Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session
HousE;iLLNo.   6120
Introduced by Representative Florencio Gabriel "Bern" G. Noel and Representative
hine Veroni ue "Ja e" Lacson-Noel
EXPLANATORY NOTI]
The Philippines is considered one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to
the impacts of natural hazards, being in the Pacific Ring of Fire and the typhoon belt. Around
nineteen tropical stoms enter the Philippine area of responsibility in a typical year, and, of
these, usually six or nine make landfall. Moreover, with climate change, the nature of climate-
influenced hazards,  primarily  typhoons,  has  changed  and  have  become  more  intense  and
unpredictable with increasing temperature and sea level rise.
Last  September 25,  2022,  Super Typhoon Kczrdz.#g  (Noru),  the  Philippines'  1 lth
tropical  cyclone  for  2022,  lashed  Central  Luzon  with  torrential  rain  and  fierce  winds.
According   to   the   Disaster   Response   Operations   Monitoring   and   Information   Center
(DROMIC) data released on 29 September, 2022, more than 714,213 people were affected and
22,908 were displaced and took shelter in evacuation centers. [Moreover, as of october 3, 2022,
`1he  estimated  amount  of agricultural  damage  has  now  hit  over  Php  3  billion"2,  said  the
Department  of Agriculture-Disaster  Risk  Reduction  and  Management  Office.  In  its  latest
bulletin, it states that the affected commodities include rice, com, cassava, abaca, high-value
crops,  livestock,  and poultry,  and fisheries.  Damage has  also been incurred in  agricultural
infrastructures, machinery, and equipment.
1 Philippines: Super Typhoon Noru (Karding) Consolidated Rapid Assessment Report (30 September 2022) -
Philippines  I  Reliefweb
2 AEri damage from 'Kardin£' reaches P3.12 billion  I  Philippine News Af!encv lpna.gov.ph)
1


Notwithstanding all the disaster preparation and coordination plans, the World Risk
Report 2022 by Germany-based Bundnis Entwicklung Hilft and the Institute for lntemational
Law  of Peace  and  Armed  Conflict  at  Ruhr  University  Bochum  (IFHV),  identified  the
Philippines as the most disaster-prone country in the world due to its high risk, exposure, and
vulnerability to disasters and calamities3. The Philippines' current ranking in the World Risk
Index was a huge jump from its previous records -in 2018, the country ranked third and in
2019, the country dropped to ninth. The risk assessment in the World Risk Report is based on
the general notion that the emergence of a disaster not only depends on how severely natural
hazards hit a society but also on how vulnerable society is to their effects.
In light with this, as the country is known to be vulnerable to typhoons and other
natural calamities, it is high time to continue to advocate for the creation of a new department
that would focus on preparing for, addressing, and mitigating the effects of natural and human-
induced disasters. Now is the right time that we create a truly empowered department that will
focus on natural hazards and disasters, and characterized by unity of command, a science, and
ICT-based approach, and the capacity to take charge of three (3) key result areas: (a) disaster
risk reduction;  a)  disaster preparedness  and response;  and (c) recovery,  rehabilitation and
building forward better.  It is only through the creation of a highly specialized government
agency,  the  Department  of Disaster  Resilience,  with  all  its  resources  fully  focused  on  its
mandate, that the events of past disasters can be avoided.
A new Department of Disaster Resilience will effectively improve the institutional
capacity  of  the  government  for  disaster  risk  reduction  and  management,   reduce  the
vulnerabilities surrounding the affected local population as well as build the resilience of local
communities to both natural disasters and climate change. This Department, once established
by law, shall possess the necessary powers and functions, along with the technical expertise
and government support to cany out the ideas and plans on the continuous development and
growth of programs aimed towards ensuring disaster resilience.
Our personal experience during typhoon yo/¢#c7cz (Haiyan) has confirmed that the
complexity of large-scale disasters undermines existing policies and structures.  The current
Disaster   Risk   Reduction   and   Management   structure   where   responsibility   is   shared,
responsibility  is  dispersed,  and  resources  are  scattered,  renders  it  difficult  to  operate  an
appropriate  and immediate response,  thus  delaying  critical  disaster response  and recovery.
Therefore, this Bill shall unify and streamline the responsibilities and functions related to the
country's disaster preparedness, provide a clear chain of command, and create a more holistic
and  proactive  approach  in  dealing  with  emergency  situations  headed  by  a  cabinet  level
secretary.   Moreover,   recognizing   that   disaster  resilience   is   everybody's   business,   the
Department  shall  adopt  a  whole-of-society  approach  to  ensure  our  country's  resilience  to
natural hazards. It shall be mandated to establish partnerships with LGUs, NGOs, and academia
in order to attain the goals and objectives of the Department.
With the  lives,  safety,  and the welfare  of our people,  the passage  of this  bill  is
earnestly sought.
Damo nga salamat.
3 PH most disaster-Drone country in the world-study  I  Inquirer News
2


trc-
FLORENCI0 GABRIEL "BEM" NOEL
Representative
3


Republic ot toe ff)bi[ipptnes
House of Representatives
asutdat" aBills, ®ue3O" City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HousE:ILL~No.    8120
Introduced by Representative Florencio Gabriel "Ben" G. Noel and Representative
Josephine Veronique "Jaye" Lacson-Noel
AN ACT CREATING THE DHPARTRENT 0F DISASTER RESILIENCE,
DHFINING ITs pownRs AND FUNCTloNs, AND AppRopRIATING FUNDs
THHREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House Of Rapresentatives Of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENHRAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. This Act shall be known as the  "Di.sasfer Resz./I.e#ce £4cf".
See. 2. Declaredon Of Policies and Principles. -I:he Srdf ye recogrilzles thai+.
a.    The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and various
kinds natural hazards, including, among others, typhoons, earthquakes, floods, volcanic
eruptions, landslides, storm surges, and drought;
b.   Tremendous physical and economic, losses are sustained by the country, and in certain
cases, damage to our national, cultural, and historical heritage, each time such natural
hazards wreak havoc on an unsuspecting and unprepared populace;
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c.   There is an urgent need to establish a focused, streamlined, independent, empowered,
capacitated, full-time, specialized agency on disaster risk reduction and management as
well as emergency response, which is national in scope and civilian in character;
d.   The people are the most important assets of the nation, and all disaster risk reduction
and management efforts shall be responsive to the humanitarian needs of the people,
the dignity and value of the human person, and respect for property.
Towards this end, the state shall endeavor to ensure:
a.    That  a  strategic,  systematic,  continuous,  comprehensive,  inclusive,  and  integrated
approacb to disaster risk reduction and management is established, with the end in view
of substantially reducing vulnerabilities and the risk of disasters and other humanitarian
emergencies,   towards   the  preservation   of  life  and  property,   thereby  ultimately
preventing  or  deterring  the  loss  of  lives  and  the  social,  economic,  cultural,  and
environmental assets of the country;
b.   That  a  permanent,  institutionalized,  cohesive  and  comprehensive  framework  for
disaster  preparedness,  prevention  and  mitigation,  and  response,  is  adopted,  to  be
implemented by a highly  specialized and focused agency bearing  its  own mandate,
powers,  and  funding,  in  coordination  and  with  the  participation  of the  Philippine
government,   other   foreign   governments   and   financial   institutions,   international
organizations, the private sector, and civil society;
c.   That  the  differing  concerns  and  needs  of  various  sectors  or  those  with  higher
vulnerabilities   such  as  women,   children,   elderly,   persons  with  disabilities,   and
indigenous  peoples,  are  specifically  served,  with  respect  to  disaster  resilience  and
disaster management ;
d.   The implementation of the principles, concepts and action plans of climate change and
disaster  risk  reduction  contained  in  international  and  national   frameworks   and
commitments  in various phases  of policy formulation,  development and investment
plans, poverty reduction strategies and other development tools, and techniques by all
national  and local  agencies,  institutions  and instrunentalities  of the  goveriiment to
enhance the country's capacity for climate change adaptation and mitigation;
e.   To inculcate a culture of resilience and preparedness for natural disasters at the national,
regional and local levels, and adopt a whole-of-society approach in disaster resilience
to enhance collaboration, plarming, and dialogue among all sectors of society, and in
inproving their strategies and/or action plans for disaster risk reduction.
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Sec. 3. Def inition Of Terms. -Ais used in tk: iis Alct.
a.   .4dapfczfz.o#  shall refer to the adjustment in natural or human systems in response to
actual or expected climactic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits
beneficial opportunities.
b.   4ssisfz.7®g 4cJor  shall  refer  to  any  Assisting  International  Actor  and  any  Assisting
Domestic Actor responding to a disaster in the country.
c.   4ssz.sfl.#g  Domes/I.c  ,4czor  shall  refer  to  any  not-for-proflt  entity  established  under
domestic laws, which is responding to a disaster in the country.
d.   4ss7.sJz.#g J#fer#¢fl.o#¢/ j4cfor shall refer to any foreign state,  organization,  entity or
individual responding to a disaster within or transiting through the country to respond
to a disaster in another country.
e.   Bz.a/ogg.ca/ ZJciztzrt7s shall refer to hazards that are of organic origin or conveyed by
biological   vectors,   including   pathogenic   microorganisms,   toxins   and   bioactive
substances. Examples are bacteria, viruses or parasites, as well as venomous wildlife
and insects, poisonous plants and mosquitoes carrying disease-causing agents;
f.    B#z./d Fo";ard Be#er shall refer to an approach to building and/or reconstructing an
area or community which entails a shift from simple recovery and restoration to safer,
more adaptive, resilient, and inclusive communities.
9.   B#sz.#ess  Co7cZz.#wz.fy  shall  refer to  the  capacity  of a business  entity  to  continue  the
delivery of its products and/or services  at acceptable pre-defined levels following a
disruptive incident;
h.   Cap¢cz.fy  shall  refer  to  the  combination  of all  strengths,  attributes  and  resources
available within a community,  society or organization that can reduce  the  level  of
risk(s),  or impact(s)  of a disaster.  Capacity may include infrastructure and physical
means, institutions, societal coping abilities, as well as human knowledge, skills and
collective attributes such as social relationships, leadership and management. Capacity
may also be described as capability.
i.    a.vz./ Soc].edy  Orgr#z.z¢fz.o#s  /CSOsJ  shall  refer  to  non-state  actors  whose  aims  are
neither to generate profits nor to seek governing power, but to unite people to advance
shared goals and interests. They have a presence in public life, expressing the interests
and values of their members or other, based on ethical, cultural, scientific, religious or
philanthropic  considerations.  CGOs  include  nongovemment  organizations  (NGOs),
professional  associations,  foundations,  independent  research  institutes,  community-
6


based organizations  (CBOs),  faith-based organizations, people's  organization,  social
movements, and labor unions.
j.    C/I.7"a/e Cfa¢Hge shall refer to a change in the state of the climate that can be identified
by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its properties, and that persist in an
extended period, typically decades or longer, whether due to natural variability or as a
rest of human activity as defined under Republic Act No. 9729, otherwise known as the
"Clinate Change Act of 2009". These include internal processes or external forces such
as  modulation  of the  solar  cycles,  volcanic  eruptions  and persistent  anthropogenic
changes in the composition of the atmosphere or in land use.
k.   C/I.m¢fe "z.fz.grfz.o# shall refer to efforts to reduce or limit greenhouse gas emissions or
enhance greenhouse gas sequestration.
I.    Camp/er Emcrge#ey refers to a form of human-induced emergency in which the cause
of the emergency as well as the assistance to the afflicted is complicated by an intense
level of political considerations.
in.C#/fwra/Hen.fczgrshallrefertothetotalityofculturalpropertypreservedanddeveloped
through time and passed on to posterity.
n.   Co#fz-ngc#ey  P/c##z.#g  shall  refer  to  a  management  process  that  analyzes  specific
potential events or emerging situations that might threaten society or the environment
and establishes arrangements in advance to  enable timely,  effective and appropriate
responses to such events and situations.
o.   Co#seq#e#ce A4cz#czge"c#/ refers to the totality of interventions and measures taken to
restore  essential  operations  and  services  in  a  permissive  environment,  including
measures to protect public health and safety, restore essential goverrment services, and
provide emergency relief to individuals, stakeholders, and communities affected by the
consequences of emergencies, hazards, and disasters;
p.   Dep¢rfroe#£ shall refer to the Department of Disaster Resilience or the DDR.
q.   Dcferm!.#z.s/I.c  Risfr 14ssess"e#/  refers  to  an  assessment  that  considers  the  possible
disaster impacts of a single scenario, in contrast to probabilistic risk assessment which
considers all possible scenarios, their likelihood, and associated impacts;
r.    Deve/api„e#f  j4ssisfcz#ce  shall  refer  to  any  financial,  material  or  other  forms  of
assistance  to  support  the  economic,  social,  and  environmental  well-being  of areas
and/or people affected by a natural disaster.
s.    Dz.sabz./I.fy shall refer to an evolving concept that results from the interaction between
persons with impairments, societal barriers, as defined under Republic Act No. 7277,
7


otherwise  known  as  the  "Magna  Carta  for  Disabled  Persons"  and  attitudinal  and
environmental barriers that hinder their full and effective participation in society on an
equal basis with others.
t.    Dz.s¢sfer shall refer to  a  serious  disruption of the  functioning  of a community or a
society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and
impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using
its own resources. Unless otherwise used specifically in this Act, the term "disaster shall
refer to "natural disaster".
u.   Dz.sczsfer Co#fz.#ge72ey F"#d shall refer to a fund, in lump-sum form, managed by the
Department to expediently provide funds and resources for disaster relief or response
in affected areas.
v.   Dis¢sfer Mz.#g¢fz.o# or Mz.fz.gcz/i.o# shall refer to the lessening or limitation of the adverse
impacts of hazards and related disasters. Mitigation measures include hazard-resistant
structures as well as improved environmental, land use planning, climate change and
other sectoral policies and public awareness.
w.  Discrsfer  Prepczred7®ess  shall  refer  to  the  knowledge  and  capacities  developed  by
governments,   professional,    professional   response    and   recovery    organizations,
communities and individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from, the
impacts  of  likely,  imminent  or  current  hazard  events  or  conditions.  It  includes
preparedness for response such as contingency plarming, stockpiling of equipment and
supplies, the development of arrangements for coordination,  evacuation,  and public
information,   and  preparedness   for  recovery   such   as   procurement   of  land   for
resettlement sites.
x.   Dz.sasfer Preve7€fz.o7c shall refer to the intention to avoid, or the outright avoidance, of
potential adverse impacts of disasters and related hazards through action(s) taken in
advance. It expresses the concept and intention to completely avoid potential adverse
impacts through action taken in advance such as construction of dams or embankments
thateliminatefloodrisks,land-useregulationsthatdonotpermitanysettlementinhigh-
risk zones, and seismic engineering designs that ensure the survival and function of a
critical building in any likely earthquake.
y.   Dz.sasJer Resz./I.e#ce shall refer to the ability of a system, community, or society exposed
to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate, adapt to, transform, and recover from the
effects  of a hazard and/or the  long-term impact of climate  change in a timely and
8


