HOUSE OF REPESENTATIVEg

RECEIVED
Republic of the Philippines pave, WL 2016
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, —

Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

1374

RTEISTIN
WS AND

UNIT
INDEX SERVICE

HOUSE BILL NO.

~____ Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PERMANENT
EVACUATION CE RS IN EVERY PROVINCE, CITY, MUNICIPALITY
AND OTHER STRATEGIC AREAS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Global Climate Risk Index 2014: Who Suffers Most from Extreme Weather
Events? Weather-Related Loss Events in 2012 and 1993 to 2012 published by Berlin-
based environmental organization Germanwatch places the Philippines in the top 3
countries most affected by climate-related weather catastrophes in 2012. According to
the ninth annual Global Climate Risk Index, the Philippines came in second only to
Haiti in terms of "relative and absolute number of human victims, and relative and
absolute economic damage" caused by natural disasters.

The country is prone to disasters and hazards due to its geography and geology.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP) provides the
following facts, which are instructive regarding the occurrence of disasters and hazards
in the country:

- Tropical cyclones and its sequential effects of rain and windstorms, as
well as floods are the most prevalent types of hydro-meteorological hazards
in the country. Between 1997 and 2007, eighty- four (84) tropical cyclones
entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). These typhoons resulted
to a total of 13,155 in human casualty and more than 51 million families have
been affected.

- Environmental factors such as denuded forests aggravate flood risks.
Even now, the effects of loose soil and reduced forest cover from past forestry
activities are felt in frequent landslides and floods. Recent events show that
the annual monsoon season in the country has brought severe flooding in
most areas.

- In 2011, most of the disasters that claimed the lives of people and
affected properties and livelihoods of the most vulnerable were brought about
by increased rainfall which caused massive flash flooding in areas which don’t
normally experience such.


- .. the Phili
Pacific Ring of

pines is situated along a highly seismic area lying along the
ire and is highly-prone to earthquakes. According to the
Philippine Institute on Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVLOCS), the
country experiences an average of five (5) earthquakes a day. Harthquake
disasters are not as frequent as the typhoons and flooding that take place in
the Philippines. Nevertheless, the impact generated on affected communities
is usually massive and devastating.

- The Philippines is ... prone to voleanic eruptions being situated along
the Pacific Ring of Fire where two major tectonic plates (Philippine Sea and
Eurasian) meet. This explains the occurrence of earthquakes and tsunamis
and the existence of around 300 volcanoes of which 22 are active.

- Inan analysis of natural disaster hotspots by the Hazard Management
Unit of the World Bank in 2005, the Philippines is among the countries
where large percentages of population reside in disaster prone areas. In the
2011 World Risk Report published by United Nations University and the
Institute of Environment and Human Security, looking into the four
components of risk (exposure, susceptibility, coping and adapt capacities),
the Philippines is the third most disaster risk country worldwide.

- Aside from natural causes, the country also experiences human-
induced disasters, These are brought about by hazards that are of political
and socio-economic origins, among others. Many are forced to evacuate
during times of conflict. Violence continues to plague the country, with most
of the fighting in the South. Intense fighting between government forces and
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) during the first half of year 2009
resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians. The
government and the MILF decided to lay down their arms and work toward
peace accord that had failed in 2009 in Malaysia. On the other hand, the Abu
Sayyaf Group (ASG), labelled a terrorist organization, continued to carry out
bombings and rebels were killed during clashes with the military in the latter
part of 2009. These human-induced disasters caused by armed fightings in
the South continue to threaten the security of civilian communities which
result into the displacement of thousands of civilians. So long as there is no
peace settlement mechanism in Mindanao, internally displaced civilians will
remain a given collateral damage of every armed conflict. Such disasters
consequently cause publi y, lost of lives, destruction of properties and
sometimes s¢

In view of the foregoing, this measure aims to establish standard-based relief
shelters and sites throughout the country with the end in view of decongesting
temporary evacuation centers in public schools and private facilities. The bill addresses
the need to prioritize the needs of vulnerable individuals and groups. Congestion in
most evacuation centers usually puts at risk senior citizens, the disabled, children and
pregnant women who are more vulnerable to diseases. Moreover, this proposal can
minimize the loss of lives by bringing the evacuation centers nearer to the populace and
at the most accessible and safe areas.



