LEARNING MODULE #1

FOR
Araling Panlipunan 10

Prepared by: Ms. Mae S. Tenorio

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 ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES
Lesson 1: The Study of Contemporary Issues
In this unit, you will gain deep understanding and awareness of contemporary issues in our local
community, country, and world. You will study natural disasters, risk reduction, and management. You
will investigate environmental and economic issues such as climate change, unemployment,
globalization, and sustainable development. More importantly you will develop projects that will
contribute to the solution of these environmental and economic issues. (Antonio, et al, 2017)

• SCOPE OF THE MODULE

LESSON TITLE IN THIS LESSON, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO:

Lesson 1 The Study of Contemporary • Explain the concept of contemporary issue;

Issues • Analyze the importance of having awareness
regarding contemporary issues in society and the
world;
• Identify primary and secondary sources, as well as
statements of fact, opinion, bias, inference,
generalization, and conclusion when investigating
contemporary issues; and
• Effectively analyze and evaluate evidence,
arguments, claims, and beliefs.

The concept of a Contemporary Issue

The concept comes from two important words --- contemporary and issue. The word
“contemporary” is used in various contexts. One such example is the usage of “contemporary
world,” which refers to the period from the 20th century up to the present. It is said that the
events within this period are still remembered by the people today. Another example of
“contemporary history,” which refers to the time between the 20 th century and the present.
Therefore, the events that happened in the past decades affecting the present generation are
part of contemporary times.

The word “issue” refers to subjects, themes, or problems that affect the society because
they are being talked about, are causes and bases for people’s disagreements and debates, and
are widely affecting people’s lives in society. Not all issues are negative and became problems;
there are also issues that have positive and broad effects in the lives of people in the society.

A contemporary issue refers to an event, idea, opinion, topic, or problem that is

relevant and in public discourse in our community, our nation, or the world at present. These
issues may be related to themes like society , human rights, religions, the economy, politics,
environment, education, or civic and community responsibilities.

In order for an event or problem to be considered a contemporary issue, it must be:

➢ Important and valuable to society;

➢ Having a clear effect or influence on society or the population in general;
➢ Happening at the present time; and
➢ About subject matter being talked about by various groups in society

(Antonio, et al 2017)
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 It is often challenging to understand contemporary issues because of their complexity.
Therefore Charon and Vigilant (2009) suggested reflecting on the following critical questions
to facilitate better assessment of contemporary issues:
a. What is the issue all about?
b. What makes the issue contemporary?
c. What are the causes and effects of the issue?
d. What solution cans can be made to address the issue?
What is the issue all about?

Often, this is the first question that an individual can think of whenever confronted with an
issue. It affirms the initial reaction of human thinking to inquire on the nature of the problem.
As described, an issue “is an existing condition that is inconsistent with or threatening” human
lives and social arrangements (Charon and Vigilant 2009). If a certain social scenario does not
follow what is generally acceptable among members of the community, then it becomes an
issue. Nonconformity to socially recognized norms threatens the normal relationship among
individuals.

What makes the issue contemporary?

This is an inquiry that usually follows after an issue is identified. It points out the significance of
an issue to human condition of present community. The relevance of an issue can be measured
accordingly using the following criteria (Charon and Vigilant 2009)”

a. The issue is socially oriented. (Social factors are what drive the issue into existence.)
b. The contributions of the issue to society are identified. (Issues can facilitate social good or
threats.)
c. The issue has potentials of inflicting social disorder and disrupting individual
relationships.

What are the causes and effects of the issue?

After the issue has been identified, the immediate concern of the individual is to look for its
causes and effects. On one hand, social causes are referred to as the main factors that lead to an
emergence of an issue. Social effects, on the other hand, are known as the outputs that the
existence of an issue in society produces. For instance, poverty is a socioeconomic issue caused
by massive unemployment, mismanagement of natural resources, and unimproved educational
system, among others. (Charon and Vigilant 2009) identified factors that influence the birth of
social issues. These include the following:

a. The emergence of an issue is by human choice.

An issue can emerge because individuals allow it to exist inside the community.
b. The nature of human person creates an issue.
Man is intrinsically and naturally good according to Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1778) but
outside factors can trigger evil deeds.
c. The human being is capable of producing actions.
An individual can think and decide what actions to take. Hence, the individual becomes an
important source of social issues.

When issues linger in society, substantial effects are inevitable. These effects can pose social
development as well as threat or harm in the community.
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What solutions can be made to address the issue?
In most occasions, contemporary issues are harmful to society. The immediate reaction of
community members, such as individuals, households, government agencies, and advocacy groups,
is to craft solutions to address an issue. It is a common belief among social actors that any issue can
be solved as long as there is cooperation. Charon and Vigilant (2009) remind individuals to consider
the following ideas when approaching an issue:

First, our understanding of an issue will change depending on the potential solutions that can be
made.

Second, issues in society are complex in nature. The rigidity of an issue requires the value of
teamwork among members of society.

Lastly, resolving an issue would require changes in human beliefs, actions, and behaviors. The
community must accept changes to achieve an effective solution.

1. It helps us become part of the global village

Becoming part of the twenty-first century globalization gives us all possible access to
different countries’ resources. Globalization has turned the world into an integrated economy.
It also encourages competition among countries and companies, forcing everyone to become
more efficient in using resources.
The integration of the world economy is leading each country to understand diversity of
cultures and avoid disputes by negotiation and agreement, instead of by armed conflict.
2. It leads us to build informed opinions
Acquiring knowledge of contemporary issues allows us to objectively decide where to stand
on matters concerning the environment, the community, our fellow citizens, our country, and
us. This may influence government officials in terms of improving existing laws and
provisions to make these more just and beneficial for the people.
3. It stimulates discussion
Awareness and knowledge of contemporary issues encourage participation in discussions. It
also gives everyone immediate feedback from both the students and the teachers. It therefore
helps us improve our content and helps us develop our skills in speaking.
4. It helps us establish more personal relationships
Sharing insights and objective points of view on matters that concern the society gives
other people a better view of us and helps them understand us. It gives people a view of our
“inner soul,” the part of us that cannot be seen during regular conversations. Displaying a
broad understanding of current issues also helps set us apart.
5. It helps us learn about cultural relativism
The globalized twenty-first century is presented with cultural diversity and issues that be
viewed as both controversial and traditional. Knowing the issues will better equip us to
understand different contexts of cultures and enlighten us on how to make a wise decision and
stand on different issues. It will also serve as an opportunity to change our views of cultural
stereotypes and facilitate coexistence. (Sarenas et al, 2017)

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In studying contemporary issues, we need skills in:
1. Identifying Primary and Secondary Sources
Primary source (or the origin of information) – is an original account of happenings that
was written or made by the person who had experienced them.

Primary Sources

Diaries Autobiographies Political cartoons

Speeches Documents Government reports

Photos Quotes from interviews Witness reports

Witness reports Personal accounts Drawings letters

Secondary sources – are information or interpretations based on the primary origin or

other secondary sources and prepared or written by persons who are not involved in the
narrated events. Often, researchers use primary sources in order to understand past events,
but they themselves make the secondary sources.

Secondary Sources

Books Commentaries Biographies

Encyclopedias Articles News Reports

Editorials Hearsay Reports Survey Results

Stories of Non-witnesses Summaries of Interviews

2. Distinguishing Facts from Opinion

Fact – is an actual event, experience, or observation that really occurred and is
supported by evidence or data. There are evidences to prove that the events actually happened.
For example: Damages brought by Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban are estimated to be in
the millions.
Opinion – refers to an idea, supposition, impression, or conjecture. It expresses the
mind and ideas of a person regarding the expressed truth. An opinion does not have to be
proven.
For example: The care of the Typhoon Yolanda victims should be left to the management
of the local government.
It is clear that a statement of fact has more weight than a mere opinion. Facts do not
change. Opinion, on the other hand, can change.
Other examples:
Fact – As of August 1, 2015, the population of the Philippines is around 101 million.

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Opinion – The best way to control the population increase in the Philippines is through
Reproductive Health.
3. Identifying Bias
In analyzing information related to the social science, there is a need to know that it
does not favor anyone. The presentation of information should be balanced. There is a need to
present the good as well as the bad side of an issue.
For example: The Marcos administration built a lot of hospitals, health centers, roads,
and housing for the poor, but many people also suffered when it implemented Martial Law.
During the Martial Law, many projects were pushed through but some human rights of the
Filipino people were violated.
4. Forming Inferences, Generalizations, and Conclusions
Inference – is a thought-out theory or an educated guess about something. The process
of making an inference is similar to making a hypothesis. In order to infer, it is necessary to
use one’s knowledge and experiences about the topic in order to discover its hidden message
or idea.
For example: A lot of people were badly affected by Typhoon Yolanda because they
ignored the warnings given.
Generalization – involves a mental process where one connects information to make a a
summary statement.
For example: During the rainy season, from the month of July to October, more
devastating typhoons come into the country (based on the data from PAGASA for the past ten
years).
Conclusion – is a statement that describes relationship among information or data after
careful study, observation, and analysis of important evidence or body of knowledge. In the
study of events, writers and researchers give a generalization. They base their generalization
on information that has been analyzed and studied.
For example: People migrate to different places for different economic environmental,
and political reasons (based on UN data). (Antonio et al, 2017)

Lesson 2
Natural Disasters: Risk Reduction and
Management
• SCOPE OF THE MODULE

LESSON TITLE IN THIS LESSON, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

2 Natural Disasters: Risk • Explain the types of natural disasters experienced in one’s
Reduction and community and country;
Management • Relate the activities and decisions of people to the occurrence
of natural disasters;
• Determine preparations needed during natural disasters;
• Identify government agencies responsible for the safety of the
citizens during natural disasters;
• Appraise the need for discipline and cooperation between
citizens and the government during natural disasters;

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 • Solve different kinds of non-familiar problems in both
conventional and innovative ways; and
• Utilize multiple media and technologies, and know to judge
their effectiveness and assess their impact.

COMMON TYPES OF CALAMITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

A. Earthquakes

The Philippines being part of the Pacific Ring of

Fire, a geologically and volcanically active
region, commonly experiences shaking of the ground
due to the movement of the earth’s crust (what is
commonly known as earthquakes) and volcanic
eruptions.

According to the Philippine Institute of

Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the Philippines have experienced 106 earthquakes
with a magnitude of 6.0 or higher since the 1600s, with the deadliest earthquakes taking
place in the last 50 years.
The PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS) is the scale being in used in
measuring Philippine earthquakes.
PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale

Intensity Description

1 Scarcely Perceptible – Perceptible to people under favorable circumstances.

Delicately balanced objects are disturbed slightly. Still water in
containers oscillates slowly.

2 Slightly Felt – Felt by few individuals at rest indoors. Hanging objects

swing slightly. Still water in containers oscillates noticeably.

3 Weak – Felt by many people indoors especially in upper floors of buildings.

Vibration is felt like one passing of a light truck. Dizziness and nausea
are experienced by some people. Hanging objects swing moderately. Still
water in containers oscillates moderately.

4 Moderately Strong – Felt generally by people indoors and by some people

outdoors. Light sleepers are awakened. Vibration is felt like a passing of a
heavy truck. Hanging objects swing considerably. Dinner plates, glasses,
windows, and doors rattle. Floors and walls of wood-framed buildings creak.
Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Liquids in containers are slightly

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 disturbed. Water in containers oscillates strongly. Rumbling sound may
sometimes be heard.

5 Strong – Generally felt by most people indoors and outdoors. Many sleeping
people are awakened. Some are frightened, some run outdoors. Strong shaking
and rocking felt throughout building. Hanging objects swing violently.
Dining utensils clatter and clink; some are broken. Small, light and
unstable objects may fall or overturn. Liquids spill from filled open
containers. Standing vehicles rock noticeably. Shaking of leaves and twigs
of trees are noticeable.

6 Very Strong – Many people are frightened, many run outdoors. Some people
lose their balance. Motorists feel like driving in flat tires. Heavy objects
or furniture move or may be shifted. Small church bells may ring. Wall
plaster may crack. Very old or poorly built houses and manmade structures
are slightly damaged though well-built structures are not affected. Limited
rock falls and rolling boulders occur in hilly to mountainous areas and
escarpments. Trees are noticeably shaken.

7 Destructive – Most people are frightened and run outdoors. People find it
difficult to stand in upper floors. Heavy objects and furniture overturn or
topple. Big church bells may ring. Old or poorly built structures suffer
considerable damage. Some well-built structures are slightly damaged. Some
cracks may appear on dikes, fish ponds, road surfaces, or concrete hollow
block walls. Limited liquefaction, lateral spreading and landslides are
observed. (Liquefaction is the process by which loose saturated sand lose
strength during an earthquake and behave like liquid.) Trees are shaken
strongly.

8 Very Destructive – People panicky. People find it difficult to stand even

outdoors. Many well-built buildings are considerably damaged Concrete dikes
and foundations of bridges are destroyed by ground settling or toppling.
Railway tracks are bent or broken. Tombstones may be displaced, twisted or
overturned. Utility posts, towers, and monuments may tilt or topple. Water
and sewer pipes may be bent, twisted or broken. Liquefaction and lateral
spreading cause man-made structures to sink, tilt, or topple. Numerous
landslides and rock falls occur from their positions particularly near the
epicenter. Fissures and fault raptures may be observed. Trees are violently
shaken. Water splashes or slops over dikes or riverbanks.

9 Devastating –people are forcibly thrown to the ground. Many cry and shake
with fear. Most buildings are totally damaged. Bridges and elevated concrete
structures are toppled or destroyed. Numerous utility posts, towers, and
monuments are tilted, toppled, or broken. Water sewer pipes are bent,
twisted or broken. Landslides are liquefaction with lateral spreading and
sand boils are widespread. The ground is distorted into undulations. Trees
are shaken very violently and some are toppled or broken. Boulders are
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 commonly thrown out. River water splashes violently on slops over dikes and
banks.

10 Completely Devastating – Practically all man-made structures are destroyed.

Massive landslides and liquefaction. Large-scale subsidence, uplifting of
land forms, and many ground fissures are observed. Changes in river courses
and destructive seiches in large lakes occur. Many trees are toppled,
broken, and uprooted.

Intensity – is the gravity of the earth’s movement

Magnitude – is the quantitative measure of the size of the earthquake or simply the
amount of seismic energy released at its source or the epicenter.
Big One – is the earthquake that will originate along the West Valley Fault running
through Bulacan, Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite, and Laguna. Based on geological history, the
interval of movement of the fault is estimated between 400 to 600 years. With the last
earthquake taking place in the year 1958, it means that the next movement is near and may
happen in this lifetime. This earthquake could be 7.2 in magnitude while the East Valley
Fault along Rizal could be 6.2.(Sarenas et al 2017)

Check the Link below for the top 10 disastrous earthquakes in the Philippines:
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapTour/index.html?appid=bf7d068882d049578276eee157c0c0f4&webmap=6dbc477a
28fc44928acbf0ced7a60a4f

B. Flooding

The Philippines is surrounded by water and

frequently experiences monsoons, which
explains the excessive volume of water on the
surface of the ground. Water exceeds the
carrying capacity of the land and escapes its
usual borders.

