The House of Representatives approved on the third and final reading House Bill No. 11430, a landmark piece of legislation institutionalizing a mechanism and setting criteria for the declaration of a State of Imminent Disaster. The bill, which provides for comprehensive government responses to impending calamities, aims to significantly enhance the Philippines’ capacity to mitigate the impact of natural and human-induced disasters.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, principal author of the bill, emphasized the proposed law’s critical role in preventing loss of lives, properties, and livelihoods. “The Philippines, located along the Pacific Typhoon Belt, faces an average of 20 storms per year, causing widespread disruption and tragic loss,” Speaker Romualdez stated. “With climate change exacerbating the intensity of these weather disturbances, the proposed Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act will enable the national government, local government units, and our communities to better prepare for and respond to disasters or natural calamities. Better preparation and responses will save lives, properties, and livelihoods.”
The bill, co-authored by a broad coalition of representatives including Jose Manuel Alba, Alan Ecleo, Eduardo Rama Jr., and Joey Salceda, among many others, addresses the urgent need for a proactive approach to disaster management in a country highly vulnerable to various hazards.
House Bill No. 11430 empowers the President to declare a State of Imminent Disaster over specific geographical areas – from a cluster of barangays to entire regions – based on clear guidelines to be issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Furthermore, local chief executives are authorized to declare a state of imminent disaster within their jurisdiction, through an executive order and upon the recommendation of the local DRRM council.
The scope of hazards warranting such a declaration is comprehensive, encompassing natural and human-induced disasters, epidemics, pandemics, other illnesses of public health concern, and any other events disrupting the normal functioning of communities.
Crucially, the declaration of a State of Imminent Disaster will unlock the necessary resources and mechanisms for national and local DRRM councils to implement anticipatory measures. This includes ensuring that local government units integrate planned interventions into their regular programs, plans, activities, and budgets. For national government agencies, implementation funding will be charged against the National DRRM Fund, ensuring dedicated financial support for preparedness efforts.
This legislative milestone marks a significant step forward in bolstering the Philippines’ resilience against the escalating threats of disasters, promising a more secure future for its citizens.
