INSIDE

Nationwide Simultaneous
Earthquake Drill
pages 3 - 5

Continuing Efforts on
Typhoon Yolanda
page 6

Humanitarian
Response Depot
page 7

European Union
Visits OCD
page 8

Women and DRRM

page 9

About O C D

Empowering Women,
Empowering Communities
The Office of Civil Defense is
mandated to administer the countrys
disaster
risk
reduction
and
management (DRRM) programs and
actions, and fully implement the state
policies that govern these initiatives.
The Magna Carta for Women
(Republic Act 9710) and the
Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Act (Republic Act
10121) espouse a DRRM system
with a gender perspective and
provides social protection to the most
vulnerable sectors of society. Women
as part of the society share the
burdens brought by a disaster to their
communities. It is in this context that
women should have a share in the
advocacy and actions to protect the
communities against hazards and
disasters, and should not be looked
upon
as
mere
recipients
of
governments aid.
Putting these policies into practice,
OCD takes the lead in ensuring that
governments DRRM programs, plans

and actions not only respond to the

exceptional needs of women and
their children, but are also geared
towards empowering women and
their
communities
against
the
detrimental effects of disasters.
Women and communities should be
made aware of the hazards they are
facing and informed of the measures
that can protect them from the risks.
Community-Based DRRM programs
should also be employed to increase
womens capacity to reduce risks and
manage disasters. Participation and
leadership roles in DRRM actions
should be encouraged given that
women are in position to influence
their own families and communities.
Womens active participation will also
ensure that their special needs are
given attention.
Womens empowerment in DRRM
will lead the nation towards the
development
of
empowered
communities that are safer, adaptive,
and disaster-resilient.

Civil Defense
Across the Nation
pages 10 - 15

Local DRRM
page 16

READY Project
page 16

A Fond Farewell
page 18

Awareness and
Preparedness
page 19

ON COVER. NDRRMC Chairperson and Secretary of National Defense Voltaire

T. Gazmin leads the ceremonial sounding of alarm during the Nationwide
Simultaneous Earthquake Drill on March 19, 2014. The back cover shows photos
on other areas where the drills were also held. More than 700,000 joined the
activity across the country.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Thousands Join 1st Quarter

Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill
The National Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council (NDRRMC)
and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) led
the conduct of the First Quarter
Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake
Drill on March 19, 2014 with Bicol
University (BU) in Legazpi City as the
ceremonial venue.
Gracing the event are NDRRMC
Chairperson and Defense Secretary
Voltaire
T.
Gazmin,
NDRRMC
Executive
Director
and
OCD
Administrator Eduardo D. Del Rosario,
Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda,
Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal and
BU President Fay Lea Patria M.
Lauraya PhD. The earthquake drill in
Bicol region simulated a magnitude 6.7
Sorsogon earthquake with fire scenario
as a secondary hazard.
Across the nation, over 400,000
individuals joined in earthquake drills
organized by OCD Regional Offices
and Local DRRM Offices involving
more than a thousand schools,
hospitals, government buildings and
private institutions.

NDRRMC Chair and DND Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin views the information
system used during the First Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill
on March 19, 2014. (Photo by OCD V)
At the NDRRM Operations Center, a
Communications
Exercise
was
conducted to test the effectiveness
and efficiency of the communications
system and corresponding responses
from all concerned agencies.

doing the duck, cover, and hold. This

program aims at enhancing the
capabilities of younger generation in
preparing for disasters and jumpstart
the implementation of various childoriented DRRM activities in the region.

More than a hundred government

agencies, public schools and private
institutions participated in the drill,
including the City Halls of Muntinlupa,
Taguig and Quezon City. OCD Central
Office,
likewise
conducted
an
earthquake
drill
followed
by
demonstrations on fire control and drill
evaluation meeting.

Luzon
In Bauang, La Union, twenty five
young individuals who trained under
the municipalitys Civil Defense for
Kids Program assisted in the
earthquake and tsunami drill held at
Payocpoc Sur Elementray School.
They demonstrated the proper way of

At the Lal-lo National High School in

Municipality of Lal-lo, Cagayan, the
School
Disaster
Management
Committee performed its roles and
responsibilities through the Incident
Command System with the Principal
acting as the Incident Commander
during the school drill.
(next page)

Volunteer firefighters demonstrate

patient evacuation techniques in
Bacolod City. (Photo by OCD VI)

CAR Civil Defense Officers orient

students on what to do during an
earthquake. (Photo by OCD CAR)

A Junior Disaster Manager conducts a

headcount in the schools evacuation
area in La Union. (Photo by OCD I)

Metro Manila

MOST DESTRUCTIVE EARTHQUAKES IN THE PHILIPPINES

No one can predict when an

earthquake would actually occur. It is
best that we prepare for different
hazards like earthquake so that we
will know what to do and where to go
when it strikes, OCD II Regional
Director Norma C. Talosig said.
At Bagong Nayon II Elementary and
High School in Antipolo City, the
earthquake drill highlighted the
evacuation and rescue routine
particularly for physically challenged
students. The teachers were also
asked to demonstrate their first aid
capabilities since they would serve as
the first responders in the event of a
disaster. In the whole CALABARZON
region, around 21,000 individuals from
government agencies and local
government units participated.

OCD II Regional Director Norma C.

Talosig gives instructions to students
in Lal-lo, Cagayan. (Photo by OCD II)

In MIMAROPA, more than fifty schools

and government institutions joined the
earthquake drill. Scenario used
enabled local disaster managers and
rescuers
to
demonstrate
their
response capability. They showed
different techniques in removing
persons from unsafe situations and
bring them to treatment areas. After
the drill, an evaluation meeting was
held to discuss observations during
the drill, and on how the community
response
mechanisms
can
be
improved.
In the Cordillera Administrative Region
(CAR), more than 23,000 persons
from 38 universities, schools, national
agencies, local government units and
private businesses and organizations
participated
in
this
nationwide
exercise. Baguio Citys Rizal National

Students demonstrate evacuation of

persons-with-disability in drills held in
Antipolo City. (Photo by OCD IV-A)

High School served as CARs

ceremonial venue. It can be recalled
that Baguio City was devastated by a
killer earthquake in July 1990.
Visayas
Around eight thousand students,
school and government workers and
members of the communities from the
six provinces of Western Visayas
joined the exercise. OCD VI Regional
Director Rose T. Cabrera said that the
simultaneous drill tests emergency
response plan and provides evacuation
regimen in schools, government
facilities, homes and establishments.
In Cebu City, Abellana National School
served as the Central Visayas
ceremonial venue for the exercise. It
showcased the Search and Rescue

Police officers give medical attention

to an injured student in General
Santos City. (Photo by OCD XII)

2014 FIRST QUARTER NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS EARTHQUAKE DRILL

equipment and capabilities of its

Emergency Rescue Team. More than
9,000 persons from ninety other
venues in the region participated in the
drill. This exercise was highly
welcomed after the Bohol Earthquake
in October 15, 2013.
Though ravaged by Typhoon Yolanda
on November 8, 2013, Eastern Visayas
Region actively participated in this
nationwide activity. Over 27,000
students, teachers, government
officials and workers, and private
citizens evacuated their buildings and
houses.

drill in Region X. The hospital was

chosen to gauge the efficiency of the
warning dissemination system, the
level of preparedness, and the
response capability of the largest
government-owned health institution in
Northern Mindanao. Other government
offices, schools and private
establishments in other parts of the
region also joined the drill.

