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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 52 8

Introduced by Representative Reynante U. Arrogancia

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In the World Risk Index 2024 report, the Philippines has been identified as the highest
risk in terms of disaster among 193 countries or 99% of the world population. The
WorldRiskindex is an annual report published by Bundnis Entwicklung Hilft and the Institute
for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict at Ruhr University Bochum (IFHV).

The geographical location of the Philippines within the Pacific Ring of Fire and the
Typhoon Belt renders it vulnerable to hazards and natural disasters such as landslides, floods,
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and typhoons. The country experiences on average 20
typhoons every year that result in fatalities, destruction of property, hampered economic
development and significant government spending.

Disaster awareness, preparedness, and mitigation should be inculcated in the
psychological mindset of every Filipino. The same could be made possible with its inclusion
in the school curricula from primary to secondary education in order to provide the necessary
information to the Filipino youth, who likewise remain vulnerable and at risk of disasters.
With the necessary information and awareness of disasters is one of the steps that the country
can undertake to respond to the challenge of climate change and vulnerability to risks brought
by natural disasters. In this way, lives may be saved, destruction of properties may be
minimized, and economic development may continue to thrive that would otherwise be
adversely affected by the onslaught of natural disasters.

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

-YNANTE O> CIA

The Philippines ranked 1" for the third year (2022-2024) among 193 counties as the most disaster-prone country, reported
‘by the World Risk Index

"Word Risk Index. (2024), Retrieved from: https://weltrisikobericht.de/worldriskreport/

ESSN

RECEIVED
77 JUN 25


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 323

Introduced by Representative Reynante U. Arrogancia

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE INSTRUCTION OF DISASTER AWARENESS AND
MITIGATION AS PART OF THE CURRICULUM IN ALL PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to recognize the role of the
youth in nation building that will promote and protected their physical, moral, spiritual,
intellectual, and social well-being. The State shall likewise inculcate in the youth patriotism
and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs. Hence, the State
must instill in the youth the disaster awareness and disaster mitigation for the benefit of the
nation,

SEC. 2. Disaster Awareness and Mitigation. — The instruction on disaster awareness and
disaster mitigation is hereby required to be part of the curriculum in all primary and secondary
schools in the Philippines.

SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - The Department of Education (DepEd) shall
adopt the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provision of this Act,

SEC. 4. Appropriations. - The funds necessary for this purpose shall be taken from the
appropriations of the DepEd. Thereafter, such amount necessary for the implementation of this,
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive orders,
presidential proclamations, issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are contrary
to or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,