efficient marmer,  including through the preservation  and restoration of its  essential
basic structures and functions through risk management.
z.   Dz.sczsfer Jzecovery refers to restoration or improvement of livelihoods and health, as
well  as  economic,  physical,  social,  cultural,  and environmental  assets,  systems  and
activities, of a disaster-affected community or society, aligning with the principles of
sustainable development and "build forward better" to avoid or reduce future disaster
risk;
aa.  Dz.sczsfer RespoJ7se or Dz.sczsfer Rc/z.e/shall refer to the provision of emergeney services
and public assistance during or immediately after a disaster in order to secure and save
lives, reduce health impacts, ensure public safety and meet the basic subsistence needs
of the people affected. Disaster response includes disaster relief focused on immediate
and short-temi needs of the victims and the vulnerable.
bb. Dz.s¢sfer Resz./I.c#ce Fw#d shall refer to the budget managed by the Department, which
includes funds appropriated to it by Congress pursuant to an Appropriations Act, the
Disaster Contingency Fund, and the Rehabilitation and Recovery Fund.
cc. Di.sasfer  Ris4  shall  refer  to  the  potential  disaster  losses  in  lives,  health  status,  I
livelihoods,assetsandservicesthatcouldoccurtoaparticularcommunityorsocietyin
the future, and is determined by a combination of the vulnerability, capacity, exposure
of persons and assets, hazard characteristics and the environment.
dd. Disasfer Risfr  Gover73o#ce  shall  refer to  the  way  in  which public  authorities,  civil
servants, media, private sector, and civil society coordinate at community, national and
regional  levels  in  order  to  manage  disaster  and  climate  related  risks.  This  means
ensuring that sufficient levels of capacity and resources are made available to prevent,
prepare for, manage and recover from disasters. It also entails mechanisms, institutions,
and processes for citizens to articulate their interests,  exercise their legal rights and
obligations, and mediate their differences.
ee. Dis¢sfer  Ri.sfr M¢#¢geme#J  rDRA4)  shall  refer  to  the  systematic  process  of using
administrative  directives,  organizations,   and  operational  skills  and  capacities  to
implement strategies, policies and improved coping capacities in order to lessen the
adverse impacts of hazards and the possibility of disaster;
ff.   Disaster R!.s4 Redwcfz.o# /DRRJ shall refer to the prevention of new, and/or reduction of
existing, disaster risk(s) and the management of residual risk, to enhance resilience to
disasters.
9


gg. Eczdy  Wczr#z.ng  fysfem  shall  refer  to  an  integrated  system  of hazard  monitoring,
forecasting   and   prediction,   disaster   risk   assessment,   and   communication   and
preparedness  activities and processes that enable individuals,  communities,  national
government agencies,  local government units, the private sector,  and others to take
timely action to reduce disaster risks and adequately prepare for disasters;
hh. E/g.gz.b/e 4ss].LsZz.#g -4cfor shall refer to any assisting actor that has been detemined to be
eligible to receive legal facilities as provided for in this Act and/or its inplementing
Rules and Regulations (IRR).
ii.   Emerge#ey  shall  refer  to  an  unforeseen  or  sudden  occurrence,  especially  danger,
demanding immediate and decisive action.
jj.   E7"erge#c}; "o#crge"e#f shall refer to the organization and management of resources
and   responsibilities   for   addressing   all   aspects   of   emergencies,   in   particular
preparedness, response and initial recovery steps.
kk. E"vz.ro#"e#f¢/ fJ¢zczrds the hazards that may be chemical, natural, and biological, and
can be created by environmental degradation or physical or chemical pollution in the
air, water, and soil. However, many of the processes and phenomena that fall into this
category may be termed drivers of hazard and risk rather than hazards themselves, such
as soil degradation, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, salinization, and sea-level rise.
11.   Exposwre shall refer to the degree to which the elements at risk are likely to experience
hazard events of different magnitudes.
mm.    Geograpfoi.c J#/ormczfz.o# fysfem /Gas/ shall refer to a system used to capture, store,
manipulate, manage and display all types of spatial or geographical data.
nn. Geographic  Isolated  and  Disadvantaged  Area  (GIDA)  shall refer  to  areas with  a,
marginalized population, which is physically and socio-economically separated from
themainstreanisocietyandcharacterizedbyphysicalfactors-isolatedduetodistance,
weather conditions and transportation difflculties (island, upland lowland, landlocked,
hard to reach and underserved communities); and/or socio-economic factors|highly
poverty incidence, presence of vulnerable sector, communities in or recovering from
situation of crisis or armed conflict).
oo. Geo/og!-c¢/ or geapkysz.caJ fe¢z¢rds shall refer to the hazards that originate from internal
earth processes,  such  as  earthquakes,  volcanic  activities  and  emissions,  and related
geophysical processes, which include mass movements, landslides, rockslides, surface
collapses,  and  debris  or  mud  flows.   Hydrometeorological  factors  are  important
contributors to  some  of these processes.  While tsunanis  are triggered by undersea
10


earthquakes and others geological events, they essentially become an oceanic process
that is manifested as a coastal water-related hazard.
pp. j7¢zard shall refer to a phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition that may
cause  loss  of  life,  injury  or  impacts  to  health;  social  and  economic  disruption,
environmental damage, or loss of/disruption to property, livelihood, and/or services.
qq. fJz.storz.c¢/ /¢#dma!rds shall refer to sites or structures that are associated with events or
achievements significant to Philippine history as declared by the National Historical
Institute or the applicable agency.
rr.  fJ#mai#-J#daced Z7czzard shall refer to an event that is caused by humans and occur in
or close to human settlements  or a particular envirormental  area.  This  can  include
environmental degradation, technological or industrial conditions, pollution, accidents,
e.g.  high  density  events,  industrial  and  transport  accidents,  complex  emergencies,
armed conflict, situations of generalized or organized violence, and violation of human
rights.
ss.  ZJwmcz7".f¢rz.cz#  cusz.sftz7!ce  shall  refer to  financial,  material  or other similar foms  of
assistance to address the immediate needs of people affected by a natural disaster.
tt.   A)/dromefeoro/ogz.ca/   fe¢z¢rds   shall   refer   to   hazards   that   are   of  atmospheric,
hydrological,  or  oceanographic  origin,  such  as  tropical  cyclones  (also  known  as
typhoons and hurricanes); floods, including flash floods; drought; heat waves and cold
spells; and coastal storm surges. Hydrometeorological conditions may also be a factor
in other hazards such as landslides, wildland fires, locust plagues, epidemics, and in the
transport and dispersal of toxic substances and volcanic eruption material.
uu. J"pczcf fl#d #eec7£ assessme#/ shall refer to the assessment of the nature and magnitude
of a disaster, its impact on affected populations, the type and extent of emergency, and
the requirements for recovery and rehabilitation of affected area(s).
vv. Jmmed!.¢/e Da7Iger shall refer to a situation where, on the basis of official forecasts, it
couldreasonablybeexpectedthatadisasterwilloccurinaparticulargeographicalarea
and within an estimated period of time, and where necessary preparedness actions or
financing are required.
ww.    Integrated  Disaster  Resilience  Inf;ormation  System  sheITl  rofer  to  a,  spectdirmed
database,  which contains,  among  others,  information  on disasters  and  their human,
material,  economic  and  environmental  impact,  risk  assessment  and  mapping,  and
vulnerable and marginalized groups.
11


xx. International Disaster Reliof and Initial Recovery Period s)Qi]:Il re;fen to yha period [haif
commences upon the issuance of a request for intemational disaster assistance or upon
acceptance of an offer, and shall continue until terminated, pursuant to guidelines set in
the implementing rules and regulations.
yy. J#fem¢//y Dz.sp/czced Perso#s shall refer to persons or groups of persons who have been
forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence within
national borders.
zz. J#fer#¢fz.o#a/  Pcrso#73e/  shall  refer  to  staff  and  volunteers  of any  assisting  actor
providing disaster relief or initial recovery assistance being persons who are neither
citizensofnordomiciledinthePhilippinespriortotheirrecruitmentbytheintemational
assisting actor.
aaa.     Lcz7!d Use PJ¢##I.7!g shall refer to  the process undertaken by public  authorities to
identify,  evaluate  and  decide  on  different  options  for  the  use  of  land,  including
consideration  of long-term  economic,  social  and  environmental  objectives  and  the
implications  for  different  communities  and  interest  groups,   and  the  subsequent
fomulation and promulgation of plans that describe the permitted or acceptable uses.
bbb.    I,ear/  Facz./I.rz.es  shall  refer  to  entitlements  and  exemptions  that  are  granted  to
Assisting Domestic or htemational Actors that are declared to be eligible pursuant to
this Act and its implementing rules and regulations.
ccc.    I,oc#/ Disasfer Resz./I.e#ce p/o# /£DRI'J shall refer to a document prepared by an GU
based  on  the  National  Disaster  Resilience  Framework  (NDRE)  and  the  National
DisasterResiliencePlanandlnvestmentPlan(NDRPIP)thatsetsoutspecificprograms,
objectives  and  goals  to  implement  disaster  risk  management  and  climate  change
adaptation measures at the local level. The plan includes, among others, an evaluation
and analysis of emerging disaster risks, hazards and VIlnerabilities applicable to an
LGU,  and  speciflc  programs  and  activities  to  ensure  responsive,  effective,  and
appropriate disaster preparedness and managements at the local level.
ddd.    IV¢fz.o#¢/ Co#fz.#wz.ty Po/I.c); shall refer to a comprehensive national policy consisting
of a set of programs and projects aimed at capacitating the government to ensure the
continuity  of governance  and the  delivery  of public  services  during  and after any
disaster.
eee.    National Disaster Resilience Framework (NDRF)  sham refer to a. fro;rmerwork tk: rat
provides  for a  comprehensive,  multi-sectoral,  whole-of-government,  and whole-of-
society approach to attaining safe, adaptive, and resilient communities that can resist,
12


prevent, mitigate against, absorb, accommodate, adapt to, recover, or build back better
form the effects of a natural hazard in a timely and efficient marmer through, among
others,  disaster risk reduction and management,  and climate change adaptation and
ritigation. The NDRF shall be composed of a National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Framework (NDRRMF), and National Framework Strategy on Climate
Change quscc).
£f£. National Disaster Resilience Plan and Investment Program ONDRPIP) shalrl re;Ser to a.
plan   formulated   and   implemented   by   the   national   and   local   governments,   in
collaboration  with  NGOs,  the  private  sector,  academe,  international  development
partners, and others, in accordance with the NDRF that sets out the outcomes, goals and
objectives,  priorities,  programs  and  corresponding  action  plans  for  disaster  risk
reduction,   preparedness,   and  management,   and   climate   change   mitigation.   The
NDRPIP  shall  also  include,  among  others,  goals,  objectives  and  action plans  for a
national continuity policy. - lt shall be in conformity with the national disaster risk
reduction and management framework.
ggg.    IV¢fwr¢/ fJ¢z¢rd shall refer to naturally occurring physical phenomena cause either
by rapid or slow onset events, which can be geological (earthquakes, ground rupture,
liquefaction, landslides, tsunamis, sinkholes, and volcanic activity), hydrological and
meteorological (floods, sever winds, typhoons, storm surges), climatological variability
(extreme temperatures, EI Nino, La Nina, forest fires), or biological (disease, epidemics
and insect/animal plagues).
hhh.    Open Da/¢ shall refer to a set of data that can be freely used, shared and built-on by
anyone, anywhere, for any purpose, it must be available in bulk, and should be available
free  of charge,  or  at  least  at  no  more  than  a  reasonable  reproduction  cost.  The
informationshouldbedigital,preferablyavailablebydownloadingthroughtheintemet,
and easily processed by the end-user's computer. The data must pemit people to use,
re-use, and redistribute it, including intermixing it with other data sets and distributing
the results. Lastly, it does not allow conditions to be places on how people can use such
data but permit a data provider to require that data has been changed, or that any new
datasets created using their data are also shared as open data.
iii. Pre-Dz.s¢sJer Recovery P/o# /PDRP) shall refer to a plan intended to help government
officials working in small communities or across an entire nation, to define and follow
a process to pre plan for disaster recovery, and thereby strengthen their own future
recovery efforts and outcomes;
13


jjj. Pos/-Dz.s¢s/er Recovery refers to the restoration improvement where appropriate, of
facilities, livelihood and living conditions, of disaster-affected communities, including
efforts to reduce disaster risk factors, in accordance with the principle of "build forward
better;
kkk.    Pre-Dis¢sfer Rz.sfrASLsessmenf rpDRIJ shall refer to a process to evaluate a hazard's
level of risk given the degree of exposure and vulnerability in a specific area likely to
be affected by an imminent hazard. It presents the possible impacts on the population
and  forms  a basis  to  detemine  the  appropriate  level  of response  actions  from  the
national level government agencies down to the local government units. It is hazard-
specific, area focused, and time-bound.
Ill.  Recovery  shall  refer  to  rehabilitation  measures  that  ensure  the  ability  of affected
communitiesorareastoretumtheirnormalleveloffunctioningbyrestoringlivelihoods
and    services,    reconstruction    of   damaged    infrastructures    and    increasing   the
communities' organizational capacity.
mmm.ReAczbz./I.fczfz.o7i  shall  refer  to  restoration  of basic  services  and  facilities  for  the
functioning of a community or a society affected by a disaster.
nnn.    jlesponse shall refer to any effort to provide assistance or intervention during or
immediately after a disaster to meet the life preservation and basic subsistence needs of
affected people and communities; and in the restoration of essential public activities
and facilities.
ooo.    Jzefro¢f/I.ng shall refer to the reinforcement of upgrading of existing structures to
make them more resistant and resilient to the damaging effects of hazards.
ppp.    Rz.sfa czssessme„/ shall refer to a methodology to determine the nature and Ill. extent
of  risk   by   analyzing   potential   hazards   and   evaluating   existing   conditions   of
vulnerability that together could potentially ham exposed people, property, services,
livelihood and the environment on which they depend.
qqq.   jzis4  rr¢#s/er  shall  refer  to  the  process  of formally  or  informally  shifting  the
financial  consequences  of particular  risks  from  one  party  to  another  whereby  a
household, community, enterprise or state authority will obtain resources from the other
party  after  a  disaster  occurs,  in  exchange  for  ongoing  or  compensatory  social  or
financial benefits provided to that other party.
in. Scz/edy sfoc* shall refer to items, such as raw materials, component parts, or finished
goods, maintained in inventory to reduce the risk that such item will be out of stock, in
anticipation of unforeseen shortages or unusual demand for such items.
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sss.Servz.ce  Co##.##z.ty  shall  refer to  the  capacity  of a  government  instrumentality  i  to
continue delivering its mandated outputs and/or services to the public during and after
a disaster.
ttt.  Sfczfe o/Ca!Jamz.fy shall refer to a condition involving endangered to and/or loss of lives,
damages to property,  economic and/or social disruption,  intermption and/or loss of
livelihood and/or services, and destruction and/or damages to infrastructure as a result
of natural disaster(s) or related hazard(s).
uuu.    Sz.Jxp/zJ;ed or Pre-4rm7!ged Co7!trczcf shall refer to a written agreement in the nature
ofanoptioncontractbetweentheprocuringentityononehand,andthemostresponsive
and lowest calculated bidder on the other, granting the procuring entity the option to
either place an order for any of the goods identifled therein or not buy at all, within a
given period of time.
vvv.    Sctsf¢z.#c}b/e Devc/opme#f shall refer to  development that meets the needs  of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
www. yo/w#feers  shall refer to  individuals,  groups  or entities  that offer and/or provide
services or assistance, without compensation, to help people and/or areas affected by
disasters.
xxx.    yw/#er¢bz./I.fy shall refer to the conditions determined by physical, social, economic,
organizational,    and   envirormental   factors    or   processes,   which   increase   the
susceptibility  of an  individual,  a  community,  assets  or  systems  to  the  impacts  of
hazards.
yyy.    W%o/e-a/-Socz.edy  4procrch   shall   refer   to   an   approach   that   encourages   the
meaningfultheactiveparticipationandsynergyofthedifferentstakeholdersofsociety
toward  climate  change  adaptation  and  mitigation,  and  disaster  risk  reduction  and
management at the national and local levels.
zzz.     W%o/e-a/-Govermmenf 4pp7.oczcfe shall refer to an approach that instills and fosters
collaboration among all government instrumentalities both at the national and local
levels toward shared sustainable development goals and outcomes.
aaaa.   F"o/e-a/-IV¢fz.o# .4pproflch  shall refer to an approach that seeks to bring about a
concerted  effort  towards  sustainable  development,  national  peace  and  security  by
creating consensus and understanding of development and security that is shared not
just among core security forces and oversight government institutions, but also by the
nation's   stakeholders,   e.g.,   government,   civil   society,   private   sector,   and   the
communities.
15