Northern Mindanao Medical Center in

Cagayan de Oro City served as the
ceremonial venue for the earthquake

In Davao City, government employees

of Mindanao Development Authority
and Social Security System also
participated in the earthquake drill.
OCD XI and Regional DRRM Council
members were also deployed to the
provinces and other cities in Davao
Region to observe, assess and
evaluate
the
capabilities
and
readiness
of
the
participating
institutions.

Employees hide under their table at

the SSS Office Building in Bajada,
Davao City. (Photo by OCD XI)

Students gather at the evacuation site

during the drill held in Cagayan de Oro
City. (Photo by OCD X)

Mindanao

Despite the presence of a low

pressure area, three schools from
Mati City and the Davao Oriental
DPWH 2nd Engineering District Office
participated
in
the
exercise.
Compostela Valley and Davao del
Norte however postponed the activity
due to the continuous rainfall in the
provinces causing flood in the areas.
Alongside the earthquake drill,
General Santos City DRRM Office
conducted
a
Communications
Exercise using the citys Rescue 727
Emergency Hotline. It aimed to check
the operational effectiveness of the
communications
and
response
system of the local government and
other participating agencies. (Romina
B. Marasigan and Noel H. Mapalo with
reports from OCD Regional Offices.
Infographics
by
Deniece
Krizia
P.
Ballesteros)

An employee demonstrates the use of

a fire extinguisher after the drill in OCD
Central Office. (Photo by OCD PAO)

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Government Continues Efforts

for Typhoon Yolanda Victims
The National Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council (NDRRMC)
created a National Post-Disaster
Needs Assessment (PDNA) Team
chaired by the Office of Civil Defense
(OCD) with other members coming
from other concerned government
agencies. PDNA aims to firm up the
governments continuing effort to help
the victims and communities hit by
Typhoon Yolanda on November 8,
2013.
NDRRMC through OCD first conducted
an Orientation-Workshop on January 8
-10, 2014 in Cebu City to equip the
members of PDNA teams prior to their
deployment in the affected areas from
January 11 to February 28.
The National PDNA Team was
organized into the livelihood, social,
infrastructure, resettlement, crosssectoral and support clusters, to
ensure that all areas of concern are
covered and given ample attention.
The
PDNA
teams
conducted
assessments in Tacloban City, Eastern
Samar, Leyte, Western Samar, Biliran,
Southern Leyte, the northern area of
Palawan and Cebu, and the Panay
Provinces of Aklan, Antique, Iloilo and
Capiz.
After the assessment and validation,
the PDNA teams submitted the
required reports to the NDRRMC. The
final report will be submitted to the

Post-Disaster Needs Assessment

Orientation-Training in Cebu City last
January 8-10, 2014. (Photo by OCD VII)

NDRRMC Executive Director and OCD Administrator Eduardo D. Del Rosario

addresses the participants to the Reflection Workshop on Typhoon Yolanda held
on February 27, 2014 at Richmonde Hotel, Eastwood, Quezon City. (OCD PAO)
Office of the President and will be the
basis for the Rehabilitation and
Recovery efforts of the government for
areas affected by the disaster to
hasten the rebuilding of communities,
and the reconstruction of damaged
infrastructures. This is on top of other
ongoing government assistance which
includes food-for-work and alternative
livelihood program, and construction of
bunk houses for displaced families.
The NDRRMC also conducted a
Reflection Workshop on Typhoon

Post-Disaster Needs Assessment

Briefing in Iloilo City last January 1315, 2014. (Photo by OCD VI)

Yolanda on February 27, 2014 at

Richmonde Hotel, Eastwood, Quezon
City. The activity aims to capture the
experiences immediately before, during
and after Typhoon Yolanda hit the
Visayas, including the lessons learned
and perceived gaps, in order to further
strengthen the countrys disaster risk
reduction and management system.
The event was attended by the disaster
managers who were directly involved in
the preparations and response to the
onslaught of the typhoon. (Noel H.
Mapalo with reports from OCD VI, VII and VIII)

Assessment and validation of damages

brought by Typhoon Yolanda in
Northern Cebu. (Photo by OCD VII)

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

NDRRMC Unveils Humanitarian

Response Depot
Envisioned to become a hub of
humanitarian activities not only for the
Philippines but also for the Asia Pacific
Region, a refurbished Philippine Air
Force warehouse was inaugurated as
a humanitarian response depot under
the management of the Philippines
National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC) on
March 25, 2014 in Air Force City,
Mabalacat, Pampanga.
The Inauguration was attended by
NDRRMC
Chair
and
Defense
Secretary, Voltaire T. Gazmin and
Spanish Foreign Minister, H. E. Jose
Manuel Garcia Margallo. Joining the
guests of honor were Spanish
Ambassador to the Philippines, ,H. E.
Jorge Domecq, NDRRMC Vice Chair
for Response and Social Welfare
Secretary, Corazon Dinky Soliman,
Health Secretary Enrique Ona,
Undersecretary for Local Government,
Usec Austere Panadero (representing
NDRRMC
Vice-Chair
for
Preparedness and Interior and Local
Government Secretary Mar Roxas),
NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil
Defense Administrator, Usec Eduardo

Del Rosario, and representatives from

the Department of National Defense,
Local Government Academy, DILG
regional offices, Office of Civil Defense
Regions III and V.
Also gracing the event are Nueva Ecija
Governor Aurelio Oyie Umali and
Local
Chief
Executives
from
municipalities of Nueva Ecija with their
rescue groups and as well as those
from the Province of Albay, officers of
the Spanish embassy, Cooperacion
Espanola, World Food Program (WFP)
and the United Nations Office for the
Coordination
of
Humanitarian
Assistance (UNOCHA).
The Humanitarian Response Depot is
a joint-project of the NDRRMC and the
Government of the Kingdom of Spain,
through its aid agency Cooperacion
Espanola. The Department of National
Defense funded the renovation of the
old Air Force Warehouse while Spain
funded the acquisition of disaster
response equipment. Spanish Foreign
Minister Margallo and Sec. Gazmin
unveiled the depots commemorative
marker signifying that the development

Spains Foreign Minister Jose Manuel

Garcia Margallo beams as he gives
the ceremonial key to NDRRMC
Chairperson and National Defense
Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin during
the Inauguration of the Humanitarian
Response Depot.
of the depot is a cooperative project
between the two nations.
Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin, lauded
the efforts of the Spanish government
through its embassy and aid agency in
providing assistance to the various
DRRM initiatives of both the national
and local governments. He thanked
the international community as well for
supporting
the
post-disaster
rehabilitation activities in the various
disaster-stricken communities in the
country.
Helping our disaster-stricken Filipino
brothers and sisters is both duty and
responsibility that we are pleased to
undertake. If, God forbid, another
disaster strikes these islands, the
Filipino people can be assured that
Spain will stand with them, said
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel
Garcia Margallo, reiterating Spains
commitment to continue providing
assistance to the Philippines DRRM
effort. (Mark Cashean E. Timbal. Photo by

The Humanitarian Response Depot in Air Force City, Mabalacat, Pampanga.

