MODULE 4: DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT AWARENESS
Introduction:
Disaster is an event, natural or manmade, sudden or progressive, which impacts with such
severity, that the effected community has to respond by taking exceptional measures. It is a serious
disruption of the functioning of the society causing widespread human, material, financial, and
environmental losses which exceed the ability of the society to cope using its own resources.
Disasters have always been a result of human interaction with nature, technology and other living entities.
Sometimes unpredictable and sudden, sometimes slow and lingering, various types of disasters continually
affect the way in which we live our daily lives. Human beings as innovative creatures have sought new
ways in which to curb the devastating effects of disasters. However, for years human conduct
regarding disasters has been reactive in nature. Communities, sometimes aware of the risks that they face,
would wait in anticipation of a disastrous event and then activate plans and procedures. Human social and
economic development has further contributed to creating vulnerability and thus weakening the ability of
humans to cope with disasters and their effects.
Philippines is often times subjected to different natural disasters and calamities because we are
surrounded by water. We are considered as an archipelago that consist of 7,641 islands with a total land
area of 301,780 square kilometres (116.518 sq. mi.)
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
1. Describe the recent risk disaster program of the Philippine
2. Conceptualize a personal commitment for Philippine DRRM System
DISCUSSION
A. Geographic Profile of the Philippines
The location of the Philippines in the Southeast Asian region became significant to Spain and to the United
States. The country was one of the centers of trade in the Pacific Ocean. Even before the arrival of the
Spaniards, the Philippines already enjoyed trade relations with China and its neighbors in Southeast Asia,
which is now made up of Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. Because of the influx of both traders
and travelers coming from the east and west, our culture was subjected to many influences. (Gotuaco et.
Al. 1997)
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The Philippines is located in the Southeast Asian region also bears diplomatic and military significance. The
country proved to be strategic for military installations of countries that were expanding their influence
across Asia Pacific. An example is Subic Naval Base, a US military base created after the successful was
with Spain in 1898. Along with Clark Air Base, it also served as an arsenal during the Vietnam War. It was
also used as an airstrip for US fighter planes engaged in the war against Afghanistan and Iraq in Southwest
Asia.
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1. Location
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2. Shape/Size
The Philippines is an archipelago. It is situated in the south eastern portion of Asia. Taiwan bounds the
country on the north, on the west by South China Sea and Vietnam, on the east by Pacific Ocean, on the
south by Celebes Sea and Indonesia, and on the southwest by Malaysia and Singapore. The distance from
the north to the south is 1,840 kilometres and the widest area measures 1,000 kilometres. The farthest
island to the north is Y’ami Isle in Batanes, while the Salauag Isle in Tawi-Tawi is the farthest to the south.
Due to its central location in the Far East, the country has been tagged as the “Crossroads of the Pacific”.
The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands, although only 2,700 of them are name. There are 20 big
islands which occupy 96% of the whole are of the country. Being an archipelago has posed some
challenges in politics, culture, and the economy of the country. Aside from this, the challenges also involve
issues on national unity and progress. (Luna 1991)
3. Area
The Philippines archipelago is estimated to have an area of 300,000 square kilometers. Its size is almost
the same as that of Pakistan, Japan, and Spain. However, the country is bigger than the United Kingdom,
Cuba, North Korea, South Korea, and Greece.
4. Climate
If we try to locate the Philippines on the globe, we will find it near the equator. This is why the country has a
tropical climate. The seasons are divided into two: the dry season and the wet season. The dry season is
from December to May, while the wet season begins in June and last until November. However, these
seasons may occur at different times depending on the changes in the environment.
Moreover, the Philippines is in the path of storms that originate from the regions of the Marianas and the
Caroline Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Because of this, typhoons are frequent in the Luzon and Visayas
islands. However, as Mindanao is located outside of the typhoon belt, typhoons are rare in these islands.
There are an estimated 19 typhoons that pass through the country in each year.
There is hardly any difference in temperatures across the country from Batanes to Jolo. The temperatures
in Northern Luzon go down during the month of January and go up around the month of May. In Sulu, the
hottest month is August. The temperature in Cebu reaches 26.3 degrees Celsius in the month of February
and reaches an average high of 29.37 degrees Celsius in May. Baguio has the coolest climate as it is
located in the highlands.
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The Philippines, China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Vietnam holds conflicting claims to potion of the
South China Sea and the Spratly Islands, which are called the Kalayaan (freedom) Island in the
Philippines. The Philippines also disputes Malaysia’s claim to the state of Sabah.
