Chapter 12: Global Warming, Disaster Risk Reduction, and

Management Awareness

Learning Objectives

At the end of this chapter, the learners are expected to:

1. explain global warming and its causes, effects, and solutions;

2. enumerate the government agencies involved in disaster management

and their respective roles; and

3. express commitment to help calamity victims.

Overview

This chapter deals with global warming, climate change, disaster and its
management, natural hazards and their management, emergency
preparedness, disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as land-use
planning (risk zoning), its operating policies, and its contribution in disaster
management.

Global Warming

Human exploitation of the environment leads to the increasing amount of

carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Along with other pollutants, carbon
dioxide traps the sun's heat and causes the Earth to warm up. Global
warming is "an increase in the average temperature of the Earth's
atmosphere" (Markham, 2009)."

The Philippines is located at the circum-Pacific "Belt (or Ring) of Fire" and is
always subject to natural calamities like typhoons, tornadoes, earthquakes,
droughts, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions, which resulted in the loss of lives
and destruction of properties.

Climate Change

Climate change is the build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere,

significantly changing the normal or expected weather patterns and
conditions in specific regions of the Earth. If a particular region's climate
unpredictably changes from what it ought to be to what it should not be, dire
consequences occur.

These destructive consequences may not come in an instant, but their

pernicious effects are gradually felt as time goes by. Floods, droughts, and
extreme weather conditions are slowly creeping in and becoming more
frequent. Sea levels are rising as polar ice caps are melting because of the
warmer temperature. Plants and animals that cannot adapt to this change
suffer and die.

Global warming remains an active field of research, but the scientific

consensus identifies greenhouse gases as its main cause. Major natural
greenhouse gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and ozone.
Adding carbon dioxide (CO₂) or methane (CH) to the Earth's atmosphere
makes the planet's surface warmer. Greenhouse gases create a natural
greenhouse effect on the Earth. Increased CO, in the atmosphere warms the
Earth's surface and leads to the melting of ice in the North and South Poles.
As the ice melts, land or open water takes its place. This produces more
warming which, in turn, leads to more melting, a vicious cycle.

Human activities increase the greenhouse effect. These include:

1. Burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, leading to higher concentrations

of carbon dioxide

2. Livestock and paddy rice farming, land use and wetland changes, pipeline
losses, and covered vented landfill emissions leading to higher methane
atmospheric concentrations. Many modern-style, fully-vented septic systems
that enhance and target the fermentation process are major sources of
atmospheric methane

3. Use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in refrigeration systems, fire

suppression systems, and manufacturing processes

4. Agricultural activities, including the use of fertilizers, that lead to higher

nitrous oxide concentrations

Greenhouse gas emissions from various industries, transportation, and

agriculture have played a major role in global warming.
Effects of Global Warming

Global warming affects both the natural environment and human life. While
changes are expected for overall patterns, intensity, and frequencies, it is
difficult or impossible to attribute specific events such as Typhoon Ondoy in
2009 to global warming.

Some anticipated effects of global warming include the rising of sea level
from 110 to 770 millimeters by the year 2100, repercussions to agriculture,
possible slowing of the thermohaline circulation, reductions in the ozone
layer, increased intensity and frequency of typhoons and extreme weather
events, lowering of ocean pH, spread of diseases such as malaria and
dengue fever, and mass extinction of animals and plants.

Solutions to Global Warming

Here are some ways to help minimize global warming:

1. Purchase energy-efficient cars. Take the bus instead of driving your own
car. Support legislative efforts to increase the standards for fuel efficiency in
vehicles and to develop alternative fuels.

2. Buy more appliances with the energy star label. These appliances are
developed by a government program to demonstrate a high degree of
energy efficiency. Energy-efficient appliances are more expensive, but they
will save you money in the long run.

3. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents which use a

third to a quarter of the electricity and last ten times longer. This can cut
down on energy bills. significantly

4. Employ house weatherization which requires as little heat and air

conditioning as possible. House landscaping like planting trees that cast big
shadow are important as well since they provide cool shade. Trees likewise
absorb CO, produced by burned fossil fuels.

