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ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
Cauayan Campus

MODULE 3
IN
NSTP
CLIMATE CHANGE AND DISASTER RISK DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Chapter 2: Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

2. Introduction
As an archipelago located at the southeastern part of Asia, the Philippines is exposed
to both climatic and geological hazards. It is situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire where
two major tectonic plates, the Pacific Plate and Eurasian Plate meet. With several
fault lines crossing the country, earthquakes could have very devastating effects.
There are 220 volcanoes, 22 of which are classified as active (NDCC 2008).
The Philippines is also located along the typhoon belt on the North Pacific Basin in
the Pacific where 75 per cent of the typhoons originate. There are 20 to 30 typhoons
passing through the country, 5 – 7 of which can be destructive (NDCC 2008). As a
consequence of extreme rainfall events, flash floods, flooding and landslides have
become more prevalent since 2000.
The impacts of climate change in the Philippines are becoming better understood
(Cruz et al, 2007). There has been an increase in the annual mean rainfall since the
1980s and in the number of rainy days since the 1990s (Cruz et al.: 10.2.2). On
average, 20 cyclones cross the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) with about 8-
9 making landfall each year.
The natural risks associated with these trends are aggravated by human activities,
particularly in the exploitation or resources such as forests and minerals and
development interventions that do not incorporate responsible risk assessments.
According to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, The
Philippines was the fourth most accident-prone country in the world in 2015.
Accordingly, 31,835 Filipinos were killed and 94,369,462 others were affected by
natural disasters and calamities in a span of 20 years.
It is for the foregoing reasons that this module is focused on disaster risk reduction
and management.

3. Learning Outcome
At the end of the modular unit, students are expected to:
1. Update knowledge on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
2. Acquire skills in responding on disaster incidence with their capacity
3. Appreciate the impact of disaster by building sustainable and resilient communities.

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4. Learning Content

Topic 1. Overview of the Philippine Disaster Management System

Since the Office of the Civil Defense and National Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Council’s creation, PD 1566 of 1978 has been the basic law that guides the disaster
management programs, projects, and strategies implementation in the country. However,
it has been observed and noted from past experiences, combined with lessons learned and
gaps examination, that the law that creates the Council is more leaning and gives more
emphasis on response action, thus, making the implementers reactive to possible disasters
rather than taking a proactive stance in disaster risk management. Recently, OCD-NDCC
initiated the shift on disaster management approaches and strategies from reactive to
proactive (from disaster response and preparedness to disaster risk reduction/management
– a paradigm shift from the prevalent ‘culture of reaction’ to a ‘culture of prevention’.

Then President Arroyo signed on May 17 Republic Act 10121, also known as the
Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. This Act provides for
the development of policies and plans and the implementation of actions and measures
pertaining to all aspects of disaster risk reduction, management and recovery, including
good governance, risk assessment and early warning, knowledge building and awareness
raising, reducing underlying risk factors, and preparedness for effective response and
early recovery.

The new law adopts and adheres to principles and strategies consistent with the
international standards set by the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), a comprehensive,
action-oriented response to international concern about the growing impacts of disasters
on individuals, communities and national development.

A National Disaster Risk Reduction, Management and Recovery Framework and Plan
was developed, formulated, and implemented. The Framework provides for
comprehensive, all hazards, multi-sectoral, inter-agency and community-based approach
to disaster risk reduction, management and recovery. It serves as the principal guide to
disaster risk reduction, management and recovery efforts in the country in conformity
with the National Disaster Risk Reduction, Management and Recovery Framework
(NDRRMRF).

I. Republic Act No. 10121, know as the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management (PDRRM) Act 2010”

“An Act Strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
System, Providing for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework
and Institutionalizing the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan,
Appropriating Funds Therefore and For Other Purposes”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy

1. Upholding people’s rights to life and property and adherence to internationally

accepted principles, norms and standards for capacity building in DRRM and
humanitarian assistance;

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2. Adoption of a holistic, comprehensive, integrated, proactive and multi-sector
approach in addressing the impacts of disasters, including climate change;

3. Development, promotion and implementation of a comprehensive National Disaster

Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP);

4. Mainstreaming DRR and Climate Change in national and local development plans
and development processes (e.g. policy formulation, socio-economic development
planning, budgeting and governance);

5. Mainstreaming DRR into the peace process and conflict resolution;

6. Ensuring DRR and CC-Gender responsive measures, sensitive to indigenous

knowledge and respect of human rights;

7. Strengthening capacity building of Local Government Units on DRR (e.g.

decentralized powers, responsibilities, resources) and vulnerable and marginalized
groups;

