TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
25 
“3 "o 3 3
S. No.
SENATE
137
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS AND 
PENALIZING THE ACTS OF ARBITRARY INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines has faced recurring challenges stemming from armed conflicts, 
natural disasters, and calamities that have led to the displacement of families and 
communities. The impact of these events on the lives of Filipinos cannot be overstated, 
necessitating the formulation of a comprehensive legal framework to address the 
growing concerns surrounding internally displaced persons (IDPs). This bill aims to 
establish a systematic approach to managing and assisting IDPs, taking into account 
the evolving landscape of global challenges such as climate change and geopolitical 
shifts.
The persistent armed conflicts in various regions of the Philippines have 
resulted in the forced displacement of countless individuals and communities. Families 
find themselves uprooted from their homes, facing not only the immediate threats of 
violence but also the long-term challenges of rebuilding their lives. Addressing the 
needs of IDPs requires a concerted effort to ensure their safety, well-being, and 
eventual reintegration into society.
The Philippines is also situated in a geographically vulnerable position in terms 
of disaster risks, regularly experiencing natural disasters such as typhoons, 
earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. These events have led to widespread


displacement, often leaving communities without access to basic necessities and 
infrastructure. Establishing a legal framework for IDPs becomes imperative to provide 
timely and effective assistance, ensuring their rights are protected during the recovery 
and rebuilding process.
The advent of climate change has exacerbated the frequency and intensity of 
natural disasters, rendering the issue of internal displacement more complex. Rising 
sea levels, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation pose new 
challenges for vulnerable communities. Additionally, recent geopolitical developments 
underscore the importance of anticipating displacement trends and implementing 
proactive measures to address the needs of affected populations.
The bill establishes a clear definition of IDPs and recognizes their unique 
vulnerabilities and rights. This acknowledgment is a crucial first step in addressing the 
specific needs of displaced individuals and communities.
To ensure a unified and efficient response, the bill outlines coordination 
mechanisms among relevant government agencies, local government units, and non­
governmental organizations. Collaboration is key to providing comprehensive support 
to IDPs and avoiding duplication of efforts and loss of resources due to inefficient and 
redundant management.
The bill emphasizes the protection of the rights of IDPs, including but not 
limited to access to adequate housing, education, healthcare, and livelihood 
opportunities. Special attention is given to the needs of vulnerable groups such as 
women, children, and the elderly.
A key focus of the bill is the development of durable solutions for IDPs, including 
sustainable reintegration into their communities or, if necessary, the facilitation of 
voluntary relocation to safer areas. Rehabilitation efforts aim to restore communities 
and infrastructure to pre-displacement conditions or better.
The bill includes provisions for public awareness campaigns to educate 
communities on IDP issues, as well as capacity-building initiatives for government 
agencies and stakeholders involved in IDP response and management.
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In light of the evolving challenges posed by armed conflicts, natural disasters, 
climate change, and geopolitical shifts, the legal framework proposed by this bill seeks 
to address the multifaceted concerns surrounding internally displaced persons. By 
establishing a blueprint of action, the Philippine government can proactively and 
effectively respond to the needs of IDPs, ensuring their protection, dignity, and 
eventual reintegration into society. This legislation represents a significant step toward 
a more resilient and compassionate nation in the face of adversity.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill Is earnestly sought.
Senator


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
-3
-1 ^ 
vj • ;
S. No.
SENATE
137
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
1 
AN ACT
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PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS AND
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PENALIZING THE ACTS OF ARBITRARY INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT
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 "Rights of Internally
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Displaced Persons Act."
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Principles and State Policies. - Consistent with the
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principles enshrined in the 1987 Constitution, the standards set by the International
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Humanitarian Law (IHL) and human rights laws, international treaties and conventions
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adhered to by the Philippines, and international customary law, including the United
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Nations' Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (UNGPID), and other
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humanitarian standards, it is hereby declared a State policy to adopt a human rights-
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based approach for the promotion and protection of the rights of internally displaced
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persons (IDPs) in situations of armed conflict, generalized and/or organized violence,
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clan wars, violations of human rights, implementation of development projects,
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natural, human-induced and human-made hazards.
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When armed conflict of a non-international character is inevitable, the State
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shall ensure the promotion and protection of the rights of the citizens who are non-
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combatants and who shall enjoy in full equality, the same rights and freedom under
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international and domestic law as do other persons in the country. These citizens shall
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not be discriminated against in the enjoyment of any rights and freedoms on the
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ground that they are internaliy displaced.
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The State shall likewise ensure that the IDPs shall be protected from any form
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of discrimination or persecution and shall prioritize their rehabilitation and
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reintegration to society.
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
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(a) Apartheid refers to inhumane acts committed in the context of an
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institutionalized regime of systematic oppression and domination by one (1)
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raciai group or groups and committed with the intention of maintaining that
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regime;
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(b) Arbitrary Internal Displacement refers to an act of displacement or any other
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coercive act committed by any person or group/s of persons and directed
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against the civilian population, which is contrary to law, good morals, public
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order, or public poiicy, or committed with abuse of authority, oppressive or
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wanton disregard of the right to life, iiberty or property and abode of the
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residents, whether permanent or temporary, of an area in which they are
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lawfully present, which causes dispiacement and characterized by those
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situations as defined under Section 8 of this Act;
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(c) Armed Conflict refers to any use of force or armed violence between States
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or protracted armed violence between governmental authorities and organized
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armed groups or between such groups within that State: Provided, That such
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force or armed violence gives rise, or may give rise, to a situation to which the
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Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, including their common Articie 3,
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appiy.
