Manila: Para±aque 2nd District Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan is advocating for the passage of a bill aimed at creating multi-hazard maps for every city and municipality across the Philippines, intending to incorporate these maps into disaster risk reduction strategies and local development plans.

According to Philippines News Agency, HB 4035, filed on August 26, assigns the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the National Mapping and Resources Information Authority (NAMRIA), the responsibility of developing these multi-hazard maps. This initiative will be a collaborative effort with the Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Space Agency, Climate Change Commission, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), local government units (LGUs), and other relevant governmental bodies with existing hazard mapping and satellite imaging capabilities.

The bill outlines a comprehensive plan to ensure the maps are accessible and utilized properly. This plan includes a nationwide information campaign, training programs for local officials, disaster response teams, and community leaders, among other initiatives. HB 4035 also mandates the integration of these maps into local development and disaster response planning, with national agencies using them in the planning, design, and approval of public infrastructure projects.

The DENR, in cooperation with local governments, is tasked with updating the multi-hazard maps every three years. Rep. Yamsuan stated that his proposed legislation aims to bolster the implementation of Republic Act 12287, which institutionalizes the declaration of a “State of Imminent Disaster” to enable preemptive government actions before disasters occur.

Yamsuan emphasized the importance of hazard mapping as a science-based, data-driven strategy to mitigate disaster impacts. He noted that multi-hazard maps would provide Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) councils with essential tools to implement the Declaration of Imminent Disaster Law effectively. These maps would not only assist in land use planning but also help identify vulnerable areas where urgent preemptive measures are needed to save lives and reduce losses.

The bill aims to build upon the achievements of the Project Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH), which has been instrumental in identifying regions susceptible to extreme weather-related hazards.