INSIDE

Pre-Disaster
Risk Assessment
page 4

Earthquake Drill
page 5

Disaster Consciousness
Month
page 6

NDRRMC, MTRCB
Partnership
page 7

New NDDRM
Operations Center
page 8

NDRRMC. SMART
Unveil Batingaw

About O C D

Serving the Nation,

Protecting the People
Disasters impact our nation more
than the number of deaths, injuries
and missing, and even more than the
amount of damages to infrastructure,
agriculture and economy. Beyond the
statistics are stories of despair, fear
and hopelessness from people
affected, especially from those who
are already suffering from poverty.
Families lose breadwinners.
Communities lose livelihood. Filipinos
lose opportunities with economic and
social development either held back
or delayed due to disasters.
It is in this same context that the
Office of Civil Defense was born. The
peoples suffering during World War
II, the countrys vulnerability and
exposure to hazards, and the nuclear
arms race of world superpowers
prompted the government to pass the
Civil
Defense
Act
of
1954,
establishing the National Civil
Defense Administration, or NCDA. In
1972, NCDA was abolished and its
functions and personnel were
transferred to a new agency, the
current OCD.

As the Office of Civil Defense

commemorates its 60th Founding
Anniversary, it is reminded of the sad
realities that disasters bring to our
country and our people. Given the
primary mission of administering the
countrys disaster risk reduction and
management (DRRM) program, OCD
unceasingly work to reduce the
vulnerabilities and raise the
capabilities of communities against
natural and man-made hazards.
Under principles of good governance,
OCD continues to build a culture of
excellence within the organization in
order to facilitate the delivery of
programs, projects and actions. In
the context of DRRM, this culture of
excellence means more and better
government actions that will ensure
communities are better prepared.
Sixty years may have passed, yet
OCD remains faithful to its
commitment to continue serving the
nation and protecting its people, by
working for a safer, climate-adaptive
and disaster-resilient Philippines.

page 9

Civil Defense
Across the Nation
pages 10 - 15

Community-based
DRRM
page 16-17

Civil Service
Celebration
page 18

Awareness and
Preparedness
page 19

ON COVER. The design is a collage of photographs of Office of Civil Defense

officials and employees in action as they perform their duties and responsibilities
as civil servants. The number 60 is added to commemorate the 60th Founding
Anniversary of the agency on 18 August 2014.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

OCD Celebrates 60 Years

of Serving the Nation
Our job requires more from us
because there are a lot of things at
stake here: not just lives, but also the
future of our state. Ours is a task of
herculean proportions, a task given
only to heroes and people who have a
strong inclination to heroism. I
encourage all of us to make the most
of this privilege to be a hero, said Civil
Defense Administrator Usec Alexander
P Pama during the gathering of officers
and staff in the celebration of OCDs
60th Founding Anniversary held at the
NDRRMC Conference room last 18
August 2014.
The anniversary observance began
with a Eucharistic Celebration officiated
by Father Dionisio Belleno CHS and
attended by the Usec Alexander Pama,
Civil Defense Deputy Administrator Dir.
Romeo
Fajardo,
Civil
Defense
Executive Officer Dir. Honorato de los
Reyes, the Chiefs of the OCD Divisions
and Sections, and the officers and
staff.
In Father Bellenos homily, he
congratulated OCD for reaching
another
milestone
year
and
commended OCDs tireless efforts to
maintain the safety of the Filipino
people against the threat of disasters
and calamities.
Following the Mass was a presentation
of the history of OCD, delivered by
Marlon Obligado of the Plans and
Programs Division, from its origins as a
product of the enactment of the Civil
Defense Act of 1954 which created the
National Civil Defense Administration

Office of Civil Defense Building in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
(NCDA) to its metamorphosis into the
Office of Civil Defense in 1979 by
virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1566
and its expansion of responsibilities
through the enactment of Republic Act
10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Act of
2010.
Thanksgiving masses were also
offered by the Regional Centers,
followed by presentations of OCDs
history and the Message of the CDA
was read to the regional staff along
with Regional Directors personal
congratulatory
messages.
Other
regional officers highlighted their
celebrations with DRRM campaigns
and information-education activities.
They also used the time to conduct

discussions
on
their
lives
employees of the institution.

as

In the Central Office, the CDA

explained that OCDs 60th year poses a
challenge due to the burden of greater
expectations, not just from the
government itself, but more from the
Filipino people and that greater service
must be rendered in order to meet
such expectations. He urged that the
workforce should put great stock on
OCDs core values to achieve the
collective goal of our institution:
commitment,
integrity,
teamwork,
excellence,
professionalism,
accountability
and
peoplecenteredness. (Mark Cashean E.
Timbal)

18 August
1954

31 December
1972

11 June
1978

27 May
2010

The National Civil

Defense Administration
(NCDA) was established
through Republic Act
1190 (Civil Defense Act).

Letter of Implementation
No. 19 abolished NCDA
and transferred its
functions and personnel
to a new agency, the
Office of Civil Defense.

Presidential Decree No.

1566 was issued to
strengthen the countrys
disaster control capability
and establish community
disaster
preparedness
program nationwide.

Republic Act 10121

(Philippine Disaster Risk
Reduction and
Management Act) was
signed to strengthen the
country's disaster risk
reduction and
management system.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

NDRRMC Utilizes PDRA for

Zero-Casualty Disaster Preparedness
The National and Regional Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management
Councils (NDRRMC and RDRRMCs)
begun utilizing the Pre-Disaster Risk
Assessment (PDRA) in preparation for
the various tropical cyclones that the
country experienced during the third
quarter of the year. By virtue of
NDRRMC Memorandum Circular No.
17 series of 2014, signed by the
Chairperson and Secretary of National
Defense Voltaire T. Gazmin on 18
August 2014, PDRA is institutionalized
into the policies and action plans of the
Council to further enhance its disaster
risk reduction and management
(DRRM) mechanisms.
PDRA is a process to evaluate a
hazards level of risk given the degree
of exposure and vulnerability in a
specific area. It presents the possible
impacts to the populace and serves as
a basis to determine the appropriate
level of response actions from the
national level government agencies
down to the local government units.

NDRRMC Executive Director and OCD Administrator presides over the PreDisaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) Core Group Meeting on 12 September 2014
at the NDRRMC Operations Center in preparation for Tropical Storm Luis
(International Name: Kalmaegi).
assessment process is based on the
dynamics and interoperability of the
four DRRM thematic areas.

What makes PDRA distinct from other

assessment tools is that it is hazardspecific, time-bound and area-focused.
Among its ultimate goals is to achieve
zero-casualty during disasters. To
reach this goal, an assessment is
carried out by the PDRA Core Team
composed of scientific and technical
experts from the NDRRMC, and is
chaired by Usec Alexander P. Pama,
Civil Defense Administrator and
NDRRMC Executive Director. The

During its early development stages,

PDRA was already first utilized at the
onset of Typhoon Glenda (International
Name: Rammasun) in July. The PDRA
Core Team was convened to project
the impacts of the typhoon to specific
areas in the country. Based on the
findings, the NDRRMC was able to
give the appropriate warnings to the
local government and the public, and
implement the proper response
actions.

