Office of Civil Defense

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has the primary task of coordinating
the activities and functions of various government agencies and
instrumentalities, private institutions and civic organizations for the
protection and preservation of life and property during disasters and
emergencies. It serves as the operating arm and secretariat of the national
disaster coordinating council and maintains the National Disaster
Management Operations Center.

Governing Laws for OCD’s Existence

The Office of Civil Defense is existing on the basis of Letter of Instructions

No. 19 and Presidential Decree No. 1566. Its mandate emanates from
Presidential Decree No. 1, series of 1972 as implemented by Letter of
Instruction No. 19 of 1972. This law stipulates that during times of war and
emergencies, the OCD is the principal agency responsible for coordinating
the activities and functions of various government agencies and
instrumentalities at all levels, including private institutions and civic
organizations devoted to public welfare. This is to ensure that the facilities
and resources of the entire nation may be utilized to the maximum extent for
the protection and preservation of people’s life and property.

The Office of Civil Defense, apart from being an attached bureau of the
Department of National Defense (DND), is also the operating arm and the
secretariat of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), which is the
highest policy-making, coordinating and supervising body at the national
level for disaster management in the country (Presidential Decree No. 1566
dated 11 June 1978).

LOI 19 dated December 31, 1972 mandates the OCD to carry out the
following functions:
1. Establish and administer a comprehensive national civil defense and
assistance program;
2. Formulate policies for the protection and welfare of the civilian
population in time of war directly involving the Philippines or other
national emergencies of equally grave character;
3. Estimate the total material, manpower and fiscal requirements for
carrying out the national civil defense and civil assistance program and
allocate to the provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays such aid
in facilities, materials and funds as may be made available from the
national government;
 4. Develop and coordinate a program for informing, educating and
training the general public and volunteer workers on civil defense and
civil assistance measures and activities;
5. Furnish guidance to the various provinces, cities, and municipalities in
the planning, organization and operation of their civil defense
organizations;
6. Advice the Secretary on matters concerning civil defense and make
recommendations from time to time as may be deemed appropriate or
as the Secretary may require; and
7. Perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

Under PD 1566 dated 11 June 1978, OCD shall have the following additional
functions:
1. Coordinate the activities and functions of the various agencies and
instrumentalities of the National Government and private institutions
and civic organizations to implement the policies set by the National
Disaster Coordinating Council relative to Disaster Management;
2. Provide secretariat services to the National Disaster Coordinating
Council;
3. Prepare and disseminate disaster control manuals and other
publications related to measures on disaster prevention, control and
mitigation; and
4. Advise the Chairman on matters concerning Disaster Management.
Vision and Mission

Agency Vision

While systems and mechanisms have been set in place from the national,
regional and local levels to address disasters and emergencies, OCD
continuously strive to enhance them to be more responsive in dealing with
disasters. OCD aims for the following:

A service-oriented organization
A prepared population
A safe nation

Mission of the Agency

With the above-stated vision, OCD is committed to administer a

comprehensive national civil defense and civil assistance program by
 providing leadership in the continuous development of measures to reduce
risk to communities and manage the consequence of disasters.

Implementing Strategies of the OCD

Strategic Leadership
The OCD has taken the national leadership in the continuous development of
measures to reduce risk to communities. This involves providing national
strategic leadership by working with stakeholders to identify issues of
national importance, develop and implement strategies to address them to
include national approaches to disaster mitigation, education, training,
research, consequence management and disaster information management.