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Armed conflict may be international, that is, between two (2) or more States,
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including belligerent occupation; or non-international, that is, between
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governmentai authorities and organized armed groups or between such groups
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within a State. It does not cover internai disturbances or tensions such as riots,
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isolated and sporadic acts of vioience, or other acts of a simiiar nature;
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(d) Children refer to persons below eighteen (18) years of age or those over 
but are unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from 
abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation, or discrimination because of a physical or 
mental disability or condition;
(e) Conflict-affected Areas refer to communities where (a) there are actual 
armed encounters between the government forces and political armed groups, 
or (b) where political armed groups dominate the state of affairs of the 
community, or (c) where other forms of violent conflicts exist;
(f) Conflict-vulnerable Areas refer to communities that are proximate to conflict- 
affected areas, where possible side-stepping of armed group or groups is 
imminent. It can also include geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas 
(GIDA) whose resources, actual or symbolic, are deemed valuable by the 
political armed group;
(g) dan War refers to any conflict characterized by sporadic outbursts of 
retaliatory violence between and among families, kinship groups, and 
communities;
(h) Durable Solution refers to a situation where the internally displaced persons 
no longer have any specific assistance and protection needs that are linked to 
their displacement and can enjoy their human rights without discrimination on 
account of their displacement: Provided, That durable solutions are always 
understood to be determined upon consultation with the internally displaced 
persons and communities as well as the groups and individuals assisting them;
(i) Enforced Disappearance refers to the arrest, detention, abduction or any 
other form of deprivation of liberty committed by agents of the State or by 
persons or groups of persons acting with the authorization, support or 
acquiescence of the State, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation 
of liberty or by concealment of the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared 
person, which places such person outside the protection of the law;


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(j) Ethnic Cleansing refers to an act of one ethnic or religious group to remove 
the civilian population of another ethnic or religious group from a certain 
geographic area by using force, threat, or intimidation, or deception to a person 
or groups of peoples in areas ethnically homogenous, such as Indigenous 
Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs), or religious groups to be 
removed from a given area, their place of abode or territories that they have 
occupied since time immemorial;
(k) Generalized and/or Organized Violence refers to the purposeful and 
systematic use of terror and brutality to control individuals, groups and 
communities, using overwhelming force, and is characterized by widespread, 
massive, or sufficient intensity, causing arbitrary internal displacement of 
persons or communities. Its methods include causing severe pain and suffering, 
killing, intimidating, threatening and, in some cases, destroying a community, 
ethnic group or political opposition;
(l) Imperative Military Necessity refers to the principle of military necessity in 
International Humanitarian Law, which permits measures that are actually 
necessary to accomplish a legitimate military purpose and are not otherwise 
prohibited in international humanitarian law;
(m) Implementation of Development Projects refers to the carrying out of any 
undertaking or activity aimed at economic, social, or political growth, 
advancement, and expansion that results or may result in the arbitrary internal 
displacement of persons: Provided, That the term does not include projects that 
have undergone consultation with and secured the consent of the affected 
communities and those that are legitimate resettlement schemes and/or 
programs, including expropriation of property by the government.
Reference to the Kampala Convention shall serve as guide in the State's 
obligations in development projects, which states that:
(1) States Parties, as much as possible, shall prevent displacement caused
by projects carried out by public or private actors;


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(2) States Parties shall ensure that the stakeholders concerned will explore 
feasible alternatives, with full information and consultation of persons 
likely to be displaced by projects; and
(3) States Parties shall carry out a socioeconomic and environmental 
impact assessment of a proposed development project prior to 
undertaking such a project;
(n) Internal Displacement refers to the involuntary movement or forced 
evacuation or expulsion of any person or group of persons who flee or leave 
their homes or places of habitual residence, within the national borders, as a 
result of or in order to avoid or minimize the effects of armed conflict, situations 
of generalized and/or organized violence, violations of human rights, 
implementation of development projects, natural, human-induced and human- 
made hazards;
(o) Internally Displaced Person (IDP) refers to any person or group of persons 
who has or have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places 
of habitual residence within the national borders and who have not crossed an 
internationally recognized State border, as a result of, or in order to avoid or 
minimize the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized and/or 
organized violence, violations of human rights, implementation of development 
projects, clan wars, natural, human-induced and human-made hazards;
(p) Order of Battle refers to any document made by the military, police or any 
law enforcement agency of the government, listing the names of persons and 
organizations that are perceived to be enemies of the State and are considered 
as legitimate targets as combatants that it could deal with, through the use of 
means allowed by domestic and international law;
(q) Sexual Abuse n\eav\s the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual 
nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions;
(r) Sexual Exploitation means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of 
vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not
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limited to, profiting monetarily, socially, or politically from the sexual
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exploitation of another; and
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(s) Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups refer to those that face higher exposure
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to disaster risk and poverty including, but not limited to, women, children,
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youth, elderly, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and ICCs/IPs.
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SEC. 4. Scope. - This Act shall primarily provide for the protection of rights of
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IDPs during and after displacement, as well as their safe, voluntary, and dignified
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return, local integration, or resettlement elsewhere in the country. This Act shall
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likewise cover arbitrary internal displacement of civilians as a result of or in order to
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avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized and/or organized violence,
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violations of human rights, implementation of development projects, natural, human-
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induced, and human-made hazards.