The types of flooding are determined based on the following:

1. Location: river flooding coastal flooding, and urban flooding
2. Duration of occurrence: flashflood and sheet flood

To help protect the citizens and their properties, the government through the
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA),
introduced a standard flood warning system. (Sarenas et al 2017)
Flood Alerts

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 Under the heavy rainfall warning system, a yellow rainfall advisory is raised
when the expected rainfall amount is between 7.5 mm and 15 mm within one hour and is
likely to continue.

Communities given this advisory are advised to be aware of the weather condition
and warned that flooding may be possible in low-lying areas.

The orange rainfall advisory is raised in areas where rainfall is between 15 mm

and 30 mm within one hour. Flooding is a definite threat in communities under the orange
alert.

A red rainfall advisory is issued when downpours constitute an emergency. This

is raised when observed rainfall is more than 30 mm within one hour or if heavy rainfall
has continued for the past three hours and is more than 65 mm.

When PAGASA raises a red warning, communities should be prepared to respond.

It means serious flooding is seen and that residents should be ready to evacuate to
safety. (Antonio et al, 2017)

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 C. Tsunami
The Philippines, though an archipelago and surrounded by
water, seldom experiences tsunamis. Tsunami is a very high
wave usually caused by the movement of the earth’s crust
under the sea.
The most devastating tsunami that happened in the
country was the Moro Gulf tsunami, which took place on
August 17, 1976 and resulted in an estimated death toll of
8,000. It happened past midnight which caught the people of Sultan Kudarat unprepared.
(Sarenas et al 2017)

The Moro Gulf tsunami eventually led former president

Ferdianand Marcos to form the National Disaster Coordinating
Council, which is now known as the National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). (Sarenas et al
2017)

D. Tropical Cyclone
A tropical cyclone is an intense low-pressure system
with minimum sustained winds of 35 kilometers per hour
(kph). It develops over tropical or subtropical waters
where sea surface temperatures are greater than 26
degrees Celsius. In different parts of the world,
tropical cyclones are referred to as hurricanes,
cyclones, willy-willy, or whirlwind dust storms.

Classification of Tropical Cyclones

1. Tropical Depression – maximum sustained wind speed of 61 kph

2. Tropical Storm – maximum sustained wind speed of 62-88 kph
3. Severe Tropical Storm – maximum wind speed of 89-117 kph
4. Typhoon – maximum wind speed of 118-220 kph
5. Super Typhoon – maximum wind speed exceeding 220 kph

Public Storm Warning Signals

Public storm warning signals (PSWS)are given to inform the people about the strength
of the wind and the amount of rain they can expect during storms. (Sarenas et al 2017)
PSWS Winds (kph) Sea Conditions Damage to Structures Damage to Vegetation
(Open Seas)
1 30-60 kph Wave Heights • Very light or no • Some banana plants
Expected 1.23 – 4.0 damage to high-risk are tilted, a few downed
inn36 hours meters structures. and leaves and generally
• Light to medium damaged
on first
damage to low-risk • Twigs of small
issuance
structures. trees may be broken
• Slight damage to • Rice crops,
some houses of very however, may suffer
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 light materials or significant damage when
makeshift structures in in their flowering
exposed communities. stage.
2 61-120 kph Wave Height: • No damage to very • Most banana plants,
Expected in 4.1 – 14.0 light damage to low- a fe magi trees, ipil-
24 hours on meters risk structures. ipil, and similar types
• Unshielded, old, of trees are downed or
first Storm surge
dilapidated broken.
issuance. possible at
schoolhouses, makeshift • Some coconut trees
Expected in coastal areas shanties, and other may be tilted with few
24 hours on structures of light others broken.
first materials are partially • Rice and corn may
issuance damaged or uprooted. be adversely affected.
• Considerable damage
to shrubbery and trees
with some heavy-foliaged
trees blown down.
3 120-170 kph Wave Height: • Heavy damage to • Almost all banana
Expected in >14.0 meters high-risk structures plants are downed, some
18 hours on Storm surge • Moderate damage to big trees (acacia,
medium-risk structures mango, etc.) are broken
first possible at
• Light damage to or uprooted.
issuance. coastal areas
low-risk structures • Dwarf-type or
• Increasing damage hybrid coconut trees are
to old, dilapidated, tilted or downed.
residential structures • Considerable damage
and house of light to shrubbery and trees
materials(up to 30% in with heavy foliage blown
a community) off, some large trees
• Houses of medium- blown down.
strength materials
(old, timber, or mixed-
timber-CHB structures,
usually with G.I,
roofing), some
warehouses or bodega-
type structures are
unroofed
4 17.1 – 220 Wave Height: • Very heavy damage • There is almost
kph More than 14.0 to high-risk structures total damage to banana
Expected in meters • Heavy damage to plantation
medium-risk structures • Most mango trees,
12 hours on Storm surge 2-
• Moderate damage to ipil-ipi, and similar
first 3 meters
medium-risk structures types of large trees are
issuance possible at • Considerable downed or broken.
coastal areas damage to structures of • Coconut plantation
light materials (up to may suffer extensive
7.5% are totally and damage.
partially destroyed), • Rice and corn
compete roof structure plantation may suffer
failures severe lossed.

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 • Many houses of
medium-built materials
are uprooted, some with
collapsed walls,
extensive damage to
doors and windows
• A few houses of
first-class materials
are partially damaged
• All
signs/billboards are
blown down
5 More than Wave Height: • Widespread damage • Total damage to
220 kph More than 14.0 to high-risk structures banana plantation
Expected in meters • Very heavy damage • Most tall trees are
to medium-risk broken, uprooted, or
12 hours in Storm surge
structures defoliated
first more than 5
• Heavy damage to • Coconut trees are
issuance. meters low-risk structures stooped, broken, or
possible at • Almost total uprooted
coastal areas damage to structures of • Few plants and
light materials trees survive
especially in highly
exposed coastal areas,
• Complete roof
failure on many
residences and
industrial buildings.
Severe and extensive
window and door damage.
• Most residential
and institutional
buildings of mixed
construction may be
severely damaged.
• Electrical power
distribution and
communication services
severely disrupted.
• All
signs/billboards blown
down.
(Sarenas et al 2017)

Tropical Cyclones and their Names

Tropical cyclones are given names for ease of communication. The practice started in
1953 and there is an international agency, the World Meteorological Organization, which
maintains and updates the list of names. There are 25 names for each year on the list and
these are prepared for up to the year 2020. Just in case the list of names are not enough
especially for countries like the Philippines, which normally experiences an average of 20

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tropical cyclones a year, there is a prepared auxiliary list of names. The Philippines
adopts alphabetically arranged local names to make them easy to remember as compared to
international names.

The next table shows the revised list of tropical cyclone names for the year 2017 up
to 2032. The first tropical cyclone for each column starts with letter A. For the year
2017, it was started by AURING under column 1. The list of names under column 1 will be
repeated on the fifth year. Tropical cyclones that will cause massive destruction are
retired from the list for sensitive issues. (Sarenas et al 2017)

Revised List of Names for Tropical Cyclones Within the Philippine Area of Responsibility
(Effective January 2017)
1 2 3 4
2017 2021 2018 2022 2010 2023 2020 2024
2025 2029 2026 2030 2027 2031 2028 2032
Auring Bising Agaton Basyang Amang Betty Ambo Butchoy
Crising Dante Caloy Domeng Chedeng Dodong Carina Dindo
Emong Fabian Ester Florita Egay Falcon Enteng Ferdie
Gorio Huaning Gardo Henry Goring Hanna Gener Helen
Isang Jolina Inday Josie Ineng Jenny Igme Julian
Kiko Lanie Karding Luis Kabayan Nimfa Kristine Leon
Maring Nando Maymay Neneng Liwayway Marilyn Marce Nika
Odette Paolo Ompong Paeng Onyok Perla Ofel Pepito
Quedan Ramil Queenie Rosita Quiel Ramon Quinta Rolly
Salome Tino Samuel Tomas Sarah Tisoy Siony Tonyo
Urduja Vinta Usman Venus Ursula Viring Ulysses Vicky
Wilma Yasmin Waldo Yayang Weng Yoyoy Warren Yoyong
Zoraida Zeny Zigzag Zosimo

(Sarenas et al 2017)

What causes a storm surge?

It is caused by strong winds brought by the low

pressure at the eye of the storm. These winds push
seawater, which leads to its accumulation and
abnormal increase in water level heading to the
shores.
Who are susceptible to storm surges?

Being littoral country, the Philippines is one of the

most susceptible to the danger posted by a storm
surge because of its very long coastlines. Areas near the shore are most prone to being
hit by a storm surge. People a couple of kilometers away may also be hit depending on the
elevation of their area (lowlands are easier to get affected than highlands). A storm
surge will have no effect if the shore is steep. (Antonio et al, 2017)
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 E. Volcanic Eruption

Located in an area with subducting plates and

trenches, the Philippines is prone to volcanic
eruptions.

Classification of Volcanoes
1. Active Volcanoes
These volcanoes erupted within the last 600 years
based on historical records. A volcano is also considered active if it erupted within
the last 10,000 years according to the examination of datable materials.
2. Potentially Active Volcanoes
These volcanoes do not have a historical record or eruption and are described as
morphologically young.
3. Inactive Volcanoes
These have no record of eruptions and their physical form is weathered by wind and
rain.
(Sarenas et al 2017)

These are the active volcanoes in the Philippines:

Mayon Taal

Bulusan Kanlaon

Pinatubo Hibok-Hibok

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Banahaw Iriga

Biliran Matutum

Ragang Calayo

Activities That Cause and/or Worsen Natural Disaster

Examine the following:

1. Disposal of waste in waterways – the disposal of waste along waterways causes

clogging that eventually leads to flooding.
2. Deforestation – the cutting of trees in forests causes soil erosion and flooding
in low-lying areas when there is heavy rain because there are no more roots that
absorb rainwater and hold the soil. Soil erosion and flooding in low-lying areas

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 cause severe damage and affect many people. They destroy houses and sources of food
and livelihood. Consequently, a lot of people and animals die.
3. Living around volcanoes – residents at the foot of volcanoes are exposed to
danger. When volcanoes erupt, inhaling toxic gas can be harmful to them and their
pets and animals, while they also cannot evacuate to a safe place.
4. Living and dumping garbage in the estero, riverside, or seashore – houses block
waterways and can cause severe pollution brought about by people who
indiscriminately and improperly dispose waste matters. Severe pollution in the
environment causes sickness and eventual death of humans, animals, and plants.
5. Depletion of the ozone layer – the ozone layer gets damaged because of the use of
chemicals like aircon or aerosol spray. The destruction of the ozone layer cause
global warming which in turn causes climate change. Climate change causes death of
animals and plants that cannot cope with the intense heat or coldness in their
habitat. With global warming, drought and typhoon often happen in different areas.
Glaciers and ice caps in the Arctic and the Antarctica also melt, which causes
intense rainfall and flooding in low-lying areas.
6. Mining and quarrying – these result in soil erosion or landslides that cause
severe damage to many people. Human lives are lost. Animals also lose their habitat
and food, and eventually their lives.
7. People’s refusal to evacuate dangerous areas – when people refuse to evacuate to
a safer place during a natural disaster, they are at risk of getting hurt or killed.
(Antonio et al, 2017)

Typhoon Preparedness Guide

➢ Storm Warnings

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration –

Department of Science and Technology (PAGASA – DOST) issues Public Storm Warning Signals
(PSWS) to inform the public of the strength of an upcoming tropical cyclone or typhoon.
The intensity of the storm depends on the maximum sustained winds, not on the amount of
rainfall it brings. The “eye” or center of strong tropical cyclones has very little wind
and rain but its eyewall, or the area surrounding contains the storm’s strongest winds,
has.

Here are the storm signal warnings:

Storm Winds (km/hr) Impacts of the Wind

Signal No.

1 30-60 No damage to very light damage

2 61-120 Light to moderate damage

3 121-170 Moderate to heavy damage

4 171-220 Heavy to very heavy damage

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 5 More than 220 Very heavy to widespread damage

PSWS #2
PSWS #1
Winds of 61-120 kilometers per hour (kph) are
Winds of 30-60 kilometers per hour (kph)
expected within the next 24 hours. Some tree branches
are expected within the next 36 hours with
may be tilted with few others broken and other
intermittent rains. Be prepared. Trading may
structures of light materials may be partially damaged.
continue just like an ordinary day. Public and
Classes in pre-school, kindergarten, elementary, and
private pre-school and kindergarten classes
high school (including Senior High School) in all public
in the affected areas shall be automatically
and private schools are suspended. Secure your home
cancelled or suspended.
properly.

PSWS #3
Winds of 121-170 kilometers per hour (kph)
are expected within the next 12-18 hours.
People should stay indoors or move to safer
areas. Classes in all levvels are suspended.
PSWS #4
Very srong winds of more than 171-220 kph
are expected within the next 12 hours.
They are very dangerous. There is a need to
evcuate to a safe place if there is an
imminent threat of landslide or overflowing
rivers in the area and bring about heavy to
very heavy damage.

PSWS #5/ Super Typhoon

Very strong winds of more than 220 or more kph are
expected within the next 12 hours. It is extremely
dangeroys. There is a need to evacuate to a safe place
as the winds are expected to bring more than 3-meter
storm surges and very heavy to widespread damage in
the coastal areas.

➢ What to do BEFORE a typhoon

1. Find out the safety advisory. Listen to the radio or watch the television to find
out the latest news or advisories on the progress of the typhoon.
2. Prepare a flashlight, candle, battery-powered radio and extra batteries, and matches
or a lighter.
3. Prepare an emergency kit. (Antonio et al, 2017)

PHILIPPINE RED CROSS LIFELINE KIT

The first 72 hours after a disaster is critical. Electricity, fuel, water, telephone or mobile lines may not be
working. In addition, public safety services and private rescue teams may not be able to reach you
immediately during a serious crisis. Each person should be prepared to be self-reliant and able to survive
for at least three days following a disaster.
To do so, you need to have your Red Cross Lifeline kit in order to survive. The Lifeline Kit is a portable kit
or bag that contains the items one would require to survive for the first seventy-two hours when
evacuating from a disaster. The focus is on evacuation survival rather than long-term survival. It is
18
important that you will be able to distinguish the Lifeline Kit from a fixed-site disaster supplies kit. The
kit should be checked every six months to make sure that goods nearing expiration are changed and that
stored water is replaced to maintain its freshness and effectiveness.
Put together a Lifeline Kit before another disaster strikes. It should be practical that you can carry it with
you if you ever need to evacuate your home. It is also important to prepare a kit for each member of your
family who is able to carry one. Older children can prepare their own kits - this exercise will train the
children to make disaster preparedness a way of life.
To start, let us go through the list below and start putting the kit together. Note: Contents may vary
depending on individual and family needs or whatever is commercially available.

