Strengthening Rehabilitation and Recovery Efforts in Typhoon-Hit Areas Through the Creation of the Build Back Better Task Force

November 18, 2020

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 120

STRENGTHENING REHABILITATION AND RECOVERY EFFORTS IN TYPHOON-HIT AREAS THROUGH THE CREATION OF THE BUILD BACK BETTER TASK FORCE

WHEREAS, Section 16, Article II of the Constitution declares it a policy of the State to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature;

WHEREAS, Republic Act (RA) No. 10121 or the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010," declares it a policy of the State to adopt a disaster risk reduction and management approach that is holistic, comprehensive, integrated and proactive in lessening the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of disasters including climate change, and one that promotes the involvement and participation of all sectors and all stakeholders concerned, at all levels, especially the local community;

WHEREAS, under Section 3 (aa) and (ee) of RA No. 10121, and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan 2011 to 2028, Disaster Recovery and Rehabilitation (DRRM) aims to restore and improve facilities, livelihood and living conditions, and organizational capacities of affected communities, and reduce disaster risks in accordance with the Build Back Better principle;

WHEREAS,the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC),as the highest policy making body on disaster management, and based on the lessons learned from Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) and other disasters that hit the country, approved in 2019 the Rehabilitation and Recovery Planning Guide (RRPG),which provides a comprehensive framework in planning and expediting processes for post-disaster rehabilitation and recovery;

WHEREAS,the Philippines, being located along the typhoon belt in the Pacific, is hit by an average of twenty (20) tropical cyclones per year, with some of the strongest recorded making landfall;

WHEREAS, under RA No. 10121, the NDRRMC responds to both natural and human-induced disasters, and is in charge of four (4) thematic areas of the DRRM system, particularly (i) Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, (ii) Disaster Preparedness, (iii) Disaster Response and (iv) Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery;

WHEREAS, while RA No. 10121 and RA No. 7160 or the "Local Government Code of 1991," have given local government units (LGUs) primacy on disaster rehabilitation and recovery response within their respective jurisdictions, the Philippines' experience has demonstrated that typhoons usually affect several political jurisdictions, and the magnitude of devastation and huge amount of resources needed to restore normalcy in affected areas may overwhelm local government resources and manpower;

WHEREAS, current and future DRRM demands, and the realities in the bureaucratic framework, warrant a high-level institutional platform and a more permanent body that will allow the National Government to work in a sustained and integrated manner, with a clear unity of command, during a typhoon's post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation phase; and

WHEREAS, Section 17, Article VII of the Constitution vests in the President the power of control over all executive departments, bureaus and offices, and the mandate to ensure the faithful execution of laws;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Creation.— There is hereby established the Build Back Better Task Force for post-disaster rehabilitation and recovery efforts in areas affected by typhoons, which will be composed of the following:

 

Chairperson	:	Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Co-Chairperson	:	Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH);
Members	:	Chairperson, NDRRMC and Secretary, Department of National Defense; Secretary, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development; Socio-economic Planning Secretary, National Economic and Development Authority; Secretary, Department of Transportation; Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government; Secretary, Department of Energy; Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry; Secretary, Department of Agriculture; Secretary, Department of Budget and Management (DBM); Secretary, Department of Finance; Secretary, Department of Education; Secretary, Department of Health; Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development; Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment; Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; General Manager, National Housing Authority; Administrator, Land Registration Authority; Administrator, Local Water Utilities Administration; Administrator, National Electrification Administration; Administrator, National Irrigation Administration; Administrator, Philippine Coconut Authority; and Chairman, Cooperative Development Authority.

 

As may be necessary, the Task Force may call on other relevant government agencies as additional permanent members, subject to the approval of the Office of the President.

The Task Force members may designate their respective alternate representatives, who must be next-in-rank to the principal member and fully authorized to decide for and on their behalf.

The DENR shall provide secretariat support to the Task Force. For this purpose, the DENR shall be assisted by existing personnel from member-agencies of the Task Force.

SECTION 2. Functions.— The Task Force shall have the following functions:

a. serve as the overall and central body to ensure whole-of-government implementation and monitoring of post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation efforts of the national government in typhoon-affected areas, taking into consideration the RRPG;

b. expedite and lead the preparation, implementation and monitoring of a Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery Program for typhoon-affected areas aligned with the RRPG;

c. ensure availability and adequacy of key lifelines such as basic needs, medical services, electricity, water, telecommunication and transportation that can be mobilized immediately after the typhoon;

d. rebuild or repair houses to be more resilient to hazards and build safer sites for housing under the township approach;

e. restore, and if possible, strengthen or expand economic activities in typhoon-hit areas in close partnership with the relevant government agency;

f. with the DPWH as lead, ensure disaster and climate change-resilient infrastructure in the areas affected by the typhoon;

g. create committees or technical working groups based on identified needs and desired outcomes and call on other government agencies, LGUs and partner stakeholders to participate therein;

h. strengthen the institutional knowledge and expertise of LGUs on disaster recovery and rehabilitation;

i. formulate protocols, specific timelines, and undertake activities necessary to carry out the objectives of this Order; and

j. perform such other functions as may be directed by the President or the Executive Secretary.

SECTION 3. Operational Mechanism. — The Task Force shall focus on the post-disaster rehabilitation and recovery phase in typhoon-affected areas, beginning with those hit by typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. The NDRRMC, with the Office of Civil Defense as its implementing arm, shall continue to pursue its mandates in all thematic areas of the DRRM system for other natural and human-induced disasters, except as provided under Executive Order No. 52 (s. 2018).

The Task Force may designate heads to lead recovery and rehabilitation efforts of the National Government in a specific typhoon-affected area or region, without prejudice to the President's prerogative to make such designations.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard and other uniformed personnel are hereby directed to provide logistical and technical assistance in the rehabilitation and recovery efforts pursuant to this Order.

SECTION 4. Whole-of-Society.— The Task Force shall consult and engage affected communities and non-government, youth and civic organizations in the crafting, implementation and evaluation of the various rehabilitation and recovery programs and projects to be implemented pursuant to this Order.

SECTION 5. Reports.— The Task Force shall submit to the President, through the Executive Secretary, a quarterly report on the implementation of this Order, and publish an annual report on its accomplishments, including projects and programs implemented and budget utilized.

SECTION 6. Support and Assistance.— All government agencies, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and government financial institutions, as well as state universities and colleges are hereby directed, and LGUs are hereby enjoined, to provide the necessary support and assistance to the Task Force in the implementation of this Order.

SECTION 7. Funding.— The funding necessary for the implementation of the components of the Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery Program shall be sourced from existing appropriations of the member-agencies of the Task Force, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund as may be appropriate, and such other funding sources that the DBM may identify, subject to existing budgeting, accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations.

The DBM shall prioritize the funding requirements for components of the Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery Program for areas affected by typhoons Rolly and Ulysses and other future typhoons, which have been endorsed by the Task Force.

SECTION 8. Separability.— If any part or provision of this Order shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Repeal.— All other issuances, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with this Order are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity.— This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 18th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty.

 

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 116, No. 48, p. 7815 on November 30, 2020.