What are the different natural calamities and diseases that affect the Philippines?

s Articles

Philippines is basically exposed to various natural hazards (lowest-highest exposure) of

earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, floods, and typhoons. An average of 20
earthquakes per day (most are too weak to be felt) is observed. Also, being located along the
typhoon belt/superhighway in the Pacific makes it vulnerable to extreme weather events. An
average of 20 typhoons visits the country every year. The wide coastlines are also vulnerable
to tsunamis, making the country susceptible to sea-level rise and storm surges. This, in turn,
results to secondary phenomena of flooding, landslides, heavy monsoon (torrential) rains,
and drought.

Since it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the country have frequent seismic and volcanic
activities. Very big statistic of earthquakes of smaller magnitude occur very regularly due to
the meeting of major tectonic plates in the region.
Within the past two decades (1990-2010), five destructive earthquakes were recorded and
human casualty included 15 deaths and 119 persons injured. Damage to the economy was
estimated to reach PhP 207 million. The 1990 Luzon earthquake, the Moro Gulf Tsunami,
and the collapse of the Ruby Tower were the most devastating ever recorded.

The latest major earthquake happened in Bohol and Cebu with a 7.2 magnitude last October
15, 2013. The national disaster council’s data reported 222 fatalities and 796 injured people.
Ten of thousands of structures were damaged including historical churches in the provinces.

A review of the high impact tropical cyclones in the Philippines indicate that majority of the
victims were affected by inland flooding and landslides. The torrential rain can result in
flooding in overflowing rivers, saturated soil, low-lying areas and poor drainage. The most
number of deaths and economic losses come from this type of hazard. 31
Environmental concerns such as deforestation are worsening the risk of floods and
landslides. The uncontrolled urban growth, poor land use, the decrease in the number of
protected forests and riverbanks, poor waste disposal and housing have clogged waterways
and increased the risk of floods.

The climate of the Philippines is tropical and is strongly affected by monsoon (rain-bearing)
winds, which blow from the southwest from approximately May to October and from the
northeast from November to February, although there is considerable variations in the
frequency and amount of precipitation across the archipelago. From June to December
typhoons often strike the archipelago. Most of these storms come from the southeast, with
their frequency generally increasing from south to north. On average, about 20 typhoons
occur annually, with the months of June to November averaging approximately 3 typhoon
strikes per month. Luzon is significantly more at risk than more southern areas.
Typhoons are heaviest in Samar, Leyte, eastern Quezon province, and the Batan Islands,
and when accompanied by floods or high winds they may cause great loss of life and
property. Mindanao is generally free from typhoons. Figure 1 attached shows area prone to
thunderstorms; thus, storm surges based on the historical record.
From 2001 to 2010, the country had a total of 184 typhoons; an average of 18
typhoons per year (Table 2). The occurrence of typhoons nationally had been generally
erratic, increasing in some years and decreasing or remaining constant in others. On a
yearly basis, the most number of typhoons occurred in 2003 and 2004 at 25 and the
least in 2010 at 11.

Regionally, from 2001 to 2010, the highest number of typhoons in the

Philippines occurred in Luzon, with Cagayan Valley topping the list. Luzon was
followed by the Visayas and the CARAGA region in Mindanao. Mindanao regions
except CARAGA had the least number of typhoon occurrences. The World Bank
Group (2011) stated that while the trends in the occurrence of typhoons in the
Philippines in the future are still a subject of much debate, they are likely to increase in
intensity, and with greater consequent damage.