I. WATER
Normally, one can survive without food intake for 5 days as long as there is water intake. Prepare clean
water in clean airtight containers for washing, drinking and cooking:
- 1 gallon (3.78 litres) per person per day [1 ltr for drinking and 3 ltrs for washing]
- Water purification supplies (One purification tablet can purify a liter of water. 1 tablet per person per
day for water purification.)
II. FOOD
- Store only non-perishable food.
- You can put protein/granola bars, dried fruit, crackers, cereals, canned goods like tuna, beans, sausages,
etc. (It is recommended to store easy-to-open cans.)
- In case of hypoglycemia, canned juice or hard sweet candies are recommended (not gum based or mint).
- Food should be sufficient for three days consumption of every family member.
- Disposable plates and utensils.
III. EMERGENCY TOOLS / GEAR
- Plastic laminated ID card for family member(s) with special concerns. Indicate name, address, phone,
who to call in case of emergency, contact details, the condition of the bearer and special instructions on
what to do in case seen unconscious (e.g. diabetic). For children who cannot speak, they must also wear
the ID card (in case they are reported missing, anyone who will find them will be able to contact their
parents).
- Emergency numbers to call (Red Cross Opcen, Red Cross Chapter, fire station, hospital, etc.)
- Red Cross 143 Emergency / Disaster Guide explaining what to do in various types of disasters. These
should be thoroughly studied and understood before the actual disaster but must be kept for reference.
(Teach all family members how to use it).
- Maps with indication of evacuation sites and routes
- Whistle (This is highly suggested, use a whistle that is loud and has a compass on it.)
- Flashlight with extra batteries (self-powered flashlight is suggested)
- Multi-purpose knife
- Matches or lighter and candles (Do not use matches or candles until you are certain there are no gas
leaks. There are commercially available waterproof matches.)
- AM radio transistor with extra batteries or self-powered (You need to monitor the news continuously to
know the weather condition and any possible threats.)
- Glow sticks
- Plastic sheeting or garbage bag (For floor mats, cover items so as not to get wet, or use as a rain coat.)
- Heating blankets (thin, easy to carry and warm)
- Ropes (avoid nylon)
- Sleeping bag
IV. PERSONAL EFFECTS AND HYGIENE KIT
- Extra Clothing (Short and long-sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, socks, etc.)
- Undergarments
- Antibacterial soap
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Hand towels (super absorbent)
- Comb/ hair brush
- Hand sanitizer or alcohol
- Sanitary napkin
PHILIPPINE RED CROSS LIFELINE KIT
19
The first 72 hours after a disaster is critical. Electricity, fuel, water, telephone or mobile lines may not be
working. In addition, public safety services and private rescue teams may not be able to reach you
immediately during a serious crisis. Each person should be prepared to be self-reliant and able to survive
for at least three days following a disaster.
To do so, you need to have your Red Cross Lifeline kit in order to survive. The Lifeline Kit is a portable kit
or bag that contains the items one would require to survive for the first seventy-two hours when
evacuating from a disaster. The focus is on evacuation survival rather than long-term survival. It is
important that you will be able to distinguish the Lifeline Kit from a fixed-site disaster supplies kit. The
kit should be checked every six months to make sure that goods nearing expiration are changed and that
stored water is replaced to maintain its freshness and effectiveness.
Put together a Lifeline Kit before another disaster strikes. It should be practical that you can carry it with
you if you ever need to evacuate your home. It is also important to prepare a kit for each member of your
family who is able to carry one. Older children can prepare their own kits - this exercise will train your
children to make disaster preparedness a way of life.
To start, let us go through the list below and start putting the kit together. Note: Contents may vary
depending on individual and family needs or whatever is commercially available.
I. WATER
Normally, one can survive without food intake for 5 days as long as there is water intake. Prepare clean
water in clean airtight containers for washing, drinking and cooking:
- 1 gallon (3.78 litres) per person per day [1 ltr for drinking and 3 ltrs for washing]
- Water purification supplies (One purification tablet can purify a liter of water. 1 tablet per person per
day for water purification.)
II. FOOD
- Store only non-perishable food.
- You can put protein/granola bars, dried fruit, crackers, cereals, canned goods like tuna, beans, sausages,
etc. (It is recommended to store easy-to-open cans.)
- In case of hypoglycemia, canned juice or hard sweet candies are recommended (not gum based or mint).
- Food should be sufficient for three days consumption of every family member.
- Disposable plates and utensils.
III. EMERGENCY TOOLS / GEAR
- Plastic laminated ID card for family member(s) with special concerns. Indicate name, address, phone,
who to call in case of emergency, contact details, the condition of the bearer and special instructions on
what to do in case seen unconscious (e.g. diabetic). For children who cannot speak, they must also wear
the ID card (in case they are reported missing, anyone who will find them will be able to contact their
parents).
- Emergency numbers to call (Red Cross Opcen, Red Cross Chapter, fire station, hospital, etc.)
- Red Cross 143 Emergency / Disaster Guide explaining what to do in various types of disasters. These
should be thoroughly studied and understood before the actual disaster but must be kept for reference.
(Teach all family members how to use it).
- Maps with indication of evacuation sites and routes
- Whistle (This is highly suggested, use a whistle that is loud and has a compass on it.)
- Flashlight with extra batteries (self-powered flashlight is suggested)
- Multi-purpose knife
- Matches or lighter and candles (Do not use matches or candles until you are certain there are no gas
leaks. There are commercially available waterproof matches.)
- AM radio transistor with extra batteries or self-powered (You need to monitor the news continuously to
know the weather condition and any possible threats.)
- Glow sticks
- Plastic sheeting or garbage bag (For floor mats, cover items so as not to get wet, or use as a rain coat.)
- Heating blankets (thin, easy to carry and warm)
- Ropes (avoid nylon)
- Sleeping bag
IV. PERSONAL EFFECTS AND HYGIENE KIT
- Extra Clothing (Short and long sleeved shirts, pants, jackets, socks, etc.)
- Undergarments
- Antibacterial soap
- Toothbrushes
20
- Toothpaste
- Hand towels (super absorbent)
- Comb/ hair brush
- Hand sanitizer or alcohol
- Sanitary napkin
V. IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS AND MONEY
- Keep these in a plastic envelope.
- Money should be in the form of cash and loose change (in case banks are closed or electronic banking is
not available.)
- Prepaid cards
- List of important information (security insurance number, tax identification number, driver's license,
passport number, bank account details, insurance policy, etc.)
- Passport
- Important legal documents: Birth certificates, marriage contract, insurance certificates, land titles, etc.
- Other important documents: academic credentials, vaccination records, medical records, etc.
VI. SPECIAL NEEDS (Of elderly, children, infant or sick member of the family)
- Emergency medication (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, anti- diarrheal, for cough and colds, children's
medication, etc.)
- Prescription Medication (for 3 days, like anti hypertensive, insulin, etc.)
- Children's food
VII. FIRST AID KIT (Standard)
The risk of accident or emergency cannot be taken for granted. It is important to be prepared. Always
have a first aid kit on hand. First Aid is a life saving skill. Once you know how to apply first aid correctly,
you can help save lives. Call the Philippine Red Cross National Headquarters or the local Chapters for the
following First Aid Kit items:
1 Adhesive Strips (Pk50)
1 Hypo - Allergenic medical tape 1.25cm x 9.1m
1 Conforming Bandage 5cm
1 Triangular Bandage 110cm x 110cm
1 Wound Dressing No. 15
2 Swabs Antiseptic
1 Tweezers metal 8cm
1 Scissors disposable
1 Safety pins – assorted (pk12)
1 Plastic Bags - resealable - 100 X 180 mm
1 Plastic Bags - resealable - 150 x 230 mm
2 Gloves - disposable
1 First Aid Quick Reference Guide
NOTE: Wear sturdy shoes just in case you need to walk through rubble and debris. Small toys, games or
materials are important too as they will provide some comfort and entertainment during stressful times.
We highly recommend that you use a backpack with good supporting shoulder straps. Make sure you can
lift or carry it! (https://web.facebook.com/rcmuntinlupa/posts/philippine-red-cross-lifeline-kitthe-first-72-
hours-after-a-disaster-is-critical/627915720580434/?_rdc=1&_rdr)

4. Use plastic to protect important documents and things.

5. Develop an emergency plan. Determine evacuation routes from the house, office, or
school to find a higher ground. Practice where you would go and how you would get
there.
6. Inspect your house and make sure that everything is in good condition, especially
the roof. Install straps to securely fasten the roof to the beams. Make sure also
that the windows are durable enough against strong winds.
7. Trim the trees and shrubs around your home so that they are more wind resistant.
Trim the leaves of plants such as banana and papaya and provide support to prevent
them from falling completely or from breaking their branches.
8. If you are living in a low-lying and flood-prone area, evacuate to a higher ground.

21
9. Bring in everything that can be picked up by the wind (bicycles, lawn furniture).
10.Close windows, doors, and hurricane shutters. If you do not have hurricane shutters,
close and board up all windows and doors with plywood.
11.Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and keep them closed as
much as possible so that food will last longer if the power goes out.
12.Turn off propane tanks and unplug appliances.
13.Fill your car’s gas tank.
14.Learn about your community’s typhoon response plan. Plan routes to local shelters.
Register family members with special medical needs as required and make plans for
your pets to be cared for.
15.Evacuate if advised by authorities. Be careful to avoid flooded roads and washed out
bridges.

➢ What to do DURING a typhoon

1. Listen to a radio or watch the television for the latest news about the typhoon.
2. Make sure an emergency kit is ready. Have it wrapped in plastic to avoid getting
wet. Be ready to evacuate to a safer place.
3. Store some water for future needs.
4. Close or secure all doors and windows. Put away items that can easily be blown away
by the winds.
5. Beware of the typhoon. There will be times when there are no winds and the
surroundings are calm. This can mean the eye of the storm is just passing by. After
some time, the winds and stronger rains will be back.
6. Avoid going out of the house. Should there be a need to evacuate to a safe place,
bring the emergency kit and make sure that the gas tank and main power switch of the
house are off. (Antonio et al, 2017)

➢ What to do AFTER a typhoon

1. Listen to the radio or watch TV for the latest news on whether the typhoon has
already left the country. Don’t go out of the house until the announcement of the
typhoon’s exit from the country has become official.
2. Beware of live electric wires in the streets. Do not enter damaged buildings.
3. Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding even after the typhoon or
tropical storm has ended.
4. If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.
5. Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
6. Keep away from loose or dangling power lines; report them immediately to the power
company.
7. Stay out of any building that has water around it.
8. Inspect your home for damage.
9. Use flashlights in the dark. Do NOT use candles.
10.Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure it is not
contaminated.
11.Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.
12.Wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up to avoid injury.
13.Watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control.
14.Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

➢ What to do BEFORE the flood

1. Study your surroundings.
22
2. Get the news or the announced warnings for your place. Listen to the radio or watch
the television to know the latest from PAGASA about flooded areas.
3. Know the flood warning system in your community and be sure that your family knows
it.
4. Be ready with your emergency kit. Keep a stock of food which requires little cooking
and refrigeration; electric power may be interrupted. Keep a transistorized radio
and flashlight with spare batteries, emergency cooking equipment, candies, matches,
and first aid kit handy in case of emergency.
5. Designate an evacuation area for the family and livestock.
6. Get to know the safest way to the evacuation center or the high and safe ground,
Plan where to transfer your pets and other animals before the flood.
7. Store supplies and other household effects above expected flood water level.
8. Securely anchor weak dwellings and items.
9. Inform other relatives where you intend to evacuate to assure them of your safety.
Put off the main switch of your house and gas tank before leaving your house.

➢ When WARNED of flood

1. Watch for rapidly rising flood waters.
2. Listen to your radio for emergency instructions.
3. If you find it necessary to evacuate, move to a safe area before access is cut off
by flood waters. Follow the advice of your Barangay Disaster Coordinating Council
(BDCC) to avoid getting in danger when it is time to evacuate before the water rises
in your area.
4. Store drinking water in containers. Water service may be interrupted.
5. Move household belongings to upper levels.
6. Get livestock to higher ground.
7. Turn off electricity at the main switch in the building before evacuating, and also
lock your house.

➢ What to do DURING the flood

1. Avoid areas subject to sudden flooding.
2. Beware of places submerged in water. Avoid them if you are not sure of their depth.
Do not attempt to cross rivers of flowing streams where water is above the knee.
3. Beware of water-covered roads and bridges. Do not cross a flooded area, river, or
stream when the current is strong. Also avoid water coming from the mountains. You
are likely to get swept by the waters.
4. Forbid children to play in flooded areas and sewage/drainage systems.
5. Make sure that your drinking water is safe. If unsure, boil the water before
drinking.
6. Avoid unnecessary exposure to the elements.
7. Do not go swimming or boating in swollen rivers.
8. Eat only well-cooked food. Protect leftovers against contamination.
9. Drink clean or preferably boiled water ONLY.

➢ What to do AFTER the flood

1. Re-enter the dwellings with caution using flashlights, not lanterns or torches.
Flammables may be inside.
2. Be alert for fire hazards like broken wires.
3. Do not eat food and drink water until they have been checked for flood water
contamination.

23
4. Report broken utility lines (electricity, water, gas, and telephone) to appropriate
agencies authorities.
5. Do not turn on the main switch or use appliances and other equipment until they have
been checked by a competent electrician.
6. Consult health authorities for immunization requirements.
7. Do not go in disaster areas. Your presence might hamper rescue and other emergency
operations.

➢ What to do BEFORE a landslide

1. Pinpoint and avoid dangerous places. Landslides generally happen in areas where they
have occurred in the past. Learn about your area’s landslide risk. Avoid building a
house or any structure in places where there is high risk of landslide, such as a
mountainside or its lower areas.
2. Plan what to do in times of natural disasters like landslides. Identify places where
it is safe in case of an evacuation. Talk to everyone in your household about what
to do if a landslide occurs. Create and practice an evacuation plan for your family.
3. Learn about local emergency response and evacuation plans.
4. Assemble and maintain an emergency preparedness kit.
5. Become familiar with the landforms where you live and find out the risks for
landslides in the area.
6. Watch the pattern of stormwater drainage on slopes near your home, especially where
runoff water converges. Debris flows and other landslides on roadways are common
during rainstorms.
7. Plant trees in your area. The roots of trees help in preventing soil erosion. Avoid
cutting or burning trees. Report illegal logging to the authorities.

