Department of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act

Senate Office of the Eradary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JAN 27 A11:05 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1694 Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid AN ACT CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, facing recurrent typhoons, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, epidemics, and other natural and human-induced hazards. Climate change has further intensified the frequency and severity of these events, resulting in significant loss of lives, damage to property, disruption of livelihoods, and erosion of development gains— disproportionately affecting poor, vulnerable, and marginalized sectors. While existing laws and institutions on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and climate change adaptation (CCA) have improved preparedness and response, the current governance framework remains fragmented. Critical functions related to risk reduction, preparedness, response, recovery, climate science, and humanitarian coordination are dispersed across multiple agencies, often leading to coordination gaps, delayed decision-making, and inefficiencies, particularly during large-scale or complex emergencies. Local government units, despite being at the frontline of disaster response, continue to face capacity, resource, and technical constraints.

This bill seeks to address these systemic challenges by establishing the Department of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DDRRM) as the primary agency responsible for leading, coordinating, and institutionalizing a comprehensive, science-based, and whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach to disaster and climate resilience. It is declared the policy of the State to protect life, property, human dignity, and the environment by harmonizing disaster risk and vulnerability reduction, climate change adaptation and mitigation, environmental management, and sustainable development. The measure affirms the State's constitutional duty to ensure public safety and social justice, while recognizing the differentiated needs of women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and other at- risk sectors. The proposed Department shall provide strategic leadership across the entire disaster risk management cycle prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, early recovery, and long-term rehabilitation. It institutionalizes the mainstreaming of disaster and climate resilience into national and local development planning through a unified, multi-hazard, and risk-informed framework, supported by science, research, early warning systems, and risk communication. The bill strengthens coordination through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council as a policy advisory and convergence body, and institutionalizes the participation of local governments, civil society, the private sector, academe, volunteers, and communities. Dedicated mechanisms for research, education, training, information management, insurance, incentives, and integrated early warning systems are established to ensure sustained capacity-building and innovation. Clear authority is provided for disaster preparedness, evacuation, humanitarian logistics, and emergency response, subject to safeguards that uphold human rights, proportionality, cultural sensitivity, and due process. Recovery is anchored on the principle of "build forward better," emphasizing resilience, livelihood restoration,

continuity of public services, peace and order, and risk-sensitive land use and settlement planning. The measure also codifies internationally accepted standards for receiving and providing humanitarian assistance. It establishes legal facilities for eligible assisting international actors, including visa waivers, temporary recognition of professional qualifications and driving licenses, expedited customs procedures, and tax and duty exemptions, while safeguarding national security, public health, and accountability. It likewise authorizes the Philippines, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, to offer humanitarian assistance to foreign states, reflecting international solidarity and responsible global engagement. To protect the integrity of disaster governance, the bill enumerates prohibited acts and imposes strict criminal, civil, and administrative penalties against negligence, corruption, diversion, politicization of aid, obstruction of relief operations, and sexual exploitation and abuse. These provisions reinforce transparency, accountability, and public trust for this proposed department that will cater to our countrymen who have no choice but to trust them. By creating a centralized, empowered, and accountable Department with clear mandates and adequate resources, this measure seeks to enhance the country's ability to anticipate, withstand, respond to, and recover from disasters, while safeguarding development gains and building a safer, more resilient, and climate-adaptive Philippines. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID Senator

senate Office of the securtarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JAN 27 A11 :05 SENATE 1694 RECEIVED BY: S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: ARTICLE I GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title -This Act shall be known as the "Department of Disaster

7 Risk Reduction and Management Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies and Principles. - The State shall:

a) Carry out and harmonize the policies on disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management, environmental management, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development to uphold the welfare of the people especially the vulnerable sectors of society. b) Uphold its commitment to the achievement of the sustainable development goals specifically, integrating and implementing policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement a holistic disaster risk management at all levels.

c) Uphold its commitment to the international treaties, conventions and agreement on disaster risk management, climate change, disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management, and climate change adaptation and mitigation, including universal principles and standards for humanitarian assistance. d) The State shall integrate and accelerate the implementation of the recognized principles, and concepts of climate change, disaster risk and vulnerability reduction contained in the international agreements, treaties, conventions, and frameworks in the various phases of policy formulation, development plans and investments, poverty reduction strategies and other development tools, and techniques by all national and local agencies, institutions and instrumentalities of the government to enhance the country's climate change adaptive capacity. e) Uphold the people's constitutional right to life and property by minimizing and mitigating the root causes of vulnerabilities to disasters, strengthening the country's institutional capacity for disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management, and building the resilience of local communities to disasters including climate change impacts, and human induced disasters; f) Ensure a science-based in a whole-of-society approach and bottom-up participation, representation, and decision-making in climate-disaster risk governance, and adopt a comprehensive, integrated, and proactive approach to lessen the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of disasters and climate change; g) Strengthen the capacity of the national government and the local government units, together with development partner stakeholders, build disaster resilient communities, and institutionalize arrangements and measures to reduce disaster risks and projected climate risks, and enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities at all levels;

h) Work with international humanitarian and development partners especially those with established presence in the country; 1) Develop, maintain, and ensure the accessibility of climate and geospatial information and services to the public; j) Ensure that disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and climate change adaptation measures are disability and vulnerable sensitive, and culturally sensitive, recognizing indigenous knowledge systems and practices, and respecting human rights; k) Mainstream disaster risk and vulnerability reduction in government by ensuring risk-informed planning, programming, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, and the use of quality management, accountability, and performance systems in measuring and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction management processes across all government levels, including those offices which manage peace processes and conflict-resolution approaches, so as to minimize loss of lives and damage to properties and ensure that communities in conflict zones can immediately resume their normal lives at the conclusion of episodes of intermittent conflicts; 1) Adopt risk-sharing and risk-transfer mechanisms to ensure the appropriate. efficient, and timely recovery of disaster-stricken communities, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable; m) Recognize and respond to the differentiated concerns and needs of vulnerable groups such as women and girls, children and youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, urban poor, and indigenous peoples with respect to disaster risk reduction and management, at the same time, recognizing their inherent capacities to contribute to resilience; n) Create an enabling environment for substantial and sustainable participation of civil society organizations, private organizations, non-government organizations, private sector, volunteers and communities, and recognize

their contributions to the disaster risk reduction and management efforts of government; 0) Ensure the use of advanced science and the most up-to-date technologies in climate change adaptation, disaster risk, and vulnerability reduction and management; p) Ensure transparency and accountability in climate-disaster risk governance, by facilitating access to financial records of public funds and disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management data, and ensure the transparency of humanitarian assistance from all sources; q) Recognize families as the most basic unit of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management and climate change adaptation by developing the capacity of local institutions and providing technical assistance and financial support to the most vulnerable communities.

SEC. 3. Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders. - The commitment, goodwill,

knowledge, experience, and resources of relevant stakeholders are critical to realize a safer, adaptive, resilient and inclusive local community. Citizens and resident foreign nationals shall have the shared vision and duty to provide support to the State in the implementation of policies and programs, particularly the Disaster Resilience Framework and Plan at the national, regional and local levels. 1) Civil society, non-governmental organizations, international non- governmental organizations, private sector, practitioners of climate and disaster mitigation, organized voluntary work organizations and community- based organizations shall participate, in collaboration with public institutions, to, inter alia, provide specific knowledge and pragmatic guidance in the context of the development and implementation of normative frameworks, 34 standards and plans for disaster risk and vulnerability reduction; engage in the implementation of local, national, regional, and global plans and strategies; contribute to and support public awareness, a culture of protection, prevention and conservation, and

education on disaster risk; and advocate for resilient communities and an inclusive and whole of society, risk reduction and management which shall strengthen the synergies across groups, as appropriate; 2) Women and girls shall contribute to and participate in effectively managing disaster risk and designing, resourcing, and leading implementation of gender sensitive disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management policies, plans, and programs; 3) Children and the youth as agents of change shall endeavor to actively contribute to disaster risk and vulnerability reduction, in accordance with legislation, national practice, and educational curricula; disaster risk reduction and management at all levels and processes of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and anticipatory adaptation, including data gathering, planning, programming, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; 4) For citizens having years of knowledge, skills on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and wisdom, are invaluable assets to reducing disaster risk, and shall therefore participate in the design of policies, plans and mechanisms, including those for early warning; 5) Persons with disabilities, through their existing network or organizations, shall participate in activities related to assessment, programming, and the designs of policies, plans, and mechanisms; 6) Migrants shall contribute to the resilience of communities and societies using their knowledge, skills and capacities in the design and implementation of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and climate change adaptation; 7) Indigenous peoples and Muslim Filipinos, through their practical experience and traditional knowledge, shall contribute to the development and implementation of policies, plans and mechanisms, including those for early warning;

8) Urban and rural poor shall contribute to resilience building as well as in the promotion of a more inclusive and transformative resettlement for informal settler families in reducing their vulnerability to threats of disaster and climate risks through state and non-state programs; 9) Farmers and fisherfolk shall contribute to the promotion and protection of the environmental resource management that will secure food and nutrition resilience through the integration of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction into sustainable development policies and planning; 10)Emergency responders, community practitioners, and organized volunteer organizations shall contribute to resilience by not providing timely and efficient emergency response and providing training on basic life support, first aid, and search and rescue, in accordance with the standards provided by the Research, Education, and Training Institute of the Department; 11)Academia and scientific and research entities and networks are encouraged to focus their research efforts on disaster risk factors and scenarios, including emerging disaster risks, in the medium and long term; partner with government and increase research for regional, national and local application; support action by local communities and authorities; and support the interface between policy and science for decision-making; 12)Businesses, private sector financial institutions, professional associations, as well as philanthropic foundations together with financial regulators shall be encouraged to integrate disaster risk management, including business continuity, into business models and core business values and practices via disaster risk-informed investments, especially in micro, small and medium- sized enterprises; engage in awareness-raising and training for their employees and customers; engage in and support research and innovation as well as technological development for disaster risk management; share and disseminate knowledge, practices and data; and actively participate, as appropriate and under the guidance of the public sector, in the development

of normative frameworks and technical standards that incorporate disaster risk management; and 13)The media shall take an active and inclusive role at the local, regional, and national levels in contributing to the raising of public awareness and understanding, and disseminate accurate disaster risk, hazard and disaster information, including on small-scale disasters, in a simple, transparent, easy-to-understand and accessible manner, in close cooperation with national and local authorities; adopt specific disaster risk and vulnerability reduction communication policies; support, as appropriate, early warning systems and life-saving protective measures; and stimulate a culture of prevention and strong community involvement in sustained public education campaigns and public consultations at all levels of society, in accordance with national

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

1) Adaptation refers to the adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climactic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities. 2) Assisting Domestic Entity refers to any not-for-profit entity established under domestic laws, which is responding to a disaster in the country. 3) Assisting International Entity refers to any foreign state, organization, entity or individual responding to a disaster within or transiting through the country to respond to a disaster in another country. 4) Capacity refers to the combination of all strengths, attributes and resources available within a community, society or organization that can reduce the level of risk, or impacts of a disaster. Capacity may include infrastructure and physical means, institutions, societal coping abilities, as well as human knowledge, skills and collective attributes such as social relationships, leadership and management. Capacity may also be described as capability.