Flooding occurred yearly in the Philippines from 2007 to 2011 (Table 3). More
regions were affected by floods in 2008, followed by 2011, 2007, 2009, and 2010. On a
regional and annual basis, the region most often visited by floods was Region VI while
those with no incidence of floods included CAR, Region I, Region IV-A, and Region
VII. The World Bank Group (2011) stated that over time in the Philippines, heavy
rainfall associated with typhoons and other weather systems may increase in both
intensity and frequency under a changing climate and exacerbate the incidence of
flooding in existing flood-prone areas and introduce a risk of flooding to new areas.

h
The average annual number of reported cases in SEA was
386,000 patients (2001–2010), and 2,126 deaths. Using corre-
sponding EFs, we obtained a yearly average of about 2.9 m cases
of dengue illness in SEA (0.8 m hospitalized and 2.1 m
ambulatory patients), 5,906 deaths, and a weighted overall EF of
7.6. Table 1 shows the annual average number of reported dengue
cases in SEA (2001–2010), the estimated hospitalized, ambulatory,
and total number of dengue cases, and the total number of deaths,
using country-specific EFs. The lower and upper ranges for each of
our estimates are shown in parentheses.

Our literature review yielded 20 studies on unit costs per dengue

episode [2,15,16,19,21,23–25,37–47]. We extracted data from the
articles using a template similar to Table 2, with additional
columns (e.g., date the article was reviewed, limitations). After
applying our filtering criteria, we had sound data for five
countries-Cambodia, Viet Nam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singa-
pore-one for each category of income-level defined by the World

Bank (e.g., low-income country) [68], which makes our extrapo-lated

estimates more consistent. Table 2 shows a summary of our
best estimates for the unit costs per dengue episode for each
country (2010 US dollars). While the summary data may not
necessarily be representative of each country, to our knowledge
they are the best cost data available.
Table 3 shows the predicted values of direct and indirect unit
costs per dengue case based on the linear regression estimates
(R2= 0.94 and 0.87, respectively), for those countries for which we
did not have empirical data. Figure 1 and Figure 2 show the
relation between GDP per capita and unit direct and indirect costs
per episode respectively, and the 95% CI for each set of estimates.

Table 4 shows the average total annual economic and disease

burden of dengue by country. The table includes the 95%
certainty level bounds obtained using 1,000 Monte Carlo
simulations in parenthesis under each estimate. Using our best
estimates for the total number of cases and the unit cost per
dengue episode, we obtained an overall annual economic burden
of dengue of US$950 million (m) (US$610m–US$1,384m). The
average annual direct costs amounted to US$451m (US$289m–
US$716m) and the indirect costs were US$499m (US$290m–
US$688m). Indonesia was the country with the highest economic
burden of dengue in the region, followed by Thailand, represent-
ing about 34% and 31% of the total economic burden of dengue,
respectively. The average population for SEA in the years considered
was about 574 m people [70–72]; hence the cost of
dengue illness was about US$1.65 per capita (US$1.06–US$2.41).
The costs per capita by country ranged from US$0.28 (US$0.19–
US$0.39) in Viet Nam to US$14.99 (US$9.37–US$21.10) in
Singapore.
Southeast Asia is a hotspot for emerging infectious
diseases—in particular, zoonotic and vector-borne
diseases—as a result of many factors including population
growth, mobility, and urbanisation, and environmental
changes such as agriculture and livestock intensifi cation,
deforestation, and climate change. Many, if not all, of
these interlinked driving forces, although occurring in
other parts of the world, have particularly important
eff ects on emerging infectious diseases in southeast Asia
(web appendix p 1).2,3,33 Indeed, the factors that coalesce in
east and southeast Asia to increase the risk of emerging
infectious diseases can be considered at three levels: (1) as
a region containing diverse zoonotic and vector-borne
pathogens, and thus a primary source of emerging
infectious disease; (2) as a region in which the high
density, proximity, and mobility of human beings and
animal reservoirs provide fertile conditions for
transmission between species, within human populations,
and across geographic areas; and (3) as a region with
ecological factors that allow rapid pathogen mutation and
host adaptation—for example, Dengue, reassortments of
infl uenza virus, and emergence of drug resistance.