Disaster Mitigation
Disaster Mitigation measures such as land use planning, building codes and
standards, community awareness, structural measures, warning systems,
planning and training prevent or reduce the impact of hazards on
communities. Effective mitigation represents an investment, with both short-
term and long-term benefits for the local, regional and national economy, the
environment and the community at large.
OCD’s role is to strengthen partnership with ever-expanding organizations to
promote a greater investment on mitigation and work on projects that will
build mitigation capability by, for example, developing and delivering
training courses for local government and planners, supporting research to
better understand the costs of disaster and the benefits of mitigation, and
developing best practice guidelines.
Planning for Emergency and Disaster Response
The ability to respond to emergencies requires careful planning. Contingency
plans shall be in place to meet LGUs’ request for national government
assistance arising from any type of disaster. This plan details procedures for
provision of national assistance in the event of a major disaster.
OCD maintains a number of hazard-specific contingency plans. It has the
responsibility to develop a process of soliciting feedback from LGUs on the
utilization and effectiveness of their contingency plans, and to review the
Implementing Plans of all NDCC member agencies in accordance with the
National Calamities and Preparedness Plan.
Consequence Management
Consequence management is a developing concept and is about protecting
public health and safety, restoring essential government services and
providing emergency relief to businesses and individuals affected by the
consequences of natural, technological and human-caused disasters.
International Engagement
OCD is responsible for interfacing with international stakeholders assisting in
emergencies, and in maintaining close links with emergency management
agencies throughout the world. Through international linkages, assistance in
the field of training and capacity building, as well as planning for post-
disaster are extended to the country. In addition, the country’s membership
(through OCD) in international organizations such as ADRC, ACDM, UNDAC
and UN-ISDR is providing the avenue wherein concerted effort in disaster risk
management is being achieved in international and local fronts.
Response Coordination
OCD is responsible for the coordination of disaster assistance provided by
the national and foreign governments. In times of disasters of great
magnitude, when the local government units are unable to cope, the OCD,
through its regional offices, works in close collaboration with other
government and non-government agencies for the efficient provision of relief
and financial assistance and optimum utilization of available resources.
Coordinated response in order to save lives, protect properties and deal with
the immediate damage/impact of disaster is this Office’ primary concern.

Emergency Management Research

OCD takes an active lead in disaster/emergency management research in
coordination with NDCC member agencies. The Bureau also maintains its
partnership with the UN-OCHA, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, WB/WBI and other
research organizations to attain research results that can be utilized by
disaster risk managers.
A nationally-agreed disaster/emergency management research agenda
focuses on emergency management and communities, costs of disasters,
and government decision making in planning for and managing emergencies.
OCD is involved in applied research including post disaster impact studies,
hosting/sponsoring of specialist seminars, and facilitating consultancies.
Education and Training
The OCD’s role includes development/enhancement of standardized training
methods and information materials for effective multi-agency training,
identification and development of best practice in emergency management,
and development and delivery of accredited education and training
activities.
In partnership with PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, MGB and other specialist agencies,
OCD produced publications which provide background information and
practical advice on preparing for, reacting to and coping with, major hazards
including typhoons, floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Community-Based Disaster Management
Community-Based Disaster Management (CBDM) is one of the approaches
provided by the country’s Disaster Management Law (Presidential Decree
No. 1566). CBDM is about “people empowerment” down to the barangay
level in order for communities to be resilient to disasters. This is also a
paradigm shift, from disaster response to disaster risk management. Various
organizations in the country, government and non-government alike, have
already ventured into CBDM-related initiatives following different frameworks
and focusing on different areas.
The OCD plays a key role in the formulation of a CBDM Framework at the
national level that will serve as the working guide of all local government
units as well as communities throughout the country to ensure
complementation and synergy of initiatives.
Emergency Management Innovation
Innovative project proposals addressing risk management, mitigation,
preparedness, response and recovery strategies are being supported and
considered for funding. Local communities are encouraged to come up with
projects/programs aimed at improving the safety and sustainability of
communities. This Office also promotes best practices and approaches in
disaster risk management by specific groups for adoption by other
stakeholders. The institutionalization of annual Gawad Kalasag Awards which
recognizes and promotes excellence, innovation and achievement in
disaster/emergency management is one way of enjoining all players to excel
in the field of disaster risk management.
Information and Knowledge Management
Knowledge networking is an important part of enhancing the country’s
disaster/emergency management capability. Advances in communications
systems are so important in terms of warning capability and public reaction
that they should be given immediate priority. On the other hand, all
available information on disaster risk management/emergency management
(DRM/EM) obviously needs to be monitored in order to ensure that relevant
data can be assessed and, where appropriate, utilized. The OCD is at the
forefront of exploring knowledge frameworks and tools for DRM. Currently,
the Office is now evaluating the feasibility of developing an internet portal to
further promote the sharing of information and knowledge pertaining to
DRM/EM.
Vital/Core Functions of the Office of Civil Defense (Reference: PD
1566 and LOI 19)
Under the proposed rationalization plan, OCD shall carry out the following
functions:
1. Formulate policies and prepare plans for the protection and welfare of
the civilian populace in time of war directly involving the Philippines or
other national emergencies of equally grave character;
2. Formulate policies and prepare plans and programs for disaster risk
management, policy, planning and administration;

