1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by Representatives  
BELLA VANESSA B. SUANSING and MIKAELA ANGELA B. SUANSING 
AN ACT 
PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS AND 
PENALIZING THE ACTS OF ARBITRARY INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Throughout its history, the Philippines has faced recurring displacement challenges 
emerging from natural disasters or armed conflicts, which remain threats to community 
and familial cohesion. Pertinent events of displacement remain relevant to the Filipino 
historical zeitgeist, and so does the persisting presence of Internally Displaced People 
(IDPs). 
For example, the 2017 Marawi Siege displaced over 1.1 million Filipinos to neighboring 
cities and provinces. Typhoon Yolanda displaced over 4 million Filipinos in 2013. Not 
only did provincial and local government units struggle to address resource 
management issues that emerged from a crisis of this nature, but first responders faced 
daily legal quandaries on the boundaries of crisis response in relation to IDPs. 
In the aftermath of the first response, issues continually emerged about the state of IDP 
shelters, their right to livelihood during their displacement, and the fulfillment of their 
rights to running water and to basic necessities. As more of this type of national crisis 
emerged, so did the growing necessity for a comprehensive legal framework that defines 
the rights of IDPs and deterrents towards arbitrary displacement. 
Introduced by Representatives Bienvenido Abante, Jr., Josephine Veronique “Jaye” 
Lacson-Noel, Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, and Jude A. Acidre in the 19th Congress, 
the following bill aims to establish a systematic approach to managing and assisting 
IDPs, taking into account the evolving landscape of global challenges such as climate 
change and geopolitical shifts. 
July 28, 2025
8:00 am
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This proposed legislative measure establishes a clear definition of IDPs and recognizes 
their distinct vulnerabilities and rights, which is essential to addressing the specific 
needs of the IDP population. This bill also establishes coordination mechanisms among 
relevant government agencies, local government units, and non-governmental 
organizations to eliminate redundancies in response efforts during pivotal times of 
crisis. The bill also emphasizes the protection of the rights of IDPs, including, but not 
limited to, access to adequate housing, education, healthcare, and livelihood 
opportunities.   
Guided by the principle that IDPs are not monolithic communities, this bill provides 
special attention to the needs of vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the 
elderly. A key focus of the bill is the development of durable solutions for IDPs, 
including comprehensive reintegration into their communities and the facilitation of 
voluntary relocation to safer areas, as necessary. The bill emphasizes the importance of 
rehabilitation efforts that aim to restore community dynamics and infrastructure to pre-
displacement conditions or better.  
The bill also ensures that the public is cognizant of the challenges faced by IDPs and 
the involuntary nature of displacement through public awareness campaigns. To address 
challenges to local government units and stakeholders elucidated by recent crises, the 
bill hopes to establish capacity-building initiatives for government agencies and 
stakeholders involved in IDP response and management. 
With the emergence of persisting challenges exacerbated by climate change and 
geopolitical dynamics, the country must prepare for a future in which displacement 
might be an enduring reality. The legal framework proposed by this bill seeks to address 
the multifaceted concerns surrounding internally displaced persons. By establishing a 
blueprint of action, the Philippine government can proactively and effectively respond 
to the needs of IDPs, ensuring their protection, dignity, and eventual reintegration into 
society. This legislation represents a significant step toward a more resilient and 
compassionate nation in the face of adversity. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
BELLA VANESSA B. SUANSING  
MIKAELA ANGELA B. SUANSING 
      2nd District of Sultan Kudarat 
1st District of Nueva Ecija 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by Representatives  
BELLA VANESSA B. SUANSING and MIKAELA ANGELA B. SUANSING 
AN ACT 
PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS AND 
PENALIZING THE ACTS OF ARBITRARY INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Rights of Internally 
Displaced Persons Act of 2025" 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Principles and State Policies. – Consistent with the 
principles enshrined in the 1987 Constitution, the standards set by International Humanitarian 
Law (IHL) and human rights laws, international treaties and conventions adhered to by the 
Philippines, and international customary law, including the United Nations' Guiding Principles 
on Internal Displacement (UNGPID), and other humanitarian standards it is also hereby 
declared a State policy to adopt a human rights-based approach for the promotion and 
protection of the rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in situations of armed conflict, 
generalized and/or organized violence, clan wars, violations of human rights, implementation 
of development projects, natural, human-induced and human-made hazards. 
In the event of armed conflict, the parties shall ensure the promotion and protection of 
the rights of the victims of and non-combatants in armed conflict in accordance with IHL, 
international customary law, international human rights laws, and domestic laws. 
The State hereby reiterates its declared policies given under the Special Protection of 
Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act (RA 11188), the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act 
(RA 8371), Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and 
Other Crimes Against Humanity (RA 9851), and Children's Emergency Relief and Protection 
Act (RA 10821), among others. 
To address the risks involved in natural hazards and the overall impact of climate 
change and global warming on the rights of those who are internally displaced, due reference 
shall be made to the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 9729, otherwise known as the 
"Climate Change Act of2009" and Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the 
"Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010", Republic Act No. 11188 
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or the "Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act", and Republic Act 
No: 10821 or the "Children's Emergency Relief and Protection Act" 
 
