All 171 members of the House of Representatives have passed on third and final reading House Bill 9087 seeking to provide free freight services in the transport of relief goods to areas struck by calamities.
Bulacan’s San Jose del Monte Rep. Florida Robes, the bill author, said “as humans can only last few days without food and water, relief operations are important. In this case, response mechanisms and guidelines must be geared toward saving lives in the immediate aftermath of any disaster.”
The proper management of relief goods, particularly collecting and sending goods, must be in place, she said.
To provide free freight in the transportation of relief goods and donated articles to calamity-stricken areas would further ensure that adequate relief assistance is given to individuals and communities most devastated by a disaster, she noted.
The bill, also known as the “Relief Goods Free Transportation Act,” mandates the Office of the Civil Defense in coordination with the Philippine Postal Corp. and all freight companies, common carriers, private carriers, freight forwarders, and other companies providing logistic services in the Philippines, to grant free freight services to duly registered relief organizations in the transportation of emergency relief goods and donated articles to areas declared to be in a state of calamity.
The bill’s other authors include Representatives Sandra Eriguel and Pablo Ortega of La Union, Sabiniano Canama of COOP NATCCO party-list and Eric Olivarez of Parañaque City.