3. Establish and administer a comprehensive national civil defense and

assistance program;

4. Develop and coordinate program for informing, educating and training

the general public and volunteer workers on civil defense and civil
assistance measures and activities;

5. Prepare and disseminate disaster control manuals and other

publications related to measures on disaster preparedness, prevention
and mitigation;

6. Furnish guidance to the various LGUs in the planning, organization and

operation of their civil defense organizations;

7. Advise the Secretary on matters concerning civil defense and disaster

management; and make recommendations from time to time as may
be deemed appropriate or as the Secretary may require;

8. Coordinate the activities and functions of the various agencies and

instrumentalities of the national government and private institutions
civic organizations to implement policies of the NDCC relative to
disaster risk management;

9. Provide Secretariat services to the NDCC;

10. Strengthen linkages with local and international partnership and

institution building like membership in professional organizations,
participation in local and international conferences, fora, seminars and
workshops to enhance capacities.
Key Concepts of Civil Defense

Civil Defense is self-protection

Civil defense is everybody’s responsibility

Civil Defense is a collective endeavor

 Civil Defense is a total system

Civil Deputization Program

Role of Divil Deputization Coordinator
• Initiates and coordinates programs, projects and activities on Civil
Protection and Disaster Management via multi-sectoral approach.
 • Serves as the Executive Officer and Secretariat of the Local
Disaster Coordinating Councils (LDCCs).

Duties and Responsibilities of a Deputization Coordinator

1. Spearhead the implementation of civil defense and disaster
management programs at the local government level.
2. Act as Executive Officers of local DCCs.
3. Initiate programs, projects and activities along emergency
preparedness and response, vulnerability and risk reduction, human
resource development, public information and advocacy for civil
protection, among others.
4. Establish networking/linkages with regional and national OCD offices
and other concerned government and non-government organizations
operating in their respective areas.
5. Perform other related works.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council