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5. Disputed Territories
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6. Length of Coastline
The Philippines has a total coastline of 36,289 kilometers or 22,548.94 miles. This places the
country in the third rank among sovereign countries/states with the longest coastline in Asia, next
to Indonesia and Russia, and fifth in the entire world.
The Philippine Islands are surrounded by four marginal seas of the Pacific Ocean. These are the
Philippine Sea to the east, the South China Sea (also known as the West Philippine Sea) to the
west, the Sulu Sea to the southeast, and the Celebes Sea to the south.
In these marine water bodies lie the demarcation lines making the boundaries or outer limits of the
maritime zones of the Philippines as determined and established by pertinent laws of the country
and in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The
internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, Exclusive Economic Zone
(EEZ), and continental shelf comprise the maritime zones of the Philippines.
Within the internal and archipelagic waters of the country can be found the smaller marginal seas,
namely, the Bohol Sea, Samar Sea, Sibuyan Sea, Camotes Sea, and Visayan Sea. Though
relatively shallower compared to the larger marginal seas, these minor seas are nonetheless deep
enough and serve as vital channels for navigation.
In addition to the marginal seas, there are countless straits, channels, and inlets. These bodies of
marine water separate neighboring islands and define their coastlines. As these waterbodies
connect larger areas of the sea, they are extremely useful for transporting passengers, animals,
and goods from one island to another. The numerous indentations along the coastline mark the
existence of gulfs, bays, and coves. Where rivers reach the coast to drain into the sea, these are
precisely the estuaries. A lagoon is another body of seawater that is ideal for such recreational
purposes as swimming, bathing, and just enjoying the sea breeze, tropical sun, sand, and waves.
All these various bodies of water are abundantly distributed around and within the entire Philippine
archipelago and they dot the whole stretch of its long coastline.
7. Topography
The Philippines consists of volcanic islands including active volcanoes, with mostly mountainous
interiors surrounded by flat lowlands and alluvial plains with varying widths along the coasts. The
elevation ranges from the sea level to the highest point of mount Apo on Mindanao islands. At
2954 meters above sea level.
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1. Cagayan River or Rio Grande de Cagayan is both the longest and largest river system followed
by Mindanao River or Rio Grande de Mindanao and Agusan River. These grand rivers flow
through some provinces before reaching the mouth and draining into the sea. Likewise, these
rivers are fed by tributaries coming from neighboring provinces.
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8. Principal Rivers
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2. Cagayan River traverses the following provinces of Northern Luzon: Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva
Vizcaya, and Quirino. Its major tributaries are the Magat River in Isabela, Chico River in
Kalinga, Ilagan River in Isabela, and Siffu-Mallig River located in the Central Cordillera ranges. Its
headwaters are in the Caraballo mountains.
3. Mindanao River is the second longest and second largest river basin. Its headwaters can be found
in Impasugong mountains in Bukidnon. It passes through Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and
Cotabato before it drains into the Illana Bay. Its main tributaries are the Pulangi and Kabacan
Rivers.
4. Agusan River is the third longest river and third largest river basin in the country. Its headwaters
are in the mountains of Davao Oriental,then flows through Compostela Valley, the Agusan Marsh
in
Agusan
del
Sur,
then
Agusan
del
Norte.
Its
tributaries
are
thefollowing: Adgaoan, Gibong, Haoan/Ihaoan, Kayonan/Umayam, Manat, Ojot, Simulao, Wawa,
and other smaller rivers. (Source: Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Agusan
River Basin Integrated Water Resources Management Project, vol. 1, Jan. 2011, p. 88,
faspselib.denr.gov.ph/.)
5. Other Philippine rivers renowned for their length and/or size are Pulangi and Davao Rivers in
Mindanao, along with those in Luzon, namely, Pampanga, Agno, Abra, Abulug, and Chico Rivers.
B. Disaster Risk Profile
The geographical location of the Philippines makes the country uniquely exposed to aplethora of
hazards, including recurrent typhoons, earthquakes and 53 active volcanoes, eruptions of which are
classified as the most deadly and costly globally (Doroteo, 2015).
The subduction zone between the two tectonic plates (Eurasian and Pacific) creating the seismic
activity in the region are predicted to have the capacity to generate major earthquakes in the near future,
and in the vicinity of metropolitan cities (Pailoplee &Boonchaluay, 2016). Other hazards include floods,
landslides, tsunamis and wildfires, all of which are occurring in a frequency which has fundamentally
changed the perception of hazards in the country.