5) Civil Society Organizations refer to non-state actors whose aims are neither to generate profits nor to seek governing power, but to unite people to advance shared goals and interests. They have a presence in public life, expressing the interests and values of their members or others, based on ethical, cultural, scientific, religious or philanthropic considerations. Civil society organizations include non-government organizations, professional associations, foundations, independent research institutes, community- based organizations, faith-based organizations, people's organizations, social movements, and labor unions. 6) Climate Change Adaptation refers to the adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities. 7) Climate Finance refers to finance that aims at reducing emissions, and enhancing sinks of greenhouse gases and aims at reducing vulnerability of, and maintaining, and increasing the resilience of, human and ecological systems to negative climate change impacts. 8) Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CBDRRM) refers to a process of disaster risk reduction and management in which at risk communities are actively engaged in the identification, analysis, treatment, monitoring and evaluation of disaster risks in order to reduce their vulnerabilities and enhance their capacities, and where the people are at the heart of decision-making and implementation of disaster risk reduction and management activities. 9) Complex Emergency refers to a form of human-induced emergency in which the cause of the emergency as well as the assistance to the afflicted is complicated by intense level of political considerations. 10) Disaster refers to a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental

losses and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources. 11) Disaster Mitigation refers to the lessening or limitation of the adverse impacts of hazards and related disasters. Mitigation measures encompass engineering techniques and hazard-resistant construction as well as improved environmental policies and public awareness, land use planning, and climate change. 12) Disaster Preparedness refers to the knowledge and capacities developed by governments, professional response and recovery organizations, communities and individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from, the impacts of likely, imminent or current hazard events or conditions. It includes preparedness for response such as contingency planning, stockpiling of equipment and supplies, the development of arrangements for coordination, evacuation, and public information, and preparedness for recovery such as procurement of land for resettlement sites. 13) Disaster Prevention refers to the outright avoidance of adverse impacts of hazards. It expresses the concept and intention to completely avoid potential adverse impacts through action taken in advance such as construction of dams or embankments that eliminate flood risks, land-use regulations that do not permit any settlement in high-risk zones, and seismic engineering designs that ensure the survival and function of a critical building in any likely earthquake. 14) Disaster Response refers to the provision of emergency services and public assistance during or immediately after a disaster in order to secure and save lives, reduce health impacts, ensure public safety and meet the basic subsistence needs of the people affected. Disaster response includes disaster relief focused on immediate and short-term needs of the victims and the vulnerable.

15) Disaster Risk refers to the potential disaster losses in lives, health status, livelihoods, assets and services that could occur to a particular community or society in the future, and is determined by a combination of the hazard vulnerability, capacity, exposure of persons and assets, characteristics and the environment. 16) Disaster Risk Governance refers to the way in which the public authorities, civil servants, media, private sector, and civil society coordinate at community, national and regional levels in order to manage disaster and climate related risks. This means ensuring that sufficient levels of capacity and resources are made available to prevent, prepare for, manage, and recover from disasters. It also entails mechanisms, institutions, and processes for citizens to articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights and obligations, and mediate their differences. 17) Disaster Risk Management refers to the systematic process of using administrative directives, organizations, and operational skills and capacities to implement strategies, policies and improved coping capacities in order to lessen the adverse impacts of hazards and the possibility of disaster. 18) Disaster Risk Reduction refers to the concept and practice of reducing disaster risks through systematic efforts to analyze and manage the causal factors of disasters, including through reduced exposure to hazards, lessened vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land and the environment, and improved preparedness for adverse events. 19) Disaster Risk and Vulnerability Reduction refers to the concept and practice of reducing potential loss of life, injury, or destroyed or damaged assets or disrupted which could occur to a system, society or a community in a specific period of time, determined probabilistically and conditions determined by physical, social, economic and environmental factors or processes which increase the susceptibility of an individual, a community, assets or system to the impacts of hazards through systematic efforts to analyze and reduce the causal factors of disasters all of which contribute to

strengthening resilience and therefore to the achievement of sustainable development. 20) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Information System refers to a specialized database which contains, among others, information on disasters and their human, material, economic, and environmental impact, risk assessment and mapping, and vulnerable and marginalized groups. 21) Early Warning System refers to the set of capacities needed to generate and disseminate timely and meaningful warning information to enable individuals, communities and organizations threatened by a hazard to prepare and to act appropriately and in sufficient time to reduce the possibility of harm or loss. A people-centered early warning system necessarily comprises four (4) key elements: knowledge of the risks; monitoring, analysis and forecasting of the hazards; communication or dissemination of alerts and warnings; and local capabilities to respond to the warnings received. The concept of "end-to-end warning system" emphasizes that warning systems need to span all steps from hazard detection to community response. Early warning systems include systems developed at the level of communities or based on indigenous knowledge. 22) Ecosystem Management and Restoration refers to an integrated process to conserve, improve and restore the health of the ecosystem that sustains ecosystem services for human well-being. 23) Eligible Assisting Entity refers to any assisting actor that has been determined to be eligible to receive legal facilities as provided in this Act and its implementing rules and regulations. 24) Emergency refers to unforeseen or sudden occurrence, especially danger, demanding immediate action. 25) Emergency Management refers to the organization and management of resources and responsibilities for addressing all aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness, response and initial recovery steps.

26) Exposure refers to the degree to which the elements at risk are likely to experience hazard events of different magnitudes 27) Geographic Information System (GIS) refers to a system used to capture, store, manipulate, manage and display all types of spatial or geographical data. 28) Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA) refers to areas with a marginalized population which is physically and socioeconomically separated from the mainstream society and characterized by physical factors, and isolated due to distance, weather conditions and transportation difficulties in island, upland lowland, landlocked, hard to reach and underserved communities; and/or socio-economic factors such as high poverty incidence, presence of vulnerable sectors, communities in or recovering from situation of crisis or armed conflict, 29) Hazard refers to a dangerous phenomenon, either natural or human- induced, that may cause loss of life, injury, or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihood and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage. 30) Human-Induced Hazard refers to an event caused by humans and occurs in or close to human settlements or a particular environmental area. This can include environmental degradation, technological or industrial conditions, pollution, accidents such as high-density events, industrial and transport accidents, complex emergencies, armed conflict, situations of generalized or organized violence, and violation of human rights, 31) Imminent Danger refers to a situation where, on the basis of official forecasts, that a disaster will or is expected to occur in a particular geographical area and within an estimated period of time, and where necessary preparedness actions or financing are required. 32) International Disaster Relief and Initial Recovery Period refers to the period which commences upon the issuance of a request for international disaster

assistance or upon acceptance of an offer, and shall continue until terminated pursuant to guidelines set in the implementing rules and regulations. 33) Internally Displaced Persons refer to persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence within national borders, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized and/or organized violence, violations of human rights, implementation of development projects, or natural or human-induced disasters, 34) International Personnel refers to the staff and volunteers of any assisting actor providing disaster relief or initial recovery assistance, being persons who are neither citizens of, nor domiciled in the Philippines prior to their recruitment by the international assisting actor, 35) Land Use Planning refers to the process undertaken by public authorities to identify, evaluate and decide on different options the use of land, including consideration of long-term economic, social and environmental objectives and the implications for different communities and interest groups, and the subsequent formulation and promulgation of plans that describe the permitted or acceptable uses. 36) Legal Facilities refer to special entitlements and exemptions that are made available to eligible assisting actors under this Act. 37) Mitigation refers to effort to reduce or limit greenhouse gas emissions or enhance greenhouse gas sequestration. 38) National Continuity Policy refers to a policy aimed at the development of an organizational culture that has the ability to provide a minimum level of service during interruptions, emergencies, and disasters, and return to full operations quickly.

39) National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework refers to the comprehensive, all hazards, multi-sectoral, inter-agency and community- based approach to disaster risk reduction and management. 40) National Disaster Resilience Plan (NDRP) refers to the document to be formulated by the NDRRMC and implemented by the Authority that sets out goals and specific objectives for reducing disaster risks together with related actions to accomplish these objectives. The NDRP shall provide for the identification of hazards, vulnerabilities, and risks to be managed at the national level; disaster risk reduction and management approaches and strategies to be applied in managing said hazards and risks; agency roles, responsibilities and lines of authority at all government levels; and vertical and horizontal coordination of disaster risk reduction and management in the pre-disaster and post-disaster phases. It shall be in conformity with the national disaster risk reduction and management framework. 41) Natural Hazard refers to naturally occurring physical phenomena caused either by rapid or slow onset events which can be geological such as earthquakes ground rupture, liquefaction, landslides, tsunamis, sinkholes, and volcanic activity; hydrological and meteorological such as floods, severe winds, typhoons, storm surges, climatological variability such as extreme temperatures, El Nino, La Nina, forest fires, or biological such as disease, epidemics and insect/animal plagues. 42) Open Data refer to facts and statistics that can be freely used, shared and built-on by anyone, anywhere, for any purpose. These must be available in bulk, should be available free of charge, or at least at no more than a reasonable reproduction cost. The information should be digital, preferably available by downloading through the internet, and easily processed by a computer. These must permit people to use, re-use, and redistribute, intermix with other data providers. These do not allow conditions to be placed on how people can use Open Data, but permit a data provider to require that data users credit them in some appropriate way, clarify if the

data have been changed, or that new datasets created using their data are also shared as open data. 43) Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment refers to a process to evaluate a hazard's level of risk given the degree of exposure and vulnerability in a specific area likely to be affected by an imminent hazard. It presents the possible impacts on the population and provides a basis to determine the appropriate level o f response actions of government agencies from the national to the local levels. It is hazard-specific, area focused and time-bound, 44) Post-Disaster Recovery refers to the restoration and improvement, where appropriate, of facilities, livelihood, and living conditions of disaster-affected communities, including efforts to reduce disaster risk factors, in accordance with the principle of "build forward better." 45) Private Sector refers to private corporations, households, non-profit institutions serving households, and other economic enterprises outside of government. 46) Recovery refers to rehabilitation measures that ensure the ability of affected communities or areas to restore their normal level of functioning by restoring livelihoods and services, reconstructing damaged infrastructures and increasing the communities' organizational capacity, 47) Resilience refers to the ability of a system, community or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, adapt to, transform, accommodate, and recover from the effects o f a hazard in a timely and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions through risk management in such ways as to enhance their capacities to withstand current and future risk, 48) Response refers to any effort to provide assistance or intervention during or immediately after a disaster to meet the life preservation and basic subsistence needs of affected people and in the restoration of essential public activities and facilities.

