BRIEF HISTORY

The LDRRM Quality Assurance System (QAS) has its roots in the Alert and Ready Communities Project under the banner of Operation LISTO. Between 2016 to 2017, the Local Government Academy and Save the Children Philippines, with support from the Humanitarian Leadership Academy, facilitated the formation of inter-agency and multi-sector Regional Technical Working Groups which developed, field tested and refined the Quality Assurance Tool and the Barangay DRRM Plan Template to help strengthen local DRRM planning and practice in the Philippines.

The pilot reached 7,006 barangays in some of the highest risk areas of the Philippines including the Region 8 (Eastern Seaboard), Region 13 (Major River Basins), and the National Capital Region (in preparation for the Big One) for assessment of plans. It featured technology and approach innovations to strengthening local resilience governance, including partnerships with Civil Society Organizations and the Academe, to generate and consolidate BDRRM Plans quality data as basis for increased and targeted DRRM investment. These tools became two primary elements of what we now known as the Quality Assurance System. These tools are easily accessible online via alertandready.ph, which was made possible with the help of the Caraga State University as the lead institution that created and managed the quality assurance portal.

In 2017, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council issued Memorandum Circular No. 1 s.2018 which formally adopts the QAS for quality-based local DRRM planning and budgeting in the Philippines. This means that all barangay in the country are now legally mandated to comply with the requirements and principles of the quality assurance system.

LEGAL BASES OF QAS

Republic Act 10121 “The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010” An Act Strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System, providing for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework and Institutionalizing the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, appropriating funds therefor and other purposes Provides a comprehensive, all-hazard, multi-sectoral, inter-agency, and community-based approach to disaster risk

Republic Act 10821 The Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act of 2016 An Act mandating the provision of emergency relief and protection for children before, during and after disasters and other emergency situations. Provides for the development of Comprehensive Emergency Program to protect children.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Memorandum Circular No. 1, series of 2018 Enjoins all LGUs in the Philippines to use the Quality Assurance System for quality-based DRRM planning and budgeting.