1. @CivilDefensePH
Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo,
Quezon City, Philippines
(+6302) 9115061 - 65
www.ocd.gov.ph
Gazette-Vol1-2021.indd 1-2 17/08/2021 1:49:49 PM
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EDITOR’S
NOTE
The world continues to change as various tumultuous events happen. The usual serving of
hazard events grew due to the complications of climate change. The COVID-19 pandemic
also upset not just world economies but the normal workings of society here in the home
front. Much task has been given to the office of civil defense to assist the country bear the
challenges of disaster risk reduction and the pandemic.
To honor public trust and the agency’s mission, OCD painstakingly continued the effort
to attain ISO certification, alongside the rigors (and limitations) of the pandemic situation.
ISO certification is a rigorous process undertaken by both public and private organizations
around the globe to meet international standards.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, OCD institutionalized its Total Quality Management
System (TQMS). Training courses and workshops for employees were organized with
the Development Academy of the Philippines. OCD’s QMS Manual and Quality System
Procedures, Formulation of Functional Quality Objectives, Risk Registers, Risk Control
Plans, Quality Operating Procedures, and Quality System forms even went through
enhancement.
On February 16, 2021, OCD’s labors were rewarded. It received its ISO 9001:2015 certification
from TUV Rheinland Philippines, Inc. after passing the two stages of certification audits.
By implementing the ISO quality management standard, OCD will be able to ensure
the quality and effectiveness of its processes and services in its quest for performance
excellence in administering the country’s comprehensive national civil defense and DRRM
program.
The growing responsibilities of OCD will be undertaken with renewed vigor because of this
certification. Quality public service is assured.
With this significant step accomplished, OCD continues to affirm its sincere desire to scale
up service improvements in the service of the Filipino people, to realize its mission of
building a safer, climate change adaptive and disaster resilient Philippines.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
4 NDRRMC publishes National DRRM
Framework and Plan 2020-2030
5
NDRRMC, WB beef up disaster rehab,
launches Ready to Rebuild Program for
LGUs
6 OCD ramps up COVID-19 testing;
distributes antigen test kits to NCR+
7 Various sectors across PH join 1st
Quarter online NSED
8
OCD gathers inputs on NSTP IRR
revision, holds public consultation / Why
disaster happen? Demystifying common
misconceptions
10 OCD is now ISO 9001:2015 Certified
12
Join us on Viber; Mahalagang Paalala
Ngayong Tag-ulan; NDRRMC Monitoring
Dashboard
13 Events@Central
14 Across The Nation
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3. By: World Bank, Mark Cashean Timbal
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC), in partnership with
the World Bank (WB) launched the Ready to Rebuild
program on March 4, 2021 via teleconference.
Representatives from local chief executives across the
country, NDRRMC member-agencies, representatives
from the private sector and media partners joined
this activity.
“The Ready to Rebuild Program is the perfect
opportunity for us to capacitate ourselves more
to better serve our constituencies, empower our
communities against the calamities and disasters, and
enable ourselves to save lives and livelihoods,” said
National Defense Secretary and NDRRMC Chairman
Delfin Lorenzana.
The Ready to Rebuild Program, developed by the
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) with support from the
World Bank, aims to increase the capacity of local
government units (LGUs) and their technical staff in
post-disaster recovery. This includes developing local
pre-disaster baseline data needed for rehabilitation
and recovery planning, local disaster risk financing
strategy to guide the financing of recovery, and draft
local rehabilitation and recovery program which
can be updated by LGUs based on the impacts of
disasters.
“Our roles do not end with the last drop of the
rainfall, last tremor of an earthquake, or the last
household evacuated to safety. It does not even end
upon the restoration of affected communities to their
original state but stretches all the way until we make
all communities more prepared for any eventuality,”
added Sec. Lorenzana during the media launch of the
Training Program.
The training, which will employ experiential learning,
will be delivered online to at least 100 LGUs for 500
local chief executives and technical staff. It will be
composed of 16 half-day sessions spread across five
weeks scheduled in April, June, August, and October
2021.
“We expect those who are participating in the
Ready to Rebuild Program to have better grasp
and appreciation of each crucial step towards
preparedness. By doing so, they can be counted
upon to fully deliver when the need arises which is
very certain in a calamity-prone country like ours,”
added Sec. Lorenzana.
A total of 170 participants from 31 local government
units joined the first batch of the Ready to Rebuild:
Disaster Rehabilition and Recovery (R2R) program
which started on April 20, 2021 and concluded on
May 1, 2021.
The Ready to Rebuild Program was developed from
the Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery Planning
Guide (RRPG) approved by NDRRMC in March 2019.
The National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA), as the Council Vice-Chair for Disaster
Rehabilitation and Recovery, developed the Guide
with technical assistance from the World Bank.