49) Risk Assessment refers to a methodology which includes risk assessment with mapping to determine the nature and extent of risk by analyzing potential hazards and evaluating existing conditions of vulnerability that together could potentially harm exposed people, property, services, livelihood and the environment on which they depend. 50) Probabilistic Risk Assessment refers to the simulation of those future disasters based on scientific evidence, are likely to occur. As a result, these risk assessments resolve the problem posed by the limits of historical data. Probabilistic models "complete" historical records by reproducing the physics of the phenomena and recreating the intensity of a large number of synthetic events. Probabilistic Risk Assessment considers all possible scenarios, their likelihood, and associated impacts. It is characterized by inherent uncertainties partly related to the natural randomness of hazards, and partly because of incomplete understanding and measurement of the hazards, exposure, and vulnerability. 51) Deterministic Risk Assessment refers to an assessment that considers the possible disaster impacts of a single scenario. This is in contrast to probabilistic risk assessment which considers all possible scenarios, their likelihood, and associated impacts. 52) Risk Transfer refers to the process of formally or informally shifting the financial consequences of particular risks from one party to another whereby a household, community, enterprise, or state authority will obtain resources from the other party after a disaster occurs, in exchange for ongoing or compensatory social or financial benefits provided to that other party. 53) State of Calamity refers to a condition involving mass casualty and/or major damage to property, disruption of means of livelihoods, roads, and normal way of life of people in the affected areas as a result of the occurrence of natural or human-induced hazard.

54) Sustainable Development refers to development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. 55) Vital Facility Items refer to government risk reduction and preparedness equipment, accessories and other items such as radars, weather forecasting equipment, flood monitoring instruments, seismographs, tsunami warning systems, and automated weather systems. 56) Vulnerability refers to the characteristics and circumstances of a community, system or asset that make it susceptible to the damaging effects of a hazard. Vulnerability may arise from various physical, social, economic, and environmental factors. 57) Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups refer to those who are at risk due to poverty and other underlying risk factors including women, children, the elderly, differently-abled people, and ethnic minorities. 58) Whole-of-Society Approach refers to the meaningful participation and synergy of stakeholders that represent different interests in all aspects of climate change adaptation, and disaster risk reduction and management across all levels. 59) Whole of Government Approach refers to an approach that integrates the collaborative efforts of the government departments and agencies to achieve unity of effort toward a shared goal to broaden the government's options, and increases efficiency to maximize all available resources in a collaborative effort. 60) Whole of Nation Approach refers to an approach that seeks to bring about a concerted effort towards national peace and security by creating consensus and understanding of security that is shared not just among core security forces and oversight government institutions, but also by civil society and all the nation's communities.

ARTICLE II DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

SEC. 4. Creation of the Department of Disaster Risk Reduction and

4 Management. - There is hereby created a Department of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, herein after referred to as the Department. The Department shall be 6 the primary government agency responsible for leading, organizing, and managing 7 the national effort to reduce disaster risk, prepare for and respond to disasters, recover and rehabilitate, and build forward better after the occurrence of disasters. The Department shall oversee and coordinate the preparation, implementation, 10 monitoring, and evaluation of disaster and climate resilience plans, programs, projects. and activities, provide leadership in the continuous development of strategic and systematic approaches to disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation, to anticipatory adaptation strategies, measures, techniques and options. The Department shall augment the capacity of local governments units in 16 collaboration with relevant national government agencies and other stakeholders to implement disaster risk reduction and management and climate change action plans, programs, projects, and activities.

SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the Department - The Department shall

20 exercise and perform the following powers and functions: (a) Risk Reduction. 1. Oversee, direct, and undertake programs and projects to identify, assess, prioritize and localize hazards and risks in the country, in consultation with national government agencies, local governments units, communities, and stakeholders that shall be involved in disaster risk reduction efforts. 2. Monitor and ensure the integration of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management and climate change adaptation policies into national development plans.

• 3. Design and implement an incentive system for greater private and public investment, both local and national, in disaster risk reduction. 4. Oversee and ensure the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in development planning, including disaster-proofing and climate-proofing of land use plans and the preparation of contingency plans. 5. Create an enabling environment for the design of relevant and appropriate 26 risk-sharing and risk-transfer instruments. 6. Create an enabling environment that shall promote broader multi- stakeholder participation and integrate climate change mitigation, adaptation, and disaster risk and vulnerability reduction. 7. Coordinate directly with local government units and private entities to address climate vulnerabilities and disaster risk assessment (CVDRA) of regions and provinces at the meso-scale, cities and municipalities at the 33 micro-scale, and barangays at the meta-scale. 8. Establish and monitor local and national capacity for disaster risk financing and insurance and other risk transfer strategies in coordination with the Department of Finance (DOF), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP). 9. Formulate the National Disaster Resilience Framework, National Disaster Resilience Plan, and the National Continuity Policy. 10. Oversee and direct the comprehensive implementation of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation policies, plans, and programs, as embodied in the Disaster Resilience Framework and Disaster Resilience Plan; 11. Coordinate directly with local government units and private entities to address Disaster Risk Assessment (DRA) of regions and provinces at the

meso-scale, cities and municipalities at the micro-scale, and barangays at the meta-scale. 12. Review and evaluate local disaster resilience plans and other local plans to 14 ensure their consistency with the Climate-Disaster Resilience Framework and 15 Plan; (b) Disaster Preparedness and Response 1. Oversee and maintain a national early-warning and emergency alert system that shall provide accurate, timely, and accessible information to national and local emergency response organizations and the general public. 2. Coordinate information-sharing and other risk reduction protocols following the principle of interoperability among national government agencies and local government units. 3. Establish and maintain a national humanitarian logistics system with a network of warehouses, transport, and resources, including response assets and disaster relief items, such as food and non-food items. 4. Exercise command and control over relevant government agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations, the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies, during an imminent or actual disaster. Such command and control shall include the authority to utilize available services, assets, equipment, personnel, facilities, and other resources. 5. Call on the reserve force, as defined in Republic Act No. 7077, otherwise known as the "Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act', to assist in relief and rescue operations during disasters. 6. Work with the private sector and civil society organizations for assistance with regard to the use of facilities and resources for the protection and 16 1 preservation of life and property.

7. Implement pre-disaster risk assessments, to include deployment of rapid assessment teams to gather information for precise actions as a basis for emergency preparedness and humanitarian response. 8. Organize, train, equip, and maintain a system of response capacity for search, rescue, and retrieval, and the delivery and distribution of relief goods. 9. Monitor and support local government units in the management of 8 evacuation centers and ensure the welfare and dignity of internally-displaced persons. 10. Procure goods and services during emergencies, in accordance with existing emergency procurement rules and regulations. 11. Issue special procurement rules and regulations for preparedness, response, and recovery activities, including those prompted by a declaration of a state 14 of calamity or of an imminent disaster. 12. Assist in mobilizing the necessary resources to increase the overall capacity of local government units, specifically those with low income and Situated in high-risk areas. (c) Rehabilitation and Recovery 1. Prepare, organize, lead, implement, and manage post-disaster assessment and recovery and rehabilitation programs, in coordination with the affected local government units, national government agencies, and other stakeholders. 2. Implement the cluster approach to expedite reconstruction efforts and orchestrate and serve as the clearinghouse for the participation of assisting actors in such efforts. 3. Ensure that the principle of Building Forward Better is applied to rehabilitation and recovery efforts.

(d) Other Powers and Functions 1. Provide or designate a secretariat to the Climate Change Commission. 2. Establish and monitor local and national capacity for climate-disaster risk financing and insurance and other risk transfer strategies in coordination with the Department of Finance (DOF), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and the Land Bank of The Philippines (LBP). 3. Coordinate information-sharing and other disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and climate change adaptation protocols following the principle of inter-operability among national government agencies and local government units before, during, and after a disaster. Administer, oversee, and monitor the utilization of National Disaster Resilience Fund (NDRF), the Disaster Resilience Support Fund (DRSF) for third (3rd) to sixth (6th) class provinces and municipalities, and other grants and donations for disaster risk reduction and management and climate change adaptation, unless otherwise specified. 4. Receive, administer, mobilize, and monitor and oversee the utilization of the national disaster resilience fund, the Prevention, Mitigation, and Preparedness Fund for 3rd to 6th Class Provinces and Municipalities, and donations for disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management and climate change adaptation, unless otherwise specified; 5. Use of advanced science and technologies in disaster risk reduction and management by engaging, consulting with, employing and regularly funding the academe or higher education and research institutions such as the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute and the University of the Philippines Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards Center or other institutions that have a recognized and credible track record, as well as the capacity to conceptualize and implement the science and engineering requirements necessary for effective climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

6. Establish a Disaster resilience information system to facilitate the creation of an integrated risk assessment platform that is built from the inputs of government and private scientific and academic institutions, national government agencies and local government units, local communities and other stakeholders, and is able to provide readily accessible and actionable information for purposes of risk governance and humanitarian action; 7. Develop the criteria and procedure for the enlistment of accredited community disaster resilience volunteers and institutions. 8. Create and continuously update, in consultation with stakeholders, a manual of operations for accredited community disaster resilience volunteers and institutions. 9. Perform such other functions as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this Act. ARTICLE III GENERAL WELFARE AND EMERGENCY MEASURES

SEC. 6. General Welfare. - The Department shall exercise the powers expressly

granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare, such as the implementation of .21 emergency measures including preemptive and forced evacuation, in anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of emergencies, hazards and disasters and only when there is imminent danger of loss of lives and/or damage to property.

SEC. 7. Emergency Measures at the National Level. —The Department may

require the assistance of law enforcement agencies and the uniformed services, such as the PNP and the AFP, as well as emergency responders, to assist in the implementation of emergency measures.

SEC. 8. Emergency Measures at the Local Level. -

a) Local government units shall enact an ordinance on and implement through the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (LDRRMO) the necessary and appropriate emergency measures, including preemptive and forced evacuation, in anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of emergencies, hazards and disasters, and only when there is imminent danger of loss of lives and/or damage to property. b) Emergency measures, including preemptive and forced evacuation, shall be carried out in a manner that is humane, respectful of the dignity and culture of persons, without using disproportionate force, without discrimination, and with conscious attention to the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups. c) All measures shall be taken to inform the population, in a manner and language that they can understand, of the need for emergency measures and evacuation for their safety, as well as the location where they will be taken and for how long they are going to stay there. Adequate evacuation centers and transportation to and from the affected area shall be provided by the local government.

