The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Tuesday expressed its gratitude to Senator Jinggoy Estrada for sponsoring Senate Bill No. 2999, a proposed measure aimed at transforming the country’s disaster preparedness approach.
Titled the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Bill, the proposed legislation seeks to create a legal basis for declaring a disaster before it happens, relying on scientific forecasts and risk assessments.
Estrada emphasized the Philippines’ high exposure to natural calamities, citing the average of 20 typhoons annually, along with recurring floods, landslides, and storm surges.
He noted that storms in the past year alone resulted in an estimated P20 billion in damages and impacted millions of lives.
If passed into law, the bill would empower authorities to act early, enabling preventive measures and reducing potential harm.
“We commend Senator Estrada for championing this initiative. Moving from a reactive stance—responding only after disasters happen—to a proactive approach is essential. Acting early can help prevent or significantly lessen the impact of calamities,” OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said, adding that this bill is a much needed step forward.
The bill seeks to address a critical gap in the country’s disaster response protocols by allowing authorities to declare a “state of imminent disaster”—a proactive measure grounded in scientific forecasts that enables early intervention.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has already expressed its support for the initiative, which also aligns with disaster management practices across the ASEAN region.
Estrada underscored the need to empower local governments by proposing that 70 percent of disaster funds be dedicated to anticipatory actions. This would allow local officials to respond swiftly to early warnings instead of waiting for disasters to occur.
The proposed legislation also aims to strengthen coordination among national agencies, local government units, and international partners, ensuring a more efficient and effective disaster response system.
“As climate change accelerates, we need to move from being reactive to proactive,” Estrada said.
“This bill is about turning disaster risk into an opportunity for leadership and innovation,” the senator stressed.
The OCD, together with other concerned stakeholders, is urging the Senate to expedite the passage of the bill.
Nepomuceno emphasized that the proposed law would provide clear guidelines for the early declaration of imminent disasters. More importantly, it would enable authorities to take preemptive action—potentially saving lives and minimizing damage before a disaster strikes.
“It’s time to prioritize anticipatory action—preventive steps that can stop disasters from escalating. We need laws that empower communities and make our disaster response more proactive rather than just reactive,” the OCD chief added.
If enacted, the bill is poised to transform the country’s disaster management system—making it more resilient, proactive, and better equipped to handle the growing threats brought about by climate change.