5. Talk to the community leaders and association boards about planting

more trees, building more walkways and bike paths, and providing better
public transportation.
Disaster

According to Dr. Renato U. Solidum It., disaster is characterized by several

elements namely, hazards, risks, people or community, and vulnerability.
Hazard (H) or the physical impact of the disturbance, either man-made of
natural, is heightened by the amount of risk (R) to the people and
community. Moreover, the degree of vulnerability (V) of all involved further
fuels the magnitude of a disaster. This is presented in the disaster equation
as follows:

HxR+V Disaster

The concept of disaster risk management accepts that some hazards may
occur. The impact, however, can be lessened by improving the community's
ability to absorb the impact with minimum damage or destruction

The disaster management cycle is a traditional approach to disaster

management in which disaster measures are regarded as a number of
phased sequences of action or a continuum. They aim to reduce the
vulnerabilities in the community. In addition, When sustained over a long
period of time, they reduce unacceptable risk to an acceptable level and
make a community disaster-resistant or resilient.

The comprehensive risk management process has the potential to break the
cycle of damage and reconstruction when a community is subjected to
repeated natural hazards. It refers to a range of policies: legislative
mandates; professional practices: social, structural, and non-structural
adjustments; and risk transfer mechanisms to prevent, reduce, or minimize
the effects of hazards on a community. To be effective, a strategy must be in
place and ready for immediate implementation when necessary. This can
only be done through advance preparation and planning. The following are
risk management measures:

1. Engineering measures (keep hazards away from people)

2. Land-use planning and management measures (keep people away from

hazards);

3. Control and protection works (modify hazards)

4. Early warning (predict hazards)

5. Preparedness planning (prepare in anticipation of hazards)

6. Reconstruction planning after a disaster with the aim of reducing the

vulnerability

7. Mainstreaming risk management in development practice and

institutionalization

Disaster Management

Disaster management is important in dealing with man-made and natural

disasters. Natural disasters are inevitable. However, with modern
technology, prepare and minimize the damage to lives and properties.
Likewise, man-made disasten prepare andented if the community is more
careful and properly oriented on what it an do in times of crisis. communities

According to the United Nations Disaster Relief Office (UNDRO), there is an

increasing number of people who are affected by disasters all over the world.
Not only Third World countries are afflicted with disasters but also the richest
countries in the world. In the Philippines, poor communities are the ones to
suffer the most damage brought about by calamities. There are five reasons
for this situation:

1. Rapid population growth

2. Concentration of population in high-risk areas like floodplains, landslide.

prone slopes, and seismic zones

3. Destruction of marshes by real estate developers

4. Man-made destruction, e. g., deforestation which has lessened the

ecosystems resilience to disaster

5. Increasing poverty leading to substandard housing (i.e., not typhoon-

resistant)

Natural Hazards
Natural hazards "are elements of the physical environment that are harmful
to man and caused by extraneous forces" (Solidum, 2012). It pertains to all
atmospheric, hydrologic, geologic (especially seismic and volcanic), and
wildfire phenomena that, because of their location, severity, and frequency,
have the potential to affect humans, their structures, or their activities
adversely. The qualifier "natural" eliminates such exclusively man-made
phenomena like war, pollution, and chemical contamination. Hazards to
human beings not necessarily related to the physical environment are the
infectious diseases.

A natural hazard has an element of human involvement. A physical event,

such as a volcanic eruption, that does not affect human beings is a natural
phenomenon but is not considered a natural hazard. A natural phenomenon
that occurs in a populated area is a hazardous event. A hazardous event that
causes an unacceptably large number of fatalities and/or overwhelming
property damage is a natural disaster.

Hazard Management

Hazard management is the process by which the government makes plans

which consist of policies, projects, and supportive actions to guide economic,
social, and spatial development over a period of time. The activities included
in the process are designed to reduce loss of life and destruction of property.
Natural hazard management designed been conducted independently of
development planning.