The RRPG is intended to help craft local recovery
plans and implement them faster and with build
back better standards. It drew lessons from previous
disasters and incorporated global good practices,
particularly in the area of disaster rehabilitation and
recovery. It is also the first country-specific guide for
both natural and human-induced disasters that is
adopted for national and local levels.
The second batch of the R2R program will
commence on June 1, 2021 and the third batch is
on August 3, 2021.
NDRRMC, WB beef up disaster rehab, launches
Ready to Rebuild Program for LGUs
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC) launched the
updated NDRRM Plan 2020-2030 and is now
accessible via online.
The updated NDRRMP targets twenty-three (23)
outcomes, fifty (50) outputs and two-hundred-six
(206) activities which will be reviewed and assessed
in three separate review timelines during its
implementation.
Led by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the 10-
year NDRRMP went through consultations among
NDRRMC member agencies, Regional Disaster
Reduction and Management Councils (RDDRMC),
Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Offices (LDRRMOs), Civil Society Organizations
(CSOs), the academe, private sector, development
partners, humanitarian assistance actors and other
stakeholders at various levels to ensure a whole-of-
society and whole-of-government approach in the
development of the plan.
The updated NDRRMP establishes linkage between
disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM),
climate change adaptation (CCA), and human security
by focusing on climate and disaster risks.
Sharing the same vision on reducing vulnerabilities
and enhancing resilience towards sustainable
development, the plan also establishes policy
coherence through its alignment with United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals, Sendai Framework
for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), Paris Agreement,
Asia Regional Plan for Implementation of the
SFDRR 2015-2030, ASEAN Agreement on Disaster
Management and Emergency Response, Ambisyon
Natin 2040, Philippine Development Plan 2017-
2022, National Climate Change Action Plan, National
Security Strategy, Agenda, among others.
The NDRRMP 2020-2030 is pursuant to the mandate
of Republic Act 10121 otherwise known as the
“Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Act of 2010”.
The NDRRMP 2020-2030 was approved by the
NDRRMC during the 4th Quarter Emergency Full
Council Meeting held on October 30, 2020.
The copy of NDRRMP 2020-2030 can be accessed
through https://ndrrmc.gov.ph/attachments/
article/4147/NDRRMP-Pre-Publication-Copy-v2.pdf.
NDRRMC
publishes
National
DRRM
Framework
and Plan
2020-2030
By: Samantha C. Tebrio
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4. By: Samantha C. Tebrio
Stakeholders from different government offices,
academe, Non-Governmental Organizations and
Civil Society organizations, and the public across the
country joined the First Quarter Online Nationwide
Simultaneous Earthquake Drill led by the National
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
through the Office of Civil Defense on March 11,
2021.
“Napakahalaga ng inyong patuloy na suporta at
kooperasyon sa ating layunin na pagtibayin ang
kahandaan ng sambayanan sa anumang sakuna
o kalamidad. Sa kabila ng pandemya, nararapat
lamang na ipagpatuloy ang mga pagsasanay para
makapaghanda sa lindol anumang oras.” said
NDRRMC Chairperson and Defense Secretary Delfin
Lorenzana in his key message.
“Tungkulin ng isang mabuting mamamayan na
hikayatin ang kanyang pamilya at komunidad sa
mga pagkilos tungo sa kahandaan at kaligtasan.” he
added.
This year’s first quarter online NSED was the third
online drill following the third and fourth quarter
NSEDs in 2020. The first quarter NSED was held via
live stream of ceremonial pressing of the button.
The alarm sounded at 2:00PM where the public was
encouraged to do duck, cover, and hold in their
houses and offices.
“Malaki ang nagagawa ng ating pagtutulungan sa
pagsasakatuparan ng adhikang gawing mas ligtas
ang bawat komunidad. Nakikita namin ang patuloy
na pag-unlad ng kamalayan at kahandaan ng
sambayanan at nais naming mas mapayabong pa
ito.” said Civil Defense Assistant Secretary Casiano
Monilla.
Department of Science and Technology
Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr., Department of
Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando
Bautista, National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary
Attorney Noel Felongco, several NAPC Sectoral
Representatives, Center for Disaster Preparedness
Deputy Executive Director Mayfourth Luneta, Council
for the Welfare of Children Executive Director
Undersecretary Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy, National
Youth Commission Commissioner-at-Large Paul
Anthony Pangilinan, and Philippine Commission
on Women Executive Director Atty. Kristine Yuzon-
Chaves gave their messages of support for the NSED.
Civil Defense Asec. Hernando Caraig Jr. in his
closing remarks reiterated the call for the public to
continuously participate in drills aimed at enhancing
the preparedness capacity.