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This Act covers relevant domestic laws, such as Republic Act 1 No. 11188 or
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the "Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act"; Republic Act
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No. 8371 or "The Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997"; Republic Act No. 9851 or
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the "Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and
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Other Crimes Against Humanity"; and Republic Act No. 10821 or the "Children's
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Emergency Relief and Protection Act", among others.
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To address the risks involved in natural hazards and the overall impact of
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climate change and global warming on the rights of those who are internally displaced,
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due reference shall be made to the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 9729 or
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the "Climate Change Act of 2009"; Republic Act No. 10121 or the "Philippine Disaster
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Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010"; Republic Act No. 10821 or the
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"Children's Emergency Relief and Protection Act"; Republic Act No. 11188 or the
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"Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act", and other relevant
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laws.
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SEC. 5. Primary Duty to Protect the IDPs. - The State has the primary duty and
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responsibility to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to IDPs. As such,
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State authorities, including local government units (LGUs) and parties to an armed


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conflict, irrespective of their legal status and applied without any adverse distinction,
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shall respect and ensure compliance with their obligations under international law,
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including IHL, human rights laws, and other relevant domestic laws, so as to prevent
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and avoid conditions that might lead to the arbitrary internal displacement of persons.
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SEC. 6. Protection of Rights ofIDPs During and After Dispiacement. - IDPs shall
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enjoy, in full equality, the same rights and freedoms under international and domestic
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law as do other persons In the Philippines. They shall not be discriminated against in
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the enjoyment of any rights and freedoms on the ground that they are internally
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displaced, or on any grounds such as race, color, sex, language, religion or belief,
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political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, legal or social status, age
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disability, property, birth, or on any other similar criteria.
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The following rights of IDPs shall be protected and upheld during and after
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their displacement whether found inside or outside evacuation centers:
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(a) Provision and Access to Basic Necessities. - At the minimum, regardless of 
the circumstances, and without discrimination, the national and local 
governments shall provide IDPs with and ensure safe access to:
(1) Essential and adequate food and nutrition;
(2) Water sanitation, hygiene facilities, including menstrual hygiene 
management requirements, and potable water;
(3) Dignified, adequate, and safe shelter and housing in accordance with 
international and domestic standards;
(4) Legal assistance such as, but not limited to, legal advice and 
documentation;
(5) Appropriate clothing;
(6) Essential medical and dental services and sanitation, including 
psychological and social services, and essential drugs and medicines;


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(7) Other humanitarian needs, including support to persons with specific 
needs, mother-child-friendly facilities to include, but not limited to, 
breastfeeding stations, temporary learning places, place of worship;
(8) Due consideration in the processing of permits in the use of parcels of 
lands for temporary residential or commercial use by IDPs; and
(9) Mitigation, prevention and response measures to protect displaced 
populations especially women, children, and youth, among others, from 
all forms of violence, exploitation, abuse, neglect, and discrimination;
(b) Protection Against Criminal Offenses and Other Unlawful Acts. -
(1) It shall be unlawful to commit any of the following acts against IDPs 
in all circumstances:
(1) murder;
(ii) hostage taking;
(iii) summary or arbitrary execution and enforced disappearance, 
including abduction or unacknowledged detention, threatening or 
resulting in death; and
(iv) unlawful confinement;
(2) Attacks or other acts of violence against IDPs who do not or no 
longer participate in hostilities shall be prohibited in all 
circumstances, without prejudice to being held liable for any offense 
committed by them. In particular, IDPs shall be protected against:
(i) direct or indiscriminate attacks or other acts of violence, including 
the creation of areas wherein attacks on civilians are permitted;
(ii) starvation as a method of combat;


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(iii) their being used to shieid miiitary objectives from attack, or to 
shield, favor or impede the operations of military, police or any 
armed group;
(iv) attacks against any evacuation center, facility, encampment or 
other settlements; and
(v) use of anti-personnel landmines;
(3) IDPs shall be protected in particular against:
(i) rape and other outrages upon personal dignity, such as forced 
prostitution, trafficking of persons, any act of gender-specific 
violence, or any form of indecent assault;
(ii) mutilation, torture, cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or 
punishment;
(iii) any form of violence against children, such as trafficking forced 
labor or sexual exploitation and other violations of children's rights;
(iv) slavery or any contemporary form of slavery, such as sale into 
marriage, sexual exploitation or forced labor of children; and
(v) acts of violence intended to spread terror among IDPs.
