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

Introduction

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.

Reference: Presidential Decree 1566 dated June 1978 National Calamities and Disaster Preparedness Plan, Revised Edition, 24 August 1988