8. Engaging the participation of Civil Society Organizations or CSO, private sectors

and volunteers in DRR;

9. Promotion of breastfeeding before and during a disaster or emergency; and

10. Ensuring maximum care, assistance and services to affected individuals and
families.

Salient Features of PDRRRM Act of 2010

1. Policy statements and terminologies on

DRRM (Secs. 2 & 3) R.A. NO. 10121

2. Institutional mechanisms (Secs. 5-12) Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction

and Management (PDRRM) Act of
a. DRRMC’s (National, Regional, 2010
Provincial, City and Municipal
Levels and Barangay Development - 21 years in the making
Council at the Barangay level); - 7 Congresses
- 4 Administrations
b. Office of the Civil Defense - Signe into Law on May 27,
2010
c. Permanent Office on DRRM at the
LGU level; Barangay DRRM
Committee

d. Disaster Volunteers

3. Operational Mechanisms (Secs. 15-18)

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a. Coordination during emergencies

b. Declaration of a state of calamity

RA No. 10121 provides for:
c. Remedial Measures
 Strategies/Approaches
d. Mechanism for the international
humanitarian assistance network.  Policies Administration
 Institutions
4. Participation, accreditation, mobilization,  Actors
protection and development of disaster  Financial Sustainability
volunteers

5. Training and Education in DRR

a. Establishment of DRRM training institutes

b. Mandatory training in DRRM for public sector employees

c. Integration of DRR in school curricula, training for out-of-school youth,

Sangguniang Kabataan, and informal training

II. The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC)

Leading the collaborative efforts in disaster preparedness planning and mitigation, as

well as a disaster response operations and rehabilitation both in the government and
private sectors is the NDRRMC. It is the highest policy-making, coordinating and
supervising body at the national level chaired by the Secretary of National Defense
thru the Executive Director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and has 14
departments and 39 line agencies as members.

The NDRRMC is also responsible for advising the President of the Republic of the
Philippines on the status of the national disaster preparedness programs and
management plans, disaster operations, and rehabilitation efforts of all stakeholders. It
also recommends to the President the declaration of the state of calamity and the
release of the national calamity fund as needed.

III. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD)

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD), as the implementing arm of the National Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council, shall have the primary mission of
administering a comprehensive national civil defense and disaster risk reduction and
management program by providing leadership in the continuous development of
strategic and systematic approaches as well as measures to reduce the vulnerabilities
and risks to hazards and manage the consequences of disasters. Its mission is to
provide leadership and administration of a comprehensive national civil defense and
disaster reduction and management program. The vision is to become center of
excellence in disaster risk reduction and management by 2020.

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IV. Organizational Network

The Philippine Disaster Management System (PDMS), as embodied in P.D. 1566 and
R.A, 10121, is carried out at various political subdivisions and administrative regions
of the country through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council (NDRRMC); 17 Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Councils (RDDRMC); 80 Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Councils (PDDRMC), 113 City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils
(CDRRMC); 1496 Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils
(MDRRMC); and 41,956 Barangay Risk Reduction and Management Councils
(BRRMC) respectively.

1. Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office

(LDRRMO) (Section 12, PDRRM Act)

a. It is established in every Province, City, Municipality, and

Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Committee in every barangay.

b. Responsibility – setting the direction, development,

implementation and coordination of disaster risk
management programs within their territorial jurisdiction.

c. LDRRMO shall be under the office of the governor, city or

municipal mayor, and the barangay captain in case of the
BDRRMC. The LDRRMO’s initially organized and is
composed of a DRRMO, assisted by three staffs responsible
for:

 Administrative and training;

 Research and planning; and

 Operations and warning. The LDRRMOs and the

BDRRMCs shall organize, train and directly
supervise the local emergency response teams and
the Accredited Community Disaster Volunteers
(ACDV).

2. Accreditation, Mobilization, and Protection of Disaster Volunteers

and National Service Reserve Corps, Civil Society Organization
and the Private Sector (Section 13, PDRRM Act)

a. The government agencies, CSOs, private sectors and LGUs

may mobilize individuals or organized volunteers to
augment their respective personnel complement and

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logistical requirements in the delivery of disaster risk
reduction programs and activities.
b. The agencies, CSOs, private sectors and LGUs concerned
shall take full responsibility for the enhancement, welfare
and protection of volunteers, and shall submit the list of
volunteers to the OCD, through the LDRRMOs, for
accreditation and inclusion in the database of community
disaster volunteers.

