1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session  
HOUSE BILL NO. ___________________ 
Introduced By Representative LORENZ R. DEFENSOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to establish a Department of Disaster Resilience to improve the 
institutional capacity of the government in disaster response, mitigate the effects of disasters 
and natural calamities, provide a collective disaster risk reduction and management plan, and 
promote capacity-building in local communities to effectively respond to both natural disasters 
and climate change. 
The Philippines as an archipelago in the Pacific region, is prone to tropical cyclones or 
typhoons, flooding, drought, rain-induced landslides, volcanic eruptions, storm surges and 
earthquakes which usually result to human casualties and damages to properties and crops in 
different parts of the country.  
Just in 2021 alone, the country was hit by more than five (5) typhoons such as Fabian, 
Jolina, and Odette1. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, damages incurred due to
natural extreme events and disasters amounted to Php463 billion from 2010 to 2019.2 Only
recently, in July 2022, the Philippines experienced a 7.0 magnitude earthquake affecting at least 
121 cities and municipalities and 615 injured persons with 11 human casualties.3
Despite the collaborative efforts, plans and preparation for calamaties and natural 
disasters by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the local 
government units and other government offices, thousands of people and properties nationwide 
were still severely affected by these extreme natural events heavily impacting the vulnerable 
sectors such as agriculture and small business enterprises. 
The establishment of the Department of Disaster Resilience will guarantee closer 
coordination between the national government and local government units and a stronger 
disaster resilience and risk management system. 
This bill has been approved on Third Reading in the l8th Congress and authored by 
Representatives Alan Peter "CompaNero" Cayetano, Paolo Duterte, Joey Sarte Salceda, Jose 
Christopher Belmonte, Estrelita B. Suansing, Horacio P. Suansing, Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo, 
1   https://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/information/annual-cyclone-track 
2 https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/attachments/ird/specialrelease/2.%20Signed%20Press%20Release%20-
%20Component%204.pdf 
3https://ndrrmc.gov.ph/attachments/article/4192/SitRep_No_15_for_Magnitude_7_0_Earthquake_in_Tayum
_Abra_2022.pdf 
August 16, 2022
1:18 pm
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Luis Raymund "LRay" F. Villafuerte, Rodrigo B. Abellanosa, Manuel D. Cabochan III, Yedda 
Marie K. Romualdez, Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Alfred Vargas, Precious Hipolito-
Castelo, Lawrence "Law" H. Fortun, Wilter "Sharkey" Wee Palma II, Eric L. Olivarez, Joel 
Mayo Z. Almario, Abraham "Bambol" N. Tolentino, Bernadette "BH" Herrera-Dy, Aurelio 
"Dong" D. Gonzales, jr., Cherryl P. Deloso-Montalla, Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco, John Marvin 
"Yul" Servo C. Nieto, "Kuya" _lose Antonio R. Sy-Alvarado, Loren Legarda, Tyrone D. 
Aggabas, David "Jay-Jay" C. Suarez, Ana Marie Villaraza-Suarez, Ferdinand L. Hernandez, 
Lianda B. Bolilia, Sol Aragones, Joy Myra S. Tambunting, Faustino "Inno" V. A. Dy, Aloy 
Lim, Eric Go Yap, and Manuel F. Zubiri. 
 
 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     LORENZ R. DEFENSOR 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


3 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session  
HOUSE BILL NO. ___________________ 
Introduced By Representative LORENZ R. DEFENSOR 
AN ACT CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE, DEFINING 
ITS MANDATE, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Article I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Disaster Resilience Act".
1 
2 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to: 
3 
(a) Protect the lives and properties of its citizens by addressing and preventing the
4 
cause of vulnerabilities to natural disasters,
5 
(b) Uphold the sacredness of human life by efficiently and effectively addressing
6 
humanitarian emergencies, including calamities and disasters, through the
7 
establishment of a focused, streamlined, independent, empowered, capacitated,
8 
specialized agency on disaster risk reduction and management as well as emergency
9 
response, which is national in scope and civilian in character. The people are the
10 
most important assets of the nation, and all disaster risk and management efforts
11 
shall be responsive to the humanitarian needs of the people, the dignity and value of
12 
the human person, and respect for property;
13 
(c) Promote a simple, strategic, systematic, continuous, comprehensive, inclusive, and
14 
integrated approach to disaster risk reduction and management aimed at
15 
substantially reducing vulnerabilities and the risk of disasters and other
16 
humanitarian emergencies, towards the preservation of life and property, thereby
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ultimately preventing or deterring the loss of lives and protecting the social, 
18 
economic, historical and cultural heritage, and environmental assets of the country, 
19 
(d) Establish a permanent, institutionalized, cohesive, and comprehensive framework 
20 
for disaster preparedness, prevention and mitigation, and response, to be 
21 
implemented by a focused specialized agency with its own mandate, powers, and 
22 
funding, and coordinating with the Philippine government, other foreign 
23 
governments and financial institutions, international organizations, the private 
24 
sector, and civil society. Disaster risk reduction and management shall first aim for 
25 
the outright avoidance of the adverse impacts of hazards and related disasters. With 
26 
the knowledge and capacities to effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from 
27 
the impacts of likely, imminent or current hazard events or conditions, preparedness 
28 
action shall be carried out in the most effective and efficient manner. In a disaster 
29 
scenario, the response shall ensure the provision of emergency services and public 
30 
assistance, during or immediately after a disaster, 
31 
(e) Create an integrated, systematic, comprehensive, and cohesive plan to simplify, 
32 
streamline, integrate, and coordinate the various programs, projects, and activities 
33 
of the Government and such other actors or stakeholders in disaster risk reduction 
34 
and management to ensure accountability, responsibility, and transparency as well 
35 
to ensure the efficient and effective performance of their functions; 
36 
(f) Inculcate a culture of resilience and preparedness against natural disasters at the 
37 
national, regional, and local levels; 
38 
(g) Establish a strong and empowered institution capable of responding to the greater 
39 
onslaught of normal or natural disasters brought by climate change, and spearhead 
40 
efforts to ensure disaster resilience by delivering the highly critical and intertwined 
41 
functions of disaster risk reduction and response, with a recovery strategy of 
42 
"building as forward better"; 
43 
(h) Address the different concerns and needs of sectors with special needs or higher 
44 
vulnerabilities such as women, children, elderly, persons with disabilities, and 
45 
indigenous peoples with respect to disaster resilience and disaster management; 
46 
a. Foster an enabling environment for substantial and sustainable participation of 
47 
nongovernment stakeholders such as civil society organizations, private groups, 
48 
volunteers, and communities in disaster resilience programs and projects, 
49 
b. Adopt a whole-of-society, whole-of-government, and whole-of-nation approach 
50 
in disaster preparedness to increase collaboration, planning, and dialogue among 
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5 
all sectors of society in preparing for natural disasters and in improving their 
52 
strategies and action plans for disaster risk reduction; and 
53 
c. Strengthen the chain of command and establish a unified command system for 
54 
disaster management. 
55 
 
56 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms – As used in this Act: 
57 
 
58 
(a) Adaptation refers to the adjustment in natural or human systems in response to 
59 
actual or expected climactic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or 
60 
exploits beneficial opportunities; 
61 
(b) Assisting actor refers to any assisting international or domestic actor following a 
62 
disaster in the country; 
63 
(c) Assisting domestic actor refers to any assisting international or domestic actor 
64 
following a disaster in the country; 
65 
(d) Assisting international actor refers to any foreign State, organization, entity or 
66 
individual extending help following a disaster within the country or transiting 
67 
through the country to extend help following a disaster in another country; 
68 
(e) Biological hazards refer to hazards that are of organic origin or conveyed by 
69 
biological vectors, including pathogenic microorganisms, toxins, and bioactive 
70 
substances. Examples are bacteria, viruses or parasites as well as venomous wildlife 
71 
and insects, poisonous plants and mosquitoes carrying disease-causing agents, 
72 
(f) Building forward better refers to an approach to building or reconstructing an area 
73 
or community, which entails a shift from achieving simple recovery and restoration 
74 
to creating safer, more adaptive, resilient, and inclusive communities; 
75 
(g) Business continuity refers to the capability of an organization to continue the 
76 
delivery of products or services at acceptable predefined levels following a 
77 
disruptive incident; 
78 
(h) Capacity refers to the combination of attributes and resources available within a 
79 
community or area that can reduce the level of risk(s) from, or impact(s) of, a 
80 
disaster; 
81 
(i) Civil society organization (CSOs) refer to non-State actors whose aims are neither 
82 
to generate profits nor to seek governing power, but to unite people to advance 
83 
shared goals and interests. CSOs may include nongovernment organizations 
84 


