The Civil Defense

GAZETTE
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE OFFICE OF CIVIL DEFENSE

Vol III
2

Issue 4
1

UN LAUDS PH PREPAREDNESS
ON TYPHOON LANDO
Asia-Pacic Leaders Adopt Disaster Risk Reduction Framework

The CIVIL DEFENSE

GAZETTE
Ofcial Publication of
OFFICE OF CIVIL DEFENSE

USEC ALEXANDER P PAMA

Publisher
DIR ROMEO F FAJARDO
DIR LIZA FIDELIS F CAADA
Advisory Board
ROMINA B MARASIGAN
Editor-in-Chief
SUSANA G JUANGCO
SUSAN E QUIAMBAO
Associate Editors
NOEL H MAPALO
MARK CASHEAN E TIMBAL
KARLA MINORKA M ALDEA
Staff Writers
ADELUISA E KAWAHARASAKI
Graphic Artist
FRED A ABUDA JR
Photographer
TASHUANA ALEMANIA
REY EZEKIEL BARBASA
FRANZES IVY CARASI
KAREN ROSE CIMENI
MC ADRIAN NOUVE COBERO
JENNIFER CORACERO
DIANE HENIE DEL ROSARIO
JEFFERSON BENEDICT ESTALILLA
MONALISA FAJARDO
EMPRESS JARAMILLO
GILMHAR LAO
RACHELLE ANNE MIRANDA
CHERRY MAE NARANJO
JONA ORPILLA
KORNESSA PARAS
HAYDEE REYES
APRIL ROSE ANNE SANCHEZ
TITUS VELEZ
DAN MICHAEL VILLAMIL
Contributors
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
Ofce of Civil Defense
Department of National Defense
Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo
Quezon City
Email us at ocdpao@gmail.com
Call us at (02) 961 6314

Editors Note
The year 2015 ushers in developments in the eld of
disaster risk reduction (DRR). In March, the Philippine
delegates to the World Conference on DRR helped in
framing new goals, targets and priorities in reducing risks
and building resilience around the world. The resulting
Sendai Framework on DRR (2015 to 2030) replaces the
Hyogo Framework for Action as standards in DRR.
In October, the UNISDR Chief praised the countrys
preparations for Typhoon Lando. The utilization of PreDisaster Risk Assessment in assessing Landos possible
impacts proved effective in planning government actions,
and in identifying the areas where these actions should
be implemented. Despite the occurence of storm surges,
oods and landslides, the large-scale evacuation resulted
in reduced number of casualties.
In September, the 9th Senior Disaster Management
Ofcials Forum endorsed the Asia Pacic Economic
Cooperation (APEC) Disaster Risk Reduction Framework,
which aims to facilitate collective work in building adaptive
and disaster-resilient economies in the face of the new
normal. This Framework was adopted by APEC Economic
Leaders during their Meeting in Manila on November.
Through all these events, Ofce of Civil Defense remains,
and will continue to be a primary mover as the countrys
lead in disaster risk reduction and management.

Contents
UNISDR Lauds PH Preparedness on TY Lando

PH Holds Bilateral Meetings on DRR

APEC Leaders Adopt DRR Framework

OCD Leads APEC Emergency Preparedness

PH Observes International, ASEAN DRR Days

NDRRMC Starts Gawad Kalasag Search

Oplan Metro Yakal Plus Launch

Civil Defense Across The Nation

12

Central Ofce Events

18

Awareness and Preparedness

19

UNISDR CHIEF LAUDS PH PREPAREDNESS

ON TYPHOON LANDO
by Noel Mapalo

The head of the UN Ofce for

Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR),
Margareta Wahlstrm praised the
Philippines for its successful actions
to reduce mortality and the number
of people affected by Typhoon
Lando (International Name: Koppu)
despite the occurence of storm
surges, heavy rains, oods and
landslides.
The communication of early
warnings in the Philippines has
improved
signicantly
since
Typhoon Haiyan claimed over
6,000 lives in November 2013. Last
December, major loss of life was
averted by large-scale evacuations
in the face of Typhoon Hagupit. Now
again this weekend, government
agencies have been successful
in reducing loss of life through
the effective communication of
early warnings and organizing
targeted evacuations in the areas
most affected by Typhoon Koppu,
Wahlstrm said in her statement
released on 19 October.
Wahlstrm particularly emphasized
the televised address to the nation
of President Benigno Simeon
Aquino III on 16 October 2015 as
especially important in alerting the
population to the threats of the
typhoon.
I call on all Filipinos to avoid
panicking. Let us prepare as we
shouldmonitor the news, and
understand the warnings issued
by national and local governments,
from storm signals, rainfall warnings,
storm surge advisories, and
advisories regarding the necessary
evacuations if needed, read the
translated message of President
Aquino.