 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
 
(i) 
Apartheid refers to inhumane acts committed in the context of an institutionalized 
regime of systematic oppression and domination by one (1) racial group or groups and 
committed with the intention of maintaining that regime; 
 
(ii) 
Arbitrary Internal Displacement refers to an act of displacement or any other 
coercive act committed by any person or group/s of persons and directed against the 
civilian population, which is contrary to law, good morals, public order, or public 
policy, or committed with abuse of authority, oppressive or wanton disregard of the 
right to life, liberty or property and abode of the residents, whether permanent or 
temporary, of an area in which they are lawfully present, which causes displacement; 
 
(iii) 
Armed Conflict means any use of force or armed violence between States or 
protracted armed violence between governmental authorities and organized armed 
groups or between such groups within that State: Provided, That such force or armed 
violence gives rise, or may give rise, to a situation to which the Geneva Conventions 
of 12 August 1949, including their common Article 3, apply; 
 
Armed conflict may be international, that is, between two (2) or more States, including 
belligerent occupation; or non-international, that is, between governmental authorities 
and organized armed groups or between such groups within a state. It does not cover 
internal disturbances or tensions such as riots, isolated and sporadic acts of violence, 
or other acts of a similar nature;  
 
(iv) 
Children refers to persons below eighteen (18) years of age or those over but are 
unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, 
cruelty, exploitation, or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or 
condition; 
 
(v) 
Conflict-affected Areas are communities where (a) there are actual armed encounters 
between the government forces and political armed groups, or (b) where political 
armed groups dominate the state of affairs of the community, or (c) where other forms 
of violent conflicts exist;  
 
(vi) 
Conflict-vulnerable Areas are communities that are proximate to conflict-affected 
areas, where possible side-stepping of armed group(s) is imminent. It can also include 
geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) whose resources, actual or 
symbolic, are deemed valuable by the political armed group; 
 
(vii) 
Clan War refers to any conflict characterized by sporadic outbursts of retaliatory 
violence between and among families, kinship groups, and communities; 
 
(viii) Durable Solution when used in this act would mean that the internally displaced 
persons no longer have any specific assistance and protection needs that are linked to 


 
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their displacement and can enjoy their human rights without discrimination on account 
of their displacement; 
 
(ix) 
Enforced Disappearance as defined in RA 10353 refers to the arrest, detention, 
abduction or any other form of deprivation of liberty committed by agents of the State 
or by persons or groups of persons acting with the authorization, support or 
acquiescence of the State, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of 
liberty or by concealment of the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person, which 
places such person outside the protection of the law; 
 
(x) 
Ethnic Cleansing refers to an act of one ethnic or religious group to remove the 
civilian population of another ethnic or religious group from a certain geographic area 
by using force, threat, or intimidation, or deception to a person or groups of peoples 
in areas ethnically homogenous, such as Indigenous Cultural Communities Indigenous 
People (ICCs/IPs), or religious groups to be removed from a given area, their place of 
abode or territories that they have occupied since time immemorial; 
 
(xi) 
Generalized and/or Organized Violence refers to the purposeful and systematic use 
of terror and brutality to control individuals, groups and communities, through the use 
of overwhelming force, and is characterized by widespread, massive, or sufficient 
intensity, causing arbitrary internal displacement of persons or communities. 
 
Its methods include causing severe pain and suffering, killing, intimidating, 
threatening, and, in some cases, destroying a community, ethnic group or political 
opposition; 
 
(xii) 
Imperative Military Necessity is defined in accordance with the principle of military 
necessity in International Humanitarian Law, which permits measures that are actually 
necessary to accomplish a legitimate military purpose and are not otherwise prohibited 
in international humanitarian law; 
 
(xiii) Implementation of Development Projects refers to the carrying out of any 
undertaking or activity aimed at economic, social, or political growth, advancement, 
and expansion that results or may result in the arbitrary internal displacement of 
persons: Provided, That the term does not include projects that have undergone 
consultation with and secured the consent of the affected communities and those that 
are legitimate resettlement schemes and/or programs, including expropriation of 
property by the government; 
 
Reference to the Kampala Convention shall serve as a guide in the State's obligations 
in development projects, thus briefly: 
 
1. States Parties, as much as possible, shall prevent displacement caused by 
projects carried out by public or private actors; 
2. States Parties shall ensure that the stakeholders concerned will explore 
feasible alternatives, with full information and consultation of persons likely 
to be displaced by projects; 
3. States parties shall carry out a socio-economic and environmental impact 
assessment of a proposed development project prior to undertaking such a 
project. 


