A new law now allows the government to declare a state of emergency ahead of a forecasted calamity, enabling the early mobilization of resources and the rollout of anticipatory measures to minimize loss of lives and damage to communities.
Under Republic Act No. 12287, or the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act, signed on September 12, the President may proclaim a State of Imminent Disaster upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Meanwhile, local chief executives may also issue similar declarations in their respective jurisdictions based on the advice of the Regional DRRM Councils.
The law defines a state of imminent disaster as a declaration made “in anticipation of a highly probable disaster with projected catastrophic impacts based on forecast and on the results of pre-disaster risk assessment to supplement national and local resources in preventing or mitigating damages and losses.”
To justify such a declaration, a pre-disaster risk assessment must classify the forecasted hazard’s impacts as ‘severe’ or its equivalent, with anticipated adverse effects on the population and vital sectors such as agriculture, business, and industry.
It also provides an allowable lead time of at least three days, extendable to five, for the implementation of anticipatory interventions.
Once declared, DRRM councils may implement urgent measures such as advisories, prepositioning teams and supplies, evacuation, volunteer mobilization, and health and safety support, as well as social aid for vulnerable groups and protection of food supply chains. Funding will be sourced from local and national DRRM funds and regular agency budgets.
The law specifies that “the disbursement of funds shall be graduated and proportionate to the forecasted severity, lead time, and anticipated extent of damage as determined in the pre-disaster risk assessment.”
RA 12287 also penalizes false hazard information or manipulated disaster assessments with six to twelve years’ imprisonment, fines of ₱50,000 to ₱500,000, and perpetual disqualification from office for public officials.
The declaration of a state of imminent disaster shall be automatically lifted once the hazard occurs or earlier upon the recommendation of the NDRRMC or regional councils if the projected impacts no longer warrant it.
Furthermore, the law directs the NDRRMC to issue implementing rules within 60 days and creates a congressional oversight committee to monitor implementation and recommend further policy measures.
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