“Ang NSED ay isa lamang sa mga paraan natin
sa pagpapatibay ng kahandaan ng sambayanan.
hinikayat namin na kayo makiisa hindi lamang sa
mga nasyonal na pagsasanay kundi sa mga aktibidad
sa inyong komunidad. Patuloy rin nating hikayatin
ang ating kapwa at pamilya na paghandaan ang
pagharap sa anumang sakuna.” Asec. Caraig said.
A table top exercise on local and regional
coordination for earthquake occurrence was also
held earlier as part of NSED activities.
The Second Quarter Online NSED is scheduled on
June 10 2021, 9:00 a.m. Other online activities will be
launched including #BidaAngHanda Online Quiz Bee
on June 4, 2021 as well as a webinar on earthquake
preparedness on June 8, 2021.
Various sectors across PH join
1st Quarter online NSED
OCD staff facilitates online NSED
By: Samantha C. Tebrio
Seventy four (74) hospitals, local government units,
and several government agencies in Metro Manila
and nearby provinces received the rapid antigen kits
procured by the Office of Civil Defense to ramp up
the COVID-19 testing capacity of the country.
As of May 12, 2021, 460,300 test kits were distributed
to 74 health facilities, LGUs, and several government
offices in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon,
and CALABARZON.
Resolution No. 108 of the Inter-Agency Task Force
for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases
(IATF-EID) authorized the OCD to utilize its quick
response fund to procure the said test kits.
According to the said resolution, “The Office of
the Civil Defense is [hereby] authorized to procure
using their Quick Response Fund under the National
Disaster Risk Reduction Management or such other
available funds, an initial Five Hundred Thousand
(500,000) pieces of any of the following Rapid
Antigen Test Kits authorized by the Food and Drug
Administration”.
The procured Abbott Panbio COVID-19 Ag rapid
test devices, which were delivered in two batches,
are stored in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The
purchase of these antigen kits seeks to “ensure
the swift detection of cases and tracing of close
contacts,” the resolution read.
A training on the use of the test kits was also
conducted on April 14, 2021 via the teleconference
for health care personnel who will be tasked to
administer the tests in the recipient LGUs and
hospitals.
The OCD continues to distribute the remaining
39,700 antigen kits as part of its COVID-19 response
along with the support to testing, isolation, and
treatment facilities nationwide and to the Oplan
Kalinga Program.
OCD ramps up COVID-19 testing, distributes
antigen test kits to NCR+
Rapid antigen kit
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5. OCD Director Susan Juangco discusses milestones
in the revision of the Implementing Rules and
Regulations of the NSTP Law
By: Rachelle Miranda
Disasters are often associated with the term
“natural disasters”-referring to how the natural
phenomenon is causing disasters. But this is a fallacy,
Why disasters happen?
Demystifying common misconceptions
By: Samantha C. Tebrio
Various points were gathered in a public consultation
on the draft revised Implementing Rules and
Regulations (IRR) of the National Service and Training
Program (NSTP) Act of 2001 conducted by the Office
of Civil Defense on May 11, 2021.
“This public consultation aims to ensure that relevant
stakeholders are consulted and every voice is heard
and all opinions were considered before we submit
the revised IRR of the NSTP for the approval of the
NSTP Joint Committee,” Department of National
Defense Undersecretary Reynaldo B. Mapagu said in
his opening remarks.
OCD Director Susana Juangco presented the draft
revised IRR of the NSTP where she discussed the
roadmap revisions, guiding principles, technical
terms, program implementation, fees and incentives,
organization of NSTP graduates, and miscellaneous
provisions.
The director also mentioned the series of
consultation conducted since July 2020 and the
issuance of two memoranda to gather comments
from various agencies on the first draft of revised IRR
of the NSTP formulated by NSTP - Technical Working
Group (TWG).
During open forum, clarifications and concerns raised
by the participants and netizens were addressed and
discussed for the finalization of NSTP IRR.
Inputs from the discussion will be consolidated and
discussed by the NSTP TWG for finalization of IRR
and approval of CHED, TESDA, and DND.
“To our stakeholders, especially those joining us
today via social media, your views and perspectives,
as well as your support are significant contributions
in the formulation of this revised IRR. We are
determined to fast track this endeavor and hope
for its actual implementation at the soonest
possible time.” said Civil Defense Administrator
Undersecretary Ricardo B. Jalad.
The consultation was attended by representatives
from the DND, Office of Civil Defense, Commission
on Higher Education, Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and
Commission on Higher Education, National Youth
Commission, Department of Eucation, Department
of the Interior and Local Government, House
of Representatives - Committee on Higher and
Technical Education, Senate - Committee on Higher
and Technical Education, Coordinating Council of
Private Educational Associations of the Philippines,
Philippine Association of State Universities and
Colleges, Association of Local Colleges and
Universities, Philippine Society of the NSTP Educators
and Implementers, Philippine Federation of State
Universities and Colleges Student Leaders Inc.,
Student representatives from Local Universities and
Colleges, and the NSTP – TWG.