The establishment of the National Disaster Coordinating Council is embodied
in Sec. 2 of PD 1566. The Secretary of National Defense heads the NDCC with
the heads of 18 departments/ agencies as members. These include the Chief
of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines; Secretary-General, Philippine
National Red Cross; Philippine Information Agency; Executive Secretary and
the Administrator, Office of Civil Defense who is the Executive Officer of the
Council.
It is through the NDCC member-agencies that disaster preparedness,
prevention, mitigation and response carry out its corresponding tasks and
responsibilities under the NDCC system.
 The NDCC, unlike other department coordinating bodies, does not have its
own regular budget to disburse. It operates through the member-agencies
and its local networks, which are the regional and local disaster coordinating
councils.
The members of the council are the following:
○ Secretary, DND Chairman
○ Presidential Executive Secretary Member
○ Secretary, DILG Member
○ Secretary, DBM Member
○ Secretary, DPWH Member
○ Secretary, DOJ Member
○ Secretary, DOTC Member
○ Secretary, DOH Member
○ Secretary, DSWD Member
○ Secretary, DA Member
○ Secretary, DepEd Member
○ Secretary, DOF Member
○ Secretary, DOLE Member
○ Secretary, DTI Member
○ Secretary, DENR Member
○ Chief of Staff, AFP Member
○ Secretary-General, PNRC Member
○ Director, PIA Member
○ Administrator, OCD Member & Executive Officer
NDCC Functions
At the national level, the NDCC serves as the President’s adviser on disaster
preparedness programs, disaster operations and rehabilitation efforts
undertaken by the government and the private sector. It acts as the top
coordinator of all disaster management and the highest allocator of
resources in the country to support the efforts of the lower DCC level. In the
discharge of its functions, the NDCC utilizes the facilities and services of the
Office of Civil Defense as its operating arm.
Tasks of NDCC Chairman and Member-Agencies
The Chairman and members of the Council have the following tasks, namely:
a. Chairman - Convenes the Council as often as necessary and calls on all
other departments/bureaus/agencies, other instrumentalities of the
government and the private sector for assistance when the need arises.
b. Administrator, Office of Civil Defense - Coordinates the activities, functions
of the various agencies and instrumentalities of the government, private
institutions and civic organizations to implement the policies and programs
of the NDCC; disseminates materials relative to disaster prevention, control
and mitigation; advises the Chairman on matters concerning disaster
management.
c. Secretary of Interior and Local Government - Oversees the organization of
DCCs, the establishment of Disaster Operations Centers of all local
governments, and the training of DCC members in coordination with OCD,
DSWD, PNRC, and other appropriate agencies.
d. Secretary of Social Welfare and Development - Extends relief assistance
and social services to the victims as necessary.
e. Secretary of Health - Provides health services during emergencies as
necessary, and organizes reaction teams in hospitals, clinics and sanitary
and other health institutions.
f. Director-General, NEDA - Responsible for the determination and analysis of
the effects of disasters and calamities on the socio-economic plans and
programs of the country, and development of damage assessment scheme.
g. Secretary of Labor and Employment - Provides emergency employment
opportunities to disaster victims, implements the industrial civil defense
programs and measures, and organizes and trains Disaster Control Groups in
all factories and industrial complexes.
h. Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports - Provides assistance in the
public education and campaign regarding disaster preparedness, prevention
and mitigation, makes available school buildings as evacuation centers, and
organizes and trains disaster control groups and reaction teams in all schools
and institutions of learning.
i. Secretary of Trade and Industry - Maintains normal level of prices of
commodities during emergencies, and organizes Disaster Control Groups and
Reaction Teams in large buildings used for commercial and recreational
purposes, maintains normal level of prices of commodities during
emergencies.
j. Secretary of Agriculture - Undertakes surveys in disaster areas to
determine the extent of damage of agricultural crops, livestock and fisheries
and renders technical assistance to disaster victims whose crops or livestock
have been destroyed.
k. Secretary of Budget and Management - Releases funds required by the
departments for disaster operations.
l. Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources - Responsible for
reforestation and control of areas which tend to cause flooding, landslides,
mudflow and ground subsidence, provide seeds, seedlings and saplings and
technical assistance regarding mines, forests and lands, formulates rules and
regulations for the control of water and land pollution.
m. Secretary of Finance - Issues rules and regulations with the relevant
agencies concerned for the funding by local government of the requirements
for organizing, equipping, and training of their disaster coordinating councils
and reaction teams.
n. Secretary of Public Works and Highways - Restores destroyed public
structures such as flood control, waterworks, roads, bridges, and other
vertical and horizontal facilities/structures and provides heavy and light
equipment for relief, rescue and recovery operations.
o. Secretary of Tourism - Organizes and trains disaster control groups and
reaction teams in hotels, pension houses, restaurants and other tourist-
oriented facilities.
p. Secretary of Transportation and Communications - Restores destroyed
communication and transportation facilities such as railroads and vertical
structures, and organizes emergency transport services from the national
down to the barangay level; and restores destroyed communication and
transportation facilities such as railroads and vertical structures.
q. Director, Philippine Information Agency - Provides public information
service through dissemination of disaster mitigation measures.
r. Secretary-General, Philippine National Red Cross - Conducts disaster
leadership training courses, assists in the training of DCCs at all levels; and
assists in providing emergency relief assistance to disaster victims.
s. Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines - Responsible for the
provision of security in disaster area and provision of assistance in the
reconstruction of roads, bridges and other structures and transportation
facilities for rapid movement of relief supplies and personnel and for the
evacuation of disaster victims.