The natural hazard management process is divided into pre-event measures,

actions during and immediately following an event, and post-disaster
measures. In approximate chronological order, they are as follows:

Disaster Mitigation

An accurate and timely prediction of a hazardous event saves human lives

but does little to reduce economic losses or social disruption. This can only
be accomplished by measures taken in advance. Included in the concept of
disaster mitigation is the basic assumption that the impact of disasters can
be avoided or reduced when they have been anticipated during development
planning. Mitigation of disasters usually entails reducing the vulnerability of
the elements at risk, modifying the hazard-proneness of the site, or changing
its function. Mitigation measures can have a structural character such as the
inclusion of specific safety or vulnerability reduction measures in the design
and construction of new facilities, the retrofitting of existing facilities, or the
building of protective devices. Non-structural mitigation measures typically
concentrate on limiting land uses, using tax incentives and eminent domain,
and risk underwriting through insurance programs.

Disaster mitigation also includes data collection and analysis to identify and
evaluate appropriate measures that are incorporated in development
planning.

Natural Hazard Assessment

Information from the analysis of an area's hazards and vulnerability to them

is integrated in an analysis of risk which is an estimate of the probability of
expected loss for a given hazardous event. Formal risk analyses are time-
consuming and costly, but available shortcut methods can give adequate
results for project evaluation. Once risks are assessed, planners have the
basis for incorporating mitigation measures into the design of investment
projects and for comparing project versus no-project costs and benefits.

Natural Hazard Prediction

The prediction of a natural event is a direct outcome of scientific

investigation into its causes and is aimed at establishing the probability of
the next occurrence in terms of time, place, and
range of severity.

Emergency Preparedness

Solidum also emphasizes that the two levels of preparedness can be

identified: public safety information and hazard awareness planning. The first
includes a number of efforts aimed at increasing the amount of information
disseminated to the public and at promoting cooperation between the public
and the authorities in case of an emergency, In the course of an event, or in
its aftermath, social and public behavior undergoes important changes. This
results in new organizational responsibilities for the public sector. Hazard
information and education programs can improve public preparedness and
social conduct during a disaster.

Disaster preparedness promotes the development of a system for monitoring

known hazards, a warning system, emergency and evacuation plans,
emergency routes, and the formulation of educational programs for public
officials and professionals.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

Measures need to be drawn to minimize the loss and destruction of life and
property. These include the formulation and implementation of long-range
policies and programs to prevent or eliminate the occurrences of disaster
based on risk analysis.

Disaster prevention and mitigation include legislation and regulatory

measures principally in the fields of physical and urban planning public works
and construction. Drills and shelters for times of disaster are also needed.

Among the activities that may minimize the impact of disaster are:

1. Identification of areas most prone to typhoons and other calamities

2. Display and teaching of structural improvements

3. Preparation of educational materials

4. Community involvement and mobilization

5. Media liaison

A. Principles of Disaster Preparedness

1. The risk must be known.

2. Potential hazards must be identified.

3. Incidence of hazard occurrences must be calculated.

4. Secondary risk must be identified.

B. Vulnerability must be known

1. Risk must be determined.

2. Likely damage and disruption must be assessed.

3. Human needs must be in place.

C. Mitigation measures must be in place

1. Required mitigation measures must be formulated.

2. Non-structural mitigation measures must be instituted.

D. Preparedness system must be ready

1. All parties should be in a state of readiness.

2. A focal point for preparedness must exist.

3. A management system for emergency response must be in place.

4. Plans must exist and planning must occur regularly.

5. Training and practice must be regular.

6. Warning systems must be operational at all times.

7. Authorities and the public must be fully informed.

Land-Use Planning (Risk Zoning)

While there are maps that show earthquake faults, areas hit by tidal waves,
and paths of typhoons throughout the year, there is a dearth of information
regarding risk areas at the barangay and even at the municipal levels. The
government should conduct studies on the following:

1. Surveys of mountainsides, riverbanks, and coastal areas for their

suitability as housing sites, farming and mining areas, and the like
2. Rational plans for urban centers showing industrial sites

