DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT

A. Whose responsibility is disaster management?

PD 1566 states that the responsibility rests on the Provincial Governor, City Mayor, Municipal Mayors (Barangay Chairmen) each according to his area of responsibility.

B. What are the standards of a Disaster Prepared LGU?

1. An approved Contingency Plan
2. Organized and functioning Local Disaster Coordinating Council (LDCC) which meets regularly, with organized emergency teams with basic tools and equipment and has an operating facility.
3. Hazard identification, Mapping and Assessment – Hazard maps and related information that are properly disseminated to decision makers, general public and communities.
4. Conduct of Drills and Simulation Exercises – Earthquake and fire drills being conducted through schools, offices and private companies.
5. Training and Education of local officials, deputized coordinators and volunteers including the private sector and the public on simple mitigation measures to reduce loss and injury.
6. Early Warning System – Timely and rapid dissemination of warnings to threatened communities.
7. Networking/Linkages – Coordination and partnership with NGO’s and civic organizations
8. Disaster Management Unit in the LGU.

C. What is the Contingency Plan?

The plan provides a blueprint to effectively mobilize action, resources and emergency responses, generates commitment among LGU’s, agencies and private sector to act in coordinated manner before occurrence, during and after any calamity or natural and man-made disaster. It is the output of contingency planning which is a “forward planning process in a state of uncertainty, in which scenario and objectives are agreed, managerial and technical and actions defined, and potential response system put in place in order to prevent, or better respond to an emergency or critical situation.”

The province may shepherd the preparation of each municipality in the preparation of their comprehensive contingency plan through a workshop. The National Disaster and Coordinating Council (NDCC) - Office of Civil Defense (OCD) provides technical assistance on these activities. The manual “Contingency Planning for Emergencies” of the NDCC-OCD will guide you the step-by-step procedure of conducting this workshop.

D. When do we say an event will qualify for a declaration of a state of calamity?

National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Memorandum Order No. 4 of March 04, 1998 says that:

1. At least 20% of the population are affected and in need of emergency assistance or their dwelling units have been destroyed.

2. A great number or at least 40% of the means of livelihood such as bancas, fishing boat, vehicles and the like are destroyed.

3. Major roads and bridges are destroyed and impassable for at least a week, this disrupting the flow of transport and commerce

4. Widespread destruction of fishponds, crops, poultry and livestock and other agricultural products.

5. Epidemic

E. Why is it necessary to declare a state of calamity?

To facilitate relief and rehabilitation efforts and to carry out immediate remedial measures in all affected areas.

Also, it is only when an LGU is declared a calamity area that the 5% calamity fund can be fully and easily utilized.

F. What is the 5% Calamity Fund and how to utilize it?

R.A. 8185 mandates LGU’s to set aside 5% of the revenue from regular sources as mandatory continuing appropriation for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in connection with calamities which may occur during the year.

The Rules and Regulations Implementing RA 8185 and National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Memorandum Order No. 2, Series of 1999 provide for the following:

1. Upon the declaration of a state of calamity, the Local Budget Officer shall release the Allotment from the 5% calamity fund within 24 hours from the occurrence of the calamity. Funds maybe released provided the following requirements are present:

a. Approved Disbursement Voucher

b. Sanggunian Resolution containing the calamity area declaration

c. Local Disaster Coordinating Council reports on damages.

2. The Local Chief Executive may already draw cash advances from the local General Fund pending the passage of the Sanggunian Resolution on the declaration of state of calamity provided the cash advance should not exceed 50% of the total Calamity Fund and subject to replacement after receipt of the said Sanggunian Resolution.

3. After the calamity, section 5 provides that the Local Treasurer shall prepare and submit a report on the utilization/disbursement of the calamity fund, duly approved by Local Chief Executive to the following:

a. Local Sanggunian

b. Commission on Audit

c. Local Development Council

4. A portion of the calamity Fund may also be authorized to be used by the LGUs to provide financial assistance to other LGU whose area had been declared under state of calamity by its Sanggunian.

5. In case of fire or conflagration the Calamity Fund shall be utilized only for relief operation.

G. Who decides the declaration of a State of Calamity?

The LGU thru the Sanggunian upon recommendation of the Local Chief Executive based on the report of the Local Disaster Coordinating Council may declare a state of calamity in area/areas of the LGU affected by the calamity and adopt measures to protect the lives and properties in the area. It is therefore imperative that when a disaster or calamity occurs, The Local Disaster Coordinating Council should conduct survey of affected areas within 24 hours upon the impact to determine the extent of casualties and damages. Such report is the basis of its recommendation for the declaration of state of calamity.

The Sanggunian Bayan Resolution embodying the declaration need not be reviewed and approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. However, when the total province is being affected by calamity, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, upon recommendation of the Provincial Governor, declare the province as under the state of calamity and the Sangguniang Bayan of the respective municipalities need not declare their areas as calamity areas.

However, when two or more provinces or chartered cities are summarily affected by a calamity, it is the President of the Country who may declare a state of calamity through an executive order, usually with a corresponding release of calamity fund from the national government.

H. Can the 5% calamity fund be utilized for pre-disaster activities?

Yes, calamity fund maybe used for training of personnel and other pre-disaster activities and capital expenditures for pre-disaster operation and other related activities.

I. What is the Civil Defense Deputization Program and who may be designated as Civil Defense Deputized Coordinator (CDCC)?

EO No. 137, Series of 1999 institutionalized the Civil Defense Deputization Program to achieve the desired result and effectively ensure the sustainability of the disaster management program of the national government at the grassroot level through dedicated personnel from LGUs who have been deputized or designated as focal points or conduits of the program.

The Administrator may or may not be the Deputized Civil Defense Coordinator to be appointed by the Chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council. He may be anyone in the staff of the LGU. His primary role is to initiate and coordinate programs, projects and activities on civil protection and disaster management through an integrated multi-sectoral approach. The CDCC shall also serve as the Executive Officer of the LDCC.

It should be cleared that the CDCC shall report to the Administrator who has the mandated responsibility on disaster management and who in many cases presides the LDCC in the absence of the Local Chief Executive.