 
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(xiv) Internal Displacement refers to the involuntary movement or forced evacuation or 
expulsion of any person or group of persons who flee or leave their homes or places 
of habitual residence, within the national borders, as a result of or in order to avoid or 
minimize the effects of armed conflict situations of generalized  and/or organized 
violence, violations of human rights, implementation of development projects, 
natural, human-induced and human-made hazards; 
 
(xv) 
Internally Displaced Person (IDP) refers to any person or group of persons who has 
or have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual 
residence within the national borders who have not crossed an internationally 
recognized State border, as a result of or in order to avoid or minimize the effects of 
armed conflict, situations of generalized and/or organized violence, violations of 
human rights, implementation of development projects, clan wars, natural, human-
induced and human-made hazards; 
 
(xvi) Order of Battle refers to any document made by the military, police or any law 
enforcement agency of the government, listing the names of persons and organizations 
that are perceived to be enemies of the State and are considered as legitimate targets 
as combatants that it could deal with, through the use of means allowed by domestic 
and international law, 
 
(xvii) Sexual Abuse means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, 
whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions; 
 
(xviii) Sexual Exploitation means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of 
vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not 
limited to, profiting monetarily, socially, or politically from the sexual exploitation of 
another; 
 
(xix) Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups refer to those that face higher exposure to 
disaster risk and poverty including, but not limited to, women, children, youth, elderly, 
differently-abled people, and indigenous cultural communities or indigenous peoples. 
 
 
SECTION 4. Scope. – This Act shall primarily provide for the protection of rights of 
IDPs during and after displacement, as well as their safe, voluntary, and dignified return, local 
integration, or resettlement elsewhere in the country. This Act shall likewise cover arbitrary 
internal displacement of civilians as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, 
situations of generalized and/or organized violence, violations of human rights, implementation 
of development projects, natural, human-induced, and man made hazards. 
 
SECTION 5. Primary Duty to Protect the IDPs. – The State has the primary duty 
and responsibility to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to IDPs. As such, State 
authorities and parties to an armed conflict, irrespective of their legal status and applied without 
any adverse distinction, shall respect and ensure compliance with their obligations under 
international law, including IHL, human rights laws, and RA 10121 RA 10821, RA 11180, RA 
8371, and other relevant laws, so as to prevent and avoid conditions that might lead to the 
arbitrary internal displacement of persons. 
 


 
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SECTION 6. Protection of IDPs. – Internally displaced persons shall enjoy, in full 
equality, the same rights and freedoms under international and domestic law as do other persons 
in the Philippines. They shall not be discriminated against in the enjoyment of any rights and 
freedoms on the ground that they are internally displaced, or on any grounds such as race, color, 
sex, language, religion or belief, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, 
legal or social status, age disability, property, birth, or on any other similar criteria.  
 
SECTION 7. Rights During and After Displacement. – The following rights of IDPs 
shall be protected and upheld during and after their displacement whether found inside or 
outside evacuation centers, without discrimination of any kind, such as those based on race, 
color, sex, language, religion or belief, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social 
origin, legal or social status, age, disability, property, birth or on any other similar criteria: 
 
a) Provision and Access to Basic Necessities. - At the minimum, regardless of the 
circumstances, and without discrimination, the national and local governments shall 
provide IDPs with and ensure safe access to:  
i. 
Essential and adequate food and nutrition; 
ii. 
Water sanitation, hygiene facilities, including menstrual hygiene 
management requirements, and potable water; 
iii. 
Dignified, adequate, and safe shelter and housing in accordance with 
international and domestic standards; 
iv. 
Legal assistance such as, but not limited to, legal advice and 
documentation; 
v. 
Appropriate clothing; 
vi. 
Essential medical and dental services and sanitation, including 
psychological and social services and essential drugs and medicines; 
vii. 
Other humanitarian needs, including support to persons with specific 
needs, child- and mother-friendly facilities to include but not limited to 
breastfeeding stations, temporary learning places, places of worship; and  
viii. 
Due consideration in the processing of permits for the use of parcels of 
land for temporary residential or commercial use by IDPs. 
ix. 
Mitigation, prevention and response measures to protect displaced 
populations especially women, children, youth, among others, from all 
forms of violence, exploitation, abuse, neglect, and discrimination. 
 
b) Freedom of Movement. – 
 
i. 
Every IDP has the right to liberty of movement and the right to choose 
his/her residence, and move freely in and out of any evacuation center, 
encampment or other settlements. Restrictions on movement shall be 
introduced only in exceptional circumstances, subject to its existing rules 
and regulations; 
ii. 
IDPs, whether or not they are living in an evacuation center, 
encampment or other settlements, including home-based settings, shall 
not be discriminated against in the enjoyment of the following rights: 
i. to enjoy freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, 
opinion and expression; 
ii. to seek freely opportunities for employment and to 
participate in economic activities; 


