DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The City Government of Davao has taken a significant step towards enhancing disaster response capabilities by issuing Executive Order 22 Series of 2024. This order institutionalizes the Incident Command System (ICS) and establishes the Incident Management Team (IMT) of Davao City.
The move aims to govern responses and actions aimed at protecting lives, well-being, health, and properties of city residents while minimizing the impact of hazards and related disasters.
According to the executive order issued on June 13, 2024, the IMT of Davao City will be officially known as the Davao City All Hazard Incident Management Team (DCAHIMT). This team will consist of various city offices, including the Davao City Hall Disaster Action Team, Task Force Davao, Coast Guard Station Davao, Davao City Police Office, Bureau of Fire Protection – City Fire Office, and all Punong Barangays.
The order outlines the composition and functions of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Incident Management, and Response Cluster. The EOC is designated as a central facility equipped with personnel and resources to coordinate disaster response efforts and serve as an information hub linking IMTs and Response Clusters.
Key functions within the IMT include roles such as the Incident Commander, Command Staff, and General Staff, each tasked with specific responsibilities. Additionally, the order details various Response Clusters, each focusing on specialized areas such as Education, Health, International Humanitarian Assistance, Logistics, Management of the Dead and Missing (MDM), Protection, Early Recovery, Food and Non-Food Items, Search, Rescue, and Retrieval, Law and Order, Emergency Telecommunications, Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), and Shelter.
Procedures for activating the IMT, as well as criteria for activation, are outlined in Section 4 of the order. Section 5 emphasizes the importance of interoperability among Emergency Operations and Response Clusters, highlighting policy, coordination, and command and control as critical elements for effective disaster response.
Moreover, Section 6 establishes training requirements for IMT members, stipulating completion of specific ICS courses offered by the Office of Civil Defense. The selection and organization of IMT personnel, based on their ICS knowledge and relevant experience, will be overseen by the Incident Commander.
By institutionalizing the Incident Command System and forming the IMT, Davao City aims to strengthen its resilience against disasters and ensure a coordinated, efficient response to future emergencies.
This commitment marks an important step forward in the city’s efforts to protect its community during emergencies.
