Executive Order No. 159




MALACAÑAN PALACE MANILA BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES [ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 159, November 26, 1968 ] REQUIRING ALL DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS, OFFICES, AGENCIES, INSTRUMENTALITIES AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING CORPORATIONS OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE ARMED FORCES, GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, AND PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, TO ESTABLISH THEIR RESPECTIVE DISASTER CONTROL ORGANIZATION WHEREAS, the Philippines is within the so-called circum-Pacific belt subject to constant natural calamities like earthquakes, typhoons, and volcanic erruptions; WHEREAS, no less than the Government itself should set the example in protecting its workers from such disasters, to which may be added fires of all causes, floods and epidemics; WHEREAS, the best protection is an educated approach to the problem by constant vigilance and systematic planning and action in the face of impending and actual calamities; and WHEREAS, a plan of action and effective implementation thereof through coordination by a central body within an agency is deemed vital to avoid loss of lives, limbs and property during the occurence of said calamities. NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order all heads of departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, instrumentalities and political subdivisions of the Government, including all corporations owned or controlled by the Government, the Armed Forces, government hospitals and public educational institutions to establish their respective disaster control organization.ℒαwρhi৷ The National Civil Defense Administration is hereby designated as the national coordinator to implement this order and should report to this Office the degree of preparedness of the different departments, bureaus, offices, instrumentalities and political subdivisions referred to above, after their respective disaster control organization or units have been fully organized within a reasonable time. The National Civil Defense Administration shall circularize immediately to all the government offices abovementioned for their guidance a disaster control pamphlet which include therein a typical disaster control organizational chart, a statement of functions and responsibilities, a checklist for warning, fire protection, records and property survival, mutual aid procedures and other related matters. The Secretary of Education is hereby directed to issue a circular to all private educational institutions to effect the establishment of a disaster control organization or unit in every such school. Likewise, the Secretary of Health shall issue similar circular to all private-owned or operated hospitals and the Secretary of Labor for all workplaces under his jurisdiction. The establishment of disaster control organization shall be given preferential attention by every head of the departments and agencies aforementioned, who shall make available funds and other assistance as it may need to carry out effectively its humanitarian mission. Until the disaster control organizations herein required are completely organized, all government offices concerned shall submit monthly report on the progress of said organization. Done in the City of Manila, this 26th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and sixty-eight. (SGD.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS President of the Philippines By the President: (SGD.) RAFAEL M. SALAS Executive Secretary The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation