To: Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Bureau Directors
Directors of Services, Centers and Heads of Units
Regional Directors
Schools Division/City Superintendents Heads, Public and Private Schools

1. In line with the United Nations thrust in pursuing a reform program that seeks to improve the effectiveness of humanitarian response by ensuring greater predictability, accountability and partnership, the cluster approach is now being implemented and institutionalized in the Philippine Disaster Management System. This was contained in the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Circular dated May 10, 2007 entitled “Institutionalization of the Cluster Approach in the Philippine Disaster Management System, Designation of Cluster Leads and Their Terms of Reference at the National, Regional and Provincial Level”.
2. The Cluster Approach aims to ensure predictability, accountability, inclusivity and partnership in all sectors. Specifically, this will clearly define the leadership roles among government cluster leads that are expected to orchestrate the crafting of cluster operational strategies covering phases before, during and after disasters. These operational strategies will offer cluster partners and other stakeholders a clear picture of how to fit in and contribute to the overall cluster efforts. These arrangements will all redound to more benefits that are timely delivered to common beneficiaries and wider areas covered.
3. In view of the importance and benefits of the Cluster Approach in responding to any disastrous event, it is imperative that this approach be institutionalized in the educational system. There are eleven cluster groups: Food, Nutrition, Health, Shelter, WASH, Camp Coordination and Management, Logistics, Agriculture and Livelihood, Protection, Education, and Early Recovery.
4. The Education Cluster is composed of the United Nations International Children Funds (UNICEF) as the Lead Agency, partner NGOs like OXFAM Great Britain – Philippine Programme, Habitat for Humanity, Plan Philippines, Center for Disaster Preparedness, Save the Children, ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc., DOST, DSWD, DND, Local Government Units (LGUs), Department of Education, TESDA and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
5. The Cluster was organized last January 25, 2007 during a meeting at the OSEC Conference Room, DepED Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City. An E-Group was also established as an open communication line system for all members, and a system of weekly reporting is in place to provide updates on the situation in regards to activities of the Cluster on Education and outline responses by the various stakeholders.
6. The Education in Emergencies Cluster aims to respond to emergency situations spawned by any disaster and to bring together national government agencies, local government units, non-government organizations and the international and local donor communities to:
   1. discuss education-related issues and responses in areas affected by any disaster;
   2. raise awareness, support and action on education needs of communities affected; and
   3. agree as a group on bilateral arrangements on the management, coordination and tracking of resources (donated or allocated by the government) as part of the emergency responses for education.
7. A Technical Working Group (TWG) in the Department of Education is organized to handle all matters relative to Emergencies in Education composed of the following:
   Chairman : Hon. Teodosio C. Sangil, Jr.
   Undersecretary for Finance and Administration
   Vice Chairman : Maximo C. Aljibe, Ph.D, CESO IV Director, Administrative Service
   National Coordinator : Candelaria F. de Juan
   DepED Focal Person on Disaster Risk Management
   Members : All Bureau Directors
   All Heads of Centers/DepED Attached Offices Central Office Union
   All Chairmen of the Different Committees
   DepED Disaster/Calamity and Fire Control Group
   All Regional Directors
   Regional Chairmen/Head of the Calamity/Disaster and Fire Control Group
   Consultants : All Representatives of partner Agencies, NGOs.
8. Immediate dissemination of this Order is directed.

Reference: None
Allotment: 1—(D.O. 50-97)

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
CALAMITY
COMMITTEES
OFFICIALS
PROGRAMS

DO_s2007_074