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(NGOs), professional associations, foundations, independent research institutions, 
85 
community-based organizations, and social movements, 
86 
(j) Climate change refers to a change in the state of the climate that can be identified
87 
by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its properties, and that persists in
88 
an extended period, typically decades or longer, whether due to natural internal
89 
processes or external forces such as modulation of the solar cycles, volcanic
90 
eruptions, and persistent anthropogenic changes in the composition of the
91 
atmosphere or in land use;
92 
(k) Complex emergency refers to a form of human-induced emergency in which the
93 
cause of the emergency, as well as the assistance to the afflicted, is complicated by
94 
intense level of political considerations;
95 
(l) Consequence management refers to the totality of interventions and measures taken
96 
to restore essential operations and services in a permissive environment, including
97 
measures to protect public health and safety, restore essential government services,
98 
and provide emergency relief to individuals, stakeholders, and communities
99 
affected by the consequences of emergencies, hazards, and disasters;
100 
(m) Contingency planning refers to a management process that analyzes specific
101 
potential events or emerging situations that might threaten society or the
102 
environment and establishes arrangements in advance to enable timely, effective,
103 
and appropriate responses to such events and situations,
104 
(n) Cultural heritage refers to the totality of cultural property preserved and developed
105 
through time and passed on to posterity;
106 
(o) Deterministic risk assessment refers to an assessment that considers the possible
107 
disaster impacts of a single scenario, in contrast to probabilistic risk assessment
108 
which considers all possible scenarios, their likelihood, and associated impacts;
109 
(p) Development assistance refers to financial, material or other forms of assistance to
110 
support the economic, social, and environmental well-being of areas or people
111 
affected by a natural disaster;
112 
(q) Disability refers to an evolving concept that results from the interaction between
113 
persons with impairments, as defined under Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise
114 
known as the "Magna Carta for Disabled Persons" and attitudinal and
115 
environmental barriers that hinder their full and effective participation in society on
116 
an equal basis with others;
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(r) Disaster refers to a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a 
118 
society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses 
119 
and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community to cope using its 
120 
own resources. Disasters are often described as a result of the combination of: the 
121 
exposure to a hazard, the conditions of vulnerability that are present; and 
122 
insufficient capacity or measures to reduce or cope with the potential negative 
123 
consequences. Disaster impacts may include loss of life, injury, disease and other 
124 
negative effects on human, physical, mental and social well-being, together with 
125 
damage to property, destruction of assets, loss of services, social and economic 
126 
disruption and environmental degradation. Unless otherwise specifically indicated 
127 
in this Act, the term "disaster" shall refer to "natural disaster", 
128 
(s) Disaster assistance refers to financial, material, or other forms of assistance to 
129 
address the immediate and long-term needs of people, communities or areas 
130 
affected by a disaster. This term includes humanitarian assistance and development 
131 
assistance; 
132 
(t) Disaster management refers to the planning, organization, and application of 
133 
measures preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters; 
134 
(u) Disaster mitigation refers to the reduction or limitation of the adverse impacts of 
135 
disasters and its related hazards; 
136 
(v) Disaster preparedness refers to the knowledge and capacities developed by 
137 
governments, professional response and recovery organizations, communities and 
138 
individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from, the impacts of 
139 
likely, imminent or current disasters and related hazards, 
140 
(w) Disaster prevention refers to the intention to avoid, or the outright avoidance, of 
141 
potential adverse impacts of disasters and related hazards through action(s) taken in 
142 
advance; 
143 
(x) Disaster recovery refers to restoration or improvement of livelihoods and health, as 
144 
well as economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assets, systems and 
145 
activities, of a disaster-affected community or society, aligning with the principles 
146 
of sustainable development and "build forward better" to avoid or reduce future 
147 
disaster risk, 
148 
(y) Disaster response or disaster relief refers to the provision of emergency services 
149 
and public assistance during or immediately after a disaster in order to secure and 
150 
save lives, reduce health impacts, ensure public safety and meet the basic 
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subsistence needs of the people affected. Disaster response is predominantly 
152 
focused on immediate and short-term needs and is sometimes called "disaster 
153 
relief”, 
154 
(z) Disaster rehabilitation refers to restoration of basic services and facilities for the 
155 
function of a community or a society affected by a disaster; 
156 
(aa) Disaster resilience refers to the ability of a system, community, or society exposed 
157 
to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate, adapt to, transform, and recover from the 
158 
effects of a hazard, including the long-term impact of climate change, in a timely 
159 
and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its 
160 
essential basic structures and functions through risk management; 
161 
(bb) Disaster risk refers to the potential losses in lives, health status, livelihoods, assets 
162 
and services that may occur to a particular community or society due to a disaster in 
163 
the future, and is determined by a combination of the vulnerability, capacity, 
164 
exposure of persons and assets, hazard characteristics and the environment; 
165 
(cc) Disaster risk governance refers to the manner in which public authorities, civil 
166 
servants, media, private sector, and civil society coordinate at community, national 
167 
and regional levels in order to manage disaster and climate related risks. This 
168 
includes ensuring that sufficient levels of capacity and resources are made available 
169 
to prevent, prepare for, manage and recover from disasters. It also entails 
170 
mechanisms, institutions, and processes for citizens to articulate their interests, 
171 
exercise their legal rights and obligations, and mediate their differences; 
172 
(dd) Disaster risk management refers to the systematic approach or process of 
173 
implementing strategies, policies and programs to lessen the possibility and/or 
174 
adverse impacts of disasters and related hazards, 
175 
(ee) Disaster risk reduction refers to the prevention of new, or reduction of existing, 
176 
disaster risks and the management of residual risk, to enhance resilience to 
177 
disasters; 
178 
(ff) 
Early warning system refers to an integrated system of hazard monitoring, 
179 
forecasting and prediction, disaster risk assessment, and communication and 
180 
preparedness activities and processes that enable individuals, communities, national 
181 
government agencies, local government units, the private sector, and others to take 
182 
timely action to reduce disaster risks and adequately prepare for disasters; 
183 
(gg) Emergency refers to unforeseen or sudden occurrence, especially danger, 
184 
demanding immediate action; 
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(hh) Environmental hazards refer to hazards which may be chemical, natural and 
186 
biological, and can be created by environmental degradation or physical or 
187 
chemical pollution in the air water and soil. However, many of the processes and 
188 
phenomena that fall into this category may be termed drivers of hazard and risk 
189 
rather than hazards in themselves, such as soil degradation, deforestation, loss of 
190 
biodiversity, salinization and sea-level rise; 
191 
(ii) 
Exposure refers to the situation of people, infrastructure, housing, production 
192 
capacities and other tangible human assets located in hazard-prone areas, 
193 
(jj) 
Framework Agreement shall refer to a written agreement between a procuring 
194 
entity and a supplier or service provider that identifies the terms and conditions 
195 
under which specific purchases are made for the duration of the agreement. The 
196 
Framework Agreement is in the nature of an option contract between the procuring 
197 
entity and the bidder(s) granting the procuring entity the option to either place an 
198 
order for any of the goods or services identified in the Framework Agreement List 
199 
or not buy at all, within the period of the Framework Agreement; 
200 
(kk) Geological or geophysical hazards refer to hazards which originate from internal 
201 
earth processes, such as earthquakes, volcanic activities and emissions, and related 
202 
geophysical processes which include mass movements, landslides, rockslides, 
203 
surface collapses and debris or mud flows. Hydrometeorological factors are 
204 
important contributors to some of these processes. While tsunamis are triggered by 
205 
undersea earthquakes and other geological events, they essentially become an 
206 
oceanic process that is manifested as a coastal water-related hazards; 
207 
(ll) 
Geographic information system refers to a database which contains, among others, 
208 
geo-hazard assessments, information on climate change, and climate risk reduction 
209 
and management; 
210 
(mm) Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA) refers to an area with a 
211 
marginalized population, which is physically and socio-economically separated 
212 
from the mainstream society and characterized by physical factor such as isolated 
213 
due to distance, weather conditions and transportation difficulties due to island, 
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upland lowland, landlocked, hard to reach and underserved communities, and/or 
215 
socio-economic factors such as high poverty incidence, presence of vulnerable 
216 
sector, communities in or recovering from a situation of crisis or armed conflict; 
217 
(nn) Hazard refers to a phenomenon, substance, human activity, or condition that may 
218 
cause loss of life, injury or impacts to health; and social and economic disruption, 
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environmental damage, or loss of or disruption to property, livelihood and/or 
220 
services; 
221 
(oo) Historical landmarks refer to sites or structures that are associated with events or 
222 
achievements significant to Philippine history as declared by the National Historical 
223 
Institute or the applicable agency; 
224 
(pp) Human-induced disasters refer to disasters induced entirely or predominantly by 
225 
human activities or choices, such as ideologically motivated conflict or criminality; 
226 
(qq) Humanitarian assistance refers to financial, material or other similar forms of 
227 
assistance to address the immediate needs of people affected by a natural disaster; 
228 
(rr) 
Hydrometeorological hazards refer to hazards that are of atmospheric, 
229 
hydrological and oceanographic origin, such as tropical cyclones also known as 
230 
typhoons and hurricanes; floods, including flash floods, drought; heatwave and cold 
231 
spells, coastal storm surges, and marine heatwaves, extreme sea events, and sea 
232 
level rise. Hydrometeorological conditions may also be a factor in other hazards 
233 
such as landslides, wildland fires, locust plagues, epidemics, and in the transport 
234 
and dispersal of toxic substances and volcanic eruption material; 
235 
(ss) 
Impact and need assessment refer to assessing the nature and magnitude of a 
236 
disaster, its impact on affected populations, the type and extent of emergency, and 
237 
the requirements for recovery and rehabilitation of the affected areas; 
238 
(tt) 
Land-use planning refers to the process undertaken by public authorities to 
239 
identify, evaluate, and decide on different options for the use of land, including 
240 
consideration of long-term economic, social, and environmental objectives and the 
241 
implications for different communities and interest groups, and the subsequent 
242 
formulation and promulgation of plans that describe the permitted or acceptable 
243 
uses; 
244 
(uu) Legal facilities refer to entitlements and exemptions that are granted to assisting 
245 
domestic or international actors which are declared to be eligible pursuant to this 
246 
Act and its implementing rules and regulations; 
247 
(vv) 
Local Disaster Resilience Plan (LDRP) refers to a document prepared by a local 
248 
government unit (LGU) based on the National Disaster Resilience Framework 
249 
(NDRF) and National Disaster Resilience Plan and Investment Program (NDRPIP) 
250 
that sets out specific programs, objectives and goals to implement disaster risk 
251 
management and climate change adaptation measures at the local level. The plan 
252 
shall include among others, an evaluation and analysis of emerging disaster risks, 
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hazards and vulnerabilities applicable to an LGU, and specific programs and 
254 
activities to ensure responsive, effective, and the appropriate disaster preparedness 
255 
and management at the local level; 
256 
(ww) National continuity policy refers to a policy aimed at the development of an 
257 
organizational culture that has the ability to provide a minimum level of service 
258 
during interruptions, emergencies, and disasters, and return to full operations 
259 
quickly; 
260 
(xx) National cultural treasure refers to a unique cultural property found locally, 
261 
possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is 
262 
highly significant and important to the country and nation, and officially declared as 
263 
such by the pertinent cultural agency; 
264 
(yy) National Disaster Resilience Framework (NDRF) refers to a framework that 
265 
provides for a comprehensive, all-hazards, inter-agency and community-based 
266 
approach to enable communities to resist, prevent, mitigate against, absorb, 
267 
accommodate, adapt to, recover, or build forward better from the effects of a hazard 
268 
in a timely and efficient manner through, among others, disaster risk reduction and 
269 
management and climate change adaptation and mitigation. The NDRF shall be 
270 
composed of a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework 
271 
NDRRMF), and National Framework Strategy on Climate Change (NFSCC); 
272 
(zz) 
National Disaster Resilience Plan and Investment Program (NDRPIP) refers to a 
273 
plan formulated and implemented by the Department of Disaster Resilience in 
274 
accordance with the NDRF that sets out the outcomes, goals and objectives, 
275 
priorities, programs and corresponding action plans for disaster risk reduction, 
276 
preparedness, and management, and climate change mitigation. It shall also 
277 
include, among others, the goals, objectives and action plans for a National 
278 
Continuity Policy; 
279 
(aaa) Natural disaster refers to a disaster predominantly associated with and/or caused 
280 
by natural processes or phenomena, such as those related to geology such as 
281 
earthquakes, ground rupture, liquefaction, landslides, tsunamis, sinkholes, volcanic 
282 
activity, hydrology and meteorology such as floods, severe winds, typhoons, storm 
283 
surges, climatological variability such as extreme temperatures, El Niño, La Niña, 
284 
and forest tires, biological events such as epidemics or pandemics caused by 
285 
outbreaks of viral, bacterial, parasitic, fungal or prior infectious diseases affecting 
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human, animal or plant life, insect infestations or swarms, and extraterrestrial 
287 
events such as a meteorite or asteroid strikes; 
288 
(bbb) Open data refer to facts and statistics that can be freely used, shared and built-on 
289 
by anyone, anywhere, for any purpose, which must be available in bulk, free of 
290 
charge, or at least at no more than a reasonable cost and permit people to use, re-
291 
use, and redistribute, intermix with other data providers; 
292 
(ccc) Post-Disaster recovery refers to the restoration improvement where appropriate, of 
293 
facilities, livelihood and living conditions, of disaster-affected communities, 
294 
including efforts to reduce disaster risk factors, in accordance with the principle of 
295 
"build forward better”; 
296 
(ddd) 
Preparedness refers to pre-disaster actions and measures being undertaken within 
297 
the context of disaster risk reduction and management and are based on sound risk 
298 
analysis as well as pre-disaster activities to avert or minimize loss of life and 
299 
property such as community organizing, training, planning, equipping, stockpiling, 
300 
hazard mapping, insuring of assets, and public information and education 
301 
initiatives. This also includes the development or enhancement of an overall 
302 
preparedness strategy, policy, institutional structure, warning and forecasting 
303 
capabilities, and plans that define measures geared to help at-risk communities 
304 
safeguard their lives and assets by being alert to hazards and taking appropriate 
305 
action in the face of an imminent threat or an actual disaster; 
306 
(eee) Prevention refers to activities and measures to avoid existing and new disaster 
307 
risks, and the concept and intention to avoid potential adverse impacts of hazardous 
308 
events; 
309 
(fff) Probabilities risk assessment refers to the simulation of those future disasters 
310 
based on scientific evidence, and which are likely to occur in order to resolve the 
311 
problem posed by the limits of historical data by reproducing the physics of the 
312 
phenomena and recreating the intensity of a large number of synthetic events, 
313 
including all possible scenarios, their likelihood, and associated impacts; 
314 
(ggg) Rehabilitation refers to measures that ensure the ability of affected communities or 
315 
areas to restore their normal level of functioning by rebuilding livelihood and 
316 
infrastructures and increasing the communities' organizational capacity; 
317 
(hhh) Resilience refers to the ability of a system, community or society exposed to 
318 
hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate, and recover from the effects thereof in a 
319 
timely and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of 
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its essential basic structures and functions in a manner that will make them more 
321 
resistant to future risks; 
322 
(iii) Response refers to any concerted effort by two (2) or more agencies, public or 
323 
private, to provide assistance or intervention during or immediately after a disaster 
324 
to meet the life preservation and basic subsistence needs of those people affected 
325 
and in the restoration of essential public activities and facilities; 
326 
(jjj)  Retrofitting refers to an act reinforcing or upgrading existing structures to make 
327 
them more resistant and resilient to the damaging effects of hazards; 
328 
(kkk) Risk refers to the combination of the probability of an event and its negative 
329 
consequences; 
330 
(lll) Risk assessment refers to a methodology to determine the nature and extent of risks 
331 
by analyzing potential hazards and evaluating existing conditions of vulnerability 
332 
that together could potentially harm exposed people, property, services, livelihood 
333 
and the environment on which they depend. Risk assessment with associated risk 
334 
mapping include: a review of the technical characteristics of hazards such as their 
335 
location, intensity, frequency and probability; the analysis of exposure and 
336 
vulnerability including the physical, social, health, economic, and environmental 
337 
dimensions, and the evaluation of the effectiveness of prevailing and alternative 
338 
coping capacities in respect to likely risk scenarios; 
339 
(mmm) Risk transfer refers to the process of formally or informally shifting the financial 
340 
consequences of particular risks from one party to another whereby a household, 
341 
community, enterprise or State authority will obtain resources from the other party 
342 
after a disaster occurs, in exchange for ongoing or compensatory social or financial 
343 
benefits provided to that other party: 
344 
 
345 
a. Safety stock refers to items of raw materials, component parts, or finished goods 
346 
maintained in inventory in order to reduce the risk that such item will be out of 
347 
stock, in anticipation of unforeseen shortages or unusual demand for such 
348 
items, 
349 
b. State of Calamity refers to a condition involving mass casualty, disruption of 
350 
means of livelihoods, and/or major damages to property, roads and normal 
351 
way of life of people in the affected areas as a result of the occurrence of 
352 
natural or human-induced hazard, 
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(nnn) Sustainable development refers to development that meets the needs of the present 
354 
generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their 
355 
own. It contains within it two (2) key concepts: first, the concept of "needs", in 
356 
particular, the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority 
357 
should be given, and second, the idea of limitations imposed by the state of 
358 
technology and social cohesion and harmony, and ecological integration of a sound 
359 
and viable economy, responsible governance, and ecological integrity to ensure that 
360 
human development now and through future generations is a life enhancing 
361 
process; 
362 
(ooo) Volunteers refer to individuals, groups or entities that offer and provide services or 
363 
assistance, without compensation, to help people and areas affected by disasters; 
364 
(ppp) Vulnerability refers to the characteristics and circumstances of a community, system 
365 
or asset that make it susceptible to the damaging effects of a hazard. Vulnerability 
366 
may arise from various physical, social, economic, and environmental factors such 
367 
as poor design and construction of buildings, inadequate protection of assets, lack 
368 
of public information and awareness, limited official recognition of risks and 
369 
preparedness measures, and disregard for wise environmental management; 
370 
(qqq) Vulnerable and marginalized groups refer to those that face higher exposure to 
371 
disaster risk and poverty including women, children, the elderly, differently abled 
372 
people, and ethnic minorities; 
373 
(rrr) Whole-of-Society Approach refers to an approach that encourages the meaningful 
374 
and active participation and synergy of the different stakeholders of society toward 
375 
climate change adaptation and mitigation, and disaster risk reduction and 
376 
management at the national and local levels; 
377 
(sss) Whole-of-Government Approach refers to an approach that instills and fosters 
378 
collaboration among all government instrumentalities both at the national and local 
379 
levels toward shared sustainable development goals and outcomes, and 
380 
(ttt) Whole-of-Nation Approach refers to an approach that seeks to bring about a 
381 
concerted effort towards sustainable development, and national peace and security 
382 
by creating consensus and understanding of development and security that is shared 
383 
not just among core security forces and oversight government institutions, but also 
384 
by the nation's stakeholders such as government, civil society, private sector, and 
385 
the communities. 
386 
 
387 


 
 
15 
Article II 
388 
THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE: 
389 
MANDATE, POWERS, AND FUNCTIONS 
390 
 
391 
 
SEC. 4. Creation and Mandate of the Department of Disaster Resilience. - There is 
392 
hereby created a Department of Disaster Resilience, herein after referred to as the Department. 
393 
 
The Department shall be the primary government agency responsible for leading, 
394 
organizing, and managing the national effort to reduce disaster risk, prepare for and respond to 
395 
disasters, recover and rehabilitate, and build forward better after the occurrence of disasters. 
396 
 
The Department shall oversee and coordinate the preparation, implementation, 
397 
monitoring, and evaluation of disaster and climate resilience plans, programs, projects and 
398 
activities, provide leadership in the continuous development of strategic and systematic 
399 
approaches to disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and 
400 
rehabilitation, to anticipatory adaptation strategies, measures, techniques, and options. 
401 
 
The Department shall augment the capacity of local governments units in 
402 
collaboration with relevant national government agencies and other stakeholders to implement 
403 
disaster risk reduction and management and climate change action plans, programs, projects, 
404 
and activities. 
405 
 
The Department shall be the principal government institution responsible for ensuring 
406 
safe, adaptive, and disaster resilient communities. It is mandated to provide a clear and 
407 
comprehensive direction in the implementation of plans, programs, and projects to reduce the 
408 
risk of natural hazards and the effects of climate change and manage the impact of disasters. 
409 
 
The mandate of the Department covers all natural hazards, which include, among 
410 
others, the following: 
411 
(a) Geological Phenomena and Related Hazards 
412 
1) Earthquake - ground rupture, ground shaking, liquefaction, tsunami, tire, 
413 
landslides, and seiche or lake water oscillation 
414 
2) Volcanic activity - ash fall, pyroclastic flow, lava flow, lahar, Fissuring, and 
415 
volcanic gas 
416 
3) Mass movement - landslides, debris flow, sinkholes 
417 
(b) Hydrological, Oceanographic and Meteorological Phenomena and Related Hazards 
418 
1) Tropical cyclone - severe winds, storm surge, rouge waves, severe rainfall 
419 
including hail 
420 
2) Flood, rain-triggered landslides and storm surges 
421 


 
 
16 
3) Erosion 
422 
4) Marine heatwaves, extreme sea events, and sea level rise 
423 
(c) Climate Variability/Change with Related Hazards of Compound Events and Cascading 
424 
Impacts 
425 
1) El Niño or La Niña (ENSO) with associated rainfall and temperature (in particular, 
426 
projected extreme ENSOs) 
427 
2) Extreme temperature (heat wave or cold wave), extreme weather conditions 
428 
(drought or excessive rainfall) 
429 
3) Wildfire (forest or land fires) 
430 
(d) Biological and Related Hazards 
431 
1) Epidemic/Pandemic - viral, bacterial, parasitic, fungal, prior infectious diseases 
432 
2) Insect Infestation. - grasshoppers/locusts 
433 
(e) Extra-Terrestrial - Meteorite/Asteroid impact 
434 
The Department shall manage and direct the implementation of national, local, and 
435 
community-based disaster resilience and disaster management programs, projects and 
436 
activities, including disaster response, recovery and rehabilitation, when applicable, in 
437 
collaboration with relevant national government agencies, LGUs, CSOs, academic institutions 
438 
and other stakeholders: Provided, That for human-induced disasters, the Department of the 
439 
Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of National Defense (DND), Department 
440 
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and other relevant government instrumentalities, 
441 
including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), 
442 
Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Office of Civil Defense 
443 
(OCD), shall continue to perform their functions: Provided, further, That the Department shall 
444 
remain as the lead agency in recovery and rehabilitation efforts in collaboration with all 
445 
stakeholders when applicable. 
446 
 