3. Identification of areas for reforestation, forest preservation, and other

nature conservation measures

4. Building codes regulating height, type of materials, and other

specifications for structures, particularly in risk areas

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Its
Operating Policies

The Department of National Défense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) have the capability to react during natural calamities. With
the DND's unique nature of organization, network of troops, and asset
disposition, the DND organized an action-oriented Civil Defense Plan with the
creation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
(NDRRMC). The NDRRMC, then called the National Disaster Coordinating
Council (NDCC), by virtue of Memorandum Order No. 4, issued some
functional policies and procedures to assist the victims of calamities and
alleviate their plight. Upon the declaration of a state calamity by the
President, priority assistance is instantly extended to victims in terms of
relief operations Periodic assistance, immediate repair of vital infrastructure
damaged by natural disasters, and medical settlement of calamity victims.
Calamity funds are released directly to the implementing departments and
agencies. Funds allotted to the Department of Social Welfare and
Development is used for emergency relief and rehabilitation assistance to
affected areas and disaster victims. In the meantime, the budget released to
the Department of Health is used in the procurement of needed medicines
and for medical assistance to the calamity victims, The NDRRMC is
composed of the following:

(a) Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH);

(b) Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

(DENR);

(c) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA);

(d) Secretary of the Department of Education (DepED);

(e) Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE);

(f) Secretary of the Department of Finance (DOF);

(g) Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);

(h) Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications

(DOTC);

(i) Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM);

(j) Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH);

(k) Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA);

(1) Secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ);

(m) Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE);

(n) Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT);

(o) The Executive Secretary;

(p) Secretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
(OPAPP);

(q) Chairman, Commission on Higher Education (CHED);

(r) Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP);

(s) Chief, Philippine National Police (PNP);

(t) The Press Secretary;

(u) Secretary General of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC);

(v) Commissioner of the National Anti-Poverty Commission-Victims of

Disasters and Calamities Sector (NAPCVDC):
(w) Chairperson, National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women;

(x) Chairperson, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council

(HUDCC);

(y) Executive Director of the Climate Change Office of the Climate Change
Commission;

(z) President, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS);

(aa) President, Social Security System (SSS);

(bb) President, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth);

(cc) President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP);

(dd) President of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP);

(ee) President of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP);

(ff) President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP);

(gg) President of the Liga ng Mga Barangay (LMB);

(hh) Four (4) representatives from the CSOs;

(ii) One (1) representative from the private sector; and

(jj) Administrator of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)

Key Players in Disaster Management

Disaster risk management includes administrative decisions and operational

activities which involve:

1. Prevention

2. Mitigation

3. Preparedness
4. Response

5. Recovery

6. Rehabilitation

Disaster management involves all levels of the government (local and

national). Non-governmental and community-based organizations also play a
vital role in the process. During disasters, the local communities themselves
are the first to give aid.
Role of Government Agencies

During calamity operations, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Council (NDRRMC) makes available all facilities and the
expertise relative to the effective implementation of the mission. Likewise,
the OCD prepares the national/ regional disaster and calamity preparedness
plan in accordance with the approved disaster and calamity guidelines. The
members and tasks of the NDRRMC are as follows

Role of Government Agencies

During calamity operations, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Council (NDRRMC) makes available all facilities and the
expertise relative to the effective implementation of the mission. Likewise,
the OCD prepares the national/ regional disaster and calamity preparedness
plan in accordance with the approved disaster and calamity guidelines. The
members and tasks of the NDRRMC are as follows

1. The Chairman convenes the Council as often as necessary and calls on all
other departments/bureaus/agencies, instrumentalities of the government,
and the private sector for assistance when the need arises.

2. The OCD Administrator coordinates the activities and functions of the

various agencies and instrumentalities of the government, private
institutions, and civic organizations to implement the policies and programs
of the NDRRMC; disseminates materials relative to disaster prevention,
control, and mitigation; and advises the Chairman on matters concerning
disaster management.
3. The DILG Secretary oversees the organization of DCCs, the establishment
of disaster operations centers of all local governments, and the training of
DCC members in coordination with OCD, DSWD, PNRC, and other appropriate
agencies.

4. The DSWD Secretary extends relief assistance and social services to the
victims as necessary.

5. The DOH Secretary provides health services during emergencies as

necessary and organizes reaction teams in hospitals, clinics, and sanitary
and other health institutions.

