MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed into law a measure authorizing the government to declare a “State of Imminent Disaster” ahead of a forecasted calamity, enabling authorities to take anticipatory actions to protect communities.

Republic Act (RA) No. 12287, or the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act, was signed on September 12. It establishes the mechanism for declaring and lifting a State of Imminent Disaster, as well as providing the criteria and necessary appropriations for its implementation.

Under the law, the President may declare a State of Imminent Disaster over barangays, municipalities, cities, provinces, or regions upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Local chief executives may also issue such a declaration within their jurisdictions upon the endorsement of their Regional DRRM Councils.

A pre-disaster risk assessment will serve as the basis for the declaration. The assessment must identify a highly probable hazard with projected severe impacts, along with a sufficient lead time—three to five days—for government units to carry out anticipatory interventions.

Once declared, national and local DRRM councils are authorized to use resources and mechanisms for measures such as public information advisories, prepositioning response teams and supplies, initiating pre-emptive evacuations, distributing food and non-food items, mobilizing volunteers, and providing social amelioration to the most vulnerable. The law also covers contingency planning to safeguard agricultural products, food supply, public health, and safety.

The declaration will be lifted if subsequent assessments show that the projected impacts did not materialize. Funding for anticipatory measures must be included in local DRRM funds, as reflected in local DRRM plans.

The NDRRMC, in consultation with stakeholders, is mandated to issue implementing rules and guidelines within 60 days of the law’s approval.