OBJECTIVE

TO ORIENT THE STUDENT

OF WHAT IS DISASTER
RELIEF AND RESCUE
OPERATION
• BACKGROUND
• ORGANIZATION
• ROLE OF AFP IN DISASTER RESPONSE AND BASIC
EVACUATION PROCEDURES.
• Issues, Challenges, and Lessons Learned in Civil-
Military Coordination
BACKGROUND
• The Philippines is situated in the Circum-Pacific
belt, or the Ring of Fire, of the Asia Pacific
Region, making it prone to natural disasters
such as earthquakes and typhoons. Through
out the course of the country’s history, the
Filipinos have been subjected to the ill effects
of natural disasters. The ocean and seas which
surround the country, while providing wide
avenues for international trade and commerce
and a source of tremendous marine resources,
also serve as spawning areas of destructive
typhoons and monsoons.
Figure1c. Circum-Pacific Rim ( Ring of Fire )
Tectonic Map of the
Philippines showing the
different trenches,
Philippine
troughs and faults, and Trench
plate direction. These
are the identified
earthquake generators.
The Ring of Fire is an area of high volcanic activity due to
shifts along the fault line. The red triangles refer to known
volcanoes and the yellow circles to known earthquakes. The
orange line shows a convergent boundary in the earth's crust;
this is where two plates are coming together.
 BACKGROUND cont.
• From mid-November to early December 2004,
the country was visited by a series of typhoons
and tropical depressions. In a span of three
weeks, typhoons “Unding” and “Yoyong”,
Tropical Depression “Winnie”, and Tropical
Storm “Violeta” caused massive landslides and
flash floods resulting in widespread
destruction, particularly in the eastern coast of
the main island of Luzon. Deaths and injuries
were recorded at an all-time high with 1,060
casualties reported and with property damage
reaching more than 7 billion pesos.
 BACKGROUND cont.
• The heavily-affected areas were covered with a
thick layer of mud, fallen trees, and logs. All
modes of transportation were paralyzed for
several days, making it impossible for
government and non-governmental agencies to
conduct immediate relief and rescue
operations. This series of typhoons and tropical
depressions was unprecedented in the
country’s disaster management history.
 BACKGROUND cont.
• The complexity of the response needed during
the natural disaster went almost beyond the
local and even the national government’s
coping capability. Several municipalities were
isolated for weeks. Access to land
transportation was impossible, which
hampered a thorough analysis of the situation
and the conduct of needs assessment. Military
and private helicopters and boats were utilized
to shuttle in food, drinking water, and relief
supplies, and to evacuate the injured.
 BACKGROUND cont.
• Emergency rehabilitation activities were
required to immediately restore life-
sustaining services. Continued relief
assistance was needed, particularly in
remote and inaccessible areas. The
disruption of access to safe drinking water and
the breakdown of waste management and the
risk of outbreaks of water-borne diseases due
to decaying corpses threatened the health of
survivors.
 BACKGROUND cont.
• During these trying events, the Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP), in coordination with
civilian government agencies and institutions,
responded vigorously and effectively to
alleviate the plight of the affected population by
conducting immediate rescue and relief
operations, and clearing operations to restore
lifelines, as well as by conducting
reconstruction and rehabilitation operations.
 BACKGROUND cont.
• It may be said that the AFP, despite its limited
resources, has established a tradition of
excellence in disaster response in particular,
and in humanitarian operations in general.
• The AFP has consistently shown its steadfast
commitment to protecting and promoting the
welfare and well-being of the Filipino people.
ORGANIZATION
 Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Management
• The vital role of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines in the field of disaster management
takes root from the provision in the 1987
Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines
(Article II, Declaration of Principles and State
Policies, Section 3) which states:
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is
the protector of the people and the State. Its
goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State
and the integrity of the national territory.”
Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Management cont.
• The above provision indicates that one of the
mandated roles of the AFP is to serve as the
protector of the people.
• The realization of this provision is best
exemplified in times of major catastrophe in
which the AFP, along with civilian government
agencies and institutions, undertake activities
aimed at saving lives, preventing needless
suffering, protecting property, and minimizing
damages during disasters and calamities.
Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Management cont.
• In order to fully realize the AFP’s role as protector of
the people, the AFP, through its Chief-of-Staff, is
made a member of the National Disaster Coordinating
Council (NDCC), a civilian-dominated body tasked to
establish disaster management policies and
guidelines.
