Module III: Disaster Awareness Preparedness and Management

Topic 2

Geographic Profile 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 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.

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1 36

 Module III: Disaster Awareness Preparedness and Management

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, 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

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1 37

 Module III: Disaster Awareness Preparedness and Management

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

1. 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

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, rock fall, 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.

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1 38

 Module III: Disaster Awareness Preparedness and Management

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:

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…

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1 39

 Module III: Disaster Awareness Preparedness and Management

Distractive Historical Earthquakes of the Philippines

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1 40

 Module III: Disaster Awareness Preparedness and Management

Hydro-Meteorological Hazard

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

Liquefaction effects sand boils subsidence

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1 41

 Module III: Disaster Awareness Preparedness and Management

Lateral Spreading/Fissuring

Topic 3

Disaster Risk Profile of the Philippines

(Focus on Specific Region/Areas Where the School is Located)
Geographic Location

Echague is located at the southern portion of the province of Isabela. It is sixty (60) kilometers away
from Ilagan, the capital town of Isabela and one hundred forty (140) kilometers away from Tuguegarao
City, the Regional Center of Region 02.

The municipality is bounded on the north by the municipality of Alicia, on the northeast by the
municipality of Angadanan and San Guillermo, on the southeast by the municipality of Dinapigue, on
the south by the municipality of San Agustin, Jones and the province of Aurora and Quezon; on the
west by the municipality of San Isidro and Santiago City

Area

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1 42

 Module III: Disaster Awareness Preparedness and Management

Echague has a total land area of 68,080 hectares or 680.80 square kilometers representing 6.38% of
the total 10,664.56 square kilometers land area of the province of Isabela. The present area includes the
area under boundary dispute with the municipality of San Guillermo considering that said boundary
dispute has not been resolved.

The largest barangay in term of land area is San Miguel occupying an area of 22,689.61 hectares
representing 33.33% which is almost one third of the total area of the municipality.

Area per Barangay

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1 43

 Module III: Disaster Awareness Preparedness and Management

Location Map

Disaster/Calamity Response Capability

Pursuant to Republic Act 10121 otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Act of 2010, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council was
organized in lieu of the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council The Council has developed policies
and plans and the implementation of actions and measures pertaining to all aspects of disaster risk
reduction and management. These plans are all contained in the Municipal Disaster Management Plan
funded by the 5 Calamity Fund Aside from the 5'. Calamity Fund, the Municipal Social Welfare and
Development Office also has programmed funds for relief operations.

The Council is duly supported by competent staff, resources and services units to bolster its very
important role Light vehicles and heavy equipment are available for transportation, evacuation, rescue
and engineering operations First Aid kits and other paraphernalia are also available in case of
emergencies.

Environmental Management

The world has tremendously experienced Climate Change, a long term alteration in global weather
patterns especially increases in temperature and storm activity as a potential consequence of the
greenhouse effect. Some of the effects of climate change are more weather related disasters, more floods
and droughts and prevalence of diseases mostly brought about by diseases carrier insects.

Our municipality is not spared with these conditions Destructive typhoons often occur in our
municipality bringing serious disruption of the functioning of the locality, causing extreme damage to
properties and agricultural crops and death of livestock. Fortunately, there were no reported human
casualties.

Republic Act 10121 was enacted in 2010, purposely to strengthen the Philippines Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management System, providing for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Framework and institutionalizing the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan,
appropriating funds therefore and for other purposes.

After the enactment of this Act, the government is continuously finding ways and means to prevent,
mitigate the vulnerability of the community to the damaging effects of hazards that pose threat to people,
structures and economic assets. The national government down to the lowest level, non-government
organizations and instrumentalities are called for to join hands to combat climate change that will
redound to the occurrence of natural calamities.

Hazards

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1 44

 Module III: Disaster Awareness Preparedness and Management

Vulnerability to natural hazards has increased tremendously throughout the country. There are six
(6) natural hazards that are identified that pose threats to humans, properties and disruption of the
functioning of the government in the municipality. These are Typhoons, flooding landslides, erosion,
earthquake and drought

Among the six (6), typhoon is noted to be the most risky which occur most frequently during the
period from June to December These typhoons brought severe devastation of agricultural crops, damage
of properties and infrastructure facilities and floods, landslides and erosion are the aftermaths of
typhoons due to continuous downpour of storm water.

Checklist for Hazards per Barangay

As per assessment conducted by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), there are forty three
(43) barangays susceptible to flooding, ten (10) to soil erosion, twenty six (20) to landslides, and four
(4) to both landslide and soil erosion.

Drought or the "El Niño phenomenon which occurs every after twelve (12) years also severely
affects agricultural production in the entire municipality.

Earthquakes seldom occur in the locality and if ever, damage is very minimal compared to the two
(2) natural hazards.