Human population growth and increasing density are

important independent predictors of emerging infectious
diseases.
The population in southeast Asia, which is
currently estimated at around 580 million, has increased
by more than 30% since 1990.37 Increasing population
density not only aff ects the spread of infectious diseases
directly (eg, through increased human-to-human
contact), but also underpins many other ecological
driving forces such as changing land use, agriculture,
and livestock intensifi cation.38
In addition to rapid population growth, southeast Asia
is rapidly becoming more urbanised, with low-income
countries seeing the most striking changes. Around
48% of people in the region live in urban areas, a fi gure
which is expected to grow to more than 70% by 2050
(webappendix p 1).37 Urbanisation is associated with
changes in social structures, increased personal mobility,
and extended and changing social networks.39 It is also a
driving force behind some vector-borne diseases—for
example, dengue, which has seen a resurgence in
southeast Asia during the past 50 years. This resurgence
has been linked to the establishment of (often
impoverished) periurban areas in which the collection
and storage of water, because of a lack of reliable water
and sanitation systems and the accumulation of social
detritus such as used tyres,
Chenciner and colleagues
paid particular attention to the adolescent
and young adult populations (aged
10–24 years) with tuberculosis.
Locally, Filipinos aged 0–24 years
comprise a substantial proportion
of the Filipino population with
tuberculosis (27·3%). Additionally,
Filipinos aged 10–24 years spend
much of their time in crowded
settings, such as schools, putting
them at serious risk of spreading
infection. Filipinos aged 10–24 have
also been shown to be more likely to
discontinue tuberculosis treatment
than those older than 24 years.
Furthermore, young people have had
the steepest rise in HIV infection in
the country.

However, less than half

of these people are on antiretroviral
treatment, placing them at a much
greater risk of developing tuberculosis
than those who are on antiretroviral
treatment.
For over two decades, the prevalence of hypertension among adults remained relatively
stagnant, with a series of increases and decreases [14]. Following this long-term historical
trend, the prevalence of hypertension in our projection study seems to have no significant
change in the next 30 years (from 2015 to 2050), with 23.90% in 2015 and 23.80% in 2050
(Fig. 1) [15]. However, with a projected increase in the population from 101.60 million in 2015
to 142.10 million in 205015, Filipinos affected with hypertension will significantly increase
from 24.28 million to 33.82 million. There is a higher prevalence growth among females, from
20.60% to 22.00% (Table 1).

Filipinos with hypertension among the adult population in our study will significantly increase
from 2015 to 2050 with an overall ratio of 1.39 (Table 2). Hypertension prevalence will
increase in the elderly individuals by two-folds, three-folds and more than five times among
those in their 60s, 70s and 80s, respectively (Table 2). The young ones in their 20s will also be
affected with hypertension manifesting earlier among the younger males.

Hypertension-related deaths will increase by more than double, from an estimated 90,000 in
2015 to 210,000 in 2050. As presented in Fig. 2, the increase in hypertension-attributed deaths
from 2015 to 2050 is due to the over-doubling of affected individuals: ischemic heart disease
(35,000 to 82,000 cases), stroke (26,000 to 60,000 cases), hypertensive heart disease (17,000
to 40,000 cases) and chronic kidney disease 12,000 to 29,000 cases).
 EARTHQUAKES

An average of 20 earthquakes per day (most are too weak to be felt) is observed.

Since it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the country have frequent seismic and volcanic
activities. Very big statistic of earthquakes of smaller magnitude occur very regularly due to
the meeting of major tectonic plates in the region. Within the past two decades (1990-2010),
five destructive earthquakes were recorded

The 1990 Luzon earthquake, the Moro Gulf Tsunami,

and the collapse of the Ruby Tower were the most devastating ever recorded.

The latest major earthquake happened in Bohol and Cebu with a 7.2 magnitude last October
15, 2013.
 relatively
rm historical
o significant
80% in 2050
million in 2015
ly increase
g females, from

antly increase
ence will
times among
r 20s will also be

ated 90,000 in
attributed deaths
heart disease
disease (17,000
 CYCLONES
Disaster Risk Profile and Disaster Risk Management Fra
Also, being located along the
typhoon belt/superhighway in the Pacific makes it vulnerable to extreme weather events. An
average of 20 typhoons visits the country every year.

The climate of the Philippines is tropical and is strongly affected by monsoon (rain-bearing)
winds, which blow from the southwest from approximately May to October and from the
northeast from November to February, although there is considerable variations in the
frequency and amount of precipitation across the archipelago. From June to December
typhoons often strike the archipelago.