• The NDCC, a collegial body composed of the major
departments under the Executive Branch, also
advises the President of the Republic of the
Philippines on the status of disaster preparedness
programs and the disaster operations and
rehabilitation efforts undertaken by the government
and the private sector.
Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Management cont.
• In order to become an effective member of the NDCC,
the AFP leadership issued Standing Operating
Procedure (SOP) Number 15, otherwise known as
AFP Calamities and Disaster Preparedness Plan,
issued on 11 December 1995.
• This SOP sets forth the AFP Calamities and Disaster
Preparedness Plan and prescribes the creation of
AFP Disaster Response Task Force, including the
general guidelines and tasks to be undertaken by AFP
units in times of disaster and calamities in support to
the NDCC.
Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Management cont.
• The SOP ensures the full utilization of AFP civil
assistance capability in search, rescue, relief,
and rehabilitation operations and in civil
reconstruction and development activities.
• Thus, disaster response and relief operations
are an inherent mission of the AFP units,
particularly infantry and other territorial
commands.
Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Management cont.
The AFP, through its Disaster Response Task Force,
assists the NDCC in the conduct of search, rescue,
relief, and rehabilitation operations and in the conduct
of reconstruction and development activities. Its major
functions are to:
(a) establish communication linkages for purposes of
conducting disaster-relief operations;
(b) organize or create disaster-reaction units in all
military camps/bases, ready for deployment during
disasters;
(c) provide medical assistance to calamities/disaster-
affected victims;
Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Management cont.
Its major functions are to: cont.
(d) provide land, air, or sea transport facilities
for the rapid delivery of relief supplies and
personnel, and for necessary evacuation of
disaster victims;
(e) assist the Philippine National Police in
providing security coverage in disaster-
stricken areas; and
(f) Assist in the reconstruction of damaged
national and local roads and/or bridges and
other public facilities and utilities.
Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Management cont.
• The Disaster Response Task Force performs all these
functions in close coordination and cooperation with
other civilian agencies, including non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) and political organizations.
• Through the Task Force Commander, Disaster
Response Task Force coordinates its plans and
activities with the following:
– NDCC, regional disaster coordinating councils,
– Provincial disaster coordinating councils,
– City/municipal disaster coordinating councils, and
– The Barangay1 disaster coordinating councils.
Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Management cont.
• The Disaster Response Task Force has established
disaster coordinating centers in the different Area
Commands (military divisions based on geographical
locations) all over the Philippine archipelago.
• These disaster coordinating centers are often co-
located with regional disaster coordinating councils
and serve as the Disaster Response Task Force
Advance Command Post, which allows for a more
effective and efficient coordination between the
military and civilian organizations and facilitates
speedy decision-making.
Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Management cont.
• The AFP Disaster Response Task Force
undertakes important activities in all phases of
disaster management, i.e., pre-disaster,
disaster response, and post-disaster phases.
• The AFP Calamities and Disaster Preparedness
Plan prescribes and defines specific activities
the AFP units need to undertake in each phase
of a disaster, in order to generate better
working relationships with other actors in the
field.
Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Management cont.
• During the pre-disaster phase, the AFP Disaster
Response Task Force reviews and evaluates all
disaster management plans submitted by AFP
field units and ensures their compliance with
pertinent instructions and/or guidelines of the
AFP leadership and ensures their conformity
with the National Calamities and Disaster
Preparedness Plan prescribed by the NDCC. It
also formulates contingency plans and submits
them to the NDCC.
Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Management cont.
• It activates task groups in the major services
and AFP-wide Support and Services units and
Area Command disaster coordinating councils
and directs these task units to conduct training
in accordance with the provision of emergency
services in times of crisis/disaster, including
drills and exercises in coordination with
regional disaster coordinating councils.
Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Management cont.
• In coordination with the NDCC Office of Civil Defense,
the AFP Disaster Response Task Force disseminates
public information on disaster prevention, control,
and safety measures by distributing disaster
prevention and response manuals and handouts, as
well as audio-visual materials related to disaster
management.
• It likewise assists local disaster coordinating councils
and the local chapters of the national government
agencies in disseminating alerts and warning
messages to local communities.
Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Management cont.