3. Integration of DRRM Education into the School Curricula and

Sagguniang Kabataan (SK) Program and Mandatory Training for
the Public Sector Employees (Section 14, PDRRM Act)
a. The DepEd, CHED, TESDA in coordination with OCD,
NYC, DOST, DENR, DILG-BFP, DOH, DSWD and other
relevant agencies, shall integrate DRRM education in the
school curricula of secondary and tertiary levels of
education, including NSTP, whether private or public,
including formal and non-formal, technical-vocational,
indigenous learning, and out-of-school youth courses and
programs.
b. The NDRRMC, RDRRMCs, LDRRMCs, LDRRMOs,
BDRRMCs and the SK councils shall encourage
community, specifically the youth, participation in DRRM
activities.

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Topic 2. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Concepts

The concept of disaster risk reduction and management (CDDRM) accepts that some
hazard events may occur but tries to lessen the impact by improving the community’s
ability to absorb the impact with minimum damage or destruction. Disaster risk reduction
and management is a series of actions (programmes, projects and / or measures) and
instruments expressly aimed at reducing disaster risk in endangered regions, and
mitigating the extent of disasters.

Operationally, it includes risk assessment, disaster prevention and mitigation and disaster
preparedness. It is used to underscore the current trend of taking a proactive approach to
hazards posed by extreme natural phenomena.

Definition of Disaster Management Terms

1. Hazards. A situation that poses a level of

threat to life, health, property or A disaster can be identified as:
environment.
“…. A situation or event, which
2. Risks. A probability or threat f a damage, overwhelms local capacity, necessitating
injury, loss, or other negative occurrence a request to national or international
that is caused by external or internal level for external assistance; an
vulnerabilities, and that may be neutralized unforeseen and often sudden event that
through preemptive action. causes great damage, destruction and
human suffering.”
3. Vulnerability. The level of susceptibility or
Center for Epidemiology of Disasters,
resiliency of the people and communities
Brussels
against the impact of the prevailing hazards
based on the stat of physical, social, and
economic conditions in a given area.

4. Disasters. A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society

involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and
impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using
its own resources.

The Disaster Equation

 Hazards (H). Physical impact of disturbance

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 Risk (R). Likelihood of harm, loss, disaster
 People or Community (Exposure). Elements affected by hazard
 Vulnerability (V). Susceptibility and capacity to prepare, absorb, and recover from
hazard

H x R + V = Disaster

Where:
 Hazards (H)
 Risk (R)

 People or Community

 Vulnerability (V)

 Exposure. Elements affected by hazard

Disaster Risk Management: What and Who

Disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) includes administrative decisions and
operational activities that involve:

1. Prevention

2. Mitigation

3. Preparedness

4. Response

5. Recovery

6. Rehabilitation

 Disaster risk management involves all levels of government – decision makers

and local government.

 Non-governmental and community-based organization play a vital role in the

process.

 Communities themselves are the first responders.

Disaster Risk Management Cycle

The disaster life cycle describes the process through which emergency managers prepare for
emergencies and disasters, respond to them when they occur, help people and institution
recover from them, mitigate their effects, reduce risks of loss, and prevent disasters from
occurring.

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Traditional Model – DM Cycle. The traditional approach to disaster management is to regard
it as a number of phased sequences of action or a continuum. This can be represented as a
cycle as shown in Figure 4.1

Disaster management refers to 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 development.

1. Disaster management occurs before, during, and after a disaster.

2. Disaster management consists of the DRM component as well as relief, response,

early and long-term recovery, including rehabilitation, and reconstruction.

a. Disaster response, including relief activities, is conducted immediately

after a disaster occurs primarily to save lives and for humanitarian
purposes.

b. Recovery occurs over the short, medium and long term in the aftermath of
a disaster. Rehabilitation and reconstruction, on the other hand, are long
term activities necessary to restore public infrastructures, services, and
critical facilities.

c. Building back better during this process means not generating new risks
and mitigating existing ones.

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Rationale for Risk Management

1. Comprehensive risk management process has the potential to break the cycle of
damage and reconstruction when a community is subjected to repeated natural
hazards.

2. To be effective, a strategy must be in place and ready for immediate implementation

when necessary.
3. This can only be done through advance preparation and planning.

Disaster Risk Management Objectives

1. Reduce vulnerabilities in the community.

2. When sustained over a long term, reduce unacceptable risk to acceptable levels and
make the community become disaster resistant / resilient.

Disaster risk management refers to range of:

1. Policies

2. Legislative mandates

3. Professional practices

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4. Social, structural and non-structural adjustments

5. Risk transfer mechanism to prevent, reduce or minimize the effects of hazards on a

community.