On average, about 20 typhoons

occur annually, with the months of June to November averaging approximately 3 typhoon
strikes per month. Luzon is significantly more at risk than more southern areas.
Typhoons are heaviest in Samar, Leyte, eastern Quezon province, and the Batan Islands,
and when accompanied by floods or high winds they may cause great loss of life and
property. Mindanao is generally free from typhoons.

Impacts of Natural Disasters on Agriculture, Food Security, and N

From 2001 to 2010, the country had a total of 184 typhoons; an average of 18
typhoons per year (Table 2).

Regionally, from 2001 to 2010, the highest number of typhoons in the

Philippines occurred in Luzon, with Cagayan Valley topping the list. Luzon was
followed by the Visayas and the CARAGA region in Mindanao. Mindanao regions
except CARAGA had the least number of typhoon occurrences. The World Bank
Group (2011) stated that while the trends in the occurrence of typhoons in the
Philippines in the future are still a subject of much debate, they are likely to increase in
intensity, and with greater consequent damage.

The World Bank Group (2011) stated that over time in the Philippines, heavy
rainfall associated with typhoons and other weather systems may increase in both
intensity and frequency

Economic and Disease Burden of D

Emerging infectious diseases in southeast Asia: reg
 The social determinants of tuberculosis i

Prevalence of Hypertension in the Philippines in the Year 2

 Themes
FLOODS
k Profile and Disaster Risk Management Framework of the Philippines: Natural Disasters
The wide coastlines are also vulnerable
to tsunamis, making the country susceptible to sea-level rise and storm surges. This, in turn,
results to secondary phenomena of flooding, landslides, heavy monsoon (torrential) rains, and drought.

A review of the high impact tropical cyclones in the Philippines indicate that majority of the
victims were affected by inland flooding and landslides. The torrential rain can result in
flooding in overflowing rivers, saturated soil, low-lying areas and poor drainage.

Environmental concerns such as deforestation are worsening the risk of floods and
landslides. The uncontrolled urban growth, poor land use, the decrease in the number of
protected forests and riverbanks, poor waste disposal and housing have clogged waterways
and increased the risk of floods.

sasters on Agriculture, Food Security, and Natural Resources and Environment in the Philippines
 Flooding occurred yearly in the Philippines from 2007 to 2011 (Table 3). More
regions were affected by floods in 2008, followed by 2011, 2007, 2009, and 2010. On a
regional and annual basis, the region most often visited by floods was Region VI while
those with no incidence of floods included CAR, Region I, Region IV-A, and Region
VII.

under a changing climate and exacerbate the incidence of

flooding in existing flood-prone areas and introduce a risk of flooding to new areas.

Economic and Disease Burden of Dengue in Southeast Asia

g infectious diseases in southeast Asia: regional challenges to control
 The social determinants of tuberculosis in the Philippines

ypertension in the Philippines in the Year 2050: Confronting a Major Challenge

 VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES

in turn,
ains, and drought.

of the
n

r of
erways

ippines
 Using corre-
sponding EFs, we obtained a yearly average of about 2.9 m cases
of dengue illness in SEA (0.8 m hospitalized and 2.1 m
ambulatory patients), 5,906 deaths, and a weighted overall EF of
7.6.

Our literature review yielded 20 studies on unit costs per dengue

episode [2,15,16,19,21,23–25,37–47].

After
applying our filtering criteria, we had sound data for five
countries-Cambodia, Viet Nam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singa-
pore-one for each category of income-level defined by the World

Table 2 shows a summary of our

best estimates for the unit costs per dengue episode for each
country (2010 US dollars).

