Activity 4

Identify at least five (5) of the natural and geologic hazard the Philippines have encountered in the past
2 decades. As regular citizens, how can we contribute in mitigating the impact of the identified natural
hazards?

HAZARD YEAR NAME MITIGATING PLAN

As a Citizen, I outlined three importance key points to be

Super Typhoon “Yolanda” address and exercised.
2013
I. EDUCATION AND AN INFORMED CITIZEN

Education and information about Natural disasters entails

preparedness, action for response, recovery, and mitigation.
Education on the Natural disasters, and sciences of the impacts
of natural disaster about the possible hazards it may cause.
Education in risk reduction and preparedness uplift people of
those who are vulnerable strengthened by means of
technological advancements. If the people are educated and
informed, responses to natural disasters would be more concise
and science based therefore mitigating its hazardous effect.
Information in time of disaster is very crucial in mitigating
casualties, financial, environmental, social, and economic losses
in the time of the event. Factual Information dissemination
plays a critical role in increasing response time and reducing the
number of damages and losses.

II. PROACTIVE MOVE, PREPAREDNESS AND

RESPONSE

Be a responsible household member

i. An emergency food and water supply.
ii. An emergency medicine supply.
iii. Emergency power sources such as flashlights (don't
forget extra batteries).
iv. Safety and personal items.
v. Important documents, including medical
documents, wills, passports, and personal
identification.
vi. A fire extinguisher.

III. LONG TERM SOLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL &

SOCIOPOLITICAL PROGRAMS
 There are government sectors focusing on disaster
preparedness and risk reductions.
Specifically, in the Philippines The National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), formerly
known as the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC),
is a working group of various government, non-government,
civil sector and private sector organizations of the
Government of the Republic of the Philippines established by
Republic Act 10121 of 2010.

Support and participation to government policies and project

in disaster preparedness and environmental protection and
preservation are vital in building a long-term solution with
inevitable natural disasters.

I. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS

Earthquake “Bohol
Earthquake” Research and data analysis with specific location to identify
2013 specific risk level are also vital in earthquake risk management.
Having data with an earthquake prone area gives viable data
to its local and specific residents to prepare necessary actions
and planning.

Government websites (PHIVOLS) are available to the public

and can check volcano-related and tectonic quake hazard
maps
https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/earthquake/gisw
eb-earthquake-hazard-maps

I. PREPARATION
It is also vital to know the risk of the place your residential,
institutional, and or work place able for people to prepare for
the possible earthquake scenarios.

Before an Earthquake
1. The key to effective Disaster prevention is planning
• Determine whether the site is along an active
fault and/or prone to liquefaction or landslide
which may cause damage to your house
2. Familiarize you self with your place of work and
residence.
• Identify relatively strong parts of the building
like door jambs, near elevator shafts, sturdy,
tables where you can take refuge during an
earthquake
• Learn to use fire extinguishers, first aid kits,
alarms and emergency exit
 3. Prepare your place of work and residence for the
event.
• Strap heavy furniture/cabinets to the wall to
prevent sliding or toppling.
• Breakable items, harmful chemicals and
flammable materials should be stored in the
lowermost shelves and secured firmly.
• Make it habit to turn of gas tanks when not in
use.

During an Earthquake
1. If you are inside a structurally sound building, stay
there.
• Protect your bodies from falling debris by
bracing yourself in doorway or by getting
under a sturdy desk or table.
2. If you are outside, move to an open area.
• Get away from power lines, posts, walls and
other structures that may fall or collapse.
• Stay away from buildings with glass panes.
• If you are on a mountain or near steep hill
slope, move away from steep escarpments
which may be affected by landslide.
3. When driving a vehicle, pull to the side of the road
and stop.
• Do not attempt to cross bridges or overpass
which may have been damaged.
• If you are along the shore and you feel a very
strong earthquake, strong enough to make
standing difficult, it is always safest to assume
that tsunami (giant sea waves) has been
triggered. Run away from the shore toward
higher ground.
• Make it habit to turn of gas tanks when not in
use.

After an Earthquake
1. If you are inside an old, weak structure, take the
fastest and safest away out!
• Do not rush to the exit; get out calmly in an
orderly manner.
• Do not use elevators, use the stairs.
• Check yourself and others for injuries.
2. Check your Surroundings.
• Clean-up chemical spills, toxic and flammable
materials to avoid any chain of unwanted
events.
• Check for fire and if any, have it controlled.
• Check if there is exposed electric lines
 3. If you must evacuate your residence, leave a message
stating where you are going.
• Take with you your earthquake survival kit.

Source: https://mmda.gov.ph/20-faq/288-disaster-awareness-
faq.html

Indeed, Volcanic eruption cannot be predicted directly that’s

why we have early warning devices and scientific instruments
Volcanic “Mt. Pinatubo to detect early warning of an incoming event.
Eruption eruption”
1991 Browse PHIVOLS Volcano Hazard maps to check on your
current risk assessment, and to prepare necessary action plans
ahead.

In an event of imminent eruption

Better to leave your home if according to local authorities you

are in danger zone, Leave the area immediately. If you are
warned to evacuate because an eruption is imminent,
evacuate.
Volcanic “Taal Volcano
Eruption eruption” Most especially if;
2020 • Within 15 kilometers of the volcano
• Low-lying areas prone to flooding due to lahar
• Mobile homes, temporary shelter or houses made of
light materials prone to infrastructural damage by
volcanic debris and ashfall

Protecting yourself during ashfall

• Listen to authorities for advice on leaving the area
when ashfall lasts more than a few hours.
• Stay inside, if possible, with windows and doors
closed.
• Wear long sleeves shirts and longs pants
• Protect yourself with N-95 mask

Volcanic eruptions are part of an inevitable natural disaster

but least we can do is to mitigate casualties, financial,
environmental, social, and economic losses through following
local and national advisories and action plan, more over
being vigilant and prepared citizen is a must in the event of an
eruption to mitigate its effect.