 
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iii. to associate freely and participate equally in community 
affairs; 
iv. to vote and participate in governmental and public affairs, 
including the right to have access to the means necessary to 
exercise these rights; and 
v. to communicate in a language they understand; 
 
c) IDPs have the right to – 
 
i. 
 seek safety in another part of the country; 
ii. 
leave the country; 
iii. 
seek asylum in another country; and  
iv. 
be protected against forcible return or resettlement in any place where 
their lives, safety, liberty and/or health would be at risk; 
 
d) Recognition, Issuance and Replacement of Documents. - The authorities concerned 
shall issue to the IDPs all documents necessary for the enjoyment and exercise of their 
legal rights. In particular, these authorities shall facilitate the issuance of new 
documents or the replacement of documents lost in the course of displacement, without 
imposing unreasonable conditions, such as requiring the return to one's area of habitual 
residence in order to obtain their documents and without discrimination against men 
and women, who shall have equal rights to obtain and to be issued the same in their 
own names, however, pending the release or access of such documentation from the 
authorities, the enjoyment and exercise of legal rights of the IDPs will not be suspended 
 
e) Family Unity and Missing Persons. – 
i. 
Members of internally displaced families who wish to remain together 
shall be allowed to do so. Families that are separated by displacement 
and whose personal liberty have been restricted by internment or 
confinement in any evacuation center, facility, encampment or other 
settlements should be reunited immediately, with appropriate measures 
taken to expedite the reunion, particularly when children are involved; 
ii. 
The State shall facilitate inquiries made by family members and 
encourage and cooperate with the work of international and local 
humanitarian organizations engaged in the task of family reunification 
such as the ICRC and IRCM;  
iii. 
IDPs have the right to know the status and whereabouts of their missing 
relatives. The authorities concerned shall endeavor to establish the status 
and whereabouts of IDPs reported missing and cooperate with relevant 
international organizations engaged in this task. They shall inform the 
next-of-kin on the progress of the investigation and notify them of any 
result; 
iv. 
The authorities concerned shall endeavor to collect and identify the 
mortal remains of the deceased, prevent their despoliation or mutilation 
and facilitate the return of those remains to the next-of-kin or dispose of 
them respectfully according to customs and tradition; and 
v. 
Grave sites of IDPs shall be protected and respected in all circumstances 
and shall have the right of access to the grave sites of their deceased 
relatives; 
 


 
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f) Health and Education. – 
i. 
Certain IDPs, such as children, especially unaccompanied minors, 
expectant and breastfeeding mothers, mothers with young children, 
female heads of households, PWDs and elderly persons, and other 
vulnerable groups, shall be entitled to protection and assistance required 
by their condition and to treatment which takes into account their special 
needs; 
ii. 
All wounded and sick IDPs, as well as those with disabilities, shall 
receive to the fullest extent practicable and with the least possible delay 
the medical care and 
iii. 
Special attention shall be paid to the health needs of women, girls and 
LGBTs including access to comprehensive reproductive health care 
services and hygiene support, to be provided whenever feasible by 
female health care providers, as well as appropriate counseling and other 
services for victims of sexual and other abuses; 
iv. 
Special attention shall also be given to the prevention of health 
emergencies, contagious and infectious diseases, among IDPs; and 
v. 
The authorities concerned shall ensure that IDPs, in particular, displaced 
children, receive education that are be free and compulsory at the early 
and basic education. Special efforts shall be made to ensure the full and 
equal participation of women and children including those with 
disabilities in educational programs, and that respect for their cultural 
identity, language and religion, educational and training facilities shall 
be made available to them whether or not living in evacuation facilities, 
encampments, or other settlements as soon as circumstances permit; and 
 
g) Property and Possessions. - The property and possessions of IDPs shall, in all 
circumstances, be protected against the following acts: 
i. 
Pillage or looting; 
ii. 
Direct and indiscriminate attacks or other acts or omission; 
iii. 
Being used to shield military operations or objectives; 
iv. 
Being made the object of reprisal; 
v. 
Being destroyed or appropriated as a form of collective punishment; 
and 
vi. 
Destruction, arbitrary and illegal appropriation, occupation or use. 
 
h) Right to participation – IDPs including children shall have the right to actively 
participate in the planning and management of their displacement situation as well as 
return, local integration, or settlement elsewhere. In addition, IDPs shall be provided 
with conditions to facilitate the exercise of their right to political participation. The 
rights and obligations herein shall not be interpreted as restricting, modifying or 
impairing the provisions of any international human rights or international 
humanitarian law or rights granted to persons under domestic law. 
 
SECTION 8. Assistance During Displacement of IDPs. – The primary duty and 
responsibility for providing humanitarian assistance to IDPs lie with the State, in close 
collaboration with the LGUs exercising territorial jurisdiction over the affected area/s. As such, 
the military and law enforcement agencies conducting operations, the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), the local government 


 
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hospitals, the LGUs concerned and other appropriate government agencies shall provide 
immediate relief and humanitarian assistance to IDPs, families and communities. 
 
 
The Public Attorney's Office shall immediately coordinate with the abovementioned 
agencies for the provision of legal assistance to the IDPs. 
 
