Language Accessibility of Public Information on Disasters Act

Senate Offer of the drierary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 AUG -4 P1:26 SENATE RECENED BY S. No. 805 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT REQUIRING DISASTER-RELATED INFORMATION TO BE STATED IN ACCESSIBLE LANGUAGE TO ENSURE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING THEREOF EXPLANATORY NOTE Disasters can happen at any time and affect the lives of many people. What we do before, during, and after these events can make a big difference in how well we survive and recover. The Philippines has consistently ranked first in the World Risk Index, which means we are one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Because of this, it is very important that people are well informed and prepared when disasters strike. One of the most important things during a disaster is having the right information. People need to understand what is happening and what they should do. While important details regarding impending disasters or calamities are already being disseminated to this end, such information is often only communicated using the English language. This can be a problem for many Filipinos who speak Filipino or their own local language. This bill wants to make sure that all disaster-related information is translated into Filipino and other regional languages or dialects. This will help more people understand what to do and how to stay safe. Government agencies and local government units (LGUs) will be required to use languages that people in their areas understand. By making disaster information easier to understand, we can build stronger and

safer communities. Everyone deserves to be informed in a language they truly understand. In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. LOREN LEGARDA

Senate Offire of the can retary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 AUG -4 P1:26 SENATE RECEIVED D S. No. 805 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT REQUIRING DISASTER-RELATED INFORMATION TO BE STATED IN ACCESSIBLE LANGUAGE TO ENSURE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING THEREOF Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Language Accessibility

2 of Public Information on Disasters Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The right of the people to information on matters

4 of public concern is recognized in our Constitution. Indeed, communication and 5 information occupy a vital role in nation-building. In times of disaster and other 6 emergencies, and to render meaningful and effective people's right to information, it shall be ensured that announcements, advisories, and similar public communications 8 are accessible in terms of the language or dialect used.

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

(a) Disaster refers to a severe 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. Disasters are often described as a result of the combination of exposure to a hazard, the conditions of vulnerability that are present, and insufficient capacity or measures to reduce or cope with the potential negative consequences. Disaster impacts may include loss of life, injury, disease, and other adverse effects on human, physical, mental, and social well-

being, together with damage to property, destruction of assets, loss of services, social and economic disruption, and environmental degradation; (b) Emergency refers to an unforeseen or sudden occurrence, especially danger, which demands immediate action; and (c) State of Calamity refers to a condition involving mass casualty and/or significant damages to property and roads, disruption of means of livelihood, and normal way of life of people in the affected areas as a result of the occurrence of a natural or human-induced hazard.

Sec. 4. Scope of Application. - This Act shall cover disasters and other kinds of

11 emergencies which are: (a) National in scope, as declared through a State of Calamity or State of National Emergency by the President of the Philippines; and (b) Provincial, city, or municipal in scope, as declared through a State of Calamity or Emergency by the appropriate local government unit.

Sec. 5. Language Accessibility of Disaster-Related Information. - In relation to

disasters and other emergencies covered by Section 4 of this Act, it shall be mandatory for all government agencies and local government units to convert in an easily understandable form and translate to Filipino and any other appropriate regional language/s or dialect/s all their announcements, advisories, press releases, issuances, and any other information relevant to such disaster or emergency, including: (a) Tropical Cyclones, signals, and other advisories by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA); (b) Volcano, Earthquake, Tsunami, and Landslide advisories and bulletins by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS); (C) Announcements, bulletins, and other advisories of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCS) and network of DRRM Councils composed of national, regional, provincial, city, municipal DRRM councils and barangay DRRM committees; (d) Information on epidemics, outbreaks, and public health emergencies of

the Department of Health (DOH); (e) Advisories and warnings released by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB), human-induced hazards. Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) advisories, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) human security concerns; and (t) Information on the Social Amelioration Program, emergency assistance, and other social protection measures of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Sec. 6. Transition to Filipino and Other Regional Language or Dialect. - The

11 translation of the information covered by this Act shall be to Filipino and other regional language/s or dialect/s, as deemed necessary by the government agency and local government unit concerned considering the geographical location of the affected communities and the intended recipients of the information. The translated information shall be disseminated as widely as possible through all available media and communication channels.

Sec. 7. Role of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino. - The Komisyon sa Wikang

Filipino (KWF) shall render the necessary technical assistance and expertise to the 19 government agencies and local government units, including the Bangsamoro 20 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and monitor their compliance with the duties mandated by this Act.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the

23 effectivity of this Act, the KWF, in consultation with other relevant agencies and stakeholders, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

regulations, issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act shall

30 be held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

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