Recorded livestream of the public consultation can
be watched on Civil Defense PH Facebook page.
OCD gathers inputs on
NSTP IRR revision, holds
public consultation
a misconceived notion which associates disasters as
naturally occurring.
Contrary to that misconception, recognize that
there’s no such thing as natural disaster, only natural
hazards. This is also the long-time campaign and
advocacy of the United Nations International Strategy
for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) emphasizing how
anthropogenic causes, unplanned urbanization,
unchecked poverty, destruction of the environment
and the lack of international cooperation are among
the drivers of the increasing intensity and frequency
of disaster events.
A Dilemma of Language
However, the term “natural disaster” is still widely
used and a popular phrase among politicians,
media organizations, civil society groups and
international organizations- and more surprisingly,
among scientists and disaster risk reduction (DRR)
practitioners. In a study conducted by Chmutina and
Von Medding (2019), they systematically analyzed
the use of these expression and found out that
the expression “natural disaster” disconnects the
reality of the most vulnerable by associating and
blaming “nature”, putting responsibility for failures
of development as natural phenomena or “acts of
God”. The study further suggests that it was initially
used in the 1990s as a way to leverage popularity-
with no communication agenda- to trigger particular
associations and behaviors among the public.
However, this resulted to negative impacts and
misconceptions about disasters.
Disasters and Hazards
At present, disaster is defined as a serious disruption
of the functioning of a community or a society
involving widespread of human, material, economic
or environmental losses and impacts, which exceeds
the ability of the affected community or society to
cope using its own resources (Philippine DRRM Act
of 2010). To put simply, disasters happen when: (1)
there’s a hazard- either natural or human-induced
which caused the disruption; (2) there are losses and
damages associated to the levels of exposure and
aspects of vulnerability; and (3) the lack of capacity to
deal with the impacts of the hazards.
But then again, are all hazards disasters? The answer
is NO. Disasters are no longer the function of physical
hazards.
A hazard is a dangerous phenomenon or a threat-
slow-on set or onset- can only become a disaster if
there are losses and damages and the community
can no longer deal with its impacts. Imagine a
community living in a coastal area with risks of storm
surge and was able to pre-emptively evacuate in safe
areas and able to secure their livelihoods. Imagine,
the community being informed on what to do before,
during and after a tropical cyclone. Imagine, the
community and the local government leading the
family preparedness planning and implementing the
preparedness measures in times of a tropical cyclone.
Imagine, structural infrastructures built to mitigate
impacts of flooding and storm surges. These are only
a few actions which reduce the risks of a disaster and
most importantly, prevent a loss of life.
Disasters are not a by-product of a single factor.
Most often, it is a result of an interaction between
systems within systems.
So, can we predict disasters? Maybe.
Given all the technology that we have right now, DRR
practitioners can now assess hazards and risk in areas
even without the hazard actually happening. In a click
away, you can generate knowledge on the hazards
in your community, understand the associated risks
and most importantly, prompt disaster preparedness
actions to prevent disasters from happening. Apart
from the hazard assessment tools, there are also
applications and on-going development which can
generate levels of exposure and vulnerability of
communities.
As a practitioner myself, if the time comes that we
can accurately predict disasters, it only means that
we have already found a way to prevent it from
happening. Disasters is not only about the physical
science- what is interesting about it is that there’s
a social component in it and an interplay in various
systems.
Given the risk profile of the Philippines, our main
goal is to build disaster resilience and the pathway
to resilience is reducing disaster risks. Hence, it is
critical to grapple that the root causes of disasters
are not only natural, and there’s a difference between
disasters and hazards.
By setting the parameters of why disasters happen,
we help shape the public perception of risks
associated with natural hazards. Consequently, to
encourage the public to turn the disaster science
into action.
References: https://www.undrr.org/news/sendai-framework-6th-anniversary-time-recognize-there-no-such-thing-natural-disaster-were
Chmutina, K., von Meding, J. A Dilemma of Language: “Natural Disasters” in Academic Literature. Int J Disaster Risk Sci 10, 283–292 (2019).
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6. OCD is now
ISO 9001:2015 certified
By: Samantha C. Tebrio
“I commend team OCD for joining the ranks of ISO certified bureaus under the flagship of the
department. The ISO-certified QMS of the OCD covers not only one but all its processes at
the central office and three pilot regional offices. The QMS also harmonizes all other systems
such as performance management.” said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana represented by
Undersecretary Cardozo Luna during awarding of ISO 9001:2015 certificate to the Office of Civil
Defense on February 16, 2021 at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
Operations Center.