Historical Occurrences of Hazards/Disasters

Table above manifests that typhoon is the most disastrous among the hazards that occur in the
municipality resulting to severe damage of crops and properties and flooding, landslide and erosion are
the aftermath of it. A minimum of four (4) typhoons visited the municipality every year Data appearing
above shows only the typhoons with strong intensity that strongly damaged crops and properties and
infrastructures.

On September 29, 2011 a super typhoon Pedring devastated the municipality and two (2) days after
another strong typhoon Quiel with same strength frightened the people of Echague Millions worth of
crops were at once destroyed, a huge number of school buildings blown down, hundreds of families lost
their houses and thousands damaged Road and other infrastructures severely damaged

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1 45

 Module III: Disaster Awareness Preparedness and Management

The El Nino phenomenon is also one of the worries of farmers. Though drought occurs every after
twelve years, it also severely affects agricultural production in the entire municipality

In the year 1990, a high magnitude earthquake shook the municipality. It was recorded then that the
reservoir of the Echague Water System collapsed but no casualties recorded.

Consequence Severity and Risk Score

The rapid Geohazard Assessment conducted by the Mines and Geosciences Burcau (MGB) in all
barangays of the municipality revealed that ten (10) barangays have high risk in flooding susceptibility.
These barangays, Annafunan, Carulay, Garit Norte, Garit Sur, Gucab, Mabuhay, Salay, Silauan Sur and
Tuguegarao area situated along the Cagayan River and experiences frequent flooding during the
occurrence of strong typhoons which cause the river to overflow. The hazard poses great risk to human
lives, properties and operation of all government entities concerned.

Nineteen (19) barangays, namely Angoluan, Benguet, Cabugao, Castillo, Dammang East,
Dammang West, Diasan, Dicaraoyan, Fugu, Malibago, Malitao, San Antonio Ugad, San Juan, Sta.
Monica, Sto. Domingo, Silauan Norte, Sinabbaran, Soyung and Taggappan have moderate risk of
flooding susceptibility. The occurrence of flooding in these barangays are unlikely to happen but if ever,
has moderate consequences and risk to human lives and properties.

The other thirty five (35) barangays of the municipality are safe from flooding

Consequence Severity and Risk Score

In terms of landslide susceptibility, sixteen (16) barangays, Aromin, Benguet, Caniguing, Diasan,
Dicaraoyan, Mabbayad, Madadamian Magleticia, Narra, Nilumisu, Salvacion, San Carlos, San Miguel,
Villa Campo Villa Rey and Villa Victoria, have risk of landslide occurrence. The situation will pose
great risk to human lives, properties as well as interruption of government operations

Constant monitoring of these barangays during the occurrence of typhoons which cause landslides
is necessary to determine the proper measures to be undertaken to mitigate damages.

Other barangays were assessed to have low risk for landslide susceptibility. Deaths or injuries,
damage to properties and interruption of government and private entities operation is unlikely to happen.

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1 46

 Module III: Disaster Awareness Preparedness and Management

Nevertheless, there is also the need to improve hazards information and communications in these
barangays for the residents to be ready at all times.

Barangays in the Centro Poblacion on the other hand, namely: Cabugao, San Fabian, Silauan Sur,
Silauan Norte, Soyung and Taggappan including the adjacent barangays of Tuguegarao are free from
landslide due to their relatively flat terrain.

Consequence Severity and Risk Score

Destructive typhoons often visit the municipality bringing serious risks to human lives, extreme
damage to properties and agricultural crops death of livestock and poultries and serious disruption of
the operation of government and private entities due to damage roads and bridges, communication
facilities, interruption of power supply, institutional buildings and structures and other related facilities.

Devastation of agricultural crops brought extreme impact to the municipality being a prime
agricultural community Low productivity, low income of farmers which leads to food insufficiency
which redounds to increased poverty not only to Echague but to the whole country.

Consequence Severity and Risk Score

Soil erosion is experienced by the sixteen (16) barangays situated along and near the Cagayan and
Ganano Rivers. These barangays are identified as: Bacradal, Busilelao, Dammang East, Dammang
West, Garit Norte, Garit Sur, Gucab, Ipil, Malitao, Pangal Sur, Pangal Norte, San Juan, San Miguel,
Sta. Monica, Soyung and Villa Victoria.

Table above shows that soil erosion in the fourteen (14) barangays pose moderate impact to both
human and operation of the cause heavy damage to properties, while barangays Ipil and Dammang East
are mostly risky to both humans and properties.

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1 47

 Module III: Disaster Awareness Preparedness and Management

Although earthquake is one of the identified hazards that pose threats in the municipality, it is noted
that the hazard is considered to be of moderate impact to both humans and properties and low to the
operational functioning of the locality.

