The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Thursday thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for signing into law Republic Act (RA) 12287, which allows the government to declare a “State of Imminent Disaster” before a calamity.

In a statement, OCD administrator Undersecretary Harold Cabreros said the law’s passage is a “significant milestone in supporting the country’s proactive approach to disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).”

“This law establishes the institutionalization of Anticipatory Action within our current DRRM systems,” he said.

Signed on Sept. 12, RA 12287, or the Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act, introduces the concept of “Anticipatory Action,” a proactive approach that allows authorities to reduce the impact of a forecasted hazard prior to its occurrence or even before its most acute effects are felt.

Cabreros said the new law would allow the OCD 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,” he said.

The law covers a wide range of hazards, including hydrometeorological, geological, and climatic threats such as floods, typhoons, droughts, and storm surges — events that can be modeled and predicted with sufficient lead time.

Under the law, the President, upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and in consultation with relevant government agencies, may declare a State of Imminent Disaster in areas seen to be affected by a significant disaster. This can apply to barangays, municipalities, cities, provinces, or regions.

The law also empowers local chief executives (LCEs) to declare a State of Imminent Disaster in their jurisdictions through an executive order, in consultation with or upon the recommendation of their respective Regional DRRM Councils.

The declaration will be based on a pre-disaster risk assessment, which includes a classification of the forecasted hazard as severe or its equivalent.

The assessment will consider the potential effects on the population, particularly vulnerable groups, as well as key sectors such as agriculture, business, and industry.

The assessment must also provide a lead time of at least three days, extendable to five days, to allow government agencies to implement anticipatory actions. (PNA)