DND Office of Public Affairs)

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

OCD Hosts Knowledge Sharing

on Typhoon Haiyan for
European Union Delegates
The magnitude of the calamity
brought by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)
is so unprecedented, that we in the
European Union would want to be of
greater assistance to the Philippines in
the disaster risk reduction and
management effort, as well as learn
from this experience, said Dr.
Agostino Miozzo, Chief of the
European Union (EU) delegation
during the Knowledge Sharing activity
hosted by the Office of Civil Defense,
at the NDRRMC Conference Room on
February 11, 2014.
The visit of the EU delegation was
organized to share the Philippines
experience in managing the effects of
Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) with focus
on the steps undertaken to overcome
the post-disaster challenges.
Civil Defense Executive Officer,
Director Honorato S. de los Reyes
welcomed the EU delegation and
expressed his thanks, on behalf of the
NDRRMC and
OCD, for
the
overwhelming support of the EU
member-states in the Philippines
effort to address the growing demands
of the calamity-stricken communities.

Civil Defense Executive Officer

Honorato S. delos Reyes receives
the HK$497,000 donation for
earthquake and typhoon victims from
members of Victoria Ji Jin Hui, an
organization of with members in
Australia and Hongkong during a
simple turnover ceremonies held on
February 17, 2014 at the NDRRMC
Conference Room. (OCD PAO)

European Union representatives pose with OCD officials.

Maj. Reynaldo B. Balido Jr. PA of the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management
Operations
Center
(NDRRM OpCen) gave the EU
delegates a comprehensive briefing on
the
Typhoon
Yolanda-wrought
calamity, from its very inception up to
the post-disaster activities, including
the challenges and lessons learned.

the first government personnel on the

ground after the calamity struck,
detailing the difficulties encountered by
both
the
local,
national
and
international responders.
Dr.
Miozzo,
commended
the
Philippines for steadfastly making
significant achievements in the drive to
alleviate the plight of the disasterstricken
communities
and
gave
assurance to the Philippines of the
EUs continued support. (Mark Cashean

During the open forum, Civil Defense

Deputy Administrator, Director Romeo
F. Fajardo, recounted to the EU
delegation his experiences as one of

E. Timbal)

Officials from Bangladesh Fire Service

and Civil Defence pose with OCD
officers after a lecture-discussion held
at the NDRRMC Conference Room
last February 18, 2014. The visitors
were oriented on the Philippine
D i sa s t er R i sk R e du c t i o n a nd
Management System and the
countrys experience in managing the
effects of Typhoon Yolanda. (OCD PAO)

Civil Defense Deputy Administrator

Romeo F. Fajardo receives a token of
appreciation from Rob Dudgeon,
Deputy Director for Emergency
Services of the San Francisco
Department of Emergency
Management during an inter-agency
knowledge-sharing session held on
February 21, 2014 at the NDRRMC
Conference Room. (OCD PAO)

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Women and Disaster Risk Reduction

Gender intersects with economic,
social, and cultural factors, often
creating unsafe conditions that
place women and girls at greater
risk when disasters strike.
These words presented by Rebeka
Ryvola in her paper on Gender
Equality through Disaster & Climate
Change Readiness: From Policy to
Practice summarizes the reasons on
why gender and women
empowerment should be
mainstreamed into Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management (DRRM).
In the Philippines, the Magna Carta for
Women (Republic Act 9710) and the
Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Act (Republic Act
10121) laid down the state policies on
the social protection of the most
vulnerable sectors including women
and their children. These laws
espouse DRRM with a gender
perspective to ensure the protection of
women against exploitation and
gender-based violence, especially
those who are already marginalized
because of poverty.
As the government agency mandated
to administer the countrys efforts in
DRRM, the Office of Civil Defense

OCD employees joins the Womens Day celebration last March 8, 2014.
(OCD) takes the lead in ensuring that
these
state
policies
are
fully
mainstreamed and truly practiced. In
order to do this, OCD advocates a
broader understanding of hazards and
risks,
and
vulnerabilities
and
capacities of women.
In the context of disaster prevention
and preparedness, women are made
aware of the hazards and risks they
face and the protective measures that
they can avail for themselves. Women
also share equal opportunity in
trainings, workshops and fora, with the
hope that by enhancing their

OCD CAR conducts an orientation on the Philippine

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System for
members of Igorota Foundation Incorporated in Baguio City
on February 13, 2014. The activity aims to raise womens
awareness and empower them to assume their role in
disaster risk reduction and poverty alleviation. Igorota
Foundaton is a non-stock, non-profit, non-government
organization established to recognize the rights of women
and to fully develop their potentials. (OCD CAR)

knowledge
and
skills,
womens
capacity to reduce and manage the
risks is increased. During disaster
response, the special needs of women
and other vulnerable sectors are also
given ample attention, making certain
that they recover from the negative
effects in the earliest possible time.
Putting the policies into practice means
that at all time, OCD must guarantee
that all government DRRM programs,
plans and actions are respectful of the
human rights and privileges, and
enhances the social status of women.
(Noel H. Mapalo and Angela Manansala)

OCD II Regional Director Norma C. Talosig poses with her

family after being recognized as one of this years Iddu
Honor Role Award for Women awardee in ceremonies
held last March 27, 2014 at Valley Hotel, Peablanca,
Cagayan. The award is given to women who play significant
roles in the lives of their fellow women and the society and
Director Talosig is recognized for her work in the field of
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. Iddu is an
Ibanag word meaning loved one. (OCD II)

CIVIL DEFENSE AC
The Civil Defense Across The Nation
section is a collection of news stories
on events and activities conducted by
OCD Regional Offices.

fully optimize the disaster response of

the PNP workforce. He shared that he
finds ICS as a systematic way of
handling disaster situations.
OCD I Regional Director Melchito M.
Castro gave his appreciation for the
participation of the PNP officials in the
three-day ICS training. This will surely
expand the level of understanding of
the police workforce of Region 1 in
ICS and its incorporation to Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management, he
added. (Renzie Ivan Costales)

Melchito M. Castro, Regional Director,

OCD Region 1, hopes that the media
would use their newly gained
knowledge in providing reliable and
helpful news to the public. In addition,
Director Castro looks forward to the
media sharing valuable information to
all constituents when they return to
their stations and offices. (Renzie Ivan
Costales)

OCD III

OCD I

OCD I Conducts DRRM SeminarOrientation for Mediamen

OCD III Oversees Drafting of

Local DRRM Plans

PNP Officials Undergo Incident

Command System Course

Media practitioners of Region 1 gained

fundamental knowledge on DRRM
during the two-day DRRM SeminarOrientation for Media Practitioners in
Region 1 on March 13-14, 2014 at Sea
and Sky Hotel and Restaurant, San
Fernando City, La Union.