Threats and incitement to commit any of the foregoing acts under 
paragraph (b), subsections (1) and (3) herein shall be prohibited;
(4) IDPs shall not be interned in or confined in any evacuation center, 
facility, encampment or other settlement. If in exceptional circumstances 
such internment or confinement is necessary, it shall not last longer than 
what is required by the circumstances, as may be determined by the 
Commission on Human Rights (CHR), in close coordination and 
consultations with the military and law enforcement agencies conducting 
operations, and other concerned agencies of the government; and


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(5) IDPs shall be protected against discriminatory practices of recruitment 
into the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), law enforcement agencies, 
or any armed group as a result of their displacement. In particular, any 
cruel, inhumane or degrading practice that compel compliance or punish 
noncompliance with recruitment shall be prohibited in all circumstances;
(c) Freedom of Movement. -
(1) Every IDP has the right to liberty of movement and the right to choose 
residence and move freely in and out of any evacuation center, 
encampment or other settlements. Restrictions on movement shall be 
introduced only in exceptional circumstances, such as national 
emergencies, pandemics, and those of similar nature, subject to any 
lawful and reasonable order which must be issued in writing by the 
government;
(2) IDPs, whether or not they are living in an evacuation center, 
encampment or other settlements, including home-based settings, shall 
not be discriminated against in the enjoyment of the rights to:
(i) enjoy freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, opinion 
and expression;
(ii) seek freely opportunities for employment and to participate in 
economic activities;
(iii) associate freely and participate equally in community affairs;
(iv) vote and participate in governmental and public affairs, including 
the right to have access to the means necessary to exercise these 
rights; and
(v) communicate in a language they understand; and
(3) IDPs have the right to:
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(i) seek safety in another part of the country;
(ii) leave the country;
(iii) seek asylum in another country; and
(iv) be protected against forcible return or resettlement in any place 
where their lives, safety, liberty and/or health would be at risk;
(d) Recognition, Issuance and Repiacement of Documents. - The authorities 
concerned shall issue to the IDPs all documents necessary for the enjoyment 
and exercise of their legal rights. In particular, these authorities shall facilitate 
the issuance of new documents or the replacement of documents lost in the 
course of displacement, without imposing unreasonable conditions, such as 
requiring the return to one's area of habitual residence in order to obtain their 
documents and without discrimination against men and women, who shall have 
equal rights to obtain and to be issued the same in their own names: Provided, 
however. That pending the release or access of such documentation from the 
authorities, the enjoyment and exercise of legal rights of the IDPs will not be 
suspended;
(e) Family Unity and Missing Persons. -
(1) Members of internally displaced families who wish to remain together 
shall be allowed to do so. Families that are separated by displacement and 
whose personal liberty have been restricted by internment or confinement 
in any evacuation center, facility, encampment or other settlements 
should be reunited immediately, with appropriate measures taken to 
expedite the reunion, particularly when children are involved;
(2) The State shall facilitate inquiries made by family members and 
encourage and cooperate with the work of international and local 
humanitarian organizations engaged in the task of family reunification 
such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the 
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement;
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(3) IDPs have the right to know the status and whereabouts of their 
missing relatives. The authorities concerned shall endeavor to establish 
the status and whereabouts of IDPs reported missing and cooperate with 
relevant international organizations engaged in this task. They shall 
inform the next-of-kin on the progress of the investigation and notify them 
of any result;
(4) The authorities concerned shall endeavor to collect and identify the 
mortal remains of the deceased, prevent their despoliation or mutilation 
and facilitate the return of those remains to the next-of-kin or dispose of 
them respectfully according to customs and tradition; and
(5) Grave sites of IDPs shall be protected and respected in all 
circumstances and shall have the right of access to the grave sites of their 
deceased relatives;
(f) Health and Education. -
(1) Certain IDPs, such as children, especially unaccompanied minors, 
expectant and breastfeeding mothers, mothers with young children, 
female heads of households, PWDs and elderly persons, and other 
vulnerable groups, shall be entitled to protection and assistance required 
by their condition and to treatment which takes into account their special 
needs;
(2) All wounded and sick IDPs, as well as those with disabilities, shall 
receive to the fullest extent practicable and with the least possible delay 
the medical care and attention they require, without distinction on any 
ground other than the medical ones. When necessary, IDPs shall have 
access to psychiatric care, psychological and social services and such 
other forms of assistance necessary for them;
(3) Special attention shall be paid to the health needs of women, girls and 
lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders and queer community (LGBTQs), 
including access to comprehensive reproductive health care services and
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hygiene support, to be provided whenever feasible by female health care 
providers, as well as appropriate counseling and other services for victims 
of sexual and other abuses;
(4) Special attention shall also be given to the prevention of health 
emergencies, contagious and infectious diseases, among IDPs; and
(5) The authorities concerned shall ensure that IDPs, in particular, 
displaced children, receive education that are free and compulsory at the 
early and basic education. Special efforts shall be made to ensure the full 
and equal participation of women and children including those with 
disabilities in educational programs, and that respect for their cultural 
identity, language and religion, educational and training facilities shall be 
made available to them whether or not they are living in evacuation 
facilities, encampments, or other settlements, as soon as circumstances 
permit;
(g) Property and Possessions. - The property and possessions of IDPs shall, in 
all circumstances, be protected against the following acts:
(1) Pillage or looting;
(2) Direct and indiscriminate attacks or other acts or omission;
(3) Being used to shield military operations or objectives;
(4) Being made the object of reprisal;
(5) Being destroyed or appropriated as a form of collective punishment; 
and
(6) Destruction, arbitrary and illegal appropriation, occupation or use;
(h) Right to Participation. - IDPs, including children, shall have the right to 
actively participate in the planning and management of their displacement 
situation as well as return, local integration, or settlement elsewhere. In
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addition, IDPs shall be provided with conditions to facilitate the exercise of their
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right to political participation. The rights and obiigations herein shall not be
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interpreted as restricting, modifying or impairing the provisions of any
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internationai human rights or international humanitarian law or rights granted
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to persons under domestic law.
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The guarantees under this section shaii iikewise not be denied to civii society
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organizations, people's organizations, and similar groups who extend assistance to the
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IDPs.