The
average annual direct costs amounted to US$451m (US$289m–
US$716m) and the indirect costs were US$499m (US$290m–
US$688m). Indonesia was the country with the highest economic
burden of dengue in the region, followed by Thailand, represent-
ing about 34% and 31% of the total economic burden of dengue,
respectively. The average population for SEA in the years considered
was about 574 m people [70–72]; hence the cost of
dengue illness was about US$1.65 per capita (US$1.06–US$2.41).
The costs per capita by country ranged from US$0.28 (US$0.19–
US$0.39) in Viet Nam to US$14.99 (US$9.37–US$21.10) in
Singapore.
Southeast Asia is a hotspot for emerging infectious
diseases—in particular, zoonotic and vector-borne
diseases—as a result of many factors including population
growth, mobility, and urbanisation, and environmental
changes such as agriculture and livestock intensifi cation,
deforestation, and climate change.

Indeed, the factors that coalesce in

east and southeast Asia to increase the risk of emerging
infectious diseases can be considered at three levels: (1) as
a region containing diverse zoonotic and vector-borne
pathogens, and thus a primary source of emerging
infectious disease; (2) as a region in which the high
density, proximity, and mobility of human beings and
animal reservoirs provide fertile conditions for
transmission between species, within human populations,
and across geographic areas; and (3) as a region with
ecological factors that allow rapid pathogen mutation and
host adaptation—for example, Dengue, reassortments of
infl uenza virus, and emergence of drug resistance.

It is also a
driving force behind some vector-borne diseases—for
example, dengue, which has seen a resurgence in
southeast Asia during the past 50 years. This resurgence
has been linked to the establishment of (often
impoverished) periurban areas in which the collection
and storage of water, because of a lack of reliable water
and sanitation systems and the accumulation of social
detritus such as used tyres,
HEART DISEASE
.9 m cases

erall EF of

er dengue

e
d Singa-
he World

r each

S$289m–
290m–
economic
epresent-
f dengue,
ars considered

6–US$2.41).
US$0.19–
0) in
For over two decades, the prevalence of hypertension among adults remained relatively
stagnant, with a series of increases and decreases [14]. Following this long-term historical
trend, the prevalence of hypertension in our projection study seems to have no significant
change in the next 30 years (from 2015 to 2050), with 23.90% in 2015 and 23.80% in 2050
(Fig. 1) [15]. However, with a projected increase in the population from 101.60 million in 2015
to 142.10 million in 205015, Filipinos affected with hypertension will significantly increase
from 24.28 million to 33.82 million. There is a higher prevalence growth among females, from
20.60% to 22.00% (Table 1).

Filipinos with hypertension among the adult population in our study will significantly increase
from 2015 to 2050 with an overall ratio of 1.39 (Table 2). Hypertension prevalence will
increase in the elderly individuals by two-folds, three-folds and more than five times among
those in their 60s, 70s and 80s, respectively (Table 2). The young ones in their 20s will also be
affected with hypertension manifesting earlier among the younger males.

Hypertension-related deaths will increase by more than double, from an estimated 90,000 in
2015 to 210,000 in 2050. As presented in Fig. 2, the increase in hypertension-attributed deaths
from 2015 to 2050 is due to the over-doubling of affected individuals: ischemic heart disease
(35,000 to 82,000 cases), stroke (26,000 to 60,000 cases), hypertensive heart disease (17,000
to 40,000 cases) and chronic kidney disease 12,000 to 29,000 cases).
TUBERCULOSIS
Chenciner and colleagues
paid particular attention to the adolescent
and young adult populations (aged
10–24 years) with tuberculosis.
Locally, Filipinos aged 0–24 years
comprise a substantial proportion
of the Filipino population with
tuberculosis (27·3%). Additionally,
Filipinos aged 10–24 years spend
much of their time in crowded
settings, such as schools, putting
them at serious risk of spreading
infection. Filipinos aged 10–24 have
also been shown to be more likely to
discontinue tuberculosis treatment
than those older than 24 years.

However, less than half

of these people are on antiretroviral
treatment, placing them at a much
greater risk of developing tuberculosis
than those who are on antiretroviral
treatment.
relatively
m historical
significant
0% in 2050
million in 2015
y increase
females, from

ntly increase
nce will
mes among
20s will also be

ted 90,000 in
ttributed deaths
heart disease
disease (17,000