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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

On Disaster and Risk Reduction Management


The Top Barristers Notes

Natural Resources Law


2020

THE TOP BARRISTERS’ NOTES ON DRRM LAW OF 2010 1


Introduction

I n 2010, the Philippine Congress enacted


RA 10121 – Asia’s first comprehensive
disaster and risk reduction management
natural hazards from occurring, we can avert
disasters from happening. Generally thus,
the book aims to (1) document the Yolanda
law. experience (including good practices and/or
case stories) using the four thematic areas
In November of 2013, the law was put to a as a general framework; (2) identify gaps
test. The world’s second most devastating under the existing DRRM set-up,
typhoon Haiyan – locally known as Yolanda mechanisms, and policies vis-à-vis RA
– struck the country, affecting nearly 16 10121 and the National DRRM Framework
million people. In its wake, over 6,000 were Plan; (3) extract key lessons which will serve
found dead, some of them were nowhere to as inputs to the recovery plan and possible
be found. Somehow, the statute is found revisions needed in the existing set of DRRM
wanting. It failed to measure up to its purpose policies, plans, and programs in the country;
to reduce the vulnerability of people in many and (4) identify and share key learnings and
stricken areas. Evidently, the government is challenges with the wider international
attuned more to disaster preparedness and DRRM community, particularly in the
responses rather than prevention and ASEAN.
reduction of risk.
The concept of the project called, “Learning
Y (It Happened) from Typhoon Yolanda” pointed out that,
‘The impact of the disaster highlighted a
This book captures our experiences and number of gaps in the existing DRRM
lessons learned in government’s (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management)
implementation of disaster risk reduction and system and set of capacities from the
management system. Written in a narrative national to the local DRRM councils and
but straightforward manner, the stories are related institutions and/or organizations.’
based on first-hand account of the survivors,
rescuers, and volunteers, extensive It further said, ‘With this and other typhoons
interviews, community conversations and of similar strength, key stakeholders,
focused group discussions. It unveils especially members of the local and
interesting insights as to what actually international communities, civil society
happened on the ground. organizations, local government units, and
national government agencies need to reflect
Typhoon Yolanda taught us that the on what happened and identify how best they
institutional state of disaster risk reduction can work together and build back forward,
and management in the country leaves more not only in the areas hit by Yolanda, but more
to be desired, while the law, framework and importantly, in the institutional mechanisms,
plans are in place, its implementation policies, and programs so that the country
remains a challenge both at the national and can better reduce the risks of disasters to its
local levels. The book provides important people, especially the most vulnerable.’
analyses and evaluations of government’s
actions before, during and after Typhoon The framework and methodology in putting
Yolanda. together this modest volume, which were
anchored on the four thematic areas of the
According to Usec. Alexander P. Pama, the DRRM law: Prevention and Mitigation,
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) executive Preparedness, Response, and
director at the time, the book’s contents are Rehabilitation and Recovery, underlines
all meant to assist in the formulation of the comprehensive scope of the project
DRRM policies that will address the identified despite the challenge of a short time frame.
gaps. The ‘Y It Happened’ is a reminder to
everyone that while we cannot prevent
THE TOP BARRISTERS’ NOTES ON DRRM LAW OF 2010 2
The research was also guided by the among key stakeholders will contribute to
following definitions of the four thematic successful disaster response operations and
areas in relation to priorities: Prevention and its smooth transition towards early and long-
Mitigation provides key strategic actions term recovery work.
that give importance to activities revolving
around hazards evaluation and mitigation, Rehabilitation and Recovery cover areas
vulnerability analyses, identification of like employment and livelihoods,
hazard-prone areas, and mainstreaming infrastructure and lifeline facilities, and
DRRM into development plans. housing and resettlement, among others.
These are recovery efforts done when
It is based on sound and scientific analysis of people are already outside of the evacuation
the different underlying factors which centers. Although the stories that had
contribute to the vulnerability of the people emerged from the data gathering process did
and eventually, their risks and exposure to not cover the fourth thematic area given the
hazards and disasters. Preparedness are limited coverage of the research, a number
the key strategic actions that give importance of areas demonstrated initial gains in
to activities revolving around community rehabilitation and recovery.
awareness and understanding, contingency
planning, conduct of local drills, and the The whole narrative covers various styles of
development of a national disaster response governance and DRRM levels from the
plan. Risk-related information coming from national down to the regional and local levels
the prevention and mitigation aspect is and reflects direct knowledge and
necessary for the preparedness activities to understanding not only about how the natural
be responsive to the needs of the people and event occurred but about processes and
to the situation on the ground. protocols as well.

Also, the policies, budget, and institutional


mechanisms established under the
prevention and mitigation priority area will be
further enhanced through capacity-building
activities and development of coordination
mechanisms. Through these, coordination,
complementation, and interoperability of
work in DRRM operations and essential
services will be ensured. Behavioral change
created by the preparedness aspect was
eventually measured by how well people
responded to the disasters. At the frontlines
of preparedness are the local government Figure 1: Disaster Management Approaches Then and Now.
units, local chief executives, and
communities.

Response refers to activities during the


actual response operations: from needs
assessment and search and rescue to relief
operations and early recovery. The success
and realization of this priority rely heavily on
the completion of the activities under both
prevention and mitigation and preparedness
aspects including, among others, the
coordination and communication
mechanisms. On-the-ground partnerships
and vertical and horizontal coordination work Figure 2: DRRM Priorities After Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

THE TOP BARRISTERS’ NOTES ON DRRM LAW OF 2010 3


In the aftermath of the harshest calamity to
hit the Philippines in recent years,
government agencies are now clustered to
different areas of responsibilities if and when
natural disasters will strike again.

Figure 6: Various recommendations and Action Plans.

Figure 3: The Schematic Clusters Organized to Respond to


Government’s Recovery and Rehabilitation Efforts.

Figure 7: Proposed Framework of the Recovery Program.

Figure 4: The Damage Wrought by the Super-Typhoon in


Tacloban, Leyte.

Figure 5: Over a Century Before, the Same Areas Were


Figure 8: The Transition Plan.
Likewise Hit by a Super-Typhoon.

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NDRRMP 2011-2028

The National Disaster and Risk Reduction


Management Plan is mandated by RA
10121. This is owing to the results of the
studies indicating the country’s
vulnerabilities to natural disasters and
calamities such as the screenshots below:

Figure 10: The Schematic Diagram Indicating the Need to


Formulate a More Pro-Active and Comprehensive NDRRM
Plans.

The NDRRMP likewise requires telecoms


companies to provide services in times of
disasters and calamities pursuant to RA
10639, as hereunder shown:

Figure 11: RA 10121 Seems Sound as a Policy but the


Implementation Thereof Still Leaves Room to Be Desired.

The NDRRM Law envisions nothing but


national resilience and safety for the whole
Philippine society like this:

Figure 9: The Above Graphical Screenshots Show the


Philippines' Susceptibility to Rain-Induced Flood, Volcanic
Eruption and Earthquakes.

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