President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the National Disaster

Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) meeting on the
governments preparations on Tropical Cyclone Lando at the Presidents
Hall in Malacaang Palace on 16 October 2015. The Chief Executive also
issued a televised directive to local government units and the general public
to prepare for the impact of Lando. (NDRRMC Meeting Photos by Benhur
Arcayan and Robert Vias / Malacaang Photo Bureau)
You can rest assured that, through
the leadership of the NDRRMC
and
its
Executive
Director,
Undersecretary Alexander P Pama,
coordination
continues
among
different government agencies,
along with those from the private
sector such as telecommunications
and oil companies, Aquinos
statement further said.
To ensure countrys preparedness,
Undersecretary Pama called for
a series of Pre-Disaster Risk
Assessment (PDRA) Meetings for
the TY Lando which entered the
Philippine area of responsibility on
14 October.
PDRA is a process to evaluate
a given hazards characteristics

and its possible impacts to the

populace. It further determines the
appropriate level of response and
corresponding actions of concerned
agencies, local government units
and other stakeholders. The
adoption of PDRA as government
tool is aimed at ensuring that the
level of preparations matches the
level of risks that hazards pose to a
community.
Given Landos threats of storm
surges, oods and landslides, largescale evacuation of vulnerable
communities were implemented to
put people out of harms way. By
the time of Landos landfall on the
morning of 18 October 2015, an
estimated 700,000 individuals were
being served in evacuation centers.
3

PH INKS MOU WITH CHILE ON DRR

Usec Pama Joins Meetings with South Korea and Canada
by Mark Cashean Timbal

The Philippines through the

National Disaster Risk Reduction
and
Management
Council
(NDRRMC) signed a Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) with the
Government of Chile for cooperation
in Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management (DRRM) on 16
November 2015 at the Malacaan
Palace.
This partnership will focus on
the exchange of knowledge and
experiences through experts and
professionals as well as the conduct
of exercises in early warning
information, public policies on
disaster mitigation and the promotion
of inter-economic cooperation for
DRRM.
In this agreement, the Philippines
will share its experiences and
expertise
on
preparing
and
responding to hydro-meteorological
hazards as well as the Pre-Disaster
Risk Assessment (PDRA) system.
Chile will be sharing its systems and
best practices in geologic hazard
preparedness and response.

NDRRMC
Chairperson
and
Secretary of National Defense
Voltaire T. Gazmin signed the
MOU with Chilean Foreign Minister
Heraldo
Muoz
Valenzuela.
President Benigno Simeon Aquino
III and Chilean President Michelle
Bachelet witnessed the signing
ceremony and are joined by Foreign
Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario,
NDRRMC
Executive
Director
and Civil Defense Administartor
Undersecretary
Alexander
P
Pama, as well as key ofcials and
representatives from the Philippine
Government and the Chilean
delegation.
The MOU signing ceremony is one
of the highlights of the State Visit to
the Philippines of Chilean President
Michele Bachelet which coincided
with the APEC Economic Leaders
Summit.
Bilateral Meetings
Undersecretary Pama joined the
bilateral meetings between the
Philippines, the Republic of Korea

President Benigno S. Aquino III and Her Excellency

Michelle Bachelet, President of the Republic of Chile,
witness the signing of agreements at the Reception Hall
of the Malacaan Palace during the State Visit to the
Philippines on 16 November 2015. (Photo by Joseph
Vidal / Malacaang Photo Bureau)
4

and the Government of Canada

to discuss further cooperation in
DRRM on 18 November 2015 al the
Sotel Philippine Plaza.
Usec Pama joined President
Aquino and other Philippine ofcials
to discuss key economic and
partnership issues with President
Park Geun Hye and the delegation
of the Republic of Korea, and with
Canadian Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau and the delegation from
the Government of Canada.
We would like to convey once
more to our friends in the Republic
of Korea and the Government of
Canada our profound gratitude for
their invaluable assistance to our
people during those difcult times
after the onslaught of Typhoon
Yolanda, Usec Pama said.
It can be recalled that the Republic
of Korea and the Government of
Canada conducted humanitarian
and disaster relief operations in
areas ravaged by Typhoon Yolanda
(Haiyan) in 2013.

