Policy and Legislative Agenda Infrastructure Proposed Legislation/Key Actions to Enforce Existing Laws/Policy Issuances Strong enforcement of the Republic Act 6541: National Building Code of the Philippines, particularly Section 1.01.07: Unsanitary, Unsafe, Hazardous, or Dangerous Sites. Amendment in the DENR-EMB Circular No. 2015-008 for the online processing of the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for government infrastructure projects. Institutionalization of the Universal Access Fund (UAF) for broadband services in the country.
Development and institutionalization of a Regional ICT Infrastructure Plan for Western Visayas. Formulation of guidelines by DPWH, DICT, DOE and LWUA for accommodating utilities within the highway right-of-way. It should have provisions for the development of underground utility boxes for communication and power lines. Amendment of the General Insurance Fund Guidelines under the Property Insurance Law (RA 656)
Rationale Several infrastructure projects implemented in the region were built on unsanitary, unsafe, hazardous, or dangerous sites including the coast, riverside, mountainside or near a cliff, beside a huge poultry farm, and on flat low-lying lands that are easily flooded. The strong enforcement of this law will ensure that all public infrastructure is built in the safe zone. The current online processing of ECC does not require the conduct of an actual site validation before the approval and issuance of the same. The amendment will require the conduct of site validation to establish the correctness of the documents submitted and ensure that there are no technical errors or manipulation done given the advancement in technology and editing software. This would call on all telecom operators to contribute 0.25% of gross revenue automatically into the UAF under the draft bill titled ‘An Act Institutionalizing a Universal Access Fund’, to be used to boost the development of broadband infrastructure in underserved areas. The plan will improve the functionality and resiliency of the wireless and wireline infrastructure and ensure the availability of mobile and internet connectivity services. Apart from ensuring traffic safety, putting the utility lines underground, with proper protection, will ensure that the utility services are available during and even after a typhoon and other disasters.
The amendment will focus on providing the local government units with more cost-effective coverage and customized policy for quick disaster payouts. The improved guidelines should offer a catastrophe risk insurance facility to provide immediate liquidity as well as improve existing traditional insurance products to cater to the needs for emergency reconstruction and early recovery.
Western Visayas Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan for Typhoon Odette
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