The Disaster Task Force

The Philippines is at risk from a variety of threats. Education is one of the sectors that are most vulnerable to calamities. It frequently suffers the consequences of disasters brought on by dangers, both natural and artificial. Disasters deny students access to continuous and quality education in a secure setting.

Disasters threaten students’ lives, their families, teachers, and school staff. It is also a cause of delay in the education sector’s investment.

Northwestern University created the Disaster Task Force (DTF) to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the institution’s disaster and resilience program. Directly headed and managed by the University President as the Director the DTF seeks to build disaster resilience and reduce the impact of disasters on campus.

Committed to service above self, perpetual training, and inter-agency cooperation to maintain a constant state of readiness for search, rescue, incident response, and safety the DTF seeks to attain the following objectives:

1. Recommend policies and programs concerning the university’s disaster management plan, particularly in the following areas of application:

1.1. Prevention
1.2. Mitigation
1.3. Response
1.4. Rehabilitation

Adopting the four (4) disaster risk reduction thematic areas.

Following the country’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 4 thematic areas, Northwestern University seeks to attain the following goals:

a. Disaster Preparedness

Establish and strengthen the capacity of the university as a community to anticipate, cope and recover from the negative impacts of emergency occurrences and disasters.

b. Disa ster Response

Provide life preservation and meet the basic subsistence needs of the affected population based on acceptable standards during or immediately after a disaster.

c. Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

Avoid hazards and mitigate their potential impacts by reducing vulnerabilities and exposure and enhancing the capacities of communities.

d. Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery

Restore and improve facilities, livelihood and living conditions, and organizational capacities of affected communities, and reduce disaster risks per the “building back better” principle.

The DTF adopted the four (4) thematic cycle of disaster management in support of the call of the government, particularly the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of the Civil Defence’s (OCD) call to support the national disaster and resiliency effort of the government.

2. Mobilize available resources of the university in cases of emergencies;
3. Ensure the safety and evacuation of students and employees during emergencies;
4. Provide immediate medical assistance to victims during emergencies;
5. Coordinate with the Bureau of Fire, Philippine National Police, rescue and medical units, hospitals, and other concerned agencies in the event of emergencies; and
6. Conduct regular disaster drills.