Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10121)
Republic Act No. 10121 is titled the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010."
The policy of the State is to uphold the people's constitutional rights to life and property by addressing vulnerabilities to disasters, strengthening institutional capacity for disaster risk reduction and management, building community resilience including climate change impacts, and adopting a holistic and proactive disaster risk reduction and management approach.
A disaster is a serious disruption in the functioning of a community or society causing widespread human, material, economic, or environmental losses that exceeds its coping capacity using its own resources, often resulting from exposure to hazards, vulnerabilities, and insufficient coping mechanisms.
The NDRRMC is the policy-making, coordinating, supervising, monitoring, and evaluating body for disaster risk reduction and management in the Philippines. It develops frameworks and plans, advises the President, ensures multi-sectoral participation, manages resources, and oversees the implementation of disaster policies.
The Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) serves as the Chairperson of the NDRRMC.
The LDRRMC consists of the Local Chief Executive as Chairperson, local planning and development officers, heads of disaster risk reduction offices, social welfare, health, agriculture, gender and development offices, local engineering, veterinary, budget offices, education officials, highest AFP officers, police, fire marshals, association of barangay captains president, Philippine National Red Cross, accredited CSOs, and private sector representatives.
Offenders may be fined between Php50,000 to Php500,000, imprisoned from six years and one day up to twelve years, or both. Public officers face perpetual disqualification from office and confiscation of objects used. Corporations may have their licenses revoked. Foreigners may be deported after serving sentences.
The OCD administers the national civil defense and disaster risk reduction program, provides leadership in strategies to reduce vulnerabilities, serves as secretariat of the NDRRMC, formulates and implements disaster plans, sets standards, coordinates training, and supports local government units among others.
The Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF), which shall be at least five percent of the estimated revenue from regular sources allotted for disaster-related activities including preparedness, relief, recovery, and insurance premiums.
The Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and TESDA, in coordination with other agencies, shall integrate disaster risk reduction and management into the curricula of secondary and tertiary levels, including formal and non-formal education, to promote awareness and preparedness.