➢ What to do DURING a landslide or if it is likely to occur

1. If you suspect imminent danger, evacuate immediately. Inform affected neighbors if
you can, and contact your public works, fire, or police department.
2. Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking
or boulders knocking together.
3. If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in
water flow and notice whether the water changes from clear to muddy. Such changes
may mean there is debris flow activity upstream, so be prepared to move quickly.
4. Be especially alert when driving --- watch for collapsed pavement, mud, fallen
rocks, and other indications of possible debris flow.
5. If you are ordered or decide to evacuate, take your animals or pets with you.
Consider a precautionary evacuation of large or numerous animals as soon as you are
aware of impending danger.

➢ What to do AFTER a landslide

1. Stay away from the slide area until local officials say it is safe to enter.
2. Listen to local stations on a portable, battery-powered radio for the latest
emergency information.
3. Watch the flooding – floods sometimes follow landslides and debris flows.
4. Check for injured and trapped persons and animals near the slide, without entering
the slide area.
5. Help people who require special assistance.
6. Look for and report broken utility lines to appropriate authorities.
24
 7. Check your home’s foundation and surrounding land for damage.
8. Replant damaged ground as soon as possible because erosion caused by loss of ground
cover can lead to flash flooding.

➢ What to do BEFORE an earthquake

1. Become aware of fire evacuation and earthquake plans for all the buildings you
occupy regularly.
2. Pick safe places in each room of your home, workplace and/or school. A safe place
could be under a piece of furniture or against an interior wall away from windows,
bookcases, or tall furniture that could fall on you.
3. Practice how you can drop, cover, and hold on in each safe place. If you do not have
sturdy furniture to hold on to, sit on the floor next to an interior wall and cover
your head and neck with your arms.
4. Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes by each person’s bed.
5. Make sure your home is securely anchored to its foundation.
6. Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances to wall studs. Bolt bookcases, china
cabinets, and other tall furniture to wall studs. Hang heavy items, such as pictures
and mirrors, away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sleep or sit. Brace
overhead light fixtures. Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets. Large or heavy
items should be closest to the floor.
7. Learn how to shut off the gas valves in your home and keep a wrench handy for that
purpose.
8. Learn about your area’s seismic building standards and land use codes before you
begin new construction.
9. Keep and maintain an emergency supplies kit in an easy-to-access location.

➢ What to do DURING an earthquake

If you are inside when the shaking starts…
1. Drop, cover, and hold on. Move as little as possible.
2. If you are in bed, go beside the bed. Protect your head with a pillow.
3. Stay away from windows to avoid being injured by shattered glass.
4. Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit. If you
must leave the building after the shaking stops, use the stairs rather than an
elevator in case there are aftershocks, power outages, or other damage.
5. Be aware that fire alarms and sprinkler systems frequently go off in buildings
during an earthquake, even if there is no fire.
If you ae outside when the shaking starts…
1. Find a clear spot and drop to the ground. Stay there until the shaking stops (away
from buildings, power lines, trees, and streetlights).
2. If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Avoid bridges,
overpasses, and power lines if possible. Stay inside with your seatbelt fastened
until the shaking stops. Then, drive carefully, avoiding bridges and ramps that may
have been damaged.
3. If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get out. Wait for assistance.
4. If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for
falling rocks and other debris. Landslides are often triggered by earthquakes.
5. The sea should also be avoided, and you should evacuate to a higher ground because
of the risk of tsunami.

25
 6. If you are in a moving vehicle, stop and go out of the vehicles. Do not attempt to
pass on a bridge, underpass, tunnel, or flyover.

➢ What to do AFTER an earthquake: Be prepared for aftershocks

After an earthquake, the disaster may continue. Expect and prepare for potential
aftershocks, landslides, or even a tsunami. Tsunamis are often generated by earthquakes.
1. Each time you feel an aftershock, drop, cover, and hold on. Aftershocks frequently
occur minutes, days, weeks, and even months following an earthquake.
2. Stay out of damaged buildings.
3. Check yourself for injuries and get first aid, if necessary, before helping injured
or trapped persons. Help people who require special assistance, such as infants,
children, and the elderly or disabled.
4. Look quickly for damage in and around your home and get everyone out if your home is
unsafe.
5. Listen to a portable, battery-operated, or hand-cranked radio for updated emergency
information and instructions.
6. Check the telephones in your home or workplace and make brief calls to report life-
threatening emergencies.
7. Look for and extinguish fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake.
8. Clean up spilled medications, bleach, gasoline, or other flammable liquids
immediately.
9. Open closet and cabinet doors carefully as contents may have shifted.
10.Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and stay out of damaged areas.
11.Keep animals under your direct control.
12.If you were away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
Use extreme caution and examine walls, floors, doors, staircases, and windows to
check for damage.
13.If there is a need to leave the house, leave a message where you are going. Bring an
emergency kit.

➢ What to do BEFORE a volcanic eruption

1. Listen to the radio or watch the television to know the latest updates about
volcanic or seismic activities and prepare for possible volcanic eruption and
landslides.
2. Follow the advisory of the local government regarding the need for evacuation caused
by the impending volcanic eruption.
3. Take note of the contact numbers of individuals or agencies that can help in time s
of a natural disaster.
4. Participate in emergency drills for earthquake and volcanic eruption to learn the
things to be done when disaster happens.
5. Keep handy a pair of goggles and a dust mask for each member of your household in
case of ashfall.
6. Prepare an emergency lamp to be used if there is power outage and a fire
extinguisher to put out a small fire immediately.
7. Keep and maintain an emergency supplies kit in an easy-to-access location.
8. Develop an evacuation plan for volcanic eruptions and make sure all members of your
household know and practice it. Assign exit points and safe evacuation areas where
everyone goes to in times of a natural disaster.

26
 ➢ What to do DURING a volcanic eruption
1. Move quickly. Do not panic.
2. Follow properly the steps of the earthquake drill (Example: sound the alarm, respond
immediately, evacuate in an orderly way, and make a headcount).
a. If there is an earthquake, go beside a bed or under a sturdy desk and hold on to
it until the shaking stops. If you are outdoors, stay away from trees, power
lines, and concrete structures. If you are in a car, stop in a safe place and
then get out.
b. Stay away from landmass that may collapse or erode because of an earthquake or
volcanic eruption.
c. Do not use the elevator. Ask help from the authorities if needed.
3. Listen to a local station report or a portable, battery-operated radio or television
for updated emergency information and instructions.
4. Although it may seem safe to stay at home and wait out an eruption, if you are in a
hazard zone, doing so could be very dangerous. The best way to stay safe is to take
the advice of local authorities and PHIVOLCS, especially if they are asking you to
evacuate immediately.
5. If indoors, close all windows, doors, and dampers to keep volcanic ash from
entering.\
6. Bring animals and livestock into closed shelters to protect them from breathing
volcanic ash.
7. If outdoors, take shelter indoors. Your safest place is indoors, away from various
hazards.
8. Stay out of designated restricted zones. Effects of a volcanic eruption can be
experienced many miles from a volcano.
9. Stay in areas where you will not be further exposed to volcanic eruption hazards.
10.Avoid low-lying areas, areas downwind of the volcano, and river valleys downstream
of the volcano. Debris and ash will be carried by wind and gravity.
11.Cover your nose with a damp cloth if there is ashfall. Wear a dust mask designed to
protect against lung irritation from small particles. Protect your eyes by wearing
goggles.
12.If there is intense ashfall, remove the thick ashes on the roof of the house so that
it will not break or crash.
13.If someone is injured, immediately give first aid and look for a doctor or nurse who
can help. Do not move a person who just suffered an injury, especially if it is in
the neck, head, or back.

➢ What to do AFTER a volcanic eruption

1. If you are in a safe place already or in an evacuation center, wait for the advisory
if you can go back home.
2. Make sure that the structure of your home is sound and safe.
3. Check your water supply and make sure that it is odorless and clear. Boil it for 10-
15 minutes before drinking.
4. Stay indoors and away from volcanic ashfall areas if possible. The fine, glassy
particles of volcanic ash can cause/increase the health risks.

➢ What to do BEFORE a tsunami

27
 1. Know the height of your street/location above sea level and the distance of your
street from the coast or other high-risk waters. Evacuation orders may be based
on these numbers.
2. Plan evacuation routes from your home, school, workplace, and other places you
could be where tsunamis present a risk. If possible, pick areas 100 feet (30
meters) above sea level or go as far as 2 miles (3 kilometers) inland, away from
the coastline. If you cannot get this high or far, go as high or far as you can.
You should be able to reach your safe location on foot within 15 minutes.
3. Practice your evacuation routes. Familiarity may save your life. Be able to
follow your escape route at night and during inclement weather. Practicing your
plan makes the appropriate response more of a reaction, requiring less thinking
during an actual emergency.
4. If you are a tourist, familiarize yourself with local tsunami evacuation
protocols. You may be able to safely evacuate to the third floor and higher in
reinforced concrete hotel structure. Keep and maintain an emergency supplies kit
in an easy-to-access location.

➢ What to do DURING a tsunami warning

1. If you hear an official tsunami warning or detect signs of a tsunami, evacuate at
once.\
2. Take your emergency preparedness kit. Having supplies will make you more comfortable
during the evacuation.
3. Take your pets with you. If it is not safe for you, it’s not safe for them.
4. Get to higher ground as far inland as possible. Watching a tsunami could put you in
grave danger. If you can see the wave, you are too close to escape it.

➢ What to do AFTER a tsunami

1. Continue listening to a local radio or television station for the latest updates.
2. Return home only after local officials tell you it is safe. A tsunami is a series of
waves that may continue for hours. Do not assume that after one wave the danger is
over. The next wave may be larger than the first one.
3. Check yourself for injuries and get first aid as needed before helping injured or
trapped persons.
4. If someone needs to be rescued, call professionals with the right equipment to help.
Many people have been killed or injured trying to rescue others.
5. Help people who require special assistance – infants, elderly people, those without
transportation, people with disabilities, and large families who may need additional
help in an emergency situation.
6. Avoid disaster areas. Your presence might interfere with emergency response
operations and put you at further risk from the residual effects of floods.
7. Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
8. Stay out of any building that has water around it. Tsunami water can cause floors to
crack or walls to collapse.
9. Be cautious when re-entering buildings or homes. Tsunami-driven floodwater may have
damaged buildings where you least expect it. Carefully watch every step you take.
10.To avoid injury, wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up.
11.Watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control.

Risk Prevention Caused by Natural Disasters

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Planning and implementations of activities is managed by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC). This agency was established as the lead agency in preparing for and
responding to natural disasters in the country.

The Goals of Disaster Risk Mitigation

1. Implement building codes and infrastructure design to withstand the onslaught of any
natural disaster;
2. Plan orderly and sustainable use and management of land, including the reduction or
prevention of construction on the seismic fault lines, coastal regions prone to typhoons and
storm surges, near rivers that easily get flooded; and
3. Disseminate information about natural disasters.

(Antonio, et al 2017)
Some government agencies play significant roles in preparing and responding to natural
disasters. These government agencies work together to ensure the safety of citizens. Here
are some of them.

• Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – it is

responsible for government programs that serve the poor and the
needy. It helps the disadvantaged population, homeless families,
disabled, and marginalized persons through social work. When there
is a natural disaster, it provides service and assistance to the
affected communities. It spearheads government relief operations.

• Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) – it manages

local government units such as barangays, municipalities, cities
and provinces. It oversees the local government by providing the
budget and promoting peace and order in the municipalities, cities,
and provinces by implementing laws and ordinances in these areas.

• Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) – created to

provide direct service to Metro Manila or NCR residents. It gives
real-time road travel conditions in Metro Manila and aids in flood
control.

29
 Department of Education (DepEd) -it is in-charge of
providing education in our country. It manages the education
of elementary, high school, and tertiary levels of all
public and private schools in the country. When there is an
approaching natural disaster, public schools are often used
as temporary shelter of affected residents. It also provides
updates on announcements on class suspensions.

• Department of Health (DOH) – it holds the overall responsibility

over the health of Filipino citizens as it provides programs for
disease control and prevention of communicable diseases such as
cholera, measles, and other infectious diseases. It also gives free
medicine and takes care of the sick and disseminates information to
keep citizens healthy, especially during natural disasters.

• Department of Public Works and Highways – it undertakes

major infrastructure projects such as national roads, bridges,
dikes, and other government infrastructures damaged during floods
or earthquakes and other natural disasters.

• Department of National Defense – it maintains peace and

order in our country. It protects the safety of the citizens
against crimes such as kidnapping, robbery, theft, and more.
Its soldiers help in evacuation and rescue of people and
safeguarding their properties during natural disasters.

• Department of Environment and Natural Resources – it

protects the environment and natural resources of the country.
It prohibits illegal activities that can destroy our environment
such as cutting of trees, kaingin or cut-and-burn farming,
dynamite fishing, indiscriminate mining and quarrying, dumping
of garbage, and other activities that cause pollution. It
implements programs for sustainable development of our forests
and marine life, and preservation of natural resources. During a
natural disaster, this department helps in the restoration and
rehabilitation of the environment.

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 • Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical
Services Administration – the services of this department
include weather forecasting and giving of tropical cyclone
warnings. It reports about the strength of the wind, amount of
rainfall, and path of typhoons. It also gives warning about
possible volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. It provides
information on the scope of lava and lahar reach during a
volcanic eruption in order to warn and allow people living
around the volcano to evacuate. All of these are done to protect the lives and
properties of the people.

• Philippine Coast Guard – the Philippine Coast Guard is an

agency under the Department of Transportation and
Communications that enforces maritime safety, security, and
search-and-rescue operations. It provides sea travel advisories
and updates on seaport operations.

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines – an agency

under the Department of Transportation and Communications
tasked to implement policies on civil aviation. It provides
reports on air travel operations and concerns.

Lesson 3
Climate Change and Environmental Problems
SCOPE OF THE MODULE
LESSON TITLE IN THIS LESSON, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

3 Climate Change and
Environmental Problems
• Explain the political, economic, and social effects of climate
change;
• Discuss the various programs, measures and policies of the
government and international organizations about climate
change;
• Evaluate the impact of climate change on the environment,
society, and people’s livelihood in the country and in the
world;
• Discuss different ways of solving the problem of climate
change;
• Identify the environmental problems in the community;
• Make a case study about the causes and effects of
environmental problems in the community; and
• Take individual and collective action toward addressing
environmental challenges (e.g. participating in global
actions, designing solutions that inspire action on
environmental issues).
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What is Climate Change?

According to the American Meteorological Society, Climate Change refers to “any systematic
change in the long-term statistics of climate elements (such as temperature, pressure, or
winds) sustained over several decades or longer.”

On the other hand, United nations Framework Convention on Climate Change defines
Climate Change as “a change in climate that is caused by the change in the normal and/or
variability of elements of climate that persists for a long period of time that can be traced
directly or indirectly from people’s action that change the composition of the atmosphere.”
This is aside from the natural climatic changes that happened in the past.

