Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 4533

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL
CLIMATE AND DISASTER RESILIENCE INSTITUTE, DEFINING ITS
MANDATE, POWERS, FUNCTIONS, ORGANIZATION, FUNDING, AND
SUSTAINABILITY MECHANISMS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines ranks as the most at-risk country in the world according to the 2023
World Risk Index, owing to its extreme exposure to natural hazards, high levels of social
vulnerability, and persistent gaps in adaptive capacity. On average, the country experiences
more than twenty typhoons annually, in addition to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding,
droughts, and the slow-onset impacts of climate change such as sea level rise, biodiversity loss,
and food insecurity.

Despite the enactment of Republic Act No. 10121, which created the National Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council, major institutional gaps continue to undermine
national resilience. Fragmented mandates, weak vertical coordination, limited integration of
science in governance, and underperformance by many local government units persist as
systemic challenges.

‘The University of the Philippines Resilience Institute was created to advance evidence-
based strategies for disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation. However, as a regular
academic unit under the UP System, it lacks permanent fiscal support from the national budget,
plantilla staffing, and the legal mandate to operate as a full-fledged national institution.

This bill seeks to transform the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute into
the University of the Philippines National Climate and Disaster Resilience Institute (UP-
NCDRID. As a national institute, it will receive direct appropriations under the General


Appropriations Act, be authorized to establish plantilla positions, and have the requisite
mandate to act as the country’s central hub for resilience knowledge, foresight, and innovation.

The Institute shall:

(1) conduct advanced interdisciplinary research and foresight studies on hazards,
vulnerabilities, and adaptive strategies;

(2) establish a National Resilience Knowledge Platform as the country’s repository of
resilience data, toolkits, and best practices;

(3) translate research into policy instruments and operational manuals for national
agencies and local governments;

(4) deliver certificate programs, executive courses, and professional trainings;

(5) forge linkages with international organizations and financing institutions to
implement programs and access grants;

(6) collect training and service fees from private sector partners to build a sustainable
revolving fund; and

(7) serveas the scientific adviser of goverment on resilience, submitting annual reports
and policy recommendations to Congress and the Office of the President.

The measure is designed not only to strengthen the Philippines’ disaster preparedness
but also to position the country as a regional leader in resilience science and innovation in the
Asia-Pacific. Comparable institutions, such as Japan’s National Research Institute for Earth

i
Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED) and Singapore’s Centre for Climate Research, have
shown how institutionalized, government-supported research centers can significantly improve
disaster governance and long-term adaptation planning.

By enacting this measure, Congress will provide the Philippines with the institutional
backbone needed to confront intensifying climate and disaster risks, protect the lives and
dignity of its people, and safeguard the country’s long-term development trajectory.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

RAYMO) .N SALCEDA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 453 3

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL.
CLIMATE AND DISASTER RESILIENCE INSTITUTE, DEFINING ITS
MANDATE, POWERS, FUNCTIONS, ORGANIZATION, FUNDING, AND
SUSTAINABILITY MECHANISMS, 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 “University of the Philippines
‘National Climate and Disaster Resilience Institute Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to recognize
climate resilience and disaster risk reduction as central to national security, sustainable
development, and human dignity. The State shall institutionalize resilience science and
foresight into all levels of governance and enable the Philippines to become a global leader in
resilience innovation in the Asia-Pacific region.

The government affirms that resilience requires whole-of-nation and whole-of-society
participation, including strong linkages with international institutions, financing mechanisms,
civil society, local governments, and the private sector.

SEC. 3. Establishment. There is hereby established the University of the Philippines
National Climate and Disaster Resilience Institute, hereinafter referred to as the Institute, as a
national institute under the University of the Philippines System.

SEC. 4. Mandate. The Institute shall serve as the permanent national center of
excellence in resilience studies. It shall integrate disaster risk reduction, climate change
adaptation, and sustainable development, and provide scientific, technical, and policy support
to the government and the public.

The Institute shall conduct advanced interdisciplinary research on hazards,
vulnerabilities, and adaptive strategies. It shall institutionalize a National Resilience


Knowledge Platform as the central repository of risk data, foresight models, toolkits, and
planning guides accessible to all stakeholders. It shall translate research outputs into
operational manuals, planning templates, and policy instruments for national agencies and local
governments. It shall provide education and training programs for professionals, communities,
and decision-makers. It shall forge partnerships with local and international universities,
development institutions, and scientific organizations to enhance the Philippines’ resilience
capacity. It shall serve as scientific adviser to government on resilience, submitting annual
reports and policy recommendations to Congress and the Office of the President.

SEC. 5. Powers and Functions. The Institute shall have the following powers and
functions:

(1) To receive direct appropriations under the General Appropriations Act and
administer its own budget;

(2) To establish plantilla positions for researchers, faculty, technical staff, and
administrators to ensure long-term capacity;

(3) To enter into agreements with foreign governments, international organizations,
financing institutions, and development partners to implement programs, projects, and
joint initiatives, consistent with national interest and subject to Philippine laws;

(4) To accept grants, donations, endowments, and other forms of official development
assistance, which shall be administered as special accounts within the Institute for
resilience programs;

(5) To develop and deliver certificate programs, executive courses, and professional
trainings, and collect reasonable fees from private sector participants and other
beneficiaries, which shall accrue to the Institute's revolving fund for program
sustainability;

(6) To mobilize external resources from the private sector, including research
sponsorships, innovation challenges, and public-private partnerships;

(7) To publish official research outputs, policy briefs, and resilience reports; and
(8) To exercise such other powers as may be necessary to fulfill its mandate.

SEC. 6. Governance. The Institute shall be headed by an Executive Director who shall
be appointed by the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines upon
recommendation of the President of the University.

The Executive Director shall be supported by Deputy Executive Directors for Research
and Foresight, Education and Training, Policy and Governance, and Knowledge Management.

There shall be an Advisory Council composed of representatives from the Department
of Science and Technology, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the
Department of Budget and Management, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council, the Climate Change Commission, and at least two representatives from


the private sector and development community. The Council shall provide guidance on
strategic priorities, international cooperation, and resource mobilization.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
‘Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the University of the Philippines Resilience
Institute. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

Funds generated through grants, official development assistance, research contracts,
donations, and training fees shall constitute a revolving fund to be administered by the Institute
subject to existing government accounting and auditing rules.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the University of the Philippines, in consultation with the Department
of Budget and Management, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, and other relevant agencies, shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation.

The rules shall be developed through consultations with local governments, civil
society organizations, private sector partners, and international institutions engaged in
resilience and climate programs.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations,
or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,