Range of Risk Management Measures

1. Engineering measures (keep hazard away from people)

2. Land use planning and management measures (keep people away from hazard)

3. Control and protection works (modifying the hazard)

4. Early warning (predicting hazard)

5. Preparedness planning (prepare in anticipation of a hazard event)

6. Reconstruction planning after a disaster with the aim of reducing the vulnerability

7. Mainstreaming risk management in development practice and institutionalization

Table 4.1 Evolving DM Concepts and Paradigms

Traditional/Reactive Risk Management / Proactive

Disasters as “Acts of God” and “Acts of Disasters as “Act of Man”
Nature”
From a humanitarian approach, relief and To a developmental approach, where disaster
response approach in which intervention is a developmental concern and may arise as a
was provided only during or immediately result of unsustainable development practices.
after a disaster.
From a technocratic approach, where To promotion of non-structural and non-
engineering and technological solutions engineering measures such as community-
were used including prediction and based disaster preparedness and early warning,
modifying the hazards. indigenous knowledge, and land use planning,
emphasizing the need to modify
vulnerabilities (and) capacities instead of the
hazards.f f fff oofff o nooonon
otiiiittttoommmmoooropropro promotion o
promotion
Single hazard approach Multi or all-hazards approach
Sectoral Inter-sectoral, inter-agency, all-of-government
effort
Public sector led All-of-society approach, participatory,
inclusive, transparent, gender-fair

Disaster Risk Reduction Management Paradigm

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1. The Disaster Risk Reduction paradigm has Risk Reduction focuses on prevention
become dominant in the twenty-first and mitigation. It involves:
century. DRR is proactive by aiming to  Development and
establish a culture of disaster prevention and Implementation of Policies,
resilience. DRR measures emphasizes non- Regulations and Standards
 Land Use Planning, Zoning,
structural mitigation measures are therefore
Building Codes, Structural Best
a must. Practices
 Preparedness Planning,
2. Disaster Risk Management is a “range of Investment Decision-Making
related activities for coping with risk, Institutional Frameworks and
including how related activities are System
identified and assessed and how social  Education/Training, Public
interventions to deal with risk are monitored Awareness
and evaluated.”

3. DRRM is undertaken during “normal times” and before another disaster strikes (e.g.
during recovery). It focuses on the following:

a. Mitigation and Prevention. This is a sustained measure taken before disaster

occurs and is aimed to minimize the
Components of Risk Identification
potential impacts of a disaster or reduce  Understanding the Nature of
disaster risks. Hazards
 Understanding the Nature of
b. Preparedness. This helps reduce severity Vulnerabilities
of impact or certain disasters,
particularly slow-onset disasters. Disaster Response and Recovery
Proactively with risk identification and  Focuses on relatively narrow
capacity development. Common window post-event
preparedness measures: hazard maps,  Focuses on triage, stabilization,
food and material stockpiling, bridging back to “normal” state
emergency drills, installation of early
warning systems, and preparation of
emergency kits.

c. Risk assessment (identification and monitoring). The information generated by

this is essential to the development of non-structural mitigation measures (e.g.
institutional and capacity building, information sharing and dissemination, land
use planning).

Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Framework

Paradigm Shift from Reactive to

Proactive Mode . . .

Disaster Risk Management 13

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H xV
R¿ 15P3=15!(15−3)!=15!12!=2730
C

The government pursues a comprehensive disaster management framework that

encompasses disaster risk reduction, mitigation and preparedness in the pre-event, and
disaster response, rehabilitation and recovery in the post-event. A framework that has evolved
and adapted to the lessons of past disaster events as well as emerging concerns, and anchored
on the national authority’s program thrusts aimed to, among others, implement the Hyogo
Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to
Disasters with the five (5) Thematic Areas/Priorities for Action, as follows:

1. Governance. Ensure that disaster risk reduction is a national and local priority with a
strong institutional basis for implementation.

2. Risk Assessment and Early Warning. Identify, assess and monitor disaster risks and
enhance early warning.

3. Knowledge Management and Education. Use knowledge, innovation and education to

build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels.

4. Risk Management and Vulnerability Reduction. Reduce the underlying factors.

5. Disaster Preparedness. Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at all

levels.

Topic 3.