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SEC. 7. Assistance During Displacement of IDPs - The primary duty and
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responsibility for providing humanitarian assistance to IDPs lie with the State, in close
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collaboration with the LGUs exercising territorial jurisdiction over the affected area/s.
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As such, the military and law enforcement agencies conducting operations, the
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Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health
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(DOH), the local government hospitals, the LGUs concerned and other appropriate
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government agencies shaii provide immediate reiief and humanitarian assistance to
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IDPs, families and communities.
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The Public Attorney's Office (PAO) shaii immediately coordinate with the
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abovementioned agencies for the provision of iegal assistance to the IDPs.
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Humanitarian assistance to IDPs shaii not be diverted, suspended, or diverted
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for any political or military reason. All authorities concerned shaii grant and faciiitate
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the free passage of humanitarian assistance to the IDPs and ensure rapid, safe and
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unimpeded access of persons engaged in giving such assistance, their transport and
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suppiies to the dispiaced communities.
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Persons engaged in humanitarian assistance, inciuding their transport, shaii not
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be the objects of attack or other acts of violence.
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All concerned authorities shall assist the IDPs in the restitution or recovery of
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their property and possessions and shaii provide or assist these persons in obtaining
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appropriate financiai assistance or other forms of just reparation.
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The guarantees under this section shaii likewise not be denied to civii society
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organizations, peopie's organizations, and simiiar groups who extend assistance to the
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IDPs.
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SEC. 8. Prohibited Acts of Arbitrary Internai Dispiacement. - The prohibited acts
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of arbitrary internal displacement shall include those committed:
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(a) based on poiicies of apartheid, ethnic cleansing, or similar practices aimed
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at or resuiting in aitering the ethnic, reiigious or raciai composition of the
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affected population;
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(b) in situations of armed conflict, uniess the safety and security of civiiians and
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non-combatants are involved or imperative military reasons so demand;
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(c) in cases of deveiopment projects, which have not secured the free and prior
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informed consent (FPIC) of the concerned ICCs/IPs or those which are not
13 
justified by compeiling and overriding public interest and with proper
14 
implementation of return, locai integration, or resettiement elsewhere of
15 
affected IDPs, including just compensation in view of expropriation
16 
proceedings;
17 
(d) in cases of naturai, human-induced, and human-made hazards, unless the
18 
safety, security, and heaith of those affected require their evacuation;
19 
(e) when used as a form of coiiective punishment;
20 
(f) in cases of clan wars, unless the safety and security of those civilians not
21 
involved in the conflict or violence are endangered; and
22 
(g) in cases where there is maiice, bad faith, gross negligence, or in any manner
23 
causes a wiiifui violation of the rights granted herein and other simiiar rights
24 
provided by international human rights iaw and domestic laws and policies.
25 
An Order of Battle or any document of similar nature issued by the miiitary or
26 
any iaw enforcement agency of the government shaii not justify arbitrary internai
27 
dispiacement and shaii subject the perpetrators to the penalties provided herein.
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SEC. 9. Safeguards Against Arbitrary Internal Displacement - If displacement
2 
is inevitable under circumstances beyond control that pose hazardous and security
3 
risks to the lives and properties of persons living in communities, displacement shall
4 
not be carried out in a manner that violates the rights to life, liberty, dignity, security,
5 
and property of those affected, irrespective of their legal status and applied without
6 
any adverse distinction.
7 
All concerned authorities, groups, and persons shall observe the following
8 
safeguards against arbitrary internal displacement:
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(a) All feasible alternatives shall be explored in order to avoid displacement. 
Where no alternative exists, all measures shall be undertaken to minimize 
displacement and its adverse effects on the population that will be affected;
(b) If displacement is inevitable, the authorities, pursuant to their respective 
mandates and functions, shall ensure, to the greatest practicable extent, that 
proper accommodation is effected in satisfactory conditions of safety, nutrition, 
water and sanitation, and health and hygiene, and that members of the same 
family, especially women and children, are not separated;
(c) Minorities, peasants, pastoralists, PWDs and other groups with special 
dependency on and attachment to their lands shall be protected from arbitrary 
internal displacement.
ICCs/IPs shall be protected from arbitrary internal displacement. When 
displacement is considered necessary as an exceptional measure, it shall take 
place only with the EPIC of ICCs/Ips concerned pursuant to the provisions of 
Republic Act No. 8371 and existing guidelines on EPIC;
(d) In situations other than during the emergency stages of armed conflicts and 
disasters, the following guarantees shall be complied with:
(1) Specific decision which shall be taken by the authority empowered by 
law to order such measures;
16


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(2) Full disclosure of information on the reasons and procedures for the
2 
displacement and, when applicable, also on financial assistance and
3 
relocation;
4 
(3) Free and informed consent of those persons to be displaced shall be
5 
sought;
6 
(4) Authorities concerned shall endeavor to involve those affected,
7 
particularly women, elderly persons and PWDs, in the planning and
8 
management of their return, local integration or resettlement elsewhere;
9 
(5) Law enforcement measures, when required, shall be carried out by
10 
competent legal authorities, with proper observance of due process and
11 
respect for human rights; and
12 
(6) The right to an effective remedy, including the review of such decisions
13 
by appropriate judicial authorities, shall be respected.
