Office of Civil Defense to coordinate health-related donations to gov't

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 1) — President Rodrigo Duterte signed an administrative order on Wednesday mandating the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to receive and coordinate donations of medicines and medical supplies and equipment to the government.

Administrative Order 27 requires the transmission of all donations to the national government or the Department of Health (DOH) to the OCD for consolidation.

"[T]here is an imperative need to properly consolidate and manage all donations of medicines, medical equipment and supplies, and other health products to address COVID-19, whether given to the National Government as a whole or to the Department of Health (DOH) specifically, and assist the latter in the efficient and expeditious delivery of assistance to the public during the state of emergency," the order said.

READ: With COVID-19 cases on the rise, Philippines seeks donations of ventilators, respirators

Donations from foreign governments, private entities, non-governmental organizations, or any group or individual are covered by the order.

The OCD must prepare an inventory of all donations to assess which health facilities and beneficiary groups need further assistance from the office.

It may also reallocate to these entities direct donations to other agencies.

However, direct donations, to other departments, bureaus, offices, state colleges or universities (SUCs), government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) or government hospitals or medical facilities need not be consolidated by the OCD.

Recipients must report these donations to the office.

Donations of perishable goods such as food items and goods of nominal value such as accommodation, transportation to and from residences and workplaces are also not covered by the order.

The order also does not apply to basic necessities donated to public officials and frontliners such as health workers and those implementing the enhanced community quarantine and ensuring the flow of critical goods.

The OCD is required to submit a weekly report on actions related to the administrative order to the Office of the President through the Executive Secretary.

OCD is an organization within the Department of National Defense and serves as the implementing arm of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.