Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH (20th) CONGRESS 
____ REGULAR SESSION 
House Bill No. ______ 
Introduced by 
Rep. ROBERT NAZAL 
AN ACT  
MANDATING THE FREE TRANSPORTATION OF RELIEF GOODS BY PUBLIC 
AND PRIVATE FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS COMPANIES TO 
CALAMITY-STRICKEN AREAS DURING DECLARED STATES OF CALAMITY, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, 
floods, and volcanic eruptions. According to PAGASA, more tropical cyclones are 
entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility than anywhere else in the world. With the 
average of 20 tropical cyclones in this region per year, with about 8 or 9 of them 
crossing the Philippines. Between October to November 2024, the compounded effects 
of tropical cyclones Kristine, Leon, and Marce, left an estimated economic loss of 
PHP22 billion pesos. It was reported that more than 13 million individuals were affected, 
with over 46,000 families displaced and forced to seek temporary shelter in evacuation 
centers. Widespread flooding affected 1,241 areas nationwide, while continuous heavy 
rainfall triggered at least 70 landslides. Entire towns and communities were submerged, 
prompting emergency response teams to operate round-the-clock to ensure the safety 
of affected residents and deliver immediate assistance. Relief operations led by 
government agencies and partner organizations mobilized over ₱1.39 billion in aid, 
including the distribution of approximately 1.64 million food packs to displaced families 
and vulnerable communities. 
This emphasizes the need for a prompt and efficient delivery of relief goods to affected 
communities. However, the cost and logistical constraints of transporting these supplies, 
especially to those who are located in remote or isolated regions, often delay 
humanitarian response and hinder recovery efforts. 
This measure addresses such challenges by requiring public and private freight carriers 
to provide free transportation of relief goods to areas officially declared under a state of 
calamity. It aims to institutionalize a disaster logistics support mechanism anchored on 
July 21, 2025
3:54 pm
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solidarity and national service, while allowing the government to maximize the delivery 
of critical aid. 
The bill also strengthens coordination between local government units, national 
agencies, and accredited humanitarian organizations, and encourages private-sector 
partnership in disaster response. 
Immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Rep. ROBERT NAZAL 
Bagong Henerasyon Party-List 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH (20th) CONGRESS 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
House Bill No. ______ 
Introduced by 
Rep. ROBERT NAZAL 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE FREE TRANSPORTATION OF RELIEF GOODS BY PUBLIC 
AND PRIVATE FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS COMPANIES TO 
CALAMITY-STRICKEN AREAS DURING DECLARED STATES OF CALAMITY, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act shall be known as the “Free Fright of Relief Goods Act of 2025”. 
SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY. 
It is the policy of the State to protect the welfare of its citizens during times of disaster 
by ensuring the immediate and unhampered delivery of relief goods to affected areas. In 
line with the principles of social solidarity and humanitarian service, the State shall 
mobilize public and private freight transport resources to facilitate the free movement of 
essential supplies to communities affected by calamities. 
SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS. 
As used in this Act, the following terms shall be understood to mean as follows, to wit: 
1. Relief Goods refers to food, water, clothing, medicine, hygiene kits, shelter
materials, and other essential supplies intended for distribution to individuals or
communities affected by a disaster;
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2.​ State of Calamity is condition declared by the President or a Local Government 
Unit (LGU), according to existing laws, due to the impact of a disaster requiring 
emergency response measures; 
 
3.​ Freight Services refer to the transportation of goods via land, sea, or by air from 
logistics providers, shipping lines, trucking companies, airlines, or other carriers; 
 
4.​ Government Agencies refer to national government entities, such as the 
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Office of Civil Defense 
(OCD), and other entities involved in disaster response; 
 
5.​ Accredited Relief Organizations are non-government organizations, foundations, 
faith-based groups, or civic associations registered with and authorized by the 
DSWD or the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 
(NDRRMC) to deliver humanitarian assistance.  
 
SECTION 4. MANDATORY FREE FREIGHT SERVICES. 
 
All freight service providers (either public or private) are hereby mandated to provide 
free transportation of relief goods to calamity-declared areas during the period of the 
declaration, subject to the following conditions: 
 
A.​
The transportation request must be endorsed or certified by the DSWD, OCD, 
NDRRMC, or the concerned LGU; 
 
B.​
Only essential relief items intended for distribution shall qualify for free transport 
under this provision;  
 
C.​
The freight destination must be within the area under a state of calamity; 
 
D.​
Private freight service providers shall be entitled to tax incentives or deductions 
equivalent to the value of the waived freight cost, subject to guidelines and 
valuation procedures as may be issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). 
 
SECTION 5. COORDINATION AND LOGISTICS SUPPORT.  
 
The DSWD and the OCD shall lead in coordinating logistics, allocating transport 
capacity, and prioritizing delivery schedules in cooperation with the LGUs and other 
accredited organizations. A centralized logistics command center may be activated 
during major disasters to streamline operations. 
 
SECTION 6. REPORTING AND MONITORING. 
 
All agencies and entities involved shall submit post-operation report detailing the type, 
quantity, source, and destination of goods transported. The NDRRMC shall maintain a 
database of compliant freight providers and their contributions for public transparency. 
 


 
 
SECTION 7. INCENTIVES FOR PRIVATE PARTICIPATION.  
 
Private freight and logistics providers that participate in the implementation of this Act 
shall be eligible for the following incentives:  
 
1.​ Recognition and accreditation by the NDRRMC; 
2.​ Tax deductions on the value of freight service rendered, subject to BIR 
guidelines; and 
3.​ Priority access to government procurement opportunities in logistics-related 
projects. 
 
SECTION 8. PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES. 
 
Any freight provider who willfully refuses to comply with the provisions of this Act without 
justifiable cause may be subjected to administrative sanctions, including suspension of 
permits or licenses, following applicable laws and regulations. 
 
Any public officer or employee who misuses the free freight services in violation of the 
terms of this Act or for personal use and benefit shall be subject to a fine of not less 
than fifty thousand pesos (PHP50,000.00) but not more than one hundred thousand 
pesos (PHP100,000.00) without prejudice to other administrative sanctions, in 
accordance with existing civil service rules and applicable laws. 
 
SECTION 9. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS.   
 
Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, in coordination with the 
NDRRMC, OCD, Department of Transportation (DOTr), and other relevant agencies, 
shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR). 
 
SECTION 10. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE.  
 
If any part or provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining 
provisions shall continue in full force.  
 
SECTION 11. REPEALING CLAUSE. 
 
All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, or regulations inconsistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 12. EFFECTIVITY.  
 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or at 
least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,