DSWD as Vice-Chair for Disaster Response
The RA10121 places the DSWD as Vice Chair for “Disaster Response” or the “provision of emergency services and public assistance during or immediately after a disaster in order to save lives, reduce health impacts, ensure public safety and meet the basic subsistence needs of the people affected”. Disaster response is predominantly focused on immediate and short-term needs and is sometimes called “disaster relief.”
The DSWD’s mission is to “provide social protection and promote the rights and welfare of the poor, vulnerable, and disadvantage individuals, family and community to contribute to poverty alleviation and empowerment through social and welfare development (SWD) policies, programs, projects and services.”
The DSWD Field Office MIMAROPA has numerous experiences of calamities/disasters. Likewise, number of typhoons affect the Region yearly. Thus, there is a need to come up with a well-coordinated and institutionalized manual that would serve as guide for all DSWD Staff and disaster responder (QRT).
Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 reformed the Philippine Disaster Management and laid out the policy basis for strengthening the country’s risk reduction and management system. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) was constituted.
Under the Republic Act No. 5416 of 1968, known as the Social Welfare Act, the DSWD has mandate as a department to provide comprehensive program of social welfare services designed to ameliorate the living conditions of distressed Filipinos, particularly those who are handicapped by reason of poverty, youth, physical and mental disability, illness and old age, or who are victims of natural calamities including assistance to members of the cultural minorities.
Disaster Response Management Division
DRMD leads in the planning, coordination, and monitoring of all disaster response efforts including the provision of augmentation support to LGUs during disaster or calamity in the form of relief, rehabilitation, and recovery services in accordance with RA 10121, also known as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. It has three (3) sections namely, Disaster Response Information Management Section, Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Section, and Regional Resource Operations Section.
Disaster Response & Rehabilitation Section leads in the provision of disaster relief, rehabilitation, and recovery program, projects, and services at disaster-stricken local government units.
Disaster Response Information Management Section establishes and maintains database and ensures operationalization of DROMIC reporting system on important and critical information relative to disaster response, relief, and rehabilitation operations in coordination with the DRRMC.
Regional Resource Operations Section ensures the availability, accessibility, and readiness of resources, food and non-food items, and administrative support necessary before and during disaster operations at all levels.
- DRMD Organizational Chart
Quick Response Team
The Quick Response Team is a composite team (regular, contractual, casual, cost of service, and job order) of authorized DSWD personnel from the Regional Office and Provincial SWAD Teams ready to be deployed to affected areas to assist/ augment the affected FOs and/or LGUs in delivering disaster relief/ humanitarian services to the affected families immediately after the onset of a natural or human-induced disaster.
As QRT members, deployment and mobilization in times of disasters/calamities are obliged and required unless officially excused considering the Department’s mandate on disaster response management as provided by RA 10121. This function shall be included in their respective Individual Performance Contracts (IPCs) as proof of their commitment as QRT Members.
- Legal Bases on QRT
- QRT Organizational Chart.