Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 7218

Introduced by Representative Vini Nola A. Ortega

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Every year, our country experiences an approximate of ten (10) destructive tropical
typhoons according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council. Last December
2017, the southern parts of our country were devastated by Typhoon Vinta, leaving at least one
hundred (100) persons dead.

Asa country prone to natural disasters, it is of paramount importance that our communities
are well equipped when the need arises. Thus, this bill seeks to establish all existing and future
government funded or owned covered basketball courts to be disaster-proof by providing
additional facilities therein and ensuring that its structural capacity could withstand natural
disasters.

It shall be utilized as the primary evacuation center in municipalities and cities where there
are no existing evacuation centers or as additional or alternative evacuation centers in
municipalities and cities with existing evacuation centers duly designated by the local disaster risk
reduction management council.

Furthermore, this bill is the solution in cities and municipalities where there are not enough

proper, humane, and safe evacuation centers. The same is also the answer to prevent the disruption
of classes due to the usage of classrooms as alternative evacuation centers in cities and

municipalities in times of calamity or disaster.
VINI Get ol

ABONO Partyist



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 7218

Introduced by Representative Vini Nola A. Ortega

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF ALL GOVERNMENT OWNED OR
FUNDED BASKETBALL COURTS TO SERVE AS AN ALTERNATIVE EVACUATION
CENTERS DURING 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 “Alternative Evacuation
Centers Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy ~ It is the policy of the State to uphold the
people’s right to life and property. Towards this end, the State shall establish all
government funded or owned basketball courts as alternative evacuation centers, thus,
appropriating funds for its structural enhancement and construction of additional facilities
to function as such.

SECTION 3. Alternative Evacuation Centers — All government owned or funded
basketball courts shall be utilized as alternative evacuation centers in every cities and
municipalities. Provided, the said basketball courts shall undergo structural enhancement
to ensure the safety of all evacuees. Provided further, additional facilities shall be
constructed to cater the needs of the evacuees.

SECTION 4. Implementing Agency — The Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH) shall lead in the structural enhancement of all government owned or
funded basketball courts as well as the construction of additional facilities. The National


Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) shall supervise the overall
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 5. Requirements ~The DPWH shall undertake the following structural
enhancement and construction of additional facilities on all basketball courts covered in
this Act:

) Structural Enhancement: The basketball court, after enhancement, shall be able
to withstand a super typhoon with wind speed of at least three hundred (220)
kilometers per hour and seismic activity of at least 7.2 magnitude.

b) Additional Facilities: The Department of Public Works and Highways shall also
construct the following facilities which would cater to the needs of the evacuees
in times of disaster or calamity:

i. Food and water storage facility;

. Food preparation area;

. Shower and toilet facilities which can accommodate at least 30

persons utilized according to gender;

iv. Storage for livestock
iv.2. The livestock storage shall be isolated from food and

water storage facility and food preparation area to
maintain cleanliness of the food and to prevent any
contamination that may cause infection to evacuees.

Medical or isolation room;

. Power or portable generator facility.

SECTION 6. Role of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council
and the Local Government Unit — The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Council or their local units shall provide for the list of qualified basketball courts to
undergo structural enhancement and construction of additional facilities based on the safety
of the location of the basketball court and the space available for additional construction.
Provided, that no basketball court shall be included in the list which are located near a fault
line, disaster prone area or whenever the location of the basketball court is deemed
dangerous by the NDRRMC.

‘The Local Government Unit shall be responsible in the proper maintenance of the
enhanced basketball court as alternative evacuation center. The same shall ensure the
availability of the alternative evacuation center at all times especially during the typhoon
season. The LGU shall also ensure the availability of potable and non-potable water and
power source by means of generators during calamity or disaster.


SECTION 7. Priority in Enhancement and Construction of Additional Facilities
~ The Department of Public Works and Highways shall prioritize the structural
enhancement of basketball courts and construction of additional facilities in cities and
municipalities where there are no existing evacuation centers and that the said cities and
municipalities are prone to disaster or calamity. The NDRRMC shall provide for the list of
cities and municipalities which shall be given priority according to this section.

SECTION 8. Appropriations. — The funds for the enhancement of basketball
courts and construction of additional facilities in accordance with this Act shall be charged
to the appropriations of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

SECTION 9. Separablity Clause. ~ Whenever any provision or part of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected hsll
remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Repeating Clause ~ All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations,
and other issuances inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,