Geographical Hazards and Disaster Risk Profiles of the Philippines

The Philippines, by virtue of its geographic circumstances, is highly prone to natural

disasters, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tropical cyclones and floods, making it one
of the most disaster prone countries in the world. The disaster risk profile report of the
Philippines seeks to document the impacts of natural disasters on the social and economic
development of the Philippines; assess the country’s capacity to reduce and manage disaster
risk; and identify options for more effective management of that risk. The Philippine
institutional arrangements and disaster management systems tend to rely on a response, or
reactive approach, in contrast to a more effective proactive approach, in which disasters are
avoided, by appropriate land-use planning, construction and other pre-event measures which
avoid the creation of disaster-prone conditions. To evolve to a more proactive role, it is
important that a national framework for comprehensive disaster risk management be prepared
and implemented. The framework should incorporate the essential steps of integrated risk
management, which include risk identification, risk reduction, and risk sharing/financing. The
study identified some specific areas under these key themes that would need to be addressed
to improve the current system, discussed through the study. The study also found that
currently, the Government and individual households bear the majority of costs caused by
natural disasters. More effective options for financing disaster risk, and relieving the burden
of disasters from the public sector should be explored, including the idea of a catastrophe
insurance pool, and/or contingent credit facilities. Also found was that, despite the high
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hazard risk in the Philippines, the insurance coverage for residential dwellings' catastrophes is
almost nonexistent. It is stipulated the Bank should examine the ongoing portfolio to identify
how its projects can support the goal of disaster risk reduction. In addition, the Bank should
consider more direct support to the development of an integrated disaster management risk
approach, through the provision of technical assistance and lending.

Philippine Situationer

Over the past two decades, the Philippines endured a total of 274 natural calamities,
making it the fourth most disaster-prone country in the world. This is based on "The Human
Cost of Weather Related Disasters," a study conducted by the Geneva-based United Nations
Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and the Belgian-based Centre on the
Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED).

It covered the period between 1995 and 2015. According to the report, the other countries
hit by the highest number of disasters were United States (472), China (441), India (288), and
Indonesia (163). The report also revealed that the Philippines was among the top ten
countries with the most number of people affected by disasters, at 130 billion.

Philippine Disaster Risk Profile

The Philippines is vulnerable to almost all types of natural hazards because of its
geographical location.

1. Located within the Circum-Pacific belt of fires and along typhoon path, the
Philippines becomes exposed to natural perils like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons
and their resultant effects like tsunami, landslides, floods and flashfloods.

2. As an archipelago with 7,641 islands, the threat of tsunami affecting the country's
coastal areas is not far-fetched.

3. The Moro Gulf Earthquake with 7.6 intensity triggered a tsunami which affected
Southern Philippines and resulted to the death of around 3,800 persons and destruction of
properties.

4. Yearly, the country experiences an average of 20 typhoons, half of these are

destructive; is a host to 220 volcanoes, 22 of which are active, as well as active faults and
trenches that are potential sources of earthquakes.

5. The country has also its episodes of human-made disasters such as urban fires, air,
land and sea mishaps, and complex emergency, mostly in Southern Philippines because of the
secessionist movement, coupled with its vulnerability to floods and other natural hazards.

The Philippines is one of the most natural hazard-prone countries in the world. The social
and economic cost of natural disasters in the country is increasing due to population growth,
change in land-use patterns, migration, unplanned urbanization, environmental degradation,
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and global climate change. Reducing the risk of disasters will be the key to achieving the
development goals of the Philippines.

The Philippine Risk Profile and Disaster Management Trends Comprehensive Disaster
Risk Management Framework Module 2: Philippines Application Session: Module 2:
Philippines Application Session 1

1. The Philippine Archipelago occupies the western ring of the Pacific Ocean (Western
Segment of the Pacific Ring of Fire), a most active part of the earth that is
characterized by an ocean-encircling belt of active volcanoes and earthquake
generators (faults).

2. Geologic Hazards. July 16, 1990 (Intensity 8 Earthquake) 1,666 persons dead 3,500
persons injured P 11B cost of damaged property PI.2B cost of damage in agriculture
June 1991 (Mt. Pinatubo Eruption) The biggest volcanic eruption of the century 800
persons dead P 10.6B cost of damages 3 Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management
Framework Module 2: Philippines Application

3. Hydro-Meteorological Hazards. The Philippines experiences an average of 20

Tropical Cyclone a year, 5 of which can be destructive. The December 2004
landslides in the Provinces of Quezon & Aurora were a result of the continuous
rainfall in the area 4 Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Framework Module
2: Philippines Application

4. Weather System Affecting the Philippines. Tropical Cyclones, Seasonal Monsoons

Southwest — June to September Northeast — November to March, Cold Front,
Intertropical Convergence Zone, Easterly Trade, Thunderstorms 5 Comprehensive
Disaster Risk Management Framework Module 2: Philippines Application