The OCD received the ISO 9001:2015 certification from TUV Rheinland Philippines, Inc.,
an independent third-party test organization, after passing
the two stages of certification audits.
ISO certification is an approval given to the organization after
meeting theinternational standard for a quality management
system.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the OCD pushed through the
institutionalization of Total Quality Management System (TQMS).
Training courses and workshops were launched for OCD employees with
the assistance from the Development Academy of the Philippines under the
Government Quality Management Program (GQMP).
OCD employees were provided with basic orientation on ISO, trainings and
workshops on QMS requirements and documentation, process streamlining,
ISO guidelines on auditing management systems, and root cause analysis and
corrective action, process mapping and risk-based quality planning, QMS
documentation, auditing quality management system as well as technical
guidance on the enhancement of operational controls and procedures and
QMS implementation.
The agency went through enhancement of its QMS Manual and Quality System Procedures,
Formulation of Functional Quality Objectives, Risk Registers, Risk Control Plans, Quality
Operating Procedures, and Quality System forms. This was followed by an
internal quality audit on October 21 to 30, 2020 to check the compliance
of services with the QMS standards, as well as management review on
December 1, 2020 and readiness assessment on December 2 to 4, 2020.
The first and second stages of audit were held on December 15, 2020, and
on January 19 and 20, 2021 respectively.
Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad
in his message emphasized how the agency strived for the
enhancement of the management system.
“OCD’s quest for performance excellence has been tough
since the organization performs functions relative to
disaster risk reduction and management. When a disaster
occurs, the whole OCD and the scheduled activities are
affected. It became tougher when the country was hit
by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the OCD saw
this not as a challenge, but an opportunity to
review its internal processes, enhance its systems,
and improve its way of performing its task to
administer a comprehensive national civil defense and
DRRM program.” he said.
The certification has a three-validity. Surveillance audits will be
conducted on the 2nd and 3rd year after receiving the certificate.
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7. The Office of Civil Defense and National Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council are launch
the Civil Defense PH Viber community for the public
as part of strengthening information dissemination
on disaster, advisories, and DRRM programs and
activities. To join, scan the QR code on the photo.
Undersecretary Ricardo B. Jalad briefs
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and
the Cabinet on the efforts to assist
communities affected by Severe
Tropical Storm Auring during a virtual
conference on February 22, 2021.
The Office of Civil Defense conducts trainings on
Gawad Kalasag (GK) Guidelines for 2021, related policy
issuances, and toolkit for regional validation and selection
committees on February 4, 5, and 8, 2021. The activity
was attended by 270 participants from OCD regional
offices and regional DRRM Council member agencies.
The Disaster Response and Early Recovery Pillar member agencies of the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on March 30,
2021 met to discuss the action plans in ensuring that services and support
are provided to disaster affected population. Updates on various response
and early recovery activities, implementation of the NDRRM Plan 2020 to
2030, timeline for the thematic pillar action planning, as well as key actors
and their respective roles and responsibilities in the accomplishment of
specified outcomes, outputs, and activities were tackled.
Philippine Disaster Managers join the 16th ASEAN Defense
Minister’s Meeting – Plus Experts’ Working Group on Humanitarian
Assistance and Disaster Relief (ADMM-Plus EWG on HADR) on
April 28 to 29, 2021 chaired by Indonesia and India via video
teleconference. The Philippine delegation is composed of
representatives from the Office of Civil Defense, Armed Forces of
the Philippines, and Department of National Defense, headed by
OCD Operations Service Director Bernardo Rafaelito R. Alejandro IV.
The National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management
Council holds Pre-Disaster Risk
Assessment meeting on April 17,
2021, to reinforce preparedness
for Typhoon “BISING.
Office of Civil Defense officials and heads meet
in the Senior Leaders’ Conference to discuss
accomplishments, programs-review, the revised
NDRRM Plan 2020-2030; the Agreement on Disaster
Management and Emergency Response (AADMER)
Work Programme 2021-2025; and concerns on
COVID-19 response on February 15, 2021.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in its
efforts to provide the public a wide range of disaster information, has
launched a monitoring dashboard which provides details of hazards
and events from warning agencies such as Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). The
NDRRMC dashboard provides advisories on earthquake, tsunami,
volcano, rainfall, general flood, gale warning, severe weather bulletin,
and incidents monitored.
The public may access the dashboard at https://monitoring-dashboard.
ndrrmc.gov.ph/.
In preparation for the typhoon season
HERE ARE THE THINGS THAT
YOU SHOULD KNOW!
