Republic of the Philippines F iE CEIVED
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES “t fp

Quezon City, Metro Manila

t= oy

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4942

Introduced by Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Within our lifetime, we have witnessed the Province of Leyte
becoming the site of the worst disasters ever to afflict our country.

On November 8, 2013, the strongest tropical cyclone to have made
landfall in history rampaged through the province. Super Typhoon
“Yolanda” (“Haiyan”) battered the province resulting in the loss of
thousands of lives and enormous destruction to properties.

Just twenty-two (22) years earlier, on November 5, 1991, the worst
flashflood to have swept the country, triggered by Typhoon “Oreng”
(“Thelma”), roared down the hills of Ormoc City and inundated the Ormoc
River. Within an hour or so, 8,000 people perished and properties worth
millions of pesos were destroyed.

We could also mention in this regard the sinking of M/V Doiia Paz
on December 20, 1987, said to be the worst peacetime maritime disaster in
the world (surpassing in terms of casualties the legendary Titanic disaster).
Although the actual sinking of the ship happened off Dumali Point in
Mindoro, M/V Dojia Paz was en route from Tacloban City to Manila.
Similarly, Dofia Paz’s sister ship, the M/V Dojia Marilyn, sank the
following year (October 24, 1988) while sailing from Manila to Tacloban
leaving 389 dead.

The frequency and intensity of disasters, both natural and man-
made, devastating the Province of Leyte prompted the filing of this bill. In
terms of disaster preparedness and mitigation, there is a compelling need
to address the incalculable damage wrought by calamities to the province.
Every time a calamity strikes, the education of our youth becomes
“collateral damage”, so to speak, since schools almost always serve as


evacuation centers. The lack of disaster and emergency centers (which
ought to be disaster-resilient themselves) compromise not only the welfare
of the typhoon victims but also the continued schooling of our children.

As a “center”, the proposed Life Center under this measure shall not
only provide refuge or temporary shelter to the calamity victims but shall
represent an integrated response to the basic needs of the displaced
citizenry towards restoration of full normalcy in their lives. Once
established, this life center shall be our “city of refuge” in times of
disasters, our “isle of compassion” for those who have lost not only their
belongings but, more tragically, their loved ones.

In view of all the foregoing considerations, the early approval of this
bill is earnestly requested.

LUQY TO! OMEZ
Re tative
Fourth District of Leyte


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

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 4942

Introduced by Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A LIFE CENTER THAT WILL SERVE AS A
DISASTER AND EMERGENCY CENTER IN THE CITY OF
ORMOC IN THE PROVINCE OF LEYTE AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. There shall be established a Life Center that will serve
as a disaster and emergency center in the City of Ormoc in the Province of
Leyte.

SEC. 2. The construction of such Life Center shall be undertaken by
the Office of Civil Defense of the Department of National Defense. Once
established, the City Government of Ormoc shall undertake the operation
and maintenance of the Life Center.

SEC. 3. The Life Center shall serve as evacuation center during
calamities or emergencies, providing temporary shelter and other basic
necessities to persons displaced by calamities, whether natural or man-

made. It shall also be equipped with a working kitchen and a medical unit


which shall provide trauma, other medical and rehabilitation services to

victims of calamities.

The Life Center shall be constructed or patterned after that of a
multi-purpose auditorium. It shall be capable of housing a number of office
spaces under its roof which the City Government may lease out to certain
entities to generate funds for the operations and the financial upkeep or

maintenance of the center.

SEC. 4. The amount necessary for the establishment, maintenance
and operation of the Life Center shall be appropriated from the national
budget and shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act as

part of the budget of the Department of National Defense.

SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication either in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of

general circulation.

Approved,