Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 52)
The PMO-ERG is created under the Office of the President.
The key mandates of the PMO-ERG include: a) spearheading the operationalization of the Two-Pronged Strategy Towards an Earthquake Resilient GMMA; b) integrating government efforts to enhance GMMA earthquake resiliency; c) fast-tracking the implementation of urgent interventions such as those in the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study; and d) collaborating with government agencies, LGUs, the private sector, civil society, and communities.
PMO-ERG operates under the control of the President through the CCAM-DRR Cabinet Cluster and reports through its Chair. It is primarily responsible for pre-disaster earthquake preparedness and mitigation, aligning its programs with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and coordinating with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and works closely with local government units and other agencies like MMDA for seamless earthquake resiliency efforts.
The PMO-ERG is headed by an Executive Director who holds the rank and emoluments of an Undersecretary. There is also a Deputy Executive Director with the rank of Assistant Secretary.
PMO-ERG is responsible for facilitating structural assessments and retrofitting of buildings and other structures, monitoring enforcement of zoning ordinances, promoting the adoption of resilient building and construction standards, and ensuring resiliency of public infrastructures against earthquakes.
It mandates all government agencies, LGUs, and the private sector to actively collaborate with and provide support to the PMO-ERG, facilitating integration and coordination of earthquake resiliency programs and projects, and encouraging private entities to comply with and exceed the National Building Code standards for earthquake resilience.
Funding for the PMO-ERG shall come from the existing budget of the Office of the President and other sources as determined by the Department of Budget and Management, subject to government accounting and auditing laws. Appropriations for succeeding years will be included in the regular OP budget.
The PMO-ERG is primarily responsible for earthquake preparedness, mitigation, and resilience during the pre-disaster phase, while the NDRRMC and Office of Civil Defense handle disaster response during and after the earthquake.
If any provision is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the rest of the Executive Order remains valid and subsisting, as provided by the separability clause.
The PMO-ERG shall exist until a law creating a permanent office is passed by Congress or unless the President dissolves it.
LGUs are required to ensure the resiliency of private infrastructure within their jurisdictions and enforce compliance by private entities with the National Building Code and encouraged to exceed these standards to improve earthquake resilience.