14 
SEC. 10. Permanent Prohibition Against Arbitrary Internai Dispiacement - The
15 
prohibition against arbitrary internal displacement and the fundamental safeguards for
16 
its prevention shall not be suspended under any circumstance, including political
17 
instability, threat of war, state of war, or other public emergencies.
18 
SEC. 11. Eariy Recovery Pian. - All LCDs shall craft their Early Recovery Plans
19 
(ERPs) under the supervision of the Department of the Interior and Local Government
20 
(DILG).
21 
In this regard, the appropriate bureau under the DILG and the CHR shall jointly
22 
design the mechanism for providing technical assistance to LGUs, monitoring the
23 
compliance of LGUs, and conducting the periodic review of the ERPs.
24 
The authorities concerned shall endeavor to involve those belonging in the
25 
vulnerable and marginalized sector in the planning and management of their return,
26 
local integration or resettlement elsewhere.
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SEC. 12. Return, Local Integration or Resettlement. - Competent authorities, 
such as the miiitary and iaw enforcement agencies conducting operations, the DSWD, 
the DOH, the LCDs concerned, and other relevant government agencies, shall have 
the primary duty and responsibility to establish conditions and provide durable 
solutions as means for IDPs to return voluntarily, in safety and with dignity, to their 
homes or places of habitual residence, or to resettle voluntarily in places of refuge 
and/or in another part of the country, taking into consideration the right of IDPs to 
choose a residence.
The CHR, through inclusive and extensive consultation, shall formulate a 
National Strategy on Solutions to Internal Displacement, which will be presented for 
adoption by the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee.
The National Strategy shall be evaluated five (5) years from its adoption which 
shall be the basis for the enhancement of the subsequent National Strategy.
The authorities provided in this Section, including the CHR, shall likewise ensure 
prior consultations and full participation of IDPs during and after the planning and 
management of their return, local integration, or resettlement elsewhere.
SEC. 13. Development of Host Communities. - The State shall undertake the 
continuous development of host communities by ensuring that the relevant 
socioeconomic, infrastructure and public works, and other development and 
investment plans, programs, and funding adequately and proportionately include the 
specific needs and requirements of these communities and localities.
SEC. 14. Mechanisms for International Humanitarian Assistance. - International 
humanitarian organizations, their local counterparts and other appropriate actors shall 
have the right to offer their services, including humanitarian assistance, in support of 
the IDPs. These acts shall be considered done in good faith and not as unfriendly acts 
or interference in the internal affairs of the government. Consent thereto shall not be 
arbitrarily withheld, particularly when authorities concerned are unable or unwilling to 
provide the required humanitarian assistance.
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1 
All authorities shall grant and facilitate the free passage of humanitarian
2 
assistance and grant persons engaged in the provision of such assistance rapid and
3 
unimpeded access to the IDPs.
4 
All humanitarian organizations and agencies, which provide assistance to IDPs,
5 
shall respect relevant domestic laws, international standards, and codes of conduct.
6 
They shall give due regard to the protection of the needs and human rights of the
7 
IDPs. Such organizations conducting operations in any emergency-affected areas, or
8 
are directly or indirectly interacting with the IDPs, are prohibited from committing any
9 
acts of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse such as, but not limited to: (a) sexual
10 
activity with children, as defined under existing laws; (b) use of sex in exchange of
11 
money, employment, goods or services including hiring of prostitutes; and (c) any
12 
sexual relationship with beneficiaries that involves improper use of position or
13 
authority.
14 
Humanitarian or aid workers shall uphold their duty of care towards the
15 
displaced populations and shall maintain the trust of the communities being served.
16 
They are obliged to create and maintain an environment which prevents sexual
17 
exploitation and abuse.
18 
The importation and donation of food, clothing, medicine and equipment
19 
necessary for relief and assistance of IDPs are hereby authorized, in accordance with
20 
Section 105 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, as amended, as regards
21 
national internal revenue taxes and import duties of national and local government
22 
agencies, and the prevailing provisions of the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
23 
SEC. 15. Penalties. -
24 
(a) The penalty of reclusion temporaPn its minimum to medium period shall be
25 
imposed upon any person or group of persons who commit the following:
26 
(1) Those who directly commit the act of arbitrary internal displacement;
27 
(2) Those who directly force, instigate, encourage, induce or incite others
28 
to commit the act of arbitrary internal displacement;
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(3) Those who cooperate in the act of arbitrary internal displacement by 
committing another act, without which the act of arbitrary internal 
displacement would not have been carried out;
(4) Those who cooperated in the execution of the act of arbitrary internal 
displacement by previous or simultaneous acts;
(5) Those commanding officers of the military, police or other law 
enforcement agencies or other authorities, for acts of arbitrary internal 
displacement committed by forces under their effective command and 
control, or effective authority and control as the case may be, as a result 
of their failure to exercise proper control over such forces, where the 
commanding officers or authorities knew or, owing to the circumstances 
at the time, should have known that the forces were committing or about 
to commit such crimes, and failed to take all necessary and reasonable 
means within their power to prevent or repress their commission, or to 
submit the matter to competent authorities for investigation and 
prosecution; and
(6) In case the acts of arbitrary internal displacement are committed by a 
corporation or a juridical entity, the members of the Board of Directors 
who were present in the meeting and who actually voted for the approval 
of the resolution or order directing the commission of arbitrary internal 
displacement, and the corporate officers or agents who carried out such 
resolution or order of the corporation shall each be criminally liable;
(b) The penalty of prision mayor s its minimum period shall be imposed upon 
those who attempt to commit the offense of arbitrary internal displacement; 
and
(c) The penalty of prision mayor\x\ its minimum period shall be imposed upon 
persons who, having knowledge of the act of arbitrary internal displacement 
and without having participated therein, either as principals or accomplices, 
took part subsequent to its commission by any of the following acts:
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(1) By themselves profiting from or assisting the offender to profit from 
the effects of the act of arbitrary internal displacement;
(2) By concealing the act of arbitrary internal displacement and/or 
destroying the effects or instruments thereof, in order to prevent its 
discovery; and
(3) By harboring, concealing or assisting in the escape of the principal/s 
in the act of arbitrary internal displacement.