ARTICLE H
THE DEPARTMENT 0F DISASTER RESILIENCH:
MANDATE, POWERS, AND FUNCTIONS.
See. 4. Creedon Of the Dapartment Of Disaster Resilience. - Tirere is helcky orcaited tlue
Department of Disaster Resilience, hereinafter referred to as the Department.
The  Department  shall  be  the  principal  government  agency  responsible  for  ensuring  safe,
adaptive, and disaster-resilient communities. It shall lead, spearhead, initiate, and integrate the
crafting  and implementation of comprehensive,  continuous,  and strategic plans,  programs,
projects and activities to reduce the risk of all types of natural hazards and effects of climate
change,  and manage  the  impact  of disasters  with  the  primordial  goal  of saving  lives  and
minimizing damage to property, in close collaboration with all relevant stakeholders at the
national and local levels.
The Department shall augment the capacity of local government units in collaboration with
relevant  national  government  agencies  and  other  stakeholders  to  implement  disaster  risk
reduction and management and climate change action plans, programs, proj ects, and activities.
The mandate of the Department covers all natural hazards, which include, among others, the
following:
(a) Geological Phenomena and Related Hazards
a.   Earthquake  -  ground  rupture,  ground  shaking,  liquefaction,  tsunami,  fire,
landslides, and seiche or lake water oscillation.
b.   Volcanic Activity - ash fall, pyroclastic flow, lava flow, lahar, fissuring, and
volcanic gas
c.   Mass movement - landslides, debris flow, sinkholes
a) Hydrological, Oceanographic and Meteorological Phenomena and Related Hazards
a.    Tropical  cyclone -  severe  winds,  storm  surge,  rouge  waves,  severe  rainfall
including hail
b.   Flood, rain-triggered landslides and storm surges
c.    Erosion
d.   Marine heatwaves, extreme sea events, and sea level rise
(c)  Climate Variability/ Change with Related Hazards of compound Events and Cascading
Impacts
16


a.   EI  Nifio  or  La  Nifia  (ENSO)  with  associated  rainfall  and  temperature  (in
particular, proj ected extreme ENS0s)
b.   Extreme temperature (heat wave or cold wave),  extreme weather conditions
(drought or excessive rainfall)
c.   Wildfire (forest or land fires)
(d) Biological and Related Hazards
a.   Epidemicmandemic -viral, bacterial, parasitic, fungal, prion infectious diseases
b.   Insect Infestation -grasshoppers/locusts
c.   Extra-Terrestrial -Meteorite/Asteroid Impact
TheDepartmentshalloverseeandcoordinatethepreparation.implementation,monitoring,and
evaluation of disaster and climate resilience plans, programs, projects and activities, provide
leadership in the continuous development of strategic and systematic approaches to disaster
prevention, mitigation, preparedness,  response, recovery and rehabilitation and anticipatory
adaptation strategies, measures, techniques, and options. It shall also manage and direct the
implementation  of national,  local,  and  community-based  disaster  resilience  programs  in
collaboration   with   relevant   national   government   agencies,   LGUs,   CSOs,   and   other
stakeholders,asapplicable:Provi.bed,Thatforhuman-induceddisasters,theDepartmentofthe
Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of National Defense (DND), Department
ofSocialWelfareandDevelopment(DSWD),andotherrelevantgoverrmentinstrunentalities,
including Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine
National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Office of Civil Defense (OCD),
shall continue to perform their functions: Provz.dec7, rfurffeer, That the Department shall remain
as the lead agency in recovery and rehabilitation efforts in collaboration with all stakeholders
when applicable.
Notwithstanding,  the  mandates  and powers  stated herein  shall be without prejudice to  the
President'sdirectivetoaddressnatural,human-induced,orotherdisasterssuchasanepidemic.
See.  5.  Powers and Functions  Of the Dapartment. - The Depixrtment sha,Il exerc;ise a:nd
perfom the following powers and functions: Overall functions:
(a)  General Functions:
1.   Craft the policies and lead the implementation of the programs, projects and activities
necessary to reduce the country's vulnerabilities to natural hazards and climate change,
using the PDRP and the relevant climate change and DRR frameworks as anchors;
17


2.   Review  and  build  upon,  to  the  extent  necessary,  the  existing  disaster  resilience
framework, plans  and strategies  in the  Grafting of an NDRF  and the corresponding
NDRPIP;
3.   Oversee, review, and approve the translation, integration, and implementation of the
NDRplp into LDREs;
4.   Communicate  and  disseminate  critical  information  to  help  the  public  prepare  for,
respond to, and recover from a disaster;
5.   Receive,   manage,   and   administer   the   Disaster   Resilience   Fund,   the   Disaster
Contingency Fund, donations and other funds, assets and/or properties received by the
Department to accomplish the purposes of this Act;
6.   Recommend to the President of the Philippines the declaration of a state of calamity
due to a natural disaster, and the lifting thereof when conditions stabilize;
7.   Direct any government entity to help ensure the attainment of the goals and objectives
of this Act;
8.   Advance the country's interests relating to disaster resilience and climate change in the
regional and global arena;
9.   Advise    the    President    on    matters    concerning    disaster   resilience    and   make
recommendations, as appropriate; and
10. Perform such other functions, as provided by law or assignment of the President, and
undertake all other necessary actions to ensure the attairment of the overall goals and
objectives of this Act.
a) Disaster Risk Reduction
1.   Develop coordinated national, regional, and local strategies for the effective prevention
and mitigation of disaster risk resulting from natural hazards, including the effects of
climate change;
2.   Monitor and ensure the integration of disaster risk reduction and management, and
climate change adaptation policies into national development plans;
3.   Establish  a  disaster  resilience  information  system  to  facilitate  the  creation  of an
integrated risk assessment platform built from the inputs of goverrment and private
scientific   and   academic   institutions,   national   government   agencies   and   local
government units, local communities, and other stakeholders and that is able to provide
readily  accessible  and  actionable  information  for purposes  of risk  governance  and
humanitarian action;
18


4.   Formulate plans and programs to establish and implement goverrment redundancy,
serviceandbusinesscontinuity,andaNationalContinuityPolicy,asahighpriorityand
urgent undertaking;
5.   Ensure  the  use  of  advanced  science  and  technology  in  anticipatory  plarming  of
communities  against  the  impact  of natural  hazards  and  climate  change  through
consultation,andemploymentwitharegulardepartmentfundingtheacademeorhigher
education institutions ;
6.   Develop  and  implement  policies  and  programs  related  to  the  construction  of new
settlements  or relocation  of settlements  in  safe  areas  that  shall,  to  the  extent  suck
policies  and  programs  relate  to  disaster  risk  reduction,  mitigation,  prevention  or
building  forward  better,  prevall   over  policies  or  decisions  of  other  government
departments,  government  agencies,  government  owned  or  controlled  colporations,
LGUs, and other government instrumentalities;
7.   Design and implement an incentive system for greater private and public investment,
both at the local and national levels, on disaster risk reduction;
8.   Oversee and ensure the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation and disaster risk
reduction in development and land use plarming, and the preparation of contingency
plans;
9.   Create   an   enabling   environment   that   shall   promote   broader   multi-stakeholder
participation for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation;
10. Communicate  and  disseminate  critical  inforlnation  to  help  the  public  prepare  for,
respond to, and recover from a disaster;
11. Establish  and  monitor  local  and  national  capacity  for  disaster  risk  financing  and
insurance and other risk transfer strategies  in coordination with the Department of
Finance (DOF), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and the Land Bank
of the Philippines (LBP), and the Insurance Commission;
12. Coordinate directly with local government units and private entities to address Disaster
Risk  Assessment  (DRA)  of  regions  and  provinces  at  the  meso-scale,  cities  and
municipalities at the micro-scale, and barangays at the meta-scale;
13. Review and evaluate local disaster resilience plans and other local plans to ensure their
consistency with the National Disaster Resilience Framework; and
14. Undertake all other programs, projects, and actions necessary to attain the overall goals
and intended outcome of this key result area.
(c) Disaster Preparedness and Response
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1.   Lead, manage,  and collaborate with the relevant government instrumentalities, non-
government stakeholders, and international partners in providing the minimurn basic
needs of people in affected areas before, during and/or immediately after a disaster to
save lives and minimize casualties;
2.   Ensure  the  efficient  prepositioning  of goods,  maintenance,  and  disposal  of safety
stocks;
3.   Prepare pre-disaster recovery plans in anticipation of future disasters by engaging the
community and planning for recovery activities that are comprehensive and long-tern;
4.   Establish a corps of first responders in partnership with national and local stakeholders,
both public and private;
5.   Formulate   standards   for   contingency   planning   for   adoption   by   both   national
government agencies and local government units;
6.   Recommend to the President of the Philippines the declaration of a state of calamity
due to a natural disaster, and the lifting thereof when conditions stabilize;
7.   Oversee and maintain a national early-waning and emergency alert system that must
provide a specific,  areas-focused and time-bound warning that are accurate, timely,
understandable  and  readily  accessible  to  national  and  local  emergency  response
organizations and the general public;
8.   Implement Pre-Disaster Risk Assessments to include deployment of rapid assessment
teams to gather information for precise actions as a basis for emergency preparedness
and humanitarian response;
9.   Coordinate information-sharing and other disaster risk reduction protocols following
the  principle  of  inter-operability  among  national  government  agencies  and  local
government units;
10. Establish  and maintain  a national  humanitarian  logistics  system with  a  network of
warehouses, transport and resources, including response assets and disaster relief food
and non-food items;
11. Call  upon the  relevant government  instrumentalities,  non-goverrment  stakeholders,
CSOs,   and  international  partners   for  assistance   in   ensuring  the  protection  and
preservationoflifeandpropertysuchasthroughtheuseoftheirresourcesandfacilities,
among others. This function includes the power to call on the reserve force as defined
in Republic Act no.  7077 to assist in search and rescue,  and the relief and disaster
preparedness and response operations;
20


12. Organize, train, equip, and maintain a system of response capacity for search, rescue
and retrieval and the delivery and distribution of relief goods;
13. Monitor and support LGUs in the management of evacuation centers and ensure the
welfare and dignity of intemally-displaced persons ;
14. Procure goods and services prior to, during, and after emergencies for preparedness,
response, and recovery activities, including those prompted by a declaration of a state
of calamity or of an imminent disaster;
15. Issue  special  procurement  mles  and  regulations,  in  close  coordination  with  the
Government  Procurement  Policy  Board,  for  preparedness,  response,  and  recovery
activities, including those prompted by a declaration of a state of calamity or of an
imminent disaster;
16. Assist  in  mobilizing  necessary  resources  to  increase  the  overall  capacity  of local
government units, specifically those with low income and situated in high-risk areas;
17. By the authority of the President,  secure the assistance of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines  (APP),  the  Philippine  National  Police  (PNP),  DILG-Bureau  of  Fire
Protection (BFP), DOTr-Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and other unifomed services
in undertaking disaster preparedness and response operations in at-risk and/or disaster-
affected areas; and
18.Undertakeallotherprograns,projects,andactionsnecessarytoattaintheoverallgoals
and intended outcomes of this key result area.
(d) Recovery and Building Forward Better
1.   Prepare, organize, lead, implement, and manage post-disaster assessment and recovery
and  rehabilitation  programs   and  plans,   in  coordination  with  the   affected  local
governments units, national government agencies, and other stakeholders;
2.   Establish  a  system  that utilizes  templates,  exposure  database,  and  other tools;  and
develop the Department's in-house capacity for the prompt and expedient preparation
of rehabilitation plans, when needed, for disaster affected areas;
3.   Prepare and inplement the recovery and rehabilitation plan(s)  for disaster affected
areas;
4.   Implement the cluster approach to expedite reconstruction efforts,  e.g., post-disaster
shelter recovery, and orchestrate and serve as the clearinghouse for the participation of
assisting actors in such efforts;
21


5.   Collaborate with relevant goverrment agencies and non-goverrment stakeholders in
undertaking   programs   and   projects   to   restore   and/or   generate   livelihood   and
entrepreneurial activities and opportunities in disaster-affected areas;
6.   Ensure that the principle of Building Forward Better, not mere restoration, is applied to
all recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation efforts; and
7.   Undertake all other programs, projects, and actions necessary to attain the overall goals
and intended outcomes of this key result area.
(e) Other Powers and Functions
1.   Constitute  call,  convene  and/or  deputize  agencies  of government,  and  invite  non-
government  and private  organizations,  to  assist,  advise,  and/or coordinate  with the
Department to achieve the goals and purposes of this act;
2.   Provide operating guidelines to the LDROs for the Declaration of Imminent Disaster in
their respective areas, which shall allow them to implement preemptive measures and
use their quick response funds in order to save lives and minimize damage to property,
loss of livelihood, and other assets;
3.   Establish  and  monitor  local  and  national  capacity  for  disaster  risk  fmancing  and
insurance and other risk transfer strategies in coordination with the DOF, GSIS, LBP,
and the Insurance Commission;
4.   Coordinate information-sharing and other disaster risk reduction protocols following
the  principle  of inter-operability  among National  Government  agencies  and  Local
Government Units, before, during, and after a disaster;
5.   Administer,  mobilize,  monitor,  and  oversee  the  utilization  of disaster  resilience-5.
related funds, including, but not limited to, the National Disaster Resilience Fund and
the Supplemental Disaster Resilience Support Fund for low-income provinces, cities,
and municipalities, and multi-hazard local government units;
6.   Inspect  and  examine  the  status  of projects,  programs,  and  activities  undertaken by
national government agencies and local government units in furtherance of disaster
resilience efforts;
7.   Whenever it becomes necessary, to save lives and/or minimize damages to livelihood
andproperty,assumesupervisionovertheimplementationofanygovemmentprogram.
project, or activity in anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of a disaster;
8.   Negotiate, enter into, institutionalize, and coordinate arrangements with any8. private
person or entity for the purpose of ensuring the adequate and prompt availability of
22


goods  and  services  necessary  in  anticipation  of,  during,  and  in  the  aftermath  of
disasters;
9.   Manage  all  funds  appropriated to it by law and from other sources,  including9.  all
donations and grants received by it;
10. Promulgate  rules  and  regulations  for  the  receipt,  management,  and  accounting  of
donations that are consistent with the rules of the Commission on Audit (COA) on the
use of foreign and local aid during calamities and disasters;
11. Receive  humanitarian  assistance  from  local  and  foreign  sources,  recommend  the
acquisition   of  developmental   assistance   for  the   purpose   of  disaster  resilience,
acknowledge and certify the receipt of all humanitarian assistance,  and ensure their
judicious use and management;
12. Establish and operate a platform, including an online platform, to monitor and provide
public access to information on humanitarian assistance received by the Department;
13. Secure the assistance of the AFP. PNP, DILG-BFP, DOTr-PCG, and other uniformed
services and government instrumentalities to ensure the attainment of the three key
result areas, and the overall goals and objectives of this Act;
14. In consultation with the COA, promulgate rules and regulations for the retention, re-
exportation,  donation,  and  disposition  of unused  goods  and  equipment  after  the
termination of disaster relief and initial recovery operations;
15. Assist  appropriate  national  government  agencies  and  offices  and  concerned  local
government units in protecting national cultural heritage including national treasures
and national historical landmarks, sites or monuments from hazards and disasters; and
16. Perform such other functions, as provided by law or assignment of the President, and
undertake  the  necessary  actions  to  ensure  the  attairment  of the  overall  goals  and
objectives of this Act.
ARTICLE Ill
EMERGENCY MEASURES
See. 6. Emergency Measures. -
a.   The Department shall undertake and implement such immediate measures as may be
necessary to ensure the protection and preservation of life or property in anticipation
of, during, and in the aftermath of emergencies, hazards and disasters:
a.   Carrying out of preemptive evacuation;
23