Notwithstanding, the mandates and powers stated herein shall be without prejudice to 
447 
the President's directive to address natural, human-induced, or other disasters such as an 
448 
epidemic. 
449 
 
450 
 
SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the Department. - The Department shall exercise 
451 
the following powers and functions, in collaboration with the relevant departments, agencies, 
452 
and nongovernment stakeholders: 
453 
 
454 
(a) General Functions 
455 


 
 
17 
1) Conduct risk and vulnerability assessment at the local level based on the national 
456 
criteria, and establish a database that includes, among others, an inventory of 
457 
hazards to better prepare for and respond to natural disasters; 
458 
2) Undertake the establishment or construction of evacuation centers that conform to 
459 
the standards under the United Nations (UN) Humanitarian Charter and Minimum 
460 
Standards in Humanitarian Response or The Sphere Minimum Standards for Shelter 
461 
and Settlement, and Republic Act No. 10821, otherwise known as the "Children's 
462 
Emergency Relief and Protection Act", among others. The upkeep and maintenance 
463 
of the evacuation centers shall be the responsibility of the concerned LGUs; 
464 
3) Develop, maintain and update an integrated disaster management and disaster 
465 
resilience information system that includes, among others, multi-hazard mapping, 
466 
vulnerability and probabilistic risk assessments, early warning, exposure database, 
467 
communication and emergency management systems at the national, regional, and 
468 
provincial levels; 
469 
4) Undertake the formulation and implementation of the government's policies, plans, 
470 
programs, projects, and budget for disaster resilience including those related to 
471 
disaster risk reduction, response, recovery, rehabilitation, and building forward 
472 
better; 
473 
5) Review and build upon, to the extent necessary, the existing disaster resilience 
474 
framework, plans and strategies in the crafting of an NDRF and the corresponding 
475 
NDRPIP; 
476 
6) Oversee, review, and approve the translation, integration, and implementation of 
477 
the NDRPIP into LDRPs; 
478 
7) Facilitate the availability of highly competent DRR professionals at all levels and 
479 
prescribe benefits, allowances, and similar emoluments for DRR professionals, as it 
480 
may deem fit; 
481 
8) Communicate and disseminate critical information to help the public prepare for, 
482 
respond to, and recover from a disaster; 
483 
9) Receive, manage, administer and control all the funds, assets and properties 
484 
received by the Department to accomplish the purposes of this Act; 
485 
10) Recommend to the President of the Philippines the declaration of a state of calamity 
486 
due to a natural disaster, and the lifting thereof when conditions stabilize; 
487 
11) Advise the President on matters concerning disaster resilience and make 
488 
recommendations, as appropriate; 
489 


 
 
18 
12)  Advance the country's interests relating to disaster resilience in the regional and 
490 
global arena; 
491 
13)  Collaborate with any government entity to help ensure the attainment of the goals 
492 
and objectives of this Act, and 
493 
14)  Perform such other functions, as provided by law or assignment of the President, 
494 
and undertake all other necessary actions to ensure the attainment of the overall 
495 
goals and objectives of this Act. 
496 
(b) 
Disaster Risk Reduction 
497 
1) Develop coordinated regional and local strategies for the effective prevention and 
498 
mitigation of disaster risk resulting from natural hazards, including the effects of 
499 
climate change; 
500 
2) Develop and implement policies and programs relating to the construction of new 
501 
settlements or relocation of settlements in safe areas which shall, to the extent such 
502 
policies and programs relate to disaster risk reduction, mitigation, prevention or 
503 
building forward better, prevail over policies or decisions of other government 
504 
departments, government agencies, government owned and/or controlled 
505 
corporations, LGUs, or other government institutions; 
506 
3) Develop, in coordination with relevant government agencies, policies and programs 
507 
on land-use planning, urban planning and zoning which shall, to the extent such 
508 
policies and programs relate to disaster risk reduction, mitigation, prevention or 
509 
building forward better, prevail over policies or decisions of other government 
510 
departments, government agencies, government owned and/or controlled 
511 
corporations, LGUs, or other government institutions; 
512 
4) Establish or enhance standards for disaster preparedness and continuity planning, 
513 
such as on infrastructure standards and designs; 
514 
5) Collaborate with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and 
515 
other relevant government agencies in the conduct of regular structural, safety audit 
516 
of buildings and other types of infrastructure, and require the submission of 
517 
necessary data, information or reports related thereto; 
518 
6) Formulate a National Continuity Policy including plans and programs to implement 
519 
government governance and business continuity; 
520 
7) Ensure the use of advanced science and technology in the anticipatory planning of 
521 
communities against the impact of natural hazards and climate change through 
522 


 
 
19 
consultation, and employment with a regular department funding for relevant 
523 
academic or higher educational institutions with proven risk reduction record; 
524 
8) Establish a system to ensure that all disaster-related data are accessible to all 
525 
stakeholders to generate the best scientific information and technological products 
526 
for use in disaster resilience; 
527 
9) Ensure that all climate change-related hazards are included in the development of 
528 
climate risk profiles of targeted LGUs as provided for in the Climate Risk and 
529 
Management Framework (CRMF) policy document of the Climate Change 
530 
Commission (CCC) and that the appropriate institutions such as the academe and 
531 
other science experts or organizations who have the capability to develop or have 
532 
developed methodologies to establish climate change risk profile are officially 
533 
engaged; 
534 
10) Undertake programs and projects to reduce the vulnerability of physical 
535 
infrastructure, assets, and facilities including retrofitting, and structural and non- 
536 
structural upgrading, in coordination with the relevant government agencies, 
537 
11) Call on relevant government agencies to develop alternative livelihood programs to 
538 
reduce the vulnerability to disasters of certain areas or certain sectors of society; 
539 
12) Formulate, facilitate and monitor efforts relating to certain resources or sectors 
540 
toward addressing the long-term effects of climate change on sustainable 
541 
development, such as water resources, agriculture, forestry, coastal and marine 
542 
resources, health, and infrastructure, in coordination with relevant government 
543 
agencies; 
544 
13) Design and implement an incentive system for greater private and public 
545 
investment, both at the local and national levels, on disaster risk reduction; 
546 
14) Oversee and ensure the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation and disaster 
547 
risk reduction in development and land use planning, and the preparation of 
548 
contingency plans; 
549 
15) Create an enabling environment that shall promote broader multi-stakeholder 
550 
participation for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and 
551 
mitigation; 
552 
16) Establish, develop, and monitor programs and projects, in coordination with 
553 
relevant government agencies, that consider climate projections, including 
554 
temperature increase and rainfall change in the Philippines to ensure climate-
555 
resilient communities; 
556 


 
 
20 
17) Establish and monitor national and local capacity for disaster risk financing and 
557 
insurance and other risk transfer strategies in coordination with the Department of 
558 
Finance (DOF), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Land Bank of the 
559 
Philippines (LBP), and Insurance Commission; 
560 
18) Review and evaluate local disaster resilience plans and other local plans to ensure 
561 
their consistency with the National Disaster Resilience Framework, and 
562 
19) Undertake all other programs and projects necessary to attain the necessary 
563 
outcomes for disaster risk reduction. 
564 
 
565 
(c) Disaster Preparedness and Response 
566 
1) Lead, manage, and collaborate with the relevant government instrumentalities, 
567 
nongovernment stakeholders, and international partners in providing the minimum 
568 
basic needs of people in affected areas before, during and/or immediately after a 
569 
disaster to save lives and minimize casualties; 
570 
2) Establish a corps of first responders in partnership with national and local 
571 
stakeholders, both public and private; 
572 
3) Implement projects and programs that will enhance the capacity of LGUs to prepare 
573 
for and respond to disasters, giving priority to LGUs with low income or those 
574 
situated in high-risk areas; 
575 
4) Ensure the efficient prepositioning of goods, maintenance and disposal of safety 
576 
stocks; 
577 
5) Accredit, monitor, and evaluate training institutions on disaster resilience; 
578 
6) Regulate the accreditation of donors, volunteers, and assisting nongovernment 
579 
stakeholders, both domestic and international; 
580 
7) Formulate standards for contingency planning that shall be adopted by the LGUs; 
581 
8) Develop a database of exposure or elements at risk per area to facilitate and ensure 
582 
quick impact and needs assessment in the event of a disaster; 
583 
9) Facilitate and regulate the acceptance, inventory, and accounting of humanitarian 
584 
assistance, including relief goods; 
585 
10) Maintain a database of volunteers and, when necessary, mobilize volunteers to 
586 
augment the personnel complement and logistical requirements for disaster 
587 
response and/or for the delivery of DRRM programs, projects and activities; 
588 
11) Oversee and maintain a national early-warning and emergency alert system that 
589 
must provide a specific, areas-focused and time-bound warning that are accurate, 
590 


 
 
21 
timely, understandable and readily accessible to national and local emergency 
591 
response organizations and the general public; 
592 
12) Coordinate information-sharing and other disaster risk reduction protocols 
593 
following the principle of inter-operability among national government agencies 
594 
and local government units, 
595 
13) Call upon other instrumentalities or entities of the government and nongovernment 
596 
and civic organizations for assistance in terms of the use of their facilities and 
597 
resources for the protection and preservation of life and properties in the whole 
598 
range of disaster risk reduction and management. This function includes the power 
599 
to call on the reserve force as defined in Republic Act No. 7077, otherwise known 
600 
as the "Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act" to assist in relief, 
601 
rescue, retrieval and management of dead and missing persons during disasters or 
602 
calamities; 
603 
14) Organize, train, equip, and maintain a system of response capacity for search, 
604 
rescue and retrieval and the delivery and distribution of relief goods; 
605 
15) Recommend to the President to call upon the AFP and PNP to render the necessary 
606 
assistance in a disaster-affected area by the authority of the President; 
607 
16) Call upon, by authority of the President, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the 
608 
Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection (8FP), the Philippine 
609 
Coast Guard, and other uniformed services to the extent necessary for the 
610 
Department to achieve the purposes of this Act; 
611 
17) Establish n National Corps of Volunteers to be composed of, among others: 
612 
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), National Service Training Program 
613 
(NSTP), reservists, and other socio-civic organizations; 
614 
18) Assist in mobilizing necessary resources to increase the overall capacity of local 
615 
government units, specifically those with low income and situated in high-risk 
616 
areas, and 
617 
19) Undertake all other programs and projects necessary to attain the necessary 
618 
outcomes for disaster preparedness and response. 
619 
 
620 
(d) Recovery and Building Forward Better 
621 
1) Prepare, organize, lead, implement, and manage post-disaster assessment and 
622 
recovery and rehabilitation programs and plans, in coordination with the affected 
623 
local governments units, national government agencies, and other stakeholders; 
624 


 
 
22 
2) Establish a system to promptly perform impact and needs assessment, including 
625 
strengthening the in-house capacity of the Department to conduct accurate and 
626 
timely impact and needs assessment; 
627 
3) Establish a system that utili2es templates, exposure database, and other tools, and 
628 
develop the Departments in-house capacity for the prompt and expedient 
629 
preparation when needed, for disaster affected areas, 
630 
4) Formulate or direct relevant government agencies and LGUs to issue guidelines for 
631 
fast-tracking the issuance of permits, certifications, clearances and licenses to 
632 
implement disaster recovery and rehabilitation measures, including housing 
633 
projects, in affected areas; 
634 
5) Prepare and implement rehabilitation plans for disaster affected areas, 
635 
6) Manage and oversee the implementation of disaster recovery and rehabilitation 
636 
measures; 
637 
7) Collaborate with relevant government agencies to establish programs to restore or 
638 
generate livelihood in disaster affected areas; 
639 
8) Formulate policies and standards for post-disaster shelter recovery which may 
640 
include, among others, implementation arrangements, coordination arrangements 
641 
with relevant agencies and LGUs, and modalities for emergency transitional and 
642 
permanent shelter recovery; 
643 
9) Ensure that the principle of building forward better is applied to rehabilitation or 
644 
reconstruction efforts, and 
645 
10) Undertake all other programs and projects necessary to attain the necessary 
646 
outcomes for recovery and safer, adaptive, resilient, and inclusive communities. 
647 
 
648 
(e) Other Functions 
649 
1) Constitute, call, convene or deputize agencies of government, and invite 
650 
nongovernment and private organizations, to assist, advise, or coordinate with the 
651 
Department to achieve the purposes of this Act; 
652 
2) Inspect and examine the status of projects, programs, and activities undertaken by 
653 
national government agencies and local government units in furtherance of disaster 
654 
resilience efforts; 
655 
3) Save lives and/or minimize damages to livelihood and property, complement and 
656 
collaborate with relevant government agencies and nongovernment stakeholders in 
657 


 
 
23 
providing humanitarian response and the consequence management of human- 
658 
induced disasters whenever it becomes necessary; 
659 
4) Negotiate, enter into, institutionalize, and coordinate arrangements with any private 
660 
person or entity for the purpose of ensuring the adequate and prompt availability of 
661 
goods and services necessary in anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of 
662 
disasters, 
663 
5) Promulgate rules and regulations for the receipt, management, and accounting of 
664 
donations that are consistent with the rules of the Commission on Audit (COA) on 
665 
the use of foreign and local aid during calamities and disasters; 
666 
6) Create or reorganize offices and/or task forces, as may be necessary to carry out the 
667 
objectives of this Act; and 
668 
7) Perform such other functions, as may be necessary, for the attainment of the 
669 
objectives of this Act. 
670 
 
671 
Article III 
672 
EMERGENCY MEASURES 
673 
 
674 
SEC. 6. Emergency Measures. –  
675 
(a) To protect and preserve life and property and ensure and promote public safety and 
676 
welfare, the Department may undertake and implement the following emergency measures 
677 
in anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of disasters: 
678 
1) Carrying out of preemptive evacuation, 
679 
2) Imposition of curfew; 
680 
3) Rationing of the distribution of basic goods in critical shortage, and when 
681 
necessary, preventing or restricting the transfer of such goods outside of the area 
682 
affected by the disaster, including access to rice inventory of the National Food 
683 
Authority (NRA) office or storage located in the affected area; 
684 
4) When there is imminent danger of loss of lives or damage to property, temporarily 
685 
take over or direct the operation of any private utility or business, subject to 
686 
payment of just compensation, and 
687 
5) With the concurrence of the DOF, recommend to the Monetary Board the 
688 
deferment of the payment of monetary obligations of local government units and 
689 
private entities that have been severely affected by disaster. 
690 


 
 
24 
(b) Local government units shall enact ordinance on and implement necessary and 
691 
appropriate emergency measures to ensure the protection and preservation of life and 
692 
proper Ty and the promotion of public safety and welfare in anticipation of, during, and 
693 
in the aftermath of disasters. 
694 
(c) Emergency measures shall be carried our in a manner that is humane, respectful of the 
695 
and culture of discrimination and disproportionate force, and with conscious attention to the 
696 
needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups. 
697 
(d) Appropriate steps shall be taken to inform the public of the need to implement 
698 
emergency measures for their safety. 
699 
 
700 
SEC. 7. Preemptive and Force Evacuations. -  Preemptive evacuation shall be the 
701 
preferred and primary mode of moving and relocating people that will be affected by 
702 
impending disasters. 
703 
A forced evacuation shall be considered as an emergency measure of last resort that may be 
704 
undertaken in anticipation of or during a disaster and carried out by the concerned local 
705 
government unit: Provided, That in case of the failure or inability of the local government units 
706 
to implement the same, the forced evacuation shall be implemented by the Department, which 
707 
may direct and compel the assistance of law enforcement and other government agencies to 
708 
implement such measure. 
709 
Any person who willfully disregards or disobeys a preemptive or forced evacuation carried 
710 
out by the local government unit or the Department releases such local government unit or the 
711 
Department, as the case may be, from any liability for injury, death, damage to, or loss of 
712 
property due to such disobedience. 
713 
 