 
Humanitarian assistance to IDPs shall not be diverted, suspended, or diverted for any 
political or military reason. All authorities concerned shall grant and facilitate the free passage 
of humanitarian assistance to the IDPs and ensure rapid, safe and unimpeded access of persons 
engaged in giving such assistance, their transport and supplies to the displaced communities. 
Persons engaged in humanitarian assistance, their persons and transport, shall be protected. 
They shall not be the objects of attack or other acts of violence. 
 
 
All concerned authorities shall assist the IDPs in the restitution or recovery of their 
property and possessions, and shall provide or assist these persons in obtaining appropriate 
financial assistance or other forms of just reparation. 
 
 
SECTION 9. Prohibited Acts of Arbitrary Internal Displacement. – The prohibited 
acts of arbitrary internal displacement shall include those committed: 
a. based on policies of apartheid, ethnic cleansing, or similar practices aimed at or 
resulting in altering the ethnic, religious or racial composition of the affected 
population; 
b. in situations of armed conflict, unless the safety and security of civilians and non-
combatants are involved or imperative military reasons so demand; 
c. in cases of development projects, which have not secured the Free and Prior Informed 
Consent of the concerned ICCs/IPs or those which are not justified by compelling and 
overriding public interest and with proper implementation of return, local integration, 
or resettlement elsewhere of affected IDPs, including just compensation in view of 
expropriation proceedings; 
d. in cases of natural, human-induced, and man-made hazards, unless the safety, security, 
and health of those affected require their evacuation; 
e. when used as a form of collective punishment; 
f. in cases of clan wars, unless the safety and security of those civilians not involved in 
the conflict or violence are endangered; 
g. in cases where there is malice, bad faith, gross negligence, or in any manner causes a 
willful violation of the rights granted herein and other similar rights provided by 
international human rights law and domestic laws and policies. 
 
 
An Order of Battle or any document of similar nature issued by the military or any law 
enforcement agency of the government shall not justify arbitrary internal displacement and 
shall subject the perpetrators to the penalties provided herein. 
 
 
SECTION 10. Safeguards Against Arbitrary Internal Displacement. – If 
displacement is inevitable under circumstances beyond control that pose hazardous and 
security risks to the lives and properties of persons living in communities, displacement shall 
not be carried out in a manner that violates the rights to life, liberty, dignity, security, and 
property of those affected, irrespective of their legal status and applied without any adverse 
distinction.  
 


 
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All concerned authorities, groups, and persons shall observe the following safeguards 
against arbitrary internal displacement: 
 
a. All feasible alternatives shall be explored in order to avoid displacement. Where no 
alternative exists, all measures shall be undertaken to minimize displacement and its 
adverse effects on the population that will be affected; 
 
b. If displacement is inevitable, the authorities, pursuant to their respective mandates and 
functions, shall ensure, to the greatest practicable extent, that proper accommodation 
is effected in satisfactory conditions of safety, nutrition, water and sanitation, and 
health and hygiene, and that members of the same family, especially women and 
children, are not separated; 
 
c. Minorities, peasants, pastoralists, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and other groups 
with special dependency on and attachment to their lands shall be protected from 
arbitrary internal displacement. 
 
ICCs/IPs shall be protected from arbitrary internal displacement. When displacement 
is considered necessary as an exceptional measure, it shall take place only with the 
free and prior informed consent (FPIC) of ICCs/IPs concerned pursuant to the 
provisions of RA 8371 and existing guidelines on FPIC. 
 
d. In situations other than during the emergency stages of armed conflicts and disasters, 
the following guarantees shall be complied with: 
1. a specific decision which shall be taken by the authority empowered by law to 
order such measures; 
2. full disclosure of information on the reasons and procedures for the 
displacement and, when applicable, also on financial assistance and relocation; 
3. free and informed consent of those persons to be displaced shall be sought; 
4. authorities concerned shall endeavor to involve those affected, particularly 
women, elderly persons and PWDs, in the planning and management of their 
return, local integration or resettlement elsewhere; 
5. law enforcement measures, when required, shall be carried out by competent 
legal authorities; with proper observance of due process and respect for human 
rights; and 
6. the right to an effective remedy, including the review of such decisions by 
appropriate judicial authorities, shall be respected. 
 
 
SECTION 11. Permanent Prohibition Against Arbitrary Internal Displacement. – 
The prohibition against arbitrary internal displacement and the fundamental safeguards for its 
prevention shall not be suspended under any circumstance, including political instability, threat 
of war, state of war, or other public emergencies. 
 
 
SECTION 12. Early Recovery Plan. – All LGUs shall craft their Early Recovery Plans 
(ERP) under the supervision of the DILG. 
 
 
In this regard, the appropriate bureau under the DILG and the CHR shall jointly design 
the mechanism for providing technical assistance to LGUs, monitoring the compliance of 
LGUs, and in conducting the periodic review of the ERPs. 
 


 
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The authorities concerned shall endeavor to involve those belonging in the vulnerable 
and marginalized sector in the planning and management of their return, local integration or 
resettlement elsewhere. 
 
