Executive Order (EO) No. 287 repeals the existing EO 166-99, which adopted the Sept. 18, 1998 Republic of Palau National Disaster Management Plan and was issued on May 10, 1999, and lays down a comprehensive response and recovery arrangement and acts up the mechanism for incorporating disaster risk reduction and mitigation measures to achieve sustainable national development planning mandated in the 2020 Palau National Master Development Plan.
Alonzo Kyota, National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) coordinator, in an interview said, “The difference between the EO 166-99 and the new EO 287 is the new commitment locally and regionally. It needs to acknowledge new threats of climate change and their impact.”
The accelerated global warming exacerbates climate variability which increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters in the Pacific.And the dangers arising from disasters and national emergencies imperil a wide range of interests and require an equally broad response.
Under the new EO, all ministries and agencies of the Executive Branch must be prepared to coordinate efforts and cooperate in order to effectively meet the challenges posed by disasters and national emergencies.
The EO also ordered the Vice President, as Chairman of the National Emergency Committee (NEC) to distribute copies of the 2010 Palau National Disaster Risk Management Framework (PNDRMF) to all Ministers and members of the National Emergency Committee and maintain the copy in a readily accessible location within their respective ministries and offices.
All Ministers and members of the NEC must ensure all plans and procedures required of all ministries and the NEC is developed, tested and ready for implementation during any national disasters and emergencies.
Toribiong signed the executive order on Oct. 19, 2010.