SEC. 9. Hierarchy of Evacuation Measures. -

a) Preemptive evacuation shall be the preferred and primary mode of evacuation of people that will be affected by emergencies, hazards and disasters. b) Forced evacuation shall be considered as an emergency measure of last resort that may be undertaken in anticipation of, during or after an emergency, hazard or disaster and be carried out by the affected local government in accordance with a duly-issued order by the local chief executive: Provided, That in case of the failure of the local government to appropriately issue such order, the forced evacuation shall be implemented by the Department, which may direct and compel the assistance of law

enforcement and other relevant national agencies to implement said emergency measure. During such forced evacuation, government officials may direct and compel the population to be affected or is currently affected by an emergency, hazard or disaster to relocate to safer locations for their own safety.

SEC. 10. Release from Liability in Case of Refusal to Evacuate. -

a) Any person who willfully and deliberately disregards or opposes the order of forced evacuation issued by the local chief executive or the Department, releases the local government or the Department from any liability for injury, death, damage to or loss of property attributed to said disobedience. b) During evacuation, priority assistance shall be given to the vulnerable groups and persons who willfully comply with the order of forced evacuation.

SEC. 11. Inspection and Implementation Powers. - The Department shall have

inspection, visitorial and examining authority over government and non-governmental entities to ensure that all funds and assets allocated for disaster resilience are actually used for said purposes. The Department shall likewise have the power to inspect and examine the status of projects and programs being undertaken in furtherance of disaster resilience efforts. Whenever it becomes necessary, the Department may assume responsibility over the implementation of and directly implement any program or project in anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of emergencies, hazards and disasters.

SEC. 12. Utilization of Private Property for Public Purpose. - The Department

shall have the power to utilize any private property for urgent public purpose in anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of emergencies, hazards and disasters and only when there is imminent danger of loss of lives and/or damage to property, subject to payment of just compensation in appropriate cases.

SEC. 13. Emergency Powers. - Whenever it becomes necessary, the

2 Department, subject to the approval of the President, may call on the AFP or the PNP, in coordination with the Secretary of National Defense and the Secretary of the Interior 4 and Local Government, to prevent or suppress lawless violence and ensure the 5 protection and preservation of life or property in anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of emergencies, hazards and disasters. Whenever warranted by circumstances, the department may call upon other 8 agencies and instrumentalities of the government, as well as non-government and for 9 the protection and preservation of life and/or property in anticipation of, during, and 10 in the aftermath of emergencies, hazards and disasters. Private organizations, for 11 assistance in the use of their facilities and resources.

SEC. 14. Emergency Arrangements. - The Department shall have the power

to negotiate, enter into, institutionalize and coordinate arrangements with any private person or juridical entity for the purpose of ensuring the adequate and prompt availability of all goods and services necessary in anticipation of, during, and in the aftermath of emergencies, hazards and disasters and only when there is imminent danger of loss of lives and/or damage to property. ARTICLE IV ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT

SEC. 15. The Secretary. The Department shall be headed by a Secretary who

shall be appointed by the President.

SEC. 16. Powers and Functions of the Secretary. - The Secretary of the

Department shall exercise the following powers and functions: a) Establish and promulgate policies, rules, and regulations for the effective and efficient operation of the Department. b) Exercise executive direction over the operations of the Department and administrative supervision over its attached agencies.

c) Manage the financial and human resources of the Department. d) Appoint officers and employees of the Department, except presidential appointees, in accordance with civil service law, rules, and regulations. e) Exercise disciplinary authority over officers and employees of the Department in accordance with law. f) Coordinate with other government agencies, the private sector, and civil society organizations on the policies, programs, projects, and activities of the Department, as may be necessary. g) Advise the President on the promulgation of executive and administrative issuances and the formulation of regulatory and legislative proposals on matters pertaining to disaster resilience. h) Serve as the Vice-Chairperson of the Climate Change Commission. i) In coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, represent the Philippines in the climate change negotiations and articulate the national contribution to global, regional, and other inter-governmental disaster risk reduction and humanitarian platforms. j) Call upon the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to render assistance in disaster-affected areas. k) Promulgate such rules and regulations and perform such other functions as may be necessary or proper to attain the objectives of this act.

SEC. 17. Organizational Structure, Functions and Management - The

Department shall be composed of the following officials and offices: a) The Secretary, as provided for under this Act; b) Five (5) Undersecretaries, to be appointed by the President, who shall assist the Secretary in administering the affairs of the Department, one to be responsible for Resilience, one to be responsible for Policy and Governance,

one to be responsible for Operations, one to be responsible for Administration and Finance, and the Senior Undersecretary. The Undersecretaries shall have functional and operational supervision over the bureaus, divisions, offices and units assigned to their respective functional areas; C) The Department shall have such number of assistant secretaries and directors as may be necessary for the effective and efficient implementation and performance of its mandate, powers, and functions; d) Divisions, units and offices as may be created by the Department and whose officers and employees shall be appointed in accordance with civil service law, rules, and regulations; e) The National Climate and Disaster Resilience Research, Education, and Training Institute under the Capacity Building and Training Service, to be headed by a Director; f) Regional and other field Offices of the Department that shall be established in each administrative region, each to be headed by a Regional Director; g) Seconded personnel from relevant agencies and detailed service from the uniformed services, as appropriate; and h) Grievance desks in every region, which shall serve as a referral mechanism and shall work jointly with relevant agencies, to receive complaints from the public regarding violations of this Act. It shall assist the complainant in the gathering of relevant documentation and other evidence to support said complaint. The grievance desk shall facilitate the forwarding of the complaint to the appropriate office within fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof, and shall provide timely feedback and updates regarding the status of the complaint. The grievance desk shall use the best available technology to ensure that complaints are endorsed to the proper office and are addressed in a timely manner.

ARTICLE V FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

SEC. 18. Fiscal Management - The Department shall manage all funds

appropriated to it by Congress and from other sources. This shall include all donations, as contemplated under the succeeding paragraph, subject to provisions of Section 3, 7 paragraph (D) of Article 9, of the 1987 Constitution on the auditing powers of the 8 Commission on Audit.

SEC. 19. Donation. -

a) The Department shall have the power to receive donations and grants from any person, government institution, corporation, international organization and other similar entities, and the power to recommend the procurement of developmental assistance for the purpose of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management and climate change adaptation. b) It shall be mandatory for the Department to acknowledge and certify the receipt of all DDR grant and donated funds and ensure their judicious management including their proper and accurate audit reporting to constituents. c) The importation and donation of food, clothing, medicine and equipment for relief and recovery and other disaster management and recovery-related supplies is hereby authorized in accordance with. Section 800, Chapter 1, Title 8, of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the "Customs and Tariff Modernization Act', as amended, and the prevailing provisions of the General Appropriations Act covering national internal revenue taxes and import duties of national and local government agencies; All importations and donations under Section 11 (c) of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the "Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CTMA)" shall be

considered as importation or donation to the Department, subject to the approval of the Office of the President. ARTICLE VI WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT AND WHOLE OF NATION APPROACH

SEC. 20. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. -

(a) There is hereby created the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), which shall serve as the policy advisory body to the 8 Department on disaster risk reduction and management and climate change 9 adaptation, consistent with the policies and scope as defined in this Act. (b) The NDRRMC shall be chaired by the Secretary of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and shall be composed of the following: 1. Secretary of Science and Technology 2. Secretary of the Interior and Local Government; 3. Secretary of Social Welfare and Development 4. Secretary of National Defense 5. Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority; 6. Secretary of Health; 7. Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources 8. Secretary of Agriculture; 9. Secretary of Education; 10. Secretary of Energy 11. Secretary of Finance 12. Secretary of Trade and Industry

13. Secretary of Transportation 14. Secretary of Budget and Management 15. Secretary of Public Works and Highways 16. Secretary of Foreign Affairs 17. Secretary of Justice 18. Secretary of Labor and Employment 19. Secretary of Tourism 20. Secretary of Information and Communications Technology 21. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process 22. Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education 23. Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines 24. Chief of the Philippine National Police 25. Head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office 26. Secretary-General of the Philippine National Red Cross 27. Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights 28. Executive Director of the Council for Welfare of Children; 29. Lead Convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission; 30. Chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women; 31. Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council; 32. Chairperson of the National Council for Disability Affairs;

33. Chairperson of the National Commission on Indigenous Filipinos; 34. Chairperson of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos; 35. Chairperson of the National Youth Commission; 36. President of the Government Service Insurance System; 37. President of the Social Security System; 38. President of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation; 39. President of the Home Development Mutual Fund; 40. President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines; 41. President of the League of Provinces of the Philippines; 42. President of the League of Cities of the Philippines; 43. President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines; 44. President of the Liga ng mga Barangays; 45. Maximum of six (6) representatives from the academia and other relevant research institutions; 46. Maximum of six (6) representatives from the civil society organizations; and 47. Maximum of six (6) representatives from the private sector. (c) Composition - The Council is hereby organized into five (5) clusters, namely, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to be led by DOST, Disaster Preparedness to be led by DILG, Disaster Response by DSWD, Logistics led by DND, and Recovery and Sustainable Development led by NEDA. (d) Technical Management Advisory Group - The Department may constitute, as the need arises, a technical management advisory group from the different

1 stakeholders, that shall coordinate and meet with the Department as often as necessary to effectively manage and sustain national efforts on disaster risk and 3 vulnerability reduction and emergency management, and climate change adaptation 4 and mitigation; and (e) Guidelines for the Department of Disaster Resilience Fund (DDRF) and Local 6 Disaster Resilience Fund (LDRF) - The Department shall provide the necessary 7 guidelines and procedures on the DDRF and the LDRF releases as well as utilization, 8 accounting and auditing thereof.

