The Philippine Disaster and Risk Profile

A. Concept and Type of Disaster

1. Natural vs Technological
Natural
 Typhoons and Cyclones: The Philippines is frequently affected by typhoons and
cyclones due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Pacific Typhoon Belt.
These storms bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surges, leading to
flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage.
 Earthquakes: The Philippines is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it
prone to earthquakes. While not as frequent as typhoons, earthquakes can cause
significant damage to infrastructure, trigger landslides, and result in casualties.
 Volcanic Eruptions: The country has active volcanoes, and eruptions can pose
threats to nearby communities. Ashfall, lava flows, and pyroclastic flows are potential
hazards associated with volcanic activity.
Technological
 Industrial Accidents: The Philippines has various industries, and accidents such as
chemical spills, fires, or explosions in industrial facilities can lead to environmental
pollution, health hazards, and damage to infrastructure.
 Transportation Accidents: With the increasing urbanization and development, the
risk of transportation accidents, such as plane crashes, shipwrecks, or train
derailments, becomes significant. These accidents can result in loss of life, injuries,
and environmental damage.
 Technological Failures: Failures in critical infrastructure such as power grids,
communication networks, or water supply systems can disrupt daily life and pose
risks to public safety.

2. Internal vs External Disaster

Internal Disasters: Internal disasters originate within the borders of the Philippines and
may be influenced by natural or human-made factors. Some examples include:

Natural Disasters:
 Typhoons and Storms: The Philippines is prone to typhoons, which can cause
widespread flooding, landslides, and other related hazards.
 Earthquakes: The country is located in a seismically active region, making it
susceptible to earthquakes that can result in infrastructure damage and loss of life.
 Volcanic Eruptions: The Philippines has several active volcanoes, and eruptions
can lead to ashfall, lava flows, and pyroclastic flows.

Human-Made Disasters:
 Floods and Landslides: Deforestation, poor land use planning, and inadequate
infrastructure can contribute to flooding and landslides.
 Industrial Accidents: Chemical spills, industrial accidents, or other human-made
incidents can lead to environmental disasters.
 Civil Unrest and Conflicts: Internal conflicts or civil unrest may result in
humanitarian crises and displacement of populations.

External Disasters:
External disasters, on the other hand, originate outside the Philippines but can have
significant impacts on the country. These may include:
  Global Economic Shocks: Economic downturns, trade disruptions, or global
financial crises can have cascading effects on the Philippines' economy.
 Pandemics: The spread of infectious diseases, such as a global pandemic, can
have severe health and economic implications for the country.
 Climate Change: While climate change itself is a global phenomenon, its effects,
such as rising sea levels and changes in weather patterns, can have profound
impacts on the Philippines.

B. Natural Disasters
1. Geophysical Disasters:
 Definition: Geophysical disasters are events that result from the Earth's processes,
such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.
 Philippine Context: The Philippines is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire,
making it highly susceptible to geophysical disasters. Earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions are common, with notable active volcanoes like Mayon and Taal. The
archipelago's complex tectonic plate boundaries contribute to seismic activities.
2. Meteorological Disasters:
 Definition: Meteorological disasters are related to atmospheric and weather
conditions, including typhoons, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other extreme weather
events.
 Philippine Context: The Philippines experiences an average of 20 typhoons
annually. Typhoons bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surges, leading to
flooding, landslides, and widespread damage. The country's geographical location
makes it vulnerable to tropical cyclones entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
3. Hydrological Disasters:
 Definition: Hydrological disasters are associated with water, including floods, flash
floods, and storm surges.
 Philippine Context: Given its topography, the Philippines is prone to both riverine
and flash floods, especially during the typhoon season. Storm surges, often triggered
by typhoons, pose a significant threat to coastal communities. The country's
extensive river systems make it susceptible to flooding, impacting both rural and
urban areas.
4. Climatological Disasters:
 Definition: Climatological disasters are events influenced by long-term climate
patterns, such as droughts, heatwaves, and cold waves.
 Philippine Context: While the Philippines is mainly known for its tropical climate, it
also experiences climatological extremes. Periodic droughts affect agriculture and
water supply, impacting the livelihoods of communities dependent on farming.
Climate change contributes to the variability and intensity of these events.
5. Sociological Disasters:
 Definition: Sociological disasters involve human and societal factors, including
population displacement, disease outbreaks, and social unrest.
 Philippine Context: The aftermath of natural disasters often leads to sociological
challenges. Displaced populations, inadequate infrastructure, and limited resources
exacerbate vulnerability. Disease outbreaks, such as waterborne illnesses, become
common after floods. Social resilience and preparedness are crucial in addressing
the sociological impacts of natural disasters.

