Mobilizing Officials and Employees in the Relief and Rehabilitation of Calamity-Stricken Areas Affected by Typhoon "Ondoy"

September 29, 2009

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 270

DIRECTING THE VARIOUS HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS, AND AGENCIES UNDER THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT OWNED AND CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS AS WELL AS LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUs) TO MOBILIZE THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES IN THE RELIEF AND REHABILITATION OF CALAMITY-STRICKEN AREAS AFFECTED BY TYPHOON "ONDOY"

WHEREAS, it is the principle of the State to protect life, liberty and property and to promote the general welfare that are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy;

WHEREAS, under the 1987 Constitution, the President of the Philippines shall have control over all departments, bureaus and agencies under the Executive Branch as well as supervision over local government units; DaTISc

WHEREAS, the local government unit is authorized by its police power to enact ordinances and make regulations, not repugnant to law, as may be necessary to carry into effect and discharge the powers and duties conferred upon it by law and those necessary and proper to provide for the health and safety, promote the prosperity, improve the morals, peace, good order, comfort, and convenience of the LGU and the inhabitants thereof and for the protection of the property therein;

WHEREAS, typhoon "Ondoy" has brought catastrophic devastation, both in terms of loss of lives and properties, and has crippled the local economy in major areas in the National Capital Region and provinces within Regions III and IV-A;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to conduct intensive, massive and effective relief and rehabilitation effort to prevent and curtail the continuing suffering of calamity victims toward their eventual rehabilitation and recovery from the devastation brought by typhoon "Ondoy";

NOW, THEREFORE I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law and the Constitution, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. The heads of departments, bureaus and agencies under the Executive Branch, including government owned and controlled corporations are hereby directed, and local government units in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Regions III and IV-A hereby authorized, to temporarily mobilize their respective officials and employees to assist in the relief and rehabilitation of calamity-stricken areas brought about by typhoon "Ondoy",in coordination with the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).

SECTION 2. In accordance with this Order, and to maximize all relief and rehabilitation efforts, the heads of executive departments, bureaus, offices and local government units in areas affected by typhoon "Ondoy",are accorded the discretion to exempt their officials and employees, who are part of such effort, from observing the normal office hours and from performing their regular duties until such time that rehabilitation of affected areas is completed or terminated.

SECTION 3. The heads of departments, bureaus and agencies under the Executive Branch, including government owned and controlled corporations as well as local government units in affected areas are authorized to determine the duration and extent of participation of their officials and employees in the relief and rehabilitation effort in order not to prejudice the delivery of government services.

SECTION 4. This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 29th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Nine.