SEC. 21. Monitoring, Reporting and Validation. -

a. Monitoring and Reporting. On or before the last quarter of the preceding 11 year, member-agencies of the National Disaster Resilience Council shall submit to the 12 Department through the Council Secretariat their respective DDR annual work and 13 financial plans (AWFPs) for the next year. The AWFPS shall be based on the DDR Plan. The member-agencies shall submit to the Secretariat quarterly progress reports 15 of their implementation of the AWFPs within thirty (30) days from the end of each 16 quarter. The Department is likewise accountable, liable and responsible for monitoring and requiring the appropriate implementation of remedial measures by member 19 agencies of the Council during a state of calamity. It shall have the authority and 20 power to require reports from the appropriate member-agencies regarding implementation of such measures. b. Validation. The Secretary shall require the submission of reports from local government units to validate the progress reports of the Council member-agencies. Submission shall be through the local field offices of the DDR. Every two (2) years, the implementation of the Climate-Disaster Resilience Plan (CDRP) and utilization of the Local Disaster Resilience Fund (LDRF) of each province, local government units, independent city shall be evaluated by the Regional Disaster 28 Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) based on appropriate criteria,

1 such as the award, recognition, citation criteria for provinces, cities and municipalities, 2 barangay and stakeholders. (1) The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (RDRRMC) - The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (RDRRMCS) shall coordinate, integrate, supervise, and evaluate the activities of the LDRRMCs. It shall be accountable, responsible and liable for ensuring climate-disaster risk sensitive and 7 inclusive regional development plans, and in case of emergencies shall convene the 8 different regional line agencies and authorities, concerned institutions, developmental partners and multiple stakeholders. The Regional Directors of the Department shall serve as chairpersons of the 11 RDRRMCs and the Regional Directors of the DSWD, the DILG, and the NEDA shall serve as cluster heads. In the case of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Chief Minister shall be the RDRRMC Chairperson. In the case of Metro Manila, the MDRC shall be headed by the Chairperson of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). The RDRRMCs shall establish the RDRRMC Secretariat and operating facility to be known as the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Secretariat and Operations Center (RDRRMC). The RDRRMCs shall be composed of concerned regional agencies, offices, local government units and other multiple stakeholders. i. LDRRMC Budgetary Requirements of LDRRMO - The budgetary requirements for personal services, maintenance and other operating expenditures, and capital outlay of the LDRRMO shall be sourced from the General Fund of the LGU, subject to Section 76 of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise known as the "Local Government Code of 1991, as amended. The enforcement of Sections 325(a) and 331(b) of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended shall be waived to enable the local government units to fund the initial year requirements for the creation of the minimum five (5) mandatory positions of the LDRRMO.

Other maintenance and operating expenditures, and other capital outlay requirements of the LDRRMO in the implementation of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction management and climate change adaptation programs shall be charged to the Local Climate-Disaster Resilience Fund of the local government units. ii. Establish linkage or network with other local government units for disaster risk and vulnerability reduction, climate change adaptation and emergency response purposes; IIi. Recommend through the LDRRMC, the enactment of local ordinances consistent with the requirements of this Act; iv. Establish a Provincial City, Municipal, and Barangay Climate and Disaster Resilience Operations Center; and V. Encourage Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) to establish their own Climate and Disaster Resilience Operations Center within their territories.

SEC. 22. Synergy with Stakeholders. - The Department shall ensure seamless

synergy and coordination with stakeholders, including civil society organizations, the academe, and the private sector, in relation to disaster resilience programs and projects and the development and promotion of research, education, and training mechanism with relevant stakeholders. The Department shall establish a platform, paradigm, and mechanisms for convergence and coordination with stakeholders, including the development of standards, protocols, and procedures for collaboration for disaster resilience.

SEC. 23. Establishment of Multi-Stakeholders Convergence Unit. - The

Department, with the assistance of other relevant government agencies and stakeholders, shall establish a Multi-Stakeholders Convergence Unit (MSCU), which shall align the disaster resilience efforts of the private sector, civil society organizations, academe, and other stakeholders with the Department by assisting,

1 coordinating, or providing services that strengthen public-private cooperation and 2 coordination in disaster resilience, including the following: a) Establishment and implementation of business continuity practices to ensure the continued delivery of products and services, in the event of disasters. b) Establishment and implementation of a National Continuity Policy to ensure service continuity during power and utilities interruptions, emergencies, and disasters and ensure the quick return to full operations. c) Establishment, incorporation, and application of business continuity plans as part of the disaster resilience plans of local government units. d) Facilitation or assistance in obtaining or processing incentives for the private sector or other non-government stakeholders. e) Preparation and facilitating the issuance of micro, small, and medium 19 enterprises (MSMEs), such as mechanisms involving procurement and liquidity to create enabling environments for disaster preparedness and recovery. The MSCU shall establish a platform that includes, among others, a database for monitoring and coordinating efforts and resources of stakeholders. ARTICLE VII DISASTER RISK AND VULNERABILITY REDUCTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION MAINSTREAMING, INTEGRATION AND CONVERGENCE

SEC. 24. Integration of DRR and Climate Change Adaptation in the Climate and

Disaster Resilience Framework and Plan. - The existing National Disaster Resilience Framework and plan and the National Climate Change Strategic Framework and Plan shall be enhanced by the Climate and Disaster Resilience Framework and plan which provides for the comprehensive probabilistic multi-hazards, multi-scenario, multi- sectorial, resilience-building, and community risk-based approach and management

1 of disaster and climate risk, and provide for the integration of disaster risk and 2 vulnerability reduction and climate change adaptation, as well as the mainstreaming 3 in other sectoral policies. It shall be reviewed every three (3) years. The Climate and Disaster Resilience Plan shall provide for the following: (1) 5 identification of the underlying factors of risk, or the nature and degree of hazards, 6 vulnerabilities, exposures and capacities, which need to be managed at the national 7 level; (2) disaster risk and vulnerabilities reduction and management approaches and 8 strategies to be applied in managing said hazards and risks; (3) agency roles, 9 responsibilities, and lines of authority at all government levels; and (4) vertical and 10 horizontal coordination of climate change adaptation, disaster risk and vulnerability 11 reduction and management before, during, and after a disaster. The Climate and 12 disaster resilience plan shall be in conformity with the framework. The climate and disaster resilience framework and plan for climate-disaster risk 14 governance, climate vulnerability assessment, risk assessment and risk management 15 shall be formulated and jointly approved by the NDRRMC and the CCC.

SEC. 25. Ecosystem-Based Approach to Prevention and Mitigation,

17 Rehabilitation and Recovery from Disaster. - The Department shall ensure the application of ecosystems-based approaches in disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and climate change adaptation, particularly through ecosystem management and restoration as defined in this Act, and ensuring that environmental 21 and natural resource policies are risk-informed. ARTICLE VIII CLIMATE AND DISASTER RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING INSTITUTE

SEC. 26. Creation of the Climate and Disaster Research, Education, and

Training Institute. - a) Within one (1) year from approval of this Act, the Department shall establish the Climate and Disaster Research, Education, and Training Institute in collaboration with higher education institutions and Private and State

Universities and Colleges (SUCs) which shall be a world-class center of excellence for learning and research in the field of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management and climate change adaptation; b) The Climate and Disaster Research, Education, and Training Institute shall be headed by a Director. The organizational structure and staffing pattern shall be determined by the Department in consultation with the DBM and in accordance with civil service laws, rules and regulations. c) The Climate and Disaster Research, Education, and Training Institute shall have the following functions: i. Establish regional branches as well as provincial, city or municipal branches if deemed necessary, to train individuals from the public and private sectors in the fields of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management, climate change adaptation, and ecosystem management and restoration, among others; Develop and implement an inclusive and ladderized curricula on climate change adaptation, and disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management; ili. Develop research programs and a knowledge management system on climate change adaptation and disaster risk and vulnerability reduction management for the purpose of innovation and capacity building and development; iv. Partner with public and private academic and research institutions, the private sector, civil society, community-based disaster risk and vulnerability reduction management and climate change adaptation practitioners, and other relevant sectors in developing research opportunities and programs on climate vulnerability and disaster risk assessment;

V. Establish a resource center for information, education and communication materials, research, publications, best work practices, lessons identified and learned, and other knowledge products on disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management, and climate change adaptation; vi. Consolidate and prepare information, education and communication and training materials or publications to assist disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management, and climate change adaptation practitioners in the planning and implementation of their plans, programs, projects and activities; vil. Organize and recognize a community of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and management practitioners; and viii. Accredit, recognize, monitor and evaluate climate change adaptation, disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management training institutions. d) Financial Support to the Center: i. The budget for the Climate and Disaster Resilience Research and Training Center shall be sourced from the annual General Appropriations Act. ii. The Department shall assist in the establishment of Research and Training Centers at the provincial, city, and municipal governments, as appropriate. The funding for such local Climate and Disaster Research and Training Centers may be sourced from the eighty (80%) percent portion of the LDRF and other financial sources of the local government unit concerned. ARTICLE IX INTEGRATION, MAINSTREAMING CLIMATE AND DISASTER RESILIENCE INFORMATION, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNICATION CONVERGENCE

SEC. 27. Climate and Disaster Resilience Information Management System

2 (CDRIMS). - The Department shall establish a National and Regional Information 3 Management System for Climate and Disaster Resilience. It shall constitute a physical 4 central database of all disaster risk reduction and climate change data, including a 5 geographic information system on geo-hazard assessments and climate risk. It shall 6 be the repository of current and multi-temporal information for wide-scale disaster risk analysis and climate change vulnerability assessment. The CDRIMS shall at all 8 times be made available to the Emergency Operations Center of the National and 9 Regional Climate and Disaster Resilience Council (NRCDRC) development partners and 10 multi stakeholders to access critical information and ensure that the collection processing, analysis and dissemination of information is timely, reliable and accurate to support overall decision making and effective coordination both at the national and sub-national level.