• During the ‘emergency’ or ‘response’ phase, the AFP
regional disaster coordinating councils provide
emergency services such as:
– Search and rescue
– Engineering
– Evacuation
– First-aid and medical relief
– Police assistance/security coverage and
– Transportation services
– All in coordination with the local disaster councils and
the field offices of the different national agencies in the
affected areas.
Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Management cont.

• For instance, search and rescue is coordinated with

the Department of Transportation and
Communication through the Philippine Coast Guard.
• Engineering and clearing operations are often
conducted in coordination with the Department of
Public Works and Highways while medical relief
efforts are coordinated with the Department of Health,
as well as with NGOs and political organizations.
• Additionally, regional disaster coordinating councils
assist in providing emergency relief goods such as
food, housing, and clothing.
Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Management cont.
• The AFP Disaster Response Task Force also assists
in evacuation operations in coordination with disaster
coordinating councils, to bring victims of disasters or
potential victims of impending disasters to safer
areas.
• It provides air, land, and sea transportation to
transport relief goods, personnel, victims, and other
emergency supplies during disasters.
• It also conducts damage and needs assessment on
infrastructure, agriculture, aquatic resources, animal
life, and property.
Civil-Military Coordination in Disaster Management cont.
• During the post-disaster phase, the AFP
Disaster Response Task Force, in coordination
with local disaster councils, assesses and
determines the nature and extent of the
rehabilitation needs or requirements of the
affected area and population.
• It conducts inventory of available resources for
the rehabilitation and restoration, repair, and
construction of public buildings, roads,
bridges, dams, harbors, and other facilities
damaged during the disaster.
 ROLE OF AFP IN
DISASTER RESPONSE
AND BASIC EVACUATION
PROCEDURES
 The Roles of the Major Services in Disaster
Management
All the major services of the AFP organize task groups such
as:
(1) Engineering units;
(2) Medical and dental teams;
(3) Communication elements;
(4) Transportation elements;
(5) Security elements, and other units particular to each
major service.
The major services direct their respective field units to assist
the regional, provincial, municipal and Barangay disaster
coordinating councils within their respective areas of
responsibility in times of disaster and calamities.
The Roles of the Major Services in Disaster Management cont.
A.) Philippine Army
In coordination with the Department of Public
Works and Highways, the Engineering Brigades of the
Philippine Army provide vital support in the
restoration of destroyed public works, such as flood
control, waterworks, roads, bridges, power facilities,
and other public structures and utilities by providing:
(1) heavy and light equipment for rescue and
recovery operations;
(2) land transportation facilities to transport relief
supplies, personnel, and disaster victims and
make available communication facilities for
disaster-response operations; and
 The Roles of the Major Services in Disaster Management cont.
• A.) Philippine Army cont.
(3) assistance in disseminating warnings to
the public on impending breaches of dams.
In coordination with the National Housing
Authority and local government officials, the
Engineering Brigades of the Philippine Army
provide emergency or temporary housing to
disaster victims and assist in the
reconstruction of destroyed dwellings.
 The Roles of the Major Services in Disaster Management cont.
B.) Philippine Air Force
In coordination with the Department of
Transportation and Communication Air
Transportation Office, the Philippine Air Force
(1)undertakes aerial search and rescue operations;
(2) supervises immediate repair of damaged airports,
runways, and facilities;
(3) attends to inter-agency contingency planning and
execution of plan for air crashes outside airport
facilities, especially on built-up areas; and
 The Roles of the Major Services in Disaster Management cont.
B.) Philippine Air Force cont.
(4) prepares daily weather forecasts, typhoon
warnings, and flood outlooks in coordination with
the Philippine Atmospheric and Geo-physical and
Astronomical Services Administration.
• The Philippine Air Force facilitates entry of foreign
assistance, provides storage facilities, and assists in
the management and transport of assistance for
distribution to concerned government agencies:
– Food, clothing, shelter, and other basic needs
(Department of Social Welfare and Development);
– Medicines and medical equipment (Department of
Health);
– Agricultural assistance (Department of Agriculture);
The Roles of the Major Services in Disaster Management cont.
B.) Philippine Air Force cont.
– Construction materials and equipment (Department
of Public Works and Highways); and
– Educational materials and school facilities and
supplies (Department of Education, Culture, and
Sports).
