Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5595

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Public schools nationwide have been the designated evacuation centers in
the country for years. In fact, in the past typhoons that hit the country, the
common practice of most residents has been to seek shelter in the
classrooms and covered courts of these schools. Their accessibility to
numerous households has proven beneficial in times of natural calamities,
armed conflicts, and emergencies.

However, public schools are far from ideal to be utilized as an evacuation
center. They lack many facilities to address the needs of displaced families
and the structures in place are not built to house the influx of people seeking
shelter. Cleanliness can also pose as a concern for various amenities are not
available or are not equipped to be used by a large number of people.

This measure proposes the construction of a multi-purpose gym in all
municipalities and cities to serve as a solution to alleviate the current
condition of evacuation centers during times of disasters and calamities. This
bill aims to also make sure that these multi-purpose gyms meet the optimal
safety requirements and that their location is accessible to evacuees. It is
the hope of this representation to improve the current facilities and services

of the government especially during times of disasters and calamities to
ensure the safety of the people.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

JOH VIN IL SERVO” C. NIETO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. peee

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTIPURPOSE
GYM IN ALL MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES TO SERVE AS
EVACUATION CENTER DURING TIMES OF CALAMITY OR DISASTER
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Multipurpose
Gym in all Municipalities and Cities Act of 2019”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to
protect the people's right to life and property, and to promote their general
welfare. Towards this end, the State, in cognizance of the vulnerability of the
Philippines to calamities and disasters, shall provide for the construction of a
multipurpose gym in every municipality and city to serve primarily as refuge
for displaced families in times of calamities and disasters.

SEC. 3. Construction of a Multipurpose Gym. - The Department of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH) shall undertake the construction of a
multipurpose gym in every municipality and city throughout the country
which shall serve as a civic center and as an evacuation center for residents
during calamities and disasters: Provided, That any such construction is
based on a program prepared by DPWH in coordination with a representative
of the municipality and city concerned: Provided, further, That the municipal
or city mayor shall be furnished with the pertinent documents, data and
information before any construction shall commence: Provided, finally, That
Local Government Units (LGUs) may include in their respective local
infrastructure program the construction of a multipurpose gym.

SEC. 4. Construction Priority. - The DPWH shall give construction priority
to third to sixth class municipalities, especially those located in disaster-
prone areas. The DPWH shall coordinate with the National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council and the LGUs concerned to determine
which disaster-prone areas to prioritize in the construction of the facility.

Priority shall also be given to municipalities whose residents shall render
volunteer labor services for the construction of the multipurpose gym and for
this purpose, the DPWH shall issue the necessary guidelines.


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

SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the
Official Gazette.

Approved,