714 
Article IV 
715 
ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT 
716 
 
717 
SEC. 8. The Secretary. - The Department shall be headed by the Secretary of Disaster 
718 
Resilience, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, who shall be appointed by the President, 
719 
subject to confirmation by the Committee on Appointments. The Secretary preferably have a 
720 
good background in any of the scientific, engineering, and public management fields relevant 
721 
to the attainment and promotion of resiliency to natural hazards and climate change, and 
722 
demonstrated managerial acumen. 
723 
 
724 


 
 
25 
SEC. 9. Powers and Functions of the Secretary - The Secretary shall have the following 
725 
powers and functions:  
726 
 
727 
(a) Provide executive direction and supervision over the endure operations of the 
728 
Department; 
729 
(b) Establish and promulgate policies, rules, and regulations for the effective and efficient 
730 
operation of the Department and implement these to carry out its mandate, functions, 
731 
programs, and activities; 
732 
(c) Exercise control and supervision over all functions and activities of the Department and 
733 
its officers and personnel; 
734 
(d) Manage the financial, human and other resources of the Department; 
735 
(e) Appoint and designate officers and employees of the Department, excluding those 
736 
requiring presidential appointment as provided for by law; 
737 
(f) Exercise disciplinary powers over officers and employees of the Department in 
738 
accordance with law, and investigate such erring officers and employees, or designate a 
739 
committee or officer to conduct an investigation; 
740 
(g) Collaborate with other government agencies, the private sector, and civil society 
741 
organizations on the policies, programs, projects, and activities of the Department, as 
742 
may be necessary; 
743 
(h) Advise the President on the promulgation of executive and administrative orders, and 
744 
the formulation of regulatory and legislative proposals on matters pertaining to disaster 
745 
resilience; 
746 
(i) Represent the Philippines and articulate the national contribution to global, regional, 
747 
and other inter-governmental disaster risk reduction and humanitarian platforms, in 
748 
coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs; 
749 
(j) Represent the Philippines and articulate the national contribution to global, regional, 
750 
and other inter-governmental disaster risk reduction and humanitarian platforms, in 
751 
coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs; 
752 
(k) Serve as a member of the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB); and Perform 
753 
such other President. 
754 
 
755 
SEC. 10. The Undersecretaries. - The Secretary shall be assisted by four (4) 
756 
Undersecretaries, which shall be responsible for the following key result areas: 
757 
 
758 


 
 
26 
a) Disaster Preparedness and Response - to implement projects and programs that will 
759 
enhance the capacity of LGUs to prepare against, and respond to, disasters. This also 
760 
includes development of a database of exposure or elements at risk per area and 
761 
database of volunteers, among others. It involves the establishment of evacuation 
762 
centers and the implementation of responsive and efficient prepositioning of goods, 
763 
maintenance and disposal of stocks, among others; 
764 
b) Disaster Risk Reduction - to formulate, adopt, and/or implement, among others, a 
765 
whole- of-society approach in policies and programs to prevent new, if not reduce 
766 
existing disaster risks, to address the effects of climate change, and to minimize loss 
767 
and damage to lives and properties. This includes the formulation of the required 
768 
policies and/or programs for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in, 
769 
among others, the NDRF and the NDRPIP; 
770 
c) Recovery and Building Forward and Better - to formulate and implement rehabilitation 
771 
plans for disaster-affected areas, and to ensure the in implementation of disaster 
772 
recovery and rehabilitation measures, such as, but not limited to, post-disaster shelters 
773 
and livelihood projects, in collaboration with relevant agencies, LGUs, and other 
774 
stakeholders; and 
775 
d) Support to Operation - to formulate and implement, among others, policies, programs 
776 
and/or projects to ensure the efficient, effective, and responsive delivery of the 
777 
Department's key result areas. Support to Operations covers knowledge management, 
778 
institutional development and planning, finance, office administration, human resources 
779 
management, and development of the Department's in-house capacities, among others. 
780 
 
781 
SEC. 11. The Assistant Secretaries and Directors. - The Department shall have four (4) 
782 
Assistant Secretaries and appropriate number of Directors to ensure for the effective, efficient, 
783 
and responsive implementation of the mandate and functions of the Department. 
784 
 
785 
SEC. 12. Qualifications - No person shall be appointed Secretary, Undersecretary, or 
786 
Assistant Secretary of the Department unless a citizen and resident of the Philippines, of good 
787 
moral character, and of proven experience, competence or expertise in humanitarian relief 
788 
assistance and disaster management. The Secretary, Undersecretary, or Assistant Secretary 
789 
shall not hold any other position, public or private, during their terms of office. 
790 
 
791 


 
 
27 
SEC 13. Structure and Staffing Pattern. - The Department shall determine its 
792 
organizational structure and staffing pattern and create such services, divisions, and units, as it 
793 
may require or deem necessary, subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and 
794 
Management. 
795 
 
796 
SEC. 14. National Disaster Operations Center, Alternative Command Center, and 
797 
Research and Training Institute. - The Department shall establish, within one (1) year from 
798 
the approval of this Act, and act as the primary operator, the National Disaster Operations 
799 
Center (NDOC), Alternative Command and Control Center (ACCCs) as may be necessary in 
800 
each of the country's major island groups, and the Disaster Resilience Research and Training 
801 
Institute (DRRTI). 
802 
The Department is authorized to collect fees derived from the DRRTI. 
803 
The NDOC is a physical center equipped with the necessary tools and systems to monitor, 
804 
manage, and respond to disasters in all areas of the country. The NDOC shall also provide the 
805 
necessary support for the overall coordination and implementation of emergency and disaster 
806 
response measures throughout the country. 
807 
The ACCCs are command centers established in other locations to provide supplemental 
808 
support to the NDOC. The number and location of ACCCs shall be determined by the 
809 
Department. Temporary ACCCs may likewise be established by the Department, if necessary. 
810 
SEC. 15. DRRTI Functions and Inter-Agency Knowledge Sharing. - The DRRTI shall be 
811 
a platform for providing training preferably on site, and for collecting, consolidating, 
812 
managing, analyzing, and sharing knowledge and information to improve or enhance disaster 
813 
resilience. 
814 
 
815 
The DRRTI shall: 
816 
a) Establish reliable and up-to-date disaster-related information and communication 
817 
systems and technologies through close collaboration with the DOST and with academic 
818 
institutions; 
819 
b) Institutionalize, maintain, and update an integrated disaster resilience information 
820 
system (IDRIS), which includes, among others, multi-hazard mapping, probabilistic risk 
821 
assessment, risk analysis, early warning, exposure database, communication and 
822 
emergency management systems, 
823 


 
 
28 
c) Establish a database that includes relevant information from other government agencies 
824 
and third parties for the Department to better prepare and respond to natural hazards including, 
825 
but not limited Io, an inventory of hazardous materials per area; 
826 
d) Consult and coordinate with, and consolidate information/data from, relevant 
827 
government agencies, such as, but not limited to, DOST, LGUs, academic institutions, and 
828 
relevant CSOs to enhance the IDRIS and to promote knowledge sharing among all 
829 
stakeholders, 
830 
e) Conduct disaster-related research programs, seminars, and trainings for all types of 
831 
stakeholders; 
832 
f) Consolidate, organize and/or prepare training materials and publications; and 
833 
g) Conduct other activities consistent with promoting the formation and dissemination of 
834 
knowledge and information relating to disaster resilience and disaster management. 
835 
 
836 
SEC. 16. Compliance and Accreditation of DRRTI with International Standards. – The 
837 
Department shall strive to obtain certification from, and accreditation by, international 
838 
accreditation bodies of the DRRTI to ensure DRRTI compliance with international standards. 
839 
The Department shall likewise ensure collaboration with key countries and international 
840 
organizations to incorporate best practices on disaster resilience in the Department's policies 
841 
and programs. 
842 
 
843 
SEC. 17. Disaster Assistance Action Center. - The Department shall institutionalize a one-
844 
stop shop mechanism through a Disaster Assistance Action Center (DAAC) which shall, 
845 
among others, process necessary documents for both domestic and international assisting 
846 
actors. 
847 
 
848 
SEC. 18. Incentives. - The Department has the authority to prescribe benefits, allowances, 
849 
and similar emoluments for disaster management professionals and disaster resilience officers 
850 
at the national and local levels. 
851 
 
852 
Article V 
853 
NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 
854 
 
855 
SEC. 19. Retention of Lock DRRM Offices and Creation of Local Disaster Resilience 
856 
Offices. - The Local DRRM Offices (LDRRMOs) in provinces, cities, and municipalities shall 
857 


 
 
29 
be retained and renamed as Provincial, City, and Municipality Disaster Resilience Offices, 
858 
respectively. They shall collectively be called Local Disaster Resilience Offices (LDROs). All 
859 
LGUs shall establish an LDRO at the provincial, city, and municipal levels. All Local DRRM 
860 
Councils (LDRRMCs) shall be abolished. 
861 
 
The budgetary requirements for personal services, maintenance and other operating 
862 
expenses, and capital outlay of the LDROs shall be sourced from the General Fund of the 
863 
LGU, subject to Section 76 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the "Local 
864 
Government Code of 1991", as amended. 
865 
 
Other maintenance and operating expenses and other capital outlay requirements of the 
866 
LDRO in the implementation of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction management and 
867 
climate change adaptation programs shall be charged to the Local Disaster Resilience Fund of 
868 
the LGUs. 
869 
 
Provinces, cities or municipalities shall be exempted from the Personnel Services (PS) 
870 
limitation on local government budgets in relation to the creation of the LDROs and the 
871 
appointment of its officers and personnel. 
872 
 
873 
 
SEC. 20. Composition and Organization of LDROs. - The LDRO shall be under the 
874 
supervision and control of the provincial governor, and city or municipal mayor, as applicable. 
875 
The LDRO shall be composed of an officer and five (5) permanent personnel responsible for, 
876 
among others, administration, research and planning, training, and operations. The 
877 
organization, composition, functions, and responsibilities of retained LDRRMOs shall be 
878 
modified to the extent provided in, and shall comply with the requirements and standards of, 
879 
this Act and the IRR for the establishment, maintenance, and operations of LDROs. 
880 
 
881 
 
SEC. 21. Local Disaster Resilience Officer. - The LDRO shall be headed and managed 
882 
by a well-qualified and full-time Local Disaster Resilience Officer with regular plantilla 
883 
position. he Local Disaster Resilience Officer and Staff shall be appointed by the Local Chief 
884 
Executive subject to the requirements and endowed with the emoluments and benefits in 
885 
accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations. 
886 
 
887 
 
SEC. 22. Powers and Functions of City and Municipal DROs. - The City and 
888 
Municipal (CDRO and MDRO) shall have the following powers and functions: 
889 
(a) Formulate and implement, in close coordination with the Department, a comprehensive 
890 
and integrated LDRP in accordance with the NDRF and the NDRPIP; 
891 


 
 
30 
(b) Design, program, and implement disaster resilience activities including preparedness, 
892 
risk reduction, response, recovery and rehabilitation measures consistent with the 
893 
standards and guidelines provided by the Department, and implement the NDRF and 
894 
the NDRPIP at the city or municipal level; 
895 
(c) Prepare and submit to the local Sanggunian, the LDRP, the proposed programming of 
896 
the LDR Fund, other dedicated disaster resilience resources, and other regular funding 
897 
source of the LDRO; 
898 
(d) Recommend to the local Sanggunian the enactment of local ordinances to implement 
899 
the LDRP, NDRF and NDRPIP at the city or municipal level, and to comply with other 
900 
requirements of this Act, 
901 
(e) Prepare and submit to the Department, the local Commission on Audit, and the 
902 
applicable Regional Disaster Resilience Office a report on the utilization of its Local 
903 
Disaster Resilience Fund and other disaster risk reduction and management resources; 
904 
(f) Establish and maintain, in coordination with the Department, an information 
905 
management system within the LGU which, among others, consolidates and includes 
906 
local risk information on natural hazards, profile of the LGU's vulnerable or 
907 
marginalized groups, local risk maps, and a disaggregated database of human resource, 
908 
equipment, services, resources, directories and location of critical infrastructures with 
909 
their capacities as hospitals and evacuation centers; 
910 
(g) Operate and maintain, in coordination with the Department, a mule-hazard early 
911 
warning and communications system to provide accurate and timely information to the 
912 
public; 
913 
(h) Organize and conduct training and knowledge management activities on disaster 
914 
resilience at the local level, in coordination with the DRRTI; 
915 
(i) Procure emergency works, goods, and services compliance with the regulations, orders, 
916 
and policies of DBM and Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), to 
917 
implement the DRP or support early recovery and post-disaster activities; 
918 
(j) In coordination with the Department, the DOF and other relevant agencies, access 
919 
foreign loans to finance its projects, programs, and policies for disaster preparedness, 
920 
response, recovery, and rehabilitation, subject to terms and conditions agreed upon by 
921 
the LDRO and the lender; 
922 
(k) Monitor and mobilize instrumentalities and entities of the LGU and its partner LGUs, 
923 
CSOs, private sector, organized volunteers, and sectoral organizations for disaster 
924 


 
 
31 
resilience activities, in accordance with policies and procedures of the Department and 
925 
applicable laws; 
926 
(l) Coordinate and provide the necessary support or assistance to the Department in the 
927 
implementation of rehabilitation plan within the city or municipality covered by the 
928 
LDRO; 
929 
(m) Coordinate with the Department, other government agencies, members of the private 
930 
sector and other stakeholders in the LGU to establish a Business Continuity Plan as part 
931 
of their LDRP's disaster preparedness measures; 
932 
(n) Establish linkage or network and coordination mechanisms with other LGUs and the 
933 
Department for disaster resilience activities and to achieve the purposes of this Act, and 
934 
(o) Conduct other activities and/or act on other matters, in accordance with policies and 
935 
procedures of the Department and applicable laws, to achieve the purposes of this Act. 
936 
 
937 
SEC. 23. Provincial Disaster Resilience Officer. - The Provincial Disaster Resilience 
938 
Office (PDRO) shall be headed and managed by a Provincial Disaster Resilience Officer with 
939 
regular mantilla position. 
940 
 
941 
SEC. 24. Powers and Functions of the PDRO of the PDRO. -  shall have the following 
942 
powers and functions: 
943 
(a) Formulate and implement, in close coordination with the Department and cities or 
944 
municipalities within its jurisdiction, a comprehensive and integrated Provincial LDRP 
945 
in accordance with the NDRF and the NDRPIP; 
946 
(b) Review the LDRPs of cities and municipalities within its jurisdiction, and require the 
947 
amendment of such LDRPs if necessary, to ensure compliance with the Provincial 
948 
LDRP and/or the NDRF and NDRPIP; 
949 
(c) Design, program, coordinate, and/or implement disaster resilience activities consistent 
950 
with the standards and guidelines provided by the Department, and implement the 
951 
NDRF and the NDRPIP at the provincial level; 
952 
(d) Prepare and submit to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the Provincial LDRP, the 
953 
proposed programming of the province's Local Disaster Resilience Fund, other 
954 
dedicated disaster resilience resources, and other funding of the PDRO; 
955 
(e) Recommend to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan the enactment of local ordinances to 
956 
implement the Provincial LDRP, NDRF and NDRPIP at the provincial level, and to 
957 
comply with other requirements of this Act; 
958 


 
 