OCD III facilitated the drafting of the

Local Disaster Risk Reduction
Management (DRRM) Plans of a
province, two cities and one
municipality. A total of four hundred
seventy six (476) participants from the
Local DRRM Offices of Pampanga,
Masinloc, Balanga City and City of
San Fernando joined the planning
workshop.

OCD I conducted a three-day Basic

Incident Command System (ICS)
Course for Regional, Provincial, City
and Municipal Police Officials of
Region 1 on February 18-20, 2014 at
Sea and Sky Hotel and Restaurant,
Brgy. Pagdaraoan, City of San
Fernando, La Union.
Participants considered ICS as a vital
tool for effective disaster response.
The lecturers provided the participants
an overview, background, concepts,
principles and features, capabilities,
organization, facilities and common
terminologies. After the lectures, the
participants demonstrated what they
have learned on basic ICS functions
through
exercises
and
class
discussion context.

20 media practitioners from all over

Region 1 gained basic knowledge on
DRRM through lectures by the OCD
Public Affairs Office, DOST, PAGASA,
and PHIVOLCS. The seminar covered
topics on the Philippine Disaster Risk
Reduction
and
Management
Overview, Understanding Hazards:
Effects to People and Environment,
Mitigation and Warnings, Media
Relations in Emergency, Tips to
DRRM Partners in Working with the
Media, and PHIVOLCS Information
and Warning Products.

PSSUPT Moro Virgilio M. Lazo, Police

Regional Office 1 OIC Director,
emphasized the importance of ICS to

The overall event was a success as

manifested by the positive feedback of
the media practitioners on the two-day
live-in Seminar/Orientation.

OCD II. Rapid Damage Assessment

and Needs Analysis Training on March
24-26 in Isabela.

OCD IV-A. Science for Safer

Communities on March 6-7 at Lima
Park Hotel in Batangas.

10

The local plans are in line with the

framework of the National Disaster
Risk Reduction Management Council
using the Four Thematic Areas as
guide for coming up with different
strategies on how to achieve the goals
and objectives per thematic area.
Major issues include lack of
information education campaign on the
vulnerability of communities to
different hazards and their impacts.
Policy concerns are the inclusion of
Climate Change Adaptation and the
institutionalization of the Local DRRM
Offices with permanent positions.
(Doreen Sanchez)

OCD VI. Gawad Kalasag 2013

Awarding and Tribute on January 21 in
Iloilo City.

ROSS THE NATION

OCD IV-A

ARD Joel L. Viloria and Training

Officer Ms. Neri G. Amparo.

Home-Based DRRM
Seminar Workshop

The three-day workshop was attended

by 38 participants composed of
PDRRMC members and MDRRMOs
of the said province. Lectures covered
principles of Contingency Planning,
including the hazard identification, risk
assessment and analysis, and needs
identification. At the conclusion of the
training, the participants were advised
to conduct Contingency Planning
Workshops in their respective AORs.

Bringing its DRRM initiatives down to

the community, Office of Civil Defense
IV-A, together with PDRRMO Rizal,
conducted a Home-based Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management
Seminar Workshop for the Parents
and Teachers Association of the
Province of Rizal on March 8-9, 2014
at One Tagaytay Place Hotel and
Suites, Tagaytay City.
Directed in raising awareness among
the parents and teachers of Rizal, this
two-day program was geared in
educating the PTA members on
disaster preparedness and emergency
survival. Apart from the discussions on
DRRM, Project DINA was also
presented
to
the
participants.
Approximately
45
individuals
participated in the said seminar.
(Jennifer Coracero)

OCD IV-B
Training of Facilitators in
Contingency Planning

(Marc Rembrandt Victore)

RDRRMC MIMAROPA
1st Quarter Council Meeting
RDRRMC MIMAROPA, thru the Office
of Civil Defense IV-B, held its 1st
Quarter Full Council Meeting on March
27, 2014 at the Classroom B, 3rd floor
DCIEC Building, NIA Complex, EDSA
Diliman, Quezon City. The meeting
was
presided
by
RDRRMC
Chairperson Dir. Eugene G. Cabrera
and was attended by Dir. James
Fadrilan of DILG, Ssupt. Lorenzo De
Guia of BFP, Dir. Cristina Castillo of
PIA, Dir. Manuel Portus of MARINA,
Dir.
Robert
Peig
of
LTFRB,
representatives of member agencies,
PDRRMOs of the five provinces and
representatives of Bus Companies and
Shipping Lines in the region.

The Office of Civil Defense IV-B, in

cooperation with
the
Provincial
Disaster
Risk
Reduction
and
Management Office of Oriental
Mindoro, conducted a Training of
Facilitators in Contingency Planning
on February 5-7, 2014 at Vencios
Garden Hotel and Restaurant in
Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. The
workshop was facilitated by OCD IV-B

Topics discussed during the meeting

were: 2013 Year-end Review, Weather
Prognosis for the 2nd quarter of 2014,
Management of Stranded Passengers
in Port Areas during inclement
weather, the Protocols on the
Transport of Emergency Relief Goods
and the result of Post Disaster Needs

OCD VII. Disaster Preparedness,

Rescue & Relief Operations Training
on February 17-21 in Cebu City.

OCD IX. Water Search and Rescue

(WASAR) Training on January 27-31 in
Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

Assessment in Northern Palawan.

Preparations for the conduct of
Provincial DRRM Summit were also
discussed
with
the
respective
PDRRMOs and concerned member
agencies. (Marc Rembrandt Victore)

OCD VI
OCD VI Convenes Meeting on
Early Recovery
RDRRMC VI Cluster-lead sectors
conducted the General Information
Meeting regarding Early Recovery
Efforts with International Humanitarian
Assistance Organizations held at Iloilo
City Lone District Congressional Office
on February 7, 2014. Both RDRRMC
VI Chair Rosario T Cabrera and NEDA
Regional Director Ro-ann Bacal,
Rehabilitation
and
Recovery
Committee Chair led the meeting.
Hon. Jerry P. Treas, Congressman,
Lone
District
of
Iloilo
City
representative and focal person
designated by the President to
oversee
the
ongoing
disaster
operations in close coordination with
the RDRRMC in the Region,
congratulated the Directors of the
different line agencies and the LGUs
for the hard work in the formulation of
a Rehabilitation Plan. Region VI is the
only
region
that
submitted
a
Rehabilitation Plan on time.
This activity shall provide input to the
meeting of the Congressman with
DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and
DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman on
rehabilitation and recovery of the
region. (Annie Catherine Calderon)

OCD ARMM. Government extends

help to Filipinos who arrived from
Sabah, Malaysia on March 11.