President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges views with

Republic of Korea President Park Geun-hye during the
expanded bilateral meeting at the Sofitel Philippine
Plaza Hotel on 18 November 2015, at the sidelines of
the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Manila. (Photo
by Joseph Vidal / Malacaang Photo Bureau)

APEC ECONOMIC LEADERS ADOPT

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION FRAMEWORK
by Noel Mapalo

(Photo by Robert Vinas/Malacaang Photo Bureau)

The Asia Pacic Economic

Cooperation (APEC) formally
adopted the Disaster Risk
Reduction (DRR) Framework
to facilitate collective work in
building adaptive and disasterresilient economies supporting
inclusive
and
sustainable
development in the face of the
new normal.
The 23rd APEC Economic Leaders
Declaration
themed
Building
Inclusive Economies, Building a
Better World: A Vision for an AsiaPacific Community, was issued at
the closing of the APEC Economic
Leaders Meeting in Manila on 18-19
November 2015. The Declaration
recognized the emergence of the
new normal and its impact on
economies.
We recognize that our region,
located in the Pacic Ring of Fire, is
particularly vulnerable and exposed
to disasters. We face typhoons,
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions,
rising sea levels, and pandemics,

the impacts of which are magnied

by our densely populated cities. It
has become a new normal for us to
face natural disasters of increasing
frequency, magnitude and scope,
and their resulting disruption of
the increasingly integrated and
interlinked production and supply
chains, read the Declaration.
The Economic Leaders also
instructed the Ministers to craft an
action plan in 2016 to operationalize
the APEC DRR Framework and
renew existing efforts such as
business
continuity
planning,
strengthening
early
warning
systems, search and rescue,
post-disaster recovery, promoting
appropriate
donations,
and
enhancing capacity building.
In his statement before the
international media on 19 November
2015, APEC 2015 Chairperson
and Philippine President Benigno
Simeon Aquino III highlights the
importance of the Framework in
building resilient economy.

The Disaster Risk Reduction

Framework recognizes the impact
of climate change on our region.
This framework aims to minimize
losses and promote best practices
so that we can build back better,
said President Aquino.
In her letter to National Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management
(NDRRMC) Executive Director
and Civil Defense Administrator
Undersecretary Alexander P Pama,
APEC Business Advisory Council
2015 Chair Doris Magsaysay
Ho expressed her gratitude to
NDRRMC.
The APEC Disaster Risk Reduction
Framework is a legacy document
that we can all be proud of in the
many years to come, Magsaysay
Ho further said.
The Framework was endorsed by
the 9th Senior Disaster Management
Ofcials Forum in September 2015,
an event hosted by the NDRRMC
through the Ofce of Civil Defense.
5

OCD LEADS APEC JOINT TASK GROUP ON

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
by Karla Minorka Aldea

After almost two decades, the

Philippines once again took pride
in hosting the 2015 Asia Pacic
Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Summit. Leaders, senior ofcials,
top businessmen and industry
experts from the 21 member
economies came to the Philippines
with the hope of attaining a common
goal.
Throughout the year, APEC
meetings and forums were held in
various parts of the country. Filipino
hospitality was showcased in these
high-prole
events.
Economic
leaders and senior ofcials were
housed in world-class hotels and
renowned designers created local
souvenirs and clothing for all the
delegates. Trafc management and
security procedures were planned
in detail.
Under the Committee on Security,
Peace and Order, the Joint Task
Group on Emergency Preparedness
(JTGEP) was created and mandated
on the consequence management
efforts in the event of terrorist
attacks, rallies and natural and
human-induced disasters during
the APEC Summit. Dir. Romeo F
Fajardo, Ofce of Civil Defense
(OCD) Deputy Administrator acted
as the task group commander
while other representatives from
the NDRRMC member agencies
composed two Task Groups (TGs)
and nine Sub-Task Groups (STGs).
During the APEC Economic
Leaders Meeting (AELM) on 18-19
November 2015, JTGEP deployed
its resources at the staging areas
for venues, routes and billets.
A total of 2,265 personnel were
deployed in ve areas where APEC
6

Civil Defense Deputy Administrator Director Romeo F Fajardo presides the

meeting of Joint Task Group on Emergency Preparedness at the Orchids
Garden Hotel on 14 November 2015. The Joint Task Group works under
the APEC 2015 Committee on Security, Peace and Order, and is mandated
to ensure governments readiness to respond to emergencies during the
conduct of APEC related meetings in the country and the APEC Leaders
Summit in Manila.
delegates stayed. Also, there were
172
transportation
equipment
deployed. JTGEP also organized
a National Incident Management
Team (NIMT) which is responsible
for the emergency preparedness
activities and direct consequence
management at engagement areas.
The JTGEP also deployed personnel
during the APEC Ministerial
Meetings, Senior Ofcials Meetings,
Technical Working Group Meetings
and related events held in Bacolod,
Bataan, Boracay, Cebu, Clark,
Iloilo, Laoag, Manila, Pampanga
and Tagaytay.
With the help of the NDRRMC
member agencies, local government

units and private establishments

in accordance to Whole of the
Nation
approach,
no
major
untoward incidents were monitored
by the JTGEP. There were a
few minor medical emergencies
which immediately attended to
in the established Emergency
Preparedness and Response (EPR)
Staging Areas.
In general, the APEC JTGEP was
able to deploy sufcient number
of emergency responders which
ensured the safety and provided
emergency response coverage for
the delegates during the 44 events
held in the countrys hosting of
APEC 2015. (With reports from
OCD Operations Division)

