Joffter of TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) 25 AUG -5 P3:45 SENATE RECODE S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A LIST OF LOW-LYING AREAS OF THE PHILIPPINE TERRITORY VULNERABLE TO RISING SEA LEVELS AS A RESULT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, AND AREAS AT HIGH RISK FOR NATURAL DISASTERS, MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, PHILIPPINE SPACE AGENCY, CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION AND OTHER CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FOR ITS REGULAR UPDATING AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippines, being one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, faces multiple hazards that pose significant threats to lives, properties, and livelihoods. Our geographical location makes us particularly vulnerable to various natural disasters, including typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the growing challenges posed by climate change. The devastating impact of natural disasters in recent years underscores the urgent need for a more systematic and scientific approach to disaster risk reduction and management. In November 2024, the Philippines witnessed an unprecedented occurrence when four tropical cyclones were simultaneously active in the Western Pacific - a phenomenon not seen since 1951. The combined effects of Tropical Storm Trami (Kristine) and Typhoon Kong-rey (Leon) alone resulted in damages exceeding P14 billion in agriculture and infrastructure.
Beyond the immediate threats of extreme weather events, our nation faces the long-term challenges of climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that sea levels in our region are rising faster than the global average. This poses a direct threat to our coastal communities, where millions of Filipino fisherfolk reside and depend on maritime resources for their livelihood. The proposed National Hazard Mapping Act seeks to address these challenges by mandating the creation and regular updating of a comprehensive National Disaster Map. This initiative will identify low-lying areas vulnerable to rising sea levels and regions at high risk for natural disasters. The map will serve as a crucial tool for disaster preparedness, providing proper identification of lands bordering sea levels, areas exposed to volcanic eruption, and regions lying on earthquake faults. Notably, this legislation emphasizes a holistic approach by incorporating both scientific data and indigenous knowledge in hazard mapping. It also ensures the accessibility of these maps to local government units and communities through comprehensive training programs and information campaigns. The creation of this national disaster map will enable our local government units and communities to better prepare for and respond to natural disasters. By providing clear identification of high-risk areas and established evacuation routes, we can significantly reduce the loss of lives and properties during calamities. In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
Difier at TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 AUG -5 P3:45 SENATE RECEMEN B S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A LIST OF LOW-LYING AREAS OF THE PHILIPPINE TERRITORY VULNERABLE TO RISING SEA LEVELS AS A RESULT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, AND AREAS AT HIGH RISK FOR NATURAL DISASTERS, MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, PHILIPPINE SPACE AGENCY, CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION AND OTHER CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FOR ITS REGULAR UPDATING AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "National Hazard
2 Mapping Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote the public
4 health, safety and general welfare. Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to 5 formulate an orderly layout of the national land mass with identification of low-lying areas vulnerable to rising sea levels as a result of climate change, and areas at high risk for natural disasters.
Sec. 3. National Disasters Map. - Within one (1) year after the effectivity of this
9 Act, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the National Mapping and Resources Information Authority (NAMRIA) and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), together with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), Climate Change Commission (CCC) and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) are directed to provide and issue a national disaster map of the Philippines, identifying the low-lying
1 areas vulnerable to rising sea levels as a result of climate change and areas at high 2 risk for natural disasters. It shall contain proper identification of lands bordering sea 3 levels, exposed to volcanic eruption and lying on earthquake faults, with the criteria for evacuation and illustration of recommended evacuation sites and routes.
Sec. 4. Accessibility and Implementation of the National Hazard Map. - S To
6 ensure the effective use of the national disaster map, the DENR, in coordination with 7 NAMRIA, MGB, DOST, PhilSA, CCC, NDRRMC, and other relevant agencies, shall 8 develop and implement a comprehensive plan to ensure its accessibility and proper 9 use across the country. This plan shall include, but not be limited to a nationwide 10 information drive, training programs for local officials, disaster response teams, and 11 community leaders, and other similar efforts. Priority shall be accorded to identified vulnerable and high-risk communities in the dissemination and implementation of the national disaster maps.
Sec. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this
Act shall be charged to the appropriations of the implementing agencies under the General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. - In the event that any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected by such declaration.
Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations and
other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect 15 days following its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general circulation. Approved,