EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
S. B. No. 
331
of l ie *
•19 jaiO A10-.12
RECE'iVrD B>
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE, DEFINING ITS 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Tropical 
Cyclone Belt. As a consequence, the Philippines is considered one of the most 
vulnerable to natural hazards and climate change. Each year, our country sustains 
immense damage and tremendous losses due to natural disasters. This includes loss 
of life or injury, damage to infrastructure, properties, and equipment, interruption of 
food supply, disruptions to critical services, loss of livelihood, business or revenues 
from business interruption, disruption of economic development, and damage to the 
environment.
In 2010, we passed Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk 
Reduction and Management Act (DRRM Act). Since then, the country has endured 
many climate-related calamities: Typhoons Juan (2010), Sendong (2011), Pablo 
(2012), Yolanda (2013), Ruby (2014), Lando (2015), Lawin (2016), and Paolo 
(2017). On top of these typhoons are the "habagat" floods recently and in 2012, and 
the Bohol-Cebu earthquake in 2013.
The DRRM Act continues to be an important law as it emphasizes risk 
reduction rather than disaster response. However, the Philippines' experiences with 
previous disasters have shown that the new policies, resources, institutional 
arrangements and hence laws are needed to squarely address the country's disaster 
prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and rehabilitation requirements.
As a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Philippines 
initiated the APEC Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Framework. This was eventually


adopted in 2015 by the 21-member body to facilitate collective work in building 
adaptive and disaster-resilient economies supporting inclusive and sustainable 
development in the face of the "new normal."
Moreover, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and 
the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate 
Change (UNFCC), endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 and 
2016, respectively, recognize the need to address climate change as one of the 
drivers of disaster risk by fostering collaboration among the national and local 
governments with other stakeholders including non-government organizations 
(NGOs), international organizations, the academe, and the private sector.
In view of these frameworks, this bill addresses the need for the creation of a 
single, independent and permanent agency with the mandate, powers, and budget 
to oversee a comprehensive, coordinated strategy for addressing natural and man­
made disasters.
To achieve this, the functions of NDRRMC and the Climate Change 
Commission, as well as the DSWD's portfolio related to disaster response will be 
rolled into one line agency. It is envisioned that with this bill the country will be able 
to adopt and mainstream the principle of "Building Forward Better," and take 
decisive steps beyond previous understandings of disaster risk reduction and 
management. This measure will complement our proposed measure on making it 
mandatory that disaster awareness and disaster mitigation are taught as part of the 
curriculum of all primary and secondary schools.
In line with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022, which 
recognizes the great importance of ensuring the country's resilience to natural 
disasters and mandates the urgent implementation of effective disaster resilience 
measures to help induce poverty-reducing growth and reduce inequality, the 
immediate passage of this bill is imperative and highly sought.
SONNY ANGARA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T ^ 0 
S. B. No. 
J-
o f .-.'h 5S ■ : M.II'P
’19 
JULIO AlO‘12
recei\/:d Bi
Introduced by Senator SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE, DEFINING ITS 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be It enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
ARTICLE I
2 
GENERAL PROVISIONS
3 
Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Disaster Resilience
4 
Act o f 2019".
5 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policies and Principles. -  The State shall:
6 
a) Protect the lives and properties of its citizens by addressing and
7 
preventing the causes of vulnerabilities to natural disasters;
8 
b) Inculcate a culture of resilience and preparedness for natural disasters at
9 
the national, regional and local levels;
10 
c) Establish a strong and empowered institution capable of responding to
11 
the "new normal" of natural disasters and climate change, and
12 
spearhead efforts to ensure disaster resilience by delivering on the
13 
highly critical and intertwined functions of disaster risk reduction,
14 
preparedness and response, and recovery and building forward better;
15 
d) Address the differentiated concerns and needs of sectors with special
16 
needs or higher vulnerabilities such as women, children, elderly, persons
17 
with disabilities, and indigenous peoples with respect to disaster
1


1 
resilience and disaster management;
2 
e) Protect the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources from
3 
natural hazards;
4 
f) Integrate and accelerate the implementation of the principles, concepts
5 
and action plans of climate change and disaster risk reduction contained
6 
in the abovementioned international and national frameworks and
7 
commitments in various phases of policy formulation, development and
8 
investment plans, poverty reduction strategies and other development
9 
tools, and techniques by all national and local agencies, institutions and
10 
instrumentalities of the government to enhance the country's capacity
11 
for climate change adaptation and 
mitigation;
12 
g) Foster an 
enabling 
environment for substantial 
and 
sustainable
13 
participation of non-government stakeholders such as the academe. Civil
14 
Society Organizations (CSOs), private sector groups, volunteers and
15 
communities in disaster resilience programs and projects;
16 
h) Adopt a whole-of-society approach in disaster resilience to enhance
17 
collaboration, planning, and dialogue among all sectors of society, and in
18 
improving their strategies and/or action plans for disaster risk reduction;
19 
and
20 
i) Strengthen the chain of command and establish a unified command
21 
system to enhance our country's disaster resilience.
22 
Sec. 3. Definition o f Terms. -  For purposes of this Act, the following terms
23 
shall be defined as follows:
24 
a. Adaptation refers to adjustment in natural or human systems in response to
25 
actual or expected climactic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or
26 
exploits beneficial opportunities;
27 
b. Assisting Actor refers to any assisting international actor and any assisting
28 
domestic actor responding to a disaster in the country;
29 
c. Assisting Domestic Actor refers to any not-for-profit entity established under
30 
domestic laws, which is responding to a disaster in the country;
31 
d. Assisting International Actor refers to any foreign state, organization, entity or


1 
individual responding to a disaster within or transiting through the country to
2 
respond to a disaster in another country;
3 
e. Biological hazards refer to hazards that are of organic origin or conveyed by
4 
biological vectors, including pathogenic microorganisms, toxins and bioactive
5 
substances. Examples are bacteria, viruses or parasites, as well as venomous
6 
wildlife and insects, poisonous plants and mosquitoes carrying disease-
7 
causing agents;
8 
f. 
Building Forward Better is an approach to building, reconstructing, and/or
9 
rehabilitating an area or community that entails a shift from simple recovery
10 
and restoration to safer, more adaptive, resilient, and inclusive communities;
11 
g. Business Continuity refers to the capacity of a business entity to continue the
12 
delivery of its products and/or services at acceptable pre-defined levels
13 
following a disruptive incident;
14 
h. Capacity refers to the combination of all strengths, attributes and resources
15 
available within a community, society or organization that can reduce the
16 
level of risk, or impacts of a disaster. Capacity may include infrastructure and
17 
physical means, institutions, societal coping abilities, as well as human
18 
knowledge, skills and collective attributes such as social relationships,
19 
leadership and management. Capacity may also be described as capability;
20 
i. 
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) refer to non-state actors whose aims are
21 
neither to generate profits nor seek governing power but to unite people
22 
behind shared goals and interests. They have a presence in public life,
23 
expressing the interests and values of their members or others, and are
24 
based on ethical, cultural, scientific, religious or philanthropic considerations.
25 
CSOs include NGOs, professional associations, foundations, independent
26 
research institutes, community-based organizations (CBOs), faith- based
27 
organizations, people's organizations, social movements, and labor unions;
28 
j. 
Climate Change refers to a change in the state of the climate that can be
29 
identified by changes in the mean and the variability of its properties, and
30 
that persists in an extended period, typically decades or longer, whether due
31 
to natural internal processes or external forces such as modulation of the


1 
solar cycles, volcanic eruptions and persistent anthropogenic changes in the
2 
composition of the atmosphere or in land use;
3 
k. Climate Change Mitigation refers to efforts to reduce or limit greenhouse gas
4 
emissions or enhance greenhouse gas sequestration;
5 
I. 
Cultural Heritage refers to the totality of cultural property preserved and
6 
developed through time and passed on to posterity;
7 
m. Contingency Planning refers to a management process that analyzes specific
8 
potential events or emerging situations that might threaten society or the
9 
environment and establishes arrangements in advance to enable timely,
10 
effective and appropriate responses to such events and situations;
11 
n. Department refers to the Department of Disaster Resilience or the DDR;
12 
o. Development Assistance refers to any financial, material or other forms of
13 
assistance to support the economic, social, and environmental well-being of
14 
areas and/or people affected by a natural disaster;
15 
p. Disability refers to an evolving concept that results from the interaction
16 
between persons with impairments, as defined under RA No. 7277, and
17 
attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinder their full and effective
18 
participation in society on an equal basis with others;
19 
q. D/saster refers to a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a
20 
society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental
21 
losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community to
22 
cope using its own resources. Unless otherwise specifically indicated in this
23 
act, the term "disaster" shall refer to "natural disaster";
24 
r. Disaster Contingency Fund refers to a fund, in lump-sum form, managed by
25 
the Department to expediently provide funds and resources for disaster relief
26 
or response in affected areas;
27 
s. Disaster Mitigation or Mitigation refers to the lessening or limitation of the
28 
adverse impacts of hazards. Mitigation measures include the application of
29 
engineering techniques and construction of hazard-resistant structures as well
30 
as improved environmental, land use planning, climate change and other
31 
sectoral policies and public awareness;


1 
t. 
Disaster Preparedness refers to the knowledge and capacities developed by
2 
governments, professional response and recovery organizations, communities
3 
and individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from, the
4 
impacts of likely, imminent or current hazard events or conditions. It includes
5 
preparedness for response such as contingency planning, stockpiling of
6 
equipment and supplies, the development of arrangements for coordination,
7 
evacuation and public information, and preparedness for recovery such as
8 
provision of land for resettlement sites;
9 
u. Disaster Prevention refers to the intention to avoid, or the outright avoidance,
10 
of potential adverse impacts of disasters and related hazards through
11 
action(s) taken in advance. It expresses the concept and intention to
12 
completely avoid potential 
adverse impacts through action taken in advance
13 
such as construction of dams or embankments that eliminate flood risks,
14 
land-use regulations that do not permit any settlement in high-risk zones, and
15 
seismic engineering designs that ensure the survival and function of a critical
16 
building in any likely earthquake;
17 
V. Disaster Resilience refers to the ability of a system, community, or society
18 
exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate, adapt to, transform, and
19 
recover from the effects of a hazard and/or the long-term impact of climate
20 
change in a timely and efficient manner, including through the preservation
21 
and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions through risk
22 
management;
23 
w. Disaster Response refers to the provision of emergency services and public
24 
assistance during or immediately after a disaster in order to secure and save
25 
lives, reduce health impacts, ensure public safety and meet the basic
26 
subsistence needs of the people affected. Disaster response includes disaster
27 
relief focused on immediate and short-term needs of victims and vulnerable;
28 
X. Disaster Resilience Fund refers to the budget managed by the Department,
29 
which includes funds appropriated to it by Congress pursuant to an
30 
Appropriations Act, the Disaster Contingency Fund, and the Rehabilitation and
31 
Recovery Fund;


1 
y. Disaster Risk refers to the potential disaster losses in lives, health status,
2 
livelihoods, assets and services that could occur to a particular community or
3 
society in the future, and is determined by a combination of the vulnerability,
4 
capacity, exposure of persons and assets, hazard characteristics and the
5 
environment;
6 
z. Disaster Risk Governance refers to the way in which the public authorities,
7 
civil servants, media, private sector, and civil society collaborate at the
8 
community, regional and national levels to manage disaster and climate
9 
related risks. This means ensuring that sufficient levels of capacity and
10 
resources are made available to the relevant actors and stakeholders to
11 
prevent, prepare for, manage and recover from disasters. It also entails
12 
mechanisms, institutions and processes for citizens to articulate their
13 
interests, exercise their legal rights and obligations, and mediate their
14 
differences;
15 
aa. Disaster Risk Management refers to the systematic process of using
16 
administrative directives, organizations, and operational skills and capacities
17 
to implement strategies, policies and improved coping capacities to lessen the
18 
adverse impacts of hazards and the possibility of disaster;
19 
bb. Disaster Risk Reduction refers to the prevention of new, and/or reduction of
20 
existing, disaster risk(s) and the management of residual risk, to enhance
21 
resilience to disasters;
22 
cc. Early Warning System refers to an integrated system of hazard monitoring,
23 
forecasting and prediction, disaster risk assessment, and communication and
24 
preparedness activities and 
processes that enable individuals, communities,
25 
national government agencies, local government units, the private sector, and
26 
others to take timely action to reduce disaster risks and adequately prepare
27 
for disasters;
28 
dd. Eligible Assisting Actor refers to any assisting actor that has been determined
29 
to be eligible to receive legal facilities as provided for in this Act and/or its
30 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR);
31 
ee. Emergency refers to an unforeseen or sudden occurrence, especially danger,
6


1 
demanding immediate and decisive action;
2 
ff. Emergency Management refers to the organization and management of
3 
resources and responsibilities for addressing all aspects of emergencies, in
4 
particular preparedness, response and initial recovery steps;
5 
gg. Environmental hazards refer to the hazards that may be chemical, natural,
6 
and biological, and can be created by environmental degradation or physical
7 
or chemical pollution in the air, water, and soil. However, many of the
8 
processes and phenomena that fall into this category may be termed drivers
9 
of hazard and risk rather than hazards in themselves, such as soil
10 
degradation, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, salinization, and sea-level rise;
11 
hh. Exposure refers to the degree to which the elements at risk are likely to
12 
experience hazard events of different magnitudes;
13 
ii. Geographic Information System (GIS) refers to a system used to capture,
14 
store, manipulate, manage and display all types of spatial or geographical
15 
data;
16 
jj. Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA) refers to an area
17 
with a marginalized population, which is physically and socio-economically
18 
separated from the mainstream society and characterized by physical factors
19 
-  isolated due to distance, weather conditions and transportation difficulties
20 
(island, 
upland 
lowland, 
landlocked, 
hard to reach 
and 
underserved
21 
communities); and/or socio- economic factors -  (high poverty incidence,
22 
presence of vulnerable sector, communities in or recovering from situation of
23 
crisis or armed conflict);
24 
kk. Geological or geophysical hazards refer to the hazards that originate from
25 
internal earth processes, such as earthquakes, volcanic activities and
26 
emissions, 
and 
related 
geophysical 
processes, 
which 
include 
mass
27 
movements, landslides, rockslides, surface collapses, and debris or mud
28 
flows. Hydrometeorological factors are important contributors to some of
29 
these processes. While tsunamis are triggered by undersea earthquakes and
30 
other geological events, they essentially become an oceanic process that is
31 
manifested as a coastal water-related hazard;