11

CIVIL DEFENSE AC
OCD VII
PNP Undergoes Disaster Training
Forty-seven (47) police personnel all
over Region 7 completed the five-day
Disaster Preparedness, Rescue and
Relief Operations Training held on
February 17-21, 2014 at Police
Regional Office 7, Camp Sergio
Osmea Sr., Cebu City.
Instructors and facilitators came from
RDRRMC VII headed by the Office of
Civil Defense VII, BFP, AFP, PCG,
DOH, PRC, DENR-MGB, PHIVOLCS
and PAGASA.
Said training is part of the PNP's
capacity building efforts through skills
enhancement of its personnel, as well
as
to
establish
inter-operability
mechanisms of response units and
concerned
government
agencies
highlighting
their
role
during
emergencies and disasters. (Tashuana
Alemania)

OCD VIII
Vietnams Visit to
Typhoon Yolanda Affected Areas
OCD VIII assisted the delegation from
the Vietnamese Government who
arrived in Tacloban City for a
Technical Visit to the Philippines on
March 11, 2014. The Delegation was
headed by Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dieu,
General Deputy Director, Directorate
of Water Resources (DWR) cum

OCD X. Table Top Exercise for Flood

Warning and Flood Evacuation Drill for
Iligan City on February 7.

12

Permanent
member
of
Central
Committee for Flood and Storm
Control
(CCFSC),
Ministry
of
Agriculture and Rural Development
(MARD).
The purpose of the visit was to get
learning experiences and good
practices from the affected areas of
Typhoon Yolanda. Visited areas
include the Cities of Ormoc and
Tacloban and the Municipality of
Tanauan, Leyte.
They met up with officials of Tacloban
and Ormoc City and the Mayor of
Tanauan, Leyte to talk about actions
and responses before and after the
typhoon, as well as plan to further
enhance these responses in order to
minimize or mitigate loss of lives or
property due to natural disasters. (Rey
Ezekiel P. Barbasa)

LDRRM Plan Formulation of

Inopacan, Leyte
OCD VIII successfully assisted the
Municipality of Inopacan, Leyte in the
conduct of the Municipal Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management (DRRM)
Plan 2014 2017 Formulation.
The DRRM Plan Formulation was held
at Cebu Business Hotel, Cebu City on
March 26 28, 2014. This activity is a
program thrust of OCD VIII to help
municipal government of Inopacan tap
the five percent Local DRRM Fund
and empower them to be a safer,
adaptive and resilient community in
the region. (Rey Ezekiel P. Barbasa)

OCD XII. Disaster Preparedness

Committee Meeting on March 13 in
General Santos City.

OCD IX
Five-day Water Search
and Rescue Training
OCD IX headed by Regional Director
Adriano D. Fuego with OCD IX
Trainors, Philippine Coast GuardSindangan Station, Bureau of Fire
Protection-Zamboanga Del Norte and
Department of Health-Health
Emergency Management Staff of
Dapitan City conducted a five-day
Water Search and Rescue (WASAR)
Training on January 27-31, 2014 at
Siocon Cultural and Exhibition
Gymnasium, Municipality of Siocon,
Zamboanga Del Norte.
The 75 participants were Barangay
Emergency Volunteer Groups,
personnel from Philippine National
Police, personnel from the BFPof the
neighbouring Municipalities of
Baliguian, Siocon and Sirawai, Special
Forces-Philippine Army and
Emergency Volunteers of Provincial
D i sa s ter R i sk R e du c ti o n a nd
Management Office of Zamboanga Del
Norte. The training ended with a
graduation ceremony which was
graced by the presence of the Local
Chief Executives of the said
municipalities. (Ferdinand L. Bernal)

OCD X
Technical Assistance on PostDisaster Needs Assessment
OCD 10 Regional Director Ana C.
Caeda provided technical assistance

OCD CAR. Orientation of barangay

officials on Philippine DRRM System
on February 21 in Baguio City.

ROSS THE NATION

during the Post-Disaster Needs
Assessment (PDNA) Training at
Crown Regency Hotel and Towers,
Osmea Boulevard, Sta. Cruz, Cebu
on January 9, 2014.
The 160 participants, from OCD
Regional Offices, local government
units
and
representatives
from
different national agencies, will form
the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment
(PDNA) National Team tasked to
conduct a comprehensive assessment
of the damages brought about by
Super Typhoon Yolanda on public
infrastructure, agriculture, housing and
other areas of concern. (Purito M. Velez)
Workshop for NSTP Educators
OCD 10 together with CHED 10,
Xavier University Regional Center of
Expertise on Education for Sustainable
Development were tapped by the
National Service Training Program
(NSTP) Educators Association in
Region 10 (NEAR 10) to conduct
Capacity Building Workshop on
Disaster
Risk
Reduction
and
Management (DRRM) at Pearlmont
Inn, LKKS Drive, Cagayan de Oro City
on January 9 10, 2014.

ultimate goal of the workshop was to

build a culture of preparedness to
mitigate the risk. (Purito M. Velez)

OCD XI
Joint Meeting of RDRRMC XI and
READIRRMO
OCD XI together with City DRRM Officer and President of Regional Alliance
of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Officers
(READIRRMO)
Janus Rafailes convened the Joint
Regional DRRM Council XI and
READIRRMO Meeting together with
the Local DRRM Officers at Apo View
Hotel in Davao City on January 21,
2014
The activity served as a platform to all
LDRRMOs to present their programs,
plans and projects to RDRRMC XI,
including suggestion on the revision of
Year-Round Major PPAs schedules
and update on the current situation on
the effects of TD Agaton throughout
the region. (Mc Adrian Cobero)

OCD XII

39 NSTP educators from different

tertiary schools in Region 10
participated in the workshop. The
activity aims to encourage the NSTP
faculty members from all over the
region to initiate a School Disaster
Management Committee in their own
school. The participants were taught
the basic concepts of disaster, phases
of disaster risk management, building
safety evaluation and formation of a
disaster management committee. The

On 11-13 February 2014, MDRRMC of

Tulunan, North Cotabato underwent
the Basic Incident Command System
(ICS) Training Course at the Royal
Mandaya Hotel, Davao City and on 1921 February 2014, the MDRRMC of
Banisilan, North Cotabato, underwent

OCD CARAGA. Regional Contingency

Plan Workshop on January 23 in
Butuan City.

OCD I. DRRM Orientation for Media

Practitioners on March 13-14, 2014 in
San Fernando City, La Union.

