Office of Civil Defense (OCD) - is an organization within the Philippines' Department of National

Defense (DND) and serves as the implementing arm of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC).

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) typically serves as a central entity or agency within a Disaster
Assistance and Response Team. In this context, the OCD is critical in coordinating, planning, and
implementing disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

Pre-disaster
The pre-disaster phase is crucial for minimizing earthquake impacts by preparing communities,
infrastructure, and response teams. Here are the OCD responses or preparedness for pre-disaster for
earthquake as part of the cluster DART.

A. Identify earthquake-prone areas and assess vulnerability.

- OCD is the one that conducts research and assessments to pinpoint areas most prone to seismic
activity.
B. Develop emergency response plans, including evacuation routes and shelter locations.
- OCD is the one that creates comprehensive evacuation plans, identifies shelter locations, and
organizes resources for a swift response to an earthquake.
C. Conduct drills and training for response teams and the public.
- OCD conducts drills and training not only for emergency response teams like firefighters,
medical personnel, and volunteers but also exercises and training for drills and awareness
campaigns for the general public to educate them about earthquake safety measures and
evacuation procedures.
D. Educate the public about earthquake safety measures.
E. Distribute information on what to do before, during, and after an earthquake.
F. Enforce building codes to ensure structural resilience against earthquakes.
- The OCD enforces building codes to ensure seismic safety, regularly inspects existing
infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities, and upgrades structures to enhance their resilience
against seismic activity.
G. Regularly inspect and retrofit critical infrastructure for better seismic resilience.

During disaster
Each of these actions is crucial in managing the immediate aftermath of an earthquake, ensuring a
coordinated, rapid, and effective response to minimize casualties and provide essential assistance to
affected communities.

A. Activate emergency response teams and crisis management mechanisms.

- The OCD reorganized trained emergency response teams and initiated pre-established crisis
management protocols to coordinate efforts.
B. Conduct search and rescue operations and provide immediate medical aid.
- Search and Rescue operations deploy trained teams to locate and rescue individuals trapped in
debris or collapsed structures, utilizing specialized equipment and techniques.
 - While Medical Assistance offers immediate medical aid to the injured, setting up temporary
medical stations and triaging to prioritize treatment.
C. Guide affected populations to safe areas or designated shelters.
- The OCD directs affected individuals and communities to safe zones or predetermined shelters,
ensuring their safety and providing temporary accommodations.
D. Ensure people know safety measures like "Drop, Cover, and Hold On."
- The OCD promotes safety procedures among affected populations, emphasizing "Drop, Cover,
and Hold On" to protect themselves against falling debris and injury during tremors.
E. Maintain communication channels between response teams, local authorities, and relevant
agencies.
- The OCD fosters strong communication among response teams, local authorities, and relevant
agencies to facilitate information sharing, coordination of efforts, and resource allocation.
F. Coordinate resources and support from neighboring regions or international organizations if
needed.
- The OCD works closely with neighboring regions or international organizations to mobilize
additional resources, support, or expertise for an effective disaster response.

Post-Disaster

This phase is crucial for transitioning from immediate response to long-term recovery and resilience-
building, aiming to restore communities, infrastructure, and services while learning from past
experiences to improve future disaster preparedness and response plans.

A. Assess the damage and prioritize recovery efforts.

- The OCD evaluates the earthquake's destruction across infrastructure, housing, utilities, and
public services, identifying critical areas requiring immediate attention and prioritizing them
based on their urgency and community impact.
B. Begin debris removal and restoration of essential services.
- The OCD focuses on debris removal, reconstruction efforts, and restoring essential services like
electricity, water, sanitation, and communication networks to support recovery.
C. Provide psychosocial support to affected individuals.
- The OCD provides mental health services and psychosocial support to individuals and
communities affected by disasters, implementing programs to help them cope and recover from
the psychological impact of the disaster.
D. Initiate plans for reconstruction and long-term rehabilitation of affected areas.
- The OCD has developed comprehensive plans for rebuilding damaged infrastructure, homes,
and public facilities, implementing long-term rehabilitation strategies to restore normalcy and
enhance resilience against future disasters.
E. Document the lessons learned and assess the effectiveness of the response.
- The OCD evaluates the response phase's effectiveness, identifying strengths and weaknesses
and assessing the effectiveness of the response to inform future disaster response strategies.
6. Update and improve disaster response plans based on the experience gained.
- The OCD will utilize the lessons learned and assessment outcomes to enhance disaster response
plans, incorporating best practices and adjusting strategies for more efficient future responses.
XI.Plan Sustainability
- Plan sustainability in disaster management involves ongoing efforts to ensure that disaster plans
remain effective and adaptable to changing circumstances.

1. Documentation and Evaluation:

- Maintain thorough documentation of disaster events, responses, and outcomes.

 Maintain comprehensive records of past disasters, their responses, and outcomes, including
data on impact, effectiveness, resources used, and challenges encountered.

- Conduct post-disaster evaluations to identify strengths and areas for improvement in the
disaster plan.

 Thoroughly evaluate post-disaster actions to identify strengths and areas for improvement
within the disaster plan, aiming to review the response actions critically.

2. Regular Review and Revision of Plans:

- Establish a process for regular review and update of the disaster plan to incorporate lessons
learned and changes in community dynamics.

 A structured process for regularly reviewing and updating a disaster plan is recommended,
involving assessments to ensure relevance and effectiveness. Post-disaster evaluations and
experiences should be integrated into the plan, with adjustments reflecting past disaster
insights to improve future response strategies.