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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3526

Introduced by Rep. CHRISTOPHER S. CO, and Rep. RODEL M. BATOCABE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to penalize any person who refuses to comply with Forced/Mandatory
evacuation orders from the local government unit (LGU) of his/her place of residence.

‘The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has a “Zero
Casualty” policy during calamities, especially during slow onset disasters such as typhoons and
other weather disturbances. In 2003, the President authorized the use of police powers to force
the evacuation of residents living along riverbanks, low-lying areas, mountain slopes and other
vulnerable areas during typhoons and heavy downpours.

‘According to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Philippine Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121), the local councils are responsible for
recommending the implementation of forced or preemptive evacuation of local residents in
times of calamity, if necessary. These shall be based on vulnerability assessments of areas that
are prone to hazards.

However, these policies will be worthless if residents of hazardous areas refuse to
comply with regulations to ensure their safety. The Zero Casualty goals of the Council will be
put to waste. In this regard, and to create a better and more efficient risk mitigation and
preparedness program, this bill seeks to penalize those who refuse to comply with government
orders for mandatory evacuation.
arnestly sought.

In light dithese circumstances, the swift passage of this bilL

REP. CHRASNOPHER S. CO REP. KODEV/M. BATOCABE


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 3526

AN ACT PENALIZING ANY PERSON WHO REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH GOVERNMENT ORDERS
OF MANDATORY OR FORCED EVACUATION DURING TIMES OF CALAMITY OR DISASTE!
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10121, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM,
PROVIDING FOR THE NATIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT
FRAMEWORK AND INSTITUTIONALIZING THE NATIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND
MANAGEMENT PLAN, 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. Section 9 of Republic Act no. 10121, otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010" is hereby further amended by inserting a new
subparagraph (n), to read as follows:

Sec. 19. Prohibited Acts.- Any person, group or corporation who
commits any of the following prohibited acts shall be held liable and be
subjected to the penalties as prescribed in Section 20 of this Act:

XXX

(n) Refusal to comply with government orders of mandatory or forced
evacuation during times of calamity or disaster.

SECTION 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter
of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with, the
provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

6 Approved.

SECTION 4. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days in at least one (1) newspaper
of general circulation.