Student Handout

GENERAL:

Disaster and calamities such as those caused by natural phenomena as

floods, typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and those by human
beings have resulted in death, misery and massive destruction to lives and
properties. In all these instances, the AFP in coordination with other government
agencies responded vigorously and effectively in alleviating the sad plight of the
affected masses by conducting immediate rescue and relief operations, and
clearing operations, to restore power and communications and subsequently
rehabilitation operations.

The AFP in its commitment to protect and promote the welfare and well
being of the people is always ready to serve in any such emergency situation. To
enhance the AFP’s capability to serve, to respond, and to perform effectively in
disaster operations, GHQ, AFP thus constitutes the AFP Disaster Response
Task Force (AFPDRTF)

PURPOSE:

To provide an overview on how the AFP assists other government

agencies in response to disasters and calamities as outlined in Standing
Operating Procedures (SOP) Nr. 15, GHQ, AFP dated 11 December 1995;
Subject: Calamities and Disasters Preparedness Plan. This SOP also prescribed
the creation of the AFPDRTF.

DEFINITION OF TERMS:

Calamity/Disaster - a situation usually catastrophic in nature, in which a

number of persons are plunged into helpless and sufferings,
and result maybe in need of food, clothing, shelter, medical
care and other basic necessities of life.

Civil Emergency - It is the disruption of normal activities of the civil populace

occasioned by riots, rebellion, revolution and other similar
events.

Civil Defense Operations Center (CDOC) – the facility through which all
disaster planning and operations of the national government
are conducted.

Coordinate Authority- authority given to a Commander and coordinate specific

functions or activities involving two or more force. The
commander has the authority to require consultation
 between the agencies involved but does not have the
authority to compel.

Disaster Control - it is the act of limiting or mitigating the effects of the

disaster through the introductions of measures designed to
prepare the inhabitants and to protect their lives and
properties before, during and after a disaster.

Disaster Operations – any concerted effort by two or more agencies,

government and/or otherwise, to provide emergency
assistance in relief to persons who are victims of a
disaster/calamity and in the restoration of essential public
utilities and facilities. Specific aid and assistance that may be
provided in disaster operations include; issuance of medical
supplies and equipment and emergency, medical treatment,
police protection, route clearance and traffic control,
prevention of panic, communications and restorations of
facilities.

Local Disaster Coordinating Council – it is a group of persons at the Provincial

City, Municipality or Barangay level, duly organized for the
purpose of preparing the people under its jurisdictions, to
mitigate the effects of disasters and to control the disaster
operations of its tasked units.

National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) – the highest government

body responsible for advising the President on the status of
Disaster Preparedness Program and Disaster Relief and
Rehabilitation efforts at the National level.

Regional, Provincial, Municipal and Barangay Disaster Coordinating

Councils – the organizations responsible for the conduct of
disaster operations at their respective level.

Relief – an act of helping and alleviating the condition of persons who are
suffering from the effects of disaster/calamity and are at the
time completely helpless.

Rehabilitation – the restoration of person’s economic dependency or stable way

of living either physically, economically, socially or
emotionally.
The AFP Calamities and Disaster Preparedness Plan.

Activation: - The AFP Disaster Response Task Force was activated effective
15 April 1993. It is controlled by GHQ, AFP, and is under the joint supervision
and operation of ODCS OPS (J3), ODCS LOG (J4) and ODCS CMO (J3). The
Vice Chief of Staff, AFP is designated Task Force Commander, AFPDRTF in a
concurrent capacity.

Mission: - The AFP, through its Disaster Response Task Force assist the
National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and the various local disaster
coordinating council in the conduct of search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation
operations and reconstruction and development activities nationwide, to save
lives, protect properties and minimize damages caused by natural disasters and
calamities including air/sea mishaps, crises caused by labor walkouts/strikes of
air traffic controllers, health/hospital workers, transportation, food centers and the
likes.

Functions:

a. Establish communications linkages and make them available for

calamities and disaster operations.

b. Organize disaster reaction units in all military camps/bases for ready

deployment in the affected areas.

c. Render medical assistance to calamities/disasters affected victims.

d. Provide land, air or sea transport facilities for the rapid delivery of relief
supplies and personnel, and for necessary evacuation of disaster victims.

e. Assist the PNP in providing security coverage in disaster stricken areas.

f. Assist in the reconstruction of the damaged national and local roads

and/or bridges and facilities.

Operational Concept:

a. General

(1) The AFPDRTF shall provide general direction and control over
all AFP Disaster operations.

(2) AFPDRTF operations shall be conducted in accordance with the

Disaster Management Phases.
 b. Specific

(1) The Task Force Commander, AFPDRTF shall have a

coordinating authority with the NDC, Regional Disaster Coordinating Councils
(RDSS), Provincial Disaster Coordinating Councils (PDCC), City/Municipality
Disaster Coordinating Councils (C/MDCC) and Barangay Disaster Coordinating
Councils (BDCC).

(2) The AFPDRTF shall be composed of a Hqs in Camp

Aguinaldo, Task Groups in Major Services and AFPWSSU’s, and Disaster
Coordinating Centers in the Area Commands. These Disaster Coordinating
Centers shall be established by the Area Commands, preferably co-located with
the RDCC, and shall automatically become AFPDRTF Advance Command Post
(ACP). The ACP Commander shall be a duly designated senior responsible
officer and who shall concurrently be the Area Command representative to the
RDCC.

