Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _3478

Introduced by Representative Jorge Antonio P. Bustos

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide group accident insurance coverage for the first
disaster responders, amending for the purpose Republic Act (RA) No. 10121,
otherwise known as the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Act of 2010.”

Under Section 15 of RA 10121, local government units have the primary
responsibility as first disaster responders. First disaster responders refer to
trained individuals who immediately respond and arrive at the scene of
emergency or disaster and provide assistance for the protection and preservation
of life, property and environment. Given the limited personnel of local
government units, the different national government agencies are also deploying
personnel to act as first disaster responders. These personnel are risking their
lives and limbs to provide assistance during disasters. As first disaster
responders, they are very vulnerable to sustain injuries and are also exposed to
health risks which may lead to fatalities.

The Philippines is a country that is prone to natural disasters such as
typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides and other natural
disasters. Aside from natural disasters that our country is experiencing every
year, our country also faces the possibility of human induced disasters such as
fires, armed-conflict and transportation accidents.


In places vulnerable to floods, there are reported cases that first disaster
responders often contract leptospirosis after rescue operations. Sadly, these
firstdisaster responders are without healthcare benefits nor any insurance which
can cover medical expenses.

Calamities and disastersarealready part of our daily lives and the role of
first disaster responders is really indispensable. In return to their invaluable
services, our government must provide them ample protection so that they can
continue performing their jobs and exert more dedication in doing so.By
providing them with a group accident insurance coverage, besides boosting their
morale, these brave men and women and their families will be financially
protected.

‘This bill proposes that the group accident insurance provide the following
benefits to first disaster responders:

a. Loss of life indemnity;

b. Dismemberment, loss of sight, hearing, speech indemnity;

cc. Permanent total disability; and

d. Medical expense reimbursement.

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

CONG. JORG iTONIO P. BUSTOS


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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._ 2476

Introduced by Representative Jorge Antonio P. Bustos

AN ACT
PROVIDING GROUP ACCIDENT INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THE
FIRST DISASTER RESPONDERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10121, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“PHILIPPINE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION MANAGEMENT ACT OF
2010,"AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 15 of Republic Act No. 10121 is hereby amended to
read as follows:
“SEC. 15. Coordination During Emergencies. — The
LDRRMCs shall take the lead in preparing for, responding to, and
recovering from the effects of any disaster based on the following

criteria:


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(a) x20

(b) xxx;

(©) xxx;

(d) xxx; and

(e) xxx.”

The NDRRMC and intermediary LDRRMCs shall always act as
support to LGUs which have the primary responsibility as first disaster
responders. Private sector and civil society groups shall work in
accordance with the coordination mechanism and policies set by the
NDRRMC and concerned LDRRMCs.”

ALL GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL ASSIGNED AS FIRST
DISASTER RESPONDERS SHALL BE COVERED BY A
GROUP ACCIDENT INSURANCE POLICY. THE GROUP
ACCIDENT INSURANCE POLICY MUST COVER THE
FOLLOWING:

(A) LOSS OF LIFE INDEMNITY;

(B) DISMEMBERMENT, LOSS OF SIGHT, HEARING,
SPEECH INDEMNITY;

(C) PERMANENT TOTAL DISABILITY; AND

(D) MEDICAL EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT.


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THE PAYMENT OF THE PREMIUM FOR THE GROUP
ACCIDENT INSURANCE POLICY FOR THE FIRST
RESPONDERS SHALL BE BORNE EITHER BY THE
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OR BY THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNITS WHICH ENGAGED SUCH
PERSONNEL.

SEC. 2.The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall
be charged against the current appropriations of the Office of the Civil Defense on
Quick Response Fund. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its continued
implementation shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 3.Within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act, the Secretary
of National Defense and the Secretary of Interior and Local Governmentshall
promulgate the rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,