OCD I Regional Director Melchito M.

Castro gives instructions during the Pre
-Disaster Risk Assessment meeting in
San Fernando City, La Union. (OCD I)

OCD II Regional Director Norma C.

Talosig queries the presenters during
the Pre-Disaster Assessment meeting
in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. (OCD II)

After Typhoon Glenda, PDRA was also

utilized by the RDRRMCs in Northern
Luzon in preparation for Tropical Storm
Henry. Regional Directors Melchito M.
Castro of OCD Region I and Norma C.
Talosig of OCD Region II acted as the
Chairs of their respective PDRA Core
Teams. Because of its proven
usefulness in Glenda and Henry,
PDRA was again utilized by the
NDRRMC in the succeeding tropical
cyclones Luis and Mario in September.
PDRA as a new system is aligned with
the zero-casualty target of the
government in managing hazards.

OCD VI Regional Director Rosario T.

Cabrera presides the Pre-Disaster Risk
Assessment meeting in preparation for
Tropical Storm Henry. (OCD VI)

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Manila Hosts 3rd Quarter Nationwide

Simultaneous Earthquake Drill
The National Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council (NDRRMC)
conducted the 2ndQuarter Nationwide
Simultaneous Earthquake Drill for 2014
with the City of Manila as the
ceremonial venue on July 2, 2014 in
Roxas Boulevard (near Diamond
Hotel).
Spearheaded by the Office of Civil
Defense (OCD) through its Regional
Office for the National Capital Region
(NCR) and in partnership with other
agencies, the drill tested the local
communities disaster risk reduction
and management plans as well as
strengthened the commitment of local
government units to the building of
safer communities.
The drill in the ceremonial venue was
attended by Usec. Eduardo G. Batac,
National Defense Undersecretary for
Civil, Veterans and Retiree Affairs
(representing NDRMC Chair and
National Defense Secretary Voltaire T.
Gazmin), NDRRMC Executive Director
and Civil Defense Administrator, Usec
Alexander P. Pama, Dir. Renato U.
Solidum Jr. of the Philippine Institute of
Volcanology
and
Seismology
(PHIVOLCS) as well as officials of the
city government of Manila headed by
Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada.

challenges of disaster risk reduction

and management.
The drill highlighted the capability of
both the national and local
governments in responding to
emergency situations specifically in the
management of the incident command
system (ICS), the evacuation of the
affected populace, with focus on the
women, children, elderly and persons
with disabilities and in the provisioning
of medical assistance and relief.
Government offices, commercial
establishments and non-government
organizations across the nation are
also participating in their local drills.
For the drill held in the morning, the
organizers used scenarios that will
result from a magnitude 7.2 quake
generated by the West Valley Fault
System, and as studied under the
Metro Manila Earthquake Impact
Reduction Study. In the afternoon, the
organizers used a magnitude 6.5
movement of the Manila Trench and as
such, integrated tsunami evacuation
scenarios to the drill. (Mark Cashean
E. Timbal)

WHAT TO DO
When an earthquake strikes while you
are at home, in a school classroom or
inside an office, do the DUCK, COVER
and HOLD!

DUCK under a sturdy desk or table.

If there are no desks or tables, drop on

the floor and COVER your head and
neck with your arms. Avoid staying close
to windows, hanging objects, mirrors or
tall furniture.

HOLD on to the table or furniture. Hold

the position until the ground shaking
stops and it is safe to move.

Usec Batac of the DND urged the

nation to get involved in the disaster
preparedness
activities
of
their
communities to insure the safety of
their families and friends. He also
emphasized that DRRM is not the sole
responsibility of government but a
shared responsibility of all stakeholders
in society, and that unity and
cooperation is key to the survival of our
people.
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada thanked
the NDRRMC for choosing his city as
the pilot venue, giving them the chance
not only to display their skills and
capability but to test their citys disaster
preparedness plan as well. He assured
the Manileos that their government
will always be ready to meet the

Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada leads the pressing of the button to signal
the start of the 3rd Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill at the
Ceremonial Venue along Roxas Boulevard on 2 July 2014. (OCD PAO)

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

OCD Leads Countrys Observance of

National Disaster Consciousness Month
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) led
the nationwide observance of the
National
Disaster
Consciousness
Month (NDCM) on July 2014 with
series of activities throughout the
country. This years theme Kahandaan
at
Kaligtasan
ng
Pamayanan,
Pundasyon ng Kaunlaran highlights
the governments commitment to
reducing disaster risks to give way to
socio-economic development.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management
Council
(NDRRMC)
Chairperson and the Department of
National Defense (DND) Secretary
Voltaire T. Gazmin led the kick-off
event during the Flag Raising
Ceremony on 30 June 2014 at the
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Headquarters Canopy in Camp Gen.
Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
In various parts of the country, the
Regional DRRM Councils led by OCD
Regional Centers also held series of
activities in line with the observance.
This includes motorcades, essay
writing and poster making contests,
information and education campaigns,
drills and exercises, and capability
display and demonstrations.

NDRRMC Chairperson and DND Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin delivers his

keynote address for the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness
Month during the flag-raising on 30 June 2014 at the General Headquarters
Canopy in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The observance is in
line with Executive Order 137 which designates July as the National Disaster
Consciousness Month. (OCD PAO)
Kalasag was held as the NDCM
culmination activity on 31 July 2014.

and Nutrition Awareness, a two in one

activity for the NDCM and Nutrition
Month on July 23, 2014.

In Mindanao, OCD X led the Coastal

Clean Up along different coastal
barangays in Macajalar Bay. The
Caraga regional awarding of Gawad

Local DRRMC Councils also organized

their own activities during the month. In
Pamplona, Cagayan, the Municipal
Nutrition
Council
organized
the
Symposium
on
Disaster
Risk
Reduction-Climate Change Mitigation

Executive Order 137 designates July

as
the
National
Disaster
Consciousness Month. (Noel H.
Mapalo with reports from OCD II, III, IV
-A, VI, X and CARAGA)

OCD II Regional Director Norma C.

Talosig rates an entry to the Calesa
Painting Contest on 28 July 2014. The
event was organized by Tuguegarao
City DRRM Council in line with the
observance of the National Disaster
Consciousness Month. (OCD II)

OCD V Regional Director Bernardo

Rafaelito R. Alejandro IV watches
Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal sign
in the Commitment Signing during the
National Disaster Consciousness
Month Kick-Off Ceremony on 1 July
2014 in Legazpi City. (OCD V)

Students pose with their entries to the

National Disaster Consciousness
Month Poster Making Contest on 9 July
2014. The event was organized by
OCD X, led by Regional Director Ana
C. Caeda in cooperation with the
Department of Education. (OCD VI)

National Disaster Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

NDRRMC, MTRCB Inks Partnership for

Strengthening Countrys Resilience
The National Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council (NDRRMC)
and the Movie and Television Review
and Classification Board (MTRCB)
signed a Memorandum of
Understanding on 30 September 2014
at the NDRRMC Conference Room in
Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo,
Quezon City. The agreement would
pave the way for the use of media in
promoting disaster resilience.
The memorandum was signed by
NDRRMC Executive Director
Alexander P. Pama and MTRCB Chair
Eugenio H. Villareal, and was
witnessed by MTRCBs Board
Members, officials and employees of
Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and
members of the media.
Under the said agreement, NDRRMC
and MTRCB will work on utilizing the
media and cinemas in raising public
awareness on hazards and disaster
preparedness. MTRCB will allow the
production and presentation of videos
that will feature disaster risk reduction
and management concepts, and for
these videos to get air time on
television and screen time in cinemas.
This will help in mainstreaming the
disaster reduction advocacies and
concepts which are often alien to the
general public, and as such build a
culture of disaster resilience.