To make the two definitions simple, Climate Change refers to the change in climate pattern
or the climate that persists for many decades and continue to change, particularly in the
increase in temperature of the atmosphere that will result to a dangerously hot weather
condition in the years that follow. (Lopez et al 2015)

Specifically, climate change is “a change which is attributed directly or indirectly to human

activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere which is in addition to natural
climate variability observed over comparable time periods” (United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change 1992)

Climate has a great impact on our environment and on the way we live. During the past
decade, the world’s climate has been continuously changing, such that it has caused major
changes in many aspects of our lives. (Antonio et al 2017)

Causes of Climate Change

According to climatologists, the causes of climate

change can be classified into two:
1. The effects of the sun
2. Effects of human activities

The Greenhouse Gases

A British engineer named Guy Stewart Callendar
suggests the “Callendar Effect” or the warming of the
atmosphere, which is the initial study on the concept of
greenhouse effect that can be traced to the use of fossil fuel. Greenhouse gases (GHG)
are like covers that filter the heat of the sunlight and prevent the earth from becoming
too cold. However, if there are too many greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from the
actions and materials used by people such as burning fossil fuels, this might result to
the increase in the acidity of the water that would negatively affect aquatic resources.
The result of this would result to a hotter climate.
In 1965, the United States government informed the public of continuous increase in
GHG. In 1972, United Nations held its first ever conference on environmental issues in
Stockholm, Sweden. It was in this conference that the United Nations Environmental
Programme (UNEP) was created. After three years, the term global warming was first
used in a research paper of Wallace Broeker and since then, numerous researches have
been conducted on the negative effects of using carbon (i.e. CFCs) and the most alarming
of which is the damage it is causing the ozone layer. In 1987 and 1990, the Protocol was

32
 signed by developing nations in Montreal and Kyoto declaring their support in lessening
the use of chemicals that damage the ozone layer.
The establishment of the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988 is
considered the height of making the world aware of the issue of climate change. IPCC is
composed of scientists and experts in different fields from all over the world to gather
and assess evidences of climate change in the world. (Lopez et al 2015)
Based on research, the gases that accumulate in the atmosphere prevent some of the
heat from radiating back out into space and serve as a thick enclosure that causes the
earth’s temperature to rise. The greenhouse gases that make the earth warmer caused by
climate change are:
• Water Vapor – this is the most abundant gas in our atmosphere that causes cloud
formation, precipitation that brings rain, and controls the intensified heat in the
atmosphere. The increase of water vapor in the atmosphere leads to warmer
temperature on the earth.
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – these come from natural
process like the breathing of humans and animals, and volcanic eruptions. These
are also formed during the burning of fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas to
operate vehicles, factories, and power plants. Many human activities increase the
concentration of carbon dioxide in our environment and atmosphere such as the
cutting of trees, deforestation, and the use of fossil fuels. The amount of carbon
dioxide in our atmosphere has increased more than three times since the
Industrial Revolution (18th century).
• Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) – this is a chemical that damages the ozone layer of the
earth. Chlorofluorocarbons are used as refrigerants, aerosol propellants, and many
more. Refrigerants are used in air conditioners, the automotive industry, the
chemical/pharmaceutical industry, and the food industry because they are
nontoxic and nonflammable, and they easily evaporate and condense. Since it was
found to be harmful to our ozone layer, its production and use has been strictly
prohibited. Many countries have agreed to stop its production since 1992.
• Methane – this is formed from the natural processes in the environment such as
organic materials like garbage, manure, and rice straw. It is said that the
greenhouse effect of this gas is more severe than carbon dioxide even though it
has less concentration in our atmosphere. Human activities also contribute to its
increase in the atmosphere.
• Nitrous oxide – this is formed from the use of commercial and organic fertilizers,
biomass burning, fossil fuel combustion, and nitric acid production. (Antonio et al
2017)

Activities that increase the GHG emissions

1. “Cap-and-Trade” – this is popularly known as carbon trading or selling of rights or
permissions to dispose GHG in the atmosphere. The government has set limitations
on the amount of carbon that can be disposed by industrialized companies or
emitters. Emitters sell permissions to developed and developing nations. However,
because of these activities carbon trading has become a mechanism that slows down
sustainable development of societies. Also it legalizes the disposal of GHG in a
cheaper and more profitable way.
2. Carbon capture and storage – this is a technology that controls the emission of
carbon from fossil fuels (that coal plants usually use), transfers, and buries it
underground or in a permanent storage. However, this is a very dangerous process

33
 because if an earthquake shakes the land and the carbon is moved, the tubes where
the carbon flows would leak. The carbon would then be combined with the air, which
if inhaled by people and animals, might cause their death.
3. Using Nuclear Energy - nuclear energy was introduced as a “cleaner” alternative for
fossil fuel because it does not emit CO2 to be able to produce electricity. But, in
reality, it is only the operation reactor that does not contain CO2. The process of
building nuclear plants require the use of fossil fuel and uranium that also leaves
tailings of carbon.
4. Geoengineering – this refers to the intentional or deliberate action of people to counter
global warming and climate change. This includes putting sulfate in the stratosphere
to redirect the sunlight to the outer space; putting iron in the ocean so that plankton
would grow to absorb CO2; making the clouds clearer by sprinkling seawater on it; and
the invention of plants that would grow in different types of climate. One of the
strategies uses solar radiation management (SRM) that result to the increase of acid in
the ocean. The absorption of CO2 all the more increases the acidity of seawater that
would eventually result to coral bleaching that might in turn cause the death of a big
number of aquatic resources. (Lopez et al 2015)

Environmental Problems in the Community

1. Air Pollution
We have severe air pollution in our environment such
as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydro-
fluorocarbons, sulfur dioxide, and others. This is due
to the use of fossil fuels. This is also a major problem
in major cities such as Metro Manila. The carbon
dioxide emitted by vehicles adds up to this. Chemical
plants and factories producing PVC, metal, and plastic
also contribute to air pollution. The use of pesticides
and herbicides in agriculture is also a factor.
2. Water Pollution
Garbage, dirty water, and toxic chemicals from
houses, factories, plants, hospitals, and mining sites
go to the waterways such as creeks, canals, rivers,
and build up in lakes, seas, and oceans. Fishes and
other organisms are poisoned and eventually die.
Humans will have the same fate if this continues to
happen. There is now a decline in natural water
resources. We will also lose sources of clean water
in the long run.
3. Land Pollution
Land pollution happens due to the toxic
chemicals from trash and mine tailings. The
common landfills also cause toxic chemicals in
the ground. Land pollution is usually seen in the
following:

a. Garbage Problem
Garbage or waste disposal is a big problem in our
community and in different parts of the world. There are two kinds of waste:
biodegradable and nonbiodegradable. These may come from households or industrial
34
 wastes. Trashes from factories and hospitals are considered as industrial wastes.
Every time garbage is being burned, the air gets dirty and polluted. When trash is
being dumped on vacant land, some toxic chemicals go directly to the land and flow
to the water that is used for drinking or for irrigation of a plantation.

b. Mining
Toxic metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury are present all around us because of
mining. These metals cause neurological diseases in children and adults. Aside from
this, mining is also the cause of air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
oxide.

4. Risk of Losing Different Types of Animals and Plants

Many different types of animals and plants are

already in danger of extinction because of climate
change. Many have lost their usual habitat and
could not adapt to the change in climate.

5. Deforestation

Deforestation is primarily caused by indiscriminate

logging and kaingin (slash-and-burn). The
government has long prohibited these illegal
activities, but a lot of people still do them.
Deforestation causes soil erosion.

6. Population Growth

There is a high demand for natural resources

because of population growth. The overuse and
exploitation of natural resources cause the
destruction in the ecosystem of our environment.
(Antonio et al 2017)

Signs of Global Warming in Our Environment

1. Melting of Ice in the Arctic – in this place, temperature increased by four to five
degrees Fahrenheit since 1950s as compared to the one-degree Fahrenheit increase in
other parts of the world. This would result to the death of penguins and polar bears

35
 that inhabit the region. Scientists worry that despite the efforts of people to decrease
carbon emission, if “death spiral” happens it is already late to stop Arctic Ice Melting.
2. Spread of Diseases – severe heat caused by sunlight and the humidity if the weather
makes pathogens grow and spread especially in places inhabited by parasites and
insects. The growing number of people with malaria and dengue fever is common in
tropical places such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America. When the temperature rises,
the ability of mosquitos to spread diseases in a bigger area becomes possible.
3. Drought – with the climate getting hotter, it is expected that drought is going to be
worse. Places that are already arid will become more arid that would surely negatively
affect the people’s livelihood.
4. Flooding and Super Typhoon – when the atmosphere gets hotter, it would create
more fog. This means more water circulating upward that might turn into typhoons,
cyclones, and hurricanes. Scientists are predicting that because of climate change,
typhoons would become stronger than usual and these would cause severe flooding.
Many places are not used to being hit by strong typhoons that is why many of their
structures collapsed.
5. Destruction of the Natural Habitat of Animals – animals are forced to move from
one place to another because of the changing climate. Slowly, their natural habitats
are being destroyed because of the increasing water level while the tropical places are
getting hotter.
6. Rising Acidity of the Oceans – the emitted carbon to the atmosphere ends up going
down to the ocean, adding up to the acidity of the water. According to scientists, the
ph level or the relative acidity of water has increased from 0.1 to 8.1 units in the last
century and it is continuously increasing. This would result to widespread poisoning
of fishes and coral bleaching which in turn would affect the aquatic resources that
live in corals.
7. Air Pollution and Heat Waves – Smog (combination of smoke and fog) could also
cause global warming. Anyone who inhales smog might get his or her lungs damaged.
Also, smog could result to acid rain. On the other hand, a very high temperature
might result to heat wave. According to research, the year 2012 has been recorded as
the hottest year in the past decades. (Lopez et al 2015)

Ways to Help in Solving the Problem of Climate Change

There are different ways that can help prevent climate change. Here are some:
1. Plant Trees and Plants
Trees help reduce carbon dioxide in our environment. Plant trees to have a natural
shade that can make the place cooler.
2. Reduce Use of Energy
We continuously use energy in our houses, schools, and offices. A large part of the
energy we use everyday comes from fossil fuels, which contributes to greenhouse gas
emissions. There are modern technologies nowadays that consume less energy. Here
are some suggestions on how to save energy:
a. Turn off the lights, air conditioner, fan computer, television, radio, or any
appliances and electronic gadgets that are not being used.
b. Use energy-efficient lights such as compact fluorescent light (CFL) and light-
emitting diodes (LED) because they need less energy than incandescent lights.
c. Conserve water – a lot of energy is needed to purify water and to bring it to our
homes and other places. Water conservation leads to energy conservation.
d. Use insulation – A good insulation for houses or buildings lessens the need for
heating and air conditioner.
36
 e. Walk or use a bicycle when going to nearby destinations. Use fuel-efficient
vehicles, electric vehicles, or solar powered vehicles.
3. Use of Alternative Energy
a. Solar energy is created from sunlight or heat from the sun. This type of energy
does not produce greenhouse gases. Here are some ways to use solar energy:
- Photovolcanic cells - convert sunrays into electricity as used in solar calculators
or watches
- Solar thermal power – collection of sun’s heat in the solar panels or solar
thermal power plant; the heat from the sun becomes steam that is used to
produce electricity
- Solar heating – heat from the sun is used for drying clothes, salt production,
drying of salted fish, and others.
b. Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is the heat from hot springs and from beneath the earth’s
surface. This is then turned into electricity by a geothermal power plant.
c. Hydropower
Energy from water is renewable because it is naturally replenished. This can be
converted into electricity by:
- Hydroelectric dam – energy from rivers
- Wave power – energy from ocean surface waves using a special type of buoy
- Tidal power – energy from tides using a turbine while the waves come and go
along the seashores
d. Wind Energy
Large turbines can produce enough alternative energy for the people in the
provinces. It can also provide electricity for telecommunication. Some of these can
be seen in Ilocos Norte and Rizal province.
4. Avoid Burning Garbage
Burning garbage, especially plastics and polystyrene, increases the concentration of
toxic gases in the environment and atmosphere.
5. Keeping the Environment Clean
Clean the environment to prevent pollution. The pollution contributes to the
greenhouse gases in the environment.
6. Recycle Waste Materials
Recycling disposable objects and waste materials helps in energy conservation. It also
helps in preserving our natural resources as well as in reducing garbage.
7. Avoid Using Plastic Materials and Poisonous Chemicals
Avoid the use of plastic, non-recyclable, and nonbiodegradable materials since they
do not dissolve and only clog in waterways. They also get eaten by animals and cause
deaths. Avoid the use of poisonous chemicals because they get into waterways,
causing disease and death to humans, animals, and plants. (Antonio et al 2017)

Responding to Climate Change

There have been initial efforts to draw people’s attention to global warming. In 2007, the
former US Vice President Al Gore was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his contribution
in heightening people’s awareness of the negative effects of climate change and how this
can be prevented. Aside from Al Gore, many other known personalities as well as
ordinary people in different parts of the world responded to the challenges poised by
climate change. Some of these personalities are:

37
1. Pen Hadow, Martin Harley, and Ann Daniels – they are British individuals who
travelled in 2009 for 73 days, 270 miles in North Canada to measure the thickness of
snow from sea level to guide scientist on how much ice has melted due to climate
change. Despite the cold weather and possible frostbite, they dug the snow for 5
hours every night to gather information for their research. Lonnie Thompson, a
paleoclimatologist, conducted the same research in the mountains of Ecuador, Nepal,
and Tibet to personally witness the changes in the world as a result of climate
change.
2. Valerie Cassey – she is a designer that initiated the “Kyoto Protocol” of industrial
designers in 2007. This is entitled “Designer Protocol or Designers’ Accord” whose
objective is to set a standard of development that does not negatively affect the
environment or what is known as sustainable development. Big industries signed the
agreement and vowed to follow the “Five Green Guidelines” which include: decreasing
the use of carbon footprint every year; information dissemination among their
employees on sustainable development; discussions on environmental issues with
their clients; using “green materials” or materials that are environment-friendly; and
not using unnecessary packaging in their products.
3. David Keith – he is a scientist and professor from Harvard University in the US and is
the adviser of Bill gates, the founder of Microsoft, on issues in relation to climate
change. Keith’s project on geoengineering caught the attention of US senators.
4. Zhao Zhong – he established the Green Camel Bell, an NGO on the province of Gansu
whose aim is to broaden the awareness of the Chinese people on environmental
issues, monitoring those that cause pollution, and support new policies in relation to
climate change.
5. Olga Speranskaya – she is a Russian scientist who recommended to the Russian
government in 1997 to eliminate the stored chemicals and pesticides in their country
as the use of these have long been banned in many parts of Western Europe. She
founded the Eco-Accord Center for the Environment and Sustainable Development to
inform people and draw the attention of the government on environmental issues.
(Lopez et al 2015)

In 2009, 192 countries joined the United Nations Climate Summit, which led into the
signing of the Copenhagen Accord, an amendment of the Kyoto Protocol. This included
the creation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Aside
from this, a total of $30 billion was collected from developed nations from 2010-2012 to
fund climate change response efforts of developing nations. This fund is known as the
“Fast Start Finance.” (Lopez et al 2015)

The following organizations were established to respond to the problems caused by

climate change:

1. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

IPCC is an organization established in November 1988 by scientists from different
parts of the world under the joint efforts of World Meteorological Organization
(WMO) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) to conduct in
government level researches on problems caused by global warming. In the report
released in 1995, IPCC concluded that climate change started in the 19 th century
because of the opening of numerous coal mines needed for the Industrial Revolution.
2. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)
UNFCC discussed the global efforts in relation to climate change based on the data
gathered by IPCC. Many countries in the world signed the UNFCC during the UN
38
 Conference on Environment and Development or the Earth’s Summit held in Rio de
Janeiro in Brazil in June 1992. This research aims to stabilize the concentration of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As a result, it obliged the countries to lessen or
control the emission of greenhouse gases.
3. IPCC Report on Global Warming
The Fourth Assessment Report of IPCC released in January 2007 warns the public of
the increase in the level of human-induced greenhouse gases or greenhouse gases
produced because of man’s activities. (Lopez et al 2015)

Laws in Relation to Climate Change

The government is responding to the global issues of climate change because the country
already experienced many calamities such as typhoons, storm surge, and extreme weather
conditions. The following are some of the laws passed in relation to responding to climate
change.