1 
II. Hazard refers to a phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition that
2 
may cause loss of life, injury or impacts to health; social and economic
3 
disruption, 
environmental 
damage, 
or 
loss 
of/disruption 
to property,
4 
livelihood, and/or services;
5 
mm. 
Historical landmarks refer to sites or structures that are associated with
6 
events or achievements significant to Philippine history as declared by the
7 
National Historical Institute or the applicable agency;
8 
nn. Human-Induced Hazard refers to an event that is caused by humans and
9 
occur in or close to human settlements or a particular environmental area.
10 
This can include environmental degradation, technological 
or industrial
11 
conditions, pollution, accidents, e.g. high density events, industrial and
12 
transport accidents, complex emergencies, armed conflict, situations of
13 
generalized or organized violence, and violation of human rights;
14 
00. Humanitarian assistance refers to financial, material or other similar forms of
15 
assistance to address the immediate needs of people affected by a natural
16 
disaster;
17 
pp. Hydrometeorological hazards refer to hazards that are of atmospheric,
18 
hydrological, or oceanographic origin, such as tropical cyclones (also known
19 
as typhoons and hurricanes); floods, including flash floods; drought; heat
20 
waves and cold spells; and coastal storm surges. Hydrometeorological
21 
conditions may also be a factor in other hazards such as landslides, wildland
22 
fires, locust plagues, epidemics, and in the transport and dispersal of toxic
23 
substances and volcanic eruption material;
24 
c\c\. Impact and needs assessment refers to assessing the nature and magnitude
25 
of a disaster, its impact on affected populations, the type and extent of
26 
emergency, and the requirements for recovery and rehabilitation of the
27 
affected area(s);
28 
rr. Imminent Danger refers to a situation where, on the basis of official
29 
forecasts, it could reasonably be expected that a disaster will occur in a
30 
particular geographical area and within an estimated period of time, and
31 
where necessary preparedness actions or financing are required;
8


1 
ss. Integrated Disaster Resilience Information System refers to a specialized
2 
database, which contains, among others, information on disasters and their
3 
human, material, economic and environmental impact, risk assessment and
4 
mapping, and vulnerable and marginalized groups;
5 
tt. International Disaster Relief and Initial Recovery Period refers to the period
6 
that commences upon the issuance of a request for international disaster
7 
assistance or upon acceptance of an offer, and shall continue until
8 
terminated, pursuant to guidelines set in the implementing rules and
9 
regulations;
10 
uu. Internally Displaced Persons refers to persons or groups of persons who have
11 
been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual
12 
residence within national borders;
13 
w . International Personnel refers to staff and volunteers of any assisting actor
14 
providing disaster relief or initial recovery assistance being persons who are
15 
neither citizens of nor domiciled in the Philippines prior to their recruitment by
16 
the international assisting actor;
17 
ww. 
Land Use Planning refers to the process undertaken by public authorities to
18 
identify, evaluate and decide on different options for the use of land,
19 
including consideration of long-term economic, social and environmental
20 
objectives and the implications for different communities and interest groups,
21 
and the subsequent formulation and promulgation of plans that describe the
22 
permitted or acceptable uses;
23 
XX. Legal Facilities refer to entitlements and exemptions that are granted to
24 
Assisting Domestic or International Actors that are declared to be eligible
25 
pursuant to this Act and its implementing rules and regulations;
26 
yy. Local Disaster Resilience Plan (LDRP) refers to a document prepared by an
27 
LGU based on the National Disaster Resilience Framework (NDRF) and the
28 
National Disaster Resilience Plan and Investment Plan (NDRPIP) that sets out
29 
specific 
programs, 
objectives 
and 
goals 
to 
implement 
disaster 
risk
30 
management and climate change adaptation measures at the local level. The
31 
plan includes, among others, an evaluation and analysis of emerging disaster


1 
risks, hazards and vulnerabilities applicable to an LGU, and specific programs
2 
and activities to ensure responsive, effective, and appropriate disaster
3 
preparedness and management at the local level;
4 
zz. National Continuity Policy is a comprehensive national policy consisting of a
5 
set of programs and projects aimed at capacitating the government to ensure
6 
the continuity of governance and the delivery of public services during and
7 
after any disaster;
8 
aaa. 
National Disaster Resilience Framework (NDRF) is a framework that provides
9 
for a comprehensive, multi-sectoral, whole-of-government, and whole-of-
10 
society approach to attaining safe, adaptive, and resilient communities that
11 
can resist, prevent, mitigate against, absorb, accommodate, adapt to,
12 
recover, or build back better from the effects of a natural hazard in a timely
13 
and efficient manner through, among others, disaster risk reduction and
14 
management, and climate change adaptation and mitigation. The NDRF shall
15 
be composed of a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
16 
Framework (NDRRMF), and National Framework Strategy on Climate Change
17 
(NFSCC);
18 
bbb. 
National Disaster Resilience Plan and Investment Program (NDRPIP) refers to
19 
a plan formulated and implemented by the national and local governments, in
20 
collaboration 
with 
NGOs, 
the 
private 
sector, 
academe, 
international
21 
development partners, and others, in accordance with the NDRF that sets out
22 
the outcomes, goals and objectives, priorities, programs and corresponding
23 
action plans for disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and management, and
24 
climate change mitigation. 
The NDRPIP shall also include, among others,
25 
goals, objectives and action plans for a national continuity policy .-It shall be in
26 
conformity with the national disaster risk reduction and management
27 
framework;
28 
ccc. 
Natural Hazard refers to a naturally occurring physical phenomena caused
29 
either by rapid or slow onset events, which can be geological (earthquakes,
30 
ground rupture, liquefaction, landslides, tsunamis, sinkholes, and volcanic
31 
activity), hydrological and meteorological (floods, severe winds, typhoons,
10


1 
storm surges), climatological variability (extreme temperatures, El Nino, La
2 
Nina, forest fires), or biological (disease, epidemics and insect/animal
3 
plagues);
4 
ddd. 
Open Data refers to a set of data that can be freely used, shared and built-on
5 
by anyone, anywhere, for any purpose. It must be available in bulk, and
6 
should be available free of charge, or at least at no more than a reasonable
7 
reproduction cost. The information should be digital, preferably available by
8 
downloading through the internet, and easily processed by the end-user's
9 
computer. The data must permit people to use, re-use, and redistribute it,
10 
including intermixing it with other data sets and distributing the results.
11 
Lastly, it does not allow conditions to be placed on how people can use such
12 
data but permit a data provider to require that data users credit them in some
13 
appropriate way, make it clear if the data has been changed, or that any new
14 
datasets created using their data are also shared as open data;
15 
eee. Pre-Disaster Recovery Plan refers to a plan intended to help government
16 
officials working in small communities or across an entire nation, to define
17 
and follow a process to pre plan for disaster recovery, and thereby strengthen
18 
their own future recovery efforts and outcomes;
19 
fff. 
Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) refers to a process to evaluate a
20 
hazard's level of risk given the degree of exposure and vulnerability in a
21 
specific area likely to be affected by an imminent hazard. It presents the
22 
possible impacts on the population and forms a basis to determine the
23 
appropriate level of response actions from the national level government
24 
agencies down to the local government units. It is hazard-specific, area
25 
focused, and time-bound;
26 
ggg. Recovery refers to rehabilitation measures that ensure the ability of affected
27 
communities or areas to return their normal level of functioning by restoring
28 
livelihoods and services, reconstruction of damaged infrastructures and
29 
increasing the communities' organizational capacity;
30 
hhh. 
Rehabilitation refers to restoration of basic services and facilities for the
31 
functioning of a community or a society affected by a disaster;
11


1 
iii. 
Response refers to any effort to provide assistance or intervention during or
2 
immediately after a disaster to meet the life preservation and basic
3 
subsistence needs of affected people and communities; and m the restoration
4 
of essential public activities and facilities;
5 
jjj. 
Retrofitting refers to the reinforcement or upgrading of existing structures to
6 
make them more resistant and resilient to the damaging effects of hazards;
7 
kkk. 
Risk Assessment refers to a methodology to determine the nature and extent
8 
of risk by analyzing potential hazards and evaluating existing conditions of
9 
vulnerability that together could potentially harm exposed people, property,
10 
services, livelihood and the environment on which they depend;
11 
III. 
Risk Transfer refers to the process of formally or informally shifting the
12 
financial consequences of particular risks from one party to another whereby
13 
a household, community, enterprise or state authority will obtain resources
14 
from the other party after a disaster occurs, in exchange for ongoing or
15 
compensatory social or financial benefits provided to that other party;
16 
mmm. Safety stock refers to items, such as raw materials, component parts, or
17 
finished goods, maintained in inventory to reduce the risk that such item will
18 
be out of stock, in anticipation of unforeseen shortages or unusual demand
19 
for such items;
20 
nnn. 
Service Continuity refers to the capacity of a government instrumentality to
21 
continue delivering its mandated outputs and/or services to the public during
22 
and after a disaster;
23 
000. State o f Calamity refers to a condition involving endangerment to and/or loss
24 
of lives, damages to property, economic and/or social disruption, interruption
25 
and/or loss of livelihood and/or services, and destruction and/or damages to
26 
infrastructure as a result of natural disaster(s) or related hazard(s);
27 
ppp. Simplified or Pre-Arranged Contract refers to a written agreement in the
28 
nature of an option contract between the procuring entity on one hand, and
29 
the most responsive and lowest calculated bidder on the other, granting the
30 
procuring entity the option to either place an order for any of the goods
31 
identified therein or not buy at all, within a given period of time;
12


1 
qqq. 
Sustainable Development refers to development that meets the needs of the
2 
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
3 
own needs;
4 
rrr. 
Volunteers refer to individuals, groups or entities that offer and/or provide
5 
services or assistance, without compensation, 
to help people and/or areas
6 
affected by disasters;
7 
sss. 
Vulnerability refers to the conditions determined by physical, social, economic,
8 
organizational, and environmental factors or processes, which increase the
9 
susceptibility of an individual, a community, assets or systems to the impacts
10 
of hazards;
11 
ttt. 
Whole-of-Soclety Approach is an approach that encourages the meaningful
12 
and active participation and synergy of the different stakeholders of society
13 
toward climate change adaptation and mitigation, and disaster risk reduction
14 
and management at the national and local levels;
15 
uuu. Whole-of-Government Approach -  an approach that instills and fosters
16 
collaboration among all government instrumentalities both at the national and
17 
local levels toward shared sustainable development goals and outcomes; and
18 
w v. Whole-of-Nation Approach is an approach that seeks to bring about a
19 
concerted effort towards sustainable development, national peace and
20 
security by creating consensus and understanding of development and
21 
security that is shared not just among core security forces and oversight
22 
government institutions, 
but also by the nation's stakeholders, e.g.,
23 
government, civil society, private sector, and the communities.
24 
ARTICLE I I
25 
THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RESILIENCE:
26 
MANDATE, POWERS, AND FUNCTIONS
27 
Sec. 4. Creation o f the Department o f Disaster Resilience. -  There is hereby
28 
created the Department of Disaster Resilience, hereinafter referred to as the
29 
Department.
30 
Sec. 5. Mandate. -  The Department shall be the principal government
31 
institution 
responsible 
for 
ensuring 
safe, 
adaptive, 
and 
disaster-resilient
13


1 
communities. It shall lead, spearhead, initiate, and integrate the crafting and
2 
implementation of plans, programs, projects and activities to reduce the risk of
3 
natural hazards and effects of climate change, and manage the impact of disasters
4 
with the primordial goal of saving lives and minimizing damage to property, in close
5 
collaboration with all relevant stakeholders at the national and local levels.
6 
The mandate of the Department shall cover all natural hazards, including the
7 
effects of climate change, such as the following:
8 
1. Geological Phenomena and Related Hazards
9 
a. Earthquake -  ground 
rupture, ground shaking, liquefaction,
10 
tsunami, fire, and landslides;
11 
b. volcanic activity -  ash fall, pyroclastic flow, lava flow, lahar,
12 
fissuring, volcanic gas, and seiche (lake water oscillation);
13 
c. Mass movement -  landslides, debris flow, sinkholes;
14 
2. Hydrological and Meteorological Phenomena and Related Hazards
15 
a. Tropical cyclone -  severe winds, storm surge, hail;
16 
b. Flood;
17 
c. Erosion;
18 
3. Climatological variability
19 
a. El Nino;
20 
b. Extreme temperatures;
21 
c. La Nina; and
22 
d. Solar radiation, among others.
23 
The 
Department 
shall 
oversee 
and 
coordinate 
the 
preparation,
24 
implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of disaster and climate resilience plans,
25 
programs, projects and activities, provide leadership in the continuous development
26 
of strategic 
and 
systematic approaches 
to 
disaster 
prevention, 
mitigation,
27 
preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation and anticipatory adaptation
28 
strategies, measures, techniques, and options. It shall also manage and direct the
29 
implementation of national, local, and community-based disaster resilience programs
30 
in collaboration with relevant national government agencies, LGUs, CSOs, and other
31 
stakeholders, as applicable.
14


1 
Sec. 6. Powers and Functions o f the Department. -  The Department shall
2 
exercise and perform the following powers and functions:
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1. 
Overall Functions
a. Craft the policies and lead the implementation of the programs, 
projects and activities necessary to reduce the country's vulnerabilities 
to natural hazards and climate change, using the PDP and the relevant 
climate change and DRR frameworks as anchors;
b. Review and build upon, to the extent necessary, the existing disaster 
resilience framework, plans and strategies in the crafting of an NDRF 
and the corresponding NDRPIP;
c. Oversee, 
review, 
and approve the translation, 
integration, and 
implementation of the NDRPIP into LDRPs;
d. Communicate and disseminate critical information to help the public 
prepare for, respond to, and recover from a disaster;
e. Receive, manage, and administer the Disaster Resilience Fund, the 
Disaster Contingency Fund, donations and other funds, assets and/or 
properties received by the Department to accomplish the purposes of 
this Act;
f. 
Recommend to the President of the Philippines the declaration of a 
state of calamity due to a natural disaster, and the lifting thereof when 
conditions stabilize;
g. Direct any government entity to help ensure the attainment of the 
goals and objectives of this Act;
h. Advance the country's interests relating to disaster resilience and 
climate change in the regional and global arena;
i. 
Advise the President on matters concerning disaster resilience and 
make recommendations, as appropriate; and
j. 
Perform such other functions, as provided by law or assignment of the 
President, and undertake all other necessary actions to ensure the
attainment of the overall goals and objectives of this Act.
15