SEC. 28. Disaster Resilience and Climate Change Education and Training. -

a) The Department of Education, CHED, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in coordination with the National Youth Commission (NYC), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and other relevant agencies, developmental institutions, and non-government organizations shall integrate disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and climate change adaptation education in the school curricula at all levels of education, from K to 12 to tertiary levels, including the early and adult learning programs. National Service Training Program (NSTP), and education for children and persons with special needs, whether private or public, including formal and non-formal, technical-vocational, indigenous learning, out-of-school youth courses and programs, and other channels of educational integration, including media, church, entertainment centers (malls), international and domestic airports and transport terminals.

b) The Civil Service Commission (CSC), Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC), and other licensure bodies shall integrate disaster risk and vulnerability reduction management and climate change adaptation questions in all professional and licensure examinations. c) In coordination with the Department and the Disaster Resilience Research and Training Institute shall develop a curriculum for courses or subjects specific to disaster risk and vulnerability reduction management and climate change adaptation, and shall mandate all tertiary learning institutions to offer these subjects. d) The Parents and Teachers Community Associations shall initiate, support, and participate in disaster risk and vulnerability reduction management and climate change adaptation related activities in schools and host communities. e) The DepEd, the CHED, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other developmental institutions, community-based practitioners and organized non-governmental organizations shall formulate and institutionalize flexible learning options such as online modules, supplemental learning materials, resources and platforms, as part of its climate change adaptation, disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and governance, analysis, and management strategy. f) The DepEd, CHED, TESDA, developmental institutions and community- based organizations shall regularly review, monitor, evaluate and report to the Council the status of integration, mainstreaming and implementation of climate change adaptation, disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management in public-private schools and other learning institutions. g) The LDRRMOs shall form formal partnerships with tertiary learning institutions within their respective jurisdictions to provide standard and ladderized training programs for LGU officials and other disaster risk and vulnerability reduction management and climate change adaptation.

h) The DRC, the RDRCs, the LDRRMCs, the LDRRMOs, the BDRCs, and the Sangguniang Kabataan shall encourage the community, specifically the youth, participation in disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and climate change adaptation activities, such as Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaigns organizing quick response groups, particularly in identified disaster-prone areas, as well as the inclusion of DRVR-climate change adaptation programs as part of programs and projects of the Sangguniang Kabataan, youth organizations and community- based disaster risk and vulnerability reduction management and anticipatory adaptation initiatives. i) There shall be a mandatory training climate change adaptation-DRVR for public and private sector employees, including teachers and Climate- Disaster Resilience Coordinators from both the public and private learning institutions, shall be trained in emergency preparedness and response in compliance with the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 29. Standard Mechanism for Cascading Information, Education and

Communication on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk and Vulnerability Reduction Management. - a) The DRC shall promote and advocate a culture of resilience and responsible- accountable, liable and responsible citizenship through information, education and communication that is appropriate, integrated, calibrated, inclusive, localized, science- and risk-based, gender, culture and disability sensitive and accessible using multimedia. Information, education, and communication on climate change adaptation and disaster risk and vulnerability reduction management should be compelling but not alarming. b) The NDRRMC shall formulate a Strategic Risk Communications Plan to encompass the entirety of disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and climate change adaptation to achieve the desired behavioral and attitudinal change towards responsible citizenship and culture of resilience. It shall

serve as a reference on continuous awareness raising and education at all levels of the government and multiple stakeholders. c) A Climate and Disaster Resilience Information Officer shall be designated at all levels of the Department to ensure implementation of the disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management and climate change adaptation information, education, and communication campaign and shall serve as the primary coordinator for the dissemination of information, education, and communication on climate change adaptation and disaster risk and vulnerability reduction management.

SEC. 30. Declaration of Imminent Disaster. - The DDR shall provide guidance

and operating guidelines to LDRRMCs for the declaration of imminent disaster in their respective areas which shall allow them to implement preemptive measures and use their quick response funds in order to save lives and minimize damage to property, loss of livelihoods and other assets;

SEC. 31. Flash Appeal or Appeal for International Assistance. - Upon

consultation with the NDRRMC and in cognizance of the urgency, criticality and intensity of an imminent risk, the DDR shall issue a flash appeal to the family of nations, under regional and multilateral conventions, for assistance in preparedness including preemptive measures, search, rescue and retrieval, relief, recovery, and reconstruction. ARTICLE X CLIMATE AND DISASTER RISK INSURANCE AND INCENTIVES

SEC. 32. Climate and Disaster Risk Transfer, Insurance and Social Welfare -

a) The Department shall oversee all climate and disaster risk-sharing and risk- transfer instruments and other related initiatives to ensure the protection of property and livelihood, both public and private. b) The Department shall ensure the mandatory insurance of all assets and properties of national government agencies including government-owned or

controlled corporations, and those over which the government has insurable interest, as prescribed under Republic Act No. 656, otherwise known as the "Property Insurance Law. The insurance shall be provided by any government insurance agency. c) The Department shall oblige the local government units the mandatory insurance coverage of assets, properties and livelihood of vulnerable and marginalized groups for unforeseen or contingent potential losses, damages and disruption from natural hazards and human-induced disasters chargeable against the LDRF.

SEC. 33. Recognition and Incentives. - Unless otherwise provided, the

Department shall establish an incentives program that recognizes outstanding performance of LDRRMC, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations, private sectors, schools, hospitals, and other stakeholders in promoting and implementing significant disaster risk and vulnerability reduction management climate change adaptation programs and innovations, and meritorious acts of individuals, groups or institutions during natural or human-induced disasters. ARTICLE XI PREPAREDNESS AND INTEGRATED EARLY WARNING

SEC. 34. Standards for Disaster Preparedness Activities. -

a) The NDRRMC shall establish standards for disaster preparedness, contingency planning, localizing and operationalizing disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and management, preparedness for disaster response, preparedness for early recovery, continuity of essential services, and other relevant preparedness activities. b) Local government units shall identify safe or strategic sites, and establish evacuation centers with appropriate and adequate facilities in accordance with government-approved standards as provided under Republic Act No. 10821, otherwise known as " The Children's Emergency Relief Protection

Act, "in order to avoid disruption of school classes and lessen the use of school buildings and facilities as evacuation centers. The local government units shall immediately compensate schools used as 4 evacuation centers. The schools may seek compensation renovation or repairs of 5 damaged facilities for such use.

SEC. 35. Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Risk Communication Standards. -

a) There shall be a streamlined policy governing early warning systems and risk communication protocols to ensure effective and efficient measures to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from possible risk caused by natural and human-induced hazards and climate risk. The NDRRMC shall issue and the Department shall oversee and monitor the implementation of this policy. b) The Department and all other concerned agencies with an integrated early warning and information mandate shall collaborate with the local executives and officers to disseminate climate-disaster risk information through the involvement of local government units, community-based organizations, civil society organizations, and other non- governmental organizations.

SEC. 36. Early Warning Mandate. -

a) Department shall issue an integrated early warning for hydro- meteorological, geologic, or terrestrial phenomena to the appropriate government agencies or government-accredited organizations for forecasting and early warning purposes. The Department shall recognize and proactively support local or indigenous modes of early warning systems and allow open access to real-time data from both local and international sources made available through various platforms such as websites, mobile apps, and social media to empower local communities and individuals. b) The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration-(PAGASA) and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and

Seismology (PHIVOLCS) shall work actively and closely with the Department in integrating, mainstreaming, and converging all information, data, research and development studies and results, knowledge and technology, and activities relating to climate change and disaster resilience; c) The Department shall recognize and proactively support local or indigenous modes of early warning systems and allow open access to real-time data from both local and international sources made available through various platforms such as websites, mobile apps, and social media to empower local communities and individuals. d) Any person or juridical entity who transmits early warning concerning the abovementioned phenomena by means of signs in designs, colors, lights, or sound shall do so in compliance with the methods recognized or approved by the NDRRMC. e) The NDRRMC at the national and subnational level shall consider the use of integrated early warning system to ensure it is consistent and locally contextualized with the communication protocol and safe evacuation procedure of the affected communities to achieve zero casualty, to zero death. f) The Department shall consider working with other agencies or organizations on pre-crisis information mapping of the humanitarian needs of the at-risk community that will enhance the overall prepositioning of resources at the national and local level. ARTICLE XII DISASTER RESPONSE AND EARLY RECOVERY

SEC. 37. Declaration of State of Calamity. - The Department shall declare a

cluster of barangays, municipalities, cities, provinces, and regions under a state of calamity, and the lifting thereof, based on the criteria set by the NDRRMC.

The declaration and lifting of the state of calamity may also be issued by the 2 local Sanggunian, upon the recommendation of the LDRRMO, based on the results of 3 the damage assessment and needs analysis. Provided: That the Department, through 4 the LDRRMC, may seek from the local legislative body or Sanggunian, the declaration 5 of a state of imminent disaster to enable the local executives to implement pre- 6 emptive evacuation and precautionary measures in order to save lives and minimize 7 damage to property, loss of livelihoods, and disruption of livelihood that require the 8 use of funds and resources under the LDRF.

SEC. 38. Emergency Management. - The respective Climate and Disaster

10 Resilience Councils shall lead in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the 11 effects of any disaster, upon due consideration to the economics of classification, 12 capacity and vulnerability of the local governments concerned: a) The BDRC, if one barangay is affected; b) The city/municipal DRCs, if two (2) or more barangays are affected; c) The provincial DRC, if two (2) or more cities/municipalities are affected; d) The regional DRC, if two (2) or more provinces are affected; and e) The NDRRMC, if two (2) or more regions are affected

SEC. 39. Humanitarian Assistance Action Center. - The DRC shall institutionalize

a one-stop shop mechanism through the Humanitarian Assistance Action Center for the processing and release of goods, articles or equipment intended for humanitarian assistance and the processing of necessary documents for international assisting actors. The Humanitarian Assistance Action Center shall be managed by the Department and shall be composed of the following NDRRMC agencies: a) Department of Finance-Bureau of Customs; b) Department of Foreign Affairs;

c) Department of Social Welfare and Development; d) Department of Health; e) Food and Drug Administration; f) Department of Agriculture; g) Department of Energy; h) Philippine National Police; i) Philippine Coast Guard; and j) Department of Justice - Bureau of Immigration

SEC. 40. Accreditation, Mobilization, and Protection of Disaster Volunteers and

10 National Service Reserve Corps, Civil Society Organizations and the Private Sector. - 11 The government agencies, civil society organizations, private sector and local 12 government units may mobilize individuals or organized volunteers to augment their respective personnel complement and logistical requirements in the delivery of disaster risk reduction programs and activities. The agencies, civil society organizations, private sector, and local government units concerned shall take full responsibility for the enhancement, welfare and protection of volunteers, and shall submit the list of volunteers to the Department, through the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, for accreditation and inclusion in the database of community disaster volunteers. A national roster of Accredited Community Disaster Resilience Volunteers : (ACDRVs) and institutions. National Service Reserve Corps, civil society organizations and the private sector shall be maintained by the Department through the LDRRMOS. Accreditation shall be done at the municipal or city level. The mobilization of volunteers shall be in accordance with this Act and implementing guidelines to be formulated by the NDRRMC. Any volunteer who died or was injured while engaging in any of the activities defined under this Act shall be

entitled to compensatory benefits and individual personal accident insurance as may 2 be defined under the guidelines.

SEC. 41. Reporting of Humanitarian Assistance. - The concerned local

government unit shall submit a report to the Department, all domestic or international 5 humanitarian assistance received and distributed within its area of responsibility. ARTICLE XIII INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

SEC. 42. International Humanitarian Assistance. - The Department shall

promulgate guidelines on international humanitarian assistance, including the initiation, entry, facilitation, transit, regulation, and termination thereof, as well as those involving international disaster relief and personnel assisting international actors, visa waiver, recognition of foreign professional qualifications, entry of international disaster goods and equipment, and exemption from port duties, taxes and restrictions.

