DISASTER RISK REDUCTION MANAGEMENT
Pearl of the Orient
- The Philippines is situated in the Southeast Asia and lies on the
westside of Pacific ocean
- Philippines is considered as melting pot of Asia and more susceptible to
disasters because it is one of the countries within the Pacific Ring of fire
- Philippines is the 3rd most disaster prone in the world of disaster
The People
- Filipinos are considered freedom-loving individuals
The Culture
- Filipino culture is rich in foreign influences that molds the country's
culture
Disaster Readiness and Risk Management Overview
“Application of scientific knowledge to solve practical problems in a physical
environment related to disaster risk.”
Disaster
- Disruption impacts people and causes significant losses (human,
material, ecological).
- Comes from the French word “des” (bad) and “aster” (star), originally
meaning "bad star."
- Examples include natural and man-made disasters like earthquakes,
typhoons, and armed conflicts.
DEFINITIONS OF DISASTER
RA 10121
- severe disruption in the functioning of a community or
society, involving significant losses that exceed the
community’s coping capacity.
John Hopkins Definition
- A sudden, overwhelming, unforeseen event.
Levels of Disaster:
Household level: Fire, building collapses, disease outbreaks.
Community level: Earthquakes, floods, armed conflicts.
Disaster Risk
1. Risk Equation: RISK = HAZARD x VULNERABILITY/CAPACITY
2. Mitigation: Involves planning and preparation to minimize disaster
impacts.
“The Philippines is highly prone to natural disasters due to
geography and climate.”
Historical Disasters in the Philippines
-Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan): One of the most destructive storms,
impacting millions.
-Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) 2009: Submerged Metro Manila in
record-breaking floods.
-Tropical Storm Uring (Thelma) 1991: Ravaged Ormoc, thousands
dead and missing.
-Typhoon Sendong (2011):Another catastrophic flood event in
Cagayan de Oro
Geological and Meteorological Events
-Earthquakes: The Philippines experiences frequent quakes, with a
significant event in Bohol (2013).
Volcanoes:
-Mayon Volcano: Noted for its "perfect cone," it has erupted
over 49 times.
-Mount Pinatubo: The 1991 eruption was the second-largest
in the century, affecting Luzon and causing global
temperature changes.
Human-Induced Disasters
-Zamboanga Siege: Armed conflict leading to deaths, injuries, and
displacement.
-Mamasapano Incident (2015): Armed conflict resulting in significant
casualties, including 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos.
-Marawi Siege (2017): A five-month conflict resulting in extensive urban
damage.
Road and Fire Incidents
- Road Accidents: MMDA reported over 90,000 accidents in 2014,
averaging 248 per day.
- Fire Incidents: Kentex factory fire (2015) resulted in 72 deaths, following
the Ozone Disco fire in 1996.
Classification of Disasters
-Natural Disasters: Events like earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis,
floods.
-Man-made Disasters: Include oil spills, armed conflict, accidents, and
bombings.
-Duration of Impact: Some disasters have sudden impacts (e.g.,
earthquakes), while others, like El Niño, create prolonged challenges
(e.g., agricultural loss).
Effects of Disasters
-Human Impact: Deaths and injuries are primary concerns.
-Environmental Danger: Vectors (disease-carrying organisms) can
increase during disasters.
-Infrastructure Damage: Disasters cause personal and economic loss
through damage to homes, businesses, and public facilities.
Exposure
“Presence of the people, livelihood, environmental services and resources,
infrastructure that could be adversely affected by physical events.”
Various elements exposed to hazards
1. Physical Hazards: Factor that can harm the body without necessarily
touching
2. Cultural Hazards: Also known as “Social Hazard”, result from
location/socio-economics and behavioral choices.
3. Economic Hazard: Major natural disaster
4. Environmental Hazard: State of events which has the potential to
threaten the surrounding natural environment
Vulnerability
“State of susceptibility to harm”
1. Agricultural and Food: The agricultural sector in the Philippines is
highly dependent
2. Watersheds: Forestry, biodiversity, and water resources - major basins
in the Philippines
3. Human Health: Infections diseases that are climate-sensitive become
vulnerabilities
HUMAN FACTORS
Wealth: The poor are less able to afford housing and other
infrastructure that can withstand extreme events
Education: We can learn how to avoid or reduce many impacts
Governance: They can advance policies that can reduce vulnerabilities
Technology: It can improve our ability to forecast extreme events
withstand the impacts of events and recover afterward
Age: Children and elderly tend to be more vulnerable
Gender: Women are more vulnerable than man
BASIC CONCEPT OF DISASTER & RISK
Concept of Disaster
“Serious disruption of society, causing widespread human, material, and
environmental losses that exceed the affected population’s coping capacity.”
Key Characteristics:
- Involves sudden, devastating, and unexpected events.
- Affects all levels of society (household, community,
provincial).
- Recovery takes months or years.
Types of Disasters:
-Natural: Volcanic eruptions, typhoons, earthquakes.
-Man-made: Oil spills, armed conflicts, nuclear explosions.
Concept of Disaster Risk
“The potential for loss of life, health, livelihoods, and assets.”
-Risk Factors: Proximity to hazards, structural vulnerabilities, and the
community's capacity to manage the hazard.
Vulnerability and Exposure
-Hazards: Conditions or situations that increase the likelihood of disaster
(e.g., fault lines, armed conflicts).
-Exposure: The presence of people or assets in areas that makes the
disaster a possibility (e.g., workers in chemical plants, residents near an
active volcano).
-Vulnerability: The inability to withstand or respond to a disaster. It can
vary depending on factors like age, gender, social status, or location.