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
2. Disaster Risk Reduction
a. Develop coordinated national, regional, and local strategies for the 
effective prevention and mitigation of disaster risk resulting from 
natural hazards, including the effects of climate change;
b. Monitor and ensure the integration of disaster risk reduction and 
management, and climate change adaptation policies into national 
development plans;
c. Establish a disaster resilience information system to facilitate the 
creation of an integrated risk assessment platform built from the inputs 
of government and private scientific and academic institutions, national 
government agencies and local government units, local communities, 
and other stakeholders and that is able to provide readily accessible 
and actionable information for purposes of risk governance and 
humanitarian action;
d. Formulate plans and programs to establish and implement government 
redundancy, service and business continuity, and a National Continuity 
Policy, as a high priority and urgent undertaking;
e. Ensure the use of advanced science and technology in anticipatory 
planning of communities against the impact of natural hazards and 
climate change through consultation, and employment with a regular 
department funding the academe or higher education institutions;
f. 
Develop and 
implement policies and 
programs 
related 
to the 
construction of new settlements or relocation of settlements in safe 
areas that shall, to the extent such policies and programs relate to 
disaster risk reduction, mitigation, prevention or building forward 
better, 
prevail over policies or decisions of other government 
departments, government agencies, government owned or controlled 
corporations, LGUs, and other government instrumentalities;
g. Design and implement an incentive system for greater private and 
public investment, both at the local and national levels, on disaster risk 
reduction;
16


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
h. Oversee and ensure the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation 
and disaster risk reduction in development and land use planning, and 
the preparation of contingency plans;
i. 
Create an enabling environment that shall promote broader multi­
stakeholder participation for disaster risk reduction and climate change 
adaptation and mitigation;
j. 
Communicate and disseminate critical information to help the public 
prepare for, respond to, and recover from a disaster;
k. Establish and monitor local and national capacity for disaster risk 
financing 
and 
insurance 
and 
other 
risk transfer 
strategies 
in 
coordination with the Department of Finance (DOF), the Government 
Service Insurance System (GSIS), and the Land Bank of the Philippines 
(LBP), and the Insurance Commission;
l. 
Coordinate directly with local government units and private entities to 
address Disaster Risk Assessment (DRA) of regions and provinces at 
the meso-scale, cities and municipalities at the micro-scale, and 
barangays at the meta-scale;
m. Review and evaluate local disaster resilience plans and other local 
plans to ensure their consistency with the National Disaster Resilience 
Framework; and
n. Undertake all other programs, projects, and actions necessary to attain 
the overall goals and intended outcomes of this key result area.
Disaster Preparedness and Response
a. Lead, 
manage, 
and 
collaborate 
with 
the 
relevant government 
instrumentalities, 
non-government stakeholders, 
and 
international 
partners in providing the minimum basic needs of people in affected 
areas before, during and/or immediately after a disaster to save lives 
and minimize casualties;
b. Ensure the efficient prepositioning of goods, maintenance, and disposal 
of safety stocks;
c. Prepare pre-disaster recovery plans in anticipation of future disasters
17


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
by engaging the community and planning for recovery activities that 
are comprehensive and long-term;
d. Establish a corps of first responders in partnership with national and 
local stakeholders, both public and private;
e. Formulate standards for contingency planning for adoption by both 
national government agencies and local government units;
f. 
Recommend to the President of the Philippines the declaration of a 
state of calamity due to a natural disaster, and the lifting thereof when 
conditions stabilize;
g. Oversee and maintain a national early-warning and emergency alert 
system that must provide hazards-spedfic, areas-focused and time-bound 
warning that are accurate, timely, understandable and readily accessible 
to national and local emergency response organizations and the 
general public;
h. Implement pre-disaster risk assessments to include deployment of 
rapid assessment teams to gather information for precise actions as a 
basis for emergency preparedness and humanitarian response;
i. 
Coordinate information-sharing and other disaster risk reduction 
protocols following the principle of inter-operability among national 
government agencies and local government units;
j. 
Establish and maintain a national humanitarian logistics system with a 
network of warehouses, transport and resources, including response 
assets and disaster relief food and non-food items;
k. Call upon the relevant government instrumentalities, non-government 
stakeholders, CSOs, and international partners for assistance in 
ensuring the protection and preservation of life and property such as 
through the use of their resources and facilities, among others. This 
function includes the power to call on the reserve force as defined in 
Republic Act No.. 7077 to assist in search and rescue, and disaster 
preparedness and response operations;
l. 
Implement Pre-Disaster Risk Assessments to include deployment of
18


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
rapid assessment teams to gather information for precise actions as a 
basis for emergency preparedness and humanitarian response;
m. Organize, train, equip, and maintain a system of response capacity for 
search, rescue and retrieval and the delivery and distribution of relief 
goods;
n. Monitor and support LCDs in the management of evacuation centers 
and ensure the welfare and dignity of internally-displaced persons;
o. Procure goods and services prior to, during, and after emergencies for 
preparedness, response, and 
recovery activities, including those 
prompted by a declaration of a state of calamity or of an imminent 
disaster;
p. Issue special procurement rules and regulations, in close coordination 
with the Government Procurement Policy Board, for preparedness, 
response, and recovery activities, including those prompted by a 
declaration of a state of calamity or of an imminent disaster;
q. Assist in mobilizing necessary resources to increase the overall capacity 
of local government units, specifically those with low income and 
situated in high-risk areas;
r. By the authority of the President, secure the assistance of the Armed 
Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), 
DILG-Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), DOTr-Philippine Coast Guard 
(PCG), 
and 
other 
uniformed 
services 
in 
undertaking 
disaster 
preparedness and response operations in at-risk and/or disaster- 
affected areas; and
s. Undertake all other programs, projects, and actions necessary to attain 
the overall goals and intended outcomes of this key result area.
4. Recovery and Building Forward Better
a. Prepare, 
organize, 
lead, 
implement, 
and 
manage 
post-disaster 
assessment and recovery and rehabilitation programs and plans, in 
coordination with the affected local governments units, national
government agencies, and other stakeholders;
19


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
b. Establish a system that utilizes templates, exposure database, and 
other tools; and develop the Department's in-house capacity for the 
prompt and expedient preparation of rehabilitation plans, when 
needed, for disaster affected areas;
c. Prepare and implement the recovery and rehabilitation plan(s) for 
disaster affected areas;
d. Implement the cluster approach to expedite reconstruction efforts,
e.g., post-disaster shelter recovery, and orchestrate and serve as the 
clearinghouse for the participation of assisting actors in such efforts;
e. Collaborate with relevant government agencies and non-government 
stakeholders in undertaking programs and projects to restore and/or 
generate livelihood and entrepreneurial activities and opportunities in 
disaster-affected areas;
f. 
Ensure that the principle of Building Forward Better, not mere 
restoration, is applied to all recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation 
efforts; and
g. Undertake all other programs, projects, and actions necessary to attain 
the overall goals and intended outcomes of this key result area.
5. Other Powers and Functions
a. Constitute, call, convene and/or deputize agencies of government, and 
invite non-government and private organizations, to assist, advise, 
and/or coordinate with the Department to achieve the goals and 
purposes of this act;
b. Provide operating guidelines to the LDROs for the Declaration of 
Imminent Disaster in their respective areas, which shall allow them to 
implement preemptive measures and use their quick response funds in 
order to save lives and minimize damage to property, loss of livelihood, 
and other assets;
c. Establish and monitor local and national capacity for disaster risk 
financing 
and 
insurance 
and 
other 
risk transfer 
strategies in
coordination with the DOF, GSIS, LBP, and the Insurance Commission;
20


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
d. Coordinate information-sharing and other disaster risk reduction 
protocols following the principle of inter-operability among National 
Government Agencies and Local Government Units, before, during, and 
after a disaster;
e. Administer, mobilize, monitor, and oversee the utilization of disaster 
resilience-related funds, including, but not limited to, the National 
Disaster Resilience Fund and the Supplemental Disaster Resilience 
Support Fund for low income provinces, cities, and municipalities, and 
multi-hazard local government units;
f. 
Inspect and examine the status of projects, programs, and activities 
undertaken by national government agencies and local government 
units in furtherance of disaster resilience efforts;
g. Whenever it becomes necessary, to save lives and/or minimize 
damages to livelihood and property, assume supervision over the 
implementation of any government program, project, or activity in 
anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of a disaster;
h. Negotiate, enter into, institutionalize, and coordinate arrangements 
with any private person or entity for the purpose of ensuring the 
adequate and prompt availability of goods and services necessary in 
anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of disasters;
i. 
Manage all funds appropriated to it by law and from other sources, 
including all donations and grants received by it;
j. 
Promulgate rules and regulations for the receipt, management, and 
accounting of donations that are consistent with the rules of the 
Commission on Audit (COA) on the use of foreign and local aid during 
calamities and disasters;
k. Receive humanitarian assistance from local and foreign sources, 
recommend the acquisition of developmental assistance for the 
purpose of disaster resilience, acknowledge and certify the receipt of 
all humanitarian assistance, and ensure their judicious use and 
management;
21


1 
I. 
Establish and operate a platform, including an online platform, to
2 
monitor and provide public access to information on humanitarian
3 
assistance received by the Department;
4 
m. Secure the assistance of the AFP, PNP, DILG- BFP, DOTr-PCG, and
5 
other uniformed services and government instrumentalities to ensure
6 
the attainment of the three key result areas, and the overall goals and
7 
objectives of this Act;
8 
n. In consultation with the COA, promulgate rules and regulations for the
9 
retention, re-exportation, donation, and disposition of unused goods
10 
and equipment after the termination of disaster relief and initial
11 
recovery operations;
12 
0. Assist appropriate national government agencies and offices and
13 
concerned local government units in protecting national cultural
14 
heritage including national treasures and national historical landmarks,
15 
sites or monuments from hazards and disasters; and
16 
p. Perform such other functions, as provided by law or assignment of the
17 
President, and undertake the necessary actions to ensure the
18 
attainment of the overall goals and objectives of this Act.
19 
ARTICLE I I I
20 
EMERGENCY MEASURES
21 
Sec. 7. Emergency Measures. -  (a) The Department may undertake and
22 
implement such immediate measures as may be necessary to ensure the protection
23 
and preservation of life or property in anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of
24 
emergencies, hazards and disasters, including preemptive and forced evacuations.
25 
Local government units shall enact an ordinance on and implement necessary
26 
and appropriate emergency measures, including preemptive and forced evacuations,
27 
to ensure the protection and preservation of life or property in anticipation of,
28 
during, and in the aftermath of disasters.
29 
Emergency measures, including preemptive and forced evacuations, shall be
30 
carried out with the primordial goal of saving lives and minimizing loss of property
31 
and livelihood, while respecting the dignity and culture of persons, observing
i i


1 
equality, and using proportionate force, and with conscious attention to the needs of
2 
vulnerable and marginalized groups.
3 
Appropriate steps shall be taken to inform the public of the need to
4 
implement emergency measures, such as evacuations, for their safety.
5 
Preemptive evacuation shall be the preferred and primary mode of moving
6 
people that will be affected by disasters.
7 
Forced evacuation shall be considered as an emergency measure of last
8 
resort that may be undertaken in anticipation of, during, or after a disaster and
9 
carried out by the affected local government unit, pursuant to a duly issued order by
10 
the local chief executive: Provided, That in case of the failure of the local chief
11 
executive to issue such an order, the forced evacuation shall be implemented by the
12 
Department, which may direct and compel the assistance of law enforcement and
13 
other relevant government agencies to implement such measure.
14 
Any person who willfully and deliberately disregards or disobeys a preemptive
15 
or forced evacuation implemented by the local government unit or the Department,
16 
as the case may be, releases such local government unit or the Department from
17 
any liability for injury, death, damage to, or loss of property due to such
18 
disobedience.
19 
(b) 
Whenever it becomes necessary, the Department may recommend to
20 
the President the calling out of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to prevent or
21 
suppress lawless violence occurring before, during, and in the aftermath of disasters.
22 
(c) 
The Department shall ration the distribution of basic goods in critical
23 
shortage, and/or restrict or ban the transfer of such goods outside the area covered
24 
by the emergency measure.
25 
(d) 
The Department may temporarily take over or direct the operation of
26 
any private utility or business for urgent public purpose in anticipation of, during,
27 
and in the aftermath of emergencies, hazards, and disasters and only when there is
28 
imminent danger of loss of lives and/or damage to property, subject to payment of
29 
just compensation.
30 
(e) 
Local government units shall likewise enact the abovementioned
31 
emergency measures including preemptive and forced evacuations, to ensure the
23


1 
protection and preservation of life or property in anticipation of, during, and in the
2 
aftermath of disaster.
3 
(f) 
With the concurrence of the DOF, the Department shall recommend to
4 
the Monetary Board the deferment of payment for monetary debts of LGUs and/or
5 
private entities that have been affected by disasters.
6 
ARTICLE IV
7 
ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
8 
Sec. 8. The Secretary. -  The Department shall be headed by the Secretary of
9 
Disaster Resilience, hereinafter referred to as the Secretary, who shall be appointed
10 
by the President, subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments. The
11 
Secretary shall preferably have a solid background in any of the scientific,
12 
engineering, and public management fields relevant to resilience to natural hazards
13 
and climate change; and demonstrated managerial acumen.
14 
Sec. 9. Powers and Functions o f the Secretary. -  The Secretary shall exercise
15 
the following powers and functions:
16 
a) Establish and promulgate policies, rules, and regulations for the effective
17 
and efficient operation of the Department and implement these to carry
18 
out its mandate, functions, programs, and activities;
19 
b) Exercise executive direction over the operations of the Department and
20 
administrative supervisions over its attached agencies;
21 
c) Exercise control and supervision over all functions and activities of the
22 
Department and its officers and personnel;
23 
d) Appoint officers and employees of the Department, except those whose
24 
appointments are vested in the President, in accordance with civil service
25 
law, rules, and regulations;
26 
e) Exercise disciplinary authority over officers and employees of the
27 
Department in accordance with law, and investigate 
such officers and
28 
employees, 
or designate 
a committee 
or officer 
to 
conduct an
29 
investigation;
30 
f) Manage the financial, human, and other resources of the Department;
31 
g) Collaborate with other government agencies, the private sector, and civil
24