1. Article I and II of the Philippine Constitution

Article I (National Territory) and Article II (General Provisions) are both about giving
priority to the protection of the environment by passing laws and plans such as
establishing the Commission on Climate Change to assess the ability of the
government to move the people to fight the negative effects of climate change.
2. Republic Act 9729 (Climate Change Act of 2009)
RA 9729 aims to include in a systematic way the concept of climate change in policy
making and in the development plans of all government agencies so that they would
be able to prepare the public for the dangers climate change may bring.
3. Republic Act 9367 (Biofuels Act of 2006)
RA 9367 states that the country should decrease its dependence on imported fuels to
protect the public’s health, the ecosystem, and the environment. As an alternative, it
encourages the use of biofuels such as biodiesel and bioethanol fuel. This would
improve local industries use of renewable resources, prevent the spread of poisonous
chemicals and the emission of greenhouse gases.
4. Republic Act 8749 (Clean Air Act of 1999)
Clean Air Act’s objective is to have clean air that can be safely breathed by people.
This can be achieved through government directives that require the regulations in
achieving clean air to be preventive, rather than corrective.
5. Republic Act 9003 (Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000)
Republic Act 9003 provides legal outline for a systematic, comprehensive, and
ecological program to make sure that solid waste are not going to be harmful to the
public’s health and that the environment is protected. (Lopez et al 2015)

Government Projects in Relation to Climate Change

1. Climate Change Mitigation or the Greenhouse Gas Reduction

This includes strategic planning discussed in the Framework on Climate Change in
which the following programs are included:
• Use of renewable energy
• Carbon sequestration through forests and oceans
• Energy efficiency and conservation
• Climate change adaptation program
• Improve resiliency
2. ECO-TOWNS Ecologically Stable and Economically Resilient Towns

39
 This is the implementation of one of the provisions set by the National Climate
Change Action Plan in the local level.
3. Establishment of the Philippine Climate Change Research and Development Agenda
The Agenda aims to serve as a document guide for academic and scientific studies of
academic institutions so that the result of these could be utilized by the public sector,
private sector, and NGOs in drawing solutions to climate change. (Lopez et al 2015)

Twenty Steps to Fight Global Warming

1. Ensure the quality of your vehicles’ wheels, machine, and mileage – if a vehicle
regularly undergoes tune up, it is going to enhance its mileage or the distance it can
run by 4%. On the other hand, if the wheels were in good condition, it would add up
3% to the mileage. Through this, fuel consumption can be lessened resulting to lesser
fuel burned by the machine.
2. Carpooling – using one car by many people lessens carbon emission and gas
consumption.
3. Turn-off the lights in the workplace during breaktime - turning off the electricity
during peak hours may lessen by 1/5 the daily consumption of electricity.
4. Turn-off and unplug the computer – phantom energy accumulates every time a
television or computer monitor are on standby mode. This adds up to electricity
consumption and carbon emission.
5. Use reusable bags – there are more or less 500 billion plastic bags produced every
day in the world and each of this adds up to human-induced emissions.
6. Buy appliances with Energy Star logo – appliances with this logo consume less than
30% of electricity consumed by regular appliances.
7. Patronize organic vegetables even for a few times in a week – it is believed that
cattle industries are responsible for widespread carbon emission. It is therefore better
to consume vegetables (especially those that are locally grown or you personally
grow).
8. Monitor the consumption of electricity – monitoring the monthly electricity
consumption would make people realize how much electricity they consume; thus, it
would encourage them to find ways to lessen this consumption. This would not only
result to lower electric bills but would also help in lessening carbon emission.
9. Open the windows in your home – almost all carbon emissions come from cooling
and warming appliance; thus, it is better to open the windows at home so that natural
air can enter.
10. Pay your bills online – paying your bills online would not only save you time
waiting in long lines but it could also lessen carbon emission by 2 million tons every
year by not printing receipts.
11. Live in the city – according to study conducted by the United States, Manhattan
in New York is the most environment-friendly place in their country. It is more
expensive to live in rural places because of the expenses in transportation and
structures. Because structures are far from each other, transportation expenses are of
higher cost. While in the city, structures are near each other, thus transportation
expenses are cheaper and less energy is consumed in travelling.
12. Ride the bus – just like the concept of carpooling, riding a bus that can fit in
many people may save carbon footprint.
13. Telecommute – this means working at home to save fuel on transportation.

40
 14. Dry clothes the traditional way – dry clothes using natural air or sunlight
instead of using dryer in the washing machine to lessen carbon emission from using
this appliance.
15. Have a small home – smaller homes could result to lower consumption of
electricity. Small homes are best for small families.
16. Replace electric bulbs with compact fluorescent or with LED bulbs – the
easiest way to save energy is by replacing incandescent bulbs with compact
fluorescent. Aside from its consuming less energy it is also sturdy and would last
longer than the other types.
17. Use hybrid or electric cars – hybrid or electric cars are environment-friendly
compared to regular vehicles because these do not consume fuel.
18. Do not use the shower or bathtub – using the shower and bathtub leads to
excessive and uncontrolled consumption of water.
19. Use solar energy – solar panels that produce energy from sunlight are
currently in demand because they lessen, if not totally eliminate, the need for
electricity generated by electric companies.
20. Vote wisely – although the public’s role in saving and protecting the environment is
important, laws and regulations made by the government are equally important in
responding to climate change. Therefore, vote government candidates whose program
is about finding solution to climate change. If laws that protect the environment and
solve climate change were enacted, the campaign to save the environment is going to
be more effective. (Lopez et al 2015)

Lesson 4: Unemployment
SCOPE OF THE MODULE
LESSON TITLE IN THIS LESSON, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

4 Unemployment • Explain the concept of unemployment;

• Explain the causes and effects of unemployment and underemployment;
• Consider its implications on the lives of the citizens;
• Give suggestions to solve the problem of unemployment;
• Analyze and weigh the alternatives in points of views and understanding;
and
• Evaluate information critically and competently.
To fully understand the concept of unemployment, we must first study the composition of our country’s
population and its labor force. It is believed that one of the strengths of our economy is our human resources.
Human resource is necessary for the creation, production, and provision of products and services to the country
or to other countries in need of employees. A country’s human resources are the country’s source of labor
force. (Antonio et al 2017)

Philippine Labor Force

The Labor Force Survey (LFS) of our government defines labor force as the population that includes people 15
years old and over who are either employed or unemployed. It is a part of the population aged 15 and older
with a full-time job (working for eight hours or more a day and receiving company benefits), part-time job
(working for four hours or less and does not receive the benefits given to a full-time employee), or still looking
for a job. Currently, around 65% of our population is said to be part of the labor force. (Antonio et al 2017)
41
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the estimated total population or number or people in the
Philippines in the year 2020 is 7,819,035,375.

For the population by age groups, please refer to the link below:

https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/attachments/hsd/pressrelease/Table4_9.pdf

The International Labor Organization

The ILO estimates the fast growth of the labor force in the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia,
and Laos at the rate of 1.5% per year. (Antonio et al 2017)

The Qualities of a Filipino Worker

In the 2015 report of the Philippine Statistics Authority, the number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) is
estimated at 2.3 million, which helps make the economy survive in spite of the series of calamities that have
stricken the country. OFW’s are the most in demand workers in most parts of the world, and this can be
attributed to their qualities which separate them from their competitors.

1. Competent

The competency of Filipino workers is attributed to the training that they get from their education and their
willingness to work extra hours to acquire the skills needed to be competent and credible at their job. This trait
can be seen in various fields --- in academic excellence, technical-vocational skills, sports, singing, or dancing.

2. Team Player

Filipinos are great team players which may be rooted on their sense of family, where they help one another
overcome trials and adversities. Filipino workers are always ready to give a helping hand to fellow workers in
need. They are friendly and always have a positive view in life. This is seen in the midst of several disasters met
by the country in recent years.

3. Adaptable

One of the most notable qualities of Filipino workers is their adaptability. It is not difficult for them to learn the
culture of the country where they are in.

One advantage of Filipino workers is also their knowledge of the English language which gives them that special
edge.

4. Fast Learners

In the report of the National Statistics Office in 2013, the literacy rate of the country is 97.5. Those who were
surveyed were from the age of 15 and above. A person’s literacy has a big effect on his or her capacity to
acquire new skills on his or her place of work.

5. Industrious

Working for more than the required number of hours, either with extra compensation or not, is something that
most Filipinos are accustomed to. The sense of fulfillment that they get is what drives most Filipinos to stay
beyond normal working hours.

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 6. Family-Oriented

Filipinos are known for having their families as their main priority. The family is their major motivation for
working hard. They do their best to provide for their families, sometimes even their extended family.

7. Warm and Friendly

Filipino warmth and friendliness are said to be one of a kind. Filipinos are very welcoming and easy to talk to. It
is reported from overseas that the Filipino workers’ warmth and friendliness are the two traits that distinguish
them from other nationalities. This can be traced to the hospitable character of Filipinos. They are willing to
offer everything they have just so their guest will feel comfortable. (Sarenas 2017)

Philippine Employment

In spite of the good qualities of Filipino worker’s there are still some adversities that come their way. To

1. Employed – persons in the labor force who were reported either at work or with a job or business
although not at work
2. At Work – those who did some work, even for one hour during the reference period
3. With a Job or Business but Not at Work – those who have a job or business even though not at work
during the reference period because of temporary illness/injury, vacation or other leave of absence, bad
weather, strike/labor dispute, or other reasons.
Likewise, persons who are expected to report for work or to start operation of a farm or business
enterprise within two weeks from the date of the enumerator’s visit are considered employed.
4. Industry – the nature or character of the business or enterprise or the place wherein a person works
5. Labor Force – the population of 15 years old and over who contribute to the production of goods and
services in the country. It includes those who are either employed or unemployed.
6. Underemployed – employed persons who expressed the desire to have additional hours or work in their
present job or in an additional job, or to have a new job with longer working hours.
7. Underemployed, Invisibly – persons employed at full-time jobs who still want additional work
8. Underemployed, Visibly – employed persons who worked less than 40 hours during the reference week
and wanted additional hours of work
9. Unemployed (new definition) – includes all persons who are 15 years old and over as of their last
birthday and are reported as:
a. Without work
b. Currently available for work
c. Seeking work

One of the pillars and indicators of economic growth is labor market efficiency. The Philippines used to be in the
103rd ranking in this aspect in 2012. But with efforts done by the government, the country climbed up to the
82nd place.

Labor Market Efficiency (LME) is about the allocation of workers to where they would be of most effective use
in the economy. This is done to achieve labor productivity. And while this is being achieved, workers are
ensured of decent and reasonable work and at the same time provided with social protection. (Sarenas 2017)

Top 10 Most In-Demand Jobs in the Philippines’ New Normal

The so-called “new normal” has drastically changed the business landscape. Due to physical distancing
regulations and other measures implemented to fight COVID-19, some businesses have had to scale down their
operations. Some even had to close down completely. Industries that primarily rely on close contact, such as

43
travel and events, will likely recover more slowly. On the other hand, many businesses that remain up and
running have adopted a full or partial work-from-home arrangement.

In short, the current and post-COVID economy is and will be drastically different. In turn, this could affect the
kinds of in-demand jobs today and in the future. Even now, many internet-based or internet-related jobs are
experiencing an upsurge. The gig economy is also expected to continue to thrive, especially since freelancers
can work with anyone, anywhere in the country (and indeed, all over the world). Thankfully, it’s now easier to
work from home. Aside from flexible packages from internet providers, there are also cashless systems for in-
demand jobs that make it easier to send and receive payments. These two factors are especially critical since
they ensure a smoother workflow.

That being said, below is a list of 10 in-demand jobs in the Philippines during this new normal. If you’re currently
job-hunting and have the necessary skills, perhaps it’s time to consider putting your hat in the ring. If you’re
already working these kinds of jobs, think about developing your skillset to help advance your career.

1. Digital Marketer - As earlier mentioned, digital jobs are some of the most in-demand and stable jobs in
the new normal. Such jobs include those in digital marketing, which generally refers to advertising
delivered through websites, social media sites, search engines, mobile applications, and email. Indeed,
traditional or offline methods of advertising (such as billboards or posters) are not as effective during a
quarantine period. After all, the cost alone won’t justify the level of exposure if people are just staying at
home. Thus, many companies are looking for skilled digital marketers to boost their marketing efforts.

2. Graphic Designer - Graphic designers are expected to create visual concepts to communicate ideas that
inform or captivate the audience. Thus, graphic designers are also called communication designers. The
job is in high demand ever since, particularly in the freelancing economy, especially because every
company has a need for communication design. Digital marketing alone has a lot of need for graphic
design, including social media posts, infographics, and banner ads. What’s great about being a graphic
designer is that it’s relatively easy to find clients both locally and abroad. In addition, as long as you’re
patient with networking, you can build a rather sizable clientele by freelancing. Of course, there are also
a lot of businesses that need in-house graphic designers such as advertising agencies, PR companies,
and even government agencies. Another good thing about graphic design is that there are various
specializations such as package design, logo design, and content development, among many others. To
be a graphic designer, you need to be proficient with design and photo-editing software such as Adobe
Photoshop and Illustrator. You should also be knowledgeable about typography, design principles,
branding, and ideation.