SECTION 13. Return, Local Integration or Resettlement – Competent authorities, 
such as the military and law enforcement agencies conducting operations, the DSWD, the 
DOH, the LGUs concerned, and other relevant government agencies, shall have the primary 
duty and responsibility to establish conditions and provide durable solutions as means for IDPs 
to return voluntarily, in safety and with dignity, to their homes or places of habitual residence, 
or to resettle voluntarily in places of refuge and/or in another part of the country, taking into 
consideration the right of IDPs to choose a residence. 
 
 
The CHR, through inclusive and extensive consultation, shall formulate a National 
Strategy on Solutions to Internal Displacement, which will be presented for adoption by the 
Inter-agency Coordinating Committee. 
 
 
The National Strategy be evaluated after five years from its adoption to inform the 
enhancement of the next-time bound National Strategy. 
 
 
Said authorities, including the CHR, shall likewise ensure prior consultations and the full 
participation of IDPs during and after the planning and management of their return, local 
integration, or resettlement elsewhere. 
 
 
SECTION 14. Development of Host Communities. – The State shall undertake the 
continuous development of host communities by ensuring that the relevant socio-economic, 
infrastructure and public works, and other development and investment plans, programs, and 
funding adequately and proportionately include the specific needs and requirements of these 
communities and localities. 
 
 
SECTION 15. Mechanisms for International Humanitarian Assistance. – 
International humanitarian organizations, their local counterparts and other appropriate actors 
shall have the right to offer their services, including humanitarian assistance, in support of the 
internally displaced. These acts shall be considered done in good faith and not as unfriendly 
acts or interference in the internal affairs of the government. Consent thereto shall not be 
arbitrarily withheld, particularly when authorities concerned are unable or unwilling to provide 
the required humanitarian assistance. 
 
 
All authorities shall grant and facilitate the free passage of humanitarian assistance and 
grant persons engaged in the provision of such assistance rapid and unimpeded access to the 
internally displaced. 
 
 
When providing assistance to IDPs, said organizations shall respect relevant domestic 
laws, international standards, and codes of conduct. They shall give due regard to the protection 
of the needs and human rights of the IDPs. All humanitarian organizations and agencies 
operating in any emergency-affected areas, or directly or indirectly interacting with the IDPs 
are prohibited from committing any acts of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse such as but 
not limited to: (a) sexual activity with children (as defined in RA 7610); (b) use of sex in 
exchange of money, employment, goods or services including hiring of prostitutes, and (c) any 
sexual relationship with beneficiaries that involves improper use of position. Humanitarian or 
aid workers shall uphold their duty of care towards the displaced populations and shall maintain 


 
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the trust of the communities being served. They are obliged to create and maintain an 
environment which prevents sexual exploitation and abuse." 
 
 
The importation and donation of food, clothing, medicine and equipment necessary for 
relief and assistance of IDPs are hereby authorized in accordance with Section 105 of the Tariff 
and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended, as regards national internal revenue taxes 
and import duties of national and local government agencies, and the prevailing provisions of 
the General Appropriations Act (GAA). 
 
 
 
SECTION 16. Penalties. –  
 
a. The penalty of reclusion temporal in its minimum to medium period shall be imposed 
upon any person or group of persons who commit the following: 
1. Those who directly commit the act of arbitrary internal displacement; 
2. Those who directly force, instigate, encourage, induce or incite others to commit 
the act of arbitrary internal displacement; 
3. Those who cooperate in the act of arbitrary internal displacement by committing 
another act, without which the act of arbitrary internal displacement would not 
have been carried out; 
4. Those who cooperated in the execution of the act of arbitrary internal 
displacement by previous or simultaneous acts; 
5. Those commanding officers of the military, police or other law enforcement 
agencies or other authorities, for acts of arbitrary internal displacement 
committed by forces under their effective command and control, or effective 
authority and control as the case may be, as a result of their failure to exercise 
proper control over such forces, where the commanding officers or authorities 
knew or, owing to the circumstances at the time, should have known that the 
forces were committing or about to commit such crimes, and failed to take all 
necessary and reasonable means within their power to prevent or repress their 
commission, or to submit the matter to competent authorities for investigation 
and prosecution; and 
6. In case the acts of arbitrary internal displacement are committed by a 
corporation or a juridical entity, the members of the Board of Directors who 
were present in the meeting and who actually voted for the approval of the 
resolution or order directing the commission of arbitrary internal displacement, 
and the corporate officers or agents who carried out such resolution or order of 
the corporation shall each be criminally liable. 
 
b. The penalty of prison mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed upon those who 
attempt to commit the offense of arbitrary internal displacement. 
 
c. The penalty of prison mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed upon persons who, 
having knowledge of the act of arbitrary internal displacement and without having 
participated therein, either as principals or accomplices, took part subsequent to its 
commission by any of the following acts: 
 
1. By themselves profiting from or assisting the offender to profit from the 
effects of the act of arbitrary internal displacement; 


 
14 
2. By concealing the act of arbitrary internal displacement and/or destroying the 
effects or instruments thereof, in order to prevent its discovery; and 
3. By harboring, concealing or assisting in the escape of the principal/s in the act 
of arbitrary internal displacement. 
 