5. Category of Tropical Cyclones Category Strengths Tropical Depression35 65 kph

Tropical Cyclones66 - 119 kph Typhoon120 kph or more 6 Comprehensive Disaster
Risk Management Framework Module 2: Philippines Application

6. Losses Due to Disasters in the 20 th Century Hazard Event Number of Persons Killed
Damage ($USD M) Typhoon Earthquake Volcano Flood 28,812 9,572 6,331 2,545
5,653 517 228 431 7 Source: CRED 1998 Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management
Framework Module 2: Philippines Application

7. Disaster Management Trends. Up to the 1970's, 1980's, 1990's-2000, 2000 — present

8 Disaster Response Disaster Preparedness & Response Natural Disaster Reduction
Disaster Preparedness & Response Disasters & Development Natural Disaster Risk
Reduction Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Framework Module 2:
Philippines Application

8. The need for a paradigm shift of our disaster management approaches and strategies
from reactive to proactive DISASTER NATURE ENVIRONMENT Human Actions
Increase Decrease Vulnerability > Natural Hazards MAN

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Hazards in the Philippines

The Philippines is prone to various natural hazards because Of its geographic and
geologic setting.

Hazard Classification

1. Natural Hazards are natural processes or phenomena occurring in the biosphere that
may constitute a damaging event. It can be classified by origin: geographical, hydro-
meteorological, and biological.

a. Geographical Hazards. Natural earth processes or phenomena in the biosphere, which

include geological, neo-tectonic, geophysical, geomorphological, geotechnical and
hydro-geological nature. Examples: earthquakes, tsunamis; volcanic activity and
emissions; Mass movements i.e. landslides, • rockslides, rockfall, liquefaction,
submarine slides; subsidence, surface collapse, geological fault activity.

b. Hydro-Meteorological Hazards. Natural processes or phenomena of atmospheric,

hydrological or oceanographic nature. Examples: floods, debris and mud flows;
tropical cyclone, storm surge, thunder/ hailstorms, rain and wind storms, blizzards and
other severe storms; drought, desertification, wild land fires, heat waves, sand or dust
storms; permafrost, snow avalanches.

c. Biological Hazards. Processes of organic or those conveyed by biological vectors,

including exposure to pathogenic micro-organism, toxins and bioactive substances.
Examples: outbreak of epidemics diseases, plant or animal contagion and extensive
infestations.

2. Technological Hazards (Anthropogenic Hazards). Danger originating from

technological or industrial accidents, dangerous procedures, infrastructure failures or certain
human activities, which may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and
economic disruption or environmental degradation.

Examples:

a. Industrial pollution, nuclear activities and radioactivity

b. Toxic wastes, dam failures, transport, industrial or technological accidents

(explosions, fires, spills)

3. Environmental Degradation processes induced by human behavior and activities

(sometimes combined with natural hazards) that damage the natural resource base or
adversely alter natural processes or ecosystems.

Examples:

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a. land degradation, deforestation, desertification, wild land fires, loss of biodiversity

b. land, water and air pollution, climate change, sea level rise, ozone depletion

The Philippines Hazard Scope

RP is the strategic geographical position in the Ring of Fire…

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Hydro-Meteorological Hazard

The Philippines is vulnerable to almost all types of natural hazard because of its
geographical location.

Liquefaction effects sand boils subsidence

Lateral Spreading/ Fissuring

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Topic 4. Vulnerability of the Urban Environment

The "vulnerability" perspective in disasters, which is rapidly emerging as a dominant

view in the field, assumes that a real disaster occurs when it strikes an underprivileged
population. Vulnerability is formally defined as "the characteristics of a person or group and
their situation that influences their capacity to anticipate, cope with, resist, and recover from
the impact of a natural hazard." Implicit here is "differential vulnerability"; that is, different
populations face different levels of risk and vulnerability. Consequently, policies aimed at
addressing risk and vulnerability must also take into account these differential impacts and
outcomes of disasters. Although the sources of vulnerability are multiple and quite diverse,
some of the most important factors that affect vulnerability include population growth and
distribution and social diversity. Several elements contribute to urban vulnerability. It is their
compounding and correlated effects that make urban disaster risk reduction a challenge.
These elements can be grouped into the following vulnerability attributes:

1. Unplanned Urbanization is having increasingly devastating effects. Rapidly exploding

growth of cities is overwhelming government institutions with the pressures of urbanization.
Much of the growth is haphazard, far exceeding the cities' capacity to adequately plan and
control development. As a result, uncontrolled urbanization often feeds the growth of slums,
reinforces poverty, and diminishes cities' ability to deal with disasters.

