Signing into law (Friday, 7 December 2024) by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. of the “Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act” and the “Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act” (HB 7354 and HB 9978, respectively)
The Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act provides for the establishment of a nationwide network of permanent, storm-resilient evacuation centers designed to withstand typhoon winds of up to 300 kilometers per hour (kph) and seismic activity of up to magnitude 8.0 and fully equip with sleeping areas, healthcare stations, sanitation facilities and provisions for livestock, and will prioritize high-risk and disaster-prone areas.
The Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act grants financial relief by suspending student loan payments for Higher Education and TVET programs during and after disasters in areas declared under a State of Calamity or Emergency. This will ease the burden on students and their families in disaster-stricken areas, allowing affected students to focus on recovery and their studies.
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Speaker says law will give big relief to students in disaster areas
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez today welcomed the signing into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the bill that seeks to provide for a moratorium on the payment of student loans during disasters and other emergencies.
“The moratorium will be a big relief to students, both in public and private schools, including those run by local government units, in times of calamities, disasters, and similar emergency situations,” he said.
The leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives said the envisioned freeze on student loan payments would relieve students and their families of an added financial burden at a time when they would be focused on rehabilitating their homes, livelihood, and lives.
“This assistance, together with other forms of support the government would extend to them, would make recovery and return to normal life easier and faster for them,” he said.
He added that the moratorium promotes the achievement of the government’s goal of providing all learners with equal opportunity to avail themselves of quality education.
Under the newly signed law, the deferment of student loan payments would cover students enrolled in state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges, private higher education institutions, and public and private technical-vocational institutions whose residence is located in barangays, towns, cities, provinces, or regions under a state of calamity or state of emergency declared by the President or the local Sanggunian in accordance with relevant laws, and rules and regulations.
The calamities, disasters, crisis situations and other kinds of emergencies are either be national in scope or local in scope, such as regional, provincial, city or municipal, barangay, and community levels.
The law provides that the payment postponement shall apply to all fees, interests, and other charges on loans for higher education and technical-vocational education and training incurred by students for up to 30 days after the declaration of a state of calamity or a state of emergency.
The legislation sets the following conditions for the grant of a student loan deferment: declaration of a state of calamity or emergency; the area in which the student temporarily or permanently resides is affected by a disaster, calamity, emergency, or crisis situation; and said student or his family has sustained injury or damage in the course of such calamity, disaster, emergency or crisis situation.
Within sixty days from the effectivity of the law, the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority shall, in consultation with the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges, the Association of Local Colleges and Universities, the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines, or their equivalent institutions, and other non-government stakeholders, shall issue implementing rules and regulations.
The statute shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
The law consolidates House Bill No. 9978 and Senate Bill No. 1864. (END)
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Speaker Romualdez lauds PBBM’s Marawi recovery initiative as fulfillment of promise to city and BARMM
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday lauded the Marawi recovery initiative of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., the latest of which is the creation of the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Marawi Rehabilitation and Development (OPAMRD) under Executive Order (EO) No. 78.
At the same time, the leader of the 307-strong House of Representatives highlighted the measures taken by his chamber to speed up Marawi City’s rehabilitation from the devastation caused by the 2017 siege, including the annual allocation in the national budget of at least P1 billion for reconstruction programs and projects.
Speaker Romualdez said President Marcos Jr.’s efforts “reflect the administration’s deep commitment to addressing the long-standing issues that have delayed the full recovery of Marawi City and its surrounding communities.”
He said the creation of OPAMRD “is a significant step forward in ensuring that Marawi’s recovery and rehabilitation efforts are not only sustained but further streamlined and accelerated.”
“It is a demonstration of President Marcos’ sincerity in delivering on his promise to the people of Marawi and the entire Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM),” he said.
He pointed out that on the part of the House, the chamber “has ensured from the beginning that the rehabilitation of Marawi “is supported by sufficient funding and institutionalized oversight mechanisms.”
The measures taken by the House include:
1. Annual allocations for the Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program, focusing on housing, infrastructure, and livelihood projects for displaced families. These allocations have been carefully scrutinized to ensure transparency and accountability.
2. Increased Oversight on Rehabilitation Funds - The House has also conducted multiple hearings and inquiries to ensure that funds allocated for Marawi’s rehabilitation are utilized effectively. Speaker Romualdez reiterated Congress’ commitment to exercising its oversight function to prevent delays, mismanagement, or corruption.
3. Support for BARMM’s Local Development Projects - Recognizing the critical role of BARMM leadership and LGUs in Marawi’s recovery, Congress has worked to harmonize national and regional efforts, particularly in infrastructure development, social services, and peacebuilding programs.
Speaker Romualdez said while progress has been made, challenges remain, including delays in the completion of key infrastructure projects, the provision of permanent housing and the restoration of livelihoods.
The establishment of OPAMRD addresses these issues by creating a central authority to harmonize government efforts and ensure that all programs align with the needs of affected communities, he said.
“The people of Marawi deserve a rehabilitation process that is efficient, transparent and inclusive. By creating OPAMRD, President Marcos has ensured that these objectives are prioritized,” he said.
The House leader called for the participation of local stakeholders, the private sector and civil society, which he said is critical to the success of OPAMRD.
“We must involve the people of Marawi every step of the way. Their voices, their aspirations, and their experiences must shape the path forward,” he stressed.
“The rehabilitation of Marawi is not just about rebuilding structures - it is about restoring dignity, hope, and opportunity to our fellow Filipinos. Let us work together to ensure that Marawi’s story becomes one of resilience and triumph over adversity,” he added.
Speaker Romualdez also committed that the House of Representatives would allocate the necessary resources and enact any needed legislation to bolster OPAMRD’s efforts.
