Bill seeks to transfer authority to declare calamity to chief exec

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.