32 
(f) Prepare and submit to the Department, the local Commission on Audit, and the 
959 
applicable Regional Disaster Resilience Office a report on the utilization of the 
960 
province's Local Disaster Resilience Fund and other disaster risk reduction and 
961 
management resources; 
962 
(g) Establish and maintain, in coordination with the Department, a Provincial Command 
963 
and Control Center (PCC) which includes, among others, an information management 
964 
system at the provincial level which consolidates and integrates information from the 
965 
cities and/or municipalities within its jurisdiction, a mule-hazard early warning and 
966 
communications system that-is connected with the cities and/or municipalities within 
967 
its jurisdiction, and a monitoring system that enables the PDRO to oversee, supervise, 
968 
monitor and respond to the needs of cities and/or municipalities within its jurisdiction 
969 
in relation to disaster resilience activities; 
970 
(h) Procure emergency works, goods, and services in compliance with the regulations, 
971 
orders, and policies of DBM and GPPB, to implement the provincial LDRP or support 
972 
early recovery and post-disaster activities of the PDRO; 
973 
(i) In coordination with the Department and the DOF, access foreign loans to finance its 
974 
projects, programs, and policies for disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and 
975 
rehabilitation, subject to terms and conditions agreed upon by the PDRO and the 
976 
lender; 
977 
(j) Formulate and establish mechanisms to mobilize and direct LDROs within its 
978 
jurisdiction as necessary for disaster preparedness and response at the provincial level; 
979 
(k) Coordinate and provide the necessary support or assistance to the Department in the 
980 
implementation of rehabilitation plan(s) within the cities and/or municipalities covered 
981 
by the PDRO; and 
982 
(l) Conduct other activities and/or act on other matters, in accordance with policies and 
983 
procedures of the Department and applicable laws, to achieve the purposes of this Act. 
984 
 
985 
SEC. 25. Regional Offices. - The Department shall establish and maintain Regional 
986 
Offices (ROs) at each region, and a National Capital Region Office (NCR). The size, 
987 
composition and organization of ROs and NCR shall be based on parameters provided in the 
988 
IRR on the ability of LGUs within its jurisdiction to cope with previous disasters, or to 
989 
implement their LDRPs or Provincial LDRPs; the level of income, population, hazard 
990 
exposure of LGUs. The ROs and NCR shall be funded by the Department. 
991 
 
992 


 
 
33 
SEC. 26. Regional Director. - Each RO and the NCR shall be headed and managed by a 
993 
Regional Director with regular plantilla position. The Regional Director shall be appointed by 
994 
the Department Secretary for a fixed term pursuant to requirements, terms of office and 
995 
endowed with the emoluments and benefits subject to existing laws, rules and regulations. 
996 
 
997 
SEC. 27. Powers and Functions of ROs and NCR. - The ROs and the NCR shall have the 
998 
following powers and functions: 
999 
(a) Review the LDRPs and Provincial LDRPs of LGUs within its jurisdiction, and require 
1000 
the amendment of such LDRPs and/or Provincial LDRPs if necessary, to ensure 
1001 
compliance with the NDRF and NDRPIP; 
1002 
(b) Monitor and direct LDROs and PDROs to implement their respective LDROs and 
1003 
PDROs; 
1004 
(c) Recommend to the appropriate Sanggunian at the city, municipal or provincial level, 
1005 
the enactment of local ordinances to implement the LDRP, NDRF and NDRPIP at the 
1006 
city, municipal or provincial level, and to comply with other requirements of this Act; 
1007 
(d) Review reports on the utilization of the LDRF and other disaster risk reduction and 
1008 
management resources of LGUs within its jurisdiction, and give recommendations, as 
1009 
necessary; 
1010 
(e) Disburse to, and monitor the use by, LGUs of Supplemental LDRF as granted by the 
1011 
Department pursuant to this Act and its IRR; 
1012 
(f) Provide, upon the request of LGUs or unilaterally at its own discretion, assistance to 
1013 
LGU(s) within its jurisdiction as necessary to ensure the implementation of LDRPs or 
1014 
Provincial LDRPs, NDRF and NDRPIP, and to render efficient and timely disaster 
1015 
preparedness, response and recovery measures; 
1016 
(g) Identify and report to the Department issues and problems relating to, or affecting, the 
1017 
disaster resilience of LGUs within its jurisdiction, and make recommendations to the 
1018 
Department and/or to the LGUs to address such issues or problems; 
1019 
(h) Procure goods and services in compliance with the regulations, orders, and policies of 
1020 
DBM and GPPB, to implement the NDRPIP and NDRF at the regional level; 
1021 
(i) Formulate and establish mechanisms to mobilize and direct LDROs and PDROs within 
1022 
its jurisdiction as necessary for disaster preparedness and response at the regional level; 
1023 
(j) Establish and maintain, in coordination with the Department, a Regional Command and 
1024 
Control Center (RCC) which includes, among others, an information management 
1025 
system at the regional level which consolidates and integrates information from the 
1026 


 
 
34 
provinces, cities and municipalities within its jurisdiction, a multi-hazard early warning 
1027 
and communications system, and a monitoring system that enables the RO to oversee, 
1028 
supervise, monitor and respond to the needs of LGUs within its jurisdiction in relation 
1029 
to disaster resilience activities; implement or assist in the implementation, as directed 
1030 
by the Department, of rehabilitation plans for LGUs within its coverage; and 
1031 
(k) Conduct other activities and/or act on other matters, in accordance with policies and 
1032 
procedures of the Department and applicable laws, to achieve the purposes of this Act. 
1033 
 
1034 
SEC. 28. Inter-Regional Disaster Resilience Office Collaboration. - The Department shall 
1035 
create policies and programs to establish collaboration and coordination among the different 
1036 
Ros. 
1037 
 
1038 
SEC. 29. Levels of Responsibility for Disaster Preparedness and Response. - The primary 
1039 
responsibility for disaster preparedness and response shall be exercised at the local and 
1040 
national level in collaboration with the relevant departments and agencies, as follows: 
1041 
 
1042 
LEVELS OF 
RESPONSIBILITY 
RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS 
CONDITIONS 
Level 
1 
- 
City 
or 
Municipality 
Mayor of the City / Municipality 
(Lead)  
 
Local Disaster Resilience Office 
 
(In 
the 
case 
of 
BARMM: 
Municipal / City Mayor and 
BARMM 
Local 
Disaster 
Resilience Office) 
If a disaster affects a 
single municipality / city 
Level 2 - Province 
Governor (Lead)  
 
Provincial Disaster Resilience 
Office  
 
Applicable 
Local 
Disaster 
Resilience Offices  
 
(In the case of BARMM: 
Provincial Governor and 
BARMM Local Disaster 
Resilience Office/s) 
If a disaster affects two 
or more municipalities / 
cities 
Level 3 - Region 
Regional 
Director 
of 
the 
Regional Office (RO) (Lead)  
 
Applicable Governors  
If a disaster affects two 
or more provinces and/or 
independent component 
or highly urbanized 


 
 
35 
Applicable Provincial Disaster 
Resilience Offices  
 
(In the case of BARMM: 
Regional Governor and ARMM 
Local Disaster Resilience Office/ 
s) 
 
(In the case of Metro Manila: 
MMDA Chair) 
Cities 
Level 4 – National 
 
During a state of calamity in 
any area(s) or affecting 
several regions 
Secretary of the Department of 
Disaster Resilience (Lead) 
 
Governors of the affected 
Provinces 
a. When 
a 
state 
of 
calamity is declared 
by the President 
 
b. If as disaster affects 
least two (2) regions 
 
c. When the affected 
LGU cannot dispense 
its 
functions, 
or 
respond to the threat 
or effect of disaster; 
 
d. When the local chief 
executive 
or, 
in 
his/her 
absence 
or 
incapacity, the next 
high-ranking official 
directly requests the 
Department to take 
over; 
When the President 
direct a Level 4 response. 
 
SEC. 30. Inter-Local Government Assistance. - LGUs are hereby authorized to extend 
1043 
assistance to another LGU, whether through funding or donation of goods and/or services, to 
1044 
ensure effective disaster preparedness and response, such as the pre-positioning and provision 
1045 
of basic goods, and training of first responders, among others, subject to auditing and 
1046 
accounting. 
1047 
 
1048 
SEC. 31. Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Powers of the Department. - The 
1049 
Department shall be primarily responsible for the identification, planning and funding of 
1050 
priority reconstruction and rehabilitation projects and programs on areas affected by disasters: 
1051 
Provided, That the Department of Public Works and Highways shall be the primary 
1052 
implementor of all infrastructure-related rehabilitation and reconstruction projects, including 
1053 


 
 
36 
retrofitting of structures to make them more resistant and resilient to the effects of natural 
1054 
disasters. 
1055 
 
1056 
SEC. 32. Service Continuity of the Department. - To ensure service continuity, the 
1057 
Department and its regional and attached offices shall be established in a reasonably resilient 
1058 
location; and undertake the necessary interventions to make its offices and systems disaster- 
1059 
resilient. 
1060 
 
1061 
SEC. 33. Assistance to Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. - The 
1062 
Government, thru the Secretary of Disaster Resilience, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous 
1063 
Regional Government shall create an inter-governmental mechanism for humanitarian relief 
1064 
assistance in the BARMM during times of natural disasters. 
1065 
 
1066 
Article VI 
1067 
WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT, WHOLE OF NATION, AND WHOLE OF SOCIETY 
1068 
APPROACH AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS 
1069 
 
1070 
SEC. 34. Inter-operability of Systems. - The Department shall establish mechanisms to 
1071 
ensure the inter-operability of systems among government agencies, and to allow access of 
1072 
agencies to the IDRIS as established pursuant to Section 15 of this Act. It shall develop 
1073 
protocols to allow real-time access to information by government agencies in relation to 
1074 
natural disasters and the implementation of disaster resilience measures. 
1075 
SEC. 35. Synergy with Stakeholders. - The Department shall ensure close collaboration 
1076 
and coordination with stakeholders, including CSOs, the academe, and the private sector, in 
1077 
relation to disaster resilience programs and projects, and the development and promotion of 
1078 
education and training mechanisms with relevant stakeholders. 
1079 
The Department shall establish a platform and mechanisms for coordination with 
1080 
stakeholders, including the development of standard operating procedures for collaboration in 
1081 
the event of a disaster. 
1082 
 
1083 
SEC. 36. Establishment ofMult1'-Stakeholders Convergence Unit - The Department 
1084 
shall, with the assistance of other relevant government agencies and stakeholders, establish a 
1085 
Multi-Stakeholders Convergence Unit (MSCU) which shall align the disaster resilience efforts 
1086 
of the private sector, CSOs, academe and other stakeholders with that of the Department by 
1087 


 
 
37 
assisting, coordinating or providing services that strengthen public-private coordination in 
1088 
disaster resilience, including the following: 
1089 
(a) Establishment and implementation of business continuity practices to ensure the 
1090 
continued delivery of products and services in the event of a natural disaster; 
1091 
(b) Crafting and implementation of a National Continuity Policy to ensure service 
1092 
continuity during interruptions, emergencies, and disasters and ensure the quick return 
1093 
to full operations; 
1094 
(c) Establishment, incorporation, and application of business continuity plans as part of the 
1095 
LDRP of LGUs; 
1096 
(d) Facilitation or assistance in obtaining or processing incentives for the private sector or 
1097 
other nongovernment stakeholders, such as tax credits, and 
1098 
(e) Preparation and facilitating the of special rules for Micro, Small and Medium 
1099 
Enterprises (MSMEs) such as mechanisms involving procurement and liquidity to 
1100 
create enabling environments for disaster preparedness and recovery.  
1101 
The MSCU shall establish a platform that includes, among others, a database for 
1102 
monitoring and coordinating efforts and resources of nongovernment stakeholders. It shall be 
1103 
headed by one (1) of the Undersecretaries of the Department. 
1104 
 
1105 
SEC. 37. Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders. - The commitment, goodwill, 
1106 
knowledge, experience and resources of relevant stakeholders are critical to realize a safer, 
1107 
adaptive, resilient and inclusive Filipino community. Citizens shall have the shared vision and 
1108 
duty to provide support to the State in the implementation of policies and programs, 
1109 
particularly the Disaster Resilience Framework and Disaster Resilience Plan at the national, 
1110 
regional, and local levels. 
1111 
(a) Civil 
society, 
nongovernmental 
organizations, 
international 
nongovernmental 
1112 
organizations, private sector, DRRM practitioners, and volunteers shall participate, in 
1113 
collaboration with public institutions, in the exchange of information, learnings, and 
1114 
guidance on disaster resilience. The Department shall encourage and institutionalize 
1115 
their engagement in the implementation of local, regional, national, and global plans 
1116 
and strategies to enhance public awareness and promote a culture of disaster resilience; 
1117 
(b) Women, children, and youth, as agents of change, shall endeavor to contribute actively 
1118 
and participate in disaster resilience trainings and information dissemination; 
1119 
(c) Senior citizens and persons with disabilities shall contribute their knowledge and 
1120 
experience on disaster preparedness and resiliency; 
1121 


 
 
38 
(d) Migrants and the urban and rural poor shall participate in building resilient resettlement 
1122 
communities; 
1123 
(e) Emergency responders and volunteer organizations shall contribute to resilience by 
1124 
promptly and efficiently responding to disasters and emergencies consistent with the 
1125 
policies of the Department; 
1126 
(f) Academia, scientific and research entities, and networks are encouraged to undertake 
1127 
relevant research on disaster resiliency in partnership with the Department and other 
1128 
stakeholders for better decision-making; 
1129 
(g) The private sector is encouraged to integrate disaster resiliency projects and programs 
1130 
in their corporate social responsibility initiatives; and 
1131 
(h) The media shall provide prompt and accurate information to the public on early 
1132 
warning systems, natural hazards, and disaster resilience activities of the Department. 
1133 
The Department, with the assistance of the ROs, shall establish and convene a Disaster 
1134 
Resilience Assembly at the regional and national levels which shall be held on a quarterly basis 
1135 
to ensure the proactive engagement of different stakeholders, such as government agencies, the 
1136 
Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), League of Cities of the Philippines 
1137 
(LCP), League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), CSOs, NGOs, academe, DRRM 
1138 
practitioners, and the private sector, to ensure and foster coordination and collaboration 
1139 
towards achieving the goals of this Act. 
1140 
LGUs may convene local DRAs within their jurisdictions, as necessary for the attainment 
1141 
of disaster resilience a t the local level 
1142 
SEC. 38. Recognition and Incentives. - The Department, in partnership with the private 
1143 
sector, shall establish an incentives program that shall recognize the outstanding performance 
1144 
of LDRO, NGOs, CSOs, schools, hospitals, and other stakeholders in promoting and 
1145 
implementing significant disaster risk reduction management-climate change adaptation 
1146 
programs and innovations, and meritorious acts of individuals, groups or institutions during 
1147 
natural disasters subject to existing laws, rules and regulations. 
1148 
 
1149 
Article VII 
1150 
PREPAREDNESS AND INTEGRATED EARLY WARNING 
1151 
 
1152 
SEC. 39. Standards for Disaster Preparedness Activities. –  
1153 
(a) The Department shall establish standards and protocols for disaster preparedness, 
1154 
contingency planning, localizing and operationalizing disaster risk reduction and management, 
1155 


 
 
39 
preparedness for responding to disasters and undertaking early recovery, continuity of essential 
1156 
services, and other relevant preparedness activities. 
1157 
(b) LGUs shall identify safe and strategic sites, and establish evacuation centers with 
1158 
appropriate and adequate facilities in accordance with government-approved standards as 
1159 
provided under Republic Act No. 10821, otherwise known as the "Children's Emergency 
1160 
Relief Protection Act", to avoid disruption of school classes and lessen the use of school 
1161 
buildings and facilities as evacuation centers. 
1162 
(c) The concerned LGUs shall immediately compensate schools used as evacuation 
1163 
centers. The schools used as evacuation centers may seek compensation for renovation, 
1164 
replacement, or repairs of damaged facilities for such use. 
1165 
 
