Bill seeks to transfer authority to declare calamity to chief exec

CEBU, Philippines —  To expedite government response during disasters, Third District Representative Karen Hope Garcia has filed House Bill No. 1622, seeking to transfer the authority to declare a state of calamity from the local legislative body to the chief executive.

The proposed measure amends provisions of Republic Act 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, which currently vests the power to declare a state of calamity in the Sanggunian.

Under existing law, the declaration must be based on the recommendation of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) and supported by a damage assessment in the affected area.

Typically, the Sanggunian—whether a Municipal Council, City Council, or Provincial Board—must convene and pass a resolution to formalize the declaration.

 However, Garcia noted that this process can be time-consuming, especially when swift action is needed from local government units (LGUs) during emergencies.

“The process is tedious—convening the council, ensuring a quorum, and securing a majority vote,” Garcia wrote in her explanatory note.

She added that the procedure is often impractical during real-time calamities, when Sanggunian members may be engaged in rescue and relief operations or may themselves be victims of the disaster.

“To accelerate the declaration process and mobilize government resources more quickly, this bill transfers the authority to declare and lift a state of calamity to the local chief executive,” Garcia said.

Under the proposed measure, the chief executive—or any official acting in that capacity—may issue or lift the declaration upon the recommendation of the LDRRMC, based on the results of a damage assessment and needs analysis.

To prevent abuse, the bill allows the Sanggunian to revoke the declaration at any time if it determines that the conditions no longer warrant a state of calamity.

“Moreover, transferring this power would streamline decision-making, especially when time is of the essence,” Garcia added. (CEBU NEWS)