The DLTG: Office Secretary
The DLTG: Office Secretary
Prefatory Statement
On May 27,2OL0, Republic Act No. IO721, otherwise known as the "Philippine Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2070," was enacted to strengthen the Philippine
Disaster Risk Reduction System. Specifically, it provides for the development of policies and
plans and the implementation of actions and measures concerning all aspects of disaster risk
reduction and management, including good governance, risk assessment and early warning
knowledge-building and awareness-raising, reducing underlying risk factors, and preparedness
for effective response and early recovery.
Further, this Act recognizes local risk patterns across the country and directs the
strengthening of local government capacities on disaster risk reduction and management
through decentralized powers, responsibilities and resources.
On the other hand, Executive Order No. 888, s. 2010, adopts the Strategic National
Action Plan on Disaster Risk Reduction for CYs 2009-2019. Principal among the concerns of this
Department is the enhancement of the capacities of Local Disaster Coordinating Councils, now
referred to as Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils.
The Framework of Governance of the Presidency demands a shared vision and harmony
of actions in bringing about desirable development outcomes. Guided by this Framework and
within the purview of the delegated general supervisory authority of the President, the
Department of the Interior and Local Government hereby enjoins local authorities to
implement the mandates of the law as reiterated in this Memorandum Circular.
The tocalDisaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council: Composition
and Functions
Pursuant to Section 11 of the above-cited Act and Sections 1 and 2, Rule 5 of its
lmplementing Rules and Regulations, the existing Provincial, City and Municipal Disaster
Coordinating Councils are now individually referred to as Provincial, City or Municipal Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC). The powers and functions of the Barangay
Disaster Coordinating Council are to be exercised and performed by the Barangay
Development Council which serves as the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council.
The Council is to be chaired by the Local Chief Executive, with the following as members:
o The DILG Provincial Director, City Director, City Local Government Operations
Officer and the Municipal Local Government Operations Officer, as the case may be;
o The DENR Provincial and City Environment and Natural Resource Officer, and
Municipal Government Environment and Natural Resource Officer;
o The appropriate official of the Philippine Coast Guard or Forest Guard in the locality,
where applicable; and
o A Representative of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Sangguniang Panlungsod or
Sangguniang Bayan.
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The Councilshall perform the following functions:
1. Approve, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Local Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Plan and annually review, test and develop the plan
consistent with other national and local planning programs;
2. Ensure the integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation
into local development plans, programs and budgets as a strategy in sustainable
development and poverty reduction;
3. Recommend the implementation of forced or preemptive evacuation of local
residents, if necessary; and
4. Convene once every three (3) months, or as necessary.
What the above-listed functions imply is that disaster risk reduction must be integral in
the day-to-day operations of local governments.
Section 12 of Republic Act No. 1,0121 and its IRR mandate the establishment of a
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) in every province, city and
municipality, and a Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee (BDRRMC)
in every barangay.
The DRRMO shall be under the Office of the Governor, City Mayor or Municipal Mayor
and the Punong Barangay in case of the BDRRMC.
11. Disseminate information and raise public awareness about hazards, vulnerabilities
and risks, their nature, effects, early warning signs and counter-measures;
12. ldentify and implement cost-effective risk reduction measures or strategies;
13. Maintain a database of human resource, equipment, directories, and location of
critical infrastructures and their capacities such as hospital(s) and evacuation
center(s);
14. Develop, strengthen and operationalize mechanisms for partnerships or networking
with the private sector, CSOs, and volunteer groups;
15. Take all necessary steps on a continuing basis to maintain, provide, or arrange the
provision of or to otherwise make available, suitably-trained and competent
personnel for effective civil defense and disaster risk reduction and management;
16. Organize, train, equip and supervise the local emergency response teams and the
accredited community disaster volunteers, ensuring that humanitarian aid workers
are equipped with basic skills to assist mothers to breastfeed;
17. Respond to and manage the adverse effects of emergencies and carry out recovery
activities in the affected area/ ensuring that there is an efficient mechanism for
immediate delivery of food, shelter and medical supplies for women and children,
endeavor to create a special place where internally-displaced mothers and children
can find help with breastfeeding, feed and care for babies and give support to each
other;
18. Promote and raise public awareness of, and compliance with, Republic Act No.
LOL2L;
19. Serve as the secretariat and executive arm of the DRRMC;
20. Coordinate other disaster risk reduction and management activities;
21. Establish linkage or network with other local governments for disaster risk reduction
and emergency response purposes;
22. Recommend, through the DRRMC, the enactment of a local ordinance in
furtherance of the mandate of Republic Act No. 7O72L;
23. lmplement policies, approved plans and programs of the DRRMC;
24. Establish a Provincial, City, Municipal or Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Operations Center;
25. Prepare and submit, through the DRRMC and the LDC, a report on the utilization of
the LDRRM Fund and other dedicated disaster risk reduction and management
resources to the Commission on Audit, copy furnished the Regional Director of the
OCD and the Regional Director of the DILG; and
26. Act on other matters that may be authorized by the DRRMC.
The Head of the DRRMO shall be assisted by three (3) staff responsible for:
Administration and Training; Research and Planning; and Operations and Warning.
On the other hand, the BDRRMC shall be a regular committeeof the existing Barangay
Development Council. The Punong Barangay shall facilitate and ensure the participation of at
least two (2) Civil Society Organization representatives from existing and active community-
based people's organizations representing the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in the
barangay.
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