3. User Interface Designer - User interface (UI) design can be considered as a branch of graphic design.
However, UI design is a highly specific profession that focuses on enhancing a user’s visual experience
on a digital device. The on-screen elements such as buttons, menus, and the like should not only be
beautiful but also seamless and sensible. UI is usually associated with websites, mobile apps, and games,
but it’s also applicable to things such as smart TVs, cameras, ATMs, and even sound equipment. Do note
that UI and UX (user experience) design are two different concepts that work closely together. UX
design is focused on the interaction between the product or service and the user. UI design, on the
other hand, is more about the look and feel or the presentation of the product or service. When
combined, good UI and UX results in optimized usage. Aside from technical skills in design software, UI
designers should also be knowledgeable about storyboarding, wireframing, and process flows. You also
need to be able to work with a team and have good communications skills because you’ll be working
closely with UX designers and project managers.

4. Front-End Web Developer - In a digital world, it’s essential for a business to have a robust digital
presence. This includes having not just social media pages but also a well-designed website. Of course, a
website needs to be interactive so that visitors can actually use and explore it. This is where a front-end
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 comes in. Simply put, a front-end web developer is responsible for coding everything that the user sees
on the website so that they work the right way. These include buttons, dropdown menus, sliders, and
forms. This is as opposed to a back-end web developer, who is responsible for maintaining the
technology that powers the front-end of the website. As more and more Filipinos explore the
possibilities of e-commerce and other digital-based businesses, front-end web developers will continue
to be in-demand. The key requirement is knowledge about programming languages, particularly HTML,
CSS, and Javascript. (Back-end developers need knowledge in Ruby, Python, PHP, Perl, and Java, among
other server programming languages.) You also need to be able to understand the relationship between
UX and UI, as well as have knowledge about design technology. Of course, you need excellent
communications skills so you can coordinate properly with your team members.

5. Software Developer- As technology continues to evolve, people also continue to look for ways in which
technology can be applied to make life more convenient, comfortable, and enjoyable. One way to do
this is to develop software. There are two kinds that people commonly encounter everyday: system
software and application software. System software “manages” the behaviour of the hardware, allowing
you to use the computer’s functionalities. Examples of system software include operating systems,
device drivers, and utility software such as antivirus and compression tools. Meanwhile, application
software is what you call end-user programs. These are the things you use for researching, taking notes,
drawing or coloring, or even playing games. As you can see, without software, our smartphones and
computers are essentially useless. It’s no wonder why software developer jobs continue to be in-
demand, as well as command a high salary. The more experienced you are, the higher the pay. Some of
the necessary skills in order to become a software developer include writing, testing, editing, and
debugging. A few languages you need to learn include C++, Python, Java, and SQL.

6. Tech and Customers Support Jobs - One of the biggest changes that the new normal brought about is
that now, working from home is the norm. In addition, online and cashless transactions, such as paying
bills and transferring money, also became more common. This only means that more people will need
technical support for setting up their home offices, troubleshooting, and more. As such, technical
support companies continue to expand their operations. The same goes with customer support,
especially for online-based services. Depending on the company, you may be required to report to a
physical office or be allowed to work from home. (If it’s the former, don’t forget to take proper
precautions when heading out.)

7. Health-Care Related Jobs - Even before COVID-19 struck, there has always been a high demand for
healthcare practitioners. In particular, there are always openings for hospital and company nurses,
physical therapists, and clinicians, among other positions. The concept of team-based healthcare is also
gaining ground, which further drives up the demand for competent professionals. The increasing
popularity of telemedicine (consultations through phone calls or video conferencing) has also created
more jobs for healthcare practitioners. After all, COVID is not the only healthcare concern of Filipinos.
Pharmacists are also in high demand. After all, drugstores and pharmacies are among those classified as
essential businesses. In addition, people have become more health-conscious. Thus, there’s a continuing
need for licensed pharmacists and pharmacy assistants who can provide advice and recommendations
especially about health supplements and over-the-counter medicines.

8. Data Development Engineer - If you’ve been around the internet for a while, you’ve probably come
across the term “big data.” In essence, big data is simply the large volume of low-density but complex
data sets from various sources. Once properly sorted and analyzed, the data becomes valuable
especially in solving business problems. An organization can also use it to develop new products or
create a more streamlined workflow. Indeed, with the intrinsic value of big data, it can be considered
part of a business’s capital. Big data can be used across several industries, provided that there are
competent engineers working to make sense of the data. The key responsibilities of data development
engineers include data analysis and data manipulation. For work qualifications, you need to be
knowledgeable about SQL, Hadoop processing, data mining, and machine learning. You can expect that
45
 this job will continue to be in-demand post-COVID, especially as companies continue to deal with larger
volumes of data.

9. Database Manager or Administrator - As mentioned in the previous section, data can be used across
various industries. This simply means that companies also need database support to keep their data
organized and intact. This role is usually fulfilled by a database manager or administrator. Not only do
they manage an organization’s data, but they also make sure that the information is kept secure. Part of
a database manager’s job includes data back-ups, updates, and patch installations. They also ensure that
the complete data can be accessed at all times (by those with the right access credentials). One of the
most requirements for database managers or administrators include knowledge in Oracle, SQL, and
UNIX. Analytical skills are also important. Do note that you can learn how to be a database manager or
administrator through online classes. However, employers generally prefer graduates with a degree in
computer science, information technology, or related courses.

10. Supply Chain Jobs - During the start of the community quarantine, there were certain restrictions put on
delivery services. In particular, only essential goods such as food and medicines were allowed for
shipping. However, as the restrictions eased, delivery services slowly went back to normal. The desire to
minimize exposure to viral droplets and asymptomatic carriers also meant that more people are
choosing to go the e-commerce route. From groceries to restaurant meals, people are booking more
courier services every day. In short, there will be a continuing demand for delivery personnel such as
truck drivers and motorcycle riders. It’s also likely that there will be an uptick manufacturing, logistics,
and other supply chain jobs.

Employment

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority: (Antonio et al 2017)

Employed persons fall into any of these broad categories: (1) wage and salary workers, (2) self-employed workers
without any paid employee, (3) employers in own family operated farm or business, and (4) unpaid family
workers. Wage and salary workers were classified further as those who work for private households, private
establishments, government or government-controlled corporations, and those who work with pay in own family
operated farm or business.

Employed persons are classified as either full-time workers or part-time workers. Full-time workers refer to those
who work for 40 hours or more in a week, while part-time workers work for less than 40 hours. Of the total
employed persons in July 2015, 67.0 percent were full-time workers, while 32.3 percent were part-time workers.
In this round of LFS, workers worked 42.4 hours per week, on the average.

Underemployment

According to the Labor Force Survey (LFS), the underemployed are workers who want to have more working
hours in their current job, other opportunities for additional income, or new jobs with longer working hours.

There are also workers whose jobs do not match their skills or areas of expertise due to the lack of
opportunities in their particular fields.

It can be said that when there is a high number of underemployed people and people are earning less than
what they could, they would not be able to address their own needs. This also causes suffering among the
people.

In the study by the Department of labor and Employment (DOLE), underemployment is widespread in the
region of our country, especially in agricultural areas. Even if the jobs available here offer only a low salary,
workers still stay in these kinds of work no matter how small their salary is because they do not want to lose

46
their job or source of income. Under this condition, people often look for additional work or source of income.
They are not considered as unemployed but underemployed. (Antonio et al 2017)

Unemployment

Unemployment occurs when a person who is searching for work is unable to find employment. A person is
considered unemployed if he or she is of legal age and in good health but lacks the opportunity to find a job
suitable to his/her ability and to the needs of business owners. The rate of unemployment is high and is
currently a major problem in the Philippines. This has a huge impact on the economic situation in the country.

The unemployment rate is measured by dividing the number of unemployed people with the number of
employed people in the labor force. (Antonio et al 2017)

Causes of Unemployment

1. Lack of opportunities for work

2. Population increase
3. Lack of a comprehensive and long-term plan for job creation
4. Mismatch between courses completed or educational qualification and available jobs
5. Non-payment of proper wages to workers, few benefits, and poor working conditions
6. Laziness
7. Onslaught of calamities in the country
8. Complicated process of establishing a business
9. Corruption in the government

(Antonio et al 2017)

Implication of Unemployment and Poverty

According to research, unemployment causes severe poverty among people. Here are some of its implications:

• People do not have income to sustain their daily living and their needs.
• Some commit crimes such as theft or robbery. They are tempted to a life of crime to be able to provide
for their needs.
• Malnutrition is prevalent because people do not have enough money to buy nutritious food, which
makes them get sick easily.
• The youth cannot go to school because their parents cannot provide for their needs.
• There is an increase in the number of women who go into prostitution.
• There is an increase in the number of informal settlers or those with no permanent residence, street
children, and beggars.
• More people depend on the government.
• The people have lower standards of living.
• Poverty affects the mental health of people.
• Due to unemployment, parents leave their family to go to other countries to work.
• The increase in foreign investors and local business giants offer temporary or contractual employment
only so as not to give benefits to their employees.
• Local business giants give low wages that causes continuous lack of money for the employees to
address their needs.
• Low production output and poverty weakens the economy of the country.
• A weak economy hinders the development of the country.

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 (Antonio et al 2017)

Solving the Problem of Unemployment

Unemployment is rooted in the economic status of a country. The government has already passed measures to
solve the problem, but the increase in population and unemployment just continues their onslaught. In the
economic sector, while the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Philippines keeps going up during these past
few years, the unemployment rate still has not gone down. The GDP is the total amount of all goods and
services of a country. (Antonio et al 2017)

According to the United Nations (UN) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF),
the Philippine economy continues to grow faster than other countries in Southeast
Asia. But the Philippines has the highest rate of unemployment in the whole region.
A report in the UN World Economic Situation and Prospects 2014 said that the
crucial challenge for the Philippines now is to translate its economic growth into the
creation of more jobs. (Antonio et al 2017)

According to the nation’s economists, the number of available jobs in the

Philippines continues to increase, but it still cannot catch up with the rise in the
growth of the labor force, and that is why the unemployment rate also continues to rise. Their recommendation
is to increase the opportunities for jobs that can give security of tenure and benefits such as health insurance
and social security. (Antonio et al 2017)

Here are some government departments and their responsibilities to reduce unemployment and initiate the
country’s development:

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – this is the government sector

that is tasked to develop the country’s commerce and industry. It
stimulates the growth of the internal and external trades in order that our
people may have jobs. This agency also helps local entrepreneurs to find
new markets for local products in other countries and attracts foreign
entrepreneurs to do business here in our country. (Antonio et al 2017)

Department of Labor and

Employment (DOLE) – this department manages the policies and problems
of labor and employment. It protects the welfare of employees in order
that they may not be exploited by their employers. It acts as an
intermediary between laborers and employers, looks after the health and
protection of workers, and many others. (Antonio et al 2017)

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 Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) – here is the
mission of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration:

POEA connects to the world and in partnership with all

stakeholders, facilitates the generation and preservation of decent
jobs for Filipino migrant workers, promotes their protection and
advocates their smooth reintegration into Philippine society.

(Antonio et al 2017)

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – this it the agency of
the government that assists people to improve their skills by enrolling in vocational
schools. It aims to give high quality jobs to our citizens.

According to economists, the increasing job opportunities that can give security of
tenure, benefits such as health insurance and social security, and the development of
infrastructures in the country are some of the solutions to the problem of
unemployment or the issue of lack of jobs in the country.
According to the government, on the other hand, the promotion of the manufacturing, tourism,
agribusiness industries, and the development of infrastructures are some of the solutions to the issue of
unemployment or the lack of jobs in the country. (Antonio et al 2017)

Unemployment is the condition of a person actively looking for a job but is unable to find one. (Antonio et al
2017)

Causes: Possible Solutions:

1. Mismatch between one’s Unemployment 1. Modernization of
skills or course completed agriculture
and requirements of the 2. Offering of course in
job. TESDA
Effects:
2. Laziness 3. Increasing opportunities
3. Complicated process of 1. Poverty for jobs that can give
establishing a business 2. High crime rate security of tenure
4. Slow development of the 3. Weak economy of the 4. Developing skills of
country country workers
5. Lack of needed 4. Mental health of the 5. Encouraging people to
competency for the job people gets affected start their own business.
5. Brain drain
Solutions of Unemployment
1. Equal economic opportunities in rural and urban areas
The development of rural areas through the establishment of small-scale industries will spur the interest of
locals to stay and work in the countryside. Building economic activities using local resources would also
encourage social entrepreneurship aside from creating employment. It will also lessen the urban migration and
high unemployment in cities.
2. Link between education and employment
The legislation of the k to 12 program is an important step in strengthening the country’s human capital. Part of
this would be the tie-ups with the private sector in the work immersion of students, which could further the
Public-Private Partnership program of the government and could later on link education to employment. The
49
improvement of the technical vocational courses under TESDA could also be strengthening by the linkage of the
government and the private sectors.
3. Government support for business
The government’s effort in encouraging investors to invest in the country must be done unceasingly through
different programs and activities, such as marketing the available labor force and the qualities of Filipino
workers. The government must also take steps to simplify the process of establishing businesses in the country
and cutting red tape.
4. Education as a socially relevant institution
Education must be made socially relevant. Education can serve as a way for the citizens to realize their goals not
only for personal satisfaction but also for the service of the country. It can be done by producing graduates
whose skills will address the needs of the labor market toward a sustainable society and inclusive growth. Hand
in hand with education is the important role of guidance counselors at the secondary level in guiding the
students on their career path.
5. Labor market information system
The government must continue investing on the improvement of the labor market information system. The
labor market information system is a device that current and future job seekers can use to determine which
opportunities are available for them. This would lead them to prepare and gain the necessary training they
would need in order to become employed in the future. The government must also promote the system it uses,
which is the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), in informing the public of the current and future
demands in the labor market. (Sarenas 2017)

Labor Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 442)

The Labor Code of the Philippines, also known as P.D. No. 442, is a set of government policies that regulate
employment and worker’s welfare from the time the worker enters the employment process up to the time of
post-employment.
The Labor Code of the Philippines became effective on November 1, 1974. Under its general provisions, the
State shall afford protection to labor, promote full employment, ensure equal work opportunities regardless of
sex, race or creed and regulate the relations between workers and employers. Furthermore, it states the
assurance of rights of workers to self-organization, collective bargaining, security of tenure, and just and
humane conditions of work. (Sarenas 2017)

End of Contract (ENDO)

The End of Contract (ENDO) refers to the system of terminating the employment of workers. Under the
Philippine law, an employee is given probationary period of six months after which they become regular
employees. However, some employers end the contract of employees before the six-month period which
prevents the employees from receiving employment benefits such as Social Security System (SSS) contributions,
national health insurance contributions or Philhealth, Home Mutual Development Fund contributions,
thirteenth month pay, and other benefits.
Under the Labor Code, the employer may only terminate the employment of the worker under the following
circumstances as provided in the Article 282:
1. Serious misconduct or willful disobedience by the employee of the lawful orders of his employer or
representative in connection with his work;
2. Gross and habitual neglect by the employee of his duties;
3. Fraud or willful breach by the employee of the trust reposed in him by his employer or duly authorized
representative;
4. Commission of a crime or offense by the employee against the person of his employer or any immediate
member of his family or his duly authorized representative; and
5. Other causes analogous to the foregoing.
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(Sarenas 2017)

Contractualization
In the Article 106 of the Labor Code, it states the provision given to the Secretary of the DOLE to prohibit the
contracting-out of labor in order to protect the rights of workers which the government under the
administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte still permits.

