Republic Act No. 8185

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1

Section 324

(d) of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"(d) Five percent (5%) of the estimated revenue from regular sources shall be set aside as annual lump sum appropriations for relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and other works or services in connection with calamities which may occur during the budget year: Provided, however, That such fund shall be used only in the area, or a portion thereof, of the local government unit or other areas affected by a disaster or calamity, as determined and declared by the local sanggunian concerned.

"Calamity shall be defined as a state of extreme distress or misfortune, produced by some adverse circumstance or event or any great misfortune or cause or loss or misery caused by natural forces.

"In case of fire or conflagration the calamity fund shall be utilized only for relief operations.

"The local development council shall monitor the use and disbursement of the local calamity fund."

Section 2

The Oversight Committee on the Local Government Code, in coordination with concerned agencies, shall prepare and issue the implementing rules and regulations within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act.

Section 3

The provisions of existing laws, decrees, issuances, rules and regulations, or portions thereof, which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

Section 4

This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved, June 11, 1996.