SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
SEN2'919 
S.No. ___ _ 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
'15 
I\UG 26 P5:11 
TO ESTABLISH A GRANT PROGRAM FOR TO ASSIST INNOVATIVE 
NATURAL DISASTER FIRST RESPONDER PROGRAMS 
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! 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 
of the art tools/gear. 2 
I This bill was originally filed during the Fourteenth Congress, Third Regular Session .. 
2 URL<http://www.reinsurance.org/files/public/Thompson Mitigation Bills Summaries.pdf>. 
1 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
'15 
AUG 26 P5:17 
SENATE 
S.No. 
2~19 
_________________________________________________ 
H_I._:(_:'E_;I_\_.E __ 
:I)BY:~· 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO ESTABLISH A GRANT PROGRAM FOR TO ASSIST INNOVATIVE 
NATURAL DISASTER FIRST RESPONDER PROGRAMS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "First Responder 
2 
Innovation and Support Act." 
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SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term: 
4 
(A) 
"Eligible Entity" means any of the local government units, as 
5 
defined under the Local Government Code, that that has an approved mitigation 
6 
plan; 
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(B) "First responder" means an individual who in the early stages of an 
8 
incident is responsible for the protection and preservation of life, property, 
9 
evidence, and the environment, including emergency response providers and 
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emergency management, public health, clinical care, public works, and other 
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skilled support personnel, including equipment operators, that provide immediate 
12 
suppOli services during prevention, response, and recovery operations; and 
13 
(C) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Department of National 
14 
Defense. 
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1 
SECTION 3. First Responder Innovation and Support Grant Program.-
2 
(A) In General. - The Secretary may make grants to eligible entities to 
3 
assist innovative natnral disaster first responder programs; 
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(B) Application. - To be eligible for a grant, an eligible entity shall submit 
5 
an application to the Secretary. Such application shall include, at a minimum, a 
6 
description of each of the following: 
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(1) The purpose for which the grant is sought and the reason government 
8 
assistance is needed for such purpose. 
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(2) The innovation with respect to natnral disaster first responders to be 
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achieved with the grant. 
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(3) A budget for the expected expenditnre of the grant amounts. 
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(C) Selection Criteria. - The Secretary shall issue regulations establishing 
13 
selection criteria for making grants. Such criteria shall include consideration of the 
14 
following: 
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(1) The severity and frequency of natnral disasters that affect the eligible 
16 
entity applying for the grant. 
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(2) Whether existing natnral disaster first responder systems would be 
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improved by the grant. 
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(3) Whether the grant would provide natnral disaster first responder support 
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for special populations, including children, pregnant women, the 
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elderly, and the disabled. 
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(4) Whether the activity assisted by the grant IS sustainable with local 
23 
government funds after such grant is made. 
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(D) Timing and Number of Grants. - The Secretary shall make grants 
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annually and an eligible entity may apply for multiple grants each year. An 
2 


1 
eligible entity is not limited in the nUlilber of grants such entity may receive under 
2 
this Act. 
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(E) Competitive Basis. - The Secretary shall make grants on a competitive 
4 
basis subject to the requirements of this section. 
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SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Not later than six 
6 
months after the date of effectivity of this Act, the Secretary shall issue regulations 
7 
necessary to carry out this Act. 
8 
SECTION 5. Appropriations. -
The funds needed for the initial 
9 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the 
10 
Department of National Defense. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary 
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for its full implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
12 
Act as a distinct and separate item. 
13 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held 
14 
invalid or unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of 
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the other provisions hereof. 
16 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive order or 
17 
rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
18 
accordingly. 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
20 
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of 
21 
general circulation. 
Approved, 
lapm20August2015 
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