History
Commonwealth to Post-Commonwealth Era
During the Commonwealth days, two (2) executive orders were issued by the
late President Manuel L. Quezon, namely, Executive Order Nos. 335 and 337.
Executive Order No. 335 created the Civilian Emergency Administration
(CEA), which was tasked primarily through the National Emergency
Commission (NEC) to formulate and execute policies and plans for the
protection and welfare of the civilian population under extraordinary and
emergency conditions.
The NEC, which was established to administer the CEA, was composed of the
following official members:
1. Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Manager
2. Director of Publicity and Propaganda
3. Food Administrator
4. Industrial Production Administration
5. National Welfare Warden
6. Director of Communications
7. Fuel and Transportation Administration
8. Other officials as may be appointed from time to time
Local emergency committees from the provincial, city and municipal levels
were likewise organized with the following structure:
Chairman - Provincial Governor/City/Municipal Mayor
Members - Provincial/City/Municipal Treasurer
- Ranking Teacher or Principal
- Chief of Police
- Sanitary Officer
- Provincial/City/Municipal Agriculturist
- Representative of the Municipal Council Local Units
- Volunteer Guard
- Air-raid Protection
- Protection of Utilities and Industries
- Food Administration
- Evacuation
- Public Welfare and Morale
- Transportation and Fuel Administration
- Medical and Sanitary
- Publicity and Propaganda
- Other services as may be authorized from time to time
The organization and training of volunteer guards and air-raid protection
units were given much emphasis by the government during that time with
the issuance of Executive Order No. 337 which empowered the volunteer
guards to assist the maintenance of peace and order in the locality, to
safeguard public utilities and to provide assistance and aid to the people
during natural or man-
made disasters.
Japanese Occupation
During the Japanese occupation, the puppet government under President
Jose P. Laurel issued Executive Order No. 36 which created the Civilian
Protection Service (CPS) which was empowered to formulate and execute
plans and policies for the protection of civilian population during air raids and
other national emergencies. The Civilian Protection Service functioned
through a Civilian Protection Administration (CPA) which was composed of
 three members, namely, the Civilian Protection Administrator, the Chief of
the Air Warden and the Chief of the Medical and First Aid Service.
Executive Order No. 36 also provided for the establishment of the Provincial,
City and Municipal Protection Committee with the Provincial Governor, City
and Municipal Mayor as Chairman, respectively. Members of the local
protection committees included the highest local official of the Treasurer's
Office, Justice, Engineer's Office, Schools, Health and the Police.
It should be noted that the above executive orders had mandated the
formulation of plans for the protection of the people during a national
emergency but literatures on this regard were absent which revealed the sad
state of the country's disaster preparedness program even during those
times. This could have also been one of the reasons why we were caught
unprepared on December 8, 1941.
1954 - 1968
Our experience during World War II, the country's vulnerability to all types of
disasters particularly typhoons and floods, and the nuclear arms race of the
three superpowers in the 1950's, have prompted the government to
promulgate a law - Republic Act 1190, otherwise known as the Civil Defense
Act of 1954.
Under this law, a National Civil Defense Administration (NCDA) was
established which was tasked primarily to provide protection and welfare to
the civilian population during war or other national emergencies of equally
grave character. To support the NCDA in carrying out its mission, RA 1190
also provided for the establishment of civil defense councils at the national
and local levels, namely: the National Civil Defense Council (NCDC) and the
provincial, city and municipal civil defense councils, respectively:
The NCDC was composed of the following:
○ NCDC Administrator-Chairman
○ Chairman, Committee on National Defense and Security of both Houses of
Congress-Member
○ Chief, Philippine Constabulary-Member
○ Commissioner of Social Welfare-Member
○ Manager, Philippine National Red Cross-Member
○ Manager, Philippine National Development Company-Member
○ Manager, Price Stabilization Council-Member
On the other hand, the organization of the local civil defense council was not
specifically provided for in the locality but designated the Provincial
Governor, City and Municipal Mayor as the Provincial, City and Municipal Civil
Defense Director, respectively.
 The municipalities and cities which were directly under the supervision of the
Provincial Civil Defense Director relative to civil defense services, were the
main basic operating units for the purpose.

