HANDOUT #5

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

A disaster is an event, natural or manmade, sudden or progressive which

impacts with such severity, that the affected community has to respond by
taking exceptional measures.
The Philippines is oftentimes subjected to different natural disasters and
calamities because we are surrounded by water. It is considered as an
archipelago because our country is composed of 7,000 islands.

Different disasters that Filipinos experienced:

1. earthquake
2. volcanic eruption
3. tsunami
4. tropical cyclone
5. flood
6. landslide
7. bushfire/wildfire
8. drought
9. epidemic
10. major accidents
11. armed conflict and civil unrest
Taxonomy of Natural Hazards in the Philippines

Triggering Phenomena Associated Events

Earthquakes Ground shaking, landslides,
ground rupture, tsunami.
Liquefaction
Volcanic Eruption Lava flows, fissuring, pyroclastic
flows, tsunami, base surges,
landslides, debris, avalanche,
volcanic gasses, lahars,
earthquakes
Climatic Changes Storm surges, tropical cyclones,
landslides, tidal fluctuations,
floods,seal level rise, drought

General Effects of Disaster

1. loss of life
2. injury
3. damage to ands destruction of property
4. damage to and destruction of subsistence and cash crops
5. disruption of production
6. disruption of lifestyles
7. loss of livelihood
8. disruption of essential services
9. damage to national infrastructures and disruption of government
systems
10. national economic loss
11. sociological and psychological after-effects

Rationale for Risk Management

 Comprehensive risk management process has the potential to break the
cycle of damage and reconstruction when a community is subjected to
repeated natural hazards
 To be effective, a strategy must be in place and ready for immediate
implementation when necessary.
 This can only be done through advanced preparation and planning

GENERAL DISASTER COUNTER-MEASURES

1. development of possible warning indicators
2. land-use regulations
3. building regulations
4. relocation of communities
5. public awareness and education programs
6. evacuation plans and arrangements
 7. fire prevention regulations
8. international cooperation in information and technology sharing

COMMON PROBLEMS IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Lack of appreciation for the Disaster Preparedness Program by local

officials themselves
2. Lack of a strong and effective Disaster Coordinating Council installed in
the LGU
3. Absence of Disaster Preparedness Planning

COMPONENTS OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Prevention. These are actions designed to impede the occurrence of a

disaster or its harmful effects on communities and key installations.
2. Mitigation. These are programs intended to reduce the ill effects of
disaster.
3. Preparedness. These are measures, which enable governments,
organizations, communities and individuals to respond rapidly and
effectively to disaster situations.
4. Disaster Impact. This reminds us that the impact of disasters can vary
among different types of disasters.
5. Response. These are measures taken immediately prior ro and following
disaster impact.
6. Recovery. This is the process by which communities and organizations
are assessed in returning to their proper level of functioning following a
disaster.
7. Development. This provides the link between disaster-elated activities
and national development.

THE DIFFERENT TASKS OF THE NATIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

1. Advises the President on the status of disaster preparedness programs,

disaster operations and rehabilitation efforts undertaken by the
government and the private sector.
2. Establishes policy guidelines on emergency preparedness and disaster
operations involving rescue, relief and rehabilitation.
3. Establishes priorities in the allocation of funds, services, disaster
equipment and relief supplies.
4. Advises the lower-level Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils
through the Office of the Civil Defense in accordance with the guidelines
on disaster management.
 5. Recommends to the President the declaration of a state of calamity in
areas effectively damaged and submits proposals to restore normalcy in
the affected areas.
6. Creates an Action Group composed of permanent representatives from
the member department and other government agencies with the
Executive Officer as head; and
7. Utilizes the facilities and serves the Office of the Civil Defense in
discharging its functions.

There is a government agency which takes charge during the calamity and
disaster, and this is the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Council. This is the highest government body responsible for advising the
President on the status of the preparedness program and disaster relief and
rehabilitation efforts at the national level

President

National Disaster Risk Reduction

Management Council (NDRRMC)

Office of the Civil Defense

(OCD)

Regional Disaster Risk Reduction

Management Council (RDRRMC)
Regional Director, PNP

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction City Disaster Risk Reduction

Management Council (PDRRMC) Management Council (CDRRMC)
Governor

Municipal/ Disaster Risk Reduction

Management Council (MDRRMC)
Mayor
Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction
Management Council (BDRRMC)
Barangay Captain
The Disaster Equation
 Hazards- are natural or man-induced phenomena or activities which
pose a threat to people’s lives, limbs, properties and socio-economic
conditions.
 Risks- it refers to the degree or chance and frequency that such
hazards will affect or impact people and communities.
 People or Community- the whole body of the people living in a
certain geographical location
 Vulnerability-is the level of susceptibility or resiliency of the people
and communities against the impact of the prevailing hazards
based on the state of physical, social, and economic conditions in a
given area.

H x R+V+= Disasters

OBJECTIVES OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. To avoid or reduce physical and economic losses
2. To reduce human personal sufferings and personal losses
3. To achieve rapid and durable recovery

SUGGESTIONS TO ENHANCE COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS

1. Appreciation of the fact that any disaster can occur with or without
warning
2. Awareness on the characteristics and corresponding effects of calamities.
3. Identification of vulnerable and disaster prone areas in the locality.
4. Readiness in responding to the threats of natural and man-made
hazards.
5. Capability to do what must be done and when to do it in case disaster
strikes; and
6. Application of counter-measures to cushion the impact of the calamity.