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8. Region 1 - Ilocos Region
OCD Ilocos Region holds CapDev
to partners in 2021 1st Sem
By: Empress J. Nacor
The Office of Civil Defense Regional Office
1 (OCDRO1) extended technical assistance
to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of
Alaminos City, Pangasinan and the Philippine
Red Cross (PRC) in the conduct of training in
February and March 2021.
OCDRO1 through the Capacity Building
and Training Section collaborated with
PRC and the German Red Cross in the
“Empowering the Philippine Institutions
and Communities in Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management” (EPIC DRRM) Project, a
three-day Community-Based Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management (CBDRRM)
Training on February 22-25, 2021 at C&A
Paradiso Beach Resort, Aringay, La Union.
This was participated in by 143 volunteers.
OCDRO1 also joined the Tabletop Exercise
(TTX) on March 10, 2021 at Rosebowl
Steakhouse and Restaurant, Pagdalagan Sur,
Bauang, La Union in response to the request
of the PRC-La Union Chapter. The activity
tested the coherence of the San Fernando
City’s Contingency Plan for typhoons.
OCDRO1 also assisted the LGU Alaminos
in the conduct of the city’s Public Service
Continuity Plan (PSCP) Orientation and
Writeshop on March 8 to 10, 2021.
Region 2 - Cagayan Valley
Cagayan Valley prepares for
COVID-19 vaccine rollout
By: Francis Joseph M. Reyes
The Department of Health and Office of Civil
Defense Cagayan Valley on March 5, 2021 led
the simulation exercises in preparation for
the arrival of the CoronaVac, the COVID-19
vaccine developed by the Sinovac Biotech, at
the Tuguegarao City airport.
OCD2 Regional Director Harold Cabreros
discussed the protocols during the arrival of
20,000 doses of vaccine up to the delivery
to the DOH’s cold storage facility. The
Food and Drug Administration with officials
from the Regional Vaccination Task Force
inspected the cargoes.
The vaccines will be distributed to six priority
hospitals in Cagayan Region namely the
Cagayan Valley Medical Center, Region 2
Trauma Medical Center, Southern Isabela
Medical Center, Batanes General Hospital,
Tuguegarao People’s General Hospital and
Regional Health Service 2 Hospital.
Health workers and other frontliners will
be prioritized for inoculation. Vaccination is
targeted to be conducted on March 7, 2021.
Protocols and other guidelines were
discussed and clarified prior to the arrival
of the said vaccines up to the delivery of
the same to the DOH cold storage facility.
OCD Cagayan Valley is the lead of the Task
Group Vaccine Cold Chain and Logistics
Management.
Region 3 - Central Luzon
OCD III trains RDRRMC members
on PSCP
By: Francesca T. Quizon
The Office of Civil Defense Region III
conducted a Six-Day Public Service
Continuity Planning (PSCP) Training Course
through blended learning for the Regional
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council (RDRRMC) Member Agencies of
Central Luzon on 17 to 22 May 2021.
The training highlighted internal capacities,
recovery requirements, and strategies
towards the continuous delivery of public
service during an emergency or disaster.
The trainers and facilitators from OCD
Regions II, III, VI and the Department
of Health (DOH) – Health Emergency
Management Bureau (HEMB) imparted
knowledge to the PSCP training participants.
In his message, OCD III Regional Director
Cesar M. Idio, CESE, underscored the
importance of PSCP to the challenges
brought about by natural or human-
induced hazards and highlighted the specific
objectives of the training course that can
guide each agency or institution to continue
to deliver its essential functions regardless of
any circumstances.
Region 4A - Calabarzon
OCD CALABARZON spearheads
Taal eruption TTX anew
By: Alex Czar Masiglat
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council (RDRRMC)
CALABARZON through the Office of Civil
Defense (OCD) CALABARZON conducted
the second leg of the Tabletop Exercise
(TTX) for the Taal Volcano eruption via video
teleconference on March 17, 2021.
The exercise focused on evacuation
particularly the operationalization of Camp
Coordination and Camp Management
measures, activation of incident
management teams and response clusters,
resource mobilization and augmentation
and donations management. Exercise players
from the regional down to the local level
responded to guide questions accompanied
by specific scenarios.
The exercise aims to test existing policies,
plans and protocols in order to identify gaps
that will serve as basis for improvement
of the mechanisms employed in disaster
response.
Scenarios were mostly based on the
experience during the 2020 Taal Volcano
eruption. The first TTX was conducted in the
last week of February.
Region 4B - Mimaropa
OCD MIMAROPA activates
Virtual EOC for TS Auring
By: Efril F. Maranan
The Office of Civil Defense MIMAROPA
on February 20, 2021 activated the virtual
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for
Tropical Cyclone Auring, joined by the core
member agencies of the Regional Response
Cluster and the region’s Provincial and City
DRRM Offices.