The operating services of the national and civil defense organizations were
as follows:
Warden Service;
Police Service;
Fire Service;
Health Service;
Rescue and Engineering Service;
Emergency Welfare Service;
Transportation Service;
Communication Service;
Evacuation Service;
Air-raid Warning Service; and
Auxiliary Service.
The National Civil Defense Administration, as a planning body under the
Office of the President, has been constrained to carry out its functions
effectively due to budgetary constraints and the apathy and indifference by
the public and the government itself to NCDA's disaster preparedness and
prevention programs. But the government's lack of interest to said programs
was somewhat reversed when the Ruby Tower building in Manila collapsed in
1968 to a powerful earthquake, and created a National Committee on
Disaster Operation through Administrative Order No. 151 issued on
December 2, 1968. The composition of the Committee was as follows:
○ Executive Secretary-Chairman
○ Secretary of Social Welfare-Vice-Chairman
○ Secretary of National Defense-Member
○ Secretary of Health-Member
○ Secretary of Public Works and Natural Resources-Member
○ Secretary of Commerce and Industry-Member
○ Secretary of Education-Member
○ Secretary of Community Development-Member
○ Commissioner of the Budget-Member
○ Secretary-General, Philippine National Red Cross-Member
○ Executive Officer - A Designated National Coordinator-Member
 Under this Order, the national committee was created to ensure effective
coordination of operations of the different agencies during disasters caused
by typhoons, floods, fires, earthquakes, and other calamities.
To carry out its functions effectively, the Committee Chairman issued a
Standard Operating Procedure which prescribed for the organizational set-up
for disasters from the national down to the municipal level, their duties and
responsibilities and the preparation by concerned agencies of their
respective SOPs for the same purpose as the national SOP.
Formulation of the Disaster and Calamities Plan (1970)
On October 19, 1970, as an aftermath of Typhoon "Sening" which ravaged
the Bicol Region, the flooding of Metro Manila for almost three months, a
Disaster and Calamities Plan prepared by an Inter-Departmental Planning
Group on Disasters and Calamities, was approved by the President. The Plan
has provided, among others, the creation of a National Disaster Control
Center which was composed of the following:
• Secretary of National Defense-Chairman
• Executive Secretary-Overall Coordinator
• Secretary of Health-Members
• Secretary of Public Works and Communications-Members
• Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources-Members
• Secretary of Commerce and Industry-Members
• Secretary of Education-Members
• Secretary of Community Devt.-Members
Birth of Office of Civil Defense (1973)
NCDA was abolished and transferred its functions and personnel and those of
the NDCC to a newly-created agency - the Office of Civil Defense (OCD),
which was entrusted the mission of ensuring the protection and welfare of
the people during disasters or emergencies. Under Letter of Implementation
No. 19, Series of 1972, the missions and functions of OCD are enumerated.
Presidential Decree 1566 and the Formal Establishment of the
NDCC, RDCC and Local DCCs (1978)
On June 11, 1978, PD 1566 was issued to strengthen the Philippine disaster
control capability and to establish a community disaster preparedness
program nationwide.
Among the salient provisions of the Decree are the following:
1. State policy on self-reliance among local officials and their
constituents in responding to disasters or emergencies;
2. Organization of disaster coordinating councils from the national
down to the municipal level;
 3. Statement of duties and responsibilities of the National Disaster
Coordinating Council (NDCC), RDCCs and LDCCs;
4. Preparation of the National Calamities and Disaster Preparedness
Plan (NCDPP) by OCD and implementing plans by NDCC member-
agencies;
5. Conduct of periodic drills and exercises; and
6. Authority for government units to program their funds for
disaster preparedness activities in addition to the 2% calamity
fund as provided for in PD 474 (amended by RA 8185).
The National Disaster Control Center, which was created on October 19,
1970, is the forerunner of the National Disaster Coordinating Council created
under PD 1566. It serves as the highest policy-making body for disasters in
the country and includes almost all Department Secretaries as members. The
original composition of the NDCC was as follows:
• Minister of National Defense-Chairman
• Minister of Public Works and Highways-Members
• Minister of Transportation and Communications-Members
• Minister of Social Services and Development-Members
• Minister of Agriculture-Members
• Minister of Education, Culture and Sports-Members
• Minister of Finance-Members
• Minister of Labor and Employment-Members
• Minister of Trade and Industry-Members
• Minister of Local Government and Devt.-Members
• Minister of Health-Members
• Minister of Natural Resources-Members
• Minister of Public Information-Members
• Minister of Budget-Members
• Minister of Justice-Members
• Presidential Executive Assistant-Members
• Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Phils.-Members
• Secretary-General, Philippine National Red Cross-Members
• Administrator, Office of Civil Defense-Member and Executive Officer
The disaster coordinating councils (DCCs) from the regional, provincial, city
and municipal level, on the other hand, are composed of representatives of
national government agencies operating at these levels and local officials
concerned.
 Legal Basis Of the NDCC
The legal bases of our disaster management system are Presidential Decree
No. 1, s-1872, as implemented by Presidential Letter of Implementation No.
19, s-1972, and Presidential Decree No. 1566 dated June 11, 1978. PD No.1
was the Integrated Reorganization Plan of 1972, which was implemented
through LOI No. 19. The said LOI defined, among others, the organization,
mission and functions of the Office of Civil Defense as a bureau under the
Department of National Defense. PD No. 1566, on the other hand, provided
for the strengthening of the Philippine disaster control capability and
establishing a community disaster preparedness program nationwide.