PH OBSERVES INTERNATIONAL, ASEAN DAYS

OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
by Mina Marasigan

The National Disaster Risk Reduction

and Management Council through
the Ofce of Civil Defense leads
the observance of International
Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR)
back-to-back with the ASEAN Day
for Disaster Management (ADDM)
on 13 October 2015 at the AFP
Commissioned Ofcers Club in
Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
This years celebration centers on
the value of harmonizing indigenous
and traditional knowledge with
the scientic method. Our IPs are
living epitomes of the importance
of local knowledge and community
level engagement in DRR, says
NDRRMC
Executive
Director
and Civil Defense Administrator
Undersecretary Alexander P Pama.
Dr Emmanuel M Luna, a professor
of Community Development at
the University of the Philippines
Diliman discussed the Overview of
the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) Role
in DRRM. Also, IP Community
Leaders shared their knowledge
and practices in DRRM.

Leaders from various Indigenous Peoples group share their knowledge

and experience during the observance of the International Day for Disaster
Reduction (IDDR) and ASEAN Day for Disaster Management (ADDM)
on 13 October 2015 at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club in Camp
Aguinaldo, Quezon City. This years observance focused on the Role of
Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge in Disaster Risk Reduction.
This years celebration of the
IDDR has the global strap line
Knowledge for Life. The focus is
on the traditional, indigenous and
local knowledge which complement
modern science and add to an

NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil Defense Administrator addresses

the audience during the opening ceremonies for the observance of
International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) and ASEAN Day for Disaster
Management (ADDM) on 13 October 2015 at the AFP Commissioned
Officers Club in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

individuals and societies resilience.

Moreover, the ADDMs regional
campaign is ASEAN is Resilient
as One. This reinforces ASEANs
joint efforts as One Community
to address the interlocking issues
of natural disasters and climate
change.
The word One also
represents the spirit of collaborative
work among various stakeholders in
ASEAN, envisioning a Community
that is inclusive, sustainable,
resilient, dynamic, and engages and
benets the people.
The IDDR started in 1989 with the
approval of the United Nations
General Assembly. It is a way
to promote a global culture of
disaster
reduction,
including
disaster prevention, mitigation, and
preparedness. The 13th day of
October is the designated date to
celebrate IDDR.
7

NDRRMC STARTS NATIONWIDE SEARCH FOR

EXCELLENCE IN DRRM
by Monique Raizza Jacob

The
National
Disaster
Risk
Reduction
and
Management
Council
(NDRRMC)
through
National Search Committee (NSC)
has started the quest for 17th
National Awards for Excellence
in
Disaster
Risk
Reduction
and Management (DRRM) and
Humanitarian Assistance dubbed
KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan
SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan or
Gawad KALASAG.
The Gawad KALASAG validation of
entries kicked-off on 2 November
2015 with National Validating Teams
deployed to various parts of the
country to assess the contenders
nominated by their respective
Regional DRRM Councils. The
teams were composed of personnel
from Ofce of Civil Defense (OCD)
and representatives from NDRRMC
Member Agencies.
Gawad KALASAG is awarded to
local government units, civil society
organizations, private sectors and
other institutions for their remarkable

achievements, best practices and

initiatives that uplift the standards of
DRRM and humanitarian assistance
in the country. It also aims to
appreciate groups or individuals
which have shown extraordinary
courage, heroism and sacrice in
times of disasters.
This year, more than 162 entries
from across the country are vying for
the national titles at stake including
seven (7) Best Local DRRM
Councils and Committees; one (1)
Best Civil Society Organization
(CSO); and eleven (11) Private
and
Volunteer
Organizations,
Government Emergency Response
Management,
Schools
and
Hospitals categories.
San Juan Day Care Center in
Bobon, Northern Samar is a furst
time contender in the Early Learning
Center (Rural) Category. A rst time
contender. Ofcials presented their
efforts including the participation
of parents in seminars for disaster
preparedness and many others.

Teachers and pre-schoolers evacuate the classroom

after demonstrating the duck cover and hold technique.
The school is an entry to the Early Learning Center
(Rural) Category of the National Search of Gawad
Kalasag.
8

The City of Bislig, a contender in the

City DRRM Council (Component
City) Category was assessed by a
team composed of personnel from
OCD, Department of Interior and
Local Government, and Union of
Local Authorities of the Philippines.
The city showcased their operations
center, equipment for emergency
and disaster response, as well as
their core shelters.
The Bicol Regional Training and
Teaching Hospital, an entry to
the Best Hospital (Government
National) Category, was also
visited for validation. The hospital
showcased improvements in their
facilities, structure, equipment and
DRRM programs.
Since its inception in 1998, the
Gawad KALASAG award has been
bestowed to 120 Local DRRMCs,
42 CSOs, 24 individuals and 119
schools and other institutions.
Sixteen winners, which already won
in three consecutive years, were
also elevated to the Hall of Fame.