Faced with these challenges, cities developed housing infrastructures and offered basic
social services haphazardly and often without any formal land use and urban planning
process. When these elements exist, they are typically oriented towards optimization of land,
and seldom incorporate any disaster risk management parameters. Migration aggravates the
problem by creating large scale informal construction. Migrants also face significant
challenges in adapting their past experience and coping strategies to the new risk
environment in cities.

2. Continuing social and physical degradation. New migrants and the underprivileged
move into inner city neighborhoods where buildings are old and in poor maintenance
conditions; access roads are narrow and service delivery is difficult. These old buildings and
the aging infrastructures pose a constant threat to their occupants from hazards such as fires,
floods and earthquakes. A significant proportion of urban dwellers resides and/or works in
these highly vulnerable buildings where they are at high risk from multiple hazards and
where access for emergency vehicles is often difficult and can be completely obstructed by
building debris, in case of a hazard event. Solutions to reduce social and physical
vulnerabilities are socially, politically and financially difficult to devise and implement.
Reducing the social and physical vulnerability of these neighborhoods remains a formidable
challenge to the authorities.

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3. Urban risk has been neglected. To a large extent, local authorities have been ignoring
urban risk from extreme hazards. And worse, national governments and international
organizations have been neglecting cities in setting DRR priorities and providing funding
support, respectively. The premise has been that cities, especially megacities, have the
capacity to address risk on their own; however, it is now clear that most cities, particularly in
the developing world, are not effectively managing their risk. The validity of such a premise
needs to be revisited as it is challenged by the ever increasing evidence of social and physical
urban vulnerabilities. Schools, hospitals, essential facilities, housing, commercial and
institutional property are poorly constructed and designed without satisfying minimum safety
standards. Structural vulnerability studies undertaken in large cities around the world indicate
a high vulnerability of existing built environment to natural hazards. Urban disasters,
particularly earthquakes, have again and again demonstrated the precarious conditions of the
built environment in cities. Hence, physical vulnerability of existing environment constitutes
one of the biggest threats to urban dwellers.

4. Damages from climate change will accelerate, as the world gets warmer. The
consequences of climate change will become disproportionately more damaging with
increased warming. Higher temperatures will increase the chance of triggering abrupt and
large-scale changes that lead to regional disruption, migration and conflict. Warming may
induce sudden shifts in regional weather patterns such as the monsoon rains in South Asia or
the El Niho phenomenon. Climate change is aggravating the impact of climate related
hazards particularly those related to temperature and precipitation changes, which in turn,
bring forth environmental health risks.

5. The link between disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change. It is now
recognized that reducing disaster risk through the HFA is the key strategy for climate change
adaptation. From the disaster risk reduction perspective there is growing recognition of two
key ideas: the practical application of adaptation to climate change is risk reduction, and
disaster risk reduction needs to take climate change into account. Efforts are however needed
to build on these concepts and to focus more on local initiatives. As it stands, the HFA is
primarily written by and for national and international audiences. An equivalent set of
guiding principles and planning tools are needed to orient local investment in DRR.

6. Weak institutional arrangements. In most developing countries, legislative and

institutional arrangements inhibit rather than enable local action. While it is recognized that
disasters are initially local events, accountability, authority and resources are not sufficiently
decentralized to enable local governments to assume ownership and take actions to manage
disaster risk effectively.

7. Lack of political feasibility. Politicians, administrators, and community leaders all

face conflicting. priorities, and DRR almost invariably takes the back seat to other needs
which may be considered more pressing or easier to solve. Risk is not managed preemptively,
but thought of in terms of something to be dealt with when disaster strikes through
emergency response and humanitarian assistance. Further, the inadequacy of experience,
methodology and standards for benchmarking make DRR an unattractive proposition for
local officials.

8. Insufficient knowledge, experience and capacity. Disaster risk reduction is complex,

and few administrators have experienced implementing DRR initiatives. It takes time, effort,
tools, and training to assimilate disaster risk reduction in city functions and ongoing

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operations. Significant deficiencies remain throughout cities and megacities in terms of inter-
institutional coordination, warning systems, incident command and control, resources for
response, relief, recovery, and rehabilitation practice.

An additional weakness relates to the project planning processes of government. While

concepts are often understood and policies are in place, carrying these policies and concepts
to practice is a major hurdle for government at all levels. Even among cities which have
shown competency in establishing planning processes to control their physical development,
carrying these planning processes into project planning and execution remains a challenging
step.