b.   Imposition of curfew;
c.   Rationing  of the  distribution  of basic  goods  in  critical  shortage,  and  when
necessary,preventingorrestrictingthetransferofsuchgoodsoutsideofthearea
affected by the disaster, including access to rice inventory of the National Food
Authority (NFA) office or storage located in the affected area;
d.   When  there  is  imminent  danger  of  loss  of  lives  or  damage  to  property,
temporarily take over or direct the operation of any private utility or business,
sut)ject to payment of just compensation; and
e.   With the  concurrence  of the  DOF,  recommend  to  the  Monetary  Board  the
deferment of the payment of monetary obligations of local goverrment units
and private entities that have been severely affected by disaster.
b.   Local  government  units  shall  enact  ordinances  on  and  implement  necessary  and
appropriate  emergency  measures,  including  preemptive  and  forced  evacuations,  to
ensure the protection and preservation of life or property in anticipation of, during, and
in the aftermath of disasters.
It shall be mandatory for Local Government Units to provide evacuation centers, with
due consideration to the capacity of local facilities, when requested by the Department,
in anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of emergencies, hazards and disasters.
In providing such evacuation centers, due regard shall be given to the most wlnerable
and  marginalized  groups,  respecting the  dignity  and  culture  of persons,  observing
equality, and using proportionate force in implementing such emergency measures.
c.   Preemptive evacuation shall be the preferred as the primary mode of moving people
that  will  be  affected  by  disasters.  Forced  evacuation  shall  be  considered  as  an
emergency  measure  of last  resort,  and  shall  be  carried  out  by  the  affected  local
government unit, pursuant to a duly issued order by the local chief executive: Provided,
that in case of the failure of the local chief executive to issue such an order, the forced
evacuation shall be implemented by the Department, which may direct and compel the
assistance of law enforcement and other relevant government agencies to implement
such measure.
d.   Any person  who  willfully  and  deliberately  disregards  or disobeys  a preemptive  or
forced evacuation implemented by the local government unit or the Department, as the
case may be, releases such local government unit or the Department from any liability
for injury', death, damage to, or loss of property due to such disobedience.
24


e.   Whenever necessary, the Department may recommend to the President the calling out
of the  Armed  Forces  of the  Philippines  to  prevent  or  suppress  lawless  violence
occurring before, during, and in the aftermath of disasters. The Department may ration
the distribution of basic goods in critical shortage, and/or restrict or ban the transfer of
such goods outside the area covered by the emergency measures.
ARTICLE IV
ORGANIZATION AND MANAGHMHNT
SccL  7.  7lrfee Secretary.  -  The  Department  shall  be  headed  by  the  Secretary  of Disaster
Resilience, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, wbo shall be appointed by the President,
subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.
The Secretary shall preferably have a solid background in any of the scientific, engineering,
andpublicmanagementfieldsrelevanttoresiliencetonaturalhazardsandclimatechange;and
demonstrated managerial acumen.
Scc. 8. Powers ¢#d F##cfl.o#s a/£foc Sccref¢ry. - The Secretary shall exercise the following
powers and froctions:
a.   Establish and promulgate policies, rules, and regulations for the effective and efficient
operation of the Department and implement these to carry out its mandate, functions,
programs, and activities;
b.   Exercise executive direction over the operations of the Department and administrative
supervisions over its attached agencies;
c.   Exercise control and supervision over all functions and activities of the Department and
its officers and persomel;
d.   Appoint officers and employees of the Department, except those whose appointments
are vested in the President, in accordance with civil service law, rules, and regulations;
e.   Exercise  disciplinary  authority  over  officers  and  employees  of the  Department  in
accordance  with  law,  and  investigate  such  officers  and  employees,  or  designate  a
committee or officer to conduct an investigation;
f.    Manage the financial, human, and other resources of the Department;
9.   Collaborate  with  other  govemlnent  agencies,  the  private  sector,  and  civil  society
organizations on the policies, programs, projects, and activities of the Department, as
may be necessary;
25


h.   Advise the President on the promulgation of executive and administrative issunnces and
the formulation of regulatory and legislative proposals on matters pertaining to disaster
resilience;
i.    Represent the Philippines and articulate the national contribution to global, regional,
and other inter-govemmental disaster risk reduction and humanitarian platforms,  in
coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs;
j.    Formulate  such  rules  and  regulations,  and  exercise  such  other  powers  as  may  be
required to implement the objectives of this Act;
k.   Serve as a member of the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB); and
I.    Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the President.
Sac.   9.   Zlrfee  I/#dcrseorc/¢rfes.  -  The  Secretary  shall  be  assisted  by  at  least  four  (4)
Undersecretaries, who shall be responsible for the following functional areas,  including the
establishment of a robust and responsive ICT system to effectively support the mandate and
operations of the Department:
a.   Dz.sasfer Ris4 Redwcfz.o# - the formulation,  adoption, and implementation of policies
and programs to reduce existing and future disaster risks to minimize loss and damage
to lives and properties, including the formulation of the required policies and programs
in the NDRF and relevant national investment plans;
b.   Dz-s¢sfer P7~ep¢red#ess a#d jzespo#se -the implementation of projects and programs to
prepare and respond to disasters, including the enhancement of capabilities of local
government units, the development of a database of exposure or elements at risk per
area and database of volunteers, the establishment of safe and strategic  evacuation
centers,   and  the  implementation  of  responsive  and  efficient  prepositioning  and
distribution of goods;
c.   jtecovery  o#cJ  B#i.Jdl.ng  Forwczrd  Be#er  -  the  forinulation  and  implementation  of
rehabilitation plans  for  disaster-affected  areas  and  ensuring  the  implementation  of
disaster  recovery  and  rehabilitation  measures,  such  as  post-disaster  shelters  and
livelihood   projects,   in   collaboration   with   relevant   government   agencies,   local
government units, and other stakeholders; and
d.   Squporf fo  Opertzfz.o"s - the formulation and implementation of policies, programs,
projects, and activities to ensure the efficient, effective, and responsive performance of
the  Department's  mandate,  powers,  and  functions.  Support  to  operations  includes
26


knowledge    management,    institutional    development    and    plaming,     finance,
administration, and human resources management,
The  Undersecretaries  shall  have  operational  control  and  supervision  over  the  bureaus,
divisions, offices, and units assigned to their respective functional areas.
Sac.  JO.  7lfoc 4ssi.sto#f Sccref¢rl.es ¢#d DI.recrors.  - The Department shall have  four (4)
AssistantSecretariesandappropriatenumberofDirectorsasmaybenecessaryfortheeffective
and efficient jmplementation and performance of its mandate, powers, and functions.
Scc.  JJ.   g#¢/i}Jcoft.o#s  -  No  person  shall  be  appointed  Secretary,  Undersecretary,  or
AssistantSecretaryoftheDepartmentunlessacitizenandresidentofthePhilippines,of good
moral  character,  and of proven experience,  competence  or expertise  in humanitarian relief
assistance  and disaster management.  The  Secretary,  Undersecretary,  or Assistant Secretary
shall not hold any other position, public or private, during their terms of office.
All  the Undersecretaries,  Assistant  Secretaries,  and  other officials  of the  Department  shall
preferably be  specialists  and have  a  good  track  record  in  any  of the  following  fields,  as
applicable  to  their  mandated  key  result  areas  and  functions:  disaster  risk  reduction  and
management, science and technology, environmental science or management, urban plarming,
civil  engineering,  public  finance,  information  and  communications  technology,  logistics
management,  mass  communication,  among  other  fields  directly  relevant  to  ensuring  the
country's disaster resilience.
The appointing authority and other responsible  officials  shall  ensure that the Department's
human  resources   possess   the   competencies,   skills,   behavioral   attributes,   training   and
experience necessary for them to become efficient, effective, and responsive in perfoming
theirfunctionsandcontributetotheattairmentoftheoverallgoalsanddeliveryoftheintended
outcomes of this Act.
SccJ2.Strwcrfure¢#dS/¢J7jJ;#gP¢#t7r".-TheDepartmentshalldetermineitsorganizational
structure and staffing pattern and create such services, divisions, and units, as it may require or
deemnecessary,subjecttotheapprovaloftheDapartmentofBudgetandManagement.
Scc.J3.Regr.o#¢/D!.sosferRcsi./I.enceO/j7rces.-TheDepartmentshallestablishandmaintain
Regional Disaster Resilience Offices (RDROs) at each region and a National Capital Region
OfficeOrcRO),tobeheadedbyaRegionalDirector.TheRegionalDirectorshallbeappointed
27


by the Department Secretary for a fixed term pursuant to requirements, terms of office and
endowed with the emoluments and benefits subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.
The Department shall create policies and programs to establish collaboration and coordination
among the different RDROs. The size, composition, and organization of RDROs and NCRO
shall be based on parameters provided in the IRR on the ability of LGUs within its jurisdiction
to cope with previous disasters, or to implement their LDRPs or Provincial LDRPs; the level
of income, population, hazard exposure of LGUs. The ROs and NCRO shall be funded by the
Department.
Scc. J4. Powers ¢#d F##c#.o"s a/RZ}J[Os. - The RDROs shall have the following powers
and functions :
a.   Review the LDRPs and Provincial DRPs of LGUs within its jurisdiction, and require
the  amendment  of such  LDRPs  and/or  Provincial  DRPs  if necessary,  to  ensure
compliance with the NDRF and relevant national investment plans;
b.   Monitor and direct LDROs  and PDROs to  implement their respective  LDRPs  and
PDRI}s;
c.   Recommend to the appropriate local legislative body the enactment of ordinances to
implement  the  LDRP,  NDRF  and  relevant  national  investment  plans  at  the  city,
municipal or provincial level, and to comply with other requirements of this Act;
d.   Review reports on the utilization of the LDRF and other disaster risk and management
resources of LGUs within its jurisdiction, and give recommendations, as necessary;
e.   Disburse to, and monitor the use by, LGUs offunds granted by the Department pursuant
to this Act and its in;
f.    Provide, upon the request of LGUs or unilaterally at its own discretion, assistance to
LGU(s)   within   its  jurisdiction   as   necessary   to   ensure   the   implementation   of
LDRPsmrovincialLDRPs,NDRFandrelevantnationalinvestmentplans,andtorender
efficient and timely disaster preparedness, response and recovery measures;
9.   Identify and report to the Department issues and problems relating to, or affecting, the
disaster resilience of LGUs within its jurisdiction, and make recommendations to the
Department and/or to the LGUs to address such issues or problems;
h.   Formulate and establish mechanisms to mobilize and direct LDROs and PDROs within
itsjurisdictionasnecessaryfordisasterpreparednessandresponseattheregionallevel;
28


i.    Establish and maintain, in coordination with the Department, a Regional command and
Control Center (RCCC), which includes, among others, an information management
system at the regional level, which consolidates and integrates information from the
provinces,citiesandmunicipalitieswithinitsjurisdiction,amulti-hazardearlywaming
and  communications  system,  and  a  monitoring  system  that  enables  the  RDR0  to
oversee, supervise, monitor and respond to the needs of LGUs within its jurisdiction in
relation to disaster resilience activities;
j.    Assist in the implementation, of rehabilitation plan(s) for LGUs within its coverage:
and
k.   Conduct  other activities  and  act  on  other matters,  in accordance  with policies  and
procedures of the Department and applicable laws, to achieve the pulposes of this Act.
See 15. Special Disaster  Response  Teams.  -The  RDR0s  may  organize  a;ndlor  aictivate
Special  Disaster  Response  Teams  (SDRTs)  to  assist  LGUs  in  responding  to  hazards  and
disasters that are beyond their capacities, as deemed necessary.
SccJ6.I,oc¢JDi.s¢sterRcsl.JI.c#ceo/grjorces.-TheLocalDisasterRiskReductionManagement
Offices  (LDRRMOs)  in  provinces,  cities,  and  municipalities  are  hereby  renamed  as  the
Provincial,City,andMunicipalDisasterResilienceOffices,respectively,andshallcollectively
be called the Local Disaster Resilience Offices (LDROs). All LGUs shall establish an LDRO
at the provincial, city, and municipal levels shall establish their respective LDROs. All Local
DRRM Councils (LDRRMCs) shall be abolished. The Barangay Disaster RIsk Reduction and
ManagementCommitteesareherebyrenamedastheBarangayDisasterResilienceCommittees
(BDRC). The LDROs shall be under the control and supervision of the provincial governor or
the city or municipal mayor, as the case may be.
The   budgetary   requirements   for   personal   services,   maintenance   and   other   operating
expenditures, and capital outlay of the LDROs shall be sourced from the General Fund of the
LGUs concerned:  Provided, That, the personal services limitations under Section 325(a) of
Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, shall not
apply in relation to the creation and appointment of at least five (5) positions in the LROs.
Other maintenance and operating expenditures and the capital outlay requirements of LDROs
in the implementation of disaster risk reduction management and climate change adaptation
programs shall be charged to the Local Disaster Resilience Fund of local government units.
29


Provinces,  cities  or  municipalities  shall  be  exempted  from  the  Persomel  Services  (PS)
limitation  on  local  goverrment budgets  in relation to  the  creation  of the  LDROs  and the
appointment of its officers and personnel.
Sac.J7.I,oc¢JDi.sasferResl./I.e#ceO;orccr.-TheLDROshallbeheadedbyafull-timeLocal
Disaster Resilience Officer, who shall have a regular p/a#fz.J/¢ position and shall be appointed
by  the  Local  Chief Executive:  Provided,  That  the  qualifications  standards  pertaining  to
experience and training set by the Civil Service Commission for the position may be waived
by the Department in exceptional cases upon the request of the local chief executive.
See.18.PowersandFunctionsOfCityandMunicipalDisasterResilienceOffi.ces(DROs)-
The  City  and  Municipal  Disaster  Resilience  Offices  (CDRO  and  MDRO)  shall  have  the
following powers and functions
a.   Formulate and implement, in coordination with the Department, a comprehensive and
integratedLocalDisasterResiliencePlaninaccordancewiththeNDRFandtherelevant
national investment plans;
b.   Design, program,  coordinate,  and implement disaster resilience  activities  consistent
with  the  standards  and guidelines provided by  the  Department,  and  implement the
NDRF and the relevant national investment plans at the city or municipal level;
c.   Prepare and submit to the Sang:gr4"z.¢#g Pa#g/##grod or Bov¢#, as the case may be, the
LDRP, the proposed programming of the LDR Fund, other dedicated disaster resilience
resources, and other funds of the LDRO;
d.   Recommend  to  the  S¢#ggt4#z.a#g Po#g/w#groc7  or B¢v¢#,  as  the  case  may  be,  the
enactment of ordinances to implement the LDRP, NDRF, relevant national Investment
plans, and the provisions of this Act;
e.   Prepare and submit to the Department a report on the utilization of its Local Disaster
Resilience Fund and other disaster risk reduction and management resources;
f.    Establish   and   maintain,   in   coordination   with   the   Department,   an   information
management system within the LGU, which, among others, consolidates and includes
local  risk  information  (such  as  natural  hazards,  profile  of the  LOU's vulnerable  or
marginalizedgroups),1ocalriskmaps,andadisaggregateddatabaseofhunanresource,
equipment, services, resources, directories and location of critical infrastructures with
their capacities (such as hospitals and evacuation centers);
30