Republic of Singapore Minister for

Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen receives a
memento from Usec Aelxander P.
Pama during their study tour and visit
at the NDRRMC Operations Center in
Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo,
Quezon City.

(Seated from right) NDRRMC Executive Director Undersecretary Alexander P.

Pama and MTRCB Chairman Eugenio H. Villareal sign the Memorandum of
Understanding between the government institutions on 30 September 2014 at the
NDRRMC Conference Room in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
The agreement aims to reinforce the government initiatives in building a culture of
disaster resilience among Filipinos. (OCD PAO)
Specific details of the agreement will
be threshed out by MTRCB and OCD
as implementing arm of the NDRRMC.
After the memorandum signing, the
officials and employees of OCD
attended the MTRCBs Matalinong
Panonood ng Pamilyang Juan at
Juana, an orientation and literacy
seminar on media utilization.

The speakers and facilitators at the

seminar were Chairman Villareal,
MTRCB Board Members Mario
Hernando, Maloli Espinosa Supnet,
Gladys Reyes, Jackie Aquino and Jay
Revestir, and Fr. Francis B. Lucas of
the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines Episcopal Commission on
Social Communication and Mass
Media. (Noel H. Mapalo)

NDRRMC Executive Director and OCD

Administrator Alexander P. Pama
delivers his keynote address during the
International Youth Day celebration
organized by the National Youth
Commission and held in Bayview Hotel
in Manila on 12 August 2014.

NDRRMC Chair and DND Secretary

Voltaire T. Gazmin presents the
Memorandum of Agreement signed
with Taganito Mining Corporation on 7
July 2014 at the DND Social Hall in
Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo,
Quezon City.

Public-Private Partnerships in Disaster Risk Reduction

NDRRMC Breaks Ground for

Modern Operations Center
The National Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council (NDRRMC)
through the Office of Civil Defense
(OCD) in partnership with SMS Global
Technologies Inc. (SMS GT) held the
Ground breaking ceremony for the new
National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Operations Center
(NDRRMOC) last Tuesday, 8 July
2014 at the future NDRRMOC site in
front of the OCD Warehouse in Camp
Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Sec. Voltaire T. Gazmin, NDRRMC
Chairperson and National Defense
Secretary graced the ceremony with
Mr. Anthony Christian S. Angeles,
President of SMS GT Inc. with
NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil
Defense Administrator Usec Alexander
P. Pama. The ceremony was attended
by key DND and OCD officials as well
asofficers and representatives of SMS
GT Inc.
In his message, Sec. Gazmin thanked
SMS GT for having offered their
services for free in the establishment of
a new Intelligent Operations Center
(IOC) which would integrate and house
various systems and types of
communications where information
from the various regions and localities
of the country could be received and
processed. He also congratulated the
NDRRMC for entering into another
successful partnership.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chairperson and

Secretary of National Defense Voltaire T. Gazmin leads the laying of time capsule
during the Groundbreaking Ceremonies for the New NDRRM Operations Center
on 8 July 2014 in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. This facility will
be constructed and furnished without cost to the government as it will be funded
by private companies who share governments disaster risk reduction advocacies.
(OCD PAO)

Mr. Anthony Christian S. Angeles,

President of SMS GTInc said that it
was their honor and pleasure to be of
assistance to the Philippine

This ground breaking ceremony marks

the commencement of the construction
of a fully operational three (3) level
Intelligent Operations Center which will
house all-weather communication

(voice, data and video) facilities for the

NDRRMC. This facility will be
constructed and furnished without cost
to the government and is expected to
further enhance the capability of the
NDRRMC through the use of state-ofthe-art equipment. The project is also
aligned with the current government
efforts in building DRRM facilities in
strategic areas of the country. This
includes three-in-one facilities that
contain offices, a warehouse and a
hangar. (Mark Cashean E. Timbal)

External Perspective.

Internal Perspective (2nd Floor)

Internal Perspective (3rd Floor)

Government in the DRRM effort. He

added that the countrys experience
with Typhoon Yolanda must not be
repeated and all the stakeholders must
work hand in hand to be able to
surmount the challenges of disaster
risk reduction and management.

Public-Private Partnerships in Disaster Risk Reduction

NDRRMC, SMART Unveil

DRRM Mobile Application Batingaw
The Office of Civil Defense-National
Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (OCD-NDRRMC)
and Smart Communications, Inc.
(Smart) have jointly unveiled the
Batingaw, a mobile application for
disaster risk reduction and
management.
Batingaw, a Tagalog word for siren, is
a pro-active, comprehensive and
rational disaster management mobile
application adopted by the OCD and
NDRRMC as a communication tool to
help reduce and mitigate the disastrous
effects of natural and human-made
hazards to vulnerable communities
with the help of mobile technologies.
The mobile app can be used to give
government agencies, organizations
and individuals, immediate access to
disaster warnings, advisories, location
data, and disaster mappings. It
features step-by-step instructions that
can guide users to safety during
disasters.
The application also
enables users to contribute information

to emergency agencies more easily

and quickly.
The Office of Civil Defense and the
NDRRMC continue to explore ways to
inform the public on disaster risk
reduction and management measures
and systems to help save lives and
properties.
With this mobile
application, we have added another
strategy to reach out to people with
helpful tools right at their fingertips,
said USec Alexander P Pama, Civil
Defense Administrator and NDRRMC
Executive Director.
We support initiatives that utilize the
mobile phone as a tool for disaster
preparedness. These days, almost
everyone has a mobile phone, and this
can be a valuable lifeline during
emergencies, said Ramon R. Isberto,
head of Public Affairs Group at Smart.
With Batingaw, the mobile phone now
becomes a handy electronic resource
that the public can use in times of
emergencies.
It provides basic

information on how to reduce ones

vulnerability during disasters. It may
also be used as a learning tool for
preparedness for individuals, their
families, and entire communities
before, during, and after disasters,
added Isberto.
Batingaw is designed to run on
smartphones and other mobile devices.
It may be downloaded for free of
charge via the App Store (for iOS
devices), and the Google Play Store
(for devices running on the Android
operating system).
The presentation of Batingaw to the
public came on the heels of the launch
of the PINDOT mobile app in Legazpi
City, which the Albay provincial
government has embraced for its
disaster management efforts.
Batingaw and PINDOT were developed
by Cebu-based tech startup Tudlo
Innovation Solutions, Inc. that was
founded by Vince Loremia and his
team. (Romina B. Marasigan)

BATINGAW
Available Tools

NDRRMC Chair and DND Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin signs the Memorandum
of Agreement with SMART Communications Inc. Public Affairs head Ramon
Isberto on 21 July 2014 at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club in Camp
General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The agreement covers Batingaw, a
mobile application project on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. (Photo
courtesy of DND PAS)

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.

