The government can now take preemptive action before a major disaster strikes under new implementing rules that allow the declaration of a State of Imminent Disaster based on scientific forecasts and risk assessments.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has released the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 12287, or the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the law on Sept. 12, 2025, institutionalizing anticipatory action as part of the country’s disaster risk reduction and management framework.
Under the law, the President may declare a State of Imminent Disaster in areas forecast to face severe and highly probable hazards through an executive order, upon the recommendation of the NDRRMC or local chief executives acting on the advice of regional disaster risk reduction and management councils.
The IRR applies to hazards with projected catastrophic impacts classified as “severe,” or their equivalent, based on forecasts and the results of a pre-disaster risk assessment.
Once a declaration is made, disaster risk reduction and management councils at the national, regional and local levels may implement anticipatory measures before the expected impact of a hazard or immediately after the declaration.
These measures include issuing timely and coordinated public advisories, mobilizing response teams, prepositioning critical supplies and operational assets, and carrying out pre-emptive evacuation when necessary.
The rules also provide for infrastructure protection, evacuation protocols, camp coordination and camp management, and protection of internally displaced persons.
Accredited Community Disaster Volunteers, civil society organizations, private sector groups and other volunteer organizations may also be mobilized to support anticipatory action interventions.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) was tasked with monitoring areas placed under a State of Imminent Disaster by the President.
Concerned government agencies must submit reports to the OCD within 45 days after the declaration is lifted. The reports must include the status of local declarations, the use of anticipatory action funds and estimated economic and social costs.
National government agencies are required to integrate anticipatory action measures into their regular programs, projects and activities and fund them through their regular agency budgets.
Local government units may also incorporate anticipatory action measures into their Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plans and investment plans.
Under the IRR, LGUs may allocate up to 10% of the 70% portion of their Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund for anticipatory action measures.
The new framework is intended to allow government agencies and communities to prepare and act within the available lead time before a forecast hazard reaches affected areas, rather than relying solely on response measures after a disaster occurs.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who chairs the NDRRMC, signed the IRR on Sept. 14, 2026.
Photo courtesy of PhilStar
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