C.) Philippine Navy
• In cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard, the
Philippine Navy conducts rescue operations at sea,
coordinates movement of rescue vessels, and
monitors the conduct of emergency operations. It
also assists in transporting relief goods and
personnel via sea lanes.
 Issues, Challenges, and Lessons Learned in
Civil-Military Coordination
• Continuous capability-building is a pre-
requisite of effective disaster management,
particularly effective disaster response.
• One of the challenges of civil-military
coordination in the Philippines is the frequent
turnover of personnel in the AFP and in its AFP
Disaster Response Task Force and disaster
coordinating centers.
• This poses tremendous adverse implications
on effective coordination for response.
Issues, Challenges, and Lessons Learned in
Civil-Military Coordination cont.
• The AFP likewise lacks standby funds for quick
response. While disaster management has been
integrated in the AFP’s functions and responsibilities,
funding support necessary for the effective
performance of these functions remains limited.
• This limitation includes the absence of protocols or
SOPs governing the release and reimbursement of
disaster-response operations costs.
• While the AFP has many assets which are being
utilized in the performance of its traditional mission
and functions and in disaster response, it lacks
equipment that is dedicated for disaster operations.
Issues, Challenges, and Lessons Learned in
Civil-Military Coordination cont.
• Limitations prevent the AFP from engaging in
prolonged disaster relief and response operations,
and should impel civilian institutions to further
upgrade their capabilities. AFP units have
traditionally played the role of first responders during
disasters.
• However, it is incumbent upon local government units
and civilian institutions to develop capabilities to
enable them to take greater roles in disaster
management.
Issues, Challenges, and Lessons Learned in
Civil-Military Coordination cont.
• Over-reliance on the AFP could adversely affect the
latter’s performance of its basic function, which is to
protect the country’s sovereignty and ensure the
integrity of the national territory.
• Moreover, in order to address the above-mentioned
limitations, the AFP should fast-track (i.e. give high
priority to) the training of reservists, and utilize them
for disaster management activities, to allow the
regular force to focus its attention and resources on
territorial defense.
Issues, Challenges, and Lessons Learned in
Civil-Military Coordination cont.
• Interoperability between the military and civilian
institutions is essential for effective and timely
response during disasters. It is important for the
military and civilian organizations to have a common
understanding of the language used in disaster
management.
• They should also have a common understanding of
the different methodologies and approaches being
used in disaster management, e.g., common
methodology for Damage and Needs Assessment.
Issues, Challenges, and Lessons Learned in
Civil-Military Coordination cont.
• In order to address the limitations brought by
frequent turnover of personnel in the AFP, it would be
helpful if civilian institutions, particularly the national
agencies, develop a pool of civil-military coordinators
who can facilitate smooth interfacing of civilian and
military personnel during response and rehabilitation
operations.
• Despite some limitations, civil-military coordination in
the Philippines has proven effective in saving
precious lives and in mitigating the sufferings of
victims of disasters. Several factors account for the
effective civil-military coordination.
Issues, Challenges, and Lessons Learned in
Civil-Military Coordination cont.
• The AFP field units are scattered all over the
Philippines, giving it wide reach and comprehensive
coverage for disaster management. Its structure
allows one-on-one correspondence with civilian
institutions, particularly with local disaster
coordinating councils.
• For instance, infantry division commanders have
become members of the regional disaster
coordinating councils, brigade commanders are
members of provincial disaster coordinating councils,
and the battalion commanders are members of city
and municipal disaster coordinating councils.
Issues, Challenges, and Lessons Learned in
Civil-Military Coordination cont.
• This organizational complementarities allows
effective and efficient coordination between the
civilian and military organizations.
• The NDCC and Office of Civil Defense are cognizant
of advantages and limitations of civil-military
coordination in the field of disaster management in
the Philippines. Deliberate efforts to address
limitations are currently being undertaken while the
advantages and the related opportunities offered by
such coordination are constantly being pursued, with
the end view of building a resilient population and
 Endnote
• 1 Barangay is the smallest and basic
political subdivision in the Philippines
similar to a sitio or village, usually
composed of 100 households.
 SUMMARY
• BACKGROUND
• ORGANIZATION
• ROLE OF AFP IN DISASTER RESPONSE AND BASIC
EVACUATION PROCEDURES.
• Issues, Challenges, and Lessons Learned in Civil-
Military Coordination