OCD I
OCD I Deploys RDANA
OCD I deployed the Regional Rapid
Damage Assessment and Needs
Analysis Team, or Team Amianan, in
the wake of Tropical Cyclones Luis and
Mario that adversely affected Northern
Luzon.
Team Amianan conducted assessment
on 17-19 September 2014 in
Pangasinan, 23-25 September 2014 in
Ilocos Sur; 29-30 September 2014 in
La Union, and 29 September to 2
October 2014 in Ilocos Norte. After the
field work, the data gathered, using the
standard tools, were consolidated and
analyzed.
The teams were organized in order to
determine
relief
and
immediate
response requirements of the affected
areas after the type and extent of
damage brought about by a disaster,
its secondary threats, the critical needs
of the affected population, and local
response capacity were identified.

OCD II

Director Talosig, said that Local

Government Units must be capacitated
to have proper response to any
calamity that may hit their area to
prevent or minimize its effects
Moreover, she encouraged the LGUs
down to the barangays to further
conduct capacity-building activities thru
advocacy
programs,
drills,
and
trainings
in
collaboration
with
government line agencies and civil
society organizations.

Incident Command System (ICS)

Intergated Planning Course
participants work on their assignment.

Director Talosig was joined by

representatives of Region II offices of
DOST and DSWD, who also discussed
matters in DRRM matters concerning
their agency. (OCD II)

OCD II Conducts ICS

Integrated Planning Course
OCD II, headed by Director Norma C.
Talosig,
trained
thirty
selected
emergency managers from different
government agencies and Local
Government Units in the region for a
weeklong
training
on
Incident
Command System (ICS) Integrated
Planning on 8-12 September 2014 at
Punta Amelita Garden and Resort in
Cordon, Isabela.
The training aims to explain the roles
and responsibilities, functions and the
structure of the Planning Section as
part of the ICS organization. Director
Talosig said the graduates of the said
training will undergo the next level of
trainings in ICS to become a member
of Incident Management Team of
Region II and Cadre as well. She also
added that ICS has been adapted and
implemented in the country, using the
system introduced by the United
States. (OCD II)
Director Talosig Speaks
at the Tipon-Tipan sa PIA

Team Amianan deploys for Rapid

Damage Assessment and Needs
Analysis after the onslaught of TY Luis.

10

OCD II Regional Director and Regional

Disaster
Risk
Reduction
and
Management Council 2 Chairperson
Norma C. Talosig emphasized the
significance
of
capacitating
the
communities on disaster preparedness
during her media interview at TiponTipan sa PIA organized by the
Philippine Information Agency on 10
July 2014.

OCD III

Regional Director Josefina T. Timoteo

speaks during the opening ceremony
for the First Aid Olympics.
OCD III Spearheads Emergency
Preparedness for APEC
OCD III Regional Director Josefina T.
Timoteo presided the coordination
meetings on 5 and 12 of August 2014
in preparation for the 2015 Asia-Pacific
Economic
Cooperation
(APEC)
Meetings.
The
Emergency
Preparedness
Response Task Force Action Plan
were discussed along with the itinerary
of the delegates. The roles and
functions of the different task forces
were also discussed including their
personnel and equipment capability.
OCD is one of the members of the
Committee on Security, Peace and
Order
Preparedness
for
the
Philippines hosting of the 2015 APEC
Meetings. (Doreen Sanchez)

ROSS THE NATION

OCD III Conducts
Series of ICS Trainings

OCD IV-A

OCD III, led by Regional Director

Josefina T. Timoteo, spearheaded the
conduct of Basic Incident Command
System (ICS) Trainings in the region
during the third quarter of the year.
In July, one hundred fifty one
participated in the Basic ICS Training
in Talavera, Nueva Ecija, and
Mariveles and Pilar in Bataan. The
units under Armed Forces North Luzon
Command also attended the training in
Camp Servillano Aquino, Tarlac City on
13-15 August 2014, while fifty-five
participants from Abucay, Bataan
joined the training on 9-11 September
2014.
ICS is system used during disasters
and planned activities for efficient and
timely response to ensure safety of
responders and affected populace and
to maximize use of resources. (Doreen
Sanchez)

OCD III Regional Director Josefina T.

Timoteo poses with the winners of the
Water Search and Rescue Olympics.
OCD III Leads Conduct
of DRRM Olympics
OCD III Regional Director Josefina T.
Timoteo, as Chair of the Regional
Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council, led the conduct
of DRRM-related contests in the
region.
In Malolos City, Bulacan, OCDRDRRMC held the 11th Central Luzon
First Aid and CPR/AED Olympics. On 3
-5 September 2014, the 6th Water
Search & Rescue Olympics and
Response Exercises was held in
Limay, Bataan. (Doreen Sanchez)

Regional Director Vicente F. Tomazar

speaks during the Forum on Nutrition
in Emergency.
Dir. Tomazar Presents at Forum on
Nutrition in Emergencies
OCD IV-A Regional Director and
Regional DRRM Council Chairperson
Director Vicente F. Tomazar attended
the Forum on Nutrition in Emergencies
and Planning Workshop as part of this
years Nutrition Month Celebration with
the theme Kalamidad Paghandaan,
Gutom at Malnutrisyon Agapan
conducted by National Nutrition
Council at the Makati Palace Hotel on
14 July 2014.
The forum aims to equip health and
nutrition workers in the region with
knowledge and skills to coordinate,
mobilize, and assist local government
personnel in preparing for disasters in
the region. This is to ensure that the
nutritional needs of the disasteraffected population are addressed,
especially those of infants, young
children, elderly, pregnant and lactating
women. (OCD IV-A)

is attended by rescue volunteers from

Lucena City. The training focused on
vulnerability and risk assessment,
capability and capacity assessment,
hazards mapping, basic first aid, rope
rescue, water safety and responder
survival and preparedness.
Diretor Tomazar gave an inspirational
talk to the volunteer rescuers and
imposed the importance of their help to
the community and the country. He
also imparted the significance of the
volunteers in times of disasters. (OCD
IV-A)

OCD IV-B
OCD IV-B Conducts Basic ICS
Training in Mindoro
OCD IV-B, with support of the
Municipal DRRM Council of
Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro,
conducted Basic Incident Command
System (ICS) Training on 9-11
September 2014 at Barrera Farms and
Resort in Barangay Poblacion.
Forty-four participants joined the
training which aims to enhance the
understanding of ICS as a disaster and
emergency management tool.
As part of the training, Senior Training
Officer Neri Amparo provided
scenarios to check if the participants
fully understood and absorbed the
discussions and lectures. After
evaluation, it was shown that most, if
not all, of the participants would be
able to implement Basic ICS in their
respective areas of responsibility if a
disaster occurs. (OCD IV-B)

OCD IV-A Graces

CBDRRM Training of Trainers
OCD IV-A Regional Director and
Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council Chairperson
Director Vicente F. Tomazar graced
the Training of Trainers on Communitybased Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management at the Lucena City
Disaster Operation Center on 7 July
2014.
The said four-day training conference

Participants listen attentively during

Basic Incident Command System (ICS)
Training in Mindoro.