Advantages of Contractualization:
1. It allows quick response to market fluctuations such as the increase od decrease in the supply of goods.
It facilitates in the deployment of qualified workers by contractors or subcontractors such as
employment agencies;
2. Provides flexibility in hiring workers based on the situation of the company which not only benefits the
company’s needs but at the same time the needs ow workers looking for temporary work;
3. It is cost efficient for companies for it does not require providing benefits. It can also serve as a good
way of testing the efficiency and productivity of the temporary worker whom can eventually be hired as
a regular worker. The process allows the evaluation of the temporary worker without having the
company commit;
4. Hiring workers through an agency exempts the company in using its resources of finding qualified
workers and providing benefits, therefore, it is cost efficient;
5. The stricter the policy in hiring regular workers and the lenient process in hiring a temporary worker or
contractual worker, provides greater participation of the labor force.

Disadvantages of Contractualization:
1. It enables companies and the capitalists to provide low wages to workers;
2. It prevents workers from fighting tor their rights. Instead of forming organizations that will provide
protection for their rights, they can be threatened with termination of their contracts;
3. Low wages due to contractualization prevents the improvement of the quality of life of the workers;
4. Workers who fear contractualization develop anxiety and less likely to engage in democratic discussions
that will uplift workers’ conditions;
5. Rigid supervision and training are needed for temporary worker in order to have an assurance of quality
work suited to the needs of the company;
6. Comparison in the wages and or benefits received by the temporary and the regular workers may lead
to non-conducive working environment.
(Sarenas 2017)

References:
Antonio, Eleanor D. et al, Turning Points Contemporary Issues, Rex Book Store, Inc. 2017
Velasco, Mark Anthony M. et al, Contemporary Issues in Focus 10, Diwa Learning Systems, Inc. 2019
Sarena, Diana Lyn R. et al, Contemporary Issues, Sibs Publishing House, Inc. 2017
https://gostandrew.com/event/contemporary-issues/2021-02-21/
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/life/natural-disasters-in-2018-claim-over-10-000-lives/1378790
https://www.moving.com/tips/which-states-are-most-prone-to-natural-disasters/
https://www.livescience.com/13710-unemployment-depression-identity-job-search.html
https://www.piie.com/microsites/globalization/what-is-globalization
http://www.cnchemicals.com/Press/87215-
CCM:%20Environmental%20Protection%20Tax%20Law%20to%20be%20launched%20in%20China%20in%202016.html
https://www.thestatesman.com/opinion/environmental-issues-stay-unaddressed-1502696433.html
https://www.axios.com/black-lives-matter-protests-what-you-need-to-know-d0bb31d8-134c-454f-a616-
c28e28ab8729.html
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https://onenews.ph/covid-19-outbreak-expected-to-impact-on-the-local-economy-doh-bracing-for-local-transmission
https://gostandrew.com/event/contemporary-issues/2021-02-21/
https://sciencenordic.com/archeology-climate-natural-disasters/what-can-we-learn-from-natural-disasters/1403814
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/slideshows/10-of-the-deadliest-natural-disasters-in-2018
https://www.greenbiz.com/article/risk-cascading-natural-disasters-rise
https://www.banyanmentalhealth.com/2019/09/24/mental-health-issues-after-natural-disasters/
https://www.quantamagazine.org/new-earthquake-math-predicts-how-destructive-theyll-be-20200421/
https://www.npr.org/2019/02/05/691585812/australian-residents-return-home-after-flash-floods-amid-warnings-of-
another-sto
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1779594/Cebu/Local-News/LPA-big-waves-cancel-boat-trips
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsunami
https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/vault/images/earthquake/Destructive%20Earthquakes%20in%20the%20Philippines/T
sunami%20damage%20north%20of%20Zamboanga.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_Moro_Gulf_earthquake
https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/earthquake/destructive-earthquake-of-the-philippines/2-
uncategorised/208-1976-august-17-ms7-9-moro-gulf-earthquake
https://suluonlinelibrary.wordpress.com/major-events/1976-moro-gulf-tsunami/
https://public.wmo.int/en/About-us/FAQs/faqs-tropical-cyclones/t
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/storm-surge-maps-will-warn-coastal-residents-of-potential-deadly-floods/
https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/lets-learn-about-volcanoes
https://www.zenrooms.com/blog/post/mayon-volcano-natural-park/
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1839985/Bacolod/Local-News/Provincial-disaster-office-assures-Taal-eruption-
wont-affect-Kanlaon
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/1/16/Taal-Volcano-eruption-alert-
level.html?fbclid=IwAR3B0VEpJqDBBxCiprKH8BllEqS0nkt42IHItzl9l1c5sQVZJPdLPw4fGaQ
https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/bulusan/news/59543/Bulusan-volcano-Philippines-small-phreatic-explosion.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsnKOHWYxno
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/117375134009018385/?nic_v2=1a7t7LMmZ
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/117375134009018385/?nic_v2=1a7t7LMmZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGWb-tahTmY
https://alchetron.com/Biliran-(volcano)
https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=271020
http://volcanoesphp.blogspot.com/2010/10/mount-ragang.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musuan_Peak
https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/
https://climate.nasa.gov/solutions/adaptation-mitigation/
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-air-pollution.php
https://www.history.com/topics/natural-disasters-and-environment/water-and-air-pollution
https://science4fun.info/land-pollution/
https://www.thoughtco.com/reasons-animals-go-extinct-3889931
https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/deforestation-and-forest-degradation
https://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Areas/Chechnya/Chechen-demographic-rise-reasons-and-concerns-
191886
https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-unemployment-3306222
https://populationmatters.org/the-facts/the-
numbers?gclid=CjwKCAjw2dD7BRASEiwAWCtCby903YH0kTGy4yLEh5OatfYLseAk5Oos0Jla5M1iJj3gLo2RIjSF3
hoCLw4QAvD_BwE
https://web.facebook.com/ILOPhilippines/?brand_redir=488782827814626
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Statistics_Authority
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2015/06/08/dti-ntc-agreement-to-boost-protection-of-telecoms-users/
https://web.facebook.com/laborandemployment/?_rdc=1&_rdr
https://web.facebook.com/POEAREGION7/?_rdc=1&_rdr
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_Education_and_Skills_Development_Authority
https://www.salary.com/passages/the-top-9-hottest-jobs-during-the-pandemic/1/
https://grow.acorns.com/in-demand-jobs-post-coronavirus-economy/
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PERFORMANCE TASK

Analysis of a Contemporary Issue

Significance and Scope

Connections Impact

Perspective Reflection

Action/Praxis
Evidence

Contemporary Issue

Study these aspects that can help us in understanding and addressing an issue correctly. Here
are some questions for exploring a contemporary issue:

➢ Significance and Scope

• Why does this issue matter? To whom does it matter?
• Who/What is affected by the issue?
o Who benefits from it?
o Who is harmed by it?
• When/Where/How did this issue begin?
➢ Evidence
• Have I used a variety of sources, including primary sources?
• How reliable are my sources?
• How do the media treat this issue?
➢ Perspective
• How do perspectives differ on this issue? (e.g. environmental, economic,
political, social)
• Which perspectives are most defensible and why?
• Whose voices are not heard?
• What role do the media play in creating/perpetuating this issue?
➢ Connections
• How has this issue changed over time?
• What might be future concerns about this issue?
• How is this issue connected to other environmental, social, economic, or political
concerns?
• Is this issue part of a larger trend or problem?
• How does this issue affect the environment? Economy? Society? Quality of life?
• Why does this issue continue to be a problem and for whom?
➢ Reflection
• How do you feel about the issue now that you know more about it?
• How might this issue have been prevented? What could have been done
differently?
• What questions do you still have?

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 ➢ Impact (Environmental, Social, Political, Economic)
• What is happening at the local, national, and global level with regards to the
issue?
• What actions are being taken by citizens, governments, businesses, and other
groups?
• What might be some of the short- and long-term consequences of these actions?
➢ Action/Praxis
• Who needs to do what?
• What can and should we do?
• What are the challenges/barriers/risks to action?
• What do I have to offer?
• How can I take action?
• How can I get others involved?

Instructions:
❖ Each student will be given an issue to research.
❖ After researching about the said issue, make your paper which will contain answers of the
questions listed prior to these instructions.
❖ Rubrics on how your paper will be graded are listed below.
❖ Deadline will be first week of the fourth quarter.

Criteria 4 3 2 1

Purpose The writers The writing has a The central The purpose is
central purpose is clear purpose but purpose is not generally unclear.
readily apparent. sometimes may consistently clear
digress from it. throughout the
paper.

Content Balanced Information Information Central purpose Is

presentation of provides supports a central not clearly
relevant and reasonable purpose at times. identified.
legitimate support for a Analysis is basic Analysis is vague
information that central purpose or general. or not evident.
clearly supports a and displays
central purpose evidence of a basic
and shows a analysis of a
thoughtful, in- significant topic.
depth analysis of a
significant topic.

Organization The ideas are The ideas are In general, the The writing is not
arranged logically arranged logically writing is logically
to support the to support the arranged logically, organized.
purpose. They central purpose. although Frequently, ideas
flow smoothly They are usually occasionally ideas fail to make sense
from one to together.
another and are
54
 clearly linked to clearly linked to fail to make sense
each other. each other. together.

Feel The writing is The writing is The writing is dull The writing has
compelling. generally and not engaging. little personality.
engaging but has
some dry spots.

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 AP 10: Activity Sheet #1
Name: __________________________________________________ Score: _________________________
Section: ________________________________________________

Define the following and give a brief explanation of each.

1. Contemporary
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. Contemporary issue
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. Environmental issue
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
4. Economic issue
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
5. Authority issue
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Social issue
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
7. Cultural issue
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
8. Local issue
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
9. National issue
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
10. International issue
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

56
 AP 10: Activity Sheet #2
Name: __________________________________________________ Score: _________________________
Section: ________________________________________________

Give an example for each kind of contemporary issue.

KIND OF CONTEMPORARY EXAMPLES

ISSUE
Structural causes
Environmental issue a.

b.

Economic issue c.

d.

Authority issue e.

f.

Social issue g.

h.

Cultural issue i.

j.

57
 AP 10: Activity Sheet #3
Name: __________________________________________________ Score: _________________________
Section: ________________________________________________

Our country is presently best with many problems. Some of these problems can be considered as
contemporary issues. Can you identify some of them? In the boxes below, draw some symbols
depicting the issues.

Which of the issues above are overly disturbing to you? Why?

_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

(Antonio, et al, 2017)

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PERFORMANCE TASK:

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has generated geohazard
maps to indicate which areas are prone to natural danger on natural disasters. It provides
information about the high-risk areas so that the residents can be prepared should their
residential areas be within the designated areas. The geohazard map was done to help
people manage and lessen the negative impact of natural disasters.

Geohazards – are naturally occurring geological phenomena that pose danger to people’s
lives, properties, infrastructure, and communities. These include landslides, flooding,
and land subsidence. (Antonio et al 2017)

Here are the 20 provinces at risk to

According to the DENR, the following
typhoons:
provinces are at high risk of having
earthquakes: 1. Cagayan
2. Albay
1. Surigao Del Sur
3. Ifugao
2. La Union
4. Sorsogon
3. Benguet
5. Kalinga
4. Pangasinan
6. Ilocos Sur
5. Pampamga
7. Ilocos Norte
6. Tarlac
8. Camarines Norte
7. Ifugao
9. Mountain Province
8. Davao Oriental
10.Camarines Sur
9. Nueva Vizcaya
11.Northern Samar
10.Nueva Ecija
12.Catanduanes
13.Apayao
14.Pampanga
According to the research of National 15.La Union
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management 16.Nueva Ecija
Council, these are the 10 provinces 17.Pangasinan
highly susceptible to flooding: 18.Masbate
19.Tarlac
1. Pampanga 20.Western Samar
2. Nueva Ecija
3. Pangasinan
4. Tarlac
5. Maguindanao
6. Bulacan
7. Metro Manila
8. North Cotabato
9. Oriental Mindoro
10.Ilocos Norte

59
 Provinces that are at risk to volcanic
Provinces that are at risk to eruptions:
earthquake-induced landslides:
1. Camiguin
1. Ifugao 2. Sulu
2. Lanao Del Sur 3. Biliran
3. Sarangani 4. Albay
4. Benguet 5. Bataan
5. Mountain Province 6. Sorsogon
6. Bukidnon 7. South Cotabato
7. Aurora 8. Laguna
8. Davao Del Sur 9. Camarines Sur
9. Davao Oriental 10.Batanes
10.Rizal
Provinces that are at risk to
tsunamis:

1. Sulu
2. Tawi-Tawi
3. Basilan
4. Batanes
5. Guimaras
6. Romblon
7. Siquijor
8. Surigao del Norte
9. Camiguin
10.Mabate

Instructions:

Plot out the geohazard map on a Philippine map. Make sure to use legends that will
represent each natural disaster. You can choose the legend to use for each natural
disaster.

60
 AP 10: Activity Sheet #4
Name: __________________________________________________ Score: _________________________
Section: ________________________________________________

I. Career Pathing. Think, reflect on, and plan your career in the future by accomplishing the following
form:

Name: ________________________________________________ Age: ______________________

My Future Career

Based on my research, I believe that in the future, the following will become part of the most in-
demand jobs:

1. _____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________

The Filipino work qualities I would practice and hold dearly would be:

1. _____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________

In relation to the above, I will start preparing for my future career by taking the track
_____________________________________________ in Senior High School.

To contribute to Labor Market Efficiency (LME), I pledge to

_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

And to become a good member of my family and a good citizen of the country, I will do the following:

1. ______________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________________

61
 AP 10: Activity Sheet #5
Name: __________________________________________________ Score: _________________________
Section: ________________________________________________

One of the persistent problems of our country is unemployment. Can you think of possible causes and effects of this
problem? List them on the table below.

UNEMPLOYMENT

Causes Effects

62