Earlier this year, a ship delivered more than 40,000 food packs to Mindanao, as part of a massive response to help disaster-affected families in the region. In times such as these, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is always ready to help.
Notably, the DSWD’s role in addressing natural disasters is mainly carried out through its Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB). In this article, we will discuss about the DRMB — its roles, functions, and the various programs and activities it conducts, especially during times of calamities and natural disasters.
Image Credits: dreamb.dswd.gov.ph
What is DRMB?
The Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB) evolved from one of the divisions of the Protective Management Bureau, which is now called Protective Services Bureau of the DSWD. The division, Division 3, was involved in disaster management operations, monitoring, and special concerns.
Through the DRMB, the DSWD is tasked to make sure that the response of the Philippine government to disasters is well-coordinated. This response should also follow standard protocols, and must be clearly communicated to the public.
Functions of DRMB
According to DSWD Administrative Order 2 series 2016, the DRMB has two general functions, which is to:
- Recommend policies and programs for disaster response management; and
- Lead in the planning, coordination, and monitoring of all disaster-related response efforts, including disaster preparedness, mitigation, recovery, and rehabilitation. This function goes in line with Republic Act 10121 or the “National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.”
In addition, the DRMB also has the following specific functions:
- Develop and enhance operational guidelines regarding disaster risk reduction and management, and special concerns. This is to help ensure smooth implementation in DSWD Field Offices, Local Government Units (LGUs), and other intermediaries;
- Translate and adopt international standards to local disaster management situations;
- Plan and coordinate international, national, and local assistance efforts in relation to the DSWD’s function as the lead agency of different clusters (more on this later);
- Provide technical assistance and resource augmentation to DSWD Field Offices and other intermediaries regarding the implementation or management of disaster operations;
- Follow and adopt universal norms, principles and standards of humanitarian assistance;
- Improve existing procedures, structures, and mechanisms on disaster data management and information dissemination;
- Study and assess the needs of Field Offices, as well as recommend the allocation of program funds and augmentation support for LGUs and other intermediaries;
- Act as the Secretariat for focal point for the inter-agency, inter-cluster, and inter-country coordination efforts regarding disaster management and special concerns; and
- Coordinate and liaise with the DROMIC for information related to disaster response operations.
NOTE: The Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) is a division of the DRMB. It is tasked to gather, consolidate, present, and disseminate information related to all phases of disaster response undertaken by the DSWD.
Image Credits: dreamb.dswd.gov.ph
DRMB’s Disaster Response Clusters
As mentioned earlier, the DRMB includes different response “clusters.” Here is a brief description of each cluster, along with the different departments or agencies involved.
1. Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster
The Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster is responsible for making sure that all of the things needed in managing the evacuation center are met. This includes the delivery of basic services, too.
The CCCM Cluster is composed of the DSWD, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), National Housing Authority (NHA), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Department of Education (DepEd), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other agencies.
2. Food and Non-Food Cluster (FNI) Cluster
As the name says, this cluster is focused on providing food and non-food items to disaster-affected families. It also aims to ensure that the level of food security in the affected area is restored to “pre-disaster” level.
The FNI Cluster includes the DSWD, DA, BFP, AFP, Department of Health (DOH), and other agencies.
3. Internally Displaced Population (IDP) Protection Cluster
The Internally Displaced Population (IDP) Protection Cluster aims to support and enhance the capacity of the Philippine government in making sure that protection issues do not arise during emergency situations. Should any protection issues arise, it is the cluster’s job to respond and mitigate the problem.
The IDP Protection Cluster is composed of the DSWD, DILG, Department of Justice (DOJ), PNP, AFP, and other agencies.
Image Credits: dreamb.dswd.gov.ph
Programs and Services
As part of its mandate to lead the Philippine government’s response in facing natural disasters, the DRMB conducts various programs, activities, and projects, such as the following:
1. Humanitarian Relief Assistance
This includes the provision of food and non-food items to disaster-affected families. Food items comes in the form of Family Food Packs (FFPs), which contains 6 kilos or rice, 4 cans of corned beef, 4 cans of sardines, and 6 sachets of instant coffee/cereal drink. Each pack is good for 2 days, for a family of about 5 members.
Meanwhile, non-food items (NFIs) include essential things such as clothes, hygiene kits, mats, and blankets.
2. Construction of Bunkhouses or Temporary Shelters
In the absence of a community facility that could temporarily shelter displaced families, bunkhouses or transitional shelters are constructed while their damaged houses are being rebuilt.
3. Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA)
For families whose houses are totally destroyed or partially damaged, emergency shelter assistance is provided in the form of financial or material aid. The cost ranges from around PHP 10,000 to PHP 30,000 per family.
4. Modified Shelter Assistance
Depending on the socio-cultural background of the recipients, financial or material aid is provided to augment their resources. The cost ranges from around PHP 70,000 per family.
5. Core Shelter Assistance Program (CSAP)
This type of program is done in relocation sites provided by the national or local government units. Using locally available materials, shelters made of environment-friendly yet structurally strong materials are constructed. The cost ranges from around PHP 160,000 per family.
6. Cash-for-Work (CFW) / Food-for-Work (FFW)
Temporary employment is provided to affected families in the form of cash-for-work or food-for-work schemes. The rate is equivalent to 75% of the regional minimum wage, with a maximum of 15 days engagement. Depending on the work to be done, the engagement may be extended.
Video: DRMB Programs and Services
Check out this video to know more about the different programs and services offered by the DRMB, as shared by the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) Facebook page:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Meanwhile, here are some commonly asked questions and answers about the DRMB:
1. What is DRMB?
DRMB stands for “Disaster Response Management Bureau,” a division that is responsible for making sure that the Philippine government’s response to disasters is well-coordinated.
2. What is the function of DRMB?
The two main functions of the DRMB are: (a) to recommend policies and programs for disaster response; and (b) to lead in the planning, coordination, and monitoring of all disaster-response efforts.
3. What are DRMB’s disaster response clusters?
The DRMB consists of several “clusters,” namely: Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster; Food and Non-Food (FNI) Cluster; and Internally Displaced Population (IDP) Protection Cluster.
4. What are DRMB’s programs and services?
Among the programs and services of the DRMB are: humanitarian relief assistance; construction of bunkhouses or temporary shelters; emergency shelter assistance; modified shelter assistance; core shelter assistance program; and cash-for-work / food-for-work.
Contact Info: Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center
As mentioned earlier, the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) is a division of the DRMB. If you have any questions or inquiries about the DSWD’s disaster response-related programs, you can get in touch with DROMIC through the following contact details:
Telephone: +6329322573
Email: dromic@dswd.gov.ph
Website: https://dromic.dswd.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dswddromic/
Image Credits: dreamb.dswd.gov.ph
Summary
As you can see, the DSWD itself is composed of different bureaus or divisions. When it comes to addressing natural disasters, the Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB) takes the lead.
Moreover, the DRMB’s clusters is composed of various agencies — all of which are working together to provide the best possible help to disaster-affected families. Truly, the people sent by these agencies are like “angels” who are always ready to lend a hand!