President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed a new law that allows the government to declare a “State of Imminent Disaster” before a calamity strikes so that preparations and emergency actions can be carried out in advance to protect communities.

Under Republic Act No. 12287, the government will establish a mechanism for declaring a State of Imminent Disaster and providing the criteria for its declaration and lifting, as well as necessary appropriations.

R.A. No. 12287, or the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act signed by President Marcos on September 12, authorizes the Chief Executive to declare a State of Imminent Disaster over a cluster of barangays, municipalities, cities, provinces, and regions upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Local chief executives, upon the recommendation of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Councils, may declare a State of Imminent Disaster through an executive order in their respective jurisdictions that are forecasted to be affected by an imminent disaster.

The NDRRMC or the Regional DRRM Councils shall conduct a pre-disaster risk assessment in anticipation of a highly probable disaster with projected catastrophic impacts, which will be the basis for the declaration.

The classification of a forecasted hazard’s impacts as severe or its equivalent, with adverse effects on the population, and an allowable or sufficient three-day lead time for the national or local government to implement anticipatory action interventions must be present in the pre-disaster risk assessment. The allowable lead time may be extended to five days.

The Declaration of a State of Imminent Disaster shall allow the National, Regional, and Local DRRM Councils the use of national and local resources and mechanisms to implement anticipatory actions within identified or allowable lead time.

These include disseminating public information advisories on recommended actions to relevant sectors; mobilizing and prepositioning inter-agency response teams; initiating pre-emptive or forced evacuation; mobilizing duly accredited and trained volunteers; and procuring, mobilizing, prepositioning, and distributing food and non-food items to forecasted affected population.

Other measures include implementing a social amelioration program for the indigent and most vulnerable population; carrying out contingency plans to mitigate damage to agricultural products and food supply; and providing technical and advisory assistance to ensure public health and safety.

With regard to the declaration’s duration and lifting, R.A. 12287 stated that if the latest pre-disaster risk assessment finds that the projected impacts are not met, the National or Regional DRRM Councils shall recommend its immediate lifting by the President or by the local chief executive.

As to the funding, the LGUs shall include anticipatory action measures in their regular programs, plans, and activities lodged under their respective local DRRM funds, as reflected in their local DRRM plans, the law stated.

The law also mandates the NDRRMC, through its chairperson, upon consultation with relevant stakeholders, to issue the necessary rules and regulations, including operational guidelines and procedures for its effective implementation within 60 days after its approval. | PND