Basic Incident Command System

Training Course

the same training course at Villa

Estela, Maramag, Bukidnon. Both
trainings were participated in by the
members of their respective DRRM
Councils.
To date, fourteen (14) LDRRMCs were
trained on Basic ICS two (2) of which
were already done with the All-Hazard
Incident Command System Training;
one (1) Basic ICS in the Regional
Level participated by the DRRM focal
persons of the member agencies of
RDRRMC XII; and, one (1) Integrated
Planning Course for the Selected
Graduates of Basic ICS.
The Office of Civil Defense XII
regularly conducts ICS trainings for
disaster managers and responders at
all DRRMC leve ls and even
encourages non-government and
private sector organizations to adopt
ICS to strengthen their emergency
response mechanism. (Sheila L.
Marginado)

Disaster Preparedness
Committee Meeting
The Disaster Preparedness
Committee Meeting was presided by
the Regional Director of the
Department of Interior and Local
Government XII (DILG XII), Dir.
Reynaldo Bungubung as the
Committee Chairperson and hosted by
the Office of Civil Defense XII (OCD
XII) as the Chairperson of the
RDRRMC XII on 13 March 2014 at
Sun City Suites, General Santos City.
Present in the meeting were
representatives from BFP 12, DSWD
XII, DENR-MGB, PNP PRO 12, PIA

OCD CAR. Disaster Simulation

Exercise at Luna Municipal Hall in
Apayao on March 10-11.

13

CIVIL DEFENSE AC
XII, CHED XII, DA XII, PRC, PAGASA,
PHIVOLCS, DOH XII, OCD XII and
D IL G XII. G a ps, i ssu es a nd
recommendations on disaster
preparedness were discussed and
agreed during the meeting. Some of
the recommendations include the
conduct of a workshop on the
formulation of Regional IEC Program,
and to come up with a database of
critical infrastructures, human
resources available for mobilization
and DRRM trainings conducted in the
region. (Sheila L. Marginado)
Rapid Damage Assessment and
Needs Analysis (RDANA) Training
of Facilitators (TOF)
Office of Civil Defense XII conducted a
three-day Rapid Damage Assessment
and Needs Analysis (RDANA) Training
of Facilitators (TOF) on March 19-21,
2014 at Sydney Hotel, General Santos
City with thirty (30) member agencies
of the Regional Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council
XII (RDRRMC XII) and eight (8)
Provincial and City DRRM Councils in
the region participated.
Apart from the context to continually
strengthen the capability of front liners
in disaster risk reduction and
management in Region XII, the
training aims to ensure the availability
of a pool of trained facilitators and
knowledgeable team members with
enhanced
technical
skills
and
expertise on RDANA.

situation at the ground.

(Sheila

L.

Marginado)

OCD ARMM
Contingency Planning
Workshop in ARMM
OCD-ARMM conducted a series of
Contingency Planning Workshops for
the five provinces of ARMM namely
Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan,
Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. A total of 298
participants completed the
Contingency Planning Workshop. This
workshop aims to strengthen further
the local DRRM system and structural
mechanism.
Regional Director Manuel Luis M.
Ochoteorena. As stated in his
message, This Contingency Plan
Formulation Workshop is a welcome
development in our effort to strengthen
our local government units. It ensures
that we know what to do when disaster
strikes, and have the systems and
tools to respond fast. Each of us has a
role to play in retarding the effects of
climate change.

The training has produced a Regional

RDANA Team who will be deployed to
disaster-affected areas and conduct
an immediate assessment of the

Highlighting among others is to come

up with a draft Contingency Plan for a
series of hazards in a particular event
agreed among the planners as a vital
input to DRR on preparedness and
readiness of various LDRRMOs to
better respond to calamities and
disasters. Generally, the objectives are
set to enhance and strengthen
stakeholders risk management
capabilities; to identify hazards and
other risk common in the area; to
come up with a Contingency Plan in

OCD X. NSTP Educators Capacity

Building Workshop on DRRM on
January 9-10 in Cagayan de Oro City.

OCD XII. Incident Command System

Training for Tulunan, North Cotabato
on February 11-13.

14

Managing the IDPs during

emergencies; to put in place
mechanisms/strategies on emergency
services and disaster response, and to
improve data management and real
time reporting.
With these goals, it will ensure the
availability of a pool and
knowledgeable facilitators with
enhanced technical skills and
expertise on Contingency Planning,
and to develop the capacity of
Provincial/Municipal Local Disaster
Risk Reduction Management Councils.
This pool of trainers are expected to
be familiar with various steps in
Contingency Planning Formulation.
The activity also aimed to enhance the
participants understanding of the
frameworks and tools for facilitation.
(Amier Ashan Aplal)

OCD CAR
Strengthening DRRM Partnership of
Local DRRM Officers and Civil
Service Organizations in Baguio
City and Benguet
The Disaster Risk Reduction Network
(DRR-NET) Philippines headed by Ms.
Adelina G Sevilla Alvarez hosted a
one-day consultation workshop on
February 21, 2014 at Hotel Supreme
in Baguio City. More than 35
participants from various Civil Society
Organizations and Local DRRM
Offices in Baguio City and Benguet
convened for the said event.
The activity paved way for Office of
Civil Defense-CAR Acting Regional
Director Andrew Alex Uy to talk on the

OCD CARAGA. Damage and Needs

Assessment for areas affected by
Tropical Depression Agaton.

ROSS THE NATION

policies of RA 10121 and the
significance of DRRM. An open forum
also
ensued
which
gave
an
opportunity for Acting RD Andrew Alex
Uy to discuss and emphasize on the
establishment of their Local Disaster
Risk Reduction Offices for their DRRM
program take-off in their respective
community. (Angela Manansala)
OCD Conducts DRRM Orientation
for Barangay Officials and CPAs
OCD CAR conducted a Disaster Risk
Reduction
and
Management
Orientation participated in by 1,000
barangay officials and certified public
accountants of Region 1 on Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management on
February 21, 2014 at the Crown
Legacy Hotel and Prince Plaza Hotel,
Baguio City.
OCD-CAR Acting Regional Director
Andrew Alex H. Uy and Chief of
Operations Jose V. Valera discussed
the salient features and requirements
of RA 10121 and DRRM. The
Functions of OCD in assisting the
barangay
in
advocating
and
implementing DRRM within their
community. It was also emphasized to
the punong barangay that they are the
lead actors in investing and prioritizing
DRR in their programs to set the
direction towards development.
This activity was organized by the
Government Association of Public
Accountants (GACPA) with the
objective of relating the duties and
responsibilities of participants to
overall government system. (Angela
Manansala)

OCD CAR. MOA signing with BaguioBenguet Public Information and Civic
Action Group on February 28.

Crash Course on the Handling of

Thuraya Emergency
Telecommunications Kit
As capacity enhancement of the OCDCAR staff and personnel, a two day inhouse training for the installation,
operation, maintenance of satellite
phone and Global Area Network
(BGAN) System was conducted on
February 8 and 11, 2014.
The two-day training kicked off with
the introduction on the Thuraya Kit
together with the description, main
parts and features which was
discussed by OCD-CAR IT expert
Jerome Paragas on the afternoon of
February 8. The OCD-CAR staff
meanwhile got the chance on handson use of the Thuraya on February 11
with the supervision of IT experts
Jessie Rios and Jerome Paragas.
(Angela Manansala)

OCD CARAGA
Writeshop on the Refinement /
Updating of Regional
Contingency Plan

2008, and NDCC Circular No. 05, S.

