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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSEBiLL~No.     5545
Introduced by Representative Charisse Anne C. Hemandez
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Narciso Calayag, Jerson Resurreccion, Marvy Bartolome, George Agustin and
Troy Justin Agusin.  They were the heroic rescuers of the  Province of Bulacan who
passed away while performing their duty amid the onslaught of Typhoon Karding last
September 25, 2022.
We honor and remember the heroism and bravery of these men who gave their
lives in the performance of their duty to save and protect other people. But let this be
a reminder to us that while the first responders put their lives to serve the country and
the people, they should be protected from the risk of their job. The families that they
could leave behind should also have an assurance should the risk of the job take their
loved ones away.
It is an opportune time to turn our attention to the risks and hazards that our
first responders face during a disaster or calamity. And truly. they also deserve to get
a hazard pay.
The  Philippines,  being  a typhoon-prone  country  deals with  20 typhoons  per
year on the average. This is set to increase due to climate change and our Disaster
Risk Reduction Workers risk their lives during calamities Hence,  it is proper that aid
and protection shall be given to them by the State.
This bill seeks to provide group accident insurance coverage for first disaster
responders,  whether they  are  employed  as  permanent,  temporary,  contractual,  or
casual employees of the government, and a hazard pay, thereby amending Republic
Act No. 10121  or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010
to include provisions pertaining to these benefits.


Afterall, under the same Act, it is stated that it is the policy of the State to "Adopt
a disaster risk reduction and management approach that is holistic, comprehensive,
integrated, and proactive in lessening the socioeconomic and environmental impacts
of disasters including climate change and promote the involvement and participation
of  all   sectors  and  all   stakeholders  concerned,  at  all   levels,  especially  the  local
community."
ln view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
Representative
Lone District, Calamba City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HoUsEBiLL-No.    5545
Introduced by Representative Charisse Anne C. Hernandez
AN ACT
PROVIDING   GROUP   ACCIDENT   INSURANCE   COVERAGE   FOR   THE   FIRST
DISASTER RESPONDERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.
10121, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ``PHILIPPINE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2010," AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be  it enacted  by the  Senate  and  the  House  of Representatives of the  Philippines
Congress assembled:
SECTION  1.  Section  3  of  Republic  Act  No.10121   is  hereby  amended  to  read  as
follows:
"Section 3.  Definition of Terms -For purposes of this Act, the following shall refer to:
``Public DRRM Workers" -all persons who are engaged in the performance of
duties covering any or all Thematic Pillars of DRRM-Prevention and Mitigation,
Preparedness,  Response,  and  Rehabilitation  and  Recovery-employed  by the
government or any of its political subdivisions, instrumentalities, or agencies.
The  Public  DRRM  Worker  may  either  be  civilian  personnel  engaged   in  a
permanent, temporary,  contractual,  or casual  employment  or a  Public  DRRM
Worker engaged through a Contract of Service (Cos) and Job Order (JO) and
such other appointments, so long as their position or designation or actual work
performed involves government service work."
SEC. 2.-Section 15 of Republic Act No.10121  is hereby amended to read as follows:


"SEC.15.  Coordination during  Emergencies. -The LDRRMCs shall take the lead  in
preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the effects of any disaster based on
the following criteria:
(a)xxx;
(b)-;
(c)x-;
(d)  xxx; and
(e)xx.„
The NDRRMC and intermediary LDRRMCs shall always act as support to LGUs which
have  the  primary  responsibility  as first disaster  responders.  Private  sector and  civil
society groups shall work in accordance with the coordination mechanism and policies
set by the NDRRMC and concerned LDRRMCs."
PUBLIC   DRRM  WORKERS  ASSIGNED  AS  FIRST   DISASTER  RESPONDERS
SHALL  BE  COVERED   BY  A  GROUP  ACCIDENT   INSURANCE   POLICY.  THE
GROUP ACCIDENT INSURANCE POLICY MUST COVER THE FOLLOWING:
(A)         LOSSOFLIFEINDEMNITY;
(a)        DISMEMBERMENT, LOSS OF SIGHT, HEARING, SPEECH INDEMNITY;
(C)         PERMANENT TOTAL DISABILITY; AND
(D)         MEDICAL EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT.
THE  PAYMENT  OF  THE  PREMIUM  FOR THE  GROUP  ACCIDENT  INSURANCE
POLICY  FOR  THE  FIRST  RESPONDERS  SHALL  BE  BORNE  EITHER  BY  THE
NATIONAL   GOVERNMENT   AGENCIES   OR   BY  THE   LOCAL   GOVERNMENT
UNITS WHICH ENGAGED SUCH PERSONNEL.
PUBLIC DRRIVI WORKERS SHALL BE GRANTED A HAZARD PAY EQUIVALENT
TO   TEN   (10)   PERCENT   OF   THEIR   MONTHLY   BASIC   SALARY,   AND   NOT
SUBJECT TO TAX.
SEC.  3.I  The  amount  necessary  for  the  initial  implementation  of this  Act  shall  be
charged against the current appropriations of the Office of the Civil Defense on Quick
Response  Fund.  Thereafter,   such  sum   as  may  be  necessary  for  its  continued
implementation shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 4.-Within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act, the Secretary of National
Defense  and  the  Secretary  of Interior and  Local  Government shall  promulgate  the
rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 5.-This Act shall take effect fifteen  (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,