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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _________ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution directs the State to safeguard the 
people and uphold their right to a balanced and healthful ecology. In a disaster-prone 
country like the Philippines, this constitutional duty cannot be achieved without 
science-based planning, preparedness, and risk reduction. 
The Philippines is consistently ranked among the most disaster-exposed nations 
worldwide. The 2024 World Risk Report placed the country at the top of the World 
Risk Index among 193 UN member states, with a score of 46.91—evidence of both 
extreme exposure and high vulnerability to natural hazards.1 According to the World 
Bank’s Climate Knowledge Portal, 60% of Philippine land and 74% of its population 
are at risk from floods, cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides.2 
From 1990 to the present, the country has suffered 565 natural disasters, 
claiming more than 70,000 lives and causing $23 billion (around ₱1.3 trillion) in 
damages. While earthquakes and volcanic eruptions cannot be prevented, the severity 
and frequency of climate-related hazards—particularly typhoons and flooding—are 
projected to worsen. The Philippines’ position in the Northwestern Pacific Basin, the 
world’s most active tropical cyclone zone, further heightens this danger. 
Yet despite these realities, many localities still lack updated and accessible 
hazard maps. This gap in reliable risk information undermines the capacity of 
communities and local governments to prepare for disasters, plan safe settlements, 
and enforce zoning regulations. 
This bill therefore proposes the creation of a centralized and comprehensive 
National Hazard Mapping Program. It requires the responsible agencies to produce 
high-resolution, multi-hazard maps that are scientifically sound, regularly updated, 
1  Bundnis Entwicklung Hilf. World Risk Index 2024. Published on 9 September 2024. Available at 
https://weltrisikobericht.de/worldriskreport/#iLightbox[efa5fa0bcb29544013c]/l (Accessed on 8 July 2025) 
2 World Bank. Climate Change Knowledge Portal. Available at 
https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/philippines/vulnerability (Accessed on 8 July 2025) 
September 1, 2025
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publicly available, and usable for local development planning, disaster risk reduction, 
and emergency response. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought 
EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A LIST OF LOW-LYING AREAS OF THE 
PHILIPPINE TERRITORY VULNERABLE TO RISING SEA LEVELS AS A RESULT 
OF CLIMATE CHANGE, AND AREAS AT HIGH RISK FOR NATURAL DISASTERS, 
MANDATING 
THE 
DEPARTMENT 
OF 
ENVIRONMENT 
AND 
NATURAL 
RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, CLIMATE 
CHANGE COMMISSION, AND OTHER CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 
FOR ITS REGULAR UPDATING, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
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 "Hazard Mapping Act." 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect the safety 
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and general welfare of the public. Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to 
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formulate a science-based approach in planning, preparing, and reducing the risk of 
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natural disasters through an orderly layout of the national land mass with the 
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identification of low-lying areas vulnerable to rising sea levels as a result of climate 
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change, and areas at high risk for natural disasters. 
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The State shall likewise establish an organized and efficient system of 
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evacuation from these areas in the event of imminent danger. 
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SEC. 3. National Disaster Map. - Within one (1) year after the effectivity of this 
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Act, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the 
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National Mapping and Resources Information Authority (NAMRIA), together with the 
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Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Climate Change Commission, and 
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National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) are directed 
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to provide and issue a national disaster map of the Philippines, identifying the low-
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lying areas vulnerable to rising sea levels as a result of climate change and areas at 
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high risk for natural disasters. It shall also contain proper identification of lands 
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bordering sea levels, exposed to volcanic eruption and lying earthquake faults, with 
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the criteria for evacuation and illustration of recommended evacuation sites and routes.  
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Information sources for the national disaster map should not be limited to 
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scientific instrument-based data, but shall utilize a holistic approach which may include 
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indigenous peoples' knowledge, fieldwork, and historical disaster data.  
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The national disaster map shall be updated regularly to reflect the latest data and 
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risk assessments and shall be made available and easily accessible to the public and 
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Local Government Units. 
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SEC. 4. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial implementation 
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of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the 
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implementing agencies under this Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary 
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for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General 
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Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 5. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall 
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remain in force and effect. 
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SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
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executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions 
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of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 7. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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