Nonetheless, education and information discrimination is still imperative to make the citizenry
aware and knowledgeable in case of occurrence of the calamity.

Drought brings huge impact to agricultural crops which lead to low agricultural productivity, low
income of farmers, and food insufficiency not only to the Echagueños but to the whole country

Legend: Red - the most severe impact and should be addressed immediately Purple - moderate
consequences but are severe but unlikely or rare to happen. Yellow - considered as low risk but may
need emergency management.

Environmentally Critical Areas

Flood-Prone Areas

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources had
identified ten (10) barangays near the Cagayan River as high risk in flooding. During heavy rain
downpour, floodwaters reach more than one-meter inundation submerging approximately 779.61
hectares for several hours and affecting 924 households.

Barangay Mabuhay is the most affected with floodwaters reaching as high as four (4) meters totally
submerging the whole barangay, virtually isolating from the rest of the municipality for more than three
(3) days.

Fortunately, these barangays have existing government facilities which could be used as evacuation
centers during extreme emergencies.

Erosion-Prone Areas

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1 48

 Module III: Disaster Awareness Preparedness and Management

Two (2) barangays were also identified by the Bureau with high erosion risk.

An area of ten (10) hectares at barangay Dammang East near the Cagayan river were found to be
erosion-prone endangering the lives and properties of about 100 households. Likewise, about five (5)
hectares of land near the Ganano River at barangay Ipil are also erosion prone affecting twelve (12)
households.

Vulnerable Population/Population at Risk

Vulnerable Population/Population at Risk from Flooding

There are ten (10) barangays in the municipality identified by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau
as high risk of flooding. These barangays are low-lying areas near and along the Cagayan River Wide
areas of these barangays are underwater when the Cagayan River overflows during continuous
downpour of rain.

A total of 924 households with severely affected with 1,427 children, 2,485 adults, 311 elderly and
eight (8) persons with disabilities

Among these ten (10) barangays, Mabuhay, Salay and Dugayong are noted to be the most affected
with 100% of their population at risk Unlike Salay and Dugayong, however, where flood waters subside
in a couple of hours, Mabuhay remains to be submerged in floodwaters isolating it from the rest of the
municipality for about three (3) to four (4) days.

Vulnerable Population/Population at Risk from Erosion

Barangay Ipil and Dammang East were assessed to be high risk of erosion.

The lives and properties of about 112 households with 559 members living near the banks of the
Cagayan and Ganano rivers are at risk during heavy rain downpour which causes these rivers to swell.

Close monitoring of the conditions of these households must be conducted for their safety and
security.
Flooding Hazard Map

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1 49

 Module III: Disaster Awareness Preparedness and Management

Landslide Hazard Map

Erosion Hazard Map

Source: Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (LDRRMP) of the Municipality of
Echague for C.Y. 2017-2019

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1 50

 Module III: Disaster Awareness Preparedness and Management

Topic 3

Four DRRM Thematic Areas

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

Avoid hazards and mitigate their potential impacts by reducing vulnerabilities and exposure and
enhancing capacities of communities.

Assigned Vice Chairperson is Secretary of Department of Science and Technology (DOST)

Activities:

- Early warning system

- Flood forecasting and monitoring
- Hazard and risk mappings
- Structural and non-structural interventions

Disaster Preparedness

Establish and strengthen capacities of communities to anticipate, cope and recover from the
negative impacts of emergency occurrences and disasters.

Assigned Vice Chairperson is Secretary of Department of Interior and Local Government (DOST)

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1 51

 Module III: Disaster Awareness Preparedness and Management

Activities:

- Contingency planning
- Pre-positioning and stock-piling
- Training, drills and exercises
- Pre-disaster risk assessment

Disaster Response

Provide life preservation and meet the basic needs of affected population based on acceptable
standards during or immediately after a disaster.

Assigned Vice Chairperson is Secretary of Department of Social Welfare and Development

(DSWD)

Activities:

- This pertains to the provision of emergency services and public assistance

during or immediately after a disaster in order to save lives, reduce health
impacts, ensure public safety, and meet the basic subsistence needs of the people
affected.

Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery

Restore and improve facilities and living conditions of affected communities, reduce risks in
accordance with the “build back better” principle.

Assigned Vice Chairperson is Secretary of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)

Activities:

- Post-Disaster/Conflict Needs Assessment

- Enhancement of policies and plans
- Reconstruction using “build back better” approach
- Resettlement
- Provision of new sources and livelihood

Challenges

● Cooperation and buy-in of our stakeholders

● Correct the notion that DRRM is only a government concern
● Consider DRRM as a way of life
● National and local officials to prioritize DRRM
● Continuous development, review ad improvement of existing DRRM policies, plans and
programs in view of the “new normal”

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM 1 52