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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3783

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 5, Article 2 of the Constitution states that “[t]he maintenance of peace and
order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of the general welfare are
essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessing of democracy.”

Recognizing the policy of the State to uphold the protection of life and general welfare
of the people, Republic Act No. 10121 was enacted into law to develop policies and plans, as
well as implement actions and measures pertaining to disaster risk reduction and management.
These include good governance, risk assessment and early warning, knowledge building, and
awareness raising, reducing underlying risk factors, and preparedness for effective response
and early recovery.

Indeed, our country is no stranger to disasters and calamities. Located along the typhoon
belt, the Philippines is visited by an average of 20 Tropical Cyclones per year, 8-9 of which
pass through during the months of July to October.' Along with typhoons, natural calamities
such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are also prevalent here in the Philippines due to our
country’s geographical location along the “Pacific Ring of Fire.”? We have seen how severely
affected Filipinos are due to the damages brought about by these natural calamities and how
efficient and rapid emergency response can save lives.

* https:/bagong.pagasa.dost. gov ph/ciimate/tropical-cyclone-information

https:/www.adre.asia/nationinformation php ?NationCode=608&Lang=ent#~:text=Located%20along%
20the%20typhoon%20belt, frequent%20earthquakes%20and%20volcanic%20eruptions.


With the experiences we have gained with Super typhoon Yolanda and other strong
typhoons that have caused destruction as they passed through the country, there is clearly a
need to institutionalize a central repository for goods and medicines so that these would be
readily available during relief operations in the immediate aftermath of calamities and disasters

Furthermore, we have witnessed in the past few years the drastic effects of the COVID-
19 pandemic to the Filipino people, especially during the first few months of the “Enhanced
Community Quarantine” (ECQ) wherein Filipinos were strictly enforced to stay at home
People’s movement was restricted, severely affecting Filipinos without access to
transportation. The privileged who could afford to purchase food and medicine resorted to
“panic buying” during the start of the ECQ. which resulted in shortages of food, medicines,
and other essential basic goods that are needed in our everyday lives. On the other hand, the
underprivileged Filipinos had no choice but to resort to “ayudas” or aids from their respective
local government units (LGUs). Emergency relief goods were distributed to houses during the
months of ECQ. Unfortunately, these goods would only last a few days, especially in a large
household. And due to the shortage in the government supply of emergency relief goods, non-
government agencies (NGOs), private companies, and even other good Samaritans pitched in
to provide goods for the less privileged Filipinos. These experiences also underscore the need
for an ample reserve of emergency relief items year-round.

This measure aims to establish the National Emergency Stockpile which shall be the
central repository and supply reserve of medicines, vaccines, antidotes, food items, basic
commodities, and other equipment essential for emergency and disaster response. The
establishment of the National Emergency Stockpile shall help our national government become
pro-active during a declared local or national state of calamity or emergency. During times of
emergencies, the Filipino people deserves the swiftest response from the national government.
Because these times, time wasted may possibly be a life lost.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

A. GUINTU
ftative, PINUNO Partylist


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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

~, 3783

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu

AN ACT
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY
STOCKPILE, 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 “National Emergency
Stockpile Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — |t is the declared policy of the State to protect the
people from the adverse effects of calamities and emergencies by ensuring a sufficient and
adequate supply of essential items and materials and preventing whenever possible the
dangerous and costly dependence of Philippines on foreign nations and organizations for
suppliers of such items and materials and the country’s vulnerability to production and supply-
chain disruptions.

SEC. 3. National Emergency Stockpile. - The National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC) shall hereby establish the National Emergency Stockpile
(hereinafter referred to as the “Stockpile”) which shall be the central repository and supply
reserve of medicines, vaccines, antidotes, and other critical medical supplies, food items, basic
commodities, essential raw materials and other emergency-related articles, facilities and
equipment. The specific items and materials to be included in the Stockpile shall be determined
by the NDRRMC, in consultation with the Department of National Defense, Department of
Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development and other
relevant government agencies: Provided, That such items and materials shall be non-perishable
or shall have a shelf life of at least two (2) years.



SEC. 4. Location of the Stockpile, - The NDRRMC shall determine the actual
locations of the Stockpile, taking into consideration equitable distribution among the regions
of the country, accessibility, safety and security from man-made and natural disasters, and
immediate release of the stockpile in case of disaster or emergency. The actual locations shall
be kept strictly confidential and shall not be publicly disseminated.

SEC. 5. Quantity and Replenishment of the Stockpile. — The quantity and volume of
the Stockpile shall be strictly and regularly monitored and maintained. Replenishment,
replacement and addition to the Stockpile shall be done on an annual basis or as often as may
be deemed necessary. Pursuant to this, a computerized system for the real-time monitoring of
the date of expiration and shelf life of the items and materials in the Stockpile shall be set up
to avoid unnecessary wastage and decay.

SEC. 6. Utilization and Deployment of the Stockpile.—The utilization and deployment
of the Stockpile shall only be done in case of a declared local or national state of calamity or
emergency and with the approval of the NDRRMC. Any order of utilization and deployment
shall be accompanied with a time-specific plan for the replenishment and replacement of the
withdrawn supplies.

AA first-in, first-out system or any similar arrangement shall be adopted in the utilization
and deployment of the Stockpile. Items and materials that will be near their expiration dates or
the end of their shelf life shall be donated and transferred to appropriate government agencies
and institutions such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of
Health, government hospitals, and local government units for immediate distribution to
indigent citizens or other beneficiaries as may be identified by the concerned agency or
institution, subject to immediate replenishment and replacement and/or reservation for
imminent calamities or emergencies.

SEC. 7. Prepositioning of the Stockpile. —|n preparation of the occurrence of a disaster
or calamity that can be reasonably predicted using available technology or information, the
NDRRMC shall preposition items and materials from the Stockpile in secured storage facilities
or warehouses near the areas expected to be affected by the disaster or calamity.

SEC. 8, Annual Report. — The NDRRMC shall submit to the Office of the President,
the Senate and the House of Representatives, within the first quarter of every year, an annual
report relating to the progress of the implementation of this Act. The confidentiality of the
locations of the Stockpile shall be observed in the Annual Report.

SEC. 9. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act
shall be included in the annual general appropriations of the year following its enactment into
law and thereafter.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the NDRRMC in consultation with the Department of National Defense,


Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and
Development and other relevant government agencies, shall issue the necessary rules and
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section, subsection, clause or
term of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, such parts not affected by such declaration
shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. ~ All existing laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations,
or parts thereof. inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, modified or
repealed accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,