Members of National Validating Teams inspect

equipment of a Gawad Kalasag contender in the
Hospital (Government National) Category of the annual
search for excellence in disaster risk reduction and
management (DRRM) and humanitarian assisstance.

OPLAN METRO YAKAL PLUS

FOR DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
by Mark Cashean Timbal

The
Philippine
Government,
Australian Government and the
United
Nations
Development
Programme
(UNDP)
launched
the Metro Manila Earthquake
Contingency Plan or Oplan Metro
Yakal Plus and handed over multihazard maps to the 17 cities and
four provinces of the Greater Metro
Manila Area (GMMA) in Novotel
Manila, Araneta Center, Quezon
City on 18 December 2015.
Present at the launch were
Australian Ambassador to the
Philippines Bill Tweddell, Climate
Change Commission Secretary
Emmanuel De Guzman, UNDP
Philippines
Country
Director
Titon Mitra, Metropolitan Manila
Development Authority Chairman
Emerson Carlos, Metro Manila
local government executives and
technical ofcers, and members
of the Collective Strengthening on
Community Awareness on Natural
Disasters (CSCAND) agencies.
The Oplan Metro Yakal Plus, an
enhanced version of the Oplan Metro
Yakal and uses data from the updated
West Valley Fault System Atlas, is
an integrated contingency plan for
earthquake and related geological
hazards. It is an operational plan
that anticipates what could happen
if a 7.2 magnitude earthquake
strikes along the West Valley Fault,
including associated threats of
landslides, rupture, liquefaction,
or tsunami. It also outlines the
response measures that will be
carried out prior to and immediately
after a hazard strikes, as well as
the roles and responsibilities of
members and partners of the Metro
Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista receives copies of the hazards maps
during the Launcing of Oplan Metro Yakal Plus, Knowledge ManagementCommunity of Practice Website and Hazard Maps Turnover on 18
December 2015 at the Novotel Manila, Araneta Center, Quezon City. Oplan
Metro Yakal Plus and the hazard maps were developed under the GMMA
READY Project.
The Oplan Metro Yakal Plus and the
multi-hazard maps were developed
under
the
GMMA-READY
Project that aims to decrease
the vulnerability of communities
in the GMMA to natural hazards.
The Project also aims to increase
resilience by strengthening the
institutional capacities of local
governments, technical agencies,
academic institutions and civil
society organizations to manage
disaster and climate change risks.
Australian
Ambassador
to
the Philippines Bill Tweddell
said, Australia is pleased to
have supported the Philippine
Government in its commitment to
provide credible, comprehensive
and accurate disaster information
and encouraged to make this
available and accessible not only to
local governments and communities,
but also to the private sector, nongovernment organizations and
academe.

UNDP Country Director Titon

Mitra commended the Philippine
Government
and
the
local
government units for this innovative
approach, emphasizing that this
aptly demonstrated the importance
of a cohesive and risk-informed
blueprint for disaster preparedness
and response among contiguous
cities and municipalities sharing
common risks.
GMMA Ready is a partnership among
the Australian Government,UNDP,
the Ofce of Civil Defense, and the
CSCAND agencies. Other partners
of the project are the Climate
Change Commission, the Housing
and Land Use Regulatory Board
and the Metro Manila Development
Authority. The Project has been
instrumental
in
building
the
capacities and preparedness of the
local governments by dening roles
of each sector for better coordination
and fast relief and rescue operations
once a major earthquake strikes.
9

Photos from top: President Benigno Simeon Aquino III presides the National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Meeting on 16 October 2015 at the Malacanan
Palace to check on preparations for Typhoon Lando; NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil
Defense Administrator Alexander P Pama leads the conduct of Pre Disaster Risk Assessment;
and NDRRMC officials meet with local government leaders in Casiguran, Aurora to coordinate
response and recovery efforts on the ground. Background: Aerial photo of flooded areas in
Central Luzon.

Government agencies have been successful

in reducing loss of life through the effective
communication of early warnings and
organizing targeted evacuations in the areas
most affected by Typhoon Koppu (Lando).
The Philippines is the most storm-exposed
country in the world and its expertise in
disaster risk management can be usefully
adopted by other countries trying to implement
the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction adopted in March this year as a
global blueprint for reducing disaster losses.
MARGARETA WAHLSTROM
United Nations Special Representative
for Disaster Risk Reduction

