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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Existing first responder grant programs serve an important role in national 
preparedness by supporting the heroic efforts of first responder populations and services. 
This bill would extend this effort by providing funding for first responder programs that 
are novel, such as programs that target special populations (children or the elderly) or that 
serve a particular community need like mobile nursing units for rural communities or 
wireless technologies to improve the interoperability of first responder networks. 
This bill I would provide grants on a competitive basis to first responder programs 
and would provide a funding preference for projects that expand the first responder 
paradigm, i.e. mobile nurse units, improved elderly evacuation, improved methods for 
first responder to first responder communication, and state ofthe art tools/gear.2 
1 This bill was originally filed in the third regular session of the 14th Congress. 
2 http://www.reinsurance.orgifiles/public/ThompsQo Mitigation Bills Summaries.pdf. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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TO ESTABLISH A GRANT PROGRAM FOR TO ASSIST INNOVATIVE NATURAL 
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DISASTER FIRST RESPONDER PROGRAMS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "First Responder 
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Innovation and Support Act." 
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SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term: . 
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(A) "Eligible Entity" means any of the local government units, as defined under 
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the Local Government Code, that that has an approved mitigation plan; 
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(B) "First responder" means an individual who in the early stages of an incident is 
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responsible for the protection and preservation of life, property, evidence, and the 
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environment, including emergency response providers and emergency management, 
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public health, clinical care, public works, and other skilled support personnel, including 
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equipment operators, that provide immediate support services during prevention, 
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response, and recovery operations; and 
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(C) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Department of National Defense. 
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SEC. 3. First Responder Innovation and Support Grant Program.-
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(A) In General. - The Secretary may make grants to eligible entities to assist 
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innovative natural disaster first responder programs; 
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(B) Application. - To be eligible for a grant, an eligible entity shaH submit. an 
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application to the Secretary. Such application shaH include, at a minimum, a description 
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of each of the foHowing: 
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(1) The purpose for which the grant is sought and the reason State assistance is 
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needed for such purpose. 
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(2) The innovation with respect to natural disaster first responders to be achieved 
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with the grant. 
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(3) A budget for the expected expenditure of the grant amounts. 
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(C) Selection Criteria. -
The Secretary shaH issue regulations establishing 
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selection criteria for making grants. Such criteria shall include consideration of the 
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foHowing: 
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(1) The severity and frequency of natural disasters that affect the eligible entity 
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applying for the grant. 
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(2) Whether existing natural disaster first responder systems would be improved 
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by the grant. 
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(3) Whether the grant would provide natural disaster first responder support for 
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special populations, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and the 
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disabled. 
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(4) Whether the activity assisted by the grant is sustainable with non-Federal 
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amounts after such grant is made. 
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(D) Timing and Number of Grants. - The Secretary shall make grants annually 
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and an eligible entity may apply for multiple grants each year. An eligible entity is not 
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limited in (he number of grants such entity may receive under this Act. 
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(E) Competitive Basis. - The Secretary shall make grants on a competitive basis 
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subject to the requirements of this section. 
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01-.... 
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SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Not later than six months 
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after the date of effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall issue regulations necessary to 
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carry out this Act. 
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SECTION 5. Appropriations. - The funds needed for the initial implementation 
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of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department of National 
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Defense. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for its full implementation shall 
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be included in the annual General Appropriations Act as a distinct and separate item. 
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid 
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or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
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remain valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 7. 
Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or Issuance, 
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executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
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or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (J 5) days 
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after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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