SEC. 43. Assessment of the Need for International Humanitarian Assistance. -

a) Immediately after the declaration of a state of calamity by the sanggunian of a local government unit or by the Department, as the case may be, the Department shall determine as to whether domestic capacities are likely to be sufficient to attend to the needs of affected persons for international humanitarian assistance, this determination may also be made by the President, prior to the onset of an imminent disaster. b) In the event the Department determines that domestic response capacities are not likely to be sufficient due to the impact of the disaster, the Department shall recommend to the President that a request be made for international humanitarian assistance. c) A determination that domestic capacities are likely to be sufficient and that international humanitarian assistance is therefore unnecessary may be reviewed and rescinded by the Department, with the approval of the

President, at any time, in light of prevailing circumstances and available information.

SEC. 44. Request for International Humanitarian Assistance. - The President

4 may request for international humanitarian assistance upon the advice of the Department. Such request may be specifically directed to particular assisting international actors, or it may be a general request directed to the international 7 community.

SEC. 45. One-Stop-Shop for International Humanitarian Assistance. - The

9 Department shall establish, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs 10 (DFA) a One-Stop-Shop mechanism for International Humanitarian Assistance for the processing and release of entry and facilitation of goods, articles or equipment, and services of international relief workers for the provision of international humanitarian assistance, and the processing of necessary documents for assisting international 14 actors. ARTICLE XIV OFFER AND FACILITATION OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO FOREIGN STATES

SEC. 46. Offer and Facilitation of International Humanitarian Assistance to

Foreign States. - In the event of a disaster occurring in a foreign state for which international humanitarian assistance is required, the Department, in coordination with DFA, may offer, facilitate and provide international humanitarian assistance to such foreign state, which shall be subject to guidelines to be promulgated by the Department for the purpose.

SEC. 47. Accreditation. - The Department, in coordination with relevant

government agencies and organizations, shall provide and facilitate the necessary training and accreditation to the respective government personnel to be deployed for such offer, facilitation and provision of international humanitarian assistance to a foreign state.

ARTICLE XV LEGAL FACILITIES FOR ELIGIBLE ASSISTING INTERNATIONAL ACTORS

SEC. 48. Guidelines for Coordination of International Humanitarian Assistance.

- The DRC shall issue comprehensive guidelines on the initiation, entry, facilitation, transit and regulation of international relief goods and personnel, as well as eligibility guidelines to utilize the legal facilities for assisting international actors provided hereunder.

SEC. 49. Visa Waiver. - Eligible assisting international actors shall be entitled to

9 waiver of entry visa requirements, including any associated fees or charges, to perform 10 Disaster Relief and Initial Recovery Assistance work for their sponsoring entities without the requirement to seek a separate residence or work permit.

SEC. 50. Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications. -

a) Eligible assisting international actors wishing to deploy international personnel for tasks requiring legal recognition of their foreign professional qualifications shall certify the validity of those qualifications under the law of the country where they were obtained and the competence of their personnel for the tasks envisaged. b) The Department shall establish the guidelines and scope for recognition of foreign professional qualifications for disaster response and early recovery. c) Recognition of qualifications shall remain valid until the end of the International Initial Recovery Period, absent individual criminal conduct or other professional misconduct sufficient to bar the individual from professional practice in the country.

SEC. 51. Recognition of Foreign Driving Licenses. - Foreign driving licenses of

eligible assisting international actors shall be accorded temporary recognition during the International Disaster Relief and Initial Recovery Periods.

SEC. 52. Facilitation of Access. - The international personnel of eligible assisting

international actors shall be allowed access to disaster-affected areas and persons 3 requiring Disaster Relief or Initial Recovery Assistance, subject to coordination 4 requirements as mandated by the Authority and limitations based on national security, public order or public health, weighed in the context of the urgency of the disaster 6 needs. They shall be permitted to provide their goods and services directly to affected 7 persons. A. ENTRY OF INTERNATIONAL DISASTER GOODS AND EQUIPMENT

SEC. 53. Customs Facilitation and Priority Treatment - The Department shall

10 facilitate the rapid importation of consignments of goods and equipment by eligible assisting actors and shall accord them priority treatment in handling.

SEC. 54. Duty of Compliance by Eligible Assisting Actors. - In order to benefit

from the aforementioned legal facilities, eligible assisting international actors shall: a) Declare that all the goods and equipment they seek to import under this Part are exclusively for Disaster Relief or Initial Recovery Assistance and that they comply with any relevant standards under Philippine laws; and b) Pack, classify and mark their consignments in accordance with the requirements described in this Act and its implementing rules and regulations.

SEC. 55. Exemption from Import Duties, Taxes and Restrictions. -

Consignments of goods and equipment by or on behalf of eligible assisting international actors shall benefit from: a) Exemption from all duties and taxes; b) Waiver of economic prohibitions and restrictions except for categories of special goods and equipment that may be indicated by the Department; and

c) Clearance without regard to the country of origin or the country from which the goods have arrived, subject to monitoring for reasons of public health and security. B. EXPEDITED ENTRY AND USE RESTRICTIONS FOR SPECIFIC 5 INTERNATIONAL DISASTER GOODS AND EQUIPMENT

SEC. 56. Simplification of Documentation Requirements. -

a) Consignment of goods and equipment sent by or on behalf of eligible assisting international actors shall be cleared or released on the basis of a simplified goods declaration providing the minimum information necessary for the Bureau of Customs to identify the goods and equipment and subject, when deemed necessary, to completion of a more complete declaration within a specified period. b) The requirements for the declaration for all imports of goods or equipment by or on behalf of eligible assisting international actors and any supporting documents relating to said consignment, release and clearance of goods or equipment shall be simplified and lodged without fee.

SEC. 57. Telecommunications Equipment - Eligible assisting international actors

shall be permitted to import telecommunications equipment for the purpose of Disaster Relief or Initial Recovery Assistance without restrictions, except as required 20 by NDRRMC guidelines and other laws for purposes of national security or public order. The NDRRMC shall provide guidelines for the manner of use telecommunications equipment as well as waiver of licensing requirements or fees.

SEC. 58. Medications. - Eligible assisting international actors shall be permitted

to import and transport medications and medical equipment for the purpose of Disaster Relief or Initial Recovery Assistance so long as they conform to the implementing rules and regulations to be provided by the NDRRMC.

SEC. 59. Food. - Food imported by eligible assisting international actors for

disaster relief and recovery shall be admitted pursuant to expedited procedures set 3 out by the DRC.

SEC. 60. Imported Vehicles. - The granting of local registration and plates for

5 vehicles imported by eligible assisting international actors shall be expedited. C. PERMITTED DISPOSITION OF EQUIPMENT AND UNUSED GOODS

SEC. 61. Disposition of Equipment and Unused Goods. - The DRC shall provide

for the guidelines for retention, re-exportation, donation and disposal of unused goods 9 and equipment after the termination of Disaster Relief and Initial Recovery Assistance 10 operations. ARTICLE XVI RECOVERY

SEC. 62. Standards for Recovery. - The Department shall observe

internationally accepted standards for recovery, planning, programming and implementation of the recovery process shall: (a) Improve the community's physical, social and economic resilience, consistent with the principle of "build forward better"; (b) Use locally-driven and centrally-supported processes based on legal mandates with supplementary capacity support when requested; (c) Redirect development outside danger zones to minimize loss of lives and structures resulting from typhoons, flooding, landslides, and other hazards (d) Employ outcome-driven planning and implementation; (e) Maximize use of private-public sector partnership where possible; (f) Consider local conditions such as culture, security situation, and existing capacities of communities in identifying programs and projects;

(g) Ensure access to public transport, physical and mental health services, markets, schools, sustainable livelihoods, and other public services in planning for settiement areas; and (h) Ensure restoration of peace and order and recovery of government functions. ARTICLE XVII REMEDIAL MEASURES UNDER STATE OF CALAMITY

SEC. 63. Remedial Measures under State of Calamity. - Upon the declaration of

9 the state of calamity, the following remedial measures shall be immediately 10 undertaken by concerned government agencies both of national and local levels: a) Imposition of price ceiling on basic necessities and prime commodities by the National Price Control Council, as provided for under Repubiic Act No. 7581, otherwise known as the "Price Act," as amended by Republic Act. No. 10623; b) Monitoring, prevention and control by the Local Price Coordination Council of overpricing/profiteering and hoarding of prime commodities, medicines and petroleum products; c) Programming/reprogramming of funds for the repair of critical facilities or public infrastructures that are vital for the quick delivery of humanitarian assistance, to reduce further threat to lives and arrest further deterioration of properties and loss of livelihoods in the affected communities, following the "build better forward" principle: Grant of no-interest loans by government financing or lending institutions to the most vulnerable and marginalized groups or individuals; and

ii. Local tax exemptions, incentives or reliefs under such terms and conditions as may be deemed necessary by the affected local government unit. ARTICLE XVIII PROCUREMENT

SEC. 64. General Rule on Procurement - Any procurement of goods, services,

consultancy or infrastructure for disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and climate risk, whether at the national or local level shall conform to the provisions and Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 otherwise known as "Government Procurement Reform Act, "as amended.

SEC. 65. Emergency Procurement - In order to expedite disaster response and

early recovery, the procurement or lease of equipment and delivery of goods and services through emergency procurement or purchase at site shall be allowed. Periods of action on procurement activities may also be waived for the same purpose and conditions. ARTICLE XIX PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES

SEC. 66. Prohibited Acts. - Any public official, private person, group or

corporation who commits any of the following prohibited acts shall be liable and be subjected to the criminal and administrative penalties as provided for in Section 67 of this Act, without prejudice to the imposition of other criminal, civil and administrative 8 liabilities under existing laws. a) Prohibited Acts of Public Officials - The following acts, if committed by public officials without justifiable cause, shall be considered as gross neglect of duty; i. Dereliction of duties which leads to destruction, loss of lives, critical damage of facilities and misuse of funds;

ii. Failure to create a functional LDRRM Office within six (6) months from approval of this Act; ili. Failure to appoint a permanent local disaster resilience officer within six (6) months from approval of this Act; iv. Failure to prepare and implement a Contingency and Adaptation Plan for hazards frequently occurring within their jurisdictions; V. Failure to formulate and implement the LDRP with the corresponding budget allocation; Sexual exploitation and abuse, and other forms of sexual misconduct to the affected population or at-risk communities punishable under existing criminal and administrative laws shall be considered as an aggravating circumstance. b) Prohibited Acts of Public Officials and Private Persons or Institutions - i. Delaying, without justifiable cause the delivery or improper handling or storage of aid commodities, resulting to damage or spoilage; ii. Withholding the distribution of relief goods due to (a) political or partisan considerations; (b) discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, or gender; and (c) other similar circumstances; iii. Preventing the entry and distribution of relief goods in disaster-stricken areas, including appropriate technology, tools, equipment, accessories, disaster teams or experts; iv. Buying, for consumption or resale, from disaster relief agencies any relief goods, equipment or other and commodities which are intended for distribution to disaster affected communities; V. Buying, for consumption or resale, from disaster affected persons, relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities received by them;

vi. Selling of relief goods, equipment, or other aid commodities which are intended for distribution to disaster victims; vii. Forcibly seizing relief goods, equipment, or other aid commodities intended for or consigned to a specific group of victims or relief agency; vili. Diverting or misdelivery of relief goods, equipment, or other aid commodities to persons other than the rightful recipient or consignee; Accepting, possessing, using or disposing relief goods, equipment or other aid commodities not intended for nor consigned to them; x. Misrepresenting the source of relief goods, equipment, or other aid commodities by: 1. Covering, replacing or defacing the labels of the containers to make it appear that the goods, equipment, or other aid commodities came from another agency or persons; 2. Repacking the goods, equipment, or other aid commodities into containers with different markings to make it appear that the goods came from another agency or persons or was released upon the instance of a particular agency or persons; 3. Making a false verbal claim that the goods, equipment or other and commodities in their untampered original containers actually came from another agency or persons or was released upon the instance o f a particular agency or persons; xi. Substituting or replacing relief goods, equipment, or other aid commodities with the same items or of inferior/cheaper quality; xii. Illegal solicitations by persons or organizations representing others as defined in the standards and guidelines set by the NDRRMC;

