EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF I HE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE
s. No. 
4 7
cf (i;f a-icciktary
'19 
JUL -1 
All ••41
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
RiCZ
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTIPURPOSE GYM IN ALL 
MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES TO SERVE AS EVACUATION CENTER DURING 
TIMES OF CALAMITY OR DISASTER AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Explanatory Note
Schools have traditionally been utilized as default evacuation centers in times of 
calamities, disasters, conflicts, and emergencies. Schools however, are not well equipped to 
accommodate evacuees since these lack the necessary facilities for displaced families.
The use of schools as evacuation centers for displaced families also gives rise to another 
group of displaced individuals: the students. The education of children is severely affected when 
families cannot immediately vacate school premises because their houses have not yet been 
repaired or reconstructed. This relegates students to makeshift classrooms that may not be 
conducive to learning. Moreover, its cost can take away from the meager budget what could be 
better utilized for more permanent solutions to problems brought about by disasters.
The construction of multipurpose gyms in the country’s 1,489 municipalities1 2 and 145 
cities" nationwide will be a pennanent recourse for evacuation in times of calamities and natural 
or man-made disasters. The gym must be able to withstand typhoons, earthquakes and other 
disasters. It must be designed to have space that can be used flexibly for social activities, 
sporting events, and as sleeping quarters during the evacuation. The multipurijose gym must be 
well-ventilated, able to accommodate large groups of people, and must have ample bathing and 
sanitation facilities. When not in use as a refuge center, the multipurpose gym, which should be 
in a location where people and emergency rescue personnel can easily access, can be a 
storehouse for disaster rescue equipment and emergency supplies.
With the reality of stronger typhoons brought about by climate change and the 
geographical location of the Philippines making it the second most disaster-prone country3, 
seeking temporary solutions to the displacement of families by using schools as evacuation 
centers must be stopped. There should be no tradeoff between protecting lives and the education 
of students. A better and more pennanent facility must be made available to people in times of 
emergencies.
In the light of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
f'MPC'
As of 3 1 March 2019. hUps://psa.gov.pli/classillcation/psgc/
2 Ibid.
United Nations University World Risk Report 2014 littp://ehs.unu.edu/news/news/world-risk-repoi1-2014.html


EIGIITELM H CONGRESS OE THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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S. No
SENATE
47
sDJfiLi' of iiji- £ »rai'tnrp
*19 
JUL -1 
All :4l
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Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto
RECEi Vi !J
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MULTIPURPOSE GYM IN ALL 
MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES TO SERVE AS EV ACUATION CENTER DURING 
TIMES OF CALAMITY OR DISASTER AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
SECTION I. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the “Multipui-pose Gym in all 
Municipalities and Cities Act of 2019”.
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. -  It 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 multipurj^ose gym in every municipality and city to serve primarily as 
refuge for displaced families in times of calamities and disasters.
SEC. 3. Construction of a Multipurpose Gym. -  The Department of Public Works 
and Highways (DPWH) shall undertake the construction of a multipurpose gym in every 
municipality and city throughout the country which shall serve as a civic center and as an 
evacuation center for residents during calamities and disasters: Provided, That any such 
construction is based on a program prepared by 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 Local Government Units (LGUs) may include in their 
respective local infrastructure program the construction of a multipurpose gym.
SEC. 4. Construction Priority. -  The DPWH shall give construction priority to third to 
sixth class municipalities, especially those located in disaster-prone areas. The DPWH shall 
coordinate with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the LGUs 
concerned to determine which disaster-prone areas to prioritize in the construction of the facility.
Priority shall also be given to municipalities whose residents shall render volunteer labor 
services for the construction of the multipurpose gym and for this purpose, the DPWH shall issue 
the necessary guidelines.
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SEC. 5, Multipurpose Gym Recjuirements. -  The facilities shall, at the minimum, have 
the following requirements:
a. Location -  The multipuipose gym should be easily accessible to evacuees and 
to emergency rescue personnel. It should be kept at a safe 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 
multipurpose gym.
b. Structural Capacity -  The multipurpose gyms must be able to withstand wind 
speeds of at least 155 miles per hour and seismic activity of at least 7.0 
magnitude. The DPWH shall fonnulate the building specifications for the 
multipurpose gyms and shall ensure the compliance with these specifications 
during the construction of the facilities. DPWH shall periodically review, and if 
necessary, revise the herein stated specifications as needed.
c. Amenities -  The multipurpose gym must be well-ventilated and can 
accommodate large numbers of evacuees. It shall have, at the minimum, the 
following amenities:
1. Floor area devoid of pennanent fixtures to be used flexibly for
assemblies, sports events, and as sleeping quarters for evacuees;
2. Shower and toilet facilities; and
3. Isolated area that can be used as a clinic in times of evacuations.
SEC. 6. Operation and Management of the Multipurpose Gym. -  The operation and 
management of the multipurpose 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 minimal charges as may be necessary for the maintenance 
and minimal repairs of the facility.
SEC. 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 be 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.
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  Within thirty (30) days from the 
approval of this Act, the DPWH shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of 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.
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SEC. 9. Separability Clause. -  In the event that any provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional or invalid, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected by such
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declaration.
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SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or portions
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thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 11. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.
Approved,
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