 
SECTION 17. Applicability of the Revised Penal Code and Special Penal Laws. – 
The provisions of the Revised Penal Code and other relevant special penal laws, insofar as they 
are applicable, shall be suppletory to this Act. 
 
 
SECTION 18. Non-prescription. – The crimes defined and penalized under this Act, 
their prosecution, and the execution of sentences imposed on their account, shall not be subject 
to any prescription. 
 
 
SECTION 19. Jurisdiction of the Courts. – The proper and competent civilian courts 
shall have jurisdiction over the offense of arbitrary internal displacement as defined and 
penalized in this Act. 
 
 
SECTION 20. Damages. – A court of competent jurisdiction shall determine the 
damages inflicted against IDPs and direct the persons responsible for arbitrary internal 
displacement to award monetary compensation under the following circumstances: 
 
a. Where the death of an individual victim occurs, the amount to be determined by the 
court shall be granted to the legal heirs of the victim as a death benefit; 
b. Where physical, emotional, and/or psychological injury is caused to an individual 
victim, actual and compensatory damages, including moral, nominal, exemplary, and 
temperate damages resulting from such injury, shall be paid to the victim. Upon a 
finding of such injury and distinct from the compensation for actual, compensatory, 
moral, nominal, and/or temperate damages, such determination shall also include a 
referral to the DOH and the DSWD for appropriate interventions or services, including 
psycho-social intervention and rehabilitation; and 
c. Cases for damages filed under this Act shall be considered as independent civil action 
and summary in nature. The Supreme Court shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations to govern the procedure for cases filed in this manner. 
 
 
SECTION 21. Financial Assistance to IDPs. – Whenever human rights violations are 
caused to the IDPs as incidents or consequences of arbitrary internal displacement, the 
necessary financial assistance for their reparation, return, local integration or resettlement 
elsewhere shall be provided. 
 
 
The CHR shall enhance its existing financial assistance program to include financial 
assistance for the purpose of facilitating the reparation, return, local integration or resettlement 
elsewhere of IDPs. 
 
 
Receipt of such financial assistance shall be without prejudice to the amount of assistance 
granted under other government programs, such as the Victims' Compensation Program of the 
Department of Justice (DOJ) by virtue of Republic Act No. 7309, the relief assistance to IDPs 
by the DSWD, the DOH, and other similar programs which may be made available to IDPs 
under existing laws, rules and regulations. 
 


 
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SECTION 22. Non-Monetary Reparation. – The DOH, the DSWD, the Department of 
Education (DepED), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education 
and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and such other agencies shall render necessary 
services as nonmonetary reparation for IDPs and their families as may be determined, in 
coordination with the CHR, pursuant to the provisions of this Act. 
 
 
SECTION 23. Role of the CHR. – Pursuant to Article XII Section 18 (11) of the 1987 
Constitution, the CHR is hereby designated as the institutional focal point for IDPs. As such, 
the CHR shall have the following additional functions: 
a. To monitor IDP conditions through the development of a system to track concerns, 
actions taken and other relevant information, and be the repositories of child 
protection and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse policies to ensure that 
IDP rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled in all phases of internal displacement; 
b. To conduct public inquiries, document violations of human rights, assist IDPs in 
seeking redress of grievances and work to ensure an effective response by the 
concerned authorities; 
c. To investigate, on its own or on the complaint by any party, all forms of human rights 
violations against IDPs involving civil and political rights, in accordance with Section 
18(1) of Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution, and when found in the investigation 
that the filing of a case in court is warranted, request the assistance of any department, 
bureau, office or agency, such as the National Prosecution Service of the DOJ or the 
Ombudsman, by virtue of Executive Order No. 163, series of 1987; 
d. To render financial assistance at its sole discretion, as part of its existing financial 
assistance program, as well as psycho-social interventions and similar services to 
IDPs, and to issue necessary guidelines to implement the same (CHR); 
e. To recommend to the other agencies of government, taking into consideration their 
respective mandates and functions, the grant of assistance to IDPs, as may be 
appropriate; 
f. To cite any person in contempt for violations of the orders issued by them in 
accordance with the Rules of Court; 
g. To follow up on early warning and ensure effective measures to protect the civilian 
population against arbitrary internal displacement; 
h. To advise the government on the rights of IDPs, formulate sound national policy and 
legislation and to facilitate discussions to effectively address situations of internal 
displacement; 
i. To undertake educational activities and training programs for State authorities, 
including the AFP, the Philippine National Police, and local governments; 
j. To hold public information drives on the protection and rights of IDPs, and foster their 
participation in the decision-making process regarding issues that concern them; and 
k. To carry out such other acts that may be necessary to fully implement the purposes of 
this Act. 
 
