National Civil Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Act

Setate Office of the Caccretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) ) 26 JAN 12 P5:07 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1660 Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A NATIONAL CIVIL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ALL FILIPINOS EIGHTEEN (18) TO TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS OF AGE, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY EMERGENCY SERVICE DUTY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippines is among the most disaster-prone countries in the world, facing recurrent typhoons, earthquakes, floods, fires, industrial accidents, and public health emergencies. These events consistently reveal a critical gap: while government emergency institutions exist, there remains a pressing need to capacitate citizens with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect themselves, assist others, and respond appropriately during disasters and emergency situations, particularly at the community level Experience has shown that the first responders during crises are often ordinary citizens, not uniformed personnel. This measure seeks to address that gap by institutionalizing civilian emergency preparedness as a national responsibility by mandating the implementation of a National Civil Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Training Program for all Filipinos eighteen (18) to twenty five (25) years old. The program focuses on three essential competencies: (1) emergency response, rescue, and retrieval operations; (2) crisis communication in the absence of internet and electricity; and (3) urban and rural food security during emergencies.

These competencies directly respond to the realities observed during disasters where power, telecommunications, supply chains, and government reach are disrupted. Importantly, this measure is fully consistent with existing laws. It complements the National Service Training Program (NSTP) under Republic Act No. 9163 by extending structured civic preparedness beyond students and into the general adult population. It likewise strengthens the framework of Republic Act No. 10121, which emphasizes community-based disaster risk reduction and preparedness as a cornerstone of national policy. By institutionalizing civilian emergency training and service, this measure aims to transform preparedness from an individual choice into a shared national capability, thereby reducing loss of life, protecting livelihoods, and strengthening the country's ability to respond swiftly and cohesively to emergencies. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. ROBINHOOD PADILLA Senator

Senaie zar Difice of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 26 JAN 12 P5:07 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: 1660 S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Robinhood Padilla AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A NATIONAL CIVIL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ALL FILIPINOS EIGHTEEN (18) TO TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS OF AGE, ESTABLISHING A COMMUNITY EMERGENCY SERVICE DUTY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 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 "National Civil

2 Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Act".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to

4 protect life, property, and livelihood through a whole-of-society approach to 5 emergency preparedness and response; institutionalize civilian capability-building in 6 emergency response, disaster preparedness, food security, and crisis communication; 7 strengthen local and national emergency response systems by integrating trained 8 civilian manpower without militarization; and promote shared civic responsibility 9 consistent with constitutional rights, existing laws, and international humanitarian 10 principles.

SEC. 3. National Civil Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Training

Program. - There is hereby established a National Civil Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Training Program, which shall be mandatory for all Filipino citizens eighteen 14 (18) to twenty-five (25) years old, subject to exemptions provided under this Act.

SEC. 4. Inter-Agency Coordination and Implementation - The Office of Civil

2 Defense (OCD) shall serve as the lead agency in charge of the overall policy direction, 3 standards-setting, and supervision of the Program, and shall ensure that all training modules, methodologies, and implementation are fully aligned with the National 5 Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Framework. The Program shall be implemented and rolled out by local government units 7 (LGUs), in coordination with the OCD and in partnership with relevant national 8 government agencies, including but not limited to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for emergency response and rescue training, the Department of Health (DOH) for first 10 aid and public health emergency response, the Department of Agriculture (DA) for urban and rural food security and survival food systems, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for coordination, monitoring, and capacity- building of LGUs. Other government agencies may be designated by the NDRRM Council, as may be necessary for the effective implementation of the Program.

SEC. 4. Training Program Components. - The mandatory training program shall

include, but not be limited to, the following modules: a) Emergency Response, Rescue, and Retrieval i) Basic life support and first aid; ii) Fire suppression and evacuation procedures; ill) Search, rescue, and retrieval during accidents and disasters; iv) Flood, earthquake, typhoon, and landslide response; and v) Crowd management and civilian safety operations. b) Crisis Communication Without Internet and Power i) Radio communication and signaling systems; ii) Manual information relay and coordination; iii) Emergency command structure literacy; and iv) Community-based early warning systems. c) Urban and Rural Food Security i) Household and community-level food production; ii) Emergency food preservation and storage; iii) Urban gardening and rural food resilience systems; and iv) Rapid food distribution during emergencies.

SEC. 5. Establishment of the Civil Emergency Service Corps (CESC). - There is

2 hereby created a Civil Emergency Service Corps (CESC) composed of individuals who 3 have completed the training under this Act, and have been duly accredited by the concerned LGU. Its members shall be organized and maintained at the barangay, 5 city/municipality, and provincial levels under the supervision of LGUs in coordination with national agencies. The CESC shall be mobilized strictly within the framework of Republic Act No. 10121 and other related laws. The LGU, through the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs) shall submit the roster of CESC members to the 10 OCD for inclusion in the national database of accredited community disaster volunteers (ACDVs), and the National Service Reserve Corps.

SEC. 6. Monthly Community Emergency Service Duty. - Members of the CESC

shall render one (1) day of emergency service duty per month. Such duty may include: a) Fire and emergency response station support; b) Disaster preparedness drills; c) Community first aid and safety assistance; d) Food security and community resilience activities; and e) Emergency logistics and coordination support. The agencies, and LGU concerned shall take full responsibility for the enhancement, welfare and protection of CESC members during their monthly duty.

SEC. 7. Exemptions and Alternative Compliance. - The following may be

exempted or allowed alternative compliance, subject to implementing rules: a) Those who are classified and officially registered as persons with disabilities; b) Active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the Philippine Coast Guard; and c) Individuals who have completed equivalent training under existing laws, such as the National Service Training Program, subject to certification.

SEC. 8. Appropriations. - Initial funding shall be sourced from existing

appropriations of concerned agencies. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months after the

2 effectivity of this Act, the OCD, in consultation with other relevant government agencies, shall promulgate, adopt, and issue rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any clause, sentence, paragraph, or part of

6 this Act shall be declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected 7 thereby shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees or issuances,

9 executive orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders, proclamations, charters, 10 rules or regulations and/or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,