Due to the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters, it is imperative to device
long-term response to this unpleasant situation by establishing permanent evacuation
centers throughout the country consistent with the identified outcomes of the
NDRRMP, particularly in providing adequate temporary shelters.

The NDRRMP specifically states that, “Disasters leave many people homeless.
Temporary shelters in some ways provide a measure of comfort safety for victims. The
provision of adequate temporary shelters is of invaluable importance during cataclysmic
times. It is about a temporary “home” where people, their sources of livelihoods and
important valuables find refuge in times of disasters. Temporary shelters are not just
about structures — a lot of things need to be considered both before, during and after a
disaster happens.”

In view thereof, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

WU san
ANGELINA “HELEN?” D.L. TAN, M.D.
4th District, Quezon



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 137

Ion. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

Introduced by

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PERMANENT
EVACUATION CENTERS IN EVERY PROVINCE, CITY, MUNICIPALITY
AND OTHER STRATEGIC AREAS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of State Policy. - It is the policy of the State to uphold
the people's constitutional right to life by addressing the root causes of vulnerabilities to
disasters, strengthening the country’s institutional capacity for building the resilience of
local communities to disasters including climate change impacts, and adhere to and
adopt the universal norms, principles and standards of humanitarian assistance as
concrete expression of the country’s commitment to overcome human sufferings due to
recurring disasters.

‘Towards this end, it shall provide for the establishment of permanent evacuation
centers throughout the country that will guarantee the safety, well-being and dignity of
victims of natural or man-made disasters, particularly pregnant women, children, the
elderly, and people with disabilities.

SEC. 2.
after the effectivit
in every province, city

ablishment of Permanent Evacuation Centers. — Within five (5) years
of this Act, there shall be established a permanent evacuation center
, municipality and other strategic areas throughout the country.

Permanent evacuation centers must have the following essential facilities:

(a) a centralized kitchen and laundry areas;

(b) aclinie;

(c) a stockroom;

(d) a paging system room with security camera;
(e) an office for social welfare personnel;

(f) a generator;

(g) gender-sensitive areas for women, specifically breastfeeding mothers;
(h) separate comfort rooms for male and female;
(i) a counseling area;

Gj) a garbage segregation facility;

(k) a child friendly space and learning area;


(I) spaces for people's livestock, poultry and pets;

(m) stockroom for relief goods;

(n) storm shelters as may be appropriate and necessary; and

(0) other essential facilities as may be determined by the implementing agency

SEC. 3. Role of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Local
Government Units (LGUs). - The establishment of permanent evacuation centers shall
be undertaken by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, hereafter
referred to as the Department. It shall give utmost priority to those areas of the country
that are (a) identified as disaster prone; (b) financially incapable to establish their own
evacuation centers; and (c) do not have existing evacuation centers of their own.

‘The Department shall consider the weather pattern, topographical features and
climate among other essential physical characteristics, including unique social condition
in the design and construction of permanent evacuation centers in every province, city.
municipality and other strategic areas of the country to ensure that they shall withstand
all weather conditions and address the need of disaster victims for humane temporary
shelters.

The Department shall enter into memoranda of agreement (MOA) with the
concerned local government units (LGUs) for the maintenance, operation and
management of a permanent evacuation center in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
It shall provide technical assistance and support services to these LGUs in the
management of evacuation centers.

Local chief executives concerned shall evaluate and provide suitable sites for
evacuation centers to determine their geographical suitability, geological stability, and
public accessibility in times of disasters. They shall provide for the maintenance,
operation and management of the center taking into consideration the goal of providing
life preservation and meeting the basic subsistence needs of affected population based
on acceptable standards during or immediately after a disaster.

SEC. 4. Implementing Agency. - The Department shall be the overall
implementing agency for this Act, which shall coordinate with the respective LGUs.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations - The Department in consultation,
coordination and collaboration with the Department of Interior and Local Government
shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, prepare the implementing
rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 6. Appropriations. — The amount of ten billion pesos (P10,000,000,000.00)
is hereby appropriated for the initial implementation of this Act. Thereafter, such sum
as may be necessary for the establishment of permanent evacuation center throughout
the country shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.



SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or
inconsistent with the provisions o f this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended

SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of
general circulation whichever comes earlier.

Approved,