2007 on the Institutionalization of
Cluster Approach in the Philippine
Disaster Management System. The
improved contingency plan has been
approved in principle during the 2013
4th Quarter RDRRMC Full Council
Meeting on January 3, 2014 and shall
be distributed to the RDRRMC
member-agencies on the first quarter
of 2014. (April Rose Anne Sanchez)
RDRRMC Joint Technical Working
Group (TWG) and Regional
Selection Committee (RSC) Meeting
The Technical Working Group (TWG)
of the Regional Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council
(RDRRMC) of Caraga held a meeting
on January 21, 2014 at Rosarios
Seafood Grill and Restaurant.
Discussions during the meeting
included the presentation of the latest
Situational Report with regards to
Tropical Depression Agaton; Selection
of Civil Society Organization (CSO) /
Private Sector Representatives to the
RDRRMC; Workshop on Formulation
of Customized Guidelines for the Local
Search for Gawad KALASAG; and
other matters such as the presentation
of Draft RDRRMC Resolutions.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction

and Management (RDRRMC) of
Caraga conducted a one-day
workshop on the finalization and
refinement of the Regional
Contingency Plan on January 23, 2014
at Red Palm Suites and Restaurant,
Villa Kananga Road, Butuan City.
Cluster Approach is integrated in the
contingency plan in reference to the
United Nations Office for Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA)
per NDCC Memorandum No. 12, S.

Rose Anne Sanchez)

OCD CARAGA. Search and rescue

operations in Butuan City at the height
of Tropical Depression Agaton.

OCD VIII. Vietnam Governments

technical visit to Tacloban City on
March 11.

These resolutions are in reference to

the creation of alliance of the Regional
DRRM Officers for purposes of
strengthening collaboration and
mechanism pertaining to DRRM efforts
and to enjoin the provinces in Caraga
Region to create the Provincial
Selection Committee for the Gawad
KALASAG at the provincial level. (April

15

Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

OCD II Conducts Series of Community-Based

DRRM Activities in Divilacan, Isabela
Divilacan is a second class
municipality situated in the
Northeastern part of the Province of
Isabela. It lies between the Pacific
Ocean and the Northern Sierra
Mountain Range. Moving in and out of
the municipality is through motorized
boats (from Sta Ana, Cagayan) or by
small planes (8-seater and 3-seater)
via Tuguegarao City in Cagayan and
Cauayan City in Isabela.
The town is directly exposed to
monsoon wind systems and is
frequently visited by tropical cyclones.
While they have survived these
hazards in previous years, the people
in this coastal town need to be further
capacitated to be more proactive and
disaster-resilient as outside help could
not come in immediately when they
hit.
From Wikipedia.org

With this, OCD II headed by Regional

Director Norma S. Talosig conducted a
series of Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management (DRRM) trainings and
activities to capacitate not only the
members of the Municipal DRRM
Council but also the local folks who
are affected first when disaster strikes.
A Community-Based Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management
(CBDRRM) Training was conducted
on February 21-22, 2014. The training
was participated in by members of the
Barangay DRRM Committees from the
twelve barangays of the municipality.
The three-day event focused on
Hazards Mapping, Community Risk
Assessment and DRR Strategies.
A Mountain Search and Rescue
(MoSAR) Training was likewise
conducted on February 19-24, 2014,
with the assistance of Bureau of Fire
Protection-Search and Rescue Unit
based in Metro Manila. This training
aimed to train members of Divilacan
Rescue 314 and some employees of
the LGU on different types of rope
rescue, basic mountaineering and
proper way of handling patients.
According to the participants, the
training is very useful for them
especially that their terrain is generally
sloping to undulating hills.
OCD II also reviewed the Local DRRM
Plan of the municipality. One of the
recommendations of Director Norma

Mountain Search and Rescue (MoSAR) Training on

February 19-24, 2014.

16

OCD II Regional Director Talosig

Talosig was for the Council and other
partners and stakeholders to sit,
evaluate and enhance their LDRRM
Plan in order to ensure that DRR-CCA
is integrated in their Development
Plans.
OCD II also visited and evaluated the
ongoing construction of the Dicatian
Bridge funded thru the OCD. The
bridge upon completion would make
access to the Municipality of Divilacan
easier. These back-to-back DRRM
activities were done to strengthen
local capacity in managing disasters.
(Mary May Baclig)

Community-Based Disaster Risk

Management on February 21-22, 2014.

Reduction

and

Partnerships in Disaster Risk Reduction

GMMA Ready Kicks Off

Campaign for Multi-Hazard and Risk Maps
The GMMA READY & Risk Analysis
Projects Information, Education and
Communication Campaigns for the 16
cities and 1 municipality in Greater
Metro Manila kicked off in Taguig City
on December 16 and 17 , 2013. This
signalled the start of a city-wide
distribution of hazard and risk maps
with accompanying workshop
conducted
by
experts from
PHIVOLCS, PAGASA, Mines and
Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the
National
Mapping and Resource
Information Authority (NAMRIA). The
workshops were coordinated by the
Office of Civil Defense as
the
implementing agency for the projects.
The projects aim to increase the
resilience of Greater Metro Manila by
strengthening the in stitutional
capacities of the local government
units (LGUs), concerned national
government agencies, academic
institutions and civil society
organizations to manage disaster and
climate change risks.
This years campaign started last
January and will be completed by April
30, 2014 while contiguous provinces

Workshop in San Juan City.

such as Rizal, Laguna, Cavite and
Bulacan will be completed by the 2nd
and 3rd quarter of the year.
To date, IEC campaigns were
undertaken in collaboration with the
LGUs of Marikina, Valenzuela, Makati,
Las Pinas, Paranaque, Pateros,
Navotas, Muntinlupa, Pasig,
Mandaluyong, San Juan, Malabon,

Campaign in in the cities of Valenzuela (upper photo) and Taguig (lower photo).

Pasay, Malabon and Quezon City.

The IEC campaign and workshop
target participants who are the local
government units down to the
barangay level. The workshop, which
is aptly titled: Multi-Hazard and Risk
Maps IEC Campaign present the
various hazards specific to each city
and its barangays. Using the Hazard
and Risk Maps developed under the
two projects, participants from various
barangays , LGUs and other
stakeholders get an up close and
personal look at the areas as well as
the facilities and structures which will
be vulnerable to hazards like Ground
Rupture, Ground-Shaking,
Liquefaction, Tsunami, EarthquakeInduced Landslides, Severe Wind,
Flood, and Storm Surge.
The objective of the workshop is to
give a deeper understanding of the
citys vulnerability to certain hazards
and encourage first responders, local
DRRMO, emergency health
managers, and barangay officials to
be pro-active in ensuring the safety of
their communities and in preserving
their economic resources. Thus far,
the workshops conducted have been
successfully participated in by 631
barangays in 14 cities and 1
municipality.