1166 
SEC. 40. Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Risk Communication Standards. - There 
1167 
shall be a streamlined policy governing early warning systems and risk communication 
1168 
protocols to ensure effective and efficient measures to prepare for, respond to and recover from 
1169 
potential risks and disasters. 
1170 
The Department shall formulate and implement multi-hazard early warning protocols 
1171 
integrating all disaster preparedness systems in collaboration with local executives, 
1172 
community- based organizations, civil society organizations, and other nongovernmental 
1173 
organizations for proper use and application. 
1174 
 
1175 
 
1176 
SEC. 41. Early Warning Mandate. – 
1177 
(a) The Department shall issue an integrated early warning alert for the impending 
1178 
occurrence of hazards that will enable the public to prepare in time and act appropriately to 
1179 
minimize potential harm or loss. 
1180 
(b) The Department at the national and local level shall use an integrated early warning 
1181 
system to ensure it is consistent and locally contextualized with the communication protocol 
1182 
and safe evacuation procedure of the affected communities. It shall work with other agencies 
1183 
or organizations on pre-crisis information mapping of the humanitarian needs of at-risk 
1184 
communities that will enhance the overall prepositioning of resources at the national and local 
1185 
level. 
1186 
(c) The Department shall require mobile phone service providers to send out alerts at 
1187 
regular intervals in the event of an impending natural hazard, in accordance with Republic Act 
1188 
No. 10639, otherwise known as "The Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act" 
1189 


 
 
40 
(d) The Department shall recognize and proactively support local or indigenous modes of 
1190 
early warning systems and allow open access to near real-time data from both local and 
1191 
international sources made available through various platforms such as websites, mobile apps, 
1192 
and social media to empower local communities and individuals. Any person who transmits 
1193 
early warning concerning the abovementioned phenomena by means of signs in designs, 
1194 
colors, lights, or sound shall do so in compliance with the methods recognized or approved by 
1195 
the Department. 
1196 
 
1197 
Article VIII 
1198 
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE 
1199 
 
1200 
 
SEC. 42. Management of Humanitarian Assistance. – 
1201 
(a) The Department shall have the power to receive and manage humanitarian assistance 
1202 
from any person or entity, whether from local or international sources. 
1203 
(b) The importation by, and acceptance of humanitarian assistance donated to the 
1204 
Department, consisting of, among others, food, clothing, medical assistance, equipment, and 
1205 
materials for relief, recovery and other disaster management activities, are hereby authorized in 
1206 
accordance with Sections 120 and 121 of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the 
1207 
"Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)", and the prevailing provisions of the 
1208 
General Appropriations Act covering national internal revenue taxes and import duties of 
1209 
national and local government agencies. 
1210 
 
SEC. 43. International Humanitarian Assistance. - The Department, in consultation with 
1211 
the Bureau of Immigration and the Bureau of Customs shall promulgate guidelines on 
1212 
international humanitarian assistance, including the initiation, entry, facilitation, transit, 
1213 
regulation and termination thereof, as well as those involving international disaster relief and 
1214 
personnel assisting international actors, visa waiver, recognition of foreign professional 
1215 
qualifications, entry of international disaster goods and equipment, and exemption from port 
1216 
duties, taxes, and restrictions. 
1217 
 
1218 
 
SEC. 44. Assessment of the Need for International Humanitarian Assistance – 
1219 
(a) Immediately after the declaration of a state of calamity by the local Sanggunian of the 
1220 
relevant local government unit or by the Department, as the case may be, the Department shall 
1221 
determine whether domestic capacities are likely to be sufficient to attend to the needs of 
1222 


 
 
41 
affected persons for international humanitarian assistance. This determination may also be 
1223 
made, at the discretion of the President, prior to the onset of an imminent disaster. 
1224 
(b) In the event of a determination by the Department that domestic response capacities are 
1225 
not likely to be sufficient due to the impact of the disaster, the Department shall recommend to 
1226 
the President that a request be made for international humanitarian assistance. 
1227 
(c) A determination that domestic capacities are likely to be sufficient and that 
1228 
international humanitarian assistance is therefore unnecessary may be reviewed and rescinded 
1229 
by the Department, with the approval of the President, at any time, in light of prevailing 
1230 
circumstances and available information. 
1231 
 
1232 
 
SEC. 45. Humanitarian Assistance Action Center. -  The Department shall create an 
1233 
inter-agency one-stop shop mechanism called the Humanitarian Assistance Action Center 
1234 
(HAAC) for the processing and release of entry and facilitation of goods, articles or equipment 
1235 
and services and international relief workers for the provision of international humanitarian 
1236 
assistance and the processing of necessary documents for assisting international actors. 
1237 
 
The Department shall lead and manage the HAAC, which shall be composed of the 
1238 
following: 
1239 
(a) Bureau of Customs; 
1240 
(b) Department of Foreign Affairs; 
1241 
(c) Department of Social Welfare and Development; 
1242 
(d) Department of Health; 
1243 
(e) Food and Drug Administration; 
1244 
(f) Department of Agriculture; 
1245 
(g) Department of Energy; 
1246 
(h) Department of National Defense; 
1247 
(i) Philippine National Police; 
1248 
(j) Philippine Coast Guard; 
1249 
(k) Department of Transportation; 
1250 
(l) Department of Environment and Natural Resources; and 
1251 
(m) Bureau of Immigration. 
1252 
 
1253 
 
SEC. 46. Request for International Humanitarian Assistance. –  
1254 
(a) In cognizance of the urgency, criticality and intensity of an imminent risk, the 
1255 
Department shall issue a flash appeal to the family of nations, under regional and multilateral 
1256 


 
 
42 
conventions, for assistance in preparedness, including preemptive measures, search, rescue, 
1257 
and retrieval, relief, recovery, and reconstruction. 
1258 
(b) The President may request international humanitarian assistance, upon the advice of the 
1259 
Secretary. Such request may be specifically directed to particular assisting international actors 
1260 
or may be a general request directed to the international community. 
1261 
 
1262 
 
SEC. 47. Regulation of Humanitarian Assistance. –  
1263 
(a) The Department shall ensure the efficient and effective monitoring of humanitarian 
1264 
assistance from domestic or international donors, establish and operate a platform, including an 
1265 
online platform, to facilitate, and provide public access to information on donations. 
1266 
(b) The Department shall include in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act 
1267 
guidelines and accountabilities on the receipt, management, distribution, accounting, and 
1268 
reporting of all humanitarian assistance, whether in cash or in kind, consistent with the rules on 
1269 
the use of foreign and local aid during calamities and disasters issued by the COA and other 
1270 
relevant government agencies. 
1271 
 
1272 
 
SEC. 48. Humanitarian Relief for Human-Induced Disasters. - The Secretary of the 
1273 
Department of Disaster Resilience shall have the authority to provide humanitarian relief in the 
1274 
consequence management of human-induced emergencies such as acts of terrorism, 
1275 
insurgency, tire, and other related human-induced disasters. 
1276 
 
1277 
 
1278 
Article IX 
1279 
OFFER AND FACILITATION OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE  
1280 
TO FOREIGN STATES 
1281 
 
1282 
 
SEC. 49. Offer and Facilitation of International Humanitarian Assistance to Foreign 
1283 
States. - In the event of a disaster occurring in a foreign State for which international 
1284 
humanitarian assistance is required, the Department, in coordination with the DFA, may offer, 
1285 
facilitate, provide, and deploy international humanitarian assistance to said foreign State, 
1286 
which shall be subject to guidelines to be promulgated by the Department for the purpose. 
1287 
 
1288 
 
SEC. 50. Accreditation. - The Department, in coordination with relevant government 
1289 
agencies and organizations, shall provide and facilitate the necessary training and accreditation 
1290 


 
 
43 
to the respective government personnel to be deployed for such offer, facilitation and provision 
1291 
of international humanitarian assistance to a foreign State. 
1292 
 
1293 
Article X 
1294 
DECLARATION OF STATE OF CALAMITY 
1295 
 
1296 
 
SEC. 51. Declaration of State of Calamity. - The Department shall recommend to the 
1297 
President the declaration of a state of calamity, whether in whole or part of an area, in case of 
1298 
an extraordinary disaster wherein the repercussions on public safety and welfare are serious 
1299 
and far-reaching. 
1300 
 
1301 
 
SEC. 52. Conditions for the Declaration of a State of Calamity - The President shall 
1302 
declare a state of calamity when all of the following requisites are present: 
1303 
(a) There is a grave, unforeseen, or sudden occurrence which demands immediate action; 
1304 
(b) The occurrence was caused by a natural disaster; 
1305 
(c) The occurrence is likely to cause a threat to life and/or danger to property; and 
1306 
(d) The declaration of a state of calamity shall cover a limited period only. 
1307 
 
1308 
 
SEC. 53. Mandatory and Remedial Measures. -  The declaration of a state of calamity 
1309 
shall allow the immediate implementation of any or all of the following remedial measures: 
1310 
(a) Imposition of price ceiling on basic necessities and prime commodities by the President 
1311 
upon the recommendation of the implementing agency as provided for under Republic 
1312 
Act No. 7581, otherwise known as the "Price Act", or the National Price Coordinating 
1313 
Council; 
1314 
(b) Monitoring, prevention and control by the Local Price Coordination Council of 
1315 
overpricing or profiteering and hoarding of prime commodities, medicines and 
1316 
petroleum products; 
1317 
(c) Grant of tax credits or exemptions by the BIR, upon the recommendation of the 
1318 
President or the Department; and 
1319 
(d) Use of alternative methods of procurement under Article XVI of Republic Act (RA) 
1320 
No. 9184, otherwise known as the "Government Procurement Reform Act", its 
1321 
implementing rules and regulations (IRR) and other issuances of the Government 
1322 
Procurement Policy Board by the Department, LGUs or the relevant government 
1323 
instrumentalities in relation to the urgent procurement of emergency works, goods and 
1324 


 
 
44 
services to effectively respond to, quickly respond to disasters, and build forward 
1325 
better. 
1326 
 
1327 
Article XI 
1328 
RECOVERY 
1329 
 
1330 
 
SEC. 54. Standards for Recovery.  -  The Department shall observe internationally 
1331 
accepted standards for recovery, planning, programming and implementation of the recovery 
1332 
process. Towards this end, the Department shall: 
1333 
(a) Improve the community's physical, social and economic resilience, consistent with the 
1334 
principle of "building forward better"; 
1335 
(b) Use locally driven centrally supported processes based on legal mandates with 
1336 
supplementary capacity support when requested; 
1337 
(c) Redirect development outside danger zones to minimize loss of lives and structures 
1338 
resulting from typhoons, flooding, landslides, and other hazards; 
1339 
(d) Employ outcome-driven planning and implementation; 
1340 
(e) Maximize use of private-public sector partnership where possible; 
1341 
(f) Consider local conditions such as culture, security situation and existing capacities of 
1342 
communities in identifying programs and projects; 
1343 
(g) Ensure to public transport, physical and mental health services, markets, schools, 
1344 
sustainable livelihoods, and other public services in planning for settlement areas, and 
1345 
(h) Ensure restoration of peace and order and recovery of government functions. 
1346 
 
Article XII 
1347 
FUNDS AND RESOURCES 
1348 
 
1349 
 
SEC. 55. Fund Regulations. - The DBM and COA shall establish rules and regulations to 
1350 
ensure that funds required for disaster response, recovery, and rehabilitation are available 
1351 
and/or released efficiently and expeditiously through innovative budgeting and auditing 
1352 
mechanisms. 
1353 
 
1354 
 
SEC. 56. Local Disaster Resilience Fund and Local Disaster Contingency Fund. -  
1355 
LGUs shall annually set aside not less five percent (5%) of their local budget, to constitute a 
1356 
Local Disaster Resilience Fund (LDRF). The LGU shall use its LDRF to maintain and operate 
1357 


 
 
45 
its LDRO to maintain the officers, employees and staff of the LDRO, and to implement plans, 
1358 
programs and activities under its LDRP. Thirty percent (30%) of the LDRF shall be set aside 
1359 
as Local Disaster Contingency Fund (LDCF) which shall be used for disaster response and 
1360 
quick recovery measures. 
1361 
 
Nothing contained in this Act shall prevent LGUs from providing additional funding or 
1362 
allocating additional resources for disaster resilience activities, plans and programs within their 
1363 
jurisdiction. 
1364 
 
1365 
 
SEC. 57. Supplemental LDRF - The Department may allocate and disburse funds to 
1366 
supplement an LGU'S LDRF based on parameters and requirements indicated in the IRR. In 
1367 
determining such parameters and requirements, the IRR shall aim to provide supplemental 
1368 
funds to LGUs with low income and/or high exposure to natural hazards. Supplemental LDRFs 
1369 
shall, as much as possible, fill gaps or shortages in LGU resources to ensure that LGUs can 
1370 
implement disaster resilience measures such as, among others, implementing their LDRP or 
1371 
Provincial LDRP, establishing their LDROs or PDROs, obtaining and/or maintaining the 
1372 
necessary equipment and staff in their LDROs or PDROs, and implementing the NDRF and 
1373 
the NDRPIP at the local levels. 
1374 
 
1375 
 
SEC. 58. National Disaster Resilience Fund. –  
1376 
(a) The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRM Fund) created 
1377 
under Section 22 of Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the "Philippine Disaster Risk 
1378 
Reduction and Management Act of 2010", appropriated under the annual General 
1379 
Appropriations Act is hereby renamed as the National Disaster Resilience Fund (NDRF) and 
1380 
shall be managed and controlled by the Department. The NDRF shall be used for disaster risk 
1381 
reduction or mitigation, prevention, and preparedness activities such as training of personnel, 
1382 
procurement of equipment, and capital expenditures. It can also be utilized for relief, recovery, 
1383 
reconstruction, and other work or services in connection with natural or human-induced 
1384 
calamities which may occur during the budget year or those that occurred in the past two (2) 
1385 
years from the budget year. 
1386 
(b) Thirty percent (30%) of the amount appropriated for the NDRF shall be allocated as 
1387 
Quick Response Fund (QRF) or stand-by fund and shall also be under the management and 
1388 
control of the Department. The QRF shall be used for relief and recovery programs to quickly 
1389 
normalize the situation and living conditions of people in communities or areas stricken by 
1390 


 
 
46 
disasters, calamities, epidemics, or complex emergencies, and other related programs, projects 
1391 
and activities formulated at the national level. 
1392 
 
1393 
 
SEC. 59. People's Survival Fund. - The Secretary of the Department shall be a member of 
1394 
the People's Survival Fund Board mandated to manage and administer the People's Survival 
1395 
Fund created under Republic Act No. 10174, otherwise known as the "Climate Change Act of 
1396 
2009", and facilitate its utilization by LGUs, through ROs, to implement climate change 
1397 
adaptation projects of LGUs, and equip vulnerable LGU communities against the impacts of 
1398 
climate change. 
1399 
 
1400 
 
SEC. 60. Multi-Donor Trust Fund. - The Department shall create and manage, together 
1401 
with the Bureau of Treasury, a Multi-Donor Trust Fund for the processing, releasing and 
1402 
accounting of money and other similar resources intended for disaster assistance. The 
1403 
Department shall establish a system to ensure transparency in the management and use of the 
1404 
Multi-Donor Trust Fund. 
1405 
 
1406 
 
SEC. 61. Donations Management. - The Department shall have the power to receive and 
1407 
manage donations from any person or entity, whether from local or international sources. 
1408 
 