A. Man-Made Disasters
1. Terrorism
 Terrorism refers to acts of violence or intimidation intended to create fear and coerce a
population or government. In the Philippines, particularly in certain regions like
Mindanao, terrorism has been a concern due to the presence of extremist groups. The
most notable is Abu Sayyaf, a militant Islamist group with links to international terrorism.
The government has been working to address these security challenges through military
operations, intelligence efforts, and collaboration with international partners.
2. Technological Disasters
Technological disasters involve incidents resulting from failures or malfunctions in
technological systems. This can include industrial accidents, chemical spills, nuclear
incidents, or other events related to technological infrastructure. In the Philippines,
instances of technological disasters could include industrial accidents in manufacturing
plants or transportation-related incidents. The government and relevant agencies
typically respond by implementing safety measures, conducting investigations, and
enforcing regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
3. Transitional Human Shelters
transitional shelters refer to temporary housing solutions provided for individuals or
communities affected by disasters, conflicts, or other crises. These shelters are intended
to bridge the gap between immediate emergency relief and more permanent housing
solutions. The Philippines, being prone to natural disasters such as typhoons,
earthquakes, and floods, often faces challenges related to displaced populations. NGOs,
government agencies, and international organizations work together to provide
transitional shelters and support the affected communities in rebuilding their lives.

Trends and Patterns of Disasters

Storms, floods, and volcanic eruptions remain the top 3 natural disasters that affect the entire
country. There is an increase of 147% from 1980–2012. Thus, the natural disasters are
extensively aggravating several industries in the Philippines.

Typhoons and Tropical Storms:

 The Philippines experiences an average of 20 typhoons annually, making it one of
the most typhoon-prone countries in the world.
 The typhoon season typically runs from June to November, with the peak occurring
from August to October.
 Coastal areas are particularly vulnerable to storm surges, leading to widespread
flooding and damage to infrastructure.

Flooding:
 Heavy rainfall associated with typhoons and monsoons often leads to severe flooding
in low-lying areas and river basins.
 Flash floods and riverbank erosion contribute to the vulnerability of communities,
especially in densely populated urban areas.

Earthquakes:
 The Philippines is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone,
making it prone to earthquakes.
 Earthquakes can trigger landslides, tsunamis, and structural damage, impacting both
urban and rural areas.
Volcanic Eruptions:
 The Philippines has several active volcanoes, and volcanic eruptions pose a
significant threat to nearby communities.
  The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 was a notable event, causing widespread
destruction and altering global climate patterns.

Landslides:
 Heavy rainfall, deforestation, and improper land use contribute to landslides in
mountainous regions.
 Vulnerable communities in hilly or mountainous areas are at risk of displacement and
property damage.

Climate Change Impact:

 Rising sea levels, changes in rainfall patterns, and increasing temperatures
contribute to the vulnerability of the Philippines to climate change.
 This can exacerbate the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, such as
typhoons and droughts.

Human Settlements in Hazard-Prone Areas:

 Rapid urbanization and informal settlements in hazard-prone areas increase the risk
of casualties and damage during disasters.
 Poorly constructed buildings and inadequate infrastructure further amplify the impact
of disasters.

Community Resilience and Preparedness:

 Efforts to enhance community resilience and preparedness have been ongoing,
including the establishment of early warning systems, evacuation plans, and
community-based disaster risk reduction programs.

Government Response and International Cooperation:

 The Philippine government, along with various non-governmental organizations and
international partners, has been working on disaster response, recovery, and risk
reduction initiatives.

Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Adaptation Policies:

 The Philippines has implemented policies and frameworks to address disaster risk
reduction and climate change adaptation, aiming to build a more resilient nation.

Phases of a Disaster
1. Pre-Disaster Warning: This phase involves activities and systems put in place to
provide advance notice and warnings about potential disasters. It includes monitoring
and early warning systems that help communities prepare for impending disasters such
as typhoons, earthquakes, or floods.
PRE-DISASTER: planning, reduce impact of disaster, identifying the different
hazards in area

2. Social and Physical Impact: This phase encompasses the immediate effects of the
disaster on both the social and physical aspects of the affected areas. Social impacts
may include casualties, displaced populations, and disruptions to communities, while
physical impacts involve damage to infrastructure, buildings, and the environment.
3. Emergency: The emergency phase occurs in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. It
involves the mobilization of emergency response teams, including search and rescue
operations, medical assistance, and the provision of essential supplies like food, water,
and shelter.
4. Isolation: Isolation may refer to the situation where affected areas are cut off or isolated
from external assistance due to damaged infrastructure or communication breakdowns.
It could also involve the quarantine or isolation of individuals affected by a health-related
disaster, such as a pandemic.
5. Rescue: This phase involves the systematic and organized efforts to locate, assist, and
evacuate individuals who are in immediate danger or trapped as a result of the disaster.
Rescue operations are critical in saving lives and preventing further harm.
6. Remedy: The remedy phase involves actions taken to address the immediate needs of
the affected population, including medical treatment, provision of essential supplies, and
the stabilization of critical infrastructure. It aims to alleviate the suffering caused by the
disaster.
7. Recovery: This phase focuses on the long-term process of rebuilding and restoring
communities to a state of normalcy. It involves the reconstruction of infrastructure,
rehabilitation of affected areas, and the implementation of measures to enhance
resilience against future disasters. Recovery also includes psychological and social
support for affected individuals and communities.