(3) The exercise of the command and control over AFP units shall
be accomplished through the existing AFP Chain of Command, that is, from
GHQ, AFP (Thru: AFPJOC) to the Area Comands and Major Service Hqs/Task
Groups and/or directly to AFPWSSU’s Task Group Hqs.

(4) Upon announcement of impending natural calamity/disaster by

concerned public such as PAG-ASA, PHIVOLCS and Fire Department, tasked
units for disaster rescue operations shall automatically be placed on Red Alert.

(5) All disaster relief operations shall immediately be undertaken by

the area commands concerned using existing OPCON units while waiting to
support them provided on orders from AFPDRTF.

(6) All AFP disaster rescue and engineering operations/activities

shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of emergency services and
objectives.

(7) Systematic implementation of AFP CMO programs shall be

conducted to strengthen the people’s faith in the AFP, in particular and the
government in general.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT PHASE:

The Disaster Management Phase prescribes the activities by phases to

define specific activities to generate better working relationship.
PHASE I – Pre-disaster Phase:

Planning for Disaster/Calamities Activities

The AFPDRTF shall review and evaluate all documented plans submitted
by AFP field units as to compliance with pertinent instructions anchor guidelines
set forth in this LOI and in conformity with the national calamities and disaster
preparedness plans must always be based on a “worst case scenario” for any
kind of natural and man-made calamity.

a. Organizing and Training.

The AFP DRTF activates Task Group in the Major Services, and
AFPWSSU’s and Area Commands Disaster Coordinating Centers and directs
these tasked units to conduct training in accordance with the provision of
Emergency Services in times of crisis/disasters. Tasked units in coordination with
RDCCs shall conduct drills and exercises followed with constructive critiques at
least quarterly.

b. Public Information Drive.

Disseminating information shall be conducted and campaigns are made

on disaster prevention, control and safety measures. In coordination with
NDCC/OCD, the AFP DRTF shall distribute disaster control manuals, handouts
and other publications as well as audio-visual materials related to disaster
prevention control and safety measures and mitigating circumstances.

c. Communication and Warning Activities.

The AFPDRTF in the Area Commands shall assist the Local Disaster
Coordinating Councils in coordination with the local chapters of the national
government agencies.

PHASE II – Emergency Services:

1. Emergency Services
 Emergency services needed in the disaster area are rescue and
engineering, evacuation, first aid and medical relief, police assistance/security
coverage, fire and transportation services. The AFP disaster assistance shall be
coordinated with the Local Disaster Coordinating Councils at the affected areas.

a. Rescue and Engineering

(1) The AFP Disaster Response Task Force (AFPDRTF) in

the Area Commands shall assist the local disaster coordinating councils and in
coordination with the local chapters of the national government agencies.

(2) The AFP DRTF shall assist the Philippine Coast Guard in
rescue operations at sea and other disasters, such as oil spillage and shipwreck;
the PNP in maintenance of law and order ; and the Bureau of Air
Transportation/Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) in
case of aircraft crushes, strikes/walkout of Air Traffic controllers and the
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in rescue and engineering
works.

b. Evacuation – The AFP Disaster Response Task Force shall

assist in the evacuation operation in coordination with the Disaster Coordinating
Councils who are responsible for organizing evacuation teams for the transfer of
disaster victims to safer grounds/areas.

c. First Aid and Medical Services – In coordinating with the local

health units, the AFP Disaster Response Task Force Medical/Dental and
veterinary teams shall assist in the preventive measures to arrest
occurrences/outbreak epidemics and control and provide assistance in case of
medical and/or surgical intervention for appropriate evacuation.

d. Disaster Relief Services – AFPDRTF in coordination with the

NDC/OCD and the local disaster coordinating councils and other concerned
government agencies shall assist and undertake survey of the disaster areas and
provide mass feeding, emergency housing, emergency clothing and missing
persons tracing services.

e. Police/Fire Assistance Service – The AFP Disaster Response

Team shall assist the PNP in the maintenance of Law and Order and security
coverage.
 f. Emergency Transportation Services – The AFP Disaster
Response Task Force shall make available for fair, land and sea transportation
disaster relief teams, personnel, victims and supplies during emergencies.

g. Damage Assessment – The AFP Disaster Response Task Force

in coordination with local disaster coordinating councils shall conduct immediate
survey of the disaster areas to determine casualties/damages of infrastructure,
agriculture, aquatic resources, animal life and other properties. Result of the
survey shall be submitted to NDCC for evaluation and appropriate action.

PHASE III – Post Emergency Phase:

1. The AFP Disaster Response Task Force through the local disaster
coordinating councils shall determine the nature and extent of the rehabilitation
effort to be undertaken and shall submit to NDCC for referral to appropriate
government agencies.

2. The AFP Disaster Response Task Force shall conduct assessment of

the available resources for rehabilitation purposes by cross checking all
information gathered during and before the emergency.

3. The AFP tasked units shall coordinate and synchronized effort with the
concerned government agencies in the hiring of labor force from the affected
population needed for restoration, repair and construction of public buildings,
roads, bridges, dams, harbors, airports and the like damages by disaster or
calamities.