DISASTER AWARENESS, PREPAREDNESS AND NSTP101

MANAGEMENT

WHAT IS NATURAL DISASTER?

 A disaster is a serious disruption of the function of
society, causing widespread human,material or
environmental losses which exceed the ability of the
affected society to cope on its own resources.
 Natural disasters are disruptions that emanate from
nature but which may be aggravated by human
activity, hence the acronym, Human Aggravated
Natural Disasters (HAND).

Example: Ondoy – caused by natural factors but

also by men who throw garbage anywhere.

T
he Philippines is located in the circumpacific belt of
fire and typhoon. This being so, the country has
always been subjected to natural disaster and
calamities anytime of the year. In whatever part of
the country, we have been experiencing yearly
natural calamities – floods, typhoons, tornadoes,
earthquakes, drought, tsunamis and volcanic
eruptions which have brought incessant miseries to
our people, lost of lives and properties.

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In the mid-seventies and

eighties, strong typhoons and
torrential rains brought
devastation to Manila and
large areas of central Luzon.
The 1990 killer earthquake
that hit several Luzon
provinces as well as Metro
Manila and the effects of the
1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption
had put the National Disaster
Coordinating Council
(NDCC) in the forefront.
To enhance the people‘s
preparedness and ensure
precision and spontaneity in
responding to emergencies or
catastrophes, the NDCC,
together with the concerned
agencies conduct regular mobilization exercises and
drills at all levels with the participation of the
private agencies concerned and the non-government
organization.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
Below are the terminologies often used in disaster
response and rescue operations:

 Calamity – refers to a situation that is

associated with catastrophic events where a
number of persons are plunged with hardship
and suffering that are caused by problems like
shortage of food, clothing, medical care and
other basic necessities.
 Disasters – are progressive or sudden events
brought about by natural or human-induced
hazards that cause losses and sufferings the
consequence of which results to people and
communities undertaking extra-ordinary
measures to cope with their impacts.
 Disaster control – refers to the act of limiting
the effect of disaster through the introduction
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of measures designed to prepare the inhabitants
before, during and after a disaster.
 Disaster management – the efficient and
effective utilization of resources and the
application of measure that will mitigate the
impact of unfortunate events and facilitate
return to normalcy and redevelopment.
 Flood – a state or condition when water
overflows from natural waterways caused by
heavy rainfall resulting in the water
accumulation in low lying areas.
 Hazards – are natural or man-induced
phenomena or activities, the presence of which
poses a threat to people‘s lives, limbs,
properties and socio-economic conditions.
 National Disaster Coordinating Council –
the highest government body responsible in
advising the President of the country on the
status of disaster preparedness program and
disaster relief and rehabilitation effort at the
national level.
 Pollution – refers to any discharge of liquid,
solid substance or gases into land, soil, waters,
atmosphere, air or space which will create or
render such environmental elements and
atmospheric air harmful or detrimental or
injurious to human beings, animals, plants and
the nature‘s environment and ecological
balance.
 Radioactive fall-out – dust particles of Earth
and debris, together with the radioactive
materials that cling to them and are drawn up
into mushroom clouds resulting from
detonation of a nuclear weapon or devise and
which are carried by the wind and sent back to
earth.
 Rehabilitation – refers to the restoration of a
person‘s economic dependency to a stable
living either physically, economically, socially
or emotionally.
 Relief – refers to anything that is done to
alleviate the condition of those who are
suffering from the effects of a calamity/disaster

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and who at that particular time are completely
helpless.
 Risks – refers to the degree or chance and
frequency that such hazards will affect or
impact people and communities.
 Space debris – these are remains of artificial
satellites and other components as well as their
means of carriage aloft which fall back to
earth.
 State of calamity – it is a condition that is
declared by the President of the country in the
event of a widespread destruction to property
and lives due to destructive forces of nature
and emergencies.
 Volcanic eruption – an occurrence
characterized by an ejection of volcanic
materials such as molten lava, rock fragments,
ashes, lahar flow, steam and other gases
through the fissure brought about by
tremendous pressure which forces open the
rock formation or steam reservoirs beneath the
Earth‘s crust.
 Vulnerability – the level of susceptibility or
resiliency of the people and communities
against the impact of the prevailing hazards
based on the state of physical, social, and
economic conditions in a given area.