9.   Operate  and  maintain,  in  coordination  with  the  Department,  a  multi-hazard  early
waming and communications system to provide accurate and timely information to the
public;
h.   Organize  and  conduct  training  and  knowledge  management  activities  on  disaster
resilience at the local level, in coordination with the Disaster Research, Education, and
Training Institute ;
i.    Recommend to the local chief executive the procurement of emergency works, goods,
and  services  in  compliance with  the regulations,  orders,  and policies  of DBM  and
Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), to implement the LDRP or support
early recovery and post-disaster activities;
j.    Recommend, in coordination with the DOF and other relevant agencies, to the local
chief executive, access to foreign loans to finance projects, programs, and policies for
disaster preparedness,  response,  recovery,  and  rehabilitation,  subject  to  terms  and
conditions agreed upon by the local government unit and the lender;
k.   Monitor and mobilize instrunentalities and entities of the LGU and its partner LGUs,
CSOs,  private  sector,  organized  volunteers,  and  sectoral  organizations  for  disaster
resilience activities, in accordance with policies and procedures of the Department and
applicable laws;
I.    Coordinate and provide the necessary support or assistance to the Department in the
implementation of rehabilitation plan(s) within the city or municipality covered by the
LDRO;
in.  Coordinate with the Department, other government agencies, members of the private
sectorandotherstakeholdersintheLGUtoestablishaBusinessContinuityPlanaspart
of their LDRP's disaster preparedness measures;
n.   Establish  linkage/network and  coordination mechanisms  with  other LGUs  and  the
Department for disaster resilience activities and to achieve the purposes of this Act; and
o.   Conduct  other  activities  and  act  on  other matters,  in  accordance  with policies  and
procedures of the Department and applicable laws, to achieve the purposes of this Act.
Sec.  19.  Powers  and  Functions  Of the  Provincial/  Disaster  Resilience  Offices.  - The
Provincial Disaster Resilience Offices (PDRO) shall have the following powers and functions :
a.   Formulate and implement, in close coordination with the Department and the local
government units under the jurisdiction of the provincial government, a comprehensive
and integrated Provincial Disaster Resilience Plan in accordance with the NDRF;
31


b.   Review the LDRPs of cities and/or municipalities within its jurisdiction, and require
the amendment of suck LDRPs if necessary, to ensure compliance with the Provincial
DRP and the NDRF;
c.   Design, program, coordinate, or implement disaster resilience activities consistent with
the standards and guidelines provided by the Department, and implement the NDRF
and the relevant national investment plans at the provincial level;
d.   Prepare  and  submit  to  the  S¢"ggw#z.¢#g  P¢#/a!/¢wz.gr#,  the  Provincial  DRP,  the
proposed  programming  of  the  province's  Local  Disaster  Resilience  Fund,  other
dedicated disaster resilience resources, and other funding sources of the PDRO;
e.    Recommend to the Sa#g:gr¢#z.¢ng Pa!#/cz/¢wz.gr# the enactment of local ordinances to
implement the Provincial LDRP, NDRF and relevant national investment plans at the
provincial level, and to comply with other requirements of this Act;
f.    Prepare and submit to the Department, a report on the utilization of the province's Local
Disaster Resilience Fund and other disaster risk reduction and management resources;
9.   Establish and maintain, in coordination with the Department, a Provincial Command
and   Control   Center   (PCCC),   which   includes,   among   others,   an   information
management  system   at  the  provincial   level,   which   consolidates   and   integrates
information from the cities and/or municipalities within its jurisdiction, a multi-hazard
early waming  and  communications  system  that  is  cormected with  the  cities  and/or
municipalities within its jurisdiction, and a monitoring system that enables the PDRO
to oversee, supervise, monitor and respond to the needs of cities and/or municipalities
within its jurisdiction in relation to disaster resilience activities;
h.   Recommend to the Provincial Governor the procurement of emergency works, goods,
and  services  in  compliance  with the regulations,  orders,  and policies  of DBM  and
GPPB, to implement the provincial LDRP or support early recovery and post-disaster
activities of the PDRO;
i.    Recommend,  in  coordination  with  the  DOF,  to  the  Provincial  Governor  to  access
foreign  loans  to  finance  its  policies,  programs,  projects,  and  activities  for  disaster
preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation, subject to terms and conditions
agreed upon by the Provincial Government and the lender;
j.    Formulate  and  establish  mechanisms  to  mobilize  and  direct  LDROs  within  its
jurisdiction as necessary for disaster preparedness and response at the provincial level;
32


k.   Coordinate and provide the necessary support or assistance to the Department in the
implementation of rehabilitation plan(s) within the cities and/or municipalities covered
by the PDRO; and
Conduct other activities and/or act on other matters, in accordance with policies and
procedures of the Department and applicable laws, to achieve the purposes of this Act.
Sea.20.Sam.ceco#tr.#wrtyo/f„eDep¢rfme#f.-Toensureservicecontinuity,theDepartment
anditsregionalandattachedofflcesshallbeestablishedinareasonbyresilientlocation;and/or
undertake the necessary interventions to make its offices and systems disaster- resilient.
(See. 2L). Assistance to Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao - TtreNedro"LI
Government,  the the  Secretary  of Disaster Resilience,  and  the  Bangsamoro Autonomous
Regional Government shall create an inter-governmental mechanism for hunaritarian relief
assistance in the BARMM during times of natural disasters.
ARTICLE V
WIIOLE OF GOVERNMENT AND WII0LE OF NATION APPROACH
Sac.  2J. fyHcrgi7 wl.f4 Sfw4cfeoJders - The Department shall ensure seamless synergy and
coordination with stakeholders,  including national goverrment agencies,  local  goverrment
units, government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), CSOs, the academe, and the
private sector, in relation to disaster resilience programs and pr jects and the development and
promotion of research, education, and training mechanism. The Department shall establish a
platform,  paradigm,  and mechanisms  for co  vergence and  coordination with  stakeholders,
including the development of standards, protocols, and procedures for seamless collaboration
for disaster resilience.
See. 22. Establishment Of Multlrstakeholders Convergence Unit -The Dapartrne", with
the assistance of other relevant government agencies and stakeholders, shall establish a Multi-
StakeholdersConvergenceUnit(MSCU),whichshallcloselyengagetheprivatesector,CSOs,
academe, and other non-government stakeholders and strengthen public-private collaboration
towards disaster resilience by way of the following interventions, among others:
a.   Implementation of business continuity practices to ensure the continued delivery of
products and services, in the event of disasters;
33


b.   Crafting and implementation of a National Continuity Policy to ensure goverrment
service continuity during and after emergencies and disasters,  and ensure the quick
return of goverrment to full operations;
c.   Establishment, incorporation, and application of business continuity plans as part of the
LDRPs of LGUs;
d.   Facilitation or assistance in obtaining and/or processing incentives for the private sector
and other non-government stakeholders, such as but not limited to tax credits;
e.   Preparation  and  facilitation  of the  issuance  of special  rules  for  Micro,  Small,  and
Mediuln  Enterprises  (MSMEs)  such  as,  but  not  limited  to,  mechanisms  involving
procurement and liquidity to create enabling environments for disaster preparedness,
recovery and building forward better; and
f.    Formulation of investment programs for disaster affected areas in partnership with the
private business sector and civil  society organizations.  The MSCU shall  establish a
platformthatincludes,amongothers,adatabaseformonitoringandcoordinatingefforts
and resources of stakeholders.
See.  23.  Roles  and  Responsibilities  Of  Stakeholders.  ~  The  coioorn:Irfueat,  good  wITl,
knowledge, experience and resources of relevant stakeholders are critical to realize a safer,
adaptive, resilient and inclusive Filipino community. Citizens have the share vision and duty
to provide support to the State in the implementation of policies and pr grams, particularly the
Disaster Resilience Framework and Disaster Resilience Plan at the national, regional and local
levels.
a.    Civil   society,   non-governmental   organizations,    international   non-governmental
organizations,   private   sector,   practitioners,   and   volunteers   shall   participate,   in
collaboration with public institutions, in the exchange of information, leamings, and
guidance on disaster resilience. The Department shall encourage and institutionalize
their engagement in the implementation of local, regional, national, and global plans
and strategies: enhance public awareness and promote a culture of disaster resilience;
b.   The women,  children,  and youth,  as agents of change, shall endeavor to contribute
actively and participate in disaster resilience trainings and infomation dissemination;
c.    Senior  citizens,  and  persons  with  disabilities  shall  contribute  their  knowledge  and
experience on disaster preparedness and resiliency;
d.   Indigenous peoples and Muslim Filipinos shall share their traditional knowledge and
practical experience on disaster resiliency;
34


e.    Urban and rural poor, and migrants shall participate in building resilient resettlement
communities;
f.    Emergency responders  and volunteer organizations  shall contribute to  resilience by
promptly and efficiently responding to disasters and emergencies consistent with the
policies of the Research, Education and Training Institute of the Department;
9.   Academia, scientific and research entities, and networks are encouraged to undertake
relevant research on disaster resiliency in partnership with the Department and other
stakeholders for better decision-making;
h.   The private sector is encouraged to integrate disaster resiliency projects and programs
in their corporate social responsibility initiatives; and
i.    The media shall provide prompt and accurate information to the public on early waming
systems, natural hazards, and disaster resilience activities of the Department.
Scci 24. DI.s¢sfer j[esl.J!.e#ce ,4ssembfy. -The Department, with the assistance of RDOs, shall
establish and convene a Disaster Resilience Assembly (DRA),  at the regional and national
level,  which will be held on a semestral basis,  or as  frequently as necessary to  ensure the
proactive engagement of the relevant government and non-government stakeholders, such as
the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP , League of Municipalities of the
Philippines (LMP), CSOs, academe, DRRM practitioners, the private sector, and the national
government agencies, among others to ensure effective collaboration towards achieving the
goals of this Act.
The LGUs may convene local DRAs within their jurisdictions, as necessary for the attairment
of disaster resilience at the local level.
See. 25. J#fer-aperabi.Jtry a/fysre"s. - The Department shall establish mechanisms to ensure
the inter-operability of systems among government agencies, and to allow access of agencies
to the DRIS (Integrated Disaster Resilience Information System). It shall develop protocols to
allow real-time access to information by government agencies in relation to natural disasters
and the implementation of disaster resilience measures.
See. 26. National organization Of a Local Disaster Resilience Officers. -Tl"e al rnd+ouzll
organization of all local disaster resilience officers for the primary of:
a.   Developing  capacity,  and  exchanging  knowledge,  experiences,  and  best  practices
concerning local government disaster resilience;
b.   Fostering inter-operability of the local disaster resilience offices' systems;
35


c.   Facilitating inter-LGU cooperation and collaboration;
d.   Providing inputs and feedback to the Department on resilience concerns at the local
level; and
e.   Enhancing synergy in other areas of common concern.
ARTICLE VI
MAINSTREAMING, INTHGRATI0N ANI) CONVERGENCE 0F DISASTHR RISK
REDUCTION
Sec.  27.  Integration  Of DRR  and  Climate  Change Adaptation  in  the  Nedonal  Disaster
Resilience Framework and Disaster Resilience Plan. -The exis+ing "D:RRM Framework
and Plan, and the National Climate Change Strategic Framework and Plan shall be integrated
and harmonized into the NDRF and the NDRPIP. The NDRF and NDRPI shall be reviewed
and updated every three (3) years.
See.  28.  Ecosystem-Based  Approach  to  Prevention  and  Mitigation,  Rehahilitedon  and
Recovery/ron Di.susfers. - The Department shall ensure the application of ecosystems-based
approaches  in  disaster  risk  reduction,  particularly  through  ecosystem  management  and
restorationasdefinedinthisAct,andensuringthatenvironmentalandnaturalresourcepolicies
are risk-informed.
ARTICLE VII
NATIONAL DISASTER OPERATIONS CENTER, ALTERNATIVE COM~D
CENTER, AND RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE
Sea 29. IV¢fl.oHfl/ Dz.soster Operofro#s Cc#fer. - The Department shall establish, within one
(I) year from the approval of this Act, and act as the primary operator of, the National Disaster
Operations  Center  (NDOC),  Alternative  Command  and  Control  Center  (ACCCs),  and  a
Disaster Resilience Research and Training Institute (DRRTI).
The NDOC is a physical center equipped with the necessary tools and systems to monitor,
manage,  and respond to  disasters  in all  areas  of the  country.  The NDOC  also provide the
necessary support for the overall coordination and shall implementation of emergency and
disaster response measures throughout the country.
The ACCCs are command centers established in other locations as alternative or to provide
supplemental support to the NDOC. The number and location of ACCCs shall be determined
36


bytheDepartmentasmaybenecessaryineachofthecountry'smajorislandgroups.Temporary
ACCC may likewise be established by the Department, if necessary.
See. 30. DRRTI functions and inter-agenay knowledge sharing. -The DRR:TI shall be al
platform for providing training, and for collecting, consolidating, managing, analyzing, and/or
sharing knowledge and information to inprove and/or enhance disaster resilience. The DRRTI
shall:
a.    Establish reliable and up-to-date IDRIS through close and seamless collaboration with
the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT), and other appropriate agencies;
b.   Conduct disaster-related research programs,  seminars,  and trainings  for all types  of
stakeholders;
c.    Consolidate, organize and/or prepare training materials and publications;
d.   Conduct other activities consistent with promoting the formation and dissemination of
knowledge and information relating to disaster resilience and disaster management;
e.    Establish a database that includes relevant information from other government agencies
and third parties for the department to better prepare and respond to natural hazards
including, but not limited to, an inventory of hazardous materials per area; and
f.    Consult   and   coordinate   with,   and   consolidate   information/data   from,   relevant
government agencies, such as, but not limited to, DOST, LGUs and relevant CSOs to
enhance the IDRIS and to promote knowledge sharing among all stakeholders.
See.  31.  Compliance and Accreditedon Of DRRTI with International Standards. ~ The
Department  shall  strive  to  obtain  certification  from,  and  accreditation  by,  international
accreditation bodies of the DRRTI to ensure DRRTI's compliance with international standards.
The  Department  shall  likewise  ensure  collaboration  with  key  countries  and  international
organizations to incorporate best practices on disaster resilience in the Department's policies
and programs.
ARTICLE VIII
INTEGRATION, MAINSTREAMING DISASTER RESILIHNCE INFORMATION,
HDUCATI0N AND COMMUNICATION CONVERGENCE
See.  32.  Integrated  Disaster  Resilience  information  System.  -  The  Dapa,rtmen+  sha.Hl
establish a National and Regional Information Management System for Disaster Resilience,
37