8 
SEC. 16. Applicability of the Revised Pena! Code and Special Pena! Laws. - The
9 
provisions of the Revised Penal Code and other relevant special penal laws, insofar as
10 
they are applicable, shall be suppletory to this Act.
11 
SEC. 17. Non-prescription. - The crimes defined and penalized under this Act,
12 
their prosecution, and the execution of sentences imposed on their account, shall not
13 
be subject to any prescription.
14 
SEC. 18. Jurisdiction of the Courts. - The proper and competent civilian courts
15 
shall have jurisdiction over the offense of arbitrary internal displacement as defined
16 
and penalized in this Act.
17 
SEC. 19. Damages. - A court of competent jurisdiction shall determine the
18 
damages inflicted against IDPs and direct the persons responsible for arbitrary internal
19 
displacement to award monetary compensation under the following circumstances:
(a) Where the death of an individual victim occurs, the amount to be 
determined by the court shall be granted to the legal heirs of the victim as a 
death benefit;
(b) Where physical, emotional, and/or psychological injury is caused to an 
individual victim, actual and compensatory damages, including moral, nominal, 
exemplary, and temperate damages resulting from such injury, shall be paid to 
the victim. Upon a finding of such injury and distinct from the compensation 
for actual, compensatory, moral, nominal, and/or temperate damages, such 
determination shall also include a referral to the DOH and the DSWD for
21


1 
appropriate interventions or services, including psycho-social intervention and
2 
rehabilitation; and
3 
(c) Cases for damages filed under this Act shall be considered as independent
4 
civil action and summary in nature. The Supreme Court shall promulgate the
5 
necessary rules and regulations to govern the procedure for cases filed in this
6 
manner.
7 
SEC. 20. Financial Assistance to IDPs. - Whenever human rights violations are
8 
caused to the IDPs as incidents or consequences of arbitrary internal displacement,
9 
the necessary financial assistance for their reparation, return, local integration or
10 
resettlement elsewhere shall be provided.
11 
The CHR shall enhance its existing financial assistance program to include
12 
financial assistance for the purpose of facilitating the reparation, return, local
13 
integration or resettlement elsewhere of IDPs.
14 
Receipt of such financial assistance shall be without prejudice to the amount of
15 
assistance granted under other government programs, such as the Victims'
16 
Compensation Program of the Department of Justice (DOJ) by virtue of Republic Act
17 
No. 7309, the relief assistance to IDPs by the DSWD, the DOH, and other similar
18 
programs which may be made available to IDPs under existing laws, rules and
19 
regulations.
20 
SEC. 21. Nonmonetary Reparation. - The DOH, the DSWD, the Department of
21 
Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical
22 
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and such other agencies shall
23 
render necessary services as nonmonetary reparation for IDPs and their families as
24 
may be determined, in coordination with the CHR, pursuant to the provisions of this
25 
Act.
26 
SEC. 22. Roie of the CHR. - Pursuant to Article XII, Section 18(11) of the 1987
27 
Constitution, the CHR is hereby designated as the institutional focal point for IDPs. As
28 
such, the CHR shall have the following additional functions:
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(a) To monitor IDP conditions through the development of a system to track 
concerns, actions taken and other relevant information, and be the repositories 
of child protection and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse policies 
to ensure that IDP rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled in all phases of 
internal displacement;
(b) To conduct public inquiries, document violations of human rights, assist 
IDPs in seeking redress of grievances and work to ensure an effective response 
by the concerned authorities;
(c) To investigate, on its own or on the complaint by any party, all forms of 
human rights violations against IDPs involving civil and political rights, in 
accordance with Section 18(1) of Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution; and 
when found in the investigation that the filing of a case in court is warranted, 
request the assistance of any department, bureau, office or agency, such as 
the National Prosecution Service of the DOJ or the Ombudsman, by virtue of 
Executive Order No. 163, series of 1987;
(d) To render financial assistance at its sole discretion, as part of its existing 
financial assistance program, as well as psycho-social interventions and similar 
services to IDPs, and to issue necessary guidelines to implement the same;
(e) To recommend the grant of assistance to IDPs, by the other agencies of 
government, taking into consideration their respective mandates and functions 
as may be appropriate;
(f) To cite any person in contempt for violations of the orders issued by them 
in accordance with the Rules of Court;
(g) To follow up on early warning and ensure effective measures to protect the 
civilian population against arbitrary internal displacement;
(h) To advise the government on the rights of IDPs, formulate sound national 
policy and legislation and to facilitate discussions to effectively address 
situations of internal displacement;
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(i) To undertake educational activities and training programs for State
2 
authorities, including the AFP, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and LCDs;
3 
(j) To hold public information drives on the protection and rights of IDPs, and
4 
foster their participation in the decision-making process regarding issues that
5 
concern them; and (k) To carry out such other acts that may be necessary to
6 
fully implement the purposes of this Act.