1 
society organizations on the policies, programs, projects, and activities of
2 
the Department, as may be necessary;
3 
h) Advise the President on the promulgation of executive and administrative
4 
issuances and the formulation of regulatory and legislative proposals on
5 
matters pertaining to disaster resilience;
6 
i) 
Represent the Philippines and articulate the national contribution to global,
7 
regional, and other inter-governmental disaster risk reduction and
8 
humanitarian platforms, in coordination with the Department of Foreign
9 
Affairs; and
10 
j) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by
11 
the President.
12 
Sec. 10. The Undersecretaries. -  The Secretary shall be assisted by at least
13 
four (4) Undersecretaries, who shall be responsible for the following functional
14 
areas, including the establishment of a robust and responsive ICT system to
15 
effectively support the mandate and operations of the Department:
16 
a) Disaster Risk Reduction -  the formulation, adoption, and implementation
17 
of policies and programs to reduce existing and future disaster risks to
18 
minimize loss and damage to lives and 
properties, including the
19 
formulation of the required policies and programs in the NDRF and
20 
relevant national investment plans;
21 
b) Disaster Preparedness and Response -  the implementation of projects and
22 
programs to prepare and respond to disasters, including the enhancement
23 
of capabilities of local government units, the development of a database of
24 
exposure or elements at risk per area and database of volunteers, the
25 
establishment of safe and 
strategic evacuation 
centers, 
and 
the
26 
implementation of responsive and efficient prepositioning and distribution
27 
of goods;
28 
c) Recovery 
and 
Building 
Forward 
Better 
-  
the 
formulation 
and
29 
implementation of rehabilitation plans for disaster-affected areas and
30 
ensuring the implementation of disaster recovery and rehabilitation
31 
measures, such as post-disaster shelters and livelihood projects, in
25


1 
collaboration with relevant government agencies, local government units,
2 
and other stakeholders; and
3 
d) Support to Operations -  the formulation and implementation of policies,
4 
programs, projects, and activities to ensure the efficient, effective, and
5 
responsive performance of the Department's mandate, powers, and
6 
functions. 
Support to operations includes knowledge management,
7 
institutional development and planning, finance, administration, 
and
8 
human resources management.
9 
The Undersecretaries shall have operational control and supervision
10 
over the bureaus, divisions, offices, and units assigned to 
their respective
11 
functional areas.
12 
Sec. 11. The Assistant Secretaries and Directors. -  The Department shall have
13 
such number of Assistant Secretaries and Directors as may be necessary for the
14 
effective and efficient implementation and performance of its mandate, powers, and
15 
functions.
16 
Sec. 12. Qualifications. -  All the Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and
17 
other officials of the Department shall preferably be specialists and have a good
18 
track record in any of the following fields, as applicable to their mandated key result
19 
areas and functions: disaster risk reduction and management, science and
20 
technology, 
environmental 
science 
or 
management, 
urban 
planning, 
civil
21 
engineering, public finance, information and communications technology, logistics
22 
management, mass communication, among other fields directly relevant to ensuring
23 
the country's disaster resilience.
24 
The appointing authority and other responsible officials shall ensure that the
25 
Department's human resources possess the competencies, 
skills, 
behavioral
26 
attributes, training and experience necessary for them to become efficient, effective,
27 
and responsive in performing their functions and contribute to the attainment of the
28 
overall goals and delivery of the intended outcomes of this Act.
29 
Sec. 13. Structure and Staffing Pattern. -  The Department shall determine its
30 
organizational structure and staffing pattern and create such services, divisions, and
31 
units, as it may require or deem necessary, subject to the approval of the
26


1 
Department of Budget and Management.
2 
Sec. 14. Regional Disaster Resilience Offices. -  The Department shall
3 
establish and maintain Regional Disaster Resilience Offices (RDROs) in each
4 
administrative region, to be headed by a Regional Director. The Department shall
5 
create policies and programs to establish collaboration and coordination among the
6 
different RDROs.
7 
Sec. 15. Powers and Functions o f RDROs. -  The RDROs shall have the
8 
following powers and functions:
9 
a) Review the LDRPs and Provincial DRPs of LCDs within its jurisdiction, and
10 
require the amendment of such LDRPs and/or Provincial DRPs if
11 
necessary, to ensure compliance with the NDRF and relevant national
12 
investment plans;
13 
b) Monitor and direct LDROs and PDROs to implement their respective LDRPs
14 
and PDRPs;
15 
c) Recommend to the appropriate local legislative body the enactment of
16 
ordinances to 
implement the 
LDRP, 
NDRF and 
relevant 
national
17 
investment plans at the city, municipal or provincial level, and to comply
18 
with other requirements of this Act;
19 
d) Review reports on the utilization of the LDRF and other disaster risk and
20 
management resources 
of 
LGUs 
within 
its jurisdiction, 
and 
give
21 
recommendations, as necessary;
22 
e) Disburse to, and monitor the use by, LGUs of funds granted by the
23 
Department pursuant to this Act and its IRR;
24 
g) Provide, upon the request of LGUs or unilaterally at its own discretion,
25 
assistance to LGU(s) within its jurisdiction as necessary to ensure the
26 
implementation of LDRPs/Provincial LDRPs, NDRF and relevant national
27 
investment 
plans, 
and 
to 
render 
efficient 
and 
timely 
disaster
28 
preparedness, response and recovery measures;
29 
h) Identify and report to the Department issues and problems relating to, or
30 
affecting, the disaster resilience of LGUs within its jurisdiction, and make
31 
recommendations to the Department and/or to the LGUs to address such
27


1 
issues or problems;
2 
j) Formulate and establish mechanisms to mobilize and direct LDROs and
3 
PDROs within its jurisdiction as necessary for disaster preparedness and
4 
response at the regional level;
5 
k) Establish and maintain, in coordination with the Department, a Regional
6 
Command and Control Center (RCCC), which includes, among others, an
7 
information management system at the regional level, which consolidates
8 
and integrates information from the provinces, cities and municipalities
9 
within its jurisdiction, a multi-hazard early warning and communications
10 
system, and a monitoring system that enables the RDRO to oversee,
11 
supervise, monitor and respond to the needs of LCDs within its jurisdiction
12 
in relation to disaster resilience activities;
13 
I) Assist in the implementation, of rehabilitation plan(s) for LCDs within its
14 
coverage; and
15 
m) 
Conduct other activities and act on other matters, in accordance with
16 
policies and procedures of the Department and applicable laws, to achieve
17 
the purposes of this Act.
18 
Sec. 16. Special Disaster Response Teams. -  The RDROs may organize and/or
19 
activate Special Disaster Response Teams (SDRTs) to assist LCDs in responding to
20 
hazards and disasters that are beyond their capacities, as deemed necessary.
21 
Sec. 17. Local Disaster Resilience Offices. -  The Local Disaster Risk Reduction
22 
Management Offices in provinces, cities, and municipalities are hereby renamed as
23 
the Provincial, City, and Municipal Disaster Resilience Offices, respectively, and shall
24 
collectively be called the Local Disaster Resilience Offices (LDROs). Provincial, city,
25 
and municipal governments shall establish their respective LDROs.
26 
The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees are
27 
hereby renamed as the Barangay Disaster Resilience Committees (BDRC).
28 
All Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils are hereby abolished.
29 
The LDROs shall be under the control and supervision of the provincial
30 
governor or the city or municipal mayor, as the case may be. The budgetary
31 
requirements for personal services, maintenance and other operating expenditures,
28


\
1 
and capital outlay of the LDROs shall be sourced from the General Fund of the local
2 
government units concerned; Provided, That, the personal services limitations under
3 
Section 325(a) of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government
4 
Code o f 1991, shall not apply in relation to the creation and appointment of at least
5 
five (5) positions in the LDROs.
6 
Other maintenance and operating expenditures and the capital outlay
7 
requirements of LDROs in the implementation of disaster risk reduction management
8 
and climate change adaptation programs shall be charged to the Local Disaster
9 
Resilience Fund of local government units.
10 
Sec. 18. Local Disaster Resilience Officer. -  The LDRO shall be headed by a
11 
full-time Local Disaster Resilience Officer, who shall have a regular plantllla position
12 
and shall be appointed by the local chief executive: Provided, That the qualifications
13 
standards pertaining to experience and training set by the Civil Service Commission
14 
for the position may be waived by the Department in exceptional cases upon the
15 
request of the local chief executive.
16 
Sec. 19. Powers and Functions o f City and Municipal Disaster Resilience
17 
Offices. -  The City and Municipal Disaster Resilience Offices shall have the following
18 
powers and functions:
19 
a) Formulate and implement, in coordination with the Department, a
20 
comprehensive and integrated Local Disaster Resilience Plan in accordance
21 
with the NDRF and the relevant national investment plans;
22 
b) Design, program, coordinate, and implement disaster resilience activities
23 
consistent with the standards and guidelines provided by the Department,
24 
and implement the NDRF and the relevant national investment plans at
25 
the city or municipal level;
26 
c) 
Prepare and submit to the Sangguniang Panglungsod or Bay an, as the
27 
case may be, the LDRP, the proposed programming of the LDR Fund,
28 
other dedicated disaster resilience resources, and other funds of the
29 
LDRO;
30 
d) Recommend to the Sangguniang Panglungsod or Bayan, as the case may
31 
be, the enactment of ordinances to implement the LDRP, NDRF, relevant
29


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
national investment plans, and the provisions of this Act;
e) Prepare and submit to the Department a report on the utilization of its 
Local Disaster Resilience Fund and other disaster risk reduction and 
management resources;
f) Establish and 
maintain, 
in coordination 
with the 
Department, 
an 
information management system within the LGU, which, among others, 
consolidates and includes local risk information (such as natural hazards, 
profile of the LCD's vulnerable or marginalized groups), local risk maps, 
and a disaggregated database of human resource, equipment, services, 
resources, directories and location of critical infrastructures with their 
capacities (such as hospitals and evacuation centers);
g) Operate and maintain, in coordination with the Department, a multi­
hazard early warning and communications system to provide accurate and 
timely information to the public;
h) Organize and conduct training and knowledge management activities on 
disaster resilience at the local level, in coordination with the Disaster 
Research, Education, and Training Institute;
i) 
Recommend to the local chief executive the procurement of emergency 
works, goods, and services in compliance with the regulations, orders, and 
policies of DBM and GPPB, to implement the LDRP or support early 
recovery and post-disaster activities;
j) 
Recommend, in coordination with the DOF and other relevant agencies, 
to the local chief executive, access to foreign loans to finance projects, 
programs, and policies for disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and 
rehabilitation, subject to terms and conditions agreed upon by the local 
government unit and the lender;
k) 
Monitor and mobilize instrumentalities and entities of the LGU and its 
partner LGUs, CSOs, private sector, organized volunteers, and sectoral 
organizations for disaster resilience activities, in accordance with policies 
and procedures of the Department and applicable laws;
l) Coordinate and provide the necessary support or assistance to the
30


1 
Department in the implementation of rehabilitation plan(s) within the city
2 
or municipality covered by the LDRO;
3 
m) Coordinate with the Department, other government agencies, members of
4 
the private sector and other stakeholders in the LCD to establish a
5 
Business Continuity Plan as part of their LDRP's disaster preparedness
6 
measures;
7 
n) Establish linkage/network and coordination mechanisms with other LGUs
8 
and the Department for disaster resilience activities and to achieve the
9 
purposes of this Act; and
10 
o) Conduct other activities and act on other matters, in accordance with
11 
policies and procedures of the Department and applicable laws, to achieve
12 
the purposes of this Act.
13 
Sec. 20. Powers and Functions o f the Provincial Disaster Resilience Offices. -
14 
The Provincial Disaster Resilience Offices shall have the following powers and
15 
functions:
16 
a) Formulate and implement, in close coordination with the Department and
17 
the local government units under the jurisdiction of the provincial
18 
government, 
a 
comprehensive 
and 
integrated 
Provincial 
Disaster
19 
Resilience Plan in accordance with the NDRF;
20 
b) 
Review the LDRPs of cities and/or municipalities within its jurisdiction,
21 
and require the amendment of such LDRPs if necessary, to ensure
22 
compliance with the Provincial DRP and the NDRF;
23 
c) Design, program, coordinate, or implement disaster resilience activities
24 
consistent with the standards and guidelines provided by the Department,
25 
and implement the NDRF and the relevant national investment plans at
26 
the provincial level;
27 
d) Prepare and submit to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the Provincial DRP,
28 
the proposed programming of the province's Local Disaster Resilience
29 
Fund, other dedicated disaster resilience resources, and other funding
30 
sources of the PDRO;
31 
e) Recommend to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan the enactment of local
31


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
ordinances to implement the Provincial LDRP, NDRF and relevant national 
investment plans at the provincial level, and to comply with other 
requirements of this Act;
f) Prepare and submit to the Department, a report on the utilization of the 
province's Local Disaster Resilience Fund and other disaster risk reduction 
and management resources;
g) Establish and maintain, in coordination with the Department, a Provincial 
Command and Control Center (PCCC), which includes, among others, an 
information 
management 
system 
at 
the 
provincial 
level, 
which 
consolidates 
and 
integrates 
information 
from 
the 
cities 
and/or 
municipalities within its jurisdiction, a multi-hazard early warning and 
communications 
system 
that is connected 
with 
the 
cities and/or 
municipalities within its jurisdiction, and a monitoring system that enables 
the PDRO to oversee, supervise, monitor and respond to the needs of 
cities and/or municipalities within its jurisdiction in relation to disaster 
resilience activities;
h) Recommend to the Provincial Governor the procurement of emergency 
works, goods, and services in compliance with the regulations, orders, and 
policies of DBM and GPPB, to implement the provincial LDRP or support 
early recovery and post-disaster activities of the PDRO;
i) 
Recommend, in coordination with the DOF, to the Provincial Governor to 
access foreign loans to finance its policies, programs, projects, and 
activities for disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation, 
subject to terms and conditions agreed upon by the Provincial Government 
and the lender;
j) Formulate and establish mechanisms to mobilize and direct LDROs within 
its jurisdiction as necessary for disaster preparedness and response at the 
provincial level;
k) Coordinate and provide the necessary support or assistance to the 
Department in the implementation of rehabilitation plan(s) within the cities
and/or municipalities covered by the PDRO; and
32


