Donations and Humanitarian Aid Portal Act

Senate "ffee of the srirctary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 SEP 16 A9:35 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1393 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A SYSTEM OF FUND ADMINISTRATION OF CASH DONATIONS OR HUMANITARIAN AID FROM LOCAL OR FOREIGN DONORS AND SPONSORS DURING DISASTERS, CALAMITIES, CRISES, OR EMERGENCIES EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 states that it shall be the policy of the State to provide maximum care, assistance, and services to individuals and families affected by disasters, towards resumption of normal social and economic activities. Currently, there is an existing Kaagapay Donations Portal, being utilized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), that facilitates the acceptance of cash donations via digital transactions for disaster response. Despite high usage traffic, this portal remains noninstitutionalized which translates to a void in a streamlined monitoring system for cash donations and/or humanitarian aid. This bill intends to put in place measures that are geared toward efficient and transparent systems of processing, managing, utilizing, monitoring, and reporting on cash donations. To promote accountability, transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness in the management of government resources, there is a need to streamline systems and procedures in the management and utilization of local and foreign cash donations or humanitarian aid. For this purpose, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR

Senate Office of the Semimp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session SEP 16 A9:35 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1393 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A SYSTEM OF FUND ADMINISTRATION OF CASH DONATIONS OR HUMANITARIAN AID FROM LOCAL OR FOREIGN DONORS AND SPONSORS DURING DISASTERS, CALAMITIES, CRISES, OR EMERGENCIES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Donation and

Humanitarian Aid Portal Act"

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - There shall be an institutionalized system of fund

4 administration of cash donations or humanitarian aid coming from local and foreign 5 donors and sponsors to help affected victims or communities during disasters, calamities, crises, and emergencies.

Sec. 3. Rationale. - A system of effective fund administration contemplates the

following mechanics to smoothly and methodologically let relief agencies or humanitarian organizations efficiently account for funds, cash donations, or aid intended for legitimate affected victims or communities, as follows: 1. Regional offices of the Department of Welfare and Development (DSWD) are tasked as Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) in accrediting banks or similar establishments to receive cash donations or humanitarian aid.

2. Cash funds withdrawn by authorized DSWD representatives will be used to purchase relief food, supplies, goods, and medicines from the local market or business establishments based on specific needs of the affected population. 3. Relief agencies, humanitarian organizations, and volunteer groups must be accredited with or duly recognized by the Regional Offices of DSWD or their local counterparts as far as practicable. 4. The movement of food, supplies, and goods to the affected, traumatized, and displaced victims or communities shall be in a manner that will reach them as quickly as possible. 5. Collected goods other than cash donations may be auctioned and the proceeds of which shall go to the recognized relief agency or humanitarian organization in the local area where the disaster, calamity, crisis, or emergency occurred for proper custodianship for relief efforts. 6. Authorized DSWD representatives or similar custodians of relief goods shall be required to submit an "Post-Crisis Report" as a basis for accounting for cash donation, humanitarian aid, or collected goods from various donors or sponsors.

Sec. 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the effective

implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be taken from the current year's appropriation of the concerned department/agency. Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Social Welfare

and Development shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) calendar days from the effectivity hereof for the proper implementation of this Act.

Sec. 6. Separability Clause. - If any part, portion, or provision of this Act is

declared unconstitutional or invalid, the portions or provisions which are not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees,

2 implementing rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 6 circulation in the Philippines. Approved,