Source:
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/volcanoes/during.html

https://ph.news.yahoo.com/volcanic-eruption-survival-guide-
before-during-and-after-philippines-070431177.html
 I. LANDSLIDE PREPAREDNESS

Landslide 2018 Itogon,

Benguet There are certain measures to prepare for a landside but not
landslides certainly favorable, but in times of an event, citizens must be
prepared to mitigate casualties.

• Learn about local emergency response and evacuation

plans.
• Talk to everyone in your household about what to do
if a landslide occurs.
• Create and practice an evacuation plan for your family
and your business.
• Assemble and maintain an emergency preparedness
kit.
• Become familiar with the land around where you live
and work so that you understand your risk in different
situations.
• Watch the patterns of storm water drainage on slopes
near your home, especially where runoff water
converges.
• Create and practice an evacuation plan for your family
and your business.
• Assemble and maintain an emergency preparedness
kit.

Aside from preparing for a disaster to happen, it is always a

win solution to hinder such a scenario to occur.

I. PREVENTIVE MEASURES

There are solutions proposed by the Authorities to prevent

landslide from happening;

[Through the help of local and government agencies and

experts in the fields] There are also various direct methods of
preventing landslides; these include modifying slope geometry,
using chemical agents to reinforce slope material, installing
structures such as piles and retaining walls,
 grouting rock joints and fissures, diverting debris pathways,
and rerouting surface and underwater drainage.

But as a normal Citizen, what we can do to mitigate landslide

is to support local government on their tree planting
initiatives, in this way we can help areas that are vulnerable to
secure their lands through planting of trees that will hold the
soil in place.

Source:
https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/landslide/landsli
de-prepareness

https://www.britannica.com/science/landslide/Landslide-
mitigation-and-prevention

Flooding Flooding in I. PREVENTIVE MEASURES

(Induced by Cagayan Valley There are some measure or actions to prevent flooding in our
Typhoon region areas, for condense populated areas the main problem is
Ulysses) 2020 clogged drainage system. As a citizen we can join cleanup drive
for declogging this draignage systems, better yet on a regular
basis we can practice proper waste disposal to not contribute
to the problem already present.

Tree planting also helps prevent flooding, in areas located at

the slope of mountains trees are important in absorbing rain
water from mountains, it prevents massive amount of water
to rush down in cities below.

II. MITIGATING CASULATIES AND FURTHER

DAMAGE DURING AND AFTER FLOODING

• Listen local authorities and or to PAGASA information

updates for possible rainfall warnings and if
evacuation should be done.
• If time permits, move valuable possessions to upper
floors or safe ground.
• Be prepared to evacuate, and do so immediately if
necessary.
• Do not walk or drive through any floodwaters.
After a flood or flash flood
• Continue listening to a local authority and PAGASA
weather updates.
 • Avoid damaged areas, stay off roads and remain on
firm ground.
• Avoid floodwaters. The water may be contaminated.
• Return home only after local officials declare it is safe.
Enter your home with extreme caution. Do not enter if
floodwaters remain.
• Inspect your home:
• Leave the house if you smell gas or chemical
fumes.
• Check for damage to walls, the foundation,
the electrical system and water lines.
• Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches or other
flammable liquids immediately.
• Notify your insurance company if your home is
damaged.
• Help injured or trapped people. Do not move seriously
injured people unless they are in immediate danger of
death or further injury. Call for help.
• Open windows and doors to help dry the house.
• Check food supplies and drinking water. Anything that
has come in contact with floodwater may be
contaminated and should be thrown out.
• Clean and disinfect everything that got wet.
• Watch out for snakes and other animals. Use a stick to
poke through debris.
• Avoid making phone calls except in serious
emergencies.

Source:
https://www.habitat.org/our-work/disaster-
response/disaster-preparedness-
homeowners/floods#:~:text=Have%20a%20family%20evacuati
on%20plan,barriers%20to%20protect%20your%20home.
References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, January 25). Protecting yourself during a volcanic
eruption. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved May 29, 2022, from
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/volcanoes/during.html

Disaster preparedness: Floods and flash floods. Habitat for Humanity. (n.d.). Retrieved May 29, 2022,
from https://www.habitat.org/our-work/disaster-response/disaster-preparedness-
homeowners/floods#:~:text=Have%20a%20family%20evacuation%20plan,barriers%20to%20prot
ect%20your%20home.

Govph. Disaster Awareness and Preparedness Guide FAQ. (2019). Retrieved May 29, 2022, from
https://mmda.gov.ph/20-faq/288-disaster-awareness-faq.html

Meng, X. (2022). Landslide mitigation and prevention. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved May 29, 2022,
from https://www.britannica.com/science/landslide/Landslide-mitigation-and-prevention

Paje, A. C. (2021). Volcanic eruption survival guide: Before, during and after. Yahoo! News. Retrieved
May 29, 2022, from https://ph.news.yahoo.com/volcanic-eruption-survival-guide-before-during-
and-after-philippines-070431177.html

Staff, P. H. I. V. O. L. C. S. (n.d.). Download hazard maps. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and

Seismology. Retrieved May 29, 2022, from
https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/earthquake/gisweb-earthquake-hazard-maps

Staff, P. H. I. V. O. L. C. S. (n.d.). Landslide prepareness. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and

Seismology. Retrieved May 29, 2022, from
https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/landslide/landslide-prepareness