REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS Second Regular Session

House Resolution No.

13C

Introduced by Kabataan Party-List Representative Raymond V. Palatino

A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10121, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE PHILIPPINE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM," THE IMPACT OF THE PRESIDENT'S VETO OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS IN THE 2011 GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT AND THE DISASTER FRAMEWORK OF THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN LIGHT OF BILLIONS WORTH OF DAMAGES TO INFRASTRUCTURE AND LIVELIHOOD OF RECENT TYPHOONS WHEREAS, there is an average of 22 typhoons that enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility each year, affecting thousands of families and damaging billions worth of assets; WHEREAS, recent typhoons Pedring and Quiel left some three (3) million Filipinos gravely affected and billions worth of damages to livelihood and infrastructures; WHEREAS, Republic Act no. 10121 was enacted in 2009 to "Develop, promote, and implement a comprehensive National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP) that aims to strengthen the capacity of the national government and the local government units (LGUs), together with partner stakeholders, to build the disaster resilience of communities, and to institutionalize arrangements and measures for reducing disaster risks,

including projected climate risks, and enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities at all levels" (Section2.e); WHEREAS, Section 22 of Republic Act No. 10121 states: "Section 22. National
Disaster Risk" Reduction and Management Fund. (a)

The present Calamity Fund

appropriated under the annual General Appropriations Act shall henceforth be known as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRM Fund) and it shall be used for disaster risk reduction or mitigation, prevention and preparedness activities such as but not limited to training of personnel, procurement of equipment, and capital expenditures. It can also be utilized for relief, recovery, reconstruction and other work or services in connection with natural or human induced calamities which may occur during the budget year or those that occurred in the past two (2) years from the budget year. (c) Of the amount appropriated for the NDRRM Fund, thirty percent (30%) shall be allocated as Quick Response Fund (QRF) or stand-by fund for relief and recovery programs in order that situation and living conditions of people in communities or areas stricken by disasters, calamities, epidemics, or complex emergencies, may be normalized as quickly as possible. (d) All departments/agencies and LGUs that are allocated with DRRM fund shall submit to the NDRRMC their monthly statements on the utilization of DRRM funds and make an accounting thereof in accordance with existing accounting and auditing rules"; WHEREAS, in the General Appropriations Act of 2011, President Benigno Aquino III vetoed disaster preparedness in the 5-billion peso Calamity Fund, stating in his message "I caution the inclusion of pre-disaster activities such as preparation of relocation sites/facilities, and training of personnel engaged in direct disaster in the use of the Calamity Fund. While said purpose is laudable, the same must be weighed against the imperious need of maintaining sufficient provision under the Calamity Fund for actual calamities and prevent its full utilization for pre-disaster activities."; WHEREAS, the veto pertaining to the disaster preparedness in the 2011 Calamity Fund may have weakened pre-disaster efforts that should have reduced risks and raised resilience against typhoons and other disasters; WHEREAS, disaster preparation measures will alleviate the dire impact of typhoons and natural disasters, saving millions of Filipino from possible death and displacement and lessening the damage to livelihood and infrastructures;

WHEREAS, the proposed 7.5-billion peso Calamity Fund for 2012 does not specify appropriations for Pre-Disaster, Quick Response and Rehabilitation Activities; 1 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that

2 the House Committee on National Defense and Security conduct an inquiry, in aid of 3 legislation, on the implementation of Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as "An Act 4 Strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System, Providing for 5 the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework and Institutionalizing the 6 National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, Appropriating Funds Therefore and 7 for Other Purposes." 8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the

9 Committee conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the impact of the veto on disaster 10 preparedness which could have reduced the damage of recent typhoons. 11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the

12 National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee, given its lawful mandate, 13 draft and present its disaster framework so that concerned government agencies, civil society 14 groups and the general public will be aware on how to contribute in reducing the impact of 15 typhoons and other calamities.

Adopted,

HON.A]i'MOND V. PALATINO Representative, Kabataan Party-list