He pledged to work closely with the executive branch and BARMM leadership to ensure the rehabilitation program addresses the needs of the people of Marawi. (END)
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Newly signed law will protect our people from disasters - Speaker
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act signed today by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would protect Filipinos, especially those in remote and flood-prone communities, before, during and after disasters.
He said the new law establishing fully-equipped evacuation centers in every city and town throughout the country is the answer to the need of rural and even urban communities for temporary shelter for their residents fleeing the onslaught of typhoons, storms and flooding.
“When these shelters are built, people will be aware of where to go when they need to evacuate. The centers will have the necessary facilities and supplies for them,” said Speaker Romualdez.
The leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives said the enactment of the law is timely in the sense that weather disturbances are increasingly becoming stronger and thus more destructive due to climate change.
“We should have prepared for this eventuality years ago because we are visited every year by at least 20 typhoons. But it’s still not too late to prepare and we should start building the needed evacuation centers soon,” he added.
Speaker Romualdez, principal author of the House bill enacted as the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, stressed that precious lives would be saved if people affected by storms evacuate in a timely manner and seek refuge in designated temporary housing centers.
The newly signed law sets minimum standards for the establishment of the centers, including:
It shall be strategically located in the city/town, shall not be at risk of isolation, and shall be at a safe distance from danger areas.
2. It shall be disaster-resilient, built with study materials and designed to withstand super typhoon or wind speeds to at least 300 kilometers per hour and seismic activity of at least 8.0 magnitude.
3. It shall be well-ventilated and can accommodate the anticipated number of evacuees, considering the population of the city/town.
4. It shall have these minimum facilities: sleeping quarters; separate shower and toilet for males and females (one for every 20 males and females, and one for every eight persons with disability or elderly;
5. Kitchen and food preparation and dining areas;
6. Trash and wage segregation and collection areas;
7. Health care areas, which shall include an isolation or quarantine area;
8. Recreation area
9. Rain harvesting and collection system;
10. Standby power for lighting, operation of medical and communication equipment;
11. Powerhouse and stand-alone water pumping facilities; and
12. Storage area for good and non-food items.
The law designates the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as the implementing agency for the measure.
The council is mandated to make a priority list of cities and towns that need evacuation centers, taking into account their susceptibility, exposure, and vulnerability to hazards, and their readiness to host the temporary shelters.
The city or town concerned shall be responsible for the operation, supervision and management of the centers.
The Department of Public Works and Highways is tasked to build the evacuation facilities, initially using its own budget and subsequently including the funding requirements in its annual budget proposal.
The NDRRMC, in consultation with relevant public and private agencies, shall issue implementing rules and regulations. (END)
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*Congresswoman Atty. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” R. Luistro*
*PHILIPPINES SHOULD BE A MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT*
Manila, Philippines - I have taken notice of the recent call from the European Union (EU) urging the Philippines to reconsider its withdrawal from the ICC, and to rejoin this important international body. Having taken notice of the same, I advocate for the Philippines’ return as a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
There must be a court of last resort - which will complement domestic courts - that will investigate and, where warranted, try individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community, namely: genocide; war crimes; crimes against humanity; and the crime of aggression.
As a nation committed to justice and the preservation of human rights and human dignity, it is imperative for the Philippines to take an unqualified position in its membership in the ICC, not to mention that these commitments are anchored on values that are parallel with that of the Philippines, as enshrined in the Bill of Rights of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
The decision to depart from the Rome Statute in 2019 was a devastating decision: it sent the wrong message to the international community that we were unwilling to uphold the protection and promotion of human rights, which should be inherent to every individual, and displayed the fragility of our democratic institutions. At its core, the withdrawal from the ICC signified to our people that our Government’s commitment to international treaties, more importantly to our domestic laws, is malleable enough and can be distorted to the whims of a select few.
We are a nation of laws, not a nation of men.
Rejoining the ICC would reaffirm the country's commitment to international norms and strengthen its legal framework in holding perpetrators of grave crimes accountable–that, regardless of their status, economic standing, or power, no one is above the law. #
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*TWO LANDMARK DISASTER RESILIENCE BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW
ECs in every City and Municipality, student loan moratorium “a win for all Filipinos,” says House DRR Chair Ecleo*
Rep. Alan 1 B. Ecleo of the Lone District of Dinagat Islands welcomed the signing of two landmark Bills on disaster resilience: House Bill (HB) 07354 or the “Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act,” mandating fully equipped and disaster-ready evacuation centers in every city and municipality across the Philippines; and HB 09978, imposing a moratorium on student loan payments during calamities, crisis situations, and other emergencies.
“In the aftermath of Typhoon Odette in December 2021, we promised that we will turn the lessons learned into laws for the benefit of the people. Today, we once again honor that promise,” said Rep. Ecleo, Chairperson of the House Committee on Disaster Resilience
Ecleo is one of the principal authors of the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, alongside Speaker Martin Romualdez and other lawmakers, and among the principal authors of HB 09978, along with other members of the House Committee on Disaster Resilience.
“Nothing should hinder students from completing their education: not poverty, nor calamity,” said Ecleo. “This is a strong message from the Government, that protection from disaster means providing the People temporary shelter during calamities while securing their finances and the future of their children through education.”
“While we are all affected by calamities, it is also when economic differences are highlighted. Through these Bills, we ensure that no one gets left behind during disasters,” said Ecleo. “This is a win for all Filipinos, especially those most affected in times of crisis. Especially the poor and most vulnerable.”
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_CONTACT PERSON:
Vin Buenaagua; 0917 193 1657; buenaagua.hrep2023@gmail.com_
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