6. The NEDA Director-General determines and analyzes the effects of

disasters and calamities on the socio-economic plans and programs of the
country and develops a damage assessment scheme.

7. The DOLE Secretary provides emergency employment opportunities to

disaster victims; implements the industrial civil defense programs and
measures; and organizes and trains disaster control groups in all factories
and industrial complexes.

8. The DepEd Secretary provides assistance in the public education and

campaign regarding disaster preparedness, prevention, and mitigation;
makes available school buildings as evacuation centers; and organizes and
trains disaster control groups and reaction teams in all schools and
institutions of learning.

9. The DTI Secretary maintains the normal level of prices of commodities

during emergencies and organizes disaster control groups and reaction
teams in tall or big buildings used for commercial and recreational purposes.

10. The DA Secretary undertakes surveys in disaster areas to determine the

extent of damage of agricultural crops, livestock, and fisheries, and renders
technical assistance to disaster victims whose crops or livestock have been
destroyed.

11. The DBM Secretary releases funds required by the departments for
disaster operations.
12. The DENR Secretary oversees the reforestation and control of areas
which tend to cause flooding, landslides, mudflow, and ground subsidence;
provides seeds, seedlings and saplings, and technical assistance regarding
mines, forests, and lands; and formulates rules and regulations for the
control of water and land pollution.

13. The DOF Secretary issues rules and regulations with the relevant
agencies for funding by the local government of the requirements for
organizing, equipping, and training of their DCCs and reaction teams.

14. The DPWH Secretary restores destroyed public structures such as flood
control, waterworks, roads, bridges, and other vertical and horizontal
facilities/ structures and provides heavy and light equipment for relief,
rescue, and recovery operations.

15. The DOT Secretary organizes and trains disaster control groups and
reaction teams in hotels, pension houses, restaurants, and other tourist-
oriented facilities.

16. The DOTC Secretary restores destroyed communication and

transportation facilities such as railroads and vertical structures and
organizes emergency transport services from the national level down to the
barangay level.

17. The PIA Director provides public information service through

dissemination of disaster mitigation measures.

18. The PNRC Secretary-General conducts disaster leadership training

courses; assists in the training of DCCs at all levels; and helps in providing
emergency relief assistance to disaster victims.

19. The AFP Chief of Staff ensures security in disaster areas; assists in the
reconstruction of roads, bridges, and other structures; and provide
transportation facilities for the rapid movement of relief supplies and
personnel and evacuation of disaster victims.
Contribution in Disaster Management

All able-bodied young citizens should involve themselves in civic action in

the community where they live and should be ready to render assistance
anywhere and anytime their services are needed. More than anything else, it
is the moral obligation of all to assist their countrymen who are in distress. In
times of natural calamities or man-made disasters, the youth should be
willing and ready to extend direct assistance to calamity victims through the
following activities:

1. Sorting, loading, and distribution of relief goods

2. Administering first-aid treatment to victims

3. Comforting and assisting in the rehabilitation of evacuees

4. Disseminating information to concerned individuals

5. Surveying of affected families and areas

6. Monitoring and liaising work

Civic-action activities like environmental and ecological protection, river and

watershed control projects, and tree-planting/forest fire control should be
planned and implemented.

Youth development agencies should establish coordination and linkages to

be set up before, during, and after every disaster. By using the NDRRMC
operational model, the youth development agencies should:

1. plan disaster management activities before a calamity strikes. They

should join or participate in training exercises on disaster and relief
operations.

2. see to it that the available resources could meet the needs of the chosen
activities.

3. coordinate all activities properly with the city, provincial, and municipal
disaster coordinating councils.

4. organize the groups. They should assign responsibilities which the

members
can handle properly. Confidence in what they do is the key to success. 5.
work as a team. They should coordinate efforts with other public and private
organizations.

Conclusion

The Philippines has a unique local governance system of barangays whose

primary function is to plan and implement government policies, plans,
programs, projects, and activities in the community. The locals are rich in
and have ready solutions to problems at hand knowledge about their
community