which  shall be  a  database  of all  relevant  disaster risk reduction  and  climate  change  data,
including a geographic information system on geo-hazard assessments and climate risk. It shall
be  the  repository  of current  and  multi-temporal  information  for  wide-scale  disaster  risk
analysis. The IDRIS shall be accessible at all times to the responsible officials and entities to
enable the timely, reliable, and accurate collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of
information to support overall decision-making and effective coordination at both the national
and sub-national level. The protocols and procedures for this shall be defined in the IRR of this
Act.
See.  33. Disaster Resilience Education and Training. - To instill al cul"re of sa;fety and
security  including  emergency  preparedness  and  disaster  resiliency,   the  Department,  in
partnership with the public and private sectors shall  encourage the inclusion of appropriate
information on disaster resilience in their various training programs and immersion activities.
The  Information  Education  and  Communication  materials  on  disaster  resilience  shall  be
informative  and  holistic,  gender,  culture  and  disability  sensitive  using  various  available
platforms.
ARTICLH IX
DISASTHR RISK TRANSFER, INSURANCE AND INCHNTIVHS
Sea 34. Disaster Risk Transifer Insurance and Social Welfare. -
a.    The Department shall oversee all disaster risk-sharing and risk-transfer instruments and
other related initiatives to ensure the protection of property and livelihood, both public
and private.
b.   The Department, in collaboration with the DOF, ESP, LBP, GSIS, and the Insurance
Commission, shall create, establish, and implement, among others, disaster insurance
pools, revolving funds, insurance and risk-transfer schemes and/or facilities, and other
financial disaster resilience measures to ensure the protection of public and/or private
properties  and  livelihood  against  the  adverse  effects  of natural  disasters.  For  this
purpose,  the  Department  and/or  DOF  may  engage  or  require  the  participation  of
government banks, insurance agencies and financial institutions.
c.    To attain disaster resilience and to achieve the purposes of this Act, the Department
shall have the discretion and authority to require government agencies and GOCCs to
insure   their   assets   and/or  properties   such   as,   among   others,   vessels,   vehicles,
equipment, machineries, permanent buildings, properties stored therein, or properties
38


in transit, against insurable risks and pay the premiums therefor, to compensate the
Government and/or GOCC, as applicable, for any daniage to, or loss of properties due
to a natural disaster.
d.   The Department shall endeavor the local government units to insure primary assets for
unforeseen or contingent potential losses, damages and disruption from natural hazards
chargeable against their respective Local Disaster Resilience Fund (LDRF).
Scc. 35. Recog#I.&.o# ¢ild J"ce#/I.tJcs. -The Department, in partnership with the private sector,
shall  establish  an  incentives  program  that  recognizes  outstanding  performance  of LDRO,
NGOs,  CSOs,  schools,  hospitals,  and  other  stakeholders  in  promoting  and  implementing
significant  disaster  risk  reduction  management-climate  change  adaptation  programs  and
innovations, and meritorious acts of individuals, group or institutions during natural.
ARTICLH X
PREPAREDNESS AND INTEGRATED EARLY WARNING
See. 3 6. Standards for Disaster Preparedness Activities. -
a.    The  Department  shall  establish  standards  and  protocols  for  disaster  preparedness,
contingency  planning,  localizing  and  operationalizing  disaster  risk  reduction  and
management,  preparedness  for  disaster  response,  preparedness  for  early  recovery,
continuity of essential services, and other relevant preparedness activities.
b.   The LGUs shall identify safe and strategic sites, and establish evacuation centers with
appropriate and adequate facilities in accordance with government-approved standards
as  provided under  Republic  Act No.  10821,  otherwise  known  as  "The  Children  's
Emergency Relief protection Act", to avoid disruption of school classes and lessen the
use of school buildings and facilities as evacuation centers.
The LGUs shall immediately compensate said schools used as evacuation centers. The schools
may seek compensation for renovation, replacement, or repairs aged facilities for such use.
See. 37. Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Risk communication Standards. -
a.    There  shall  be  a  streamlined  policy  governing  early  waming  systems  and  risk
communication protocols to ensure effective  and efficient measures to prepare for,
respond to and recover from potential risks and disasters.
39


b.   The Department shall formulate and implement multi-hazard early waming protocols
integrating  all  disaster preparedness  systems  in collaboration with  local  executives,
community-based    organizations,    civil    society    organizations,    and    other   non-
govemmental organizations for proper use and application.
Sec. 38. Ealy Warning Mandate -
a.   The  Department  shall  issue  an  integrated  early  waming  alert  for  the  impending
occurrence of hazards that will enable the public to prepare timely and act appropriately
to minimize potential harm or loss.
b.   The  Department  shall require  mobile phone  service  providers  to  send  out  alerts  at
regular  intervals  in  the  event  of an  impending  natural  hazard,  in  accordance  with
Republic Act Norl0639, otherwise known as the "Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act".
c.    The Department shall recognize and proactively support local or indigenous modes of
early warning systems and allow open access to near real-time data from both local and
international  sources  made  available  through  various  platforms  such  as  websites,
mobile apps, and social media to empower local communities and individuals.
d.   Any person who transmits early waming concerning the abovementioned phenomena
by means of signs in designs, colors,lights, or sound shall do so in compliance with the
methods recognized or approved by the Department.
e.   The Department at the national and local level shall use an integrated early waning
system to ensure it is consistent and locally contextualized with the communication
protocol and safe evacuation procedure of the affected communities.
f.    The  Department  shall  work  with  other  agencies   or  organizations   on  pre-crisis
information  mapping  of the  humanitarian  needs  of at-risk  Communities  that  will
enhance the overall prepositioning of resources at the national and local level.
9.   The Department shall recognize and proactively support local or indigenous modes of
early waning systems and allow open access to near real-time data from both local and
intemational  sources  made  available  through  various  platforms  such  as  websites,
mobile apps, and social media to empower local communities and individuals.
ARTICLE XI
DISASTER RESPONSE AND EARLY RECOVERY
40


Slcc  39.  Dcc/¢r¢#.o#  a/ Sf¢/e a/ C¢/omtry.  -The Department  shall  declare  a cluster of
barangays, municipalities,  cities, provinces,  and regions  under a state  of calamity,  and the
lifting thereof, based on the criteria set by the Department.
The declaration and lifting of the state of calamity may also be issued by the local Sanggunian,
upon the recommendation of the LDRO, based on the results of the damage assessment and
needs analysis: Provided, That through the Department, the LDRO may seek from the local
legislative body or Sanggunian, the declaration of a state f imminent disaster to enable the local
executives to implement pre-emptive evacuation and precautionary measures in order to save
lives and minimize damage to pr petty, loss and disruption of livelihood that require the use of
funds and resources under the LDRF.
See. 40. Levels Of Responsibility fior Disaster Preparedness and Response. - The prina:ry
responsibility for disaster preparedness and response shall be exercised at the local or national
level, as applicable, in close and seamless collaboration with the r levant national goverrment
instrunentalities, non-government stakeholders, and international partners. The four levels of
responsibility and the conditions that warrant each are as follows:
LEVELS OF
RESPONSIBLE
CONDITIONS
RESPONSIBILITY
OFFICIALS
Level 1 : City or Municipality
Leadofficial:
If a disaster affects  a single
Mayor of the affected city ormunicipalitySupport:CityorMunicipalDisasterResilienceOfficer
duty or municipality.
Level 2: Province
Lead Official:
If a  disaster  affects  two  or
Provincial  Governor  of the
more   municipalities   and/or
affected provinceSupport:Provincial      Di sasterResilienceOfficerMunicipaland/orCityDisasterResilienceOfficersconcerned
cities within a province
41


Level 3: Region
Lead Official :RegionalDirector, DDRSupport:GovernorsofaffectedprovincesConcemedProvincialDisasterResilienceOfficers
Level 4: National
Leadofficial:
a.    Ifa disaster affects at
Secretary        of       Disaster
least two (2) regions;
Resilience (SDR)
b.   When   the   LGU   is
Support:
unable  to  effectively
Governors concerned
cope   with   the   risk
Disaster Resilience  Officers
and/or   impact   of  a
concerned
hazard; orc.Whenthe   PresidentdirectsaLevel4responseordeclaresastateofcalamity)
See. 41. Disaster Preparedness and Response in the NCR. -Whom at Lea;st two cities trmNor
municipality in the NCR are affected, the SDR shall be responsible for leading the disaster
preparedness and response efforts, in collaboration with the affected LGUs, the MMDA, and
the concerned government instrunentalities and non-government stakeholders.
sac. 42. JHft?r-I,oc¢/ GotJer"mc#f j4ssl.sf¢#ce - LGUs are hereby authorized to extend the
necessary assistance to another LGU, whether through funding or donation of go ds and/or
services, and conducting disaster preparedness and response operations, to help save lives and
minimize damage to property. These include the pre-positioning and provision of basic goods,
training of first responders, among others subject to the accounting and auditing rules to be
deflned in the IRR of this Act.
Sec. 43. Accreditation, Mobilization, and Protection Of Disaster Volunteers and National
Service Reserve Corps, CSOs and the Private Sector. - The gove:[rmneml a;gencies, CS0s,
private sector and LGUs may mobilize individuals or organized volunteers to augment their
42


respective personnel complement and logistical requirements in the delivery of disaster risk
reduction programs and activities. The agencies, CSOs, private sector, and LGUs concerned
shall take full responsibility for the enhancement, welfare and protection of volunteers, and
shall submit the list of volunteers to the Department, through the LDROs, for accreditation and
inclusion in the database of community disaster volunteers.
A  national  roster  of Accredited  Disaster  Resilience  Volunteers  and  Institutions,  National
Service Reserve Corps, CSOs and the private sector shall be maintained by the Department
through the LDROs. Accreditation shall be done at the municipal or city level.
The  mobilization  of volunteers  shall  be  in  accordance  with  this  Act  and  implementing
guidelines to be formulated by the Department. Any volunteer who incur death or injury' while
engagedinanyoftheactivitiesdefinedunderthisActshallbeentitledtocompensatorybenefits
and individual personnel accident insurance as in y be defined in the IRR.
Sac 44. Repond.#g a/ZJwm¢#I./arI.a# 4ssisf¢#ce - The concerned local government unit shall
submit  a  report  to  the  Department,  taking  into  account  all  dome  tic  or  international
humanitarian assistance received and distributed within its area of responsibility.
ARTICLH XII
IIUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
See. 45. Managemeut Of Humanirfuian Assistance. ~
a.    The Department shall have the power to receive and manage huinanitarian assistance
from any person or entity, whether from local or international sources.
b.   The importation by, and humanitarian assistance to, the Department of, among others,
food, clothing, medical assistance, equipment, and materials for relief, recovery and
other disaster management activities are hereby authorized in accordance with Section
105 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended, and the prevailing
provisions of the General Appropriations Act covering national internal revenue taxes
and inport duties of national and local government agencies.
Sac.  46.  J#fer#¢&.on¢J Hw"¢#rfu".¢#  4ssi.sf¢#cc.  -  The  Department  shall  promulgate
guidelines on international humanitarian assistance, including the initiation, entry, facilitation,
transit, regulation and termination thereof,  as well as those involving international disaster
relief  and  personnel   assisting   international   actor,   visa  waiver,   recognition   of  foreign
43


professionalqunlifications,entryofintemationaldisastergoodsandequipment,andexemption
from port duties, taxes, and restrictions.
See. 47. Assessment Of the Need fior lnternedonal Humanitarian Assistance -
a.   Immediately after the declaration of a state of calamity by the local sanggunian of the
relevant  local  government  unit  or  by  the  Department,  as  the  case  may  be,  the
Department shall determine whether domestic capacities are likely to be sufficient to
attend to the needs of affected persons for international humanitarian assistance This
detemination may also be made, at the discretion of the President, prior to the onset of
an imminent disaster.
b.   In the event of a determination by the Department that domestic response capacities are
not  likely  to  be  sufficient  due  to  the  impact  of the  disaster,  the  Department  shall
recommend to  the  President that a request be  made  for international  humanitarian
assistance.
c.   A determination that domestic capacities are likely to be sufficient and that intemational
humanitarianassistanceisthereforeunnecessarymaybereviewedandrescindedbythe
Department,  with the  approval  of the President,  at any time,  in  light of prevailing
circumstances and available infomiation.
Sea 46. Hwm¢#i.furrl.an 4ssi.sf&#ce £4cft.o# Cc"fer. - The Department shall create an inter-
agency one-stop shop mechanism called the Humanitarian Assistance Action Center (HAAC)
for the processing and release of entry and facilitation of goods, articles or equipment and
services  and  international  relief workers  for  the  provision  of international  humanitarian
assistance and the processing of necessary documents for assisting international actors.
The Department shall lead and manage the HAAC, which shall be composed of the following:
a.   Bureau of customs;
b.   Department ofForeign Affairs;
c.   Department of social welfare and Development;
d.   Department of Health;
e.   Food and Drug Administration;
f.    Department of Agriculture;
9.   Department of Energy;
h.   Department of National Defense;
i.    Philippine National police;
44


j.    Philippine coast Guard; and
k.   Bureau of lmmigration.
See. 49. Request fior International Humanitarian Assistance. ~
a.   In  cognizance  of the  urgency,  criticality  and  intensity  of an  imminent  risk,  the
Department  shall  issue  a flash  appeal to  the  family  of nations,  under regional  and
multilateral   conventions,   for   assistance   in   preparedness,   including   preemptive
measures, search, rescue, and retrieval, relief, recovery, and reconstruction.
b.   The President may request international humanitarian assistance, upon the advice of the
Secretary.Suchrequestmaybespecificallydirectedtoparticularassistingintemational
actors or may be a general request directed to the international community.
Sea 50. Reguledon Of Humanitwian Assistance. -
a.    The Department shall  ensure the efficient and effective monitoring of humanitarian
assistance  from  domestic  or intemational  donors,  establish  and operate  a platform,
including an online platform, to facilitate, and provide public access to information on
donations.
b.   The Department shall include in the IRR of this Act guidelines and accountabilities on
the receipt, management, distribution, accounting, and reporting of all hunanharian
assistance, whether in cash or in kind, consistent with the rules on the use of foreign
and local aid during calamities  and disasters issued by the COA and other relevant
goverrment agencies.
ARTICLE XIII
OFFER AND FACILITATION 0F HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO FOREIGN
STATES
Sec. 51. Offer and Facilitedon Of Internedonal Humanitarian Assistance to Foreign States.
- In the event of a disaster occurring in a foreign state for which international humanitarian
assistance is required, the Department, in coordination with the DFA, may offer, facilitate.
provide, and deploy international humanitarian assistance to said foreign state, which shall be
subject to guidelines to be promulgated by the Department for the purpose.
Sea 52. 4ccredl./w#.o#. - The Department, in coordination with relevant government agencies
and organizations, shall provide and facilitate the necessary training and accreditation to the
45


respective government persormel to be deployed for such offer, facilitation and provision of
international humanitarian assistance to a foreign state.
ARTICLE XIV
RECOVERY
Sac. 53. Sfo"drrds /or RccotJcry. -The Department shall observe intemationally accepted
standards for recovery, plarming, programming and implementation of the recovery process.
Towards this end, the Department shall:
a.   Improve the community's physical, social and economic resilience, consistent with the
principle of "building forward better" ;
b.   Use   locally-driven,   centrally-supported  processes  based  on   legal   mandates  with
supplementary capacity support when requested;
c.   Redirect development outside danger zones to minimize loss of lives and structures
resulting from typhoons, flooding, landslides, and other hazards;
d.   Employ outcome-driven planning and implementation;
e.   Maximize use of private-Public sector partnership where possible;
f.    Consider local conditions such as culture, security situation and existing capacities of
communities in identifying programs and proj ects;
9.   Ensure access to public transport, physical and mental health services, markets, schools,
sustainable livelihoods, and other public services in planning for settlement areas; and
h.   Ensure restoration of peace and order and recovery of government functions.
ARTICLE XV
REMEDIAL REASURES UNDER STATE 0F CALAMITY
Sea 54. DecJ¢rm[tr.o# a/Sfafe a/C¢/¢mrty. -A state of calamity may be declared when any of
the following requisites are present:
a.   A natural hazard, including climate change, poses imminent threat to human life and/or
danger to property; or
b.   A significant impact is caused by a natural hazard or climate change, which demands
immediate action.
The following shall exercise this power, respectively:
a.   The President, upon recommendation of the SDR, whether in whole or part of an area;
46