CIVIL DEFENSE ACROSS THE NATION

OCD I Conducts Basic ICS for DOH Regional Ofce I
Personnel from Department of Health (DOH) and
Provincial Health Ofces in Region 1 undergo workshops
during the three-day basic Incident Command System
(ICS) training. More than 40 personnel participated in the
training held in Ridgewood Residences. Participants from
DOH will become members of the Incident Management
Team of Region 1 after nishing the other training courses
of ICS namely, Integrated Planning, Position and AllHazard Course. (Mike Aldrin T Sabado)
OCD I Goes for Evacuation Operation during TY Lando
Local responders from the Philippine Coast Guard work
together to evacuate residents of Pangasinan during
the onslaught of TY Lando. OCD Region 1 conducted
an aerial inspection in Pangasinan on 21 October 2015
and discovered large amount of water stacked in the
mountains and caused ash oods in the western part of
Pangasinan. (Mike Aldrin T Sabado)

OCD II Takes Part in the Regions IP Summit

OCD II Regional Director Norma C Talosig speaks during
the 2015 Indigenous Peoples (IPs) Summit in observance
of the 18th year of Indigenous Peoples Rights Act in
Highlander Hotel, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya on 5 November
2015. In her message, she emphasized the need for
empowering and capacitating the IPs in disaster risk
reduction and climate change adaptation. The National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples organized the event
with the theme. (Dan Michael Villamil)
OCD II Facilitates Storm Surge Drill
Responders from the Municipal DRRM Council of
Gonzaga Cagayan assists the residents of Brgy. Caroan
during the storm surge drill held on 27 November 2015. All
800 residents participated in the said activity which aims
to capacitate the local community and equip them with
proper knowledge on pre-emptive evacuation in cases of
storm surge. Before the drill, the training section of OCD
II conducted an orientation to emphasize the difference
between tsunami and storm surge. (Dan Michael Villamil)
12

CIVIL DEFENSE ACROSS THE NATION

OCD III Deploys IMT in Aurora
Members of the Incident Management Team deployed in
Casiguran, Aurora meet for the establishment of Incident
Command Post and Emergency Operations Center on
22 October 2015. After the on slaught of Typhoon Lando,
personnel from OCD III and member agencies were
deployed under TY Lando Task Force Ground Zero on
22-28 October 2015. Incident Commander Col. Danilo
Florentino led the Regional IMT in coordination with
DSWD as the Response Cluster Head. (Haydee Reyes)
OCD III Facilitates PDNA Training
Participants of the Post Disaster Needs Analysis (PDNA)
Training pose with Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino
during the courtesy call before the trainings eld activity.
Twenty-eight participants from the Regional and Local
DRRM Councils of Region III joined the 5-day training
in Subic International Hotelw on 04-09 October 2015.
Personnel from the OCD Education and Training Division
together with OCD X Regional Director Ana E Caeda,
served as speakers for the training. (Diane Del Rosario)
OCD CALABARZON Facilitates Contingency Planning
Formulation Workshop
Participants pay attention to OCD CALABARZON
Regional Director Vicente Tomazar during the Contingency
Planning Formulation Workshop in Calamba City. The
3-day workshop aimed to draft contingency plans for the
municipalities of Noveleta, Cavite & Los Baos, Laguna
on the different hazards. The objective of the workshop
is to capacitate the LGUs and develop commitment and
cooperation for DRRM. (Jennifer O Coracero)
OCD CALABARZON Partakes in Tourism Summit
Regional Director Vicente F Tomazar speaks in Department
of Tourisms 1st Regional Tourism Summit at Summit
Ridge Hotel, Tagaytay City on 27 November 2015, with
the theme, Strengthening Partnership to a Vibrant and
Responsible Tourism. Dir. Tomazar, in his presentation
on Emergency Response in Tourism, emphasized the
signicance of disaster risk reduction and management
principles in the tourism industry. (Georgina G Garcia)
13

CIVIL DEFENSE ACROSS THE NATION

OCD MIMAROPA Conducts PDRA for TY Nona
OCD MIMAROPA Regional Director Eugene G Cabrera
presides over the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA)
for Typhoon Nona at the Regional DRRM Council
Operations Center on 14 December 2015. The Regional
DRRM Council members of MIMAROPA attended the
PDRA meeting to closely monitor as the possible impact
of the typhoon. PDRA is one of the disaster preparedness
measures aimed to avert impacts of a hazard. (Jona
Orpilla)
OCD V Forms Bicol Incident Management Team
One of the priority capacity enhancement initiatives
of OCD V for 2015 is the formation of an Incident
Management Team composed of multiple agencies ready
to respond to any emergency and disaster in Bicol. The
pooling of qualied instructors or Regional Cadres helped
in the institutionalization of Incident Command System in
the region. The participants of these trainings were the
members of the RDRRMC Response Agencies and Local
DRRMOs of the region. (Rachelle Anne L Miranda)
OCD VI Conducts Community Based DRRM Training
of Trainers
Participants from the Regional and Provincial DRRM
Councils of Region VI pose during the Community-Based
DRRM Training of Trainers on 23-27 November 2015.
This training is intended to create a pool of trainers for the
region and to ensure that the team will be fully equipped
with knowledge and skills in cascading Community-based
DRRM. (Cherry Mae D Naranjo)