11

CIVIL DEFENSE AC
OCD V
OCD V Operates
for Zero-Casualty Goal
OCD V Regional Director Bernardo
Rafaelito R. Alejandro IV placed the
Regional Disaster Operations Center
on RED Alert Status on 3 September
2014, after the Philippine Institute of
Volcanology
and
Seismology
(PHIVOLCS) raised the Alert Level
Status of Mayon Volcano from 2 to 3.
The Provincial Government of Albay,
headed by Governor Joey S. Salceda,
declared a State of Calamity on 16
September 2014, and implemented the
pre-emptive evacuation of residents
from the danger zones. The evacuation
is in line with the zero-casualty
objective of the government in handling
threats from volcanoes, tropical
cyclones and other hazards. (OCD V)

Participants present their output during

the Training on Geohazard Awareness
and Disaster Preparedness.
OCD V, MGB Partner for Training in
Geohazards and Preparedness
OCD V headed by Regional Director
Bernardo Rafaelito R. Alejandro IV,
and the Mines and Geosciences
Bureau
Regional
Office
under
Theodore
Rommel
E.
Pestao,
partnered in organizing and facilitating
Trainings on Geohazard Awareness
and Disaster Preparedness for the
local government units of the Provinces
of Masbate, Albay and Camarines Sur.
The training was conducted on 19-22
August 2014 for the local government
units in Masbate, 1-9 September 2014
for Camarines Sur, and on 11
September 2014 for Jovellar, Albay.

12

The training aims to further enhance

peoples awareness on the urgency of
disaster preparedness and reducing
disaster risks by providing sciencebased knowledge on the different
hazards that threaten the communities
in the area. Hazard maps were also
distributed during the said activities.
(OCD V)

OCD VII

OCD VI
OCD VI Completes Series of
Summits on DRRM for LCEs
OCD VI completed the series of
Provincial Summits on Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management (DRRM)
for Local Chief Executives (LCEs) with
the conduct of the event for Iloilo
Province on 31 July - 2 August 2014 in
Iloilo City. Thirty seven LCEs attended
the Summit, together with more than a
hundred DRRM Officers and other
government workers.
National DRRM Council Executive
Director & OCD Administrator Usec
Alexander P. Pama was the Keynote
Speaker. OCD VI Regional Director
Rosario T. Cabrera said that the main
objective of the Summit is to highlight
LCEs roles and responsibilities and
enhance their knowledge and skills in
DRRM Planning, tools and protocols
particularly on Contingency Planning.
The event was also graced by the
Regional Directors of DILG, DOST,
NEDA, DSWD and DBM, with
representatives from other RDRRMC
Member Agencies, the PHAP Cares
Foundation, Inc. and Japan Iternational
Cooperation Agency-CITYNET. (OCD
VI)

OCD VII Regional Director Olivia M.

Luces turns over rescue equipment to
AFPs Central Command .
OCD VII Turns Over
SAR Equipment to AFP
OCD VII, led by Regional Director
Olivia M. Luces, turned over various
search and rescue equipment to the
Armed Forces Central Command at
their Headquarters in Camp Lapu-lapu,
Cebu City on 16 July 2014.
The equipment included life locator,
thermal imager, snake camera, diving
tanks, diving fins, wet suits, buoyancy
compensator
device
regulator,
spreader cutter and underwater
camera. The turnover is expected to
enhance the interoperability between
OCD and AFP in responding to various
disasters at the regional level.
The turnover also culminates the
holding of the Joint Simulation Exercise
on Humanitarian Assistance and
Disaster Response held on 14-16 July
2014/ (Tashuana Alemania)
OCD Holds Provincial DRRM
Summits in Region VII
OCD VII conducted the Provincial
Summits on Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management (DRRM) for Local
Chief Executives (LCEs) for the four
provinces of the Region on July 2014.

Members of the RDRRMC pose with

Usec Alexander P. Pama during the
Provincial Summit for Iloilo.

First to conduct their Summit was

Bohol, which was held at Bohol Tropics
Resort, Tagbilaran City on 3-4 July
2014. On 9-11 July, Negros Orientals
event was held at Plaza Maria Luis
Suites in Dumaguete City while Cebus
Summit was held at the Cebu

ROSS THE NATION

Provincial Social Hall on 21-22 July
2014. Last to conduct the activity was
Siquijor which was held at the
Salagdoong Beach Resort on 24-25
July 2014.
The Summit aim to enhance the LCEs
knowledge and new trends in DRRM.
More than five hundred attended the
events among them were Governors,
Mayors, Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management
Officers,
Planning
Officers as well as members of the
Provincial DRRM Council.(Tashuana
Alemania)

OCD VIII

A participant explains the hazards

present in their area during the
CBDRRM Orientation in Leyte.
OCD VIII, UNDP Partner for
Community-based DRRM
OCD VIII and the United Nations
Development
Program
jointly
conducted
a
Community-based
Disaster
Risk
Reduction
and
Management Orientation for select
Barangay
DRRM
Committees
(BDRRMC) on 5-6 August 2014.
At the end of the day, your output will
be translated into actions. So,
whatever output you have will affect
the members of your community, OCD
VIII Regional Director Blanche T.
Gobenciong said in her opening
message.
The participants were educated on key
DRRM concepts including roles and
responsibilities
of
BDRRMC
as
mandated by Republic Act 10121, and
activities that can be undertaken in the
barangay-level to mitigate against
hazards that threatens the area.

On 9-12 September 2014, OCD

personnel and representatives from
Local DRRM Offices, attended a
Community-based DRRM Training
organized by UNDP, the Department of
Interior and Local Government, the
Provincial Government of Eastern
Samar, and the City of Borongan.
(OCD VIII)

OCD X

OCD VIII Conducts RDANA in the

Aftermath of TY Glenda
The Regional DRRM Council VIII,
under the leadership of OCD VIII
Regional
Director
Blanche
T.
Gobenciong,
deployed
a
Rapid
Damage Assessment and Needs
Analysis (RDANA) Teams to areas
affected by Typhoon Glenda on 15 July
2014.
The composites teams were composed
of specialists and personnel from OCD
and the Departments of Agriculture
(DA), Education (DepED), Interior and
Local Government (DILG), Health
(DOH), and Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD). The United
Nations Office on Coordination of
Humanitarian Assistance (UN OCHA)
joined the deployment to Northern
Samar, Eastern Samar and Samar
Provinces as observers
The RDANA teams mission was to
assess the extent of damage caused
by the typhoon, and the emerging
requirements that needs to be
addressed immediately. The results
were also presented to the RDRRMC
Technical Working Group on 27 July
2014 to plan the governments actions
and interventions. (OCD VIII)

Members of the Rapid Damage

Assessment and Needs Analysis Team
meet prior to deployment.