b.   The  SDR, upon recommendation of the RDRO, for disasters covering two or more
provinces of the same region; and
c.    The local sanggunian, upon recommendation of the concerned local disaster resilience
office, within its jurisdiction.
Sec. 55. Remedial Measures under State Of Calamity. -Upon the dechra;+ion of a. state o£
calamity,  the  following remedial measures  shall be  immediately undertaken by concerned
government agencies at the national and local levels:
a.   Imposition of price ceiling on basic necessities and prime commodities by the Price
Coordinating Council (PCC), as provided for under Republic Act no. 7581. otherwise
known as the "Price Act", as amended by Republic Act no. 10623;
b.   Mohitoring,  prevention  and  control  by  the  Local  Price  Coordination  Council  of
ovexpricing  or  profiteering  and  hoarding  of  prime  commodities,  medicines  and
petroleum products;
c.   Programming or reprogramming of funds for the repair of critical facilities or public
infrastructures that are vital for the quick delivery of humanitarian assistance, to reduce
further  threat  to  lives  and  arrest  further  deterioration  of properties  and  loss  of
livelihoods in the affected communities, following the "build forward better" principle;
d.   Grant of no-interest loans by government financing or lending institutions to the most
vulnerable and marginalized groups or individuals;
e.   Local tax exemptions, incentives or reliefs under such terms and conditions as may be
deemed necessary by the affected local government unit; and
f.    Use  of alternative  modes  of procurement  under  Article  XVI  of this  Act,  by  the
Department,LGUsortherelevantgoverrmentinstrunentalitiesinrelationtotheurgent
procurement of emergency works, goods or services to effectively respond to, quickly
recover from disasters, and build forward better.
ARTICLE XVI
PROCURERENT
Sea 56. Procwremcm£ - In general, the procurement mles provided Republic Act No. 9184,
otherwise  known  as  the  "Government  Procurement  Reform  Act",  shall  apply.  However,
altemativemodesofprocurementasprovidedinthisActmayberesortedtobytheDepartment,
RDROs, or LGUs in any of the following emergency situations:
47


a.   There is imminent danger to life or property during a state of calamity, as provided
under this Act, and the procurement is necessary to avert or reduce such danger to life
or property;
b.   The procurement is necessary to restore vital public services, infrastructure facilities
and other public utilities; or
c.    Time is of the essence in implementing a project, program or activity to effectively
respond to a disaster and save lives; or
d.   There are other circumstances that require immediate procurement necessary to prevent
damage to or loss of life or property.
Sea 5 7. .4Jfer#¢tr.tJc A4lodes a/Proc#remc#f -During emergency situations as provided under
this Act, the Department, RDROs or LGUs may resort to the following mode of procurement:
a.   Direct negotiation under Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the "Government
Procurement Reform Act", and its implementing rules and regulations;
b.   Simplified or pre-arranged contracts  such as,  among others, pre-signed  agreements,
stand-by contracts, prearranged systems of procurement with a pre-approved list of
contractors for construction proj ects, pre-negotiated contracts, advanced procurements
contracts, and framework contracts. The parameters, requirements and conditions for
these types of contracts shall be defined in this Act is IRR.
See. 58. Specia/ Rules on Procurement f;or Reconstruction and Rehabilitedon Of Aft;ected
Areas, -
a.   The Department, with the assistance of, or in collaboration with, relevant government
agencies, shall create special rules on procurement for services, goods, and materials to
be  used  for  reconstruction  and  rehabilitation  efforts  in  case  of a  natural  disaster,
including but not limited to, the construction of post-disaster shelters and provision of
service contracts, to ensure the procurement of quality-oriented goods, materials, and
equipment and to guarantee effective, efficient, and speedy procurement to achieve the
goals of this act.
b.   In  case  of  procurement  of  services,  goods,  or  materials  for  reconstruction  and
rehabilitation efforts, whether from local or international sources, the Department and
the relevant  government  agencies  shall provide  less bureaucratic  restrictions,  more
flexible procurement policies, or exemption from, or reduction of, customs duties.
48


See.  59. Procurement firom Qualified Supphers or Contractors. ~ Als arL oucaprfuon to uhe
provisions  of Republic  Act No.  9184,  otherwise  known  as  the  "Government Procurement
Reform Act", and its implementing rules and regulations, the Department shall have the power
to procure goods and services from either local or foreign suppliers or contractors for purposes
of implementing programs, projects, and activities related to disaster resilience and disaster
management. The conditions, limitations, application processes, eligibility requirements and
assessmentcriteriaforlocalandforeignsuppliersandcontractorsshallbeprovidedinthisAct's
IRR.
See.   60.   Pre-Arranged   Contracts   or   Agreements   with   Private   Sector   Entiti,es.   ~
Notwithstanding Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the "Government Procurement
Reform Act", the Department shall have authority to enter into pre-arranged or contingency
contracts  or  agreements  with  private  sector  entities  for  the  purpose  of,  among  others,
establishing, a logistics system for the efficient and prompt distribution of goods, equipment
or other materials required for disaster response and management; securing food, medicines,
fuel, or other supplies from groceries, pharmacies, gas stations or other sourees in the event of
a disaster in a specific area; ensuring an alternative source of power or water from private
utilities in the event of a disaster in a specific area; or other arranging the immediate supply of
other goods,  services  or equipment necessary  for disaster  response  and  management.  The
conditions,  limitations  and parameters  of contracts  or arrangements  authorized under this
Section shall be provided in this Act's IRR.
See.  61.  Other Procurement Rules  and  Policies. - ha v±ow  o£ the urgeney  a;nd to  aNOLd
unnecessary delays to procure goods,  services,  and implement projects  for the purpose of
providing responsive, effective, and efficient rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts
for,andtocontinuetheprovisionofbasicservicesto,disastervictimsordisasteraffectedareas,
the DBM  and GPPB  shall  issue appropriate resolutions,  orders,  and policies to  effectively
implement the provisions of this Act.
Sec.62.GovernmentAccountingandAuditingPolicies.-TheCOAshalllIoview,aLhiign,and
issue policies or rules to improve the efficiency and expediency of procurement and audit
processes for programs and projects related to disaster resilience and management.
ARTICLE XVII
SPECIAL RULES 0N BORROWINGS AND TAXES
49


Scc 63. Rw/es o# BorrowJ.#g. - The LGUs shall access foreign financing, through the DOF,
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and other relevant agencies, as applicable, to implement
disaster prevention, mitigation, early recovery, and rehabilitation measures at the provincial,
city, or municipal level.
Scc.  64. fpccl.a/ RH/es o#  rflx ¢"d D##.es. - To facilitate prompt, efficient and effective
response to, recovery from disasters, and building forward better in disaster-affected areas, the
following  shall  be  granted  special  exemptions  from  existing  taxation  laws,  rules,  and
regulations:
a.   Exemption from taxes and import duties for foreign disaster assistance or international
donations coursed through the Department;
b.   Exemption from donor's tax and allowing the treatment of donations as a deductible
expense for local disaster assistance coursed through the Department;
c.   Exemption from the Value Added Tax  (VAT)  for goods  or services  donated from
abroad as coursed through the Depatment;
d.   Tax incentives to encourage members of the private  sector to render aid or provide
disaster assistance, and/or to invest in disaster resilience and climate change adaptation
and mitigation measures for their residences, communities and/or businesses.
LGUs  may  also  implement  local  tax  rules  that  would  grant  disaster  victims  reasonable
reduction, exemption, or deferment of local taxes or other types of tax assessments; or take
other necessary action at the local level to provide tax relief to disaster victims.
Scc. 65. Cws/o"s Dwfl.cs ¢#d rorzJTj/s o# Do#¢*.o#s. -The BOC shall create rules that would,
among others, hasten the processing and release of donated goods and equipment to disaster
victims and/or affected areas.
See. 66. Economic Recovery and Development Of I)isaster-Prone Areas. ~:The Dapa;rfuerut,
in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other relevant agencies,
shall craft policies, and implement the necessary programs and projects to stimulate economic
activities and encourage investments to assist disaster-affected areas develop or recover faster,
as applicable.
The Department, in collaboration with the relevant LGUs and other stakeholders, shall likewise
establish dual puxpose structures in disaster-affected area, such as, among others. community
50


agricultural   centers,   classrooms,   and  water  harvesting  tanks   to   develop   and  promote
investments in disaster-prone or affected areas.
ARTICLE XVIII
PROHIBITED ACTS AND PHNALTIES
sac.  67. Profoi.bl.red Acts. - Any public official, private person, group or corporation who
commits  any of the  following prohibited  acts  shall  be held  liable  and be  subjected to  the
criminal  and  administrative  penalties  as  provided  for  in  Section  71   of this  Act,  without
prejudice to the imposition of other criminal, civil and administrative liabilities under existing
laws.
a.    Prohibited  Acts  of Public  Officials.  -  The  following  acts,  if committed  by  public
officials without justifiable cause, shall be considered as gross neglect of duty:
1.  Dereliction  of duties  that  leads  to  destruction,  loss  of lives,  critical  damage  of
facilities and misuse of funds;
2.Failuretoenforcelaws,standards,orregulationssuchastheNationalBuildingCode,
Solid Waste Management Act,  Water Code,  and other relevant laws,  leading to
destruction, loss of lives, and/or critical damage of facilities;
3.  Failure to create a functional LDR Office within six (6) months from the approval
of this Act;
4.  Failure to appoint a permanent local disaster resilience officer within six (6) months
from approval of this Act;
5. Failure to prepare and implement a Contingency and Adaptation Plan for hazards
frequently occurring within their jurisdictions;
6.  Failure  to  formulate  and  implement  the  LDRP  with  the  corresponding  budget
allocation; and
7.  Sexual exploitation and abuse and other forms of sexual misconduct on the affected
population or at-risk communities.
b.   Prohibited Acts of public Officials and Private Persons or Institutions. -
1.  Delay, without justifiable cause in the delivery, proper handling or storage of aid
commodities, resulting to damage or spoilage;
2.  Withholding  the   distribution  of  relief  goods   due  to   (i)  political   or  partisan
considerations; (ii) discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, or gender; and
(iii) other similar circumstances;
51


3.  Preventing  the  entry  and  distribution  of relief goods  in  disaster-stricken  areas.
including appropriate technology, tools, equipment, accessories, disaster teams or
experts;
4.  Buying, for consumption or resale, from disaster relief agencies any relief goods,
equipment or other and commodities, which are intended for distribution to disaster-
affected communities;
5.  Buying, for consumption or resale, from the recipient disaster affected persons any
relief goods, equipment or other ald commodities received by them;
6.  Selling of relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities, which are intended for
distribution to disaster victims;
7.  Forcibly seizing relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities intended for or
consigned to a specific group of victims or relief agency;
8.  Diverting or misdelivery of relief goods,  equipment or other aid commodities to
persons other than the rightful recipient or consignee;
9.  Accepting,  possessing,  using  or  disposing  relief goods,  equipment  or  other  aid
commodities not intended for nor consigned to him or her;
10.Misrepresentingthesourceofreliefgoods,equipmentorotheraidcommoditiesby:
i.   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;
ii.   Repacking   the   goods,   equipment   or   other   aid   commodities   into
containerswithdifferentmarkingstomakeitappearthatthegoodscame
from another agency or persons or was released upon the instance of a
particular agency person, or persons; and
iii.   Making  false  verbal  claim  that  the  goods,  equipment  or  other  and
commodity in its untampered original containers actually came from
another  agency  or  persons  or  was  released  upon  the  instance  of a
particular agency, person, or persons;
11. Substituting or replacing relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities with the
same items or inferior/cheaper quality;
12. Illegal solicitations by persons or organizations representing others as defined in the
standards and guidelines set by the Department;
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13. Deliberate use of false at inflated data in support of the request for funding, relief
goods, equipment or other aid commodities for emergency assistance or livelihood
projects;
14. Stealing, taking, or processing of any of the equipment, accessories and other vital
facility or items or any part thereof;
15.Sellingorbuyingstolenequipment,accessories,andothervitalfacilityitemsorany
part thereof;
16.Tamperingwithorstealinghazardmonitoringanddisasterpraparednessequipment
and paraphemalia;
17. Attempting to commit any of the abovementioned prohibited acts; and
18. Benefitting from the proceeds or fruits of any of the abovementioned prohibited
acts knowing that the proceeds or fruits are derived from the commission of said
prohibited acts.
Sac.  68. Pe#¢Jr*.cs .-.-- £4ny individual, corporation, partnership, association or other juridical
entity that commits any of the prohibited acts in the preceding section shall be made liable for
the following:
a.   The penalty of imprisonment of not less than twelve ( 12) years but not more than fifteen
(15) years or a fine of not less than One Million Pesos (Php 1,000,000.00) but not more
than Three Million Pesos or both imprisonment and fine at the discretion of the cout
shallbeimposeduponanypersonfoundguiltyofviolatingsubsections(a)(I)to(b)(16)
of the  preceding  section,  as  well  as  the  confiscation  or  forfeiture  in  favor  of the
government of the objects  and the  instrunentalities used in the  commission of the
prohibited acts;
b.   The penalty of imprisonment of not less than six (6) years but not more than eight (8)
years or a fine of not less than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 500,000.00) but not
more than One Million Pesos (Php 1,000,000.00), or both imprisorment and fine at the
discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon any person who attempts to commit any
of the  prohibited  acts  in  the  preceding  Section,  in  violation  of Subsection  (b)(17)
thereof;
c.    The penalty of imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than six (6)
years or a fine of not less than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 200,000.00) but not
more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 500,000.00), or both imprisonment and
fine at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of
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unlawfully  benefiting  from  the  proceeds  or  fruits  of any  of the  prohibited  in  the
preceding section, in violation of subsection a)(18) thereof;
d.   Aside from the penalty of fine or imprisonment or both, perpetual disqunlification from
public  office  shall  be  imposed  if the  offender  is  a  public  officer,  along  with  the
confiscation  or  forfeiture   in  favor  of  the  government  of  the  objects   and  the
instrumentalities used in the commission of any of the prohibited acts in the preceding
section;
e.   If the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, or other juridical entity, the
penalty shall be imposed upon the officer or officers of the corporation. partnership,
association or entity responsible for the violation without prejudice to the cancellation
or revocation of these entities' registration, license or accreditation issued to them by
any licensing or accredited body of the government. If such offender is an alien, he or
she shall, in addition to the penalties prescribed in this act, be deported without further
proceedings after service of sentence;
f.    Payment of the full cost of repair or replacement of the government risk reduction and
preparedness equipment, accessories and other vital facility items, or any part thereof;
which is the object of the crime shall likewise be imposed upon any person who shalt
commit any of the prohibited acts in the preceding Section; and
9.   The prosecution for offenses  set forth under the preceding section shall be without
prejudice to any criminal liability for violation of Republic Act No. 3815, as amended,
otherwise known as the "Revised Penal Code", and other existing laws, as well as the
imposition of applicable administrative or civil liabilities.
See. 69. Liability fior Unla[wful Performance Of I)uties and State Liability i,n case Of Dofense
£I.rfg¢fron. -In case a lawsuit is filed against any personnel of the Department as a result of
the performance of his or her duties, and such perfomance was f und to be lawful, or she shall
be  reimbursed by  the  Department  for reasonable  costs  of litigation.  For this  purpose,  the
Department  is  authorized  to  procure  applicable  liability  insurance  for  its  officers  and
employees.
Sca70.DI.SCI.p/i.i.aryPowcrso/frfecPresl.de#f.-ThePresident,subjecttotherecommendation
oftheDepartmentSecretaryandtheDepartmentofthelnteriorandLocalGoverrment(DILG),
shall have the power to  impose administrative sanctions again t local chief executives and
barangay  officials  for  willful  or  negligent  acts  that  relate  to  the  implementation  of,  or
compliance with, this Act and its IRR or relating to their official functions, which adversely
54