OCD VII Provides WASAR Training

Rescuers provide Water Search and Rescue Training
to the personnel of the LGU and Local DRRM Ofce of
Talisay City at Villa Teresita Resort, Talisay City on 2630 October 2015. Participants were trained in personal
safety and survival, basic life saving techniques, rubber
boat assembly and engine operation as well as navigation
and maneuver rules. (Tashuana Alemania)

14

CIVIL DEFENSE ACROSS THE NATION

OCD VIII Conducts ICS Integrated Planning Course
Participants of the Incident Command System-Integrated
Planning Course pose with OCD VIII Regional Director
Edgar L Posadas at Hotel Alejandro, Tacloban City during
the 3-day training held on 19-23 October 2015. Members
of the Regional DRRM Council joined the training which
aims to equip the DRRM Ofcers with the knowledge and
skill to effectively facilitate disaster management in the
region. (Rey Ezekiel P Barbasa)

OCD VIII Reviews Regional DRRM Plan

OCD VIII together with Regional DRRM Members put
heads together to review and update the Regional DRRM
Plan at Hotel Alejandro, Tacloban City on 26-29 October
2015. Aside from the government agency representatives,
participants from the INGOs and NGOs joined the event.
The review covered the four thematic areas of DRRM
aiming to integrate the regions experiences, challenges
and lessons learned from the devastation brought about
by TY Yolanda and Ruby. (Rey Ezekiel P Barbasa)
OCD X Finalizes Proposal for Simultaneous Weather
Broadcast for Radio
OCD X and the Regional DRRM Council members lead
the Technical Working Group meeting with Kapisanan ng
mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas members in Misamis Oriental
and Cagayan de Oro City at VIP Hotel, Cagayan de Oro
City on 4 November 2015. The purpose of the meeting
was to draft and nalize the proposal for a six hour interval
simultaneous radio broadcast hook up during heavy rains
and extreme weather. (Titus Velez)
OCD X Gears Up for Undas 2015
OCD X Regional Director Ana C Caeda presides over
the Undas 2015 Preparatory Meeting at VIP Hotel,
Cagayan de Oro City on 28 October 2015. The meeting
was conducted in preparation for the safe observance
of Undas and in order to provide appropriate response
to the populace requiring assistance. The DRRM Focal
Persons from the different member agencies presented
their respective implementation plan. (Titus Velez)
15

CIVIL DEFENSE ACROSS THE NATION

OCD XII Awards Regional Gawad Kalasag Awards
OCD XII awards the Best in Disaster Preparedness during
the 2015 Regional Gawad Kalasag Awarding Ceremony
in General Santos City on 21 October 2015. Among the
LGUs awarded were Sarangani Province, General Santos
City, Koronadal City, Municipality of Tupi, Kidapawan City
and Isulan City. The event recognizes the accomplishment
and efforts of the Local DRRM Councils within the region
and excellence in DRRM and Humanitarian Assistance.
(Jorie Mae E Balmediano)
OCD XII Conducts DRRM Training for Instructors
Twenty-four certied DRRM instructors pose during
the conduct of the 5-day Training for Instructors (TFI)
at Roadhaus Hotel, General Santos City on 23-27
November 2015. OCD XII facilitated the training together
with National TFI Instructors from Bureau of Fire and
Amity Public Safety Academy. The new instructors will
compose the pool of DRRM trainers in the region to assist
in the implementation of DRRM trainings. (Jorie Mae E
Balmediano)
OCD CARAGA Holds Earthquake and Tsunami Drill
Residents of Brgy. Rizal, Socorro, Siargao Islands perform
the duck-cover-and-hold technique during the Earthquake
and Tsunami Drill conducted on 14 November 2015. OCD
CARAGA facilitated the drill in coordination with BFP, PNP
and Provincial DRRM Council of Agusan del Norte. The
drill scenario was based on a 7.3 magnitude earthquake
which may hit Siargao Islands. (April Ray Sanchez)

OCD CARAGA Facilitates Community-Based DRRM

Training
Members of the Provincial DRRM Councils of Agusan del
Sur, Dinagat Islands and Butuan City discuss during the
Training of Trainers on Community Based DRRM on 12-16
October 2015. The training aims to organize pool of trainers
at the provincial level with technical skills in Community
Based DRRM. The facilitators were the CBDRRM-trained
personnel of OCD CARAGA and trainers from Center for
Disaster Preparedness. (April Ray Sanchez)
16