Community stakeholders gather during

the consultative meeting on PostSendong rehabilitation projects.
OCD X Leads Consultations on
Post-Sendong Rehabilitation
OCD X, led by Regional Director Ana
C. Caeda, in cooperation with the
Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH) and Cagayan de
Oro City DRRM Council (CDRRMC)
presided over the Pre-Construction
Consultative
Conference
for
Stakeholders at the Carmen Barangay
Hall in Cagayan de Oro City on 26
August 2014.
The participants were composed of
community leaders and families who
will be affected by the reconstruction
and rehabilitation a Flood Control
Project that was severely damaged by
the flashfloods at the height of Tropical
Storm Sendong (International Name:
Washi) in December 2011. The project
is one of several that will be funded by
the National Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Fund, to mitigate
communities against the threats of
flashfloods.
Prior to the consultation, OCD,
CDRRMC and DPWH met for a
coordination meeting on the project at
the DPWH Office on 19 August 2014.
The meeting aims to look for a
mechanism
to
compensate
the
projected one hundred fourteen (114)
families and business establishments
that will be affected by the said project.
At the end fo the meeting, a negotiation
team was formed to ensure that the
consultation
and
compensation
process will be planned well and
implemented efficiently. (Titus Velez)

13

CIVIL DEFENSE AC
OCD X Conducts ICS Training
for Disaster Preparedness

OCD XI

OCD X provided technical assistance

on the conduct of Basic Incident
Command System (ICS) Training for
the Municipality of Baungon, Bukidnon
at Hotel Koresco, Pueblo de Oro Golf
Estates in Cagayan de Oro City on 1719 September 2014.

OCD XI Hosts Mindanaos

Review of RA 10121

ICS is a standard on-scene, all hazard

incident management concept. It
allows its users to adopt an integrated
organizational structure to match the
complexities and demands of single or
multiple incidents without being
hindered by jurisdictional boundaries. It
is a non-permanent structure that is
only activated in response to disasters
or emergencies. (Titus Velez)

OCD XI hosted the Mindanao Cluster

Sunset
Review
and
Revision
Workshop on the Implementing Rules
and Regulations of Republic Act
10121, otherwise known as the
Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Act of 2010. The
workshops were held on 26-27 August
2014 at the Apo View Hotel, Davao
City.
The workshop aims to examine
concerns and validate issues related to
the scheduled review of RA 10121 in
2015. The workshop outputs will be
submitted to National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council
(NDRRMC) Chairperson and Secretary
of National Defense Voltaire T.
Gazmin, who in turn will present it to
the
Congressional
Oversight
Committee for the possible revision of
the law. (OCD XI)
OCD, UNDP Partner for
Benchmarking TY Pablo

OCD personnel pose for a souvenir

photo during the Mindanao-wide
TreeVolution event.
OCD Participates in TreeVolution
OCD X, led by Regional Director Ana
C. Caeda supported and participated
in the Mindanao-wide TreeVolution:
GreeningMindaNow at Malaybalay City
on 25 September 2014.
TreeVolution is a tree growing activity
which aims to break Indias Guinness
World record for having the most
number
of
trees
planted
simultaneously. It aims to plant
simultaneously 4.6 million tree saplings
in at least 28 areas across Mindanao. It
also aims to re-green Mindanao,
contributing to the enhancement of its
ecosystem, increasing its energy
security, agro-forestry productivity, job
opportunities, improved quality of life
and furthering our climate resiliency.
(Titus Velez)

14

OCD in partnership with the United

Nations Development Program (UNDP)
conducted the Risk from Natural
Hazards and Climate Change DRRM/
CCA Policies Standardization Project
on 3-5 September 2014, with the
municipalities badly hit by Typhoon
Pablo in 2012.
The three-day activity aimed at
gathering input from participants on

projects that can be undertaken two

years after the typhoon devastated the
municipalities of Boston, Cateel and
Baganga in Davao Oriental.
The activity included an in-depth
analysis of the best practices and
challenges
encountered
in
implementing
rehabilitation
and
recovery efforts. (OCD XI)

OCD ARMM

People evacuate using banca during

the Flood Drill held in Maguindanao
Province on September 2014.
OCD Facilitates
Flood Simulation Exercise
OCD ARMM, together with the Local
DRRM Councils, the Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT),
Community
Organizer
Multiversity
(COM), and 2nd Scout Ranger
Battalion of the Philippine Army
conducted a Flood Drill and Simulation
Exercise in Maguindanao.
The events were held in Northern
Kabuntalan and Mother Kabuntalan on
6 September 2014, and at General
Salipa K. Pendatun and Paglat on 15
September 2014. The drill aims to test
and enhance the preparedness and
response mechanism of the local
government units. (Amier Ashan Aplal)
OCD Conducts Basic ICS
in Muslim Mindanao

Participants listen to Regional Director

Loreto G. Rirao during the
benchmarking activity for TY Pablo.

OCD ARMM, together with the ARMM

DRRM Council and in partnership with
the International Organization for
Migration (IOM) and United Nations
High Commissioner on Refugees,
conducted a Basic Incident Command
(ICS) Training for DRRM Officers.

ROSS THE NATION

The Provinces of Basilan, Sulu and
Tawi-tawi participated in the training
held at the Grand Orchid Hotel on 1820 August 2014. The training aims to
educate the DRRMOs on the
importance of the ICS as a tool in
enhancing their emergency response
mechanism. (Amier Ashan Aplal)

OCD CARAGA
OCD Facilitates
Courses on ICS

OCD Conducts Trainings and Drills

to Private Companies in Caraga
OCD CARAGA conducted an Basic
Emergency Preparedness Orientation
Seminar and Emergency Response
Training on August 2014 to personnel
of Pacific Nickel of the Philippines, Inc.
These activities aim to make people
aware of the various hazards they are
facing so they can be mobilized during
emergencies and disasters.

In related news, OCD CARAGA also

facilitated Earthquake Drill of the
The Regional Incident Management
Development Bank of the Philippines
Team (RIMT) led by OCD CARAGA
Butuan Branch on 12 September 2014.
facilitated the conduct of trainings
(OCD CARAGA)
Incident Command System (ICS)
Courses in Caraga Region on the third
quarter on the year.
OCD CARAGA conducted the training
for Surigao del Surs Tandag City,
Bislig City, and the municipalities of
San Miguel, Barob, Carrascal and San
Agustin. Training were also conducted
in the Province of Agusan del Norte,
Province of Dinagat Islands and
Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.
It is very important to establish the ICS
system in the regional level down to
the provincial, municipal and barangay
level so that government agencies will
be guided as to when and how they will
respond in case of an emergency or
disaster. This is to ensure that disaster
operations are efficient and are
professionally
managed,
OCD
CARAGA Regional Director Liza R.
Mazo said. (OCD CARAGA)

Participants listen to Regional Director

Susana M. Cruz during the conduct of
ICS Course for Army Engineers.
OCD Conducts DRRM Training for
PAGIBIG FUND
OCD NCR conducted Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Training
for the Regional and Central Office
personnel of PAGIBIG FUND on 29-30
September 2014 in Makati City.
The training which was participated by
seventy five personnel aims to
enhance their level of awareness on
hazards and disasters.