1 
I) Conduct other activities and/or act on other matters, in accordance with
2 
policies and procedures of the Department and applicable laws, to achieve
3 
the purposes of this Act.
4 
Sec. 21. Service Continuity o f the Department -  To ensure service continuity,
5 
the Department and its regional and attached offices shall be established in a
6 
reasonably resilient location; and/or undertake the necessary interventions to make
7 
its offices and systems disaster-resilient.
8 
ARTICLE V
9 
WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT AND WHOLE OF NATION APPROACH
10 
Sec. 22. Synergy with Stakeholders. -  The Department shall ensure seamless
11 
synergy and coordination with stakeholders, including national government agencies,
12 
local government units, government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs),
13 
CSOs, the academe, and the private sector, in relation to disaster resilience
14 
programs and projects and the development and promotion of research, education,
15 
and training mechanisms.
16 
The Department shall establish a platform, paradigm, and mechanisms for
17 
convergence and coordination with stakeholders, including the development of
18 
standards, protocols, and procedures for seamless collaboration for disaster
19 
resilience.
20 
Sec. 23. Establishment o f Multi-Stakeholders Convergence Unit -  The
21 
Department, with the assistance of other relevant government agencies and
22 
stakeholders, shall establish a Multi-Stakeholders Convergence Unit (MSCU), which
23 
shall closely engage the private sector, CSOs, academe, and other non-government
24 
stakeholders and strengthen public-private collaboration towards disaster resilience
25 
by way of the following interventions, among others:
26 
a. Implementation of business continuity practices to ensure the continued
27 
delivery of products and services, in the event of disasters;
28 
b. Crafting and implementation of a National Continuity Policy to ensure
29 
government service continuity during and after emergencies and disasters,
30 
and ensure the quick return of government to full operations;
31 
c. Establishment, incorporation, and application of business continuity plans
33


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
as part of the LDRPs of LGUs;
d. Facilitation or assistance in obtaining and/or processing incentives for the 
private sector and other non-government stakeholders, such as but not 
limited to tax credits;
e. Preparation and facilitation of the issuance of special rules for Micro, 
Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) such as, but not limited to, 
mechanisms involving procurement and liquidity to create enabling 
environments for disaster preparedness, recovery and building forward 
better; and
f. 
Formulation of investment programs for disaster affected areas in 
partnership with the private business sector and civil society organizations.
The MSCU shall establish a platform that includes, among others, a database 
for monitoring and coordinating efforts and resources of stakeholders.
Sec. 24. Roles and Responsibilities o f Stakeholders. -  The commitment, 
goodwill, knowledge, experience and resources of relevant stakeholders are critical 
to realize a safer, adaptive, resilient and inclusive Filipino community. Citizens have 
the shared vision and duty to provide support to the State in the implementation of 
policies and programs, particularly the Disaster Resilience Framework and Disaster 
Resilience Plan at the national, regional and local levels.
a) Civil society, non-governmental organizations, international non-governmental 
organizations, private sector, practitioners, and volunteers shall participate, in 
collaboration with public institutions, in the exchange of to provide information, 
learnings, and guidance on disaster resilience. The Department shall encourage 
and institutionalize their engagement in the implementation of local, regional, 
national, and global plans and strategies; enhance public awareness and promote 
a culture of disaster resilience;
b) The women, children, and youth, as agents of change, shall endeavor to 
contribute actively and participate in disaster resilience trainings and information 
dissemination;
c) Senior citizens and persons with disabilities shall contribute their knowledge and
experience on disaster preparedness and resiliency;
34


1 
d) Indigenous peoples and Muslim Filipinos shall share their traditional knowledge
2 
and practical experience on disaster resiliency;
3 
e) Urban and rural poor, and migrants shall participate in building resilient
4 
resettlement communities;
5 
f) Emergency responders and volunteer organizations shall contribute to resilience
6 
by promptly and efficiently responding to disasters and emergencies consistent
7 
with the policies of the Research, Education and Training Institute of the
8 
Department;
9 
g) Academia, scientific and research entities, and networks are encouraged to
10 
undertake relevant research on disaster resiliency in partnership with 
the
11 
Department and other stakeholders for better decision-making;
12 
h) The private sector is encouraged to integrate disaster resiliency projects and
13 
programs in their corporate social responsibility initiatives; and
14 
i) The media shall provide prompt and accurate information to the public on early
15 
warning systems, natural hazards, 
and disaster resilience activities of the
16 
Department.
17 
Sec. 25. Disaster Resilience Assembly. -  The Department, with the assistance
18 
of RDROs, shall establish and convene a Disaster Resilience Assembly (DRA), at the
19 
regional and national level, which will be held on a semestral basis, or as frequently
20 
as necessary to ensure the proactive engagement of the relevant government and
21 
non-government stakeholders, such as the Union of Local Authorities of 
the
22 
Philippines (ULAP), League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), CSOs,
23 
academe, DRRM practitioners, the private sector, and the national government
24 
agencies, among others, to ensure effective collaboration towards achieving the
25 
goals of this Act.
26 
The LGUs may convene local DRAs within their jurisdictions, as necessary for
27 
the attainment of disaster resilience at the local level.
28 
Sec. 26. Inter-operability o f Systems. -  The Department shall establish
29 
mechanisms to ensure the inter-operability of systems among government agencies,
30 
and to allow access of agencies to the IDRIS. It shall develop protocols to allow real-
31 
time access to information by government agencies in relation to natural disasters
35


1 
and the implementation of disaster resilience measures.
2 
Sec. 27. National organization o f all Local Disaster Resilience Officers. -  There
3 
shall be a national organization of all local disaster resilience officers for the primary
4 
purpose of:
5 
a) Developing capacity, and exchanging knowledge, experiences, and best
6 
practices concerning local government disaster resilience;
7 
b) Fostering inter-operability of the local disaster resilience offices' systems;
8 
Facilitating inter-LGU cooperation and collaboration;
9 
c) Providing inputs and feedback to the Department on resilience concerns at
10 
the local level; and
11 
d) Enhancing synergy in other areas of common concern.
12 
ARTICLE V I
13 
MAINSTREAMING, INTEGRATION AND CONVERGENCE
14 
OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
15 
Sec. 28. Integration o f DRR and Climate Change Adaptation in the National
16 
Disaster Resilience Framework and Disaster Resilience Plan. -  The existing NDRRM
17 
Framework and Plan, and the National Climate Change Strategic Framework and
18 
Plan shall be integrated and harmonized into the NDRF and the NDRPIP. The NDRF
19 
and NDRPIP shall be reviewed and updated every three (3) years.
20 
Sec. 
29. 
Ecosystem-Based 
Approach 
to 
Prevention 
and 
Mitigation,
21 
Rehabilitation and Recovery from Disasters. -  The Department shall ensure the
22 
application of ecosystems-based approaches in disaster risk reduction, particularly
23 
through ecosystem management and restoration as defined in this Act, and ensuring
24 
that environmental and natural resource policies are risk-informed.
25 
ARTICLE V II
26 
NATIONAL DISASTER OPERATIONS CENTER, ALTERNATIVE COMMAND
27 
CENTER, AND RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE
28 
Sec. 30. National Disaster Operations Center. -  The Department shall
29 
establish, within one (1) year from the approval of this Act, and act as the primary
30 
operator of, the National Disaster Operations Center (NDOC), Alternative Command
31 
and Control Centers (ACCCs), and a Disaster Resilience Research and Training
36


1 
Institute (DRRTI).
2 
The NDOC is a physical center equipped with the necessary tools and systems
3 
to monitor, manage, and respond to disasters in all areas of the country. The NDOC
4 
shall also 
provide the necessary support for the overall coordination and
5 
implementation of emergency and disaster response measures throughout the
6 
country.
7 
The ACCCs are command centers established in other locations as an
8 
alternative or to provide supplemental support to the NDOC. The number and
9 
location of ACCCs shall be determined by the Department as may be necessary in
10 
each of the country's major island groups. Temporary ACCC may likewise be
11 
established by the Department, if necessary.
12 
Sec. 31. DRRTI functions and inter-agency knowledge sharing. -  The DRRTI
13 
shall be a platform 
for providing training, and for collecting, consolidating,
14 
managing, analyzing, and/or sharing knowledge and information to improve and/or
15 
enhance disaster resilience. The DRRTI shall:
16 
Establish reliable and up-to-date Integrated Disaster Resilience Information
17 
System (IDRIS) through close and seamless collaboration with the
18 
Department 
of 
Science 
and 
Technology 
(DOST), 
Department 
of
19 
Information 
and 
Communications 
Technology 
(DICT), 
and 
other
20 
appropriate agencies;
21 
a) Conduct disaster-related research programs, seminars, and trainings for all
22 
types of stakeholders;
23 
b) Consolidate, organize and/or prepare training materials and publications;
24 
c) Conduct other activities consistent with promoting the formation and
25 
dissemination of knowledge and information relating to disaster resilience
26 
and disaster management;
27 
d) Establish a 
database that includes relevant information from other
28 
government agencies and third parties for the department to better
29 
prepare and respond to natural hazards including, but not limited to, an
30 
inventory of hazardous materials per area; and
37


1 
e) Consult and coordinate with, and consolidate information/data from,
2 
relevant government agencies, such as, but not limited to, DOST, LGUs
3 
and relevant CSOs to enhance the IDRIS and to promote knowledge
4 
sharing among all stakeholders.
5 
Sec. 32. Compliance and accreditation o f DRRTI with international standards.
6 
-  The Department shall strive to obtain certification from, and accreditation by,
7 
international accreditation bodies of the DRRTI to ensure DRRTTs compliance with
8 
international standards. The Department shall likewise ensure collaboration with key
9 
countries and international organizations to incorporate best practices on disaster
10 
resilience in the Department's policies and programs.
11 
ARTICLE V III
12 
INTEGRATION, MAINSTREAMING DISASTER RESILIENCE INFORMATION,
13 
EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION CONVERGENCE
14 
Sec. 33. Integrated Disaster Resilience Information System (IDRIS). -  The
15 
Department shall establish a National and Regional Information Management System
16 
for Disaster Resilience, which shall be a database of all relevant disaster risk
17 
reduction and climate change data, including a geographic information system on
18 
geo-hazard assessments and climate risk. It shall be the repository of current and
19 
multi- temporal information for wide-scale disaster risk analysis. The IDRIS shall be
20 
accessible at all times to the responsible officials and entities to enable the timely,
21 
reliable, 
and accurate collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination of
22 
information to support overall decision-making and effective coordination at both the
23 
national and sub-national level. The protocols and procedures for this shall be
24 
defined in the IRR of this Act.
25 
Sec. 34. Disaster Resilience Education and Training. -  (a) To instill a culture
26 
of safety and security including emergency preparedness and disaster resiliency, the
27 
Department, in partnership with the public and private sectors shall encourage the
28 
inclusion of appropriate information on disaster resilience in their various training
29 
programs and immersion activities.
30 
(b) The lEC on disaster resilience shall be informative and holistic, gender,
31 
culture and disability sensitive using various available platforms.
38


1 
ARTICLE IX
2 
DISASTER RISK TRANSFER, INSURANCE AND INCENTIVES
3 
Sec. 35. Disaster Risk Transfer, Insurance and Social Welfare. -  (a) The
4 
Department shall oversee all disaster risk-sharing and risk-transfer instruments and other
5 
related initiatives to ensure the protection of property and livelihood, both public and
6 
private.
7 
(b) 
The Department, in collaboration with the DOF, BSP, LBP, GSIS, and the
8 
Insurance Commission, shall create, establish, and implement, among others, disaster
9 
insurance pools, revolving funds, insurance and risk-transfer schemes and/or facilities, and
10 
other financial disaster resilience measures to ensure the protection of public and/or
11 
private properties and livelihood against the adverse effects of natural disasters. For this
12 
purpose, the Department and/or DOF may engage or require the participation of
13 
government banks, insurance agencies and financial institutions.
14 
(c) 
To attain disaster resilience and achieve the purposes of this Act, the
15 
Department shall have the discretion and authority to require government agencies and
16 
GOCCs to insure their assets and/or properties such as, among others, vessels, vehicles,
17 
equipment, machineries, permanent buildings, properties stored therein, or properties in
18 
transit, against insurable risks and pay the premiums therefor, to compensate the
19 
Government and/or GOCC, as applicable, for any damage to, or loss of, properties due to
20 
a natural disaster.
21 
(d) 
The Department shall endeavor the local government units to insure
22 
primary assets for unforeseen or contingent potential losses, damages and disruption from
23 
natural hazards chargeable against their respective Local Disaster Resilience Fund (LDRF).
24 
Sec. 36. Recognition and Incentives. -  The Department, in partnership with
25 
the private sector, shall establish an incentives program that recognizes outstanding
26 
performance of LDRC, NGOs, CSOs, schools, hospitals, and other stakeholders in
27 
promoting and implementing significant disaster risk reduction management-climate
28 
change adaptation programs and innovations, and meritorious acts of individuals,
29 
groups or institutions during natural.
39


1 
ARTICLE X
2 
PREPAREDNESS AND INTEGRATED EARLY WARNING
3 
Sec. 37. Standards for Disaster Preparedness Activities. -  (a) The Department
4 
shall establish standards and protocols for disaster preparedness, contingency
5 
planning, localizing and operationalizing disaster risk reduction and management,
6 
preparedness for disaster response, preparedness for early recovery, continuity of
7 
essential services, and other relevant preparedness activities.
8 
(b) 
The LGUs shall identify safe and strategic sites, and establish
9 
evacuation centers with appropriate and adequate facilities in accordance with
10 
government-approved standards as provided under Republic Act No. 
10821,
11 
otherwise known as "The Children's Emergency Relief Protection Act', to avoid
12 
disruption of school classes and lessen the use of school buildings and facilities as
13 
evacuation centers.
14 
The LGUs shall immediately compensate said schools used as evacuation
15 
centers. The schools may seek compensation for renovation, replacement, or repairs
16 
of damaged facilities for such use.
17 
Sec. 38. Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Risk Communication Standards. -
18 
(a) There shall be a streamlined policy governing early warning systems and risk
19 
communication protocols to ensure effective and efficient measures to prepare for,
20 
respond to and recover from potential risks and disasters.
21 
(b) 
The Department shall formulate and implement multi-hazard early
22 
warning protocols integrating all disaster preparedness systems in collaboration with
23 
local executives, community-based organizations, civil society organizations, and
24 
other non-governmental organizations for proper use and application.
25 
Sec. 39. Early Warning Mandate. -  a) The Department shall issue an
26 
integrated early warning alert for the impending occurrence of hazards that will
27 
enable the public to prepare timely and act appropriately to minimize potential harm
28 
or loss.
29 
(b) 
The Department shall require mobile phone service providers to send
30 
out alerts at regular intervals in the event of an impending natural hazard, in
31 
accordance with Republic Act No. 10639, otherwise known as the "Free Mobile
40