C. Historic overview of the Philippines Disasters
1. Earthquake
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A comprehensive seismic hazard analysis for the entire Philippines is beyond the scope of this
study and, indeed, such analyses for the Philippines are relatively scarce. Few exist, such as
seismic hazard analyses by Bautista et al (n.d.) and that by Thenhaus et al (1994) in which a
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The US Geological Survey lists 168 significant damaging events in the Philippines since 1599,
equivalent to a damaging event every 2.5 years on average. However, this record is biased, in that
earlier centuries had fewer damaging events due to lower population and assets at risk as well as
poorer communications and little or no scientific instrumentation. Two major damaging earthquakes
have occurred in the Philippines in recent years – the 1976 Mindanao event, which killed
approximately 6,000 and caused about USD 400 million in damage (in present value), and the
1990 Central Luzon event, which killed over 1,000 and caused damages of about USD 400 million
(in present value).
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probabilistic analysis, which shows peak ground accelerations (PGA) on medium soil was expected
to be exceeded with probability of 10% in a 50-year period more recently, Torregosa et al (2001)
performed a similar analysis, confirming Thenhaus’ findings. A review of these studies shows
accelerations in the Metro Manila area to be about 0.4g, comparable to those in San Francisco,
Tokyo and other high seismicity areas.
The Philippines are bisected longitudinally by the Philippine fault, a major tectonic feature which
has many subsidiary faults, one strand of which (the Valley fault system) bisects Metro Manila. This
strand is capable of magnitude 6-7 events occurring on average every 200-300 years, and has not
ruptured in over 200 years (Nelson et al, n.d.) PHIVOLCS, in association with the MMDA and JICA
is currently carrying out a detailed analysis of the potential for damage in the Metro Manila area,
focusing on this risk. Preliminary results indicate on a deterministic basis ground motions of about
0.4g or greater, depending on soil conditions, in the Metro Manila region. On a probabilistic basis,
their preliminary analysis (which included recent paleoseismic data) shows lesser ground motions,
in general.
In addition to shaking, earthquakes cause damage in other ways, the most significant of which are
liquefaction, landslides, tsunami and fires following earthquakes. Liquefaction typically occurs in
loose saturated sandy ground, and is the loss of strength of that ground due to strong ground
motion – it was particularly damaging in Dagupan in the 1990 earthquake.
2. Volcanoes
Out of 220 volcanoes in the archipelago, 22 are classified as active. Simkin and Siebert(1994)
document literally hundreds of historic eruptions – Mt. Mayon, for example, is indicated to
haveerupted 12 times in the 20th century alone. The most active volcanoes are probably Pinatubo,
Taal, Mayon, Canlaon and Ragang. Currently, PHIVOLCS, who have the responsibility for
monitoring volcanic activity,can currently monitor only six of the 22 active volcanoes for possible
eruptions.
Volcanic eruptions are accompanied with a wide variety of destructive effects including release of
magma, explosive effects, expulsion of large projectiles, pyroclastic flows (flow of hot molten
material), ashfall, release of clouds of very hot gases, lahars, mudflows and ground shaking, to
name the most common.
The Mount Pinatubo eruption in June 1991 provided an example of how rapidly and destructively a
volcano can erupt. That event was the second largest volcanic eruption of this century, and by far
the largest
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eruption to affect a densely populated area. Fortunately PHIVOLCS had forecast the eruption,
resulting in the saving of at least 5000 lives and USD 250 million. However, the eruptions have
dramatically changed the face of central Luzon, and the impacts of the event continue to this day.
About 200,000 people who evacuated the lowlands surrounding Pinatubo have returned home but
face continuing threats from lahars that have already buried numerous communities.
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Rice paddies and sugar cane fields that were buried by lahars will be out of use for years. Other
volcanoes, such as Mt. Mayon, are even more active, and surrounded by many communities at risk
to lahars and other hazards.
Probabilistic analysis of volcanic hazards is very difficult, and beyond the scope of this study. A
review of the historic record indicates that a general approximation would be that central and
southern Luzonare likely to see a significant eruption about once every 3 years, with a major
eruption perhaps every few decades. Most active sources are Mayon and Taal. Mindinao appears
to have a somewhat lower likelihood of a major eruption, based on the historic record. However,
any probabilistic estimate of volcanic hazard needs considerably more study, with a close
involvement of PHIVOLCS.
3. Tropical cyclones
The climate of the Philippines is tropical and is strongly affected by monsoon (rain-bearing) winds,
which blow from the southwest from approximately May to October and from the northeast from
November to February, although there is considerable variations in the frequency and amount of
precipitation across the archipelago. From June to December typhoons often strike the
archipelago. Most of these storms come from the southeast, with their frequency generally
increasing from south to north. On average, about 20 typhoons occur annually, with the months of
June to November averaging approximately 3 typhoon strikes per month. Luzon is significantly
more at risk than more southern areas. Typhoons are heaviest in Samar, Leyte, eastern Quezon
province, and the Batan Islands, and when accompanied by floods or high winds they may cause
great loss of life and property. Mindanao is generally free from typhoons.