Participants demonstrate first aid

procedure during the training
conducted with private businesses.

OCD CAR
OCD Deploys RDANA Team
to Apayao and Kalinga
OCD CAR deployed Rapid Damage
Assessment and Needs Analysis
(RDANA) teams on 16 September
2014 to Kalinga and Apayao at the
wake of Tropical Storm Luis.
OCD CAR Regional Director Andrew
Alex H. Uy emphasized the importance
of RDANA in identifying the urgent
needs and prescribe priorities for
response and early recovery actions.

Regional Director Liza R. Mazo

addresses the participants duing the
conduct of Integrated Planning on ICS.

OCD NCR

Specialists in the field of engineering,

agriculture, social work and civil
defense travelled to the affected areas
to assist the Local Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council
in conducting their assessment. (OCD
CAR)

OCD NCR Regional Director Susana

M. Cruz, one of the resource speakers,
emphasized the importance of
capability building and contingency
planning. (Edna Conda)
OCD NCR Conducts Basic ICS
Course for Military Engineers
OCD NCR facilitated the conduct of the
Basic Incident Command System (ICS)
Course for the Disaster Response
Team of 525th Engineering Battalion of
the Philippine Army at Camp Atienza,
Libis, Quezon City. The activity aims to
strengthen their response capabilities
and educate them on the importance of
the Incident Command System.
Lt Col Gilbert Conde, Battalion
Commander, in his remarks expressed
his appreciation to OCD NCR for the
support and assistance extended in the
conduct of the training. He reiterated
that ICS will help ensure an effective
on-scene
disaster
management
system. (Edna Conda)

15

Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

OCD Partners with LGUs in Crafting

DRRM and Contingency Plans
The Office of Civil Defense Regional
Offices facilitated the crafting of Local
Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management (LDRRM) and
Contingency Plans during the third
quarter of the year for various local
government units (LGUs) in their
respective regions.

attended by fifty-two (52) participants

and was held at Madri Monte Beach
Resort, Bansud, Oriental Mindoro on
22-24 September 2014.The workshop
aims to educate the participants
analyzing hazards and situations, and
in organizing timely, effective and
appropriate responses to such events.

The drafting of LDRRMPs is in

compliance with Republic Act 10121 or
the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Act of 2010, which
mandates the LGUs to formulate and
implement a comprehensive and
integrated LDRRMP. Contingency
Plans on the other hand, outlines the
local government actions based on the
risks posed by specific hazards to the
community.

In the Visayas, OCD VII spearheaded

a series of Contingency Plan
Formulation Workshop starting with
Negros Oriental on 17-19 September
2014, Municipality of Dauis in Bohol on
22-24 September 2014, and Cebu
Province on 23-25 September 2014.
The Contigency Planning in Negros
Oriental focused on flooding, while the
Bohol and Cebu plans are on tropical
cyclones.

In Luzon, OCD III led by Josefina T.

Timoteo facilitated the LDRRM
Planning Workshop of San Jose del
Monte City in Bulacan and Aurora
Province on 2-3 July and 22-23 July
2014 respectively, with a total of one
hundred sixty nine (169) council
members and barangay captains
attending the events. On 10-11
September 2014, OCD also facilitated
the finalization of Auroras LDRRMP.

OCD VIII, in partnership with the

United Nations Development
Programme, conducted Contingency
Plan Formulation Workshop for the
eight municipalities of the Province of
Biliran on 18-20 August 2014.

OCD IV-B, under the leadership of

Regional Director Eugene Cabrera,
conducted Contingency Plan
Formulation Workshop for the
Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction
Management Committees of Bansud,
Oriental Mindoro. The workshop was

Participants attend a plenary session

during the Local Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Planning
Workshop of Aurora Province on 22-23
July 2014. (OCD III)

16

A participant explains the Community

Map crafted during the LDRRM Plan
Formulation Workshop in San Agustin,
Surigao del Sur on 21-23 July 2-14.
(OCD CARAGA)

OCD ARMM together with the Province

of Maguindano and United Nations
World Food Programme, conducted a

Contingency Planning TrainingWorkshop for the municipalities of

Sultan sa Barongis, Pagalungan,
General Salipada K. Pendatun and
Datu Paglas on 1-5 September 2014 at
Ginalyn Resort in Tacurong City. The
activity aims to provide the participants
with skills in formulating Contingency
Plans. (Noel H. Mapalo with reports
from OCD III, OCD IV-B, OCD VII,
OCD VIII, OCD CARAGA and OCD
ARMM)

A speaker shares her insight during the

Contingency
Planning
TrainingWorkshop for the municipalities of
Maguindano
Province
on
1-5
September 2014. (OCD ARMM)

Participants attend group sessions

during the Contingency Plan
Formulation Workshop for the eight
municipalities of Biliran Province on 1820 August 2014.

In Mindanao, OCD CARAGA also

conducted a series of LDRRMP
Formulation Workshops for San
Agustin and Carrascal, both in Surigao
del Sur on 21-23 July 2014 and 1-2
September 2014 respectively, and
Municipality of Dinagat in Dinagat
Islands on 2-4 September 2014.

Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Communities Participate in Community-based

Earthquake and Tsunami Drills
The Office of Civil Defense, in
partnership with Local Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Councils
(LDRRMC) and other government
agencies, organized Earthquake and
Tsunami Drills in coastal areas on the
third quarter of 2014. The drills aimed
to test the evacuation and response
plans of the local communities in case
an earthquake followed by a tsunami
occurred.
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council IV-A,
headed by OCD Regional Director
Vicente F. Tomazar, conducted an
Earthquake and Tsunami Drill at the
coastal Barangays of Mabacong, Isla
Verde and Pagkilatan in Batangas City
on 13 July 2014.
The drill tested the communities
Tsunami Early Warning Systems and
emphasized on timely evacuation of
the residents to safe zones. After the
drill, a dialogue and evaluation session
between the local leaders and
evaluators were held to further improve
the communities preparedness and
response plan for tsunamis.

Government workers put up a Tsunami Warning Signage prior to the holding of a

Tsunami Drill jointly organized by OCD, PHIVOLCS and the local government of
Gonzaga, Cagayan on 7 September 2014. (OCD II)
In Gonzaga, Cagayan, more than
1,000 residents of Barangay Batangan
participated in the Tsunami Drill
organized by OCD II in partnership with
the local government and Philippine
Institute
of
Volcanology
and
Seismology on 7 September 2014.

other safe evacuation centers to

accommodate other evacuees from
other barangays.

In observance of the National Disaster

Consciousness Month, OCD I in
coordination with the LDRRMC and
Philippine National Police of San
Fernando City, La Union, conducted a
Manila
Trench
Earthquake
and
Tsunami Drill in fourteen barangays on
22 July 2014, with Barangay Ilocanos
Sur as the pilot area.