Salient Provisions of PD 1566

Among the salient provisions of PD 1566 are the following:
1. State policy on self- reliance among local officials and their
constituents in responding to disasters or emergencies;
2. Organization of disaster coordinating councils from the national down
to the municipal level;
3. Statement of duties and responsibilities of the National Disaster
Coordinating Council (NDCC), RDCC and LDCCs;
4. Preparation of the National Calamities and Disaster Preparedness Plan
(NCDPP) by OCD and implementing plans by NDCC member-agencies;
5. Conduct of periodic drills and exercises; and
6. Authority for government units to program their funds for disaster
preparedness activities in addition to the 2% calamity fund as provided
for in PD 474 (amended by RA 8185).

THE NATIONAL CALAMITY AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLAN

The Philippines, being in the so-called Circum-Pacific belt of fire and typhoon,
has always been subjected to constant disasters and calamities. The great
ocean and seas around her, while providing wide avenues for international
trade and commerce and a source of tremendous marine resources also
serve as the spawning areas of destructive typhoons and monsoons. In
whatever part of the country we are located, the possibility of our
experiencing the gloom and the stark reality of disasters such as floods,
typhoons, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, drought,
flashflood and man-made disasters such as land, air and sea disasters, civil
strife armed conflict, etc., their resultant toll in lives and properties, is always
present. Everyone, even in the safety of his home, has not been spared the
sight now the feeling of loss by the terrific disasters and calamities, not as an
abstract tragedy, but in the pictures of stunned faces of the survivors.
Objectives
The primary objective of this Plan is: to ensure effective and efficient
implementation of civil protection program thru an integrated, multi-sectoral
and community based approach and strategies for the protection and
preservation of life, property and environment.
Concept
This Plan embraces all conceivable contingencies, making use of all available
resources, both government and private. It also develops self-reliance by
promoting and encouraging the spirit of self-help and mutual assistance
among the local officials and their constituents. Each political and
administrative subdivision of the country shall utilize their own resources
before asking for assistance from neighboring entities or higher authority.
While emergency preparedness is a joint responsibility of the national and
local governments, its effectiveness will depend largely on the skills and
resources and the involvement of private organizations and the general
public in the area of disasters. Regular exercises and drills will be conducted
at all levels to enhance the people's reaction capability and ensure precision
and spontaneity in responding to emergencies.The Regional offices of the
departments shall provide similar support/assistance to the Regional Disaster
Coordinating Council.
This relationship shall be maintained down the line to the Barangay Disaster
Coordinating Councils and their respective Disaster Operations
Centers.Disaster Councils at the Regional, Provincial, Municipal/City and
Barangay levels shall be established to complement the National Disaster
Coordinating Council. Each Council shall have staff elements, stationed in
their respective operations centers, composed of the following:
Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis Unit;
Emergency Management Information Service Unit;
Vulnerability Risk Reduction Management Unit;
Plans and Operations Unit; and a
Resource Unit;
Each council shall provide operating units for:
Communication Transportation Service and Early Warning Service;
Health Service;
Auxiliary Fire and Police Service;
Relief and Rehabilitation Service;
Public Information Service; and
Rescue, Evacuation and Engineering Service

