Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1403

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is a common practice to use public schools as evacuation centers
during calamities. armed confliets, and emergencies, However, schools are not ideal
Venues for such purpose because they lack the necessary amenities to accommodate

evacuees,

Furthermore. using schools as evacuation centers brings about another concern:
the disruption of the students’ academic activities. The classes are severely
This disp

affected when evacuees

nnot_ immediately vacate school premise:

students (0 makeshifi classrooms which may not he conducive to learning.

This bill proposes the construction of a multi-purpose gym in every
focal government in the Philippines. ‘This structure will permanently serve as
evacuation centers in times of calamities,

The bill also sets the optimum safety requirements that these gyms should

meet, The proposed evacuation

gym must he easily accessible to evacuees and
emergency. rescue personnel, The gym must be able to withstand any natural of mane
made disasters, It must be designed to have space that ean be used flexibly for

reereational activities and as sleeping quarters during the evacuation, ‘The gym

must also be well-ventilated, able to aecommodate large groups of people, and must
have bathing and toilet amenities

The proposed gym will not only effectively address the needs of displaced
families in times of emergencies, but will also allow students to finish their
academic calendar without disruption, Thus. the passage of this bill is sought

EP, ALFRED D.WARGAS
th District, Quezon City



Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGR
First Regular Session

House Bill no tt08

INTRODUCED BY REPRES!

NTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A _ MULTI-
PURPOSE GYM IN ALL MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES TO SERVE
AS EVACUATION CENTERS DURING TIMES OF CALAMITY OR
DISASTER AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in congress assembled.

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Multi-Purpose Gym
in All Municipalities and Cities Act 2019"

Section 2. Declaration of Policy, - \\ 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 multi-purpose gym in
every municipality and city to serve primarily as refuge for displaced families in
times of calamities and disasters.

Section 3. Construction of a Multi-Purpose Gym. - The Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall undertake the construction of a multi-
purpose gym in every municipality and city throughout the country which shall
serve as a civie center and as an evacuation center for residents during calamities
and disasters: Provided, ‘That any such construction is based on a program
prepared by the 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 the Local Government

Units (LGUs) may include in their respective local infrastructure program the
construction of a multi-purpose gym.


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

Priority shall aiso. be given to municipalities whose residents will
volunteer labor services for the construction thereof and for this purpose. DPWH

shall issue the necessary guidelines.

Section 5, Multi-Purpose Gym Requirements, - The facilities shall, at
the minimum, have the following requirements

a, Location The multi-purpose gym should be easily accessible to
evacuees
fe

and to emergency rescue personnel. It should be kept at as
distance from
danger areas or hazards. LGUs concerned shall coordinate
with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
to identify the appropriate location of the multi-purpose gym.
h. Sructural Capacity ~ The multi-purpose um must be able to
withstand wind
speeds of at least 155 miles per hour and seismic activity of at least
He
magnitude. The DPWH shall formulate the building specifications
for the multi-purpose gyms and_—shall_— ensure the
compliance with these specifications during the _ construction
of the facilities. DPWH_ shall
periodically review, and if necessary. revise the specifications as
needed
© Amenities - The multi-purpose gym must be well-ventilated and
able to
accommodate large numbers of evacuees, it shall have, at the
minimum, the
following amenities:
1. Floor area devoid of permanent fixtures to be used
flexibly for
assemblies. sports events. and as sleeping quarters
evacuees:
2. Shower and toilet facilities: and
3. Isolated area that can be used as a clinic in times of
evacuations

for

Section 6. Operation and Management of the Multi-purpose Gym. -
The operation and management of the multi-purpose gym shall be under the
office of the municipal or city mayor. For purposes of this Act, LGUs concerned
are hereby authorized to issue rules and regulations on the use of the facility and to
impose the minimal charges as may be necessary for the maintenance and minimal
repairs of the Facility



Section 7 Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the
immediate implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be charged
against the current appropriations of the DPWH. Thereafter, such sum as may
he necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

The LGUs are authorized to utilize local funds as may be provided in their
respective appropriation ordinances for the implementation of this Act.

Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty (30) days
fromthe approval of this Act, the DPWH shall promulgate the rules and
regulations implementing the provisions of this Act. The implementing rules
and regulations issued pursuant to this Act shall take effect thirty (30) days after
its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Scetion 9, Separability Clause, - In the event that any provision of this
Act is declared unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be
affected by such declaration,

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

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

Approved.