NATIONAL DISASTER COORDINATING COUNCIL

AND ITS OPERATING POLICIES
Since the DND and the AFP possess the
capability to react to natural calamities with the
DND‘s unique nature of organization and network
of troops and asset disposition, an inter-agency plan
headed by the DND was organized specifically to
put into realization an action oriented Civil Defense
Plan with the creation of the National Disaster
Coordinating Council.
In the year 1989, the NDCC, by virtue of
Memorandum Order Number 4 has issued some
functional policies and procedures intended to assist
the victims of calamities and alleviate their plight.

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Upon the declaration of a state calamity by
the President, priority assistance is instantly
extended to victims in terms of relief operations,
medical assistance, and immediate repair of vital
infrastructures which were damaged by natural
disasters and resettlement of calamity victims.
Calamity funds are released directly to the
implementing departments and agencies. Funds
released to the Department of Social Welfare and
Development are used for emergency relief and
rehabilitation assistance to affected areas and
disaster victims. Funds released to the Department
of Health are used in the procurement of needed
medicines and for medical assistance to disaster
victims.

The NDCC is composed of the following:

 Department of National Defense (lead
agency)
 Department of Public Works and Highways
 Department of Transportation and
Communication
 Department of Social Welfare and
Development
 Department of Education
 Department of Finance
 Department of Labor and Employment
 Department of Justice
 Department of Trade and Industries
 Department of Interior and Local
Government
 Department of Public Information
 Department of Budget and Management
 Chief of Staff, AFP
 Secretary General, Philippine National Red
Cross
 Civil Defense Office

KEY PLAYERS IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT

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Disaster risk management includes
administrative decisions and operational
activities that involve:
Prevention
Mitigation
Preparedness
Response
Recovery
Rehabilitation

It involves all levels of government –

decision makers and local government. Non-
government and community-based
organizations plays a vital role in the
process. Meanwhile, communities
themselves are the first responders.

ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

During disaster operations, all other
disaster coordinating councils make
available their facilities and expertise
relative to the effective implementation of
the council mission. Likewise, the office of
the Civil Defense prepares the
national/regional disaster and calamity
preparedness plan in accordance with the
approved disaster and calamity guidelines.
The members and tasks of the NDCC are as
follows:

1. Chairman – convenes the Council as

often as necessary and calls on all other
departments/bureaus/agencies, other
instrumentalities of the government and the
private sector for assistance when the need
arises.

2. Administrator, Office of Civil Defense –

coordinates the activities, functions of the
various agencies and instrumentalities of the
government, private institutions and civic
organizations to implement the policies and
programs of the NDCC; disseminates
materials relative to disaster prevention,

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control and mitigation; advises the
Chairman on matters concerning disaster
management.

3. Secretary of Interior and Local

Government – oversees the organization of
DCCs, the establishment of Disaster
Operations Centers of all local governments,
and the training of DCC members in
coordination with OCD, DSWD, PNRC, and
other appropriate agencies.

4. Secretary of Social Welfare and

Development – extends relief assistance and
social services to the victims as necessary.

5. Secretary of Health – provides health

services during emergencies as necessary,
and organizes reaction teams in hospitals,
clinics and sanitary and other health
institutions.

6. Director-General, NEDA – responsible

for the determination and analysis of the
effects of disasters and calamities on the
socio-economic plans and programs of the
country, and development of damage
assessment scheme.

7. Secretary of Labor and Employment –

provides emergency employment
opportunities to disaster victims, implements
the industrial civil defense programs and
measures, and organizes and trains Disaster
Control Groups in all factories and industrial
complexes.

8. Secretary of Education – provides

assistance in the public education and
campaign regarding disaster preparedness,
prevention and mitigation, makes available
school buildings as evacuation centers, and
organizes and trains disaster control groups

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and reaction teams in all schools and
institutions of learning.

9. Secretary of Trade and Industry –

maintains normal level of prices of
commodities during emergencies, and
organizes Disaster Control Groups and
Reaction Teams in large buildings used for
commercial and recreational purposes.

10. Secretary of Agriculture – undertakes

surveys in disaster areas to determine the
extent of damage of agricultural crops,
livestock and fisheries and renders technical
assistance to disaster victims whose crops or
livestock have been destroyed.