The importation by, and donation to, the Department of, among others, food, clothing, 
1409 
medical assistance, equipment, and materials for relief, recovery and other disaster 
1410 
management activities are hereby authorized in accordance with Sections 120 and 121 of 
1411 
Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the "Customs Modernization and Tariff Act 
1412 
(CMTA)", and the prevailing provisions of the General Appropriations Act covering national 
1413 
internal revenue taxes and import duties of national and local government agencies. 
1414 
 
SEC. 62. Regulation of Donations. - The Department shall establish and operate a 
1415 
platform, including an online platform, to facilitate, monitor, and provide public access to 
1416 
information on donations. To ensure complete accounting and reporting of donations, the 
1417 
Department shall formulate and issue rules and guidelines for the receipt, management and 
1418 
accounting of donations, which are consistent with the rules on the use of foreign and local aid 
1419 
during calamities and disasters issued by COA and other relevant government agencies. 
1420 
 
1421 
Article XIII 
1422 
SPECIAL RULES ON BORROWING, TAXES,  
1423 
ECOZONES AND FROCUREMENT 
1424 


 
 
47 
 
1425 
 
SEC. 63. Rules om Borrowing - The LGUs shall coordinate with the DOF, Bangko Sentral 
1426 
ng Pilipinas (BSP), and other relevant agencies to access foreign loans to implement disaster 
1427 
prevention, mitigation, early recovery, and rehabilitation measures at the provincial, city, or 
1428 
municipal level. 
1429 
 
1430 
 
SEC. 64. Special Rules on Tax and Duties. - To facilitate prompt and efficient response 
1431 
to, and/or recovery from disasters, the following shall be granted special exemptions from 
1432 
existing taxation laws, rules, and regulations: 
1433 
(a) Foreign disaster assistance or international donations coursed through the Department 
1434 
shall be exempted from taxes and import duties; 
1435 
(b) Local disaster assistance shall be exempted from donor's tax and allowing the treatment 
1436 
of donations as a deductible expense for local disaster assistance coursed through the 
1437 
Department; 
1438 
(c) Goods or services donated from abroad coursed through the Department shall be 
1439 
exempted from the value added tax (VAT); and 
1440 
(d) Aid or assistance rendered by members of the private sector or their investments in 
1441 
disaster resilience and climate change adaptation measures for their residence, 
1442 
communities or businesses. 
1443 
 
LGUs may also implement local tax rules which would grant disaster victims reasonable 
1444 
reduction, exemption, or deferment of local taxes or other types of tax assessments; or take 
1445 
other necessary action at the local level to provide tax relief to disaster victims. 
1446 
 
1447 
 
SEC. 65. Customs Duties and Tariffs on Donations. - The BOC shall create rules which 
1448 
would, among others, hasten the processing and release of donated goods and equipment to 
1449 
disaster victims and/or affected areas pursuant to Sections 120 and 121 of Republic Act No. 
1450 
10863, otherwise known as the "Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)". 
1451 
 
1452 
 
SEC. 66. Economic Recovery and Development of Disaster-Prone Areas. –  
1453 
(a) The Department, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and 
1454 
other relevant agencies, shall create and provide policies, programs, and projects, such as, 
1455 
business tax relief and subsides, to encourage business investments, and to stimulate economic 
1456 
activities in affected or disaster-prone areas. 
1457 


 
 
48 
(b) The Department, in the collaboration with the relevant LGUs and other stakeholders, 
1458 
shall likewise establish dual purpose structures in disaster affected areas, such as, among 
1459 
others, community agricultural centers, classrooms, and water harvesting tanks to develop and 
1460 
promote investments in affected or disaster-prone areas. 
1461 
 
1462 
SEC. 67. Procurement. - The Department, ROs, or LGUs may resort to any of the 
1463 
Alternative Methods of Procurement provided in RA No. 9184, including Negotiated 
1464 
Procurement (Emergency Cases) under Section 53(b) of KA No. 9184, in any of the following 
1465 
instances:  
1466 
 
a) In case of imminent danger to life or property during a state of calamity; 
1467 
b) When time is of the essence arising from natural or man-made calamities, and 
1468 
c) Other causes where immediate action is: 
1469 
i. 
To prevent damage to or loss of life or property, or 
1470 
ii. 
Restore vital public services, infrastructure facilities and other public utilities. 
1471 
Furthermore, the Department, ROs, or LGUs may use Shopping under Section 52(a) of RA 
1472 
No. 9184, when there is an unforeseen contingency requiring immediate purchase. 
1473 
 
1474 
SEC. 68. Alternative Modes of Procurement. - The Department, ROs, or LGUs may resort 
1475 
to any of the Alternative Methods of Procurement provided in RA No. 9184, including but not 
1476 
limited to, Shopping and Negotiated Procurement (Emergency Cases) under Sections 52(a) and 
1477 
53(b) of RA No. 9184. 
1478 
The Department, ROs, or LGUs may also use Framework Agreements in accordance with 
1479 
the rules and regulations of the GPPB. 
1480 
 
1481 
SEC. 69. Special Rules on Procurement for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of 
1482 
Affected Areas. –  
1483 
(a) The GPPB shall create special rules on procurement for services, goods, and materials 
1484 
to be used for reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in case of a natural disaster including, 
1485 
but not limited to, the construction of post-disaster shelters and provision of service contracts, 
1486 
to ensure the procurement of quality-oriented goods, materials, and equipment and to 
1487 
guarantee effective, efficient, and speedy procurement to achieve the goals of this Act. 
1488 


 
 
49 
(b) In case of procurement of services, goods, or materials for reconstruction and 
1489 
rehabilitation efforts, whether from local or international sources, the Department and the 
1490 
relevant government agencies shall provide less bureaucratic restrictions, or exemption from, 
1491 
or reduction of, customs duties. 
1492 
 
1493 
SEC. 70. Procurement from Qualified Suppliers or Contractors. - The Department shall 
1494 
have the power to procure goods and services from either local or foreign suppliers or 
1495 
contractors for purposes of implementing programs, projects, and activities related to disaster 
1496 
resilience and disaster management in accordance with RA No. 9184, its IRR and other 
1497 
issuances of the GPPB. 
1498 
 
1499 
SEC. 71. Framework Agreements. - The Department shall have authority to enter into 
1500 
Framework Agreements for the purpose of, among others, establishing a logistics system for 
1501 
the efficient and prompt distribution of goods, equipment or other materials required for 
1502 
disaster response and management, securing food, medicines, fuel, or other supplies from 
1503 
groceries, pharmacies, gas stations or other sources in the event of a disaster in a specific area; 
1504 
ensuring an alternative source of power or water from private utilities in the event of a disaster 
1505 
in a specific area, or arranging the immediate supply of other goods, services or equipment 
1506 
necessary for disaster response and management. The conditions, limitations and parameters of 
1507 
contracts or arrangements authorized under this section shall be provided in RA No. 9184 and 
1508 
its 2016 IRR. 
1509 
 
1510 
SEC. 72. Other Procurement Rules' and Policies. - In view of the urgency and avoid 
1511 
unnecessary delays to procure goods, services, and implement projects for the purpose of 
1512 
providing responsive, effective, and efficient rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts 
1513 
for, and to continue the provision of basic services to, disaster victims or disaster affected 
1514 
areas, the GPPB shall issue appropriate resolutions, orders, and policies to effectively 
1515 
implement the provisions of this Act. 
1516 
 
1517 
Article XIV 
1518 
DISASTER RISK TRANSFER AND INSURANCE 
1519 
 
1520 
SEC. 73. Mandated Insurance Coverage. - To attain disaster resilience and achieve the 
1521 
purposes of this Act, the Department shall have the discretion and authority to require 
1522 


 
 
50 
government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), or LGUs to 
1523 
insure their assets and/or properties such as, among others, vessels, vehicles, equipment, 
1524 
machineries, permanent buildings, properties stored therein, or properties in transit against 
1525 
insurable risks and pay the premiums therefor, to compensate the Government, GOCC or 
1526 
LGU, as applicable, for any damage to, or loss of, properties due to a natural disaster. 
1527 
 
1528 
Article XV 
1529 
YOUTH ASSISTANCE AND PARTICIPATION 
1530 
 
1531 
 
SEC. 74. Youth Organizations. - The Department, with the assistance of the National 
1532 
Youth Commission (NYC), shall create policies, projects, and programs that address the 
1533 
special needs of the youth for disaster preparedness and management which shall include, 
1534 
among others: 
1535 
(a) Supporting youth-oriented pre- and post-disaster activities; 
1536 
(b) Conducting disaster risk training and management programs involving the youth, 
1537 
Coordinating with the Department of Education to create school curricula or programs 
1538 
that educate and train children on disaster risk awareness and disaster preparedness; 
1539 
(c) Mobilizing youth organizations; and 
1540 
(d) Encouraging the participation of the youth, through the barangay youth representative 
1541 
and the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) to participate in disaster resilience and disaster 
1542 
management activities. 
1543 
 
1544 
SEC. 75. Youth Oriented Disaster-Related Programs, Policies, and Projects. – 
1545 
(a) The Department, with the assistance of the National Youth Commission, shall provide 
1546 
training on, and implement, response and rehabilitation programs for the youth, including 
1547 
mental health and psycho-social services. 
1548 
(b) The Department, in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd), the 
1549 
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other relevant agencies, 
1550 
shall integrate disaster risk and disaster resilience education in the school curriculum. 
1551 
 
1552 
SEC. 76. Comprehensive Emergency Program for Children, Pregnant and Lactating 
1553 
Mothers. - The Department shall establish and implement a comprehensive emergency 
1554 
program to provide emergency relief and protection to children, and pregnant and lactating 
1555 
mothers in the event of a natural disaster. 
1556 


 
 
51 
 
1557 
Article XVI 
1558 
PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES 
1559 
 
1560 
SEC. 77. Prohibited Acts. - Any public official, private person, group or corporation who 
1561 
commits any of the following prohibited acts shall be held liable and be subjected to the 
1562 
criminal and administrative penalties as provided for in Section 78 of this Act, without 
1563 
prejudice to the imposition of other criminal, civil and administrative liabilities under existing 
1564 
laws. 
1565 
(a) Prohibited Acts of Public Officials. The following acts, if committed by public officials 
1566 
without justifiable cause, shall be considered as gross neglect of duty: 
1567 
1) Dereliction of duty which leads to destruction, loss of lives, critical damage of 
1568 
facilities and misuse of funds; 
1569 
2) Failure to enforce laws, standards, or regulations such as the National Building 
1570 
Code, Solid Waste Management Act, Water Code, and other relevant laws, thereby 
1571 
increasing the risk of disasters or adversely affecting of disaster resilience; 
1572 
3) Failure to expeditiously act on reported violations; 
1573 
4) Failure to create LDRO(s) or PDRO(s) and appoint a permanent Local or Provincial 
1574 
Disaster Resilience Officer within six (6) months from the approval of this Act and 
1575 
5) Failure to prepare and implement an LDRP or PDRP, as applicable or a contingency 
1576 
plan for hazards frequently occurring within their jurisdiction. 
1577 
(b) Prohibited Acts of Public Officials and Private Persons or Institutions. 
1578 
1) Delaying without justifiable cause the delivery of aid commodities, their improper 
1579 
handling or storage, resulting to damage or spoilage; 
1580 
2) Withholding the distribution of relief goods due to (a) political or partisan 
1581 
considerations, (b) discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, or gender; and 
1582 
(c) other similar circumstances; 
1583 
3) Preventing the entry and distribution of relief goods in disaster-stricken areas, 
1584 
including appropriate technology, tools, equipment, accessories, disaster teams or 
1585 
experts; 
1586 
4) Buying, for consumption or resale, from disaster relief agencies any relief goods, 
1587 
equipment or other and commodities which are intended for distribution to disaster 
1588 
affected communities; 
1589 


 
 
52 
5) Buying, for consumption or resale, from the disaster affected persons any relief 
1590 
goods, equipment or other aid commodities received by them; 
1591 
6) Selling of relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities which are intended for 
1592 
distribution to disaster victims; 
1593 
7) Forcibly seizing relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities intended for or 
1594 
consigned to a specific group of victims or relief agency; 
1595 
8) Diverting or misdelivering relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities to 
1596 
persons other than the rightful recipient or consignee; 
1597 
9) Accepting, possessing, using or disposing relief goods, equipment or other aid 
1598 
commodities intended for or consigned to other rightful recipient or consignee; 
1599 
10) Misrepresenting the source of relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities by: 
1600 
i. 
Either covering, replacing or defacing the labels of the containers to make it 
1601 
appear that the goods, equipment or other aid commodities came from another 
1602 
agency or person; 
1603 
ii. 
Repacking the goods, equipment or other aid commodities into containers with 
1604 
different markings to make it appear that the goods came from another agency or 
1605 
persons or was released upon the instance of 21 particular agency or person; 
1606 
iii. 
Making false verbal claim that the goods, equipment or other and commodity in 
1607 
its untampered original containers actually came from another agency or person 
1608 
or was released upon the instance of a particular agency or person; 
1609 
11) Substituting or replacing relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities with the 
1610 
same items or inferior or cheaper quality; 
1611 
12) Illegal soliciting of relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities by persons or 
1612 
organizations representing others as defined in the standards and guidelines set by 
1613 
this Act's IRR; 
1614 
13) Deliberately using false or inflated data in support of the request for funding, relief 
1615 
goods, equipment or other aid commodities for emergency assistance or other 
1616 
projects; and 
1617 
14) Tampering with or stealing hazard monitoring and disaster preparedness equipment 
1618 
and paraphernalia. 
1619 
 
1620 
SEC. 78. Penalties. - Any individual, corporation, partnership, association or other 
1621 
juridical entity that commits any of the prohibited acts in the preceding Section shall be made 
1622 
liable for the following: 
1623 


 
 
53 
(a) A fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (PhpP 100,000.00) or not to exceed 
1624 
Five hundred thousand pesos (PhP 500,000.00), or imprisonment of not less than six (6) 
1625 
months and one (1) day nor more than twelve (12) years, or both, at the discretion of the 
1626 
court, including perpetual disqualification from public office if the offender is a public 
1627 
officer, and confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the government of the objects and the 
1628 
instrumentalities used in committing any of herein prohibited acts. 
1629 
(b) If the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, or other juridical entity, the 
1630 
penalty shall be imposed upon the officer or officers of the corporation, partnership, 
1631 
association or entity responsible for the violation without prejudice to the cancellation or 
1632 
revocation of the license or accreditation issued to these entities by any licensing or 
1633 
accredited body of the government. If such offender is an alien, he or she shall, in 
1634 
addition to the penalties prescribed in this Act, be deported without further proceedings 
1635 
after service of the sentence. 
1636 
(c) If the offender is a public officer, the offense shall also be punishable by administrative 
1637 
suspension of six (6) months and one (1) day to one (1) year for the first offense, and 
1638 
dismissal from the service for the second offense. The penalty of dismissal shall carry 
1639 
with it the cancellation of eligibility to or forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual 
1640 
disqualification from holding public office and disqualification from taking civil service 
1641 
examinations. 
1642 
Acts committed in violation of this Section shall be without prejudice to the imposition of 
1643 
other criminal, civil and administrative liabilities under other existing laws. 
1644 
 
1645 
SEC. 79. Liability for Unlawful Performance of Duties and State Liability in Case of 
1646 
Defense Litigation. - In case a lawsuit is filed against an officer or employee of the 
1647 
Department as a result of the performance of official duties, and such performance was found 
1648 
to be lawful, the officer shall or employee shall be reimbursed by the Department for 
1649 
reasonable costs of litigation. For this purpose, the Department is authorized to procure the 
1650 
applicable liability insurance for its officers and employees.  
1651 
SEC. 80. Disciplinary Powers of the President; - The upon the recommendation of the 
1652 
Department Secretary, shall impose administrative sanctions against local chief executives and 
1653 
barangay officials for willful or negligent acts performed in the implementation of, or 
1654 
compliance with, this Act and its IRR or relating to their official functions which adversely 
1655 
affect disaster resilience projects such as delayed issuance of permits or failure to implement 
1656 
local ordinances. 
1657 