The regional virtual EOC was established
to ensure faster coordination and close
monitoring of the situation and incidents
relative to TC Auring.
The virtual EOC will be activated as the need
arises in anticipation of the effects of the
rainy season starting July.
Region 5 - Bicol Region
RDRRMC Bicol holds PDRA for
STS Surigae
By: Gremil Alexis A Naz and Ronna Faith M
Monzon
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council Bicol met to discuss
ACROSS THE NATION
the possible impacts of Severe Tropical Storm
“Surigae” in a pre-disaster risk assessment
(PDRA) meeting on April 15, 2021.
Members of the RDRRMC Bicol response
agencies and the Provincial DRRM Officers
(PDRRMOs) presented their preparedness
plans and activities for the weather
disturbance.
Office of Civil Defense Regional Director and
RDRRMC Chair Claudio L Yucot reminded the
response agencies and PDRRMOs to closely
monitor the movement of STS “Surigae” and
perform necessary measures for the safety of
communities.
RDRRMC Bicol issued guidance to response
agencies, provincial and local DRRM councils
for preparedness along with COVID-19
related measures.
Region 6 - Western Visayas
OCD Western Visayas leads
transport of COVID-19 vaccines
to Iloilo City hospitals
By: Cindy B Ferrer
The Office of Civil Defense Western Visayas,
chair of the Regional Task Force and head of
the Cold Chain and Logistics of the Regional
Vaccination Operations Center (RVOC) led
the transportation of 18 boxes of Sinovac
vaccines for Iloilo City on March 5, 2021.
This is the first ever shipment of COVID-19
vaccines in the region via Philippine Airlines
Flight 2141 from Manila which arrived at the
Iloilo International Airport.
The 18 boxes of vaccines are composed of
10,580 doses of Sinovac intended for the
four referral hospitals in Iloilo City namely,
Western Visayas Medical Center; St.Paul’s
Hospital; Iloilo Doctors Hospital and West
Visayas State University Medical Center.
Aside from the vaccines that arrived in Iloilo
City, Bacolod City also received its first batch
of vaccines for medical frontliners in various
referral hospitals.
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9. Region 7 - Central Visayas
OCD 7 holds LDRRMP workshop
for Tubigon LGU
By: Rizajoy Altamarino-Hernandez
The Office of Civil Defense Central Visayas
conducted a Local Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Planning Formulation
Workshop for the Municipal DRMMC of
Tubigon, Bohol on April 12 to 14, 2021.
The activity is pursuant to Republic Act
10121, (Sec. 9) which mandates the review
and evaluation of the Local Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Plans
(LDRRMPs), to facilitate the integration of
disaster risk reduction measures into local
Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP)
and Comprehensive Land-Use Plan (CLUP).
The workshop for the Tubigon LGU was part
of the Phase II technical cooperation project
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Capacity Enhancement Project (DRRM-CEP)
of OCD and Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA).
Region 8 - Eastern Visayas
Eastern Visayas begins COVID-19
vaccination
As part of the implementation of the
Regional Vaccination Plan in the region,
the Department of Health Eastern Visayas
Center for Health Development (DOH-
Region 9 - Zamboanga Peninsula
OCD IX distributes NFIs to fire
victims in Zamboanga City
By: Kimberly A. Amor
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) IX
facilitated the distribution of non-food items
(NFIs) to 411 families who were displaced
due to a fire incident at Baliwasan Seaside,
Brgy. Baliwasan, Zamboanga City that
transpired on March 20, 2021.
Fire victims were housed at the Baliwasan
Central School Covered Court.
Region 11 - Davao Region
OCD XI holds workshop on Haze
Hazard Preparedness Planning
By: Angie Lina Payosalan
The Office of Civil Defense XI conducted
a workshop on the formulation of
preparedness plan for Haze Hazard via
blended learning on April 23, 2021.
This was attended by 30 participants from
RDDRMC XI Response Cluster member-
agencies.
The RDRRMC XI recognizes the significance
of developing a comprehensive haze
preparedness plan to ensure preparedness
of the population to the health and cross-
sectoral impact of haze, particularly the most
vulnerable sectors.
Workshop participants were able to draw
up preparedness measures and procedures
to be adopted in the event of a local and
transboundary haze in the region. This will
be followed by a separate convention for the
finalization of the draft preparedness plan.
Region 10 - Northern Mindanao
OCD distributes relief to
COVID-19 facilities
The Office of Civil Defense Northern
Mindanao distributed food packs and
hygiene kits to the Local Government
Units of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, and
Misamis Occidental on April 6 to 8, 2021
for distribution to quarantine and isolation
facilities in their respective areas.