DISASTER COORDINATING COUNCILS:

National Disaster Coordinating Council

Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC)
The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (hereinafter referred to at RDCC)
shall be composed of the Regional PNP Director as Chairman, and heads of
regional offices and field stations, national agencies and selected Non
Government Organizations (NGOs) at the regional level as member.The
Regional Governor of ARMM shall act as the Chairman and PNP Regional
Director as Vice- Chairman and the OCD Regional Office shall be the
Executive arm and secretariat and as such, the Regional Director shall serve
as the Executive Officer.
Metro Manila Disaster Coordinating Council (MMDCC)
The Chairman, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) shall be
the Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Disaster Coordinating Council
(hereinafter referred to as MMDCC) with the Mayors of the 17 Cities and
Municipalities comprising Metropolitan Manila, the Director of National
Government Agencies; and Heads of NGO's situated in the National Capital
Region to be determined by the MMDA Chairman as members. Regional
Director, Office of Civil Defense, National Capital Region, shall act as the
Executive Officer of the council.

Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC)

A Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (hereinafter referred to as PDCC)
shall be composed of the Provincial Governor as Chairman, the Provincial
Director of the PNP as Vice-Chairman, and all organic provincial officials, as
well as of national officials working at the provincial level, as members.The
Provincial Civil Defense Deputized Coordinators shall act as action officer of
the council.
City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC)
A City Disaster Coordinating Council (hereinafter referred to as CDCC) shall
be composed of the City Mayor as Chairman, the City Director of the PNP as
Vice-Chairman and all organic city officials, as well as all national officials
working at the city level, as members. The City Civil Defense Deputized
Coordinators shall act as the action Officer of the council.
Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council (MDCC)
A Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council (hereinafter referred to as MDCC)
shall be composed of the Municipal Mayor as Chairman, the Chief of Police of
the PNP as Vice-Chairman and all organic municipal officials, as well as all
national officials working at the municipal level, as members. The Municipal
Civil Defense Deputized Coordinators shall act as action officer of the council.
Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council (BDCC)
A Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council (hereinafter referred to as the
BDCC) shall be composed of the Barangay Captain as Chairman and leading
persons in the community as members.
 NDCC Member Agencies

• Department of National Defense (DND)

• Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
• Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
• Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
• Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
• Department of Health (DOH)
• Department of Education (DepEd)
• Department of Agriculture (DA)
• Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
• Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC)
• Department of Finance (DOF)
• Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
• Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
• Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
• Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)
• Office of Civil Defense (OCD)

Philippines’ Emergency Management System

 Mitigation
• refers to the measures aimed at minimizing the impact of a natural or
man-made disaster on a nation or community in terms of casualties
and damages
• also refers to measures designed to prevent natural phenomena from
causing or resulting to disasters or other related emergency situations
Preparedness
• refers to pre-disaster actions and measures being undertaken to avert
or minimize loss of lives and properties, such as, but not limited to,
community organizing, training, planning, equipping, stockpiling,
hazard mapping and public information and education initiative
Response
• refers to any concerted effort by two or more agencies, public or
private, to provide emergency assistance or relief to persons who are
victims of disasters or calamities, and in the restoration of essential
 public activities and facilities. Consequence Management is the core
activity under this phase.

Consequence Management
• Comprises essential services and activities required to mitigate
damage, loss, hardship or suffering resulting from disasters or
catastrophes, either natural or man-made
• Includes all emergency measures to restore government services to
business, communities and individuals affected by life threatening or
destructive events
• Such services include damage and needs assessment, emergency
medical service, population evacuation and relief, fire suppression, and
search and rescue.
Essential Elements of an Effective Response Operation in Consequence
Management

Rehabilitation
• refers to the process by which the affected communities/areas or
damaged public infrastructures are restored to their normal level or
actual condition prior to the occurrence of the disaster or calamity.