According to OCD Regional Director

Norma C. Talosig, the drill is very
important in equipping the communities
and LGU on how to respond during a
tsunami. She appreciated the initiative
of the community especially in using
their own vehicles during evacuation.
She also recommended identifying

In Mindanao, OCD-ARMM together

with the LDRRMC of Basilan Province
and Lamitan City conducted an
Earthquake and Tsunami Evacuation
Drill at Barangay Kulaybato, a coastal
community in Lamitan City, Basilan on
22-25 September 2014. The drill aim to
enhance the communitys tsunami
response plan (Noel H. Mapalo with
reports from Renzie Ivan Costales,
Amier Ashan Aplal, OCD II and OCD
IV-A)

Residents evacuate the coastal area

during the Tsunami Drill participated in
by fourteen barangays of San
Fernando City, La Union on 22 July
2014. (OCD I)

OCD IV-A Regional Director delivers

his message during the Tsunami Drill
held in the barangays of Mabacong,
Isla Verde and Pagkilatan in Batangas
City on 13 July 2014. (OCD IV-A)

A Civil Defense Officer instructs

disaster responders during the
Tsunami Drill
held in the coastal
barangays in Lamitan City, Basilan on
24-25 September 2014. (OCD ARMM)

17

Office of Civil Defense

OCD Celebrates Civil Service Month,

Awards Model Supervisor and Employee
The Office of Civil Defense culminated
the 114th Civil Service Anniversary
celebration by honoring its 2014 Model
Supervisor and Employee on 29
September 2014 in Camp General
Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Under the theme Tapat na Serbisyo
Alay Ko Dahil Lingkod Bayani Ako,
Model Supervisor OCD V Regional
Director Bernardo Rafaelito R.
Alejandro IV and Model Employee
Ronald L. Villa, Civil Defense Officer
of OCD II first received their awards
from Department of National Defense
(DND) Undersecretary Honorio S.
Azcueta after the Flag-Raising
Ceremony at the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) General
Headquarters Canopy.
In behalf of DND Secretary Voltaire T.
Gazmin, Usec. Azcueta enjoined the
employees to emulate the example of
this years awardees and continue the
legacy of the department as an
esteemed institution.
Bilang bahagi ng Kagawaran ng
Tanggulang Pambansa na Pitumputlimang Taong Sandigan ng
Mamamayan, Tapat na Naglilingkod sa

OCD officials and employees pose for

a photo after the conduct of Incident
Command System (ICS) Executive
Course on 30 July 2014 at the
NDRRMC
Conference
Room
Operations Center in Camp General
Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. ICS is
an on-scene disaster management
system that the country uses for its
search and rescue missions, recovery
operations,
and
distribution
of
humanitarian assistance.

18

(From left) OCD V Regional Director Bernardo Rafaelito R. Alejandro IV, 2014
Model Supervisor Awardee, and Civil Defense Officer Ronald L. Villa of OCD II,
2014 Model Employee Awardee.
Bayan, ang ating mga kawani at
katuwang sa pagtataguyod at
pagpapahusay ng serbisyo publiko,
Azcueta said.

at the OCD Administration Building

Lobby.

After the awarding, OCD Administrator

Alexander P. Pama led the awarding of
the cash prizes to the OCD awardees

Director Alejandro was cited for

showing high level of excellence and
professionalism in his work as
Regional Director of OCD V, and for
leading humanitarian missions in 2013
to areas devastated by severe
monsoon rains, the Bohol Earthquake
and Typhoon Yolanda (International
Name: Haiyan). Villa was honored for
his dedication, diligence and
professionalism as Training Facilitator
and Support Staff of Regional DRRM
Operations Center. (Noel H. Mapalo)

Representatives from government and

international agencies participate on
the Evaluation Workshop of the
National Disaster Response Plan
(NDRP) on 31 July 2014 at the
NDRRMC
Conference
Room
Operations Center in Camp General
Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The
NDRP aims to organize the countrys
response to disasters, and was crafted
with assistance from the Japan
International Cooperation Agency.

Metro Manila Development Authority

Chairman Francis Tolentino receives a
Plaque of Appreciation from NDRRMC
Executive
Director
and
OCD
Administrator Usec Alexander P. Pama
at the end of the Symposium on
Disaster Preparedness held during the
Asian Defense and Security Exhibit.
Chairman Tolentino was one of the
speakers in the symposium held on 18
July 2014 at the World Trade Center in
Pasay City.

The department also honored Model

Supervisors and Employees from the
DND Proper, AFP, Philippine Veterans
Affairs Offices, Veterans Memorial
Medical Center, National Defense
College of the Philippines, and
Government Arsenal.

Awareness and Preparedness

Tsunami
Tsunami is a series of sea waves
commonly generated by under-the-sea
earthquakes and whose heights could
be greater than five meters. It is
erroneously called tidal waves and
sometimes mistakenly associated with
storm surges. Tsunamis can occur
when the earthquake is shallow-seated
and strong enough to displace parts of
the seabed and disturb the mass of
water over it.
The most devastating tsunamis
witnessed by this generation are the
2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and
Tsunami that claimed an estimated
230,000 lives from fourteen countries
on 26 December 2004, and the 2011
Great East Japan Earthquake that
killed more than 15,000 on 11 March
2011.
In the Philippines, the 7.9 magnitude
Moro Gulf Earthquake which happened
on 17 August 1976 produced a local
tsunami which affected western part of
Mindanao. National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Councils
records listed 3,792 dead with many
more declared missing.

BEFORE
Earthquakes and tsunamis cannot be
prevented, but people can prepare for
them. If you are living in a coastal area,
be aware of the dangers posed by
tsunami.
Consult with authorities to check if
the area has historical or potential
threat from tsunamis.
Learn about the emergency
evacuation procedures in your
community or workplace.
Participate in community drills.
DURING
There are three natural signs of an
incoming tsunami.
An earthquake that is strong
enough to be felt.
Sudden drop or rise of sea water
level.
Roaring sound of strong waves.

For more information and

tips on preparing for
hazards and disasters,
download and watch the

Project DINA Videos

(Disaster Information for
Nationwide Awareness)

Available Videos

If the above signs are present (for

locally-generated tsunami):
Immediately evacuate away from
the shore or move to higher
grounds.
Keep boats away from the dock,
shore and shallow part of the sea.
Fishermen whose boats are
already out in the seas should stay
in deep waters as tsunamis in
those parts are not very high.
If government authorities alerted the
public of an impending distant tsunami
(tsunami generated away from the
country), following actions are
expected:
Listen to local leaders advise on
when to and where to evacuate.
If advised to evacuate, do so
immediately and bring your
emergency kit with you.
AFTER
Do not go back to the shore or your
place of work until proper authorities
gave the all clear advise.

Location of 1976 magnitude 7.9 Moro

Gulf Earthquake.

(Noel H. Mapalo. References:

PHILVOLCS Website and Science for
Safer Communities posters.)

Project DINA Videos

can be downloaded for FREE
from www.ocd.ndrrmc.gov.ph
For more information, email us
at ocdpao@gmail.com

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