11. Secretary of Budget and Management

– releases funds required by the departments
for disaster operations.

12. Secretary of Environment and

Natural Resources – responsible for
reforestation and control of areas which tend
to cause flooding, landslides, mudflow and
ground subsidence, provide seeds, seedlings
and saplings and technical assistance
regarding mines, forests and lands,
formulates rules and regulations for the
control of water and land pollution.

13. Secretary of Finance – issues rules and

regulations with the relevant agencies
concerned for the funding by local
government of the requirements for
organizing, equipping, and training of their
disaster coordinating councils and reaction
teams.

14. Secretary of Public Works and

Highways – restores destroyed public
structures such as flood control, waterworks,
roads, bridges, and other vertical and
horizontal facilities/structures and provides

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heavy and light equipment for relief, rescue
and recovery operations.

15. Secretary of Tourism – organizes and

trains disaster control groups and reaction
teams in hotels, pension houses, restaurants
and other tourist-oriented facilities.

16. Secretary of Transportation and

Communications – restores destroyed
communication and transportation facilities
such as railroads and vertical structures, and
organizes emergency transport services from
the national down to the barangay level; and
restores destroyed communication and
transportation facilities such as railroads and
vertical structures.

17. Director, Philippine Information

Agency – provides public information
service through dissemination of disaster
mitigation measures.

18. Secretary-General, Philippine

National Red Cross – conducts disaster
leadership training courses, assists in the
training of DCCs at all levels; and assists in
providing emergency relief assistance to
disaster victims.

19. Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the

Philippines – responsible for the provision
of security in disaster area and provision of
assistance in the reconstruction of roads,
bridges and other structures and
transportation facilities for rapid movement
of relief supplies and personnel and for the
evacuation of disaster victims.

WHAT CAN YOU DO IN DISASTER

MANAGEMENT?
All able-bodied young citizen of the
land should get themselves involved in civic

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actions in the community where she/he lives
and should be ready to render assistance
anywhere and anytime their service are
needed. More than anything else, it is
everybody‘s moral obligation to assist
her/his countrymen in distress.
In times of natural calamities or
manmade disorders, the youth should be
willing and ready to render direct assistance
to calamity victims in any of the following
areas:

Sorting, loading and distribution of

relief goods
Administering first aid treatment on
victims
Comforting and assisting in their
rehabilitation
Disseminating information to
concerned individual
Surveying of affected families and
areas
Monitoring and liaisoning work

FIRST AID
Emergency and some first aid procedures
When faced with an emergency situation, you should follow
a set routine and establish your priorities. If possible, send
someone to call for medical help while you deal with the
situation. Make sure that you are in no danger and make
the scene safe. Then check the victims’condition and carry
out treatment as appropriate.

I. WHEN THERE IS AN EMERGENCY

- GETTING APPROPRIATE HELP
Life-threatening emergencies require professional
medical assistance. If possible,ask a bystander to
contact emergency services. Useful information to
have at hand includes:

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Details of what happened.
Number of people injured.
Type of illness or injuries.
Whether or not person is breathing.
The exact address with landmarks if
possible.
A contact phone number.
Do not hang up until the operator tells you to.
He or she may be able to guideyou through first
aid procedures if you are unsure of what to do
next.
- MAKING THE SCENE SAFE
The cardinal rule of first aid is to ensure that
you can give assistance without endangering
yourself.
Do not rush to the scene: walk slowly and
steadily, looking around for potential
dangers and an overview of what has
happened.
Be prepared to take charge unless someone
more qualified than you is present.
Identify dangers and remove them if it is
safe to do so, but if you cannoteliminate the
danger, call for emergency help and advice
and consider whether the danger poses
continuing risk to the injured person.
If it does, assess whether you can safely
move him or her. If in doubt, do
notapproach the scene. Keep everybody else
back and call for emergency help.

Potential dangers include:

At the scene of an accident --- other cars,
broken glass or metal, or an unsteady crash
vehicle.
Chemicals, fire, or electricity.
Aggressive behavior in those who maybe ill,
hysterical, or as a result of drugs or alcohol.
Sharp objects on the floor such as a knife or
syringe.