 
SECTION 24. Monitoring of Compliance. – An inter-agency coordinating committee 
shall be tasked to periodically monitor the compliance with this Act. The Committee shall be 
co-headed by the Chairperson of the CHR and the Executive Director of the NDRRMC. 
 
 
The members of the group shall be composed of: 
a. A representative, with the rank of Undersecretary, from the Department of 
Social Welfare and Development; 


 
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b. A representative, with the rank of Undersecretary, from the Department of 
National Defense (DND); 
c. A representative, with the rank of Undersecretary, from the Department of the 
Interior and Local Government (DILG); 
d. A representative, with the rank of Undersecretary, from the Department of 
Health; 
e. A representative, with the rank of Undersecretary, from the Department of 
Justice (DOJ; 
f. A representative, with the rank of Undersecretary, from the Department of 
Human Settlement and Urban Development; 
g. A representative, with the rank of Undersecretary, from the Department of 
Education; 
h. A representative, with the rank of Undersecretary, from the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources; 
i. The Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity; 
j. A representative from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples; 
k. A representative, with the rank of Undersecretary, from the National Economic 
Development Authority 
l. The Executive Director of the Council for the Welfare of Children; 
m. The Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development 
Authority; 
n. The Chairperson of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor; 
o. The Secretary of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos; 
p. The Executive Director of the Philippine Commission on Women; 
q. The National Statistician and Civil Registrar General of the Philippine Statistics 
Authority; 
r. The Chief Public Attorney; 
s. A representative from the Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission 
t. Three (3) representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with 
experience in working with IDPs, nominated by a selection board composed of 
human rights groups and NGOs; 
 
 
The Committee shall work towards the collection of data on the number and conditions of IDPs, 
leading to a database that will aid the government in efficient planning and policy-making regarding 
issues affecting IDPs. 
 
 
The Committee shall likewise prioritize the release of immediate financial assistance, 
allotted by its component agencies, to those affected by internal displacement. 
 
 
The Committee shall submit an annual report to the Joint Congressional Oversight 
Committee herein created thirty (30) days after the end of each fiscal year. Such annual report 
shall be the basis for proposed amendments to existing legislation to improve the conditions of 
IDPs. 
 
 
SECTION 25. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. – A Joint Congressional 
Oversight Committee is hereby created, composed of the. Chairperson of the Senate Committee 
on Justice and Human Rights and seven (7) other Senators designated by the Senate President, 
and the Chairperson of the House Committee on Human Rights and seven (7) other Members 
of the House of Representatives, designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives: 
Provided, That of the seven (7) Members to be designated by each House of Congress, four (4) 


 
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shall represent the Majority and three (3) shall represent the Minority. The Senate President 
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall ensure the representation of women 
legislators in the oversight committee. 
 
 
The Joint Congressional Oversight Committee shall also have the power to inquire into, 
summon and investigate the Orders of Battle as defined under this Act, and/or any document 
of similar nature, as well as the legal and factual justifications for the inclusion of specific 
persons and groups in said Orders of Battle or similar documents. In this regard, the Joint 
Congressional Oversight Committee may issue mandatory process directing the transmission 
of all such documents relevant and necessary for the Committee to determine the validity of 
the inclusion of specific persons or groups in the Orders of Battle or similar documents. For 
this purpose, the highest ranking officers or heads of offices shall be charged with testifying 
before the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee in relation to any inquiries on the Orders 
of Battle or similar documents. 
 
 
The invocation of national security as a defense may not prevent the Joint Congressional 
Oversight Committee from inquiring into the factual and/or legal bases for the existence of an 
Order of Battle, or any similar document, or the inclusion of specific persons or groups in said 
Orders of Battle or similar documents. Should there be a need to inquire into the factual basis 
for the invocation of national security, the Committee shall convene in an executive session 
and hear the officials invoking it. Should the basis not be satisfactory to the Committee, the 
public hearing/s will continue and appropriate recommendations shall thereafter be made by 
the Committee. 
 
 
SECTION 26. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the CHR, the DSWD, 
the DOH, the DND, and the DILG. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the 
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the GAA. 
 
 
SECTION 27. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within (120) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the CHR and the DND shall issue the necessary rules and regulations 
for its implementation. 
 
 
In the formulation of the rules and regulations, the CHR and the DND shall take the lead 
and coordinate with the DBM, DSWD, the DILG, the DOH, the DOJ, the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the AFP, the Philippine National Police (PNP), 
the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), 
the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), National Commission on Muslim 
Filipinos (NCMF), the National Commission on Disability Affairs (NCDA), the Presidential 
Commission on Urban Poor (PCUP), DHSUD, the National Housing Authority (NHA), 
OPAPRU, ULAP, human rights nongovernmental organizations and people's organizations. 
 
 
SECTION 28. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act shall be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby 
shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
 
SECTION 29. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, memorandum 
orders, memorandum circulars, administrative orders, ordinances of parts thereof which are 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or modified 
accordingly. 


 
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SECTION 30. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of national circulation.