REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NORRMC Memo Circular No.4 8.2016 To | MEMBERS OF LOCAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT COUNCILS, MEMBERS OF REGIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND. MANAGEMENT COUNCILS, MEMBERS OF NATIONAL, DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT COUNCIL AND OTHER NATIONAL AND LOCAL, ) GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS CONCERNED SUBJECT RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DEAD AND MISSING PERSONS. DATE. 13 HAY 2016 4.0 Background In emergency or disaster management, most efforts are concentrated on the management of the living victims while very least considerations are given to the dead and the missing, Typhoon Yolanda (Halyan), the worst fever disaster that hit the country, reported a total of 6,200 deaths and 41,785 missing persons on 2013, Emergencies and disasters challenged the integrity of the government's existing disaster, management and response and in paricular, the policies and guidblines on the management of the dead and the missing (wom, ‘The government plays a cfitcal role in standardizing and guiding the tasks of handing dead bodies (etrieval, identification, and final disposal), together with the missing persons and the bereaved families ensuring that legal norms are followed and guaranteeing tha the dignity of the deceased and their families is respected in accordance with their cultural and religious beliefs. 2.0 Legal Bases ‘This Memorandum Circular is hereby promulgated based on the following legal provisions: 241 Section 4 of RA 10121 (Philippine Disaster Risk Recuction and Management Act, 2010)‘This Act provides for the development of policies and plens and the implementation of actions and measures pertaining to all aspects of disaster risk reduction and management, inclucing good ‘governance, risk assessment and early waming, knowledge building land awareness raising, reducing underying risk factors, and preparedness for effective response and early recovery. 2.2 Section 102 of RA 7160 (Local Government Code, 1981) ‘There shall be established a local health board in every province, city, or municipal. 2.3 Chapter XXI of Presidential Decree No. 856 (The Code on Sanitation of the Philippines, 1976) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations 2.4 Administrative Order No. 2007 ~ 0018 of the Department of Health (National Policy on the Management of the Dead and the Missing Persons During Emergencies and Disasters) 3.0 Purpose To institutionalize Management of the Dead and the Missing (MDM) by all concemed agencies and stakeholders during emergencies and disasters providing polices, standards, guidelines, systems and procedures: 3.1. To strengthen the coordination and collaboration among partner agencies and stakeholders of MOM at all levels; 32. To ensure an efficient, timely, and well-coordinated action in ‘managing the dead and the missing persons; and 3.3. To establish resource-sharing mechanisms among the Key players in the MOM. 4.0 Statement of Policy Itis the policy of the NDRRMC that 14.1, Dead persons ensuing from human-induced and natural calamities have to be found, retrieved, identified, and buried according to their religious and culturally acceptable norms, 4.2. The inherent dignity ofthe dead shall be observed at alltimes. 4.3. Handling of human remains from retrieval, identification and disposition must be carried out ina sanitary manner for the personal safely and protection of the responders and the general publ.4.4, The sending agencies, in coordination with other concemed agencies, shall prmarly consider the safety and physical security of responders and volunteers. 4.8. Information, education and communication campaign to inform the public that human remains of victims of natural disasters do not pose a risk of epidemic to the population. 4.8. The public shall be informed on the potential risks through Information, education and communication campaign. 47. Unidentified and unprocessed human. remains shall never be ‘cremated nor buried in mass graves. 4.8. Temporary storage faciities within standard for human remains shall be establshediprovided and prepositioned in appropriate locations. 4.9, Temporary burial sites shal be pre-identifed by LGUs. 14.10.Final disposition of dead bodies due to infectious diseases and ‘chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) shall be done in’ accordance with the DOH recommended guidelines and procedures. 4.11.MOM shall be integrated in the DRRM Plans of all concemed agencies, 4.12. Efficient, timely and effective coordination shall be observed among ‘and between all agencies and other stakeholders involved in MDM. 4.13.Information management system on the ante- and post-mortem data shall be developed and implemented, 4.14.Physiological, social, psychological, and medical needs, as well a5 ‘assistance in the processing of benefit claims of the bereaved families shall be attended to by the appropriate agencies, 4.15.MDM team. members must be technically adept, through development and establishment of training prograns, in the discharge oftheir functions during disasters. 4.18.TTe implementing partners shall designate primary and alternate {focal persons for consultative meetings on MDM. 4.17.Reporting, communication, and information shall be done accurately, systematically and responsibly.