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TREATING THE INJURED OR ILL
If you can give first aid safely, your
priorities are to maintain an open airway and
resuscitate if necessary to treat serious
bleeding and to treat for shock.
If faced with several injured people,
always approach the quietest first --- a
person who is shouting is at least able to
maintain a clear airway.
Determining what may be wrong with an
injured person is part of the treatment. To
help you reach a provisional diagnosis you
need to consider:
What actually happened (from what
you or the bystander has observed).
The signs (what you can see, hear,
touch, or smell on the victim such as
pale skin, swelling, noisy breathing,
or alcohol on the breath).
The symptoms (what the injured or
ill persons tell you --- for example,
he or she feels dizzy or is in pain.
II. WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEBODY HAS COLLAPSED:
Facing situation where somebody has
collapsed is frightening, particularly if it
issomebody you know. However, there are some
very simple steps that you can take to help you
decide the best course of action, which in an
emergency could mean thedifference between life
and death.

- CHECK THE SCENE

Is it safe for you to approach the person who
collapsed? Do not become a victimyourself. Check
for dangers such as chemicals, electricity, or traffic.
If you can safely remove the danger, do so. If not,
consider if you can safely and easily move the
person from danger, or whether you need to call for
additional help such as the fire services.

CHECK THE RESPONSE

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Is the person who has collapsed conscious?
Gently squeeze the shoulders and ask
loudly, “Are you all right?”
Speak loudly and clearly.
Always assume there may be a neck injury
and squeeze gently.
The most important rule of first aid is never to put
yourself in danger. Do not rush to the scene; look
around you to assess potential dangers. If in doubt,
stay back.

For babies and young children

Do not squeeze the shoulders--- try to provoke a
response by stroking the cheek or the sole of the
foot and speaking loudly.
IF THERE IS NO RESPONSE
If there is no response, the immediate danger
is that the victim might be unconscious and
may have a blocked airway or be in need of
resuscitation.
Shout for help.
If possible, leave the victim in the position
in which you found him and open theairway.
When it is not possible to carry out an
assessment of the victim in the position
found, turn him onto his back and open the
airway.

OPEN THE AIRWAY

Place one hand on the forehead and gently
tilt the head back.
Remove any obvious obstructions from the
victim’s mouth, including dislodged
dentures, but leave well-fitting dentures in
place.
Place the fingertips of two fingers under the
point of the victim’s chin and lift the chin. If
injury to the neck is suspected, handle the
head very gently and try to avoid tilting the
head too much.

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For a baby, use only one finger to lift the
chin and take particular care not to over tilt
the head.

CHECK FOR BREATHING

Once the airway is open, the next priority is to
check whether or not the person is breathing. Keep
the airway open with one hand on the forehead and
one hand lifting the chin. Put your cheek to the
victim’s face and look down the chest.
LOOK for the movement of the chest and
stomach.
LISTEN for breath sounds.
FEEL for breathing on the side of your face.
If the victim is breathing, turn into the
recovery position.
If the victim is not breathing
Call for emergency help.
If you have not already done so, make sure
that an ambulance has been called.
Start resuscitation.

ABC RESUSCITATION
Airway Ensure a clear airway. Breathing Check
breathing and provide rescue breathing to the non-
breathing person. Circulation Check that the person
has a good circulation and help them if their
circulation has stopped or is damaged.

III. HOW TO TREAT NOSEBLEEDS

Nosebleeds are very common among
children and many start spontaneously.
Unless they are a direct result of an impact
to the nose, the cause may not be known.
Simple treatment whereby the blood is
encouraged to clot is usually effective. The
priority is to protect the victim’s airway and
to try and prevent blood from being
swallowed.
1. Lean the child forward and encourage her
to spit blood into a handkerchief or some
other receptacle.
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2. Pinch the child’s nose just below the hard
part at its top to and apply firm pressure for
10 minutes (this is the amount of time it
takes for a clot to form). If the bleeding has
not stopped after 10 minutes, apply pressure
for two further periods of 10 minutes. If
bleeding continues then take the child to
hospital.
3. Once the bleeding has stopped, advice the
child not to scratch, pick, or blow her nose,
not to drink hot liquid, and not to exert
herself, because all these activities can
dislodge the clot and cause the bleeding to
start again.

RESOURCES
 National Service Training Program Module
(n.d.). Manila: Mapua Institute of
Technology
 National Service Training Program (2014).
Valenzuela: Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng
Valenzuela

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