7 
SEC. 23. Monitoring of Compiiance. - An inter-agency coordinating committee
8 
shall be tasked to periodically monitor the compliance with this Act. The Committee
9 
shall be co-headed by the Chairperson of the CHR and the Executive Director of the
10 
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
11 
The members of the group shall be composed of:
12 
(a) Undersecretary, DSWD;
13 
(b) Undersecretary, DepEd;
14 
(c) Undersecretary, DILG;
15 
(d) Undersecretary, DOH;
16 
(e) Undersecretary, DOJ;
17 
(0 Undersecretary, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development
18 
(DHSUD);
19 
(g) Undersecretary, Department of National Defense (DND);
20 
(h) Undersecretary, Department 
of Environment and Natural Resources
21 
(DENR);
22 
(i) Undersecretary, National Economic and Development Authority;
23 
(j) Presidential Adviser, Office 
of the Presidential Adviser on 
Peace,
24 
Reconciliation, and Unity;
24


(k) Commissioner, Nationai Commission on Indigenous Peopies (NCIP);
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(i) Chief Pubiic Attorney, PAO;
(m) Executive Director, Council for the Welfare of Children;
(n) Chairperson, Presidentiai Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP);
(o) Secretary, Nationai Commission on Muslim Filipinos;
(p) Executive Director, Phiiippine Commission on Women (PCW);
(q) National Statistician and Civil Registrar General, Philippine Statistics 
Authority;
(r) Director Generai, TESDA;
(s) Commissioner, Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission; and
(t) Three (3) representatives from nongovernmentai organizations (NGOs) with 
experience in working with IDPs, nominated by a seiection board composed of 
human rights groups and NGOs.
The Committee shali work towards the coliection of data on the number and
15 
conditions of IDPs, leading to a database that wiil aid the government in efficient
16 
pianning and policy-making regarding issues affecting IDPs.
17 
The Committee shall likewise prioritize the reiease of immediate financiai
18 
assistance, ailotted by its component agencies, to those affected by internai
19 
dispiacement.
20 
The Committee shall submit an annuai report to the Joint Congressionai
21 
Oversight Committee herein created, within thirty (30) days at the end of each fiscal
22 
year which shali be the basis for proposed amendments to existing iegislation to
23 
improve the conditions of IDPs.
24 
SEC. 24. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. - A Joint Congressional
25 
Oversight Committee (JCOC) is hereby created, composed of the Chairperson of the
25


1 
Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights and seven (7) other Senators
2 
designated by the Senate President, and the Chairperson of the House Committee on
3 
Human Rights and seven (7) other Members of the House of Representatives
4 
designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives: Provided, That of the
5 
seven (7) Members to be designated by each House of Congress, four (4) shall
6 
represent the Majority and three (3) shall represent the Minority. The Senate President
7 
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall ensure the representation of
8 
women legislators in the JCOC.
9 
The JCOC shall also have the power to inquire into, summon and investigate
10 
the Orders of Battle as defined under this Act, and/or any document of similar nature,
11 
as well as the legal and factual justifications for the inclusion of specific persons and
12 
groups in said Orders of Battle or similar documents. In this regard, the JCOC may
13 
issue mandatory process directing the transmission of all such documents relevant
14 
and necessary for the Committee to determine the validity of the inclusion of specific
15 
persons or groups in the Orders of Battle or similar documents. For this purpose, the
16 
highest-ranking officers or heads of offices shall be charged with testifying before the
17 
JCOC in relation to any inquiries on the Orders of Battle or similar documents.
18 
The invocation of national security as a defense may not prevent the JCOC from
19 
inquiring into the factual and/or legal bases for the existence of an Order of Battle, or
20 
any similar document, or the inclusion of specific persons or groups in said Orders of
21 
Battle or similar documents. Should there be a need to inquire into the factual basis
22 
for the invocation of national security, the JCOC shall convene in an executive session
23 
and hear the officials invoking it.
24 
Should the basis not be satisfactory to the JCOC, the public hearing/s will
25 
continue and appropriate recommendations shall thereafter be made by the JCOC.
26 
SEC. 25. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial implementation
27 
of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the
28 
departments and agencies concerned. Thereafter, the funding of which shall be
29 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
26


1 
SEC. 26. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within one hundred twenty
2 
(120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Chairperson of the CHR and the
3 
Secretary of the DND, DSWD, DILG, DOH, DOJ, DHSUD, and DENR, the Chairperson
4 
of NCIP, PCW, PCUP, and National Anti-Poverty Commission-Victims of Disasters and
5 
Calamities (NAPC-VDC), in coordination with other government agencies and in
6 
consultation with human rights nongovernmental organizations and people's
7 
organizations, shall jointly formulate rules and regulations to implement the provisions
8 
of this Act. The Chairperson of the CHR and the Secretary of the DND shall act as the
9 
co-chairpersons of the body that shall formulate the implementing rules and
10 
regulations (IRR).
11 
SEC. 27. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be
12 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not affected
13 
thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
14 
SEC. 28. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, memorandum
15 
orders, memorandum circulars, administrative orders, ordinances or parts thereof
16 
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or
17 
modified accordingly.
18 
SEC. 29. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
19 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of national circulation.
Approved,
27