Typhoons have killed about 29,000 people in the country in the 20th century, including about 6000
in the 1991 typhoon. As Table 2 indicates, about 500 people are killed each year, and about P4
billion are lost due to tropical cyclones. In certain cases, a single event can kill as many as 6000,
and cause P20 billion in damage. In addition to high winds, a major damaging element of tropical
cyclones is storm surge.
4. Flooding
Flooding is yet another hazard facing the Philippines, and has annual impacts on the country.
However, relatively little information is available on flooding, and a detailed mapping of flood prone
areas in the Philippines has yet to be done.
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In the midst of continues assail of different calamities in the Philippines, the Aquino administration
promulgated Republic Act 10121, otherwise known as The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Act of 2010, that shifted the focus reduction, preparedness and alleviation. This act put in
place 111 from disaster response and recovery towards disaster risk reduction, preparedness and
alleviation. This act put in place organization and coordination to appreciate and lessen disaster risk, based
on partaking of citizen groups and civil society, putting up local alliances and guarantee that all
departments recognize their role in disaster risk reduction and preparedness.
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The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010- Republic Act 10121
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Here are the common types of Disaster
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Earthquake
Volcanic Eruptions
Tsunami
Tropical cyclone
Typhoon hurricane
flood
landslide
Bush fire or wildfire
Drought
Epidemic
Major accidents and
Armed conflict and civil unrest
General Effects of Disaster
1. Loss of life
2. injury
3. damage to of property
4. damage to and destruction of subsistence and cast crops
5. Disruption of production
6. disruption of lifestyles
7. Loss of livelihood
8. Disruption of essential services
9. Disruption of essential services
10. Damage to national infrastructure and disruption of government systems
11. Sociological and psychological after-effect
With these calamities presented, there is a need for calamity and disaster preparedness so that the
people will be aware of how they will at least, manage their families accordingly.
What is Disaster Preparedness?
These are measures, which enable government agencies, organizations, communities, and
individuals to respond rapidly and effectively to disaster situations.
General Disaster Counter-Measures
1. Development of possible warning indicators
2 Land-use regulations
3 Building regulations
4 Relocation of communities
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6. Evacuation plans and arrangements
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5. Public awareness and education programs
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7. Fire prevention regulations
8. International cooperation in information and technology sharing
What are the Philippine Approaches to Disaster Management?
1. Prevent/mitigate
2. Prepare;
3 Take adaptive action; and
4 Take corrective action.
What are the Common Problems in Disaster Management?
1. Lack of appreciation for the Disaster Preparedness Program bylocal officials themselves;
2. Lack of a strong and effective Disaster Coordinating council installed in the LGU
3. Absences of Disaster Preparedness Planning;
4. Lack of effective linkages for disaster operations;
5. Absences of Functional Disaster Operation Center; and
6. Erroneous disaster monitoring and reporting.
What are the components of Disaster Management?
1. Prevention. These are actions designed to impede the occurrence of a disaster or its harmful
effects on communities and key installations.
2. Mitigation. These are programs intended to reduce the ill effects of disaster
3. Preparedness. These are measures, which enable government organizations, communities and
individuals to respond rapidly and effectively to disaster situations.
4. Disaster Impact. This reminds us that the impact of disasters can vary between different types of
disasters.
5. Response. These are measures taken immediately prior to and following disaster impact.
6. Recovery. This provides the link between disaster-related activities and national development.
What can influence disaster warning?
The following can influence disaster warning:
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The source and timing of the warning,
The warning message,
The warning transmission,
The recipient's response.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
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What are the Disaster Management Policies?
1. Self-reliance through self-help and mutual assistance.
2. Maximum utilization of resources in the affected areas.
3. Planning and operation to be done on the barangay level, in an interagency, multi-sectoral basis to
optimize existing resources.
4. Documentation of plans of DOC members.
5. Local leadership to take charge at their respective levels.
6. National government to support local government efforts.
7. Exercise and periodic drills to be conducted, principally at the barangay level, to ensure readiness
by all concerned.
What are the different tasks of the National Disaster Coordinating Council?
1. Advises the president on the status of disaster preparedness programs disaster operations and
rehabilitation efforts undertaken by the government and the private sectors.
2. Establish as policy guidelines on emergency preparedness and disaster operations involving rescue
relief and rehabilitation.
