CITY AND MUNICIPALITY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:     
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SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Public Safety 
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Act.” 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to promote 
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public order, ensure public safety and further spur economic development 
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through the enhancement of local government capability in addressing safety 
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and 
security 
concerns 
and 
maintaining 
public 
order 
including 
the 
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implementation of efficient and effective local traffic management and disaster 
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preparedness and relief operations. Towards this end, all local government units 
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shall establish and maintain a fully functional and responsive central command 
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and control center and emergency response and management system in order to 
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protect and preserve the right of the people to life, liberty and property. 
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SEC. 3. Creation of a Department of Public Safety. – Every province, city 
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and municipality is hereby mandated to create a Department of Public Safety 
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(DPS) which, under the direct control and supervision of the provincial governor, 
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city or municipal mayor, is tasked to implement public order and safety laws and 
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ordinances, help reduce vehicular congestion and address the effects of man-
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made and natural disasters. The DPS shall operate a fully functional and 
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responsive central command and control center and emergency response and 
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management system that will connect constituents needing immediate 
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assistance with the emergency resources of the government, such as law 
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enforcement, medical services, and fire and rescue services, using the most 
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appropriate and available technologies and communications, with a fully 
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operative call center and dispatch hotline, adequate and well-trained staff, 
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sufficient and up-to-date emergency response equipment, all consistent with 
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national standards and best practices. 
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Contiguous cities and municipalities may, through their local chief 
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executives, enter into arrangements and agreements to establish collective 
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command and control centers and emergency response and management 
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systems pending the ability of certain cities and municipalities to establish their 
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own independent centers and systems. 
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Any province, city or municipality with an existing DPS or similar 
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agency shall retain the same but must conform with the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 4. Powers and Functions. – The DPS shall exercise the following 
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powers and functions: 
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(a) 
Prepare, integrate, coordinate and supervise all plans, programs, 
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projects and activities of the local government relative to the promotion and 
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maintenance of peace and order and the protection of life, liberty and property;  
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(b) 
Secure the general public and maintain public order in conjunction 
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with the police and other national law enforcement agencies; 
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(c) 
Augment auxiliary traffic services and support other agencies tasked 
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to enforce traffic management; 
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(d) 
Recommend the issuance of temporary terminal permits to public 
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utility vehicles and manage public utility vehicle terminals; 
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(e) 
Monitor and supervise private security agencies and security guards 
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and issue local security clearances; 
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(f) 
Recommend the issuance of traffic clearance certificates to business 
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establishments; 
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(g) 
Clear sidewalks, public parks and other public areas of obstruction 
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such as unauthorized structures or fixtures and unlicensed vendors; 
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(h) 
Organize plans for and undertake evacuation, rescue and relief 
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operations in times of disasters, calamities and civil disturbances; and 
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(i) 
Establish, maintain and operate a central command and control 
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center and emergency response and management system that will monitor and 
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respond to various contingencies in which emergency resources of the 
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government are required by the constituents. 
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Accordingly, existing departments within the local government units 
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whose primary functions are those enumerated above are hereby integrated and 
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included within the DPS. The DPS may assume additional functions other than 
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those enumerated above and may absorb other offices or agencies within the 
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local government unit as long as the functions or offices are in relation to public 
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order, safety and security and the protection of life, liberty or property, unless 
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an existing law expressly prohibits the same. 
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SEC. 5. Funding. – The amount necessary for the initial implementation 
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of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the local 
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government units. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for continued 
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implementation shall be included in the annual budget of the local government 
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unit. 
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SEC. 6. Compliance Period. – The local government units shall comply 
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within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. Within thirty (30) days from 
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compliance, the governor, city or municipal mayor shall report the same to the 
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Secretary of the Interior and Local Government. 
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SEC. 7. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any section or provision 
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of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid by the Supreme Court, the 
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other sections or provisions hereof not affected by such declaration shall remain 
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in force and effect. 
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SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. – All existing laws, orders, decrees, rules and 
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regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
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hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 9.  Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
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after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of 
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general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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