Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 1190)
The National Civil Defense Administration is an agency established under the Office of the President to administer a comprehensive national civil defense program during times of war or national emergency.
The National Civil Defense Administrator is appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments. The Administrator must be a person not in active military service and not holding any government office or employment.
Its functions include establishing and administering civil defense programs, formulating plans for civilian protection, allocating resources, coordinating with government agencies and private institutions, educating the public, advising the President, and supervising civil defense operations in emergencies.
The Council is composed of the National Civil Defense Administrator as chairman, chairmen of defense committees of Congress, economic, military, social welfare, and other officials. It advises the Administrator on civil defense matters and coordinates functions among represented organizations.
Local civil defense organizations operate at provincial, city, and municipal levels with existing government offices responsible. The provincial governor acts as Provincial Civil Defense Director, and mayors serve as Municipal Civil Defense Directors, organizing units and coordinating activities within their localities.
The Act authorizes the organization of services including Warden, Police, Fire, Health, Rescue and Engineering, Emergency Welfare, Transportation, Communication, Evacuation, Air-raid Warning, and Auxiliary Services at all levels of civil defense organization.
The President may issue rules and regulations to carry out the civil defense program including preparation of plans, enforcement of safety measures, and mobilization of resources and personnel for civil protection.
Violators may be punished by imprisonment of not more than ten years, a fine of not more than ten thousand pesos, or both. If the violation is by a firm or corporation, criminal responsibility falls on the managing head(s).
An initial appropriation of five hundred thousand pesos is allocated from the National Treasury with a limit of twenty percent for overhead and salaries. Future appropriations are included in the annual general appropriations for the Office of the President.
No, the Act explicitly states that it does not confer any powers exclusively vested in Congress by the Constitution to the President or the Administration.