Legal basis and constitutional authority
- The order is anchored on Section 2(q) of Republic Act No. 10121, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, which mandates maximum care, assistance, and services to disaster-affected individuals and families and rehabilitation to lessen disaster impacts.
- The order invokes the President’s control and duty to ensure faithful execution of laws under Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution.
- The order is also based on Section 31, Chapter 10, Title III, Book III of Executive Order No. 292 (Administrative Code of 1987), authorizing the President to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President, including transferring functions.
Policy focus and intent
- The order establishes the need for a dedicated task force focusing on disaster preparedness and response.
- The order requires a clear unity of command to lead government efforts against natural-disaster challenges.
- The order directs crisis management using an evidence-driven and science-based approach.
Composition, Chair, Vice Chair, Secretariat
- The Disaster Response and Crisis Management Task Force (“Task Force”) is composed of members from:
- Office of the Executive Secretary;
- Department of National Defense;
- Department of the Interior and Local Government;
- Department of Social Welfare and Development;
- Department of Health;
- Department of Trade and Industry;
- Department of Science and Technology;
- Department of Public Works and Highways;
- Department of Transportation; and
- Office of Civil Defense.
- The President designates the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the members.
- Each member may designate a senior official as permanent representative with full authority to decide and to perform the Task Force functions on behalf of the agency.
- A Secretariat exists and is composed of existing personnel from the office or agency designated as the Chairperson.
- The Secretariat provides the necessary administrative and technical support to the Task Force.
Task Force functions and authority
- The Task Force oversees and coordinates the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of DRRM plans, programs, projects, and activities on disaster preparedness and response under Section 2(a).
- The Task Force provides leadership in continuous development of strategic and systematic approaches to disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response under Section 2(b).
- In collaboration with relevant agencies and local governments, the Task Force ensures an integrated approach in disaster preparedness and response and delivers easily accessible and coordinated assistance to affected communities under Section 2(c).
- The Task Force establishes a calibrated and graduated national disaster mobilization system, including pre-disaster risk assessment as a decision-making tool, in coordination with relevant agencies under Section 2(d).
- The Task Force exercises oversight powers over government agencies with mandates on disaster preparedness and response under Section 2(e).
- The Task Force may engage consultants, experts, and professional advisors whenever necessary, subject to applicable laws, rules, and regulations under Section 2(f).
- The Task Force manages and oversees implementation of national, local, and community-based disaster resilience programs in collaboration with relevant national government agencies and other stakeholders under Section 2(g).
- The Task Force immediately convenes the members of the NDRRMC to recommend:
- the declaration of a state of calamity or the lifting thereof; and
- the approval of disbursements from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund,
in accordance with relevant laws, rules and regulations under Section 2(h).
- The Task Force performs other functions as directed by the President under Section 2(i).
Chairperson powers and leadership
- The Chairperson acts as the overall manager and lead coordinator for disaster preparedness and response efforts of national government agencies and instrumentalities, especially in affected areas under Section 3(a).
- The Chairperson, in coordination with relevant agencies and instrumentalities, ensures implementation of Presidential orders and directives relating to DRRM under Section 3(b).
- The Chairperson advises the President on DRRM policies and regulations and submits recommendations under Section 3(c).
- The Chairperson proposes funding support for implementation of plans and programs on disaster response and crisis management under Section 3(d).
- The Chairperson may call upon any government agency or instrumentality for support and assistance to perform functions under the Order under Section 3(e).
Quick Response Groups and deployment
- The Task Force organizes Quick Response Groups to support regional and local DRRM councils under Section 4.
- Quick Response Groups may be deployed during, in advance of, or in anticipation of the imminent impact of a disaster under Section 4.
- The members of the Task Force designate their respective representatives to the Quick Response Groups under Section 4.
- Quick Response Group representatives may be directed by the Chairperson for immediate deployment under Section 4.
Operational mechanism and coordination duty
- The Task Force directly reports to the President under Section 5.
- The Task Force is convened upon order of the President or the Chairperson under Section 5.
- The Task Force is the lead implementing agency for disaster preparedness and disaster response under Section 5.
- All government agencies, including GOCCs and government financial institutions, and state universities and colleges are directed to provide necessary support and assistance to the Task Force under Section 6.
- Local government units are enjoined to provide necessary support and assistance to the Task Force under Section 6.
Funding rules
- Implementation funding comes from:
- existing appropriations of the member-agencies of the Task Force; and/or
- applicable Contingent Fund; and/or
- other funding sources identified by the Department of Budget and Management,
subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules, and regulations under Section 7.
- Funding for succeeding years is incorporated in the respective appropriations of concerned agencies under Section 7.
Separability, repeal, and effectivity
- Separability applies: if any part of the Order is held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions continue in full force and effect under Section 8.
- Executive Order No. 120 (s. 2020) is repealed under Section 9.
- All issuances, orders, rules, and regulations, or parts inconsistent with Executive Order No. 24 are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly under Section 9.
- The Order takes effect immediately under Section 10.