1 
Disaster Alerts Act".
2 
(c) 
The Department shall recognize 
and 
proactively support local or
3 
indigenous modes of early warning systems and allow open access to near real-time
4 
data from both local and international sources made available through various
5 
platforms such as websites, mobile apps, and social media to empower local
6 
communities and individuals.
7 
(d) 
Any 
person 
who 
transmits 
early 
warning concerning 
the
8 
abovementioned phenomena by means of signs in designs, colors, lights, or sound
9 
shall do so in compliance with the methods recognized or approved by the
10 
Department.
11 
(e) 
The Department at the national and local level shall use an integrated
12 
early warning system to ensure it is consistent and locally contextualized with the
13 
communication protocol and safe evacuation procedure of the affected communities.
14 
(f) 
The Department shall work with other agencies or organizations on
15 
pre-crisis information mapping of the humanitarian needs of at-risk communities that
16 
will enhance the overall prepositioning of resources at the national and local level.
17 
(g) 
The Department shall recognize 
and 
proactively support local or
18 
indigenous modes of early warning systems and allow open access to near real-time
19 
data from both local and international sources made available through various
20 
platforms such as websites, mobile apps, and social media to empower local
21 
communities and individuals.
22 
ARTICLE X I
23 
DISASTER RESPONSE AND EARLY RECOVERY
24 
Sec. 40. Declaration o f State o f Calamity. -  The Department shall declare a
25 
cluster of barangays, municipalities, cities, provinces, and regions under a state of
26 
calamity, and the lifting thereof, based on the criteria set by the Department.
27 
The declaration and lifting of the state of calamity may also be issued by the
28 
local sanggunian, upon the recommendation of the LDRO, based on the results of
29 
the damage assessment and needs analysis: Provided, That through the Department,
30 
the LDRO may seek from the local legislative body or Sanggunian, the declaration of
31 
a state of imminent disaster to enable the local executives to implement pre-emptive
41


1 
evacuation and precautionary measures to save lives and minimize damage to
2 
property, loss and disruption of livelihood that require the use of funds and
3 
resources under the LDRF.
4 
Sec. 41. Levels o f Responsibility for Disaster Preparedness and Response. -
5 
The primary responsibility for disaster preparedness and response shall be exercised
6 
at the local or national level, as applicable, in close and seamless collaboration with
7 
the relevant national government instrumentalities, non-government stakeholders,
8 
and international partners. The four levels of responsibility and the conditions that
9 
warrant each are as follows:
10
LEVELS OF 
RESPONSIBILITY
RESPONSIBLE
OFFICIALS
CONDITIONS
Level 1: City or 
Municipality
Lead Official:
Mayor of the affected city 
or municipality
Support:
City or Municipal Disaster 
Resilience Officer
If a disaster affects a 
single city or municipality
Level 2: Province
Lead Official:
Provincial Governor of the 
affected province
Support:
Provincial Disaster 
Resilience Officer
Municipal and/or City 
Mayors concerned
Municipal and/or City 
Disaster Resilience Officers 
concerned
If a disaster affects two or 
more municipalities and/or 
cities within a province
Level 3: Region
Lead Official:
Regional Director, DDR
42
If a disaster affects two or 
more provinces within a 
region (except for the 
National Capital Region)


LEVELS OF
RESPONSIBLE
CONDITIONS
RESPONSIBILITY
OFFICIALS
Support:
Governors of affected 
provinces
Concerned Provincial 
Disaster Resilience Officers
Level 4: National
Lead Official:
If a disaster affects at
Secretary of Disaster
least two (2) regions;
Resilience (SDR)
When the LGU is unable to
Support:
effectively cope with the
Governors concerned
risk and/or impact of a 
hazard; or
Disaster Resilience Officers 
concerned
When the President 
directs a Level 4 response 
or declares a state of 
calamity.
1 
Sec. 42. Disaster Preparedness and Response in the NCR. -  When at least
2 
two cities and/or municipality in the NCR are affected, the SDR shall be responsible
3 
for leading the disaster preparedness and response efforts, in collaboration with the
4 
affected LGUs, the MMDA, and the concerned government instrumentalities and
5 
non-government stakeholders.
6 
Sec. 43. Inter-Local Government Assistance. -  LGUs are hereby authorized to
7 
extend the necessary assistance to another LGU, whether through funding or
8 
donation of goods and/or services, and conducting disaster preparedness and
9 
response operations, to help save lives and minimize damage to property. These
10 
include the pre-positioning and provision of basic goods, training of first responders,
11 
among others, subject to the accounting and auditing rules to be defined in the IRR
12 
of this Act.
13 
Sec. 44. Accreditation, Mobilization, and Protection o f Disaster Volunteers and
43


1 
National Service Reserve Corps, CSOs and the Private Sector. -  The government
2 
agencies, CSOs, private sector and LCDs may mobilize individuals or organized
3 
volunteers to augment their respective personnel complement and logistical
4 
requirements in the delivery of disaster risk reduction programs and activities. The
5 
agencies, CSOs, private sector, and LCDs concerned shall take full responsibility for
6 
the enhancement, welfare and protection of volunteers, and shall submit the list of
7 
volunteers to the Department, through the LDROs, for accreditation and inclusion in
8 
the database of community disaster volunteers.
9 
A national roster of ACDRVs and Institutions, National Service Reserve Corps,
10 
CSOs and the private sector shall be maintained by the Department through the
11 
LDROs. Accreditation shall be done at the municipal or city level.
12 
The mobilization of volunteers shall be in accordance with this Act and
13 
implementing guidelines to be formulated by the Department. Any volunteer who
14 
incurs death or injury while engaged in any of the activities defined under this Act
15 
shall be entitled to compensatory benefits and individual personnel accident
16 
insurance as may be defined in the IRR.
17 
Sec. 45. Reporting o f Humanitarian Assistance. -  The concerned local
18 
government unit shall submit a report to the Department, taking into account all
19 
domestic or international humanitarian assistance received and distributed within its
20 
area of responsibility.
21 
ARTICLE X II
22 
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
23 
Sec. 46. Management o f Humanitarian Assistance. -  (a) The Department shall
24 
have the power to receive and manage humanitarian assistance from any person or
25 
entity, whether from local or international sources.
26 
(b) 
The importation by, and humanitarian assistance to, the Department
27 
of, among others, food, clothing, medical assistance, equipment, and materials for
28 
relief, recovery and other disaster management activities are hereby authorized in
29 
accordance with Section 105 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as
30 
amended, and the prevailing provisions of the General Appropriations Act covering
31 
national internal revenue taxes and import duties of national and local government
44


1 
agencies.
2 
Sec. 47. International Humanitarian Assistance. -  The Department shall
3 
promulgate guidelines on international humanitarian assistance, including the
4 
initiation, entry, facilitation, transit, regulation and termination thereof, as well as
5 
those involving international disaster relief and personnel assisting international
6 
actors, visa waiver, recognition of foreign professional qualifications, entry of
7 
international disaster goods and equipment, and exemption from port duties, taxes,
8 
and restrictions.
9 
Sec. 48. Assessment o f the Need for International Humanitarian Assistance. -
10 
(a) 
Immediately after the declaration of a state of calamity by the local
11 
sanggunian of the relevant local government unit or by the Department, as the case
12 
may be, the Department shall determine whether domestic capacities are likely to be
13 
sufficient to attend to the needs of affected persons for international humanitarian
14 
assistance. This determination may also be made, at the discretion of the President,
15 
prior to the onset of an imminent disaster.
16 
(b) 
In the event of a determination by the Department that domestic
17 
response capacities are not likely to be sufficient due to the impact of the disaster,
18 
the Department shall recommend to the President that a request be made for
19 
international humanitarian assistance.
20 
(c) 
A determination that domestic capacities are likely to be sufficient and
21 
that international humanitarian assistance is therefore unnecessary may be reviewed
22 
and rescinded by the Department, with the approval of the President, at any time, in
23 
light of prevailing circumstances and available information.
24 
Sec. 49. Humanitarian Assistance Action Center. -  The Department shall
25 
create an inter-agency one-stop shop mechanism called the Humanitarian Assistance
26 
Action Center (HAAC) for the processing and release of entry and facilitation of
27 
goods, articles or equipment and services and international relief workers for the
28 
provision of international humanitarian assistance and the processing of necessary
29 
documents for assisting international actors.
30 
The Department shall lead and manage the HAAC, which shall be composed
31 
of the following:
45


1 
(a) Bureau of Customs;
2 
(b) Department of Foreign Affairs;
3 
(c) Department of Social Welfare and Development;
4 
(d) Department of Health;
5 
(e) Food and Drug Administration;
6 
(f) Department of Agriculture;
7 
(g) Department of Energy;
8 
(h) Department of National Defense;
9 
(i) Philippine National Police;
10 
(j) Philippine Coast Guard; and
11 
(k) Bureau of Immigration.
12 
Sec. 50. Request for International Humanitarian Assistance. -  (a) In
13 
cognizance of the urgency, criticality and 
intensity of an imminent risk, the
14 
Department shall issue a flash appeal to the family of nations, under regional and
15 
multilateral conventions, for assistance in 
preparedness, including preemptive
16 
measures, search, rescue, and retrieval, relief, recovery, and reconstruction.
17 
(b) 
The President may request international humanitarian assistance, upon
18 
the advice of the Secretary. Such request may be specifically directed to particular
19 
assisting international actors or may be a general request directed to the
20 
international community.
21 
Sec. 51. Regulation o f Humanitarian Assistance. -  (a) The Department shall
22 
ensure the efficient and effective monitoring of humanitarian assistance from
23 
domestic or international donors, establish and operate a platform, including an
24 
online platform, to facilitate, and provide public access to information on donations.
25 
(b) 
The Department shall include in the IRR of this Act guidelines and
26 
accountabilities on the receipt, management, distribution, accounting, and reporting
27 
of all humanitarian assistance, whether in cash or in kind, consistent with the rules
28 
on the use of foreign and local aid during calamities and disasters issued by the COA
29 
and other relevant government agencies.
46


1 
ARTICLE X III
2 
OFFER AND FACILITATION OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
3 
TO FOREIGN STATES
4 
Sec. 52. Offer and Facilitation o f International Humanitarian Assistance to
5 
Foreign States. -  In the event of a disaster occurring in a foreign state for which
6 
international humanitarian assistance is required, the Department, in coordination
7 
with the DFA, may offer, facilitate, provide, and deploy international humanitarian
8 
assistance to said foreign state, which shall be subject to guidelines to be
9 
promulgated by the Department for the purpose.
10 
Sec. 53. Accreditation. -  The Department, in coordination with relevant
11 
government agencies and organizations, shall provide and facilitate the necessary
12 
training and accreditation to the respective government personnel to be deployed for
13 
such offer, facilitation and provision of international humanitarian assistance to a
14 
foreign state.
15 
ARTICLE XIV
16 
RECOVERY
17 
Sec. 
54. 
Standards for Recovery. 
-  The 
Department shall 
observe
18 
internationally accepted standards for recovery, 
planning, 
programming and
19 
implementation of the recovery process. Towards this end, the Department shall:
20 
a) Improve the community's physical, social and economic resilience,
21 
consistent with the principle of "building forward better";
22 
b) Use locally-driven, centrally-supported processes based on legal mandates
23 
with supplementary capacity support when requested;
24 
c) Redirect development outside danger zones to minimize loss of lives and
25 
structures resulting from typhoons, flooding, landslides, and other hazards
26 
d) Employ outcome-driven planning and implementation;
27 
e) Maximize use of Private-Public sector partnership where possible;
28 
f) Consider local conditions such as culture, security situation and existing
29 
capacities of communities in identifying programs and projects;
30 
g) Ensure access to public transport, physical and mental health services,
31 
markets, schools, sustainable livelihoods, and other public services in
47


1 
planning for settlement areas; and
2 
h) Ensure restoration of peace and order and recovery of government
3 
functions.
4 
ARTICLE XV
5 
REMEDIAL MEASURES UNDER STATE OF CALAMITY
6 
Sec. 55. Declaration o f State o f Calamity. -  A state of calamity may be
7 
declared when any of the following requisites are present:
8 
a. A natural hazard, including climate change, poses imminent threat to
9 
human life and/or danger to property; or
10 
b. A significant impact is caused by a natural hazard or climate change,
11 
which demands immediate action.
12 
The following shall exercise this power, respectively:
13 
a. The President, upon recommendation of the SDR, whether in whole or
14 
part of an area;
15 
b. The SDR, upon recommendation of the RDRO, for disasters covering two
16 
or more provinces of the same region; and
17 
c. The local sanggunian, upon recommendation of the concerned local
18 
disaster resilience office, within its jurisdiction.
19 
Sec. 56. Remedial Measures under State o f Calamity. -  Upon the declaration
20 
of a state of calamity, the following remedial measures shall be immediately
21 
undertaken by concerned government agencies at the national and local levels:
22 
a) Imposition of price ceiling on basic necessities and prime commodities by
23 
the Price Coordinating Council (PCC), as provided for under Republic Act
24 
No. 7581, otherwise known as the "Price Act", as amended by Republic
25 
Act No. 10623;
26 
b) Monitoring, prevention and control by the Local Price Coordination Council
27 
of overpricing or profiteering and hoarding 
of prime commodities,
28 
medicines and petroleum products;
29 
c) Programming or reprogramming of funds for the repair of critical facilities
30 
or public infrastructures that are vital for 
the quick delivery of
31 
humanitarian assistance, to reduce further threat to lives and arrest
48


1 
further deterioration of properties and loss of livelihoods in the affected
2 
communities, following the "build forward better" principle;
3 
d) Grant of no-interest loans by government financing or lending institutions
4 
to the most vulnerable and marginalized groups or individuals;
5 
e) Local tax exemptions, incentives or reliefs under such terms and
6 
conditions as may be deemed necessary by the affected local government
7 
unit; and
8 
f) Use of alternative modes of procurement under Article XVI of this Act, by
9 
the Department, LGUs or the relevant government instrumentalities in
10 
relation to the urgent procurement of emergency works, goods or services
11 
to effectively respond to, quickly recover from disasters, and build forward
12 
better.
13 
ARTICLE XVI
14 
PROCUREMENT
15 
Sec. 57. Procurement -  In general, the procurement rules provided under
16 
Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the "Government Procurement Reform
17 
Act', shall apply. However, alternative modes of procurement as provided in this Act
18 
may be resorted to by the Department, RDROs, or LGUs in any of the following
19 
emergency situations:
20 
a) There is imminent danger to life or property during a state of calamity, as
21 
provided under this Act, and the procurement is necessary to avert or
22 
reduce such danger to life or property; or
23 
b) The 
procurement 
is 
necessary 
to 
restore 
vital 
public 
services,
24 
infrastructure facilities and other public utilities; or
25 
c) Time is of the essence in implementing a project, program or activity to
26 
effectively respond to a disaster and save lives; or
27 
d) There are other circumstances that require immediate procurement
28 
necessary to prevent damage to or loss of life or property.
29 
Sec. 58. Alternative Modes o f Procurement -  During emergency situations as
30 
provided under this Act, the Department, RDROs or LGUs may resort to the following
31 
modes of procurement:
49