3. Establish priorities in the allocation of funds services disaster equipment and relief supplies.
4. Advises the lower level disaster coordinating councils through the office of the civil defense in
accordance with the guidelines on the disaster management.
5. Recommend to the president the declaration of a state of calamity in areas effectively damage and
submit proposals to restore normalcy in the affected area.
6. Create an actions group composed of permanent representatives from the member departments and
other government agencies with the executive officer as head.
7. Utilizes the facilities and serves the office of Civil Defense in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City in
discharging its functions.
Members of the council
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
The chairman is the secretary of the Department of National Defense the members are:
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC)
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
Department of Agriculture (DA)
Department of Education Culture And Sports or (DEpED)
Department of Foreign Affairs Department Of Labor And Employment (DFA)
Department of Trade And Industry (DTI)
Damage assessment and needs analysis unit
Emergency management information service unit
Vulnerability risk reduction management unit
Clans and operations unit
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1.
2.
3.
4.
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The different coordinating councils had personal station in their respective operation centers,
composed of the following:
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5. and resource unit
Its council shall provide operating units
1. for communication, transportation service and early warning device
2. health services of auxiliary and rescue evacuation
3. and engineering services
Objectives of disaster management
1. To avoid or reduce physical and economic losses
2. To reduce human personal sufferings and personal losses and
3. To achieve rapid and durable recovery.
What does the National Disaster Management Program contain?
1. Disaster preparedness,
2. Construction of disaster reduction facilities,
3. Disaster response and short-term rehabilitation,
4. Public information,
5. Research and development.
What are the Suggestions to Enhance Community Preparedness?
1. Appreciation of the fact that any disaster can occur with or without warning,
2. Awareness on the characteristic and corresponding effects of calamities,
3. Identification of vulnerable and disaster prone areas in the locality,
4. Readiness in responding to the threats of natural and man-made hazards,
5. Capability to do what must be done and when to do it in case disaster strikes, and
6. Application of counter-measures to cushion the impact of the calamity.
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By involving youth in disaster preparedness and recovery efforts, youth serving agencies can help to not
only increase awareness of particular hazard, but also can enhance the chance that they can openly
discuss how to adequately protect their families and love ones and understand how to seek help should
their community be affected according to Lauten (2002). Youth can play a range of roles in youth
preparedness programs and play a crucial role in recovery effort. They may assist communities in mapping
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Role of the Youth in Disaster Preparedness
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their risk and protective factors or may hold leadership positions within programs. Some additional roles
include:
1. Sharing the message: According to Ronan et.al (2008), youth can help share the message of
disaster preparedness,
2. Acting as change makers: Youth can act as change makers by sharing information they learned
in youth preparedness programs and helping parents and communities to prepare for disaster, for
example by developing a disaster plan or disaster preparation kit.
3. Bringing creativity: Youth can bring creative and resourceful ideas to disaster preparedness
efforts (Barlett, 2008).
Youth can play an important role in disaster preparedness and recovery according to Bush
(2014). Involving youth in disaster planning and recovery can increase their awareness of
hazardous situations that may occur in their neighborhood and teach them how to respond in
various types of emergencies.
In Baguio City, the youth T will now take an active role Climate change adaptation (CCA)
and local disaster programs strengthening their spirit of volunteerism and unleashing their
potentials in helping build disaster-resilient communities.
Empowering youth participation is spelled out in a Joint Memorandum Circular No. 201501 of the Department of Interiorand Local Government and the National Youth Commission.
The youth sector will be tapped by the local government as a member of the Local
Disaster risk Reduction Management Council (LDRRMC) representing civil society organizations.
It is expected that the youth representative will lead in the preparation and adoption of a local youth
disaster plan and also evaluate its implementation. He or she should also participate in the LDRRM budget
process present position papers or written proposals, and propose disaster-related polices, programs and
projects.
Further, the youth representative will act as focal point of NYC for potential programs and projects on
disaster preparedness risk mitigation and CCA; establish an incident command system among the youth
purposely to inform and mobilize the youth in preparing, responding and recovering from various disasters
and lead the organization and mobilization of youth advocates of CCA DRRM
To date there are 80 active youth organizations registered under the YORP, ( JDP/SCA-PIA CAR,
Benguet).
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The YORP is an advocacy of the NYC which calls tor theregistration of youth organizations to improve
youth-related database system, encourage direct link-up with the vouth, facilitate youth capacity-building
programs, and program monitoring.
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Lastly, the youth representative must be a member of an organization under the Youth Organization
Registration Program (YORP). The organization must likewise be duly accredited by the concerned local
government unit.
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