ARMY ROLE IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Landslides
SCOPE OF PRESENTATION
• TYPES OF HAZARDS AND EFFECTS
• THE ARMY ROLE IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT CYCLE
• THE ARMYS FUNCTIONAL COMPONENT IN DISASTER OPERATIONS
• SAFETY SECURITY AWARENESS
TYPES OF HAZARDS AND EFFECTS
1. Natural
a. Typhoon - China Sea. Typhoons are annual occurrences and the most frequent
cause of disaster in the Philippines and have a severe impact on large parts of the
country.
b. Storm surge - An atmospheric disturbance manifested in strong winds
accompanied by rain and often by thunder and lightning. Storm surges often
accompanied by typhoons sometimes cause severe damage to coastal areas.
c. Flood - Is the overflowing by excessive water onto an area which is normally dry.
It is estimated that 47 % of the average annual rainfall is due to typhoons. There are
strong indications that the flood risk has increased significantly due to
deforestation. Flooding severely disrupts the economic and social activities of the
people.
d. Volcanic Eruption - Is the process wherein molten rock materials (magma) are
emitted or ejected in the form of flowing masses and stream from a crater vent
fissure. Volcanic eruption usually results to the displacement and evacuation of
people living within the danger areas around the erupting volcano. It also causes
disruption in economic and social activities of the people and the loss of lives and
destruction of properties.
e. Earthquake - are ground vibrations caused by volcanic activity. These occur
without notice. Earthquakes usually trigger landslides. Strong earthquakes may
result to severe destruction of properties, infrastructures, economic facilities and
vital utilities.
f. Tsunamis - are very large ocean waves caused by underwater earthquake or
volcanic eruption and are sometimes loosely called “tidal waves”. Tsunamis have
affected Philippine coastal areas up to four meters above sea level.
g. Landslide - It is the dislodging and falling of a mass of land and rocks.
are mostly triggered by excessive rainfall as in the Southern Leyte tragedy in
February 2006 or by earthquakes as what happened in Baguio City in July 1990.
h. Drought - It is a long period without rainfall. Drought which is becoming common
in the Philippines brings damage to crops which lead to economic losses and
disaster declarations.
2. Man-made Disasters.
a. Fire - Rapid and persistent chemical reaction involving the combination of
combustible material and oxygen that releases heat and light. Uncontrolled fire
results to destruction of properties and severe physical and psychological injuries or
even resulting to loss of lives. Fire is caused by various origins ranging from faulty
electrical wirings, overloading of electrical equipment, negligent and irresponsible
use of heat emitting devices, to arson.
b. Conflagration - It is a large disastrous fire involving numerous buildings/houses
or structures.
c. Maritime Disasters - These are ill-fated events that occur at high seas causing
excessive damages, injuries and loss of lives.
d. Land and Air Accidents - These are unplanned or unforeseen events or
circumstances that may occur either on air or on land resulting mostly from
ignorance or carelessness.
e. Oil Spill - Fallout of oil or similar substance from a container resulting to
environmental hazards. Oil spill usually occurs at the sea and is caused by the
mishandling of vessels containing the substance or from sea mishaps or accidents as
what had happened in Guimaras on 11 August 2006.
f. Civil Strife - Social unrest with violent activities, destruction of properties, and
chaos resulting to injuries.
g. Pollution - The contamination of water, soil, or atmosphere by the discharge of
noxious substances especially gaseous, chemical or organic wastes. Pollution causes
hazards to the environment and health.
h. Red Tide - Presence of toxic chemicals or pollutants in coastal waters that
extremely affects natural resources resulting to food poisoning and deaths.
Development
- During the development stage, Army units participate in capability building and
organizational development activities. Army units in the field of engineering,
medical services, communication and information technology may be tapped to
provide inputs in policy making and long term development planning.
Prevention
- In the prevention stage, the Philippine Army supports the efforts of the
government for disaster prevention. Army units may participate in identifying and
implementing engineering interventions. Engineering units may be tapped to
conduct mapping and related studies as well as the construction of protective
facilities depending on the capacity of the concerned government entity. The
Philippine Army also participates in security operations to prevent high profile
terrorist attacks that may result to disasters.
Mitigation
- During mitigation stage, Army units play an important role in supporting
government’s efforts in disaster mitigation. The Army engineers in support role may
be tapped by disaster coordinating councils to assist in the structural disaster
mitigation activities such as de-silting of river systems or repair of public structures
that pose hazards to citizens.
Preparedness
- In the same manner as in mitigation, the Army plays a vital role for disaster
preparedness. Army units participate in joint disaster preparedness planning
together with the member agencies and the disaster coordinating council to come
up with a sound plan to cope with effects of disasters.
The following stages in preparedness segment are elucidated to identify actions
that the Army shall undertake:
a. Threat - As part of preparedness, Army units shall identify hazards, critical areas,
and effects of these hazards.
b. Warning - During the warning stage, Army units shall closely monitor warnings or
signals announced by appropriate government agencies and be ready to execute
measures relative to the warning.
c. Precaution - Utilizing available capabilities, Army units shall assist the local
disaster coordinating council in the conduct of evacuation.
d. Disaster Impact - At the impact of disaster, and when situation permits, Army
units shall initiate immediate response during the critical moments to those
affected primarily to save lives.
e. Recovery - The recovery segment may take three stages – restoration,
rehabilitation and reconstruction. At all stages, the Army’s role is to support the
government’s efforts to restore public utilities, rehabilitate affected communities
and reconstruct vital infrastructures.
COMMAND AND CONTROL PROCESS
1. Commander - The officer assigned overall responsibility for disaster operations.
2. Command Staff Officers - Provide specific support to the Commander with
functions that are not directly involved in service delivery.
a. Public Information Officer - The single media point of contact.
b. Safety Officer - Responsible for identifying safety issues and fixing them.
c. Liaison Officer - Point of contact for agency-to-agency issues.
3. General Staff - Provides the management of the delivery of emergency response
services.
a. Administration - Accounts for and manages the costs generated by
ongoing operations
b. Operations - Plans and executes Incident Action Plan.
c. Logistics- Provides the support necessary to carry out the plan.
FUNCTIONAL COMPONENTS FOR THE ARMY DISASTER OPERATIONS UNIT AND ITS
CAPABILITIES
4. Fire Services - The Philippine Army has a very limited firefighting capability
especially on its lower unit levels. Only HPA and the Inf Div thru their PEDs have fire
trucks.
5. Engineering - The PA Engineer units can construct and rehabilitate roads and
bridges, buildings and related facilities.
ENGINEER UNIT FOUND IN THE PRESENT ARMY ORGANIZATIONS capabilities and maximize results. This can be obtained from any of the following
units:
a. HPA level - Eng Bn (S) and PED
b. Inf Div Level – PED a. HPA level - ASCOM, SEB, HHSG
c. Engr Bde Level- 3 Egnr Construction Bns & 1 Engr Spt Bn b. Inf Div Level - FSSU, SSBn
d. Other PA Major Units- respective PEDs c. Other PA Major Units - SS Coy/Trans Pltn
d. Bde/Reg/Bn Level - Transportation Pltn
6. Waterborne Rescue - These are units of the Army which have limited water
rescue capability. Mentioned below are the units which have the watercraft and
12. Public Information - PA PI component is to provide information updates on
underwater equipment:
disaster situation and actions being undertaken. It is necessary in order to
a. DEAR Coy
synchronize actions, avoid confusion and prevent further damage.
b. RCDGs
a. HPA level - OACPA, CAG
b. Other Major Units - OG7s
7. Nuclear, Biological, Chemical - At present, the Philippine Army has no NBC
c. Inf Div Level - Div OG7/CMOU
capability in all its units.
d. Bde/Reg/Bn Level - Bde S7 Sec
8. Canine - On a limited scale, the Army is capable of tracking victims of disaster
with the use of the Army Canine Coy. 13. Security - The Philippine Army in all its unit levels has the capability to provide
for its own security. Security assistance may be provided to the local police unit as
9. Medical Services - The Army has medical units spread throughout the necessary. Reservists may be utilized to provide additional security in any occasion
archipelago. that there would be lack of disaster management groups.

