The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has issued the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 12287, or the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act.
The law allows the government to declare a State of Imminent Disaster before a calamity strikes, based on scientific forecasts, risk assessments and recommendations from disaster management authorities.
Under the IRR, the President may issue the declaration through an executive order for areas facing severe and highly probable hazards, upon the recommendation of the NDRRMC or local chief executives acting on advice from regional disaster councils.
The rules also set guidelines for anticipatory action, including the prepositioning of supplies and operational assets, pre-emptive evacuation, camp management, protection of internally displaced persons, infrastructure protection, and the mobilization of accredited community disaster volunteers, civil society groups and the private sector.
The Office of Civil Defense was tasked with monitoring areas placed under a State of Imminent Disaster, while concerned agencies must submit reports within 45 days after the declaration is lifted, including information on fund utilization and estimated economic and social costs.
National government agencies are directed to integrate anticipatory action measures into their regular programs and budgets. Local governments may also allocate up to 10 percent of the 70 percent portion of their Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund for anticipatory action measures.
The IRR was signed on September 14 by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who also chairs the NDRRMC.
