Title
Creation of Earthquake Resiliency Office
Law
Executive Order No. 52
Decision Date
May 8, 2018
The Philippine Government issues an executive order to create a Program Management Office for Earthquake Resiliency in the Greater Metro Manila Area, aiming to strengthen the region's ability to withstand potential catastrophic earthquakes and bridge bureaucratic gaps in current resiliency plans and programs. The office will spearhead the implementation of a two-pronged strategy, focusing on immediate and long-term measures to reduce risks and vulnerabilities of communities and critical infrastructures.
program management office
earthquake resiliency
executive order
A

Scope of Threat: Valley Fault System and GMMA

  • Valley Fault System includes West and East Valley Faults
  • Threatens Metro Manila and surrounding provinces (Greater Metro Manila Area - GMMA)
  • Impact area includes Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Batangas, Quezon

Urgent Need to Enhance GMMA Resiliency

  • GMMA as the seat of national government and key economic, political, educational hub
  • Necessity for innovative, full-time, integrated approaches beyond existing structures

Adoption of "Two-Pronged Strategy Towards an Earthquake Resilient GMMA"

  • Combination of immediate and long-term measures
  • Objectives: reduce risks, vulnerabilities, and strengthen critical infrastructure

Creation and Mandate of PMO-ERG (Section 1)

  • Establishment of Program Management Office for Earthquake Resiliency under Office of the President
  • Mandates:
    • Spearhead immediate operationalization of two-pronged strategy
    • Integrate government efforts, fill bureaucratic gaps
    • Fast-track implementation of urgent interventions (e.g., from MMEIRS and Annex B action points)
    • Collaborate with government agencies, LGUs, private sector, civil society, and communities

Functions of PMO-ERG (Section 2)

  • Primary coordinating body for GMMA earthquake resiliency
  • Key functions include:
    • Formulating GMMA Resiliency Plan aligned with MMEIRS
    • Ensuring availability of vital lifelines (water, food, shelter, electric supply, medical services), pre-positioned strategically
    • Establishing effective response mechanisms (command, communications, rescue, fire protection, law enforcement, transport)
    • Ensuring resiliency of critical infrastructure through structural assessment, retrofitting, zoning, building standards enforcement
    • Reviewing, auditing, monitoring earthquake resiliency plans of agencies, LGUs, private sector
    • Mobilizing Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs)
    • Conducting advocacy, communication, drills for household and community preparedness
    • Performing assigned responsibilities from CCAM-DRR Cabinet Cluster or NDRRMC Chairperson
  • All government bodies required to support PMO-ERG

Operational Mechanism (Section 3)

  • PMO-ERG under operational control of President via CCAM-DRR Cabinet Cluster
  • Roles defined vis-à-vis NDRRMC and Office of Civil Defense:
    • PMO-ERG handles pre-disaster preparedness and mitigation
    • NDRRMC-OCD handles disaster response during and after earthquake
    • Programs and activities aligned and integrated with NDRRMC policies
  • Collaboration mandated with relevant executive agencies, LDRRMCs, MMDA
  • Aim for seamless coordination in operations, systems, protocols

Composition of PMO-ERG (Section 4)

  • Headed by Executive Director (rank of Undersecretary) and Deputy Executive Director (rank of Assistant Secretary)
  • Executive Director to propose organizational and staffing pattern including disaster preparedness experts
  • Department of Budget and Management tasked to facilitate urgent establishment

Earthquake-Resistant Infrastructure (Section 5)

  • Government agencies to ensure resiliency of public infrastructure (roads, bridges, buildings, hospitals, ports, airports) in GMMA
  • LGUs encouraged to ensure private infrastructure compliance with the National Building Code
  • Encouragement to exceed minimum standards, adopting international earthquake-resistant design criteria

Reporting Requirement (Section 6)

  • PMO-ERG to submit periodic reports on operations and accomplishments to CCAM-DRR Cabinet Cluster Chair and NDRRMC

Funding Provisions (Section 7)

  • Initial funds from Office of the President’s existing budget
  • Other funding sources to be identified by Department of Budget and Management
  • Regular budget incorporation for subsequent years
  • Subject to standard government accounting and auditing rules

Separability Clause (Section 8)

  • Invalidity of any part does not affect the remainder of the Executive Order

Repealing Clause (Section 9)

  • Repeals or modifies inconsistent orders, rules, regulations

Effectivity and Duration (Section 10)

  • Effective immediately upon issuance
  • PMO-ERG to exist until creation of permanent office by law or dissolved by the President

This comprehensive framework establishes a dedicated institutional mechanism for earthquake resiliency in the Greater Metro Manila Area, defining mandates, functions, organizational structure, inter-agency coordination, infrastructure standards, accountability, and funding essential for national disaster preparedness and mitigation.


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