affect disaster resilience projects such as, but not limited to, delayed issuance of permits or
failure to implement local ordinances.
ARTICLE XIX
DISASTER RESILIENCE FUND
Sec.71.AppropriedonsandManagementOfDisasterResilienceFund.-Thebndgctofthe
Department shall be composed of the following, which shall be collectively called the Disaster
Resilience Fund:
a.   Annual General Appropriations - shall provide the funding requirements for, among
others, research, operations, maintenance, plans, and programs of the Department of
Disaster Resilience, including, but not limited to, establishment of evacuation centers,
retrofitting   of   structures,   establishment   of   emergency   operating   centers,   and
implementation of other disaster risk reduction proj ects.
b.   Disaster Contingency Fund - shall be in a lump-sum form to provide funds in case of
imminent hazards or actual disasters for, among others, immediate response, relief and
quick recovery measures for disaster affected areas.
c.   Rehabilitation  and  Recovery  Fund  -  shall  provide  the  funding  requirements  for
rehabilitation and/or reconstruction projects of disaster affected areas such as public
classrooms, government buildings, public hospitals, permanent shelters and livelihood
programs.
The Disaster Resilience Fund shall be managed by the Department to finance its op rations,
and  disaster  risk  reduction,  disaster  preparedness,  response,  recovery,  rehabilitation  and
building for-ward better programs, proj ects and activities formulated at the national level.
Scc72.Co#tr.#wl.#g4apraprl.¢fro#s.-TheunutilizedbalancesfromtheDisasterContingency
Fund, and Rehabilitation and Recovery Fund shall be treated as Continuing Appropriations,
which may be used to finance the cost of projects, programs, and/or activities even when such
costsareincurredbeyondthefiscalyearoftheGAAfromwhichsuchfundswereappropriated.
sac.  73. Fw#d jRcg#J¢fro#s. - The DBM and COA shall establish rules and regulations that
apply specifically to the Disaster Resilience Fund to ensure that funds required for disaster
response,   recovery,   and   rehabilitation   are   available   and/or   release   d   efficiently   and
expeditiously through irmovative budgeting and auditing  mecbanisms,  which may include,
among others, providing for longer validity periods for funds and/or exemption from cash-
55


based budgeting rules; imposing auditing or reporting requirements, wbich apply specifically
to the utilization of the Disaster Resilience Fund.
See. 74. Local Disaster Resi,lience Fund and Local Disaster Contingeney Fund. -I:GHs
shall annually set aside not less than ten percent (10%) of their local budget, to constitute a
Local Disaster Resilience Fund (LDRF). The LGU shall use its LDRF to maintain and operate
itslocaldisasterresilienceofficetomaintainitsofficers,employeesandstaff,andtoimplement
plans, programs and activities under its LDRP. Thirty percent (30%) of the LDRF shall be set
aside as Local Disaster Contingency Fund qDCF), which shall be used for disaster response
andquickrecoverymeasures.NothingcontainedinthisActshallpreventLGUsfromproviding
additional funding or allocating additional resources for disaster resilience activities, plans and
programs within their jurisdiction.
Sea   75.  Swzp/eme#to/ I,Z}RF -  The  Department  may  allocate  and  disburse  funds  to
supplement an LGU's LDRF based on the parameters and requirements indicated in the IRR.
h determining such parameters and requirements, the IRR shall aim to provide supplemental
funds to LGUs with low income and/or high exposure to natural hazards. Supplemental LDRFs
shall, as much as possible, fill gaps or shortages in LG resources to ensure that LGUs can
implement   disaster   resilience   measures   such   as,   among   others,   implementing   their
LDRPprovincial LDRP, establishing their local disaster resilience offices, obtaining and/or
maintaining the necessary equipment and staff of their local disaster resilience offices, and
implementing the NDRF and at the local levels.
See. 76. poop/a 's Swrvl.ti¢J Fw#d - The Department shall manage and administer the People's
Survival Fund, created under Republic Act no.  10174, and facilitate its utilization by LGUs,
through RDROs, to implement climate change adaption and mitigation projects of LGUs and
enhance the climate resilience of vulnerable communities.
Sea  77. Mw/f±.-Do#or rrws£ Fw#d -The Department shall create and manage, together with
theBureauofTreasury,aMulti-DonorTrustFundfortheprocessing,releasingandaccounting
of money and other similar resources intended for disaster assistance. The Department shall
establish a system to ensure transparency in the management and use of the Multi-Donor Trust
Fund.
See. 78. Financial Administration. -The Department shall manage all finds appropriated to it
by Congress and received from other sources. The Department shall also manage all donations
56


receivedbyit,subjecttotheauditingpowersoftheCOATofunditsoperations,theDepartment
shall have the power to collect fees derived from the DRRTI and other related activities.
ARTICLE X
SPECIAL COURTS AND INJUNCTIONS
Sec. 79. Special Courts on Disaster Resilience Matters -To ensure the prompt and expeditious
resolution of disputes relating to disaster response, recovery or rehabilitation measures, the
Supreme Court shall designate special courts to hear, try, and decide cases arising from the
following, among others :
a.   Expropriation, eminent domain or right-of-way issues related to the implementation of
disaster resi lience proj ects;
b.   Failure to comply with standards for disaster risk reduction and continuity plarming,
including, but not limited to, infrastructure standards and designs;
c.   Commission of prohibited acts under Article XVIII of this Act; and
d.   Disputes  involving  donations,  relief goods,  or  contracts  executed  or  implemented
pursuant to the provisions of this Act.
Scc.  60.  Di.spw/e ResoJwtr.oH  Mech¢#i.sins.  -  The  Department  shall  establish  a  Disaster
Resolution Board, which shall resolve disputes involving administrative matters related to:
a.   Accreditation  or  denial  of accreditation  of disaster  resilience  training  institutions,
trainers,  instructors,  donors,  volunteers,  and  Assisting  Domestic  or  International
Actors;
b.   Decisions of the RDROs;
c.   Contracts entered into by the Department or any of its agents pursuant to the provisions
of this Act; and
d.   Other administrative matters or issues as may be determined by the Department. T
The  composition,  structure,  and  other  organizational  matters  related to the  DRB  shall be
defined and provided in this Act's IRR.
See.81.ImposidonofTemporaryRestrainingorder.-"oCoul[t,e;neapittlnesxprermecond,
shall have the power to issue an injunction or a temporary restraining order against any action
taken or projects implemented by the Department or its agents pursuant to this Act.
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ARTICLE XXI
FINAL PROVISIONS
Sea 62. rra#s/er a/FWHc&.ons. -The following are hereby transferred to the Department:
a.   All the functions of the Climate Change Commission (CCC);
b.   Natural   disaster-related  functions  of  the  National  Disaster  Risk  Reduction  and
Management Council OrDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD); and
c.   Natural   disaster-response   functions   of  the   Department   of  Social   Welfare   and
Development @SWD).
Accordingly, the CCC and NDR"C are hereby abolished. The DILG, DND, DSWD, and
other relevant government instrumentalities, including the AFP, BFP, PNP, PCG, and OCD,
shall  continue  to  perform  their  functions  related  to  the  management  of human-induced
disasters, as provided by existing laws.
Sea  83.  Tro#s/er a/Reso#rces. -The transfer of powers and functions listed above shall
include   the   corresponding   funds   and  appropriations,  p/a77fz.//a   positions,   data,   records,
equipment,   facilities,   properties   and   other   resources   of   the   concerned   government
instrunentalities.  The  Department  shall  have  the  power  to  reorganize  or  reallocate  these
resources and positions, as may be necessary to attain the goals and objectives of this Act.
See. 84. Program Managemerit Office fior the Euthqucke Restlieney Of the Great r Metro
Manz/a Area.  - The  Program Management Office  for the  Earthquake  Resiliency  of the
Greater Metro Manila Area ¢MO-ERG), as created pursuant to and mandated by Executive
Order no.  52,  s. 2018, shall be attached to the Department and he authorized to implement
earthquake resiliency programs, projects, and activities, as it may deem necessary to cany out
its mandate and attain its overall goals, The Head of the PMO-ERG shall report directly to the
SDR.
Sea.  65.  Posf-DI.roster SfecJfers - The  Department  shall  establish  a post-disaster  shelter
recovery policy framework for low-income/informal settler families, with t e assistance of the
appropriate housing agencies and the applicable LGUs. It shall determine, among others, the
appropriate shelter modalities depending on the following phases:  emergency, temporary or
transitional, and permanent. The Department shall likewise identify, assess, and decide on safe
zones for the implementation of recovery or rehabilitation proj ects.
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Sac.  86.  C#/fwrm[J Herr.fngeL  -To protect, preserve, and promote the nation's historical and
cultural heritage, the Department shall assist the relevant cultural and heritage agencies and the
appropriate LGUs to give priority protection and restoration to all national cultural treasures or
national historical landmarks, sites, or monuments in pos -disaster recovery or rehabilitation
measures.
Sac.   87.  J#dz.ge#ows  poop/a.  -  The  Department,  with  the  assistance  of  the  National
Commission  on  Indigenous  Peoples  avcIP)  and  the  applicable  LGUs,  shall  devise  and
implement  mechanisms  that  foster  social  protection  for  indigenous  communities  that  are
vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters.
The Department shall ensure respect for, and protection of, the traditional resource right of the
hdigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) to their ancestral domains,
and recognize the customary laws and traditional resource use and management, knowledge,
and practices in ancestral domains.
In ancestral domains that are disaster-prone, the Department, with the assistance of the NCIP
and applicable LGUs, shall create an Ancestral Domain Disaster Management and Resiliency
Plan.  It  shall  likewise  properly  communicate  and  explain  information  on  disaster risks  in
ancestraldomainswiththeconcemedICCs/IPsand,asmuchaspossible,engagesuchICCs/IPs
in jointly formulating a disaster resiliency plan for their ancestral domain.
Scc.  86. JHce#ft.ties Program. -The Department shall establish an incentives program that
recognizes the outstanding promotion and implementation by local disaster resilience offices,
CSOs, academe, and other institutions of disaster resilience programs and/or projects, and the
meritorious acts of individuals or entities during natural disasters.
See.  89.  Structural Audit Of Government Buildings  and Critical Infirastructure. - The
Department shall be  assisted by the DPWH,  DOTr,  Department of Energy  (DOE),  DOH,
DepEd, DICT, DILG, local building officials, and other relevant government instrunentalities
and stakeholders, in ensuring the effective and expeditious conduct of structural audit, as often
as necessary, on government buildings, critical infrastructure, and private structures to attain
the disaster risk reduction goals of this Act.
Sac.  90.   rr¢#si.fory  ProtJisl.o#s.  -  The  functions,  assets,  funds,  equipment,  properties,
transactions, and personnel of the affected and transferred agencies, and the formulation of the
internal  organic  structure,  staffing  pattern,  operating  system,  and  revised  budget  of the
59


Department, shall be completed within one (I) year from the effectivity of this Act, during
which time the existing personnel shall continue to assume their posts on holdover capacity.
The  Department,  in  collaboration  with  the  DBM,  shall  come  up  with  its  Organizational
Structure and Staffing Pattern, both of which shall be approved within thirty (30) days from
the effectivity of this Act.
The Secretary of National Defense shall serve as the interim SDR until such time that the SDR
has been appointed and taken histher oath of office. Upon assumption to duty, the SDR shall
make use of the existing structure, systems, and personnel in responding to natural hazards and
disasters within the transition period.
In accordance with Section  12 of this Act and the critical importance of attracting the most
competent and dedicated persomel to the Department, suitable and qualified career personnel
from the NDRRMC-OCD, DSWD, and the CCC, as defined by the CSC and other pertinent
rules, may be absorbed by the Department. The system and mechanics for this shall be defined
in the IRR of this Act.
Sac. 9J. M¢g#¢ car/¢ Be#cfts. -Qualified employees of the Department. including those of
its attached agencies, shall be covered by and entitled to the benefits under Republic Act No.
8439, otherwise known as the Magma Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other 5
&TPersormelintheGovemment,andRepublicActNo.7305,otherwiseknownastheMagna
Carta of Public Health Workers.
See.  92. H¢z¢rd P¢)?.  - All persormel of the Department and the local disaster resilience
offices are entitled to receive hazard pay, subject to the guidelines to be set forth in the IRR of
this Act.
See. 93. Separation Benef tits Of Of f icials and Employees Of Af f iected Agencies. ~ I+8irironeil
government employees displaced or separated from service as a result of this Act shall be
entitled to either separation pay and other benefits in accordance with existing laws, rules, or
regulations,orbeentitledtoavailthemselvesoftheprivilegesprovidedunderaseparationplan
that shall be one and one-half month salary for every year of service in the goverrment.
In no case shall there be any diminution of benefits under the separation plan until the full
implementation of this Act. With respect to employees who are not retain d by the Department,
the  government,  through  the  Department  of Labor  and  Employment,  shall  endeavor  to
implement training, job counseling, and job placement programs.
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Sea 94. f4pproprl.¢fro#s. -The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act
shall be taken from the current fiscal year's unexpended and unobligated appropriations of all
agencies herein absorbed, transferred, and attached to the Department. Thereafter, the amounts
necessary for the operation of the Department and the implementation of this Act shall be
included in the armual General Appropriations Act.
See.95.ImplementingRulesandRegulations.-"eDepartrr\ent,DBM,DND,DOE,DILG,
DOST, NEDA, and the PMS shall collectively craft and issue, within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity  of this  Act,  the  lmplementing  Rules  and  Regulations  (IRR)  for  the  effective
implementation of this Act. They may call upon other relevant goverrment instrumentalities
and stakeholders to assist in the crafting of the IRR.
Sec. 96. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Disaster Resilience ~ rITiere srfuaA:1 be
created a Joint  Congressional  Oversight  Committee  on  Disaster Resilience  to  monitor the
implementation of this Act. The committee shall be composed of six (6) Members of the House
of Representatives  and  six  (6)  Senators to be designated by the  Specter of the House  of
RepresentativesandthePresidentoftheSenate,respectively;Provided.That;two(2)Members
of the House of Representatives and two (2) Senators shall come from the Minority of their
respective houses of Congress.  The committee shall be jointly chaired by a Member of the
House  of  Representatives  and  a  Senator  designated  by  the   Speaker  of  the  House  of
Representatives and the President of the Senate, respectively.
Sea 97. M¢Hdrfory Revl.ow. -Within five (5) years after the effectivity of this Act, or as the
need arises, the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Disaster Resilience shall conduct
systematic  evaluation  of  the  accomplishments  and  impact  of  this  Act,  as  well  as  the
perfomance of the Department of its mandate  and functions,  for purposes of determining
remedial legislation.
See 98. Jmferpre/w/I.o". -Any doubt in the interpretation of any provision of this Act shall be
resolved in favor of a liberal interpretation that will fulfill the objectives of this Act, especially
in relation to the provision of effective, efficient and timely disaster response, rehabilitation
and recovery.
Sac. 99. Separobl.Jrty C¢#sci - If any provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional
or invalid, the other provisions or parts thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force
and effect.
61


Sea JOG. Rcpe¢J!.#g Ca#se. -The provisions of Republic Act no.  10121, Republic Act no.
7160, Republic Act no. 7916, Republic Act no. 9184, and all other laws, decrees, executive
orders, proclamations and other executive issuances, which are not consistent with or contrary
to the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or amended.
Scc JOJ. EJ7jJeTcrfurty. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
62