a. HPA level - FBGH

b. Inf Div Level - ASH, Medical Coy
c. Other PA Major Units - Medical Platoon
d. Bde/Regiment Level - Medical Platoon
e. Bn Level - Medical Section

10. Communications - The Philippine Army communications capabilities can

establish communication linkages and make these available for disaster operations.
The communication component can provide and maintain continuous and reliable
communications and adequate warning system throughout the impending and
existing disaster and calamities.

All units of the Philippine Army have their own signal equipment per TOE. following
units below or may be integrated with other agencies with communication
capabilities:

a. HPA level - Signal Group

b. Inf Div Level - Signal Battalion
c. Other PA Major Units - Signal Platoon
d. Bde/Bn Level - Signal Pltn

11. Transport - The Philippine Army provides transport services utilizing organic
vehicles of its units. Vehicles of other units may be pooled into one to expand
 RECORDING AND REPORTING GRID COORDINATES
(See figure 4.14, 4.15 and 4.17 in the pdf)

MAP READING NOTE: Refer to Figure 4.15. Care should be exercised by the map reader
using the coordinate scale when the desired point is located within the zero-
OUTLINE
zero point and the number1 on the scale. Always prefix a zero if the
• Definition hundredths reading is less than 10. In Figure 4.17, the desired point should
• Marginal Information be reported as 14818407.
• Grids
• Scale & Distance LOCATING A POINT USING GRID REFERENCE
• Direction (See figure 4.8 and 4.11 in the pdf)
• Elevation and Relief
• Navigation Methods and Equipment
• Terrain Association

Learning Objective
• Read map, Determine and report position on the ground in terms of their location
on the map and perform land navigation.

MAP
• Is a graphic representation of a portion of the earth's surface drawn to scale, as
seen from above.
• It uses colors, symbols, and labels to represent features found on the ground.

PURPOSE
• Provides information on the…
- Existence
- Location
- Distance between
- Ground Features
Routes of travel and communication variation in terrain heights of natural features,
the extent of vegetation cover.

SKILLS REQUIRED
Read and interpret the map plot and read coordinates measure distance
- Map Scale
- Bar Scale
Read and plot azimuth
– Protractor
– Compass
Identify relief features and elevation apply the method of locating points
navigation.