1 
a) Direct negotiation under Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the
2 
"Government Procurement Reform Act", and its implementing rules and
3 
regulations;
4 
b) Simplified or pre-arranged contracts such as, among others, pre-signed
5 
agreements, stand-by contracts, pre-arranged systems of procurement
6 
with a pre-approved list of contractors for construction projects, pre-
7 
negotiated contracts, advanced procurements contracts, and framework
8 
contracts. The parameters, requirements and conditions for these types of
9 
contracts shall be defined in this Act's IRR.
10 
Sec. 59. Special Rules on Procurement for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation
11 
o f Affected Areas. -  (a) The Department, with the assistance of, or in collaboration
12 
with, relevant government agencies, shall create special rules on procurement for
13 
services, goods, and materials to be used for reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts
14 
in case of a natural disaster, including but not limited to, the construction of post-
15 
disaster shelters and provision of service contracts, to ensure the procurement of
16 
quality-oriented goods, materials, and equipment and to guarantee effective,
17 
efficient, and speedy procurement to achieve the goals of this act.
18 
(b) 
In case of procurement of services, 
goods, 
or materials for
19 
reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, whether from local or international sources,
20 
the Department and 
the relevant government agencies shall 
provide less
21 
bureaucratic restrictions, more flexible procurement policies, or exemption from, or
22 
reduction of, customs duties.
23 
Sec. 60. Procurement from Qualified Suppliers or Contractors. -  As an
24 
exception to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the
25 
" Government Procurement Reform Act', and its implementing rules and regulations,
26 
the Department shall have the power to procure goods and services from either local
27 
or foreign suppliers or contractors for purposes of implementing programs, projects,
28 
and activities related to disaster resilience and disaster management. The conditions,
29 
limitations, application processes, eligibility requirements and assessment criteria for
30 
local and foreign suppliers and contractors shall be provided in this Act's IRR.
50


1 
Sec. 61. Pre-Arranged Contracts or Agreements with Private Sector Entities. -
2 
Notwithstanding Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the "Government
3 
Procurement Reform Act", the Department shall have authority to enter into pre-
4 
arranged or contingency contracts or agreements with private sector entities for the
5 
purpose of, among others, establishing, a logistics system for the efficient and
6 
prompt distribution of goods, equipment or other materials required for disaster
7 
response and management; securing food, medicines, fuel, or other supplies from
8 
groceries, pharmacies, gas stations or other sources in the event of a disaster in a
9 
specific area; ensuring an alternative source of power or water from private utilities
10 
in the event of a disaster in a specific area; or other arranging the immediate supply
11 
of other goods, services or equipment necessary for disaster response and
12 
management. 
The 
conditions, 
limitations 
and 
parameters 
of 
contracts 
or
13 
arrangements authorized under this Section shall be provided in this Act's IRR.
14 
Sec. 62. Other Procurement Rules and Policies. -  In view of the urgency and
15 
avoid unnecessary delays to procure goods, services, and implement projects for the
16 
purpose of providing responsive, effective, and efficient rescue, recovery, relief, and
17 
rehabilitation efforts for, and to continue the provision of basic services to, disaster
18 
victims or disaster affected areas, the DBM and GPPB shall issue appropriate
19 
resolutions, orders, and policies to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
20 
Sec. 63. Government Accounting and Auditing Policies. -  The COA shall
21 
review, align, and issue policies or rules to improve the efficiency and expediency of
22 
procurement and audit processes for programs and projects related to disaster
23 
resilience and management.
24 
ARTICLE X V II
25 
SPECIAL RULES ON BORROWINGS AND TAXES
26 
Sec. 64. Rules on Borrowing. -  The LGUs shall access foreign financing,
27 
through the DOF, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and other relevant agencies, as
28 
applicable, to implement disaster prevention, mitigation, early recovery, and
29 
rehabilitation measures at the provincial, city, or municipal level.
30 
Sec. 65. Special Rules on Tax and Duties. -  To facilitate prompt, efficient and
31 
effective response to, recovery from disasters, and building forward better in
51


1 
disaster-affected areas, the following shall be granted special exemptions from
2 
existing taxation laws, rules, and regulations:
3 
a. Exemption from taxes and import duties for foreign disaster assistance or
4 
international donations coursed through the Department;
5 
b. Exemption from donor's tax and allowing the treatment of donations as a
6 
deductible expense for local disaster assistance coursed through the
7 
Department;
8 
c. Exemption from the Value Added Tax (VAT) for goods or services donated
9 
from abroad as coursed through the Department;
10 
d. Tax incentives to encourage members of the private sector to render aid
11 
or provide disaster assistance, and/or to invest in disaster resilience 
and
12 
climate change adaptation and mitigation measures for their residences,
13 
communities and/or businesses.
14 
LCDs may also implement local tax rules that would grant disaster victims
15 
reasonable reduction, exemption, or deferment of local taxes or other types of tax
16 
assessments; or take other necessary action at the local level to provide tax relief to
17 
disaster victims.
18 
Sec. 66. Custom Duties and Tariffs on Donations. -  The BOC shall create rules
19 
that would, among others, hasten the processing and release of donated goods and
20 
equipment to disaster victims and/or affected areas.
21 
Sec. 67. Economic Recovery and Development o f Disaster-Prone Areas. -  The
22 
Department, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and
23 
other relevant agencies, shall craft policies, and implement the necessary programs
24 
and projects to stimulate economic activities and encourage investments to assist
25 
disaster-affected areas develop or recover faster, as applicable.
26 
The Department, 
in collaboration with the relevant LCDs and other
27 
stakeholders, shall likewise establish dual purpose structures in disaster-affected
28 
areas, such as, among others, community agricultural centers, classrooms, and
29 
water harvesting tanks to develop and promote investments in disaster-prone or
30 
affected areas.
52


1 
ARTICLE X V III
2 
PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES
3 
Sec. 68. Prohibited Acts. -  Any public official, private person, group or
4 
corporation who commits any of the following prohibited acts shall be held liable and
5 
be subjected to the criminal and administrative penalties as provided for in Section
6 
71 of this Act, without prejudice to the imposition of other criminal, civil and
7 
administrative liabilities under existing laws.
8 
a) Prohibited Acts of Public Officials. -  The following acts, if committed by
9 
public officials without justifiable cause, shall be considered as gross neglect of duty:
10 
1. 
Dereliction of duties that leads to destruction, loss of lives, critical damage
11 
of facilities and misuse of funds;
12 
2. 
Failure to enforce laws, standards, or regulations such as the National
13 
Building Code, Solid Waste Management Act, Water Code, and other
14 
relevant laws, leading to destruction, loss of lives, and/or critical damage
15 
of facilities;
16 
3. 
Failure to create a functional LDR Office within six (6) months from the
17 
approval of this Act;
18 
4. 
Failure to appoint a permanent local disaster resilience officer within six
19 
(6) months from approval of this Act;
20 
5. 
Failure to prepare and implement a Contingency and Adaptation Plan for
21 
hazards frequently occurring within their jurisdictions;
22 
6. 
Failure to formulate and implement the LDRP with the corresponding
23 
budget allocation; and
24 
7. 
Sexual exploitation and abuse and other forms of sexual misconduct on
25 
the affected population or at-risk communities.
26 
b) 
Prohibited Acts of Public Officials and Private Persons or Institutions. -
27 
1. 
Delay, without justifiable cause in the delivery, proper handling or storage
28 
of aid commodities, resulting to damage or spoilage;
29 
2. 
Withholding the distribution of relief goods due to (i) political or partisan
30 
considerations; (ii) discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, or
31 
gender; and (iii) other similar circumstances;
53


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
3. 
Preventing the entry and distribution of relief goods in disaster-stricken 
areas, including appropriate technology, tools, equipment, accessories, 
disaster teams or experts;
4. 
Buying, for consumption or resale, from disaster relief agencies any relief 
goods, equipment or other and commodities, which are intended for 
distribution to disaster-affected communities;
5. 
Buying, for consumption or resale, from the recipient disaster affected 
persons any relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities received by 
them;
6. 
Selling of relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities, which are 
intended for distribution to disaster victims;
7. 
Forcibly seizing relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities intended 
for or consigned to a specific group of victims or relief agency;
8. 
Diverting or misdelivery of relief goods, equipment or other aid 
commodities to persons other than the rightful recipient or consignee;
9. 
Accepting, possessing, using or disposing relief goods, equipment or other 
aid commodities not intended for nor consigned to him or her;
10. Misrepresenting the source of relief goods, equipment or other aid 
commodities by:
i. 
Either covering, replacing or defacing the labels of the containers to 
make it appear that the goods, equipment or other aid commodities 
came from another agency or persons;
ii. 
Repacking the goods, equipment or other aid commodities into 
containers with different markings to make it appear that the goods 
came from another agency or persons or was released upon the 
instance of a particular agency, person, or persons; and
Hi. 
Making false verbal claim that the goods, equipment or other and 
commodity in its untampered original containers actually came from 
another agency or persons or was released upon the instance of a 
particular agency, person, or persons;
11. Substituting or replacing relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities
54


1 
with the same items or inferior/cheaper quality;
2 
12. Illegal solicitations by persons or organizations representing others as
3 
defined in the standards and guidelines set by the Department;
4 
13. Deliberate use of false at inflated data in support of the request for
5 
funding, relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities for emergency
6 
assistance or livelihood projects;
7 
14. Stealing, taking, or processing of any of the equipment, accessories and
8 
other vital facility or items or any part thereof;
9 
15. Selling or buying stolen equipment, accessories, and other vital facility
10 
items or any part thereof;
11 
16. Tampering with or stealing hazard monitoring and disaster preparedness
12 
equipment and paraphernalia;
13 
17. Attempting to commit any of the abovementioned prohibited acts; and
14 
18. Benefitting from the proceeds or fruits of any of the abovementioned
15 
prohibited acts knowing that the proceeds or fruits are derived from the
16 
commission of said prohibited acts.
17 
Sec. 69. Penalties. -  Any individual, corporation, partnership, association or
18 
other juridical entity that commits any of the prohibited acts in the preceding section
19 
shall be made liable for the following:
20 
(a) 
The penalty of imprisonment of not less than twelve (12) years but
21 
not more than fifteen (15) years or a fine of not less than One Million Pesos
22 
(Phpl,000,000.00) but not more than Three Million Pesos (Php3,000,000.00), or
23 
both imprisonment and fine at the discretion of the court shall be imposed upon any
24 
person found guilty of violating subsections (a)(1) to (b)(18) of the preceding
25 
section, as well as the confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the government of the
26 
objects and the instrumentalities used in the commission of the prohibited acts;
27 
(b) 
The penalty of imprisonment of not less than six (6) years but not
28 
more than eight (8) years or a fine of not less than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos
29 
(Php 500,000.00) but not more than One Million Pesos (Php 1,000,000.00), or both
30 
imprisonment and fine at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon any
31 
person who attempts to commit any of the prohibited acts in the preceding Section,
55


1 
in violation of Subsection (b)(17) thereof;
2 
(c) 
The penalty of imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not
3 
more than six (6) years or a fine of not less than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos
4 
(Php 200,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php
5 
500,000.00), or both imprisonment and fine at the discretion of the court, shall be
6 
imposed upon any person found guilty of unlawfully benefiting from the proceeds or
7 
fruits of any of the prohibited in the preceding section, in violation of subsection
8 
(b)(18) thereof;
9 
(d) 
Aside from the penalty of fine or imprisonment or both, perpetual
10 
disqualification from public office shall be imposed if the offender is a public officer,
11 
and confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the government of the objects and the
12 
instrumentalities used in the commission of any of the prohibited in the preceding
13 
section;
14 
(e) 
If the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, or other
15 
juridical entity, the penalty shall be imposed upon the officer or officers of the
16 
corporation, partnership, association or entity responsible for the violation without
17 
prejudice to the cancellation or revocation of these entities' registration, license or
18 
accreditation issued to them by any licensing or accredited body of the government.
19 
If such offender is an alien, he or she shall, in addition to the penalties prescribed in
20 
this act, be deported without further proceedings after service of sentence;
21 
(f) 
Payment of the full cost of repair or replacement of the government
22 
risk reduction and preparedness equipment, accessories and other vital facility items,
23 
or any part thereof, which is the object of the crime shall likewise be imposed upon
24 
any person who shall commit any of the prohibited acts in the preceding Section;
25 
and
26 
(g) 
The prosecution for offenses set forth under the preceding section
27 
shall be without prejudice to any criminal liability for violation of Republic Act No.
28 
3815, as amended, otherwise known as the "Revised Penal Code", and other
29 
existing laws, as well as the imposition of applicable administrative or civil liabilities.
30 
Sec. 70. Liability for Unlawful Performance o f Duties and State Liability in case
31 
o f Defense Litigation. -  In case a lawsuit is filed against any personnel of the
56


1 
Department as a result of the performance of his or her duties, and such
2 
performance was found to be lawful, he or she shall be reimbursed by the
3 
Department for reasonable costs of litigation. For this purpose, the Department is
4 
authorized to procure applicable liability insurance for its officers and employees.
5 
Sec. 71. Disciplinary powers o f the President -  The President, subject to the
6 
recommendation of the Department Secretary and the Department of the Interior
7 
and Local Government (DILG), shall have the power to impose administrative
8 
sanctions against local chief executives and barangay officials for willful or negligent
9 
acts that relate to the implementation of, or compliance with, this Act and its IRR or
10 
relating to their official functions, which adversely affect disaster resilience projects
11 
such as, but not limited to, delayed issuance of permits or failure to implement local
12 
ordinances.
13 
ARTICLE XIX
14 
DISASTER RESILIENCE FUND
15 
Sec. 72. Appropriations and Management o f Disaster Resilience Fund. -  The
16 
budget of the Department shall be composed of the following, which shall be
17 
collectively called the Disaster Resilience Fund:
18 
a. Annual General Appropriations -  shall provide the funding requirements
19 
for, 
among others, research, 
operations, maintenance, 
plans, 
and
20 
programs of the Department of Disaster Resilience, including, but not
21 
limited to, establishment of evacuation centers, retrofitting of structures,
22 
establishment of emergency operating centers, and implementation of
23 
other disaster risk reduction projects.
24 
b. Disaster Contingency Fund -  shall be in a lump-sum form to provide funds
25 
in case of imminent hazards or actual disasters for, among others,
26 
immediate response, relief and quick recovery 
measures for disaster
27 
affected areas.
28 
c. Rehabilitation and Recovery Fund -  shall provide the funding requirements
29 
for rehabilitation and/or reconstruction projects of disaster affected areas
30 
such as public classrooms, government buildings, public hospitals,
31 
permanent shelters and livelihood programs.
57


