The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has completed the crafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 12287 or the “Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act.”

In a statement Saturday, Oct. 25, the OCD said a five-day workshop was held in Clark, Pampanga to finalize the guidelines for the law’s implementation. The workshop brought together representatives from National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) member agencies and various non-government organizations.

OCD Administrator, Undersecretary Harold Cabreros expressed gratitude to the participants for their contributions in shaping the law’s IRR. He also acknowledged the World Food Programme (WFP) for its continued technical support and contributions to advancing anticipatory action initiatives in the Philippines.

“The passage of Republic Act No. 12287 or the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act is a significant milestone in supporting the country's proactive approach to disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM),” he said.

Under the law, the NDRRMC is mandated to craft the IRR, with the OCD, as its executive arm, leading the development process.

Signed by President Marcos Jr. on September 12, the Imminent disaster Act authorizes proactive government action based on scientific forecasts of severe hazards such as floods, typhoons, droughts, and storm surges.

The President may declare a “State of Imminent Disaster” in areas likely to be affected, upon the recommendation of the NDRRMC and in consultation with relevant agencies. Local chief executives are likewise empowered to make similar declarations within their jurisdictions.

Such declarations must be supported by a pre-disaster risk assessment detailing the severity of the forecasted hazard, its potential impact on vulnerable sectors, and a lead time of at least three to five days to allow the implementation of anticipatory measures.

Once declared, national and local DRRM councils may use available resources to carry out actions such as issuing advisories, prepositioning response teams, conducting pre-emptive evacuations, and mobilizing trained volunteers.

Local government units are required to integrate anticipatory actions into their regular programs and fund them Local DRRM Funds, while national agencies must do the same within their respective budgets. The National DRRM Fund may also be tapped to support such initiatives.

The OCD said the completion of the IRR sets in motion the full implementation of the Imminent Disaster Act, which “marks a major step in shifting the country’s disaster response framework from reactive to anticipatory.”

“This law establishes the institutionalization of ‘anticipatory action’ within our current DRRM systems. It enables us to take proactive measures before severe disasters occur by implementing anticipatory actions based on predefined triggers. This approach aims to minimize the impact on communities when disasters strike,” Cabreros said.