QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 8425)
Republic Act No. 1190 (Civil Defense Act of 1954), approved on August 18, 1954.
It is established under the Office of the President. It consists of the National Civil Defense Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Executive Director, a military Liaison Officer from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other subordinate officers/employees detailed or appointed as provided in the Act.
The Administrator, Deputy Administrator, and Executive Director must be appointed from among persons not in active military service and not holding any office or employment in the Government or any of its branches/agencies/instrumentalities.
The Administrator and Deputy Administrator are appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments. The Executive Director is appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Administrator.
RA 1190 tasks the NCD Admin to: (1) establish and administer a comprehensive national civil defense program; (2) formulate and prepare plans/policies for protection/welfare of civilians in war or grave emergencies; (3) estimate requirements and allocate aid (facilities/materials/funds) to provinces and cities; (4) coordinate national-level activities across government and private/civic organizations; (5) develop public education/training programs; (6) provide guidance to provinces/cities/municipalities; (7) advise the President and make recommendations.
When war directly involving the Philippines or other national emergency of equally grave character is proclaimed by the President with the concurrence of two-thirds of the members of each House of Congress.
It must utilize existing personnel/facilities/resources of government to the maximum extent, except those needed by the Armed Forces for national defense, as determined by the President.
It is established to consult and advise the Administrator. Members include the National Civil Defense Administrator (chairman); chairmen of the committees on National Defense and Security of both Houses; the Economic Coordinator; the Chief of the Philippine Constabulary; the Commissioner of Social Welfare; the Manager of the Philippine National Red Cross; the Manager of the National Development Company; the Manager of the Price Stabilization Corporation; and other members designated by the President.
To consult with and advise the Administrator on civil defense matters, particularly coordination of functions and activities of organizations represented in the Council with the civil defense program.
Civil defense tasks are assigned to appropriate existing provincial/city/municipal offices and officials; existing local facilities/resources must be utilized maximally; local civil defense costs are borne by the province/city/municipality unless insufficient, in which case the National provides subsidy.
The provincial governor, who is designated as the Provincial Civil Defense Director (except in chartered cities).
Municipalities and cities. Each municipality and chartered city must organize and maintain its own local civil defense organization, with the mayor as the Municipal Civil Defense Director.
To establish/administer the local civil defense organization; coordinate and direct local civil defense operations of public and private agencies/groups; formulate and negotiate mutual aid plans/agreements with neighboring municipalities and the province; and direct development of local plans/programs consistent with national and provincial policies.
They must prepare their own plans and organize their staffs/personnel/facilities as rules/regulations prescribe. In war or equally grave emergency, they must institute and maintain guard systems, safety programs, warning systems, personnel shelters, firefighting facilities/procedures, emergency medical facilities, blackout techniques/procedures, exit/entry control, and other protective measures for their establishments, personnel, inmates, or patrons.
Each Municipal/City Civil Defense Director must organize groups of individuals and families living in one neighborhood into Civil Defense Units. Each unit is under a leader responsible for organizing/training members in firefighting and first-aid, guard duty, blackout control, and other concerted self-protection activities.
At least once every three months.
Listed services: Warden Service, Police Service, Fire Service, Health Service, Rescue and Engineering Service, Emergency Welfare Service, Transportation Service, Communication Service, Evacuation Service, and Air-raid Warning Service, plus the Auxiliary Service. Units of each service must be established at national and local levels (as provided), operating under the direction/supervision of the head of the civil defense organization to which they belong.
Imprisonment of not more than ten (10) years or a fine of not more than ten thousand pesos, or both, at the court’s discretion. If committed by a firm/corporation, the managing head/heads may be criminally responsible.
No. Section 7 states that the Act shall not be interpreted as conferring such authority on the President or the Administration.