CIVIL DEFENSE ACROSS THE NATION

OCD CAR Distributes Disaster-Ready Stickers to
Transport Groups
OCD CAR disseminated Disaster Ready Stickers to
Baguio City Public Utility Jeepney drivers on 13 November
2015. Two sets of stickers were distributed, one was a
reminder from PHIVOLCS on what to do before, during
and after an earthquake. The other sticker was from the
DOST which contains preparedness tips on typhoons.
These IEC materials were launched to promote disaster
preparedness to the public. (Gloria Diane Rivera)
OCD CAR Holds LDRRM Leaders Convention
OCD CAR Regional Director Andrew Alex Uy speaks
before the Local DRRM Council members of Cordillera
during the 2015 LDRRM Leaders Convention in Baguio
City on 12 November 2015. Around 90 leaders from the
75 municipalities in CAR attended the event. The event
reiterated that the Local Government Units are the rst line
of defense or the frontliners when it comes to responding
to different kinds of emergency situations. (Franzes Ivy
Carasi)
OCD NCR Deploys RDANA Teams for TY Lando
OCD NCR deploys Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs
Analysis (RDANA) teams to augment OCD III in providing
assistance to the victims of TY Lando in the Provinces of
Aurora and Nueva Ecija. The RDANA teams deployed in
the areas hit by the typhoon to identify immediate needs
of the stricken areas. (JB Estalilla)

OCD NIR Presents New Set of SONO Inc. Pfcers

A new sets of ofcers of the Safety Organization of Negros
Occidental (SONO) Incorporated take their oath at the
Planta Hotel, Bacolod City on 5 December 2015. OCD
NIR Director, Dr. Blanche T Gobenciong administered the
oath-taking for scal year 2016. SONO is a multi-awarded
organization of Safety Professionals and Practitioners of
Negros Occidental. (Ma Aletha A Nogra)

17

CENTRAL OFFICE EVENTS

Guests from Nepal pose with OCD Officials during the

Peer-Learning Visit at the NDRRM Operations Center
on 2 October 2015.

Usec Alexander P Pama receives token of appreciation

as one of the speakers in the Association of Pacific Rim
Universities Research Symposium on 9 October 2015.

Usec Alexander P Pama speaks during the Disaster

Preparedness and Response National Forum on 15
October 2015.

Guests and speakers pose during the Top Leaders

Forum on 10 November 2015, organized by Alliance for
Disaster Resilient Societies.

Usec Alexander P Pama receives a memento from

BGEN Joselito Kakilala on 7 December 2015 during the
Climate Change Summit organized by AFP CRS.

OCD Officials and Regional Directors pose for a photo

during the conduct of Senior Leaders Conference on 28
December 2015.
Photos by Fred Abuda Jr
Captions by Noel Mapalo

18

Awareness and Preparedness on

STORM SURGE
Storm surge is an abnormal rise of
water or coastal ooding generated
by a tropical cyclone, over and
above the predicted astronomical
tides. A storm surge occurs due to
the abnormal wind speed and low
atmospheric pressure, it can cause
hazards and damage towards the
properties, livelihood and lives of
the people who reside near the sea
shore.

Storm surges can be predicted at

least 48 hours before it happen.
Monitor the weather news and
coordinate with local authorities.

During evacuation, make sure to

turn off all the main switches of
electricity, water and gas tanks.

Since the Philippines is located

on the typhoon-belt area of the
Pacic basin, many seaside
communities are exposed to the
dangers that can be brought by a
storm surge.

Lock the doors, windows,

cabinets and gates of your
house.

To avoid these dangers, here are

simple tips that local leaders and
residents can implement:

Plant mangroves and trees.

Dont build any structure on the

no build zone or 40 meters
easement from the shoreline.

Organize or join community

drills. Make an evacuation plan
and ensure that evacuation sites
are safe.

Prepare
your
survival kit.

For more information and tips

on preparing for hazards and
disasters, download and watch the
Project DINA Videos

emergency
Disaster Information for Nationwide Awareness

AVAILABLE VIDEOS

During the storm or typhoon,

stay indoors and stay tuned for
weather updates.
DO NOT GO NEAR THE SEA
SHORE.
After the storm or typhoon, bring
the injured and sick to the nearest
hospital.
Check your house for damages.
Report fallen trees and electrical
posts to proper authorities.
(Research: Bebeth Gador. Source:
Project DINA Video)

Project DINA Videos

can be downloaded FREE from
www.ocd.gov.ph

A ship washed inland in Tacloban City by storm surges generated by Super

Typhoon Yolanda on 8 November 2013.

For more information,

email us at ocdpao@gmail.com
or call us at (02) 961 6314

The Ofce of Civil Defense is a

Center for Excellence in
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.
The Ofce of Civil Defense
provides leadership in administering the countrys
comprehensive national civil defense and
disaster risk reduction and management program.

Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo

Quezon City, Philippines
(+6302) 9115061 - 65
www.ocd.gov.ph