1 
The Disaster Resilience Fund shall be managed by the Department to finance
2 
its operations, and disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness, response,
3 
recovery, rehabilitation and building forward better programs, projects and activities
4 
formulated at the national level.
5 
Sec. 73. Continuing Appropriations. -  The unutilized balances from the
6 
Disaster Contingency Fund, and Rehabilitation and Recovery Fund shall be treated as
7 
Continuing Appropriations, which may be used to 
finance the cost of projects,
8 
programs, and/or activities even when such costs are incurred beyond the fiscal year
9 
of the GAA from which such funds were appropriated.
10 
Sec. 74. 
Fund Regulations. -  The DBM and COA shall establish rules and
11 
regulations that apply specifically to the Disaster Resilience Fund to ensure that
12 
funds required for disaster response, recovery, and rehabilitation are available
13 
and/or released efficiently and expeditiously through innovative budgeting and
14 
auditing mechanisms, which may include, among others, providing for longer validity
15 
periods for funds and/or exemption from cash-based budgeting rules; imposing
16 
auditing or reporting requirements, which apply specifically to the utilization of the
17 
Disaster Resilience Fund.
18 
Sec. 75. Local Disaster Resilience Fund and Local Disaster Contingency Fund.
19 
-  LGUs shall annually set aside not less than ten percent (10%) of their local
20 
budget, to constitute a Local Disaster Resilience Fund (LDRF). The LGU shall use its
21 
LDRF to maintain and operate its local disaster resilience office to maintain its
22 
officers, employees and staff, and to implement plans, programs and activities under
23 
its LDRP. 
Thirty percent (30%) of the LDRF shall be set aside as Local Disaster
24 
Contingency Fund (LDCF), which shall be used for disaster response and quick
25 
recovery measures. Nothing contained in this Act shall prevent LGUs from providing
26 
additional funding or allocating additional resources for disaster resilience activities,
27 
plans and programs within their jurisdiction.
28 
Sec. 76. Supplemental LDRF. -  The Department may allocate and disburse
29 
funds to supplement an LGU's LDRF based on the parameters and requirements
30 
indicated in the IRR. In determining such parameters and requirements, the IRR
31 
shall aim to provide supplemental funds to LGUs with low income and/or high
58


1 
exposure to natural hazards. 
Supplemental LDRFs shall, as much as possible, fill
2 
gaps or shortages in LGU resources to ensure that LGUs can implement disaster
3 
resilience measures such as, among others, implementing their LDRP/Provincial
4 
LDRP, establishing their local disaster resilience offices, obtaining and/or maintaining
5 
the necessary equipment and staff in their local disaster resilience offices, and
6 
implementing the NDRF and NDRPIP at the local levels.
7 
Sec. 77. People's Survival Fund. -  The Department shall manage and
8 
administer the People's Survival Fund, created under Republic Act No.. 10174, and
9 
facilitate its utilization by LGUs, through RDROs, to implement climate change
10 
adaptation and mitigation projects of LGUs and enhance the climate resilience of
11 
vulnerable communities.
12 
Sec. 78. Multi-Donor Trust Fund. -  The Department shall create and manage,
13 
together with the Bureau of Treasury, a Multi-Donor Trust Fund for the processing,
14 
releasing and accounting of money and other similar resources intended for disaster
15 
assistance. The Department shall establish a system to ensure transparency in the
16 
management and use of the Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
17 
Sec. 79. Financial Administration. -  The Department shall manage all funds
18 
appropriated to it by Congress and received from other sources. The Department
19 
shall also manage all donations received by it, subject to the auditing powers of the
20 
COA.
21 
To fund its operations, the Department shall have the power to collect fees
22 
derived from the DRRTI and other related activities.
23 
ARTICLE XX
24 
SPECIAL COURTS AND INJUNCTIONS
25 
Sec. 80. Special Courts on Disaster Resilience Matters. -  To ensure the
26 
prompt and expeditious resolution of disputes relating to disaster response, recovery
27 
or rehabilitation measures, the Supreme Court shall designate special courts to hear,
28 
try, and decide cases arising from the following, among others:
29 
a) Expropriation, eminent domain or right-of-way issues related to the
30 
implementation of disaster resilience projects;
31 
b) Failure to comply with standards for disaster risk reduction and continuity
59


1 
planning, including, but not limited to, infrastructure standards and
2 
designs;
3 
c) Commission of prohibited acts under Article XVIII of this Act; and
4 
d) Disputes involving donations, relief goods, or contracts executed or
5 
implemented pursuant to the provisions of this Act.
6 
Sec. 81. Dispute Resolution Mechanisms. -  The Department shall establish a
7 
Disaster Resolution Board, which shall resolve disputes involving administrative
8 
matters related to:
9 
a) Accreditation or denial of accreditation of disaster resilience training
10 
institutions, 
trainers, 
instructors, 
donors, 
volunteers, 
and 
Assisting
11 
Domestic or International Actors;
12 
b) Decisions of the RDROs;
13 
c) Contracts entered into by the Department or any of its agents pursuant to
14 
the provisions of this Act; and
15 
d) Other administrative matters or issues as may be determined by the
16 
Department.
17 
The composition, structure, and other organizational matters related to the
18 
DRB shall be defined and provided in this Act's IRR.
19 
Sec. 82. Imposition o f Temporary Restraining Order. -  No Court, except the
20 
Supreme Court, shall have the power to issue an injunction or a temporary
21 
restraining order against any action taken or projects implemented by the
22 
Department or its agents pursuant to this Act.
23 
ARTICLE X XI
24 
FINAL PROVISIONS
25 
Sec. 83. Transfer o f Functions. -  The following are hereby transferred to the
26 
Department:
27 
a) All the functions of the Climate Change Commission (CCC);
28 
b) Natural disaster-related functions of the National Disaster Risk Reduction
29 
and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense
30 
(OCD); and
31 
c) Natural disaster-response functions of the Department of Social Welfare
60


1 
and Development (DSWD).
2 
Accordingly, the CCC and NDRRMC are hereby abolished.
3 
The DILG, DND, DSWD, and other relevant government instrumentalities,
4 
including the AFP, BFP, PNP, PCG, and OCD, shall continue to perform their
5 
functions related to the management of human-induced disasters, as provided for by
6 
existing laws.
7 
Sec. 84. Transfer o f Resources. -  The transfer of powers and functions listed
8 
above shall include the corresponding funds and appropriations, plantilla positions,
9 
data, records, equipment, facilities, properties and other resources of the concerned
10 
government instrumentalities. The Department shall have the power to reorganize or
11 
reallocate these resources and positions, as may be necessary to attain the goals
12 
and objectives of this Act.
13 
Sec. 85. Program Management Office for the Earthquake Resiliency o f the
14 
Greater Metro Manila Area. -  The Program Management Office for the Earthquake
15 
Resiliency of the Greater Metro Manila Area (PMO-ERG), as created pursuant to and
16 
mandated by Executive Order no. 52, s. 2018, shall be attached to the Department
17 
and be authorized to implement earthquake resiliency programs, projects, and
18 
activities, as it may deem necessary to carry out its mandate and attain its overall
19 
goals. The Flead of the PMO-ERG shall report directly to the SDR.
20 
Sec. 86. Post-Disaster Shelters. -  The Department shall establish a post-
21 
disaster shelter recovery policy framework for low-income/informal settler families,
22 
with the assistance of the appropriate housing agencies and the applicable LGUs. It
23 
shall determine, among others, the appropriate shelter modalities depending on the
24 
following phases: emergency, temporary or transitional, and permanent. The
25 
Department shall likewise identify, assess, and decide on safe zones for the
26 
implementation of recovery or rehabilitation projects.
27 
Sec. 87. Cultural Heritage. -  To protect, preserve, and promote the nation's
28 
historical and cultural heritage, the Department shall assist the relevant cultural and
29 
heritage agencies and the appropriate LGUs to give priority protection and
30 
restoration to all national cultural treasures or national historical landmarks, sites, or
31 
monuments in post-disaster recovery or rehabilitation measures.
61


1 
Sec. 88. Indigenous People. -  The Department, with the assistance of the
2 
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the applicable LGUs, shall
3 
devise and implement mechanisms that foster social protection for indigenous
4 
communities that are vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters.
5 
The Department shall ensure respect for, and protection of, the traditional
6 
resource 
right of the 
Indigenous 
Cultural 
Communities/Indigenous 
Peoples
7 
(ICCs/IPs) to their ancestral domains, and recognize the customary laws and
8 
traditional resource use and management, knowledge, and practices in ancestral
9 
domains.
10 
In ancestral domains that are disaster-prone, the Department, with the
11 
assistance of the NCIP and applicable LGUs, shall create an Ancestral Domain
12 
Disaster Management and Resiliency Plan. It shall likewise properly communicate
13 
and explain information on disaster risks in ancestral domains with the concerned
14 
ICCs/IPs and, as much as possible, engage such ICCs/IPs in jointly formulating a
15 
disaster resiliency plan for their ancestral domain.
16 
Sec. 89. Incentives Program. -  The Department shall establish an incentives
17 
program that recognizes the outstanding promotion and implementation by local
18 
disaster resilience offices, CSOs, academe, and other institutions of disaster
19 
resilience programs and/or projects, and the meritorious acts of individuals or
20 
entities during natural disasters.
21 
Sec. 90. Structural audit o f government buildings and critical infrastructure. -
22 
The Department shall be assisted by the DPWH, DOTr, Department of Energy
23 
(DOE), DOH, DepEd, DICT, DILG, local building officials, and other relevant
24 
government instrumentalities and stakeholders, in ensuring the effective and
25 
expeditious conduct of structural audit, as often as necessary, on government
26 
buildings, critical infrastructure, and private structures to attain the disaster risk
27 
reduction goals of this Act.
28 
Sec. 91. Transitory Provision. -  The functions, assets, funds, equipment,
29 
properties, transactions, and personnel of the affected and transferred agencies, and
30 
the formulation of the internal organic structure, staffing pattern, operating system,
31 
and revised budget of the Department, shall be completed within one (1) year from
62


1 
the effectivity of this Act, during which time the existing personnel shall continue to
2 
assume their posts on holdover capacity. The Department, in collaboration with the
3 
DBM, shall come up with its Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern, both of
4 
which shall be approved within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act.
5 
The Secretary of National Defense shall serve as the interim SDR until such
6 
time that the SDR has been appointed and taken his/her oath of office. Upon
7 
assumption to duty, the SDR shall make use of the existing structure, systems, and
8 
personnel in responding to natural hazards and disasters within the transition period.
9 
In accordance with Section 12 of this Act and the critical importance of
10 
attracting the most competent and dedicated personnel to the Department, suitable
11 
and qualified career personnel from the NDRRMC-OCD, DSWD, and the CCC, as
12 
defined by the CSC and other pertinent rules, may be absorbed by the Department.
13 
The system and mechanics for this shall be defined in the IRR of this Act.
14 
Sec. 92. Magna Carta Benefits. -  Qualified employees of the Department,
15 
including those of its attached agencies, shall be covered by and entitled to the
16 
benefits under Republic Act No. 8439, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for
17 
Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other S & T Personnel in the Government,
18 
and Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Public Health
19 
Workers.
20 
Sec. 93. Hazard Pay. -  All personnel of the Department and the local disaster
21 
resilience offices are entitled to receive hazard pay, subject to the guidelines to be
22 
set forth in the IRR of this Act.
23 
Sec. 94. Separation Benefits o f Officials and Employees o f Affected Agencies.
24 
National government employees displaced or separated from service as a result of
25 
this Act shall be entitled to either separation pay and other benefits in accordance
26 
with existing laws, rules, or regulations, or be entitled to avail themselves of the
27 
privileges provided under a separation plan that shall be one and one-half month
28 
salary for every year of service in the government.
29 
In no case shall there be any diminution of benefits under the separation plan
30 
until the full implementation of this Act. With respect to employees who are not
31 
retained by the Department, the government, through the Department of Labor and
63


1 
Employment, shall endeavor to implement training, job counseling, and job
2 
placement programs.
3 
Sec. 
95. 
Appropriations. 
-  
The 
amount 
necessary 
for 
the 
initial
4 
implementation of this Act shall be taken from the current fiscal year's unexpended
5 
and unobligated appropriations of all agencies herein absorbed, transferred, and
6 
attached to the Department. Thereafter, the amounts necessary for the operation of
7 
the Department and the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual
8 
General Appropriations Act.
9 
Sec. 96. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The Department, DBM, DND,
10 
DOF, DILG, DOST, NEDA, and the PMS shall collectively craft and issue, within
11 
ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Implementing Rules and
12 
Regulations (IRR) for the effective implementation of this Act. They may call upon
13 
other relevant government instrumentalities and stakeholders to assist in the
14 
crafting of the IRR.
15 
Sec. 97. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Disaster Resilience. -
16 
There shall be created a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Disaster
17 
Resilience to monitor the implementation of this Act. The committee shall be
18 
composed of six (6) Members of the House of Representatives and six (6) Senators
19 
to be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President
20 
of the Senate, respectively; Provided, That7 two (2) Members of the House of
21 
Representatives and two (2) Senators shall come from the Minority of their
22 
respective houses of Congress. The committee shall be jointly chaired by a Member
23 
of the House of Representatives and a Senator designated by the Speaker of the
24 
House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, respectively.
25 
Sec. 98. Mandatory Review. -  Within five (5) years after the effectivity of this
26 
Act, or as the need arises, the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Disaster
27 
Resilience shall conduct systematic evaluation of the accomplishments and impact of
28 
this Act, as well as the performance of the Department of its mandate and functions,
29 
for purposes of determining remedial legislation.
30 
Sec. 99. Interpretation. Any doubt in the interpretation of any provision of
31 
this Act shall be resolved in favor of a liberal interpretation that will fulfill the
64


1 
objectives of this Act, especially in relation to the provision of effective, efficient and
2 
timely disaster response, rehabilitation and recovery.
3 
Sec. 100. Separability Clause. -  If any provision of this Act shall be declared
4 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions or parts thereof not otherwise
5 
affected shall remain in full force and effect.
6 
Sec. 101. Repealing Clause. -  The provisions of Republic Act No. 10121,
7 
Republic Act No. 7160, Republic Act No. 7916, Republic Act No. 9184, and all other
8 
laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations and other executive issuances, which
9 
are not consistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed
10 
or amended.
11 
Sec. 102. Effectivlty. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
12 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation
13 
in the Philippines.
Approved,
65