XilI. Deliberate use of false or inflated data in support of the request for funding, relief goods, equipment, or other aid commodities for emergency assistance or livelihood projects; xiv. Stealing, taking, or possessing of any of the equipment, accessories and other vital facility or items or any part thereof; XV. Selling or buying stolen equipment, accessories, and other vital facility items or any part thereof; xvi. Tampering with or stealing hazard monitoring and disaster preparedness equipment and paraphernalia. xViI. Attempting to commit any of the abovementioned prohibited acts; and xviii. Benefitting from the proceeds or fruits of any of the abovementioned prohibited acts knowing that the proceeds or fruits are derived from the commission of the prohibited acts.

SEC. 67. Penalties. - The following penalties shall be imposed on any

individual, corporation, partnership, association or other juridical entity that commits any of the prohibited acts in the preceding section: a) Imprisonment of not less than twelve (12) years but not more than fifteen (15) years or a fine of not less than One Million Pesos (Php 1,000,000.00) but not more than Three Million Pesos (Php 3,000,000.00), or both imprisonment and fine at the discretion of the court shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of violating subsections (b)(1) to (b)(16), as well as the confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the government of the objects and the instrumentalities used in the commission of the prohibited acts; b) Imprisonment of not less than six (6) years but not more than eight (8) years or 16 a fine of not less than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 500,000.00) but not more than One Million Pesos (Php 1,000,000.00), or both imprisonment and fine at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed

upon any person who attempts to commit any of the prohibited acts in the preceding section, in violation of subsection (b)(17) thereof; c) Imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than six (6) years or a fine of not less than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 200,000.00) but not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 500,000.00), or both imprisonment and fine at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of unlawfully benefiting from the proceeds or fruits of any of the prohibited in the preceding section, 26 in violation of subsection (b)(18) thereof; d) Perpetual disqualification from public office aside from the penalty of fine or imprisonment or both, shall be imposed if the offender is a public officer, and confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the government of the objects and the instrumentalities used in the commission of any of the prohibited in the preceding section; e) If the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, or other juridical entity, the penalty shall be imposed upon the officer or officers of the corporation, partnership, association or entity responsible for the violation without prejudice to the cancellation or revocation of these entities' registration, license or accreditation issued to them by any licensing or accredited body of the government. If such offender is an alien, the person shall, in addition to the penalties prescribed in this Act, be deported without further proceedings after service of the sentence; f) Payment of the full cost of repair or replacement of the government risk reduction and preparedness equipment, accessories and other vital facility items, or any part thereof, which is the object of the crime shall likewise be imposed upon any person who shall commit any of the prohibited acts in the preceding section; and g) The prosecution for offenses set forth under the preceding section shall be without prejudice to any criminal liability for violation of Act No. 3815, as

amended, otherwise known as the "Revised Pena! Code', and other existing laws, as well as the imposition of applicable administrative or civil liabilities. ARTICLE XX APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 68. Appropriations. -

a) The amount needed for the initial implementation of this Act shall be taken from the current fiscal year's unexpended appropriation of all agencies herein absorbed, transferred, and attached to the Department. Thereafter, the amount needed for the operation and maintenance of the Department shall be included in the General 21 Appropriations Act. b) National Disaster Resilience Fund (NDRF). The utilization and allocation of the entire NDRF (Calamity Fund) and its quick response fund component shall be managed by the Department except as provided for by specific laws. c) Local Disaster Resilience Fund (LDRF). Not less than seven percent (7%) of the estimated revenue from regular sources shall be set aside as the LDRF to support disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation programs, projects and activities. The LDRRMC shall monitor and evaluate the use and disbursement of the LDRF based on the LDRP as incorporated in the local development plans and annual work and financial plan. Upon the recommendation of the LDRRMO and approval of the sanggunian concerned, the LDRRMC may transfer the said fund to support the disaster risk and vulnerability reduction and climate change adaptation work and initiatives of other LDRRMCs that are declared under a state of calamity. i. Of the amount appropriated for LDRF, twenty percent (20%) shall be allocated as Quick Response Fund (QRF) or stand-by fund for prepositioning of goods and relief and early recovery programs in order

that the situation and living conditions of people in communities or areas stricken by disasters, epidemics, or complex emergencies, may be normalized as quickly as possible. ii. Of the annual appropriation of LDRF, eighty percent (80%) shall be appropriated for climate change adaptation, disaster risk and vulnerability reduction, prevention, adaptation and mitigation programs, project ands, activities focusing on both institutional capacity building of vulnerable communities and risk reducing infrastructure. The NDRRMC shall pass a resolution to set the priority allocations and govern and trigger the acceleration and implementation of this section. iii. Of the amount appropriated for the Disaster Resilience Fund, twenty percent (20%) shall be allocated as Quick Response Fund (QRF) or stand-by fund for prepositioning of goods and equipment and relief and early recovery programs in order that situation and living conditions of people in communities or areas stricken by disasters, epidemics, or complex emergencies, may be normalized as quickly as possible. iv. All departments/ agencies and local government units that are allocated with Local Disaster Resilience Fund shall submit to the Department their monthly statements on the utilization of Local Disaster Resilience Funds and make an accounting thereof in accordance with existing accounting and auditing rules. All departments, bureaus, offices and agencies of the government are hereby authorized to use a portion of their appropriations to implement projects designed to address disaster risk and vulnerable reduction- climate change adaptation activities in accordance with the Disaster Resilience Plan and the guidelines to be issued by the DRC in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Commission on Audit (COA).

Unexpended LDRF shall accrue to a trust fund solely for the purpose of supporting disaster risk reduction and management and climate change adaptation activities of the LDRRMCs within the next two (2) years. Any such amount still not fully utilized after two (2) years shall revert back to the general fund and will be available for other social services to be identified by the local sanggunian. The NDRRMC shall issue guidelines on the utilization and release of LDRF in coordination with other concerned government agencies. d) Prevention, Mitigation and Preparedness Fund for third (3rd) to sixth (6th) class provinces and municipalities. There shall be in the annual General Appropriations Act an amount allotted solely for the use of 3rd to 6th class provinces and municipalities for the purpose of augmenting their LDRF with respect to plans, programs, projects, and procurement for climate change adaptation, disaster risk prevention, mitigation, and preparedness. The requirements to avail of this fund shall be laid down in rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary. ARTICLE XXI FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 69. Transfer and Attached of Offices, Agencies, and Personnel. -

a) The 11 following offices and agencies are hereby transferred to the Department including their powers and functions, funds and appropriations, obligations, records, equipment, property, and personnel; Office of Civil Defense; ii. Climate Change Office of the Climate Change Commission; iii. Geo-Hazard Assessment and Engineering Geology Section of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau;

iv. Health Emergency Management Bureau of the Department of Health V. Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau of the Department of Social Welfare and Development; vi. Bureau of Fire Protection; and Vii. Program Management Office for Earthquake Resiliency of the Greater Metro Manila Area. b) The powers and functions, applicable funds and appropriations, records, equipment, property and personnel of the following agencies are attached to the Department: i. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA); and ii. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). The Department shall, by virtue of this Act, be subrogated to all the rights and assume all the liabilities of the agencies absorbed under this Act, and all their funds, records, property, assets, equipment, and such personnel as necessary, including unexpended appropriations or allocations. All contracts and liabilities of the said agencies are hereby transferred to and assumed by the Department and shall be acted upon in accordance with the Auditing Code and other pertinent laws, rules, and regulations.

SEC. 70. Separation Benefits of Officials and Employees of Affected Agencies -

National government employees displaced or separated from the service as a result of this Act shall be entitled to separation pay and other benefits in accordance with Republic Act No. 6656, otherwise known as "Government Reorganization Law' and other existing laws, rules or regulations. Provided, That those who are qualified to retire under existing retirement laws shall be allowed to retire and receive retirement benefits to which they may be entitled under applicable laws and issuances.

SEC. 71. Special Benefits and Privileges. - Qualified employees of the DDR, local

2 government units and its attached units shall be covered by Republic Act No. 8439, 3 known as the Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other Science 4 and Technology Personnel in the Government, and Republic Act No. 7005, otherwise 5 known as "Magna Carta for Public Health Workers."

SEC. 72. Hazard Pay and Other Allowances and Benefits. - Qualified personnel

7 of the Department shall be entitled to receive hazard pay and other allowances and 8 benefits, in accordance with such policies and regulations promulgated by 9 Department, in consultation with the DBM and the COA.

SEC. 73. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department, in

11 consultation with concerned stakeholders, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 74. Congressional Oversight Committee. - There shall be created a

Congressional Oversight Committee on Climate Change and Disaster Resilience to monitor and oversee the implementation of the provisions of this Act. The committee shall be composed of six (6) Members of the House of Representatives and six (6) Senators to be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, respectively from their appropriate committees: Provided, 20 That, two (2) Members of the House of Representatives and two (2) Senators shall come from the Minority of their respective houses of congress. Five (5) years after the effectivity of this Act, or as the need arises, the Congressional Oversight Committee shall conduct a systematic evaluation of the accomplishments and impact of this Act, as well as the performance and organizational structure of its implementing agencies, for purposes of determining remedial legislation.

SEC. 75. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act shall be declared

unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 76. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, executive orders and

issuances, proclamations, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof 3 that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended, accordingly.

SEC. 77. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

6 publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,