Manila, Sept. 18 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed into law Republic Act No. 12287, institutionalizing the declaration of a "State of Imminent Disaster" to allow the government to implement anticipatory actions before a calamity strikes.

Under the new law, signed Sept. 12 and made public Tuesday, the President may declare a State of Imminent Disaster over barangays, municipalities, cities, provinces, or regions upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Local chief executives may likewise issue a declaration in their jurisdictions based on advice from regional DRRM Councils.

The declaration will be anchored on a pre-disaster risk assessment showing highly probable haza...