Areas of Malaybalay City, Valencia City,
Impasug-ong, Maramag, and San Fernando
in Bukidon, Balo-I, Lala, Kapatagan,
Kauswagan, Kolambugan, Maigo, Matungao,
and Tubod in Lanao del Norte, and Bonifacio,
and Plaridel in Misamis Occidental received
the items.
Region 12 - SOCCSKSARGEN
OCD XII supports DENR-
SOCCSKARGEN’s environmental
task force
Jorie Mae E. Balmediano
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) XII
supports the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) XII’s creation
of an environmental task force in the region.
OCD XII Regional Director Minda Cardos-
Morante was one of the principal signatories
during the Memorandum of Agreement
(MOA) signing on April 20, 2021 at
Greenstate Convention, Koronadal City.
The director was joined by Department of
Environment and Natural Resources-12
Regional Executive Director Attorney Felix
S. Alicer and heads and representatives
of partner Local Government Units and
agencies for the creation of the Soccsksargen
(South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat,
Sarangani and Gensan) Environmental
Protection Task Force.
The task force will work for the advancement
of ties between partner government agencies
and Local Government Units in addressing
environmental violations and issues as well
as to intensify efforts in environmental
protection.
The SOCCSKSARGEN Environmental
Protection Task Force is composed by DENR;
provincial governments of South Cotabato,
Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat;
DepartmentofInteriorandLocalGovernment
(DILG); OCD; 6th and 10th Infantry Divisions
of the Philippine Army; Philippine National
Police; Philippine Coast Guard (PCG); PNP
Maritime Group; Department of Agriculture
(DA); Department of Tourism (DOT); National
Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP);
Philippine Ports Authority, Port Management
Office for SOCSARGEN; Bureau of Customs
(BoC); and National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI).
EVCHD) in partnership with the Regional
Task Force (RTF) VIII headed by the Office of
Civil Defense (OCD) VIII and other support
agencies conducted the first COVID-19
vaccination in the region on March 5, 2021 at
the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center
(EVRMC).
Tacloban City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez,
DOH Regional Director Exuperia Sabalberino,
Department of the Interior and Local
Government Regional Director Karl Caesar
Rimando and Assistant Regional Director
AttorneyDarwinBibar,PhilippineInformation
Agency Regional Director Erlinda Olivia Tiu,
Philippine National Police Regional Office
VIII Regional Direction PBGEN Ronaldo F De
Jesus; and OCD Regional Director Lord Byron
Torrecarion, and DRRM Division Chief Rey
Gozon were also present during the event.
The RTF VIII on February 11, 2021 and the
Regional Vaccination Operations Center
(RVOC) conducted a Table-Top Exercise
(TTX) on the activation of the COVID-19
Vaccination Immunization Program and
the establishment of the RVOC in Eastern
Visayas. This was followed by a simulation
exercise on February 17, 2021.
OCD IX distributed hygiene kits, blankets,
washable face masks, family kits and
shelter repair tools to the fire victims at
the distribution point: Western Mindanao
State University (WMSU) Gymnasium.
Other government agencies such as
the Department of Social Welfare and
Development, Department of Trade
and Industry, Department of Labor and
Employment, PhilHealth and Philippine
Information Agency also extended aid to the
affected families.
Uniformed personnel from the 547th
Engineer “Agila” Battalion transported
and hauled the NFIs from OCD Region IX
Main Logistics Hub in Pagadian City to
Zamboanga City.
As RDRRMC IX Chair and lead agency of the
Logistics Cluster of the RDRRMC, the OCD
IX remains steadfast in its commitment to
contribute to the “whole-of-government”
approach in alleviating the plight of the
people affected by disasters and calamities,
and in strengthening resiliency through
various DRRM interventions.
BARMM - Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao
358 Returning Filipinos receive
assistance from OCD-BARMM
By: Nyll Isaiah Tapia
A total of 358 Filipinos safely returned to
the country on April 17, 2021 and received
assistance from the Office of Civil Defense -
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (BARMM). This is the 8th batch of
returning Filipinos (REFS) that were assisted
by the agency.
A humanitarian team onboard MV
Antonia-I fetched the returning Filipinos
from Sandakan, Malaysia on April 16, 2021.
They arrived safely in Zamboanga City
International Seaport the following day.
The repatriation efforts were led and
orchestrated by TGMROF (Task Group on
the Management of Returning Overseas
Filipinos) involving various government
agencies including the Philippine Embassy in
Kuala Lumpur and Local Government Units
(LGUs).
OCD - BARMM and OCD Region IX provided
logistical support, transportation, provision
of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs)
to the Humanitarian Team, Non-Food
Items (jerry cans and sleeping kits) and
food packs to returning Filipinos as well
as Incident Management Team members
and responders who conducted the Special
Handling Operations for the Returning
Filipinos upon the arrival of the REFs.
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