9. Lack of acceptable standards of practice. DRM is a professional practice that still

lacks its own set of acceptable standards of practice. This results in a dispersion of effort and
an ineffective use of resources. It also erodes the political support for local level action on
DRR. Providing tools to enable translating national policies into mainstreaming planning
processes at the local level would help cities in understanding the options that are available to
them for managing risks and for planning and implementing urban DRR. Hence the way
forward to create a Safer World are:

a. recognizing that Environmental Sustainability is a must for stopping a Disaster

b. recognizing that Social Sustainability along with development is necessary for good
Risk Reduction

c. recognizing information as a form of disaster response in its own right

d. supporting better access to information and communications along with technology

for vulnerable communities

e. building a partnership for sharing information with communities, local governments,

media, telephone companies and industries; and

f. women and men of all ages from disaster affected areas and wider local populations,
including vulnerable groups should receive information about the assistance
programme and are given the opportunity to comment to the assistance agency during
all stages.

Vulnerability Assessment

Sample Exposure Rating of Community

Single Climatic Event: Flood

Community Category: Flatland/ Urban

Exposure Rating Scale: Low = 1 Moderate = 2 High = 3

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Instruction: Using the matrix below, assess your community's exposure to the hazards and
risks of climate change.
Indicators of Exposure to Climate Change (CC)
Areas of Security (Cite of Possible exposure to the hazards of Climate Change) Exposure Rating 1-
In what manner has climate change threatened or affected these security areas? 2-3
Health Occurrence of water-borne (e.g. amoebiasis, diarrhea, cholera) 3
Life Death due to drowning and electrocution 2
Food Scarcity and/or contamination of food supply 3
Livelihood Temporary cessation of business activities, loss of profit and/or income 3
Properties/ Structures Damages to furniture, appliances, roads and bridges, houses made of light materials 3
Peace and Order Looting 3
Way of life (Culture) Hoarding of relief goods 3
Local Environment Uprooting of trees, landslides, contamination of potable water sources 3
Total 23
Average 2.9

Response-Ability Rating of Community

Single Climatic Event: Flood

Community Category: Flatland/ Urban

Exposure Rating Scale: Low = 1 Moderate = 2 High = 3

Indicators of Ability to Respond to Hazards and Disasters due to Climate Change

Community (Cite concrete actual or potential indicators of capabilities) Responsibility
Institutions/Sectors In what ways the sectors are capable or prepared to respond to hazards, threats, Rating 1-2-3
risks and disasters in your community?

Health Workers/Centers health education on prevention and treatment of water-borne diseases 2

free consultation, treatment and distribution of adequate supply of medicines
Food donation of relief goods 1
Producers/Manufacturers transport of food supply
(Farmers, Fishermen etc.)
Businessmen/Business donation of cash and goods 2
Establishments
offering of transportation and services
Clerics/Religious/Religiou offering temporary shelters 2
s Groups
solicitation and distribution of relief goods

counselling
Local Government allocation of calamity fund 2

assessment of damage

mobilization of emergency response

Civic Groups donation of relief goods and medicines 2

transport of food supply

solicitation
Non-Government donation of relief goods and medicines 2
Organizations
transport of food supply

solicitation
Schools donation of relief goods and medicines 2

transport of food supply

solicitation
Military/Police/Emergency mobilization of emergency/rescue teams 2
Response Groups
utilization of emergency/disaster equipment
Total 17
Average 1.8

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Vulnerability Assessment: Compute the vulnerability rating of your community.
Vulnerability refers to the degree of susceptibility to or inability of a community to cope with
the adverse effects of climate change.

Vulnerability Assessment Formula: Using the average data generated from Activities 1
and 2, compute the vulnerability (degree of susceptibility) of the community to the adverse
effects of climate change.

Formula:

V=E-R

Vulnerability

Potential Impact (Exposure)

Adaptive Capacity (Response - Ability)

Vulnerability = Exposure — Response — Ability

Vulnerability = 2.9 — 1.8

Vulnerability = 1.1 Low Vulnerability

The community is less susceptible to the damaging effects of climate change. The
community is capable of coping with the adverse effects of climate change. Intervention can
be done to strengthen their coping capabilities.

What is the Vulnerability Rating of your community? 1.1

5. Teaching and Learning Activities

6. Recommended Learning Materials and Resources for Supplementary Reading

7. Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM) Adopted

8. Assessment Task

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9. References:

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