 
 
54 
 
1658 
Article XVII 
1659 
SPECIAL COURTS AND INJUNCTIONS 
1660 
 
1661 
SEC. 81. Special Courts on Disaster Resilience Matters. - To ensure the prompt and 
1662 
expeditious resolution of disputes relating to disaster response, recovery or rehabilitation 
1663 
measures, the Supreme Court shall establish special courts to hear, try, and decide cases arising 
1664 
from the following, among others: 
1665 
(a) Implementation of the government's policies, plans, programs, projects and budge 
1666 
related to the NDRPIP, LDRP, PDRP, other disaster resilience activities, or 
1667 
pursuant to the provisions of this Act; 
1668 
(b) Construction of new settlements, or relocation of informal settlers or settlements, to 
1669 
promote disaster resilience; 
1670 
(c) Expropriation, eminent domain or right-of-way issues 
relating to the 
1671 
implementation of disaster resilience projects; 
1672 
(d) Failure to comply with standards for disaster preparedness and continuity planning, 
1673 
including, but not limited to infrastructure standards and designs; 
1674 
(e) Declaration of state of calamity under Article X of this Act; 
1675 
(f) Imposition of tax, customs duties, or the implementation of tax relief, exemptions, 
1676 
reductions and other tax or customs rules and regulations in relation to donations, 
1677 
disaster assistance, or other tax policies implemented by the BIR or BOC pursuant 
1678 
to the provision of this Act; 
1679 
(g) Commission of prohibited acts under Article XVI of this Act; 
1680 
(h) Disputes involving donations, relief goods, or contracts executed or implemented 
1681 
pursuant to the provisions of this Act, and 
1682 
(i) Other matters relating to achieving the purposes of this Act which the Supreme 
1683 
Court may determine as falling under the jurisdiction of the special courts created 
1684 
pursuant to this Section. 
1685 
SEC. 82. Dispute Resolution Mechanisms. - The Department shall establish a Disaster 
1686 
Resolution Board which shall resolve disputes involving administrative matters related to: 
1687 
(a) Accreditation or denial of accreditation of disaster resilience training institutions, 
1688 
trainers, instructors, donors, volunteers, and Assisting Domestic or International 
1689 
Actors; 
1690 
(b) Decisions of the ROs; 
1691 


 
 
55 
(c) Contracts entered into by the Department or any of its agents pursuant to the 
1692 
provisions of this Act, and 
1693 
(d) Other administrative matters or issues as may be determined by the Department.  
1694 
The composition, structure, and other organizational matters related to the DRB shall 
1695 
be defined and provided in the IRR of this Act. 
1696 
 
1697 
SEC. 83. Special Prosecutors. - The Ombudsman shall designate special prosecutors to 
1698 
handle and prosecute violations of this Act involving public officials and employees. 
1699 
 
1700 
SEC. 84. Imposition of Temporary Restraining Order. - No Court, except the 
1701 
Supreme Court, shall have the powers to issue an injunction or a temporary restraining order 
1702 
against any action taken or projects implemented by the Department or its agents pursuant to 
1703 
this Act. 
1704 
 
1705 
Article XVIII  
1706 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
1707 
 
1708 
 
SEC. 85. Transfer. –  
1709 
(a) The disaster risk reduction and management powers, functions, assets, personnel, 
1710 
fund and appropriations of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) currently under the 
1711 
DND, are hereby transferred to the Department, and the civil defense functions 
1712 
shall remain with the DND. 
1713 
The existing organizational and administrative systems and processes of the OCD, 
1714 
as transferred, shall serve as the core organization of the Department. 
1715 
(b) The applicable powers, functions, funds and appropriations of the Disaster 
1716 
Response Assistance and Management Bureau and the National Resource and 
1717 
Logistics Management Bureau under the DSWD, are hereby transferred to the 
1718 
Department. 
1719 
a) The NDRRMC is hereby abolished. 
1720 
The DILG, DND, DSWD, and other relevant government instrumentalities, including 
1721 
the AFP, BFP, PNP, PCG, and OCD, shall continue to perform their functions related to the 
1722 
consequence management of human-induced disasters, as provided for by existing laws. 
1723 
The Department shall, by virtue of this Act, be subrogated to all the rights and assume 
1724 
all the liabilities of the agencies transferred under this Act, and all their funds, records, 
1725 


 
 
56 
property, assets, equipment, and such personnel as necessary, including unexpended 
1726 
appropriations or allocations. All contracts and liabilities of the said agencies are hereby 
1727 
transferred to and assumed by the Department and shall be acted upon in accordance with the 
1728 
Auditing Code and other pertinent laws, rules, and regulations. 
1729 
 
1730 
SEC. 86. Coordination and Convergence with the Climate Change Commission. - 
1731 
The Department, and the Climate Change Commission, pursuant to its mandate under Republic 
1732 
Act No. 9729, as amended, shall establish and implement a convergence mechanism to 
1733 
Facilitate coordination on the following areas: 
1734 
a) Conduct of current and future climate and disaster risk assessment as basis for 
1735 
sustainable development and resilient investment planning and programming at the 
1736 
national, sectoral, and local levels; 
1737 
b) Establishment of a National Integrated Climate and Disaster Risk Information 
1738 
System, a singular platform for integrating and sharing climate and disaster risk 
1739 
information; 
1740 
c) Development and implementation of capacity-building and technical assistance 
1741 
programs for local government units and stakeholders on climate change adaptation 
1742 
and disaster risk reduction; 
1743 
d) Monitoring and evaluation of progress of implementation of national, sectoral, and 
1744 
local plans and programs on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction; 
1745 
and 
1746 
e) Development of knowledge exchange platforms and implementation of 
1747 
information, education, and communication program, including good practices on 
1748 
Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction. 
1749 
 
1750 
SEC. 87. Transitory Provision. - The transfer of functions, assets, funds, equipment, 
1751 
properties, transactions, and personnel of the affected and transferred agencies, and the 
1752 
formulation of the internal organic structure, staffing pattern, operating system, and revised 
1753 
budget of the Department, shall be completed within two (2) years from the effectivity of this 
1754 
Act, during which time the existing personnel shall continue to assume their posts in holdover 
1755 
capacities until new appointments are issued: Provided, That, after the abolition of the agencies 
1756 
as specified in Section 85 of this Act, the Department, in coordination with the DBM, shall 
1757 
evaluate, abolish old and/or create new positions. 
1758 
 
1759 


 
 
57 
Sec. 88. Interdepartmental Relations and Coordination. - The DDR shall 
1760 
continuously call upon the following departments: (a) DOST for the Philippine Atmospheric, 
1761 
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and Philippine Institute of 
1762 
Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS); (b) DENR for the Geohazard Assessment and 
1763 
Engineering, Geology Section of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB); (c) DOH for the 
1764 
Health Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB); and (d) DILG for the Bureau of Fire and 
1765 
Protection: Provided, That DDR and these departments shall establish systems and protocols 
1766 
for fostering interdepartmental relations and close coordination, through sustained sharing of 
1767 
data, information technology, facilities, and other resources critical to the DDR, among others: 
1768 
Provided, further, That the said agencies will cooperate fully with the DDR, in anticipation of, 
1769 
during and as necessary in the determination of the DDR Secretary, and perform agency 
1770 
mandates in close coordination with DDR as circumstances warrant in the aftermath of 
1771 
emergencies and disasters: Provided, finally, That PAGASA, PHIVOLCS and the Geohazards 
1772 
Unit of the MGB shall provide staff augmentation to DDR Operations Center as the need 
1773 
arises. 
1774 
 
1775 
SEC. 89. Transfer of Resources. - The transfer of powers and functions of agencies 
1776 
listed in Section 85 shall include the corresponding funds and appropriations, plantilla 
1777 
positions, records, equipment, facilities, and properties of such agencies, subject to the power 
1778 
of the Department to reorganize or reallocate the resources and positions from such agencies, 
1779 
as may be necessary to attain the objectives of this Act. 
1780 
 
1781 
SEC. 90. Program Management Office for the Earthquake Resilience of the Greater 
1782 
Metro Manila Area. - The Program Management Office for the Earthquake Resiliency of the 
1783 
Greater Metro Manila Area (PMOERG), as created pursuant to Executive Order No. 52, s. 
1784 
2018, shall be transferred to the Department under the supervision and control of the Secretary 
1785 
and shall continue to exercise its mandated functions. 
1786 
 
1787 
SEC. 91. Post-Disaster Shelters. - The Department shall establish a post-disaster 
1788 
shelter recovery policy framework for low-income or informal settler families, with the 
1789 
assistance of the appropriate housing agencies and the concerned LGUs. It shall, among others, 
1790 
determine the  
1791 


 
 
58 
appropriate shelter modalities depending on the following post-disaster phases: emergency, 
1792 
temporary or transitional, and permanent. The Department shall likewise identify, assess, and 
1793 
designate safe zones where the appropriate shelters shall be built. 
1794 
 
1795 
 
SEC. 92. Cultural Heritage. - To protect, preserve, and promote the nation's historical 
1796 
and cultural heritage, the Department shall assist the appropriate cultural agencies and the 
1797 
appropriate LGUs to give priority protection and restoration to all national cultural treasures or 
1798 
national historical landmarks, sites, or monuments in post-disaster recovery or rehabilitation 
1799 
measure. 
1800 
 
1801 
 
SEC. 93. Indigenous People. – 
1802 
(a) The Department shall, with the assistance of the National Commission on 
1803 
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the concerned LGUs, devise and implement mechanisms that 
1804 
foster social protection for indigenous communities that vulnerable to the effects of natural 
1805 
disasters. 
1806 
(b) The Department shall ensure respect for, and protection of, the traditional resource 
1807 
right of the Indigenous Cultural Communities or Indigenous Peoples (ICCs or IPs) to their 
1808 
ancestral domains and recognize the customary laws and traditional resource use and 
1809 
management, knowledge, and practices in ancestral domains. 
1810 
(c) In ancestral domains which are disaster-prone, the Department, with the assistance 
1811 
of the NCIP and applicable LGUs, shall create an Ancestral Domain Disaster Management and 
1812 
Resiliency Plan. It shall likewise properly communicate and explain information on disaster 
1813 
risks in ancestral domains with the concerned CCs or IPs and, as much as possible, engage 
1814 
such ICCs or IPs in jointly formulating a disaster resiliency plan for their ancestral domain. 
1815 
 
1816 
SEC. 94. Livelihood. - The Department shall, with the assistance of the relevant 
1817 
government agencies, such as the DTI and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), 
1818 
establish policies and programs to restore and/or generate livelihood in areas affected by 
1819 
natural disaster. 
1820 
 
1821 
SEC. 95. Structural Audit of Government Buildings. - The Department, with the 
1822 
assistance of the DPWH and other relevant government agencies and stakeholders, shall ensure 
1823 
and conduct structural audit, as often as necessary, on government buildings, especially those 
1824 
located in congested and disaster-prone areas, to ensure structural integrity and disaster risk of 
1825 


 
 
59 
urban buildings and to prevent the loss of life and property in the event of an anticipated 
1826 
natural disaster. 
1827 
 
1828 
SEC. 96.  Magna Carla Benefits. - Qualified employees of the Department including 
1829 
those of its attached agencies, shall be covered by and entitled to the benefits under Republic 
1830 
Act No. 8439, otherwise known as the "Magna Carts for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and 
1831 
other Science and Technology Personnel in the Government"; and Republic Act No. 7305, 
1832 
otherwise known as the "Magna Carts of Public Health Workers"; and Republic Act No. 9433, 
1833 
otherwise known as the "Magna Carta for Public Social Workers". 
1834 
 
1835 
SEC. 98. Separation Benefits of Officials and Employees of Affected Agencies. - 
1836 
Public sector employees who have been displaced or separated from the service pursuant to 
1837 
reorganization under this Act shall be entitled to separation pay, retirement and other benefits 
1838 
in accordance with Republic Act No. 6656 or the Government Reorganization Law, and other 
1839 
laws, and rules and regulations issued by the Civil Service Commission on government 
1840 
reorganization. 
1841 
In no case shall there be any diminution of benefits under the separation plan until the 
1842 
full implementation of this Act. 
1843 
Employees who shall be displaced or separated as result of the implementation of this 
1844 
Act shall be given preference for appointment in the Department and in other government 
1845 
agencies if they meet the qualification requirements of the positions. 
1846 
No new employees shall be considered for appointment until all incumbent employees 
1847 
have been placed. The placement of an incumbent employee to a higher position which 
1848 
constitutes a promotion shall not be allowed until all incumbent employees have been placed to 
1849 
comparable positions for which they are considered. 
1850 
 
1851 
SEC. 99. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this 
1852 
Act shall be taken from the current fiscal year's appropriations of all agencies herein absorbed, 
1853 
and transferred to the Department. Thereafter, the amounts necessary for the operation of the 
1854 
Department and the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
1855 
Appropriations Act. 
1856 
 
1857 
SEC. 100. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department, DBM, GPPB, 
1858 
DND, DOF, DILG, DOST, NEDA, DSWD, CSC, and the Career Executive Service Board 
1859 


 
 
60 
(CESB), the House and Senate Committees on Government Reorganization, and 
1860 
representatives from relevant government agencies, academe, business sector, nongovernment 
1861 
organizations, and civil society organizations shall prepare and issue the implementing rules 
1862 
and regulations (RR) to implement this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity. 
1863 
 
1864 
SEC. 101. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Disaster Resilience. - There 
1865 
shall be created a joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Disaster Resilience to monitor 
1866 
the implementation of this Act. The Committee shall be composed of six (6) members of the 
1867 
House of Representatives and six (6) members of the Senate to be designated by the Speaker of 
1868 
the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, respectively: Provir1'e¢1', That 
1869 
two (2) members of the House of Representatives and two (2) Senators shall come from the 
1870 
Minority of their respective houses of Congress. The Committee shall be jointly chaired by a 
1871 
Member of the House of Representatives and a Senator designated by the Speaker of the House 
1872 
of Representatives and the President of the Senate, respectively. 
1873 
The joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Disaster Resilience shall be assisted 
1874 
by a secretariat to be composed by personnel under secondment from the Senate and the House 
1875 
of Representatives and may retain consultants. 
1876 
 
1877 
SEC. 102. Mandatory Review. – Within five (5) years after the effectivity of this Act, 
1878 
or as the need arises, the Congressional Oversight Committee shall conduct a systematic 
1879 
evaluation of the accomplishments and impacts of this Act, as well as the performance, and 
1880 
organizational structure of the Department, for purposes of determining remedial legislation. 
1881 
 
1882 
SEC. 103. Interpretation. -  Any doubt in the interpretation of any provision of this 
1883 
Act shall be resolved in favor of a liberal interpretation that will fulfill the objectives of this 
1884 
Act, especially in relation to the provision of effective, efficient and timely disaster response, 
1885 
rehabilitation and recovery. 
1886 
 
1887 
SEC. 104. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
1888 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions or parts thereof not otherwise affected shall 
1889 
remain in full force and effect. 
1890 
SEC. 105. Repealing Clause. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise 
1891 
known as the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010"; Republic 
1892 
Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the "Local Government Code of 1991"; Republic Act No. 
1893 


 
 
61 
7916, otherwise known as "The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995"; and all other laws, 
1894 
decrees, executive orders, proclamations and other executive issuances, which are not 
1895 
consistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed or amended. 
1896 
 
1897 
SEC. 106. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
1898 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
1899 
 
1900 
Approved,