17

A Fond Farewell
Atty. Priscilla P. Duque, MNSAs
contribution to the OCD as an
institution cannot simply be measured
by her years in service. She started in
OCD as a Legal Aide, hired on an
emergency basis on April 3, 1974.
Since then, she had served the OCD
for 39 years.

husband, Armando and their 6

children: Shahani, Bernard, Gerald,
Milani, Armida and Aireen Victoria.

She rose from the ranks from being a

legal aide, becoming a Civil Defense
Officer, to a Public Relations Officer
and to Assistant Civil Defense
Executive Officer with the rank of
Director I.
A proud daughter of Nueva Ecija, she
finished
her
baccalaureate
in
Economics from the University of
Santo Tomas. Her thirst for knowledge
led her to pursue studies on
jurisprudence in Manuel L Quezon
Universitys Law School, consequently
earning her second degree: Bachelor
of Laws.
Understanding that she needed to put
all her knowledge into the perspective
of national security, being an officer in
the civil defense establishment, she
took up and earned her masters
degree
in
national
security
administration at the National Defense
College of the Philippines.
An important achievement was her
involvement in the crafting of the
Philippine DRRM Bill which gave birth
to the ratification of Republic 10121,
which effectively revolutionized the
Philippine DRRM environment into a

more proactive one. This landmark

legislation paved the way for the
empowerment
of
the
local
government in dealing with DRRM
concerns.
Her expertise made her chief
facilitator in Contingency Planning
(CP) Formulation Workshops and
she had helped in the training of new
facilitators in the country. She had
been Philippines representative to a
number of international disaster
management
conferences
and
trainings. For her erudition on the
field of disaster management, she
has been hailed as a DRRM Guru
and had received numerous awards
and
recognitions
locally
and
internationally.
On February 11, 2014, she finally
went off to her date with the Deity
after battling cancer for more than 2
years. She is survived by her

She has gone into the Great

Beyond, where the fields are
eternally green and each day is
welcomed by a swift sunrise and
cooled by a calm breeze; where only
dew and joyful rain fall from the sky;
and no harsh tempests nor violent
upheavals disturb the peace. She is
remembered as a fair-handed
servant-leader, leading by taking the
hand of her colleagues and
subordinates and serving them
along the way and enabling them via
capacity-building. Her sense of
humor and maternal concern
lightened the burden of hectic
schedules and activities while her
attention to details maintained focus
on the achievement of goals with a
strong orientation on systems and
procedure.
In her passing, she will surely be
missed. Not just by her family, not
just by her friends, not just by her
colleagues in OCD and the DRRM
community, but most of all, the
random people whom she had
touched through her profound
knowledge and whose lives she had
changed in the effort to build a safe,
disaster-resilient and climate change
adaptive Philippines.
Requiescat in pacem, Maam Precy.
A fond farewell from your OCD
family. (Mark Cashean E. Timbal)

OCD CENTRAL OFFICE NEWS AND PHOTOS

MOA between OCD and DBP

January 10, 2014

18

One Nation in Prayer

January 20, 2014

Oath Taking of New Employees

January 24, 2014

Awareness and Preparedness

How Safe Is My House?

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology
and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), in
association with Japan International
Coorperation Agency-Japan Science
and Technology (JICA-JST) Project
and the Association of Structural
Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP)
recently launched its House Safe Is
My House? information materials.
The project features a self check
questionnaire for earthquake safety of
concrete hollow block (CHB) houses,
one of the most common type of
house in the country. The 12-point
checklist as shown on the right can be
used by homeowners to assess the
condition and earthquake readiness of
their houses based on standards of
the National Building Code and
Structural Code of the Philippines.
By answering the questions, the user
accumulates points assigned to the
choices. The total score will then
indicate the earthquake readiness of
the house being evaluated. The
following are sum total and the
recommended actions for the
homeowners:

11-12: Though this seems safe for

now, please consult experts for
information.

8-10: This requires strengthening,

please consult experts.

0-7: This is disturbing! Please

consult experts soon.
The full materials on How Safe Is
Your House? and other informational
materials on disaster preparedness
may be accessed on PHIVOLCS
website.
Disaster Information for Nationwide
Awareness or Project DINA videos on
disaster preparedness are available on
OCD website. Available are videos on
earthquake, tsunami, volcanic
eruptions, landslide, tropical cyclone,
flood and fire. (Noel H. Mapalo. Reference:
How Safe Is My House? Ver. 1.0 February
2014)

Self Check for Earthquake Safety of CHB Houses in the Philippines

1. Who built or designed my house?
A: Built or designed by a licensed civil engineer/architect.
B: Not built by a licensed civil engineer/architect.
C: It is not clear or unknown.
2. How old is my house?
A: Built in or after 1992.
B: Built before 1992.
C: It is not clear or unknown.
3. Has my house been damaged by past earthquakes or other disasters?
A: NO or YES but repaired.
B: YES but not yet repaired.
C: It is not clear or unknown.
4. What is the shape of my house?
A: Regular (symmetrical, rectangular, box-type, simple)
B: Irregular/Complicated
C: It is not clear or unknown.
5. Has my house been extended or expanded?
A: NO or YES but supervised by a civil engineer/architect.
B: YES, but not supervised by a civil engineer/architect.
C: It is not clear or unknown.
6. Are the external walls of my house 6-inch thick CHB?
A: YES, it is 6-inch.
B: NO, it is thinner than 6-inch.
C: It is not clear or unknown.
7. Are steel bars of standard size and spacing used in walls?
A: YES (10mm diameter, tied and spaced correctly).
B: NO, fewer and smaller than 10mm.
C: None or unknown.
8. Are there unsupported walls more than 3 meters wide?
A: NONE, all unsupported walls are less than 3m wide.
B: YES, at least one unsupported wall is more than 3m wide.
C: It is not clear or unknown.
9. What is the gable wall of my house made of?
A: Light materials, properly anchored CHBs, no gable wall.
B: Not properly anchored CHBs, Bricks, Stone.
C: It is not clear or unknown.
10. What is the foundation of my house?
A: Reinforced concrete.
B: Stones or unreinforced concrete.
C: It is not clear or unknown.
11. What is the soil condition under my house?
A: Hard (rock or stiff soil).
B: Soft (muddy or reclaimed).
C: It is not clear or unknown.
12. What is the overall condition of my house?
A: Good condition.
B: Poor condition.
C: It is not clear or unknown.

point
1
0
0
point
1
0
0
point
1
0
0
point
1
0
0
point
1
0
0
point
1
0
0
point
1
0
0
point
1
0
0
point
1
0
0
point
1
0
0
point
1
0
0
point
1
0
0

19