Introduction
The Philippines is a country prone to disasters. In terms of disaster risk, the Philippines ranked 9th among all the countries with the highest risks globally conferred by the World Risk Report 2019, with index value of 20.69. This is broadly due to the area and geographical situation as the risk affecting coastal hazards such as typhoons, storm surges and rising sea levels is high. Again, as the country is based within the “Ring of Fire”, earthquakes and volcanoes are posing deliberate risks to the safety of the populace. Flooding, landslides, droughts and tsunamis further add to the vulnerability to natural hazards. Of these, hydro-meteorological incidents, including typhoons and floods, accounted for 55% of the disasters due to natural hazards in the country in 2019.
In 2019, the Philippines has been afflicted by 420 disaster events which have caused P20,856,866,642 in damages. Much of the blow has been arising from frequent, massive-scale typhoons such as Typhoon Tisoy. Much of the country’s exports and trade earnings have relied on resource-extractive businesses which further build ramifications in terms of disaster susceptibility and continuous economic growth.
Type of Incident Natural Incidents Human-Induced Incidents Total
Number of Incidents 107 313 420
Affected Population
Families 2,678,897 2,559,142 5,238,039
Persons 11,714,598 1,209,712 12,924,310
Evacuated
Families 403,650 50,106 453,756
Persons 3,325,097 272,522 3,597,619
Casualties
Dead 199 2,496 2,695
Injured 2,406 1,000 3,406
Missing 49 2 51
Damaged Houses
Totally Damaged 169,999 13,371 183,370
Partially Damaged 1,050,363 769 1,051,132
Damage to Properties
Agriculture P14,428,799,920 P9,000 P14,248,808,920
Infrastructure P2,595,122,984 P2,595,122,984
Private P3,726,100 P32,185,000 P35,911,100
Massive and periodic disasters have had continuing implications on the country’s economy. One of the most serious disasters to directly hit the Philippines in 2019 was drought. It distressed 2,444,959 people, and affected 277,209 hectares of crops across 14 regions. Overall destruction to agricultural sector amounted to P7,962,521,863. Such jolt had extensive economic consequences due to abated eventual production.
Presently, the industrial growth is lacking behind many other states in Southeast Asia, despite the great expectations for the future – it was anticipated that the country would experience growth commensurate to the top performing neighbours in the region, including Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Continual disasters have been studied as a big bump to constant, continuing economic growth.
For the bulk of the populace, rice is the prime source of calories nationally. Thus, huge disasters affecting production may have an adverse brunt on the food supply on a nationwide scale.
The impoverished generally endure the most deliberate consequences of disasters and the casualty of livelihoods, as the surviving strategies in the Philippines comprise of reducing allocation on schooling, medication, and nutrient-rich food. At the household level, poverty is one of the biggest aspects determining vulnerability, which is reflected in the access to essential services and resources, area of housing, annual income, and so on.
When it comes to education, children automatically lose school days and experience the compounding unfavorable effects on their learning during disasters; schools are regularly used as evacuation centers, buildings are impaired, instruction equipment are lost or run-down, programs are disturbed, and returning to schooling might be hopelss for children from low-income backgrounds. This has even longer-term overflowing impacts as lack of academic qualification may anticipate heightened vulnerability in the future.
Disasters due to Natural Hazards
Disasters due to natural hazards are calamitous events with climatic, geological, and hydrological roots that can cause casualties, property devastation, and social and environmental interruption.
In 2019, a total of 107 disasters due to natural hazards were recorded in the Philippines. It affected 2,687,897 families or 11,714,598 persons. It killed 199 and injured 2,406 people. Its total damage cost was P20,824,672,642.
The most number of occurrences were of flooding, with 38 recorded incidents. It also caused the most number of families and persons to evacuate (251,606 families/1,139,338 persons). Among all natural incidents, drought caused the most damage. It affected 503,102 families or 2,444,959 persons and damaged crops amounting to P7,962,521,863.
Drought
In 2019, 14 regions in the Philippines experienced prolonged drought for several months brought about by the El Nino phenomenon. Damage to agriculture reached P7,962,521,863. A total of 503,102 families or 2,444,959 persons in different regions from northern to southern Philippines have been affected by the dry spell.
The drought has affected 144,202 hectares of land planted to rice, according to NDRRMC, adding that production loss to the rice sector that has hit P4 billion. The NDRRMC also said a total of 133,007 hectares of corn plantation has also been affected with a total cost of damage reaching P3.89 billion.
Agriculture is one of the main sectors of the Philippine economy that was severely affected by the El Nino phenomenon. Several provinces experienced dry spell.
Drought
Affected Population
Families 503,102
Persons 2,444,959
Damage to Properties
Agriculture P7,962,521,863
Infrastructure
Private
Earthquake
There were 15 recorded incidents of earthquake that had disastrous effects in the Philippines. In October, an earthquake swarm struck the province of Cotabato in Mindanao. Three of these earthquakes were above 6.0 on the moment magnitude scale with a Mercalli intensity of VII. It affected 79,881 families or 391,464 persons. It displaced 40,228 families or 192,378 persons. A total of 47 persons have been reported dead and 1,015 were injured. It damaged 53,786 houses. It also cost P32,371,295.
Earthquakes
Number of Incidents 15
Affected Population
Families 177,096
Persons 835,703
Evacuated
Families 75,410
Persons 383,000
Casualties
Dead 88
Injured 1,690
Missing 15
Damaged Houses
Totally Damaged 37,099
Partially Damaged 72,593
Damage to Properties
Agriculture P32,418,840
Infrastructure P849,852,897
Private
Flashflood/Flooding
There were 38 recorded incidents of flooding in 2019. On Dec. 5, the Cagayan River at Butnun, Cagayan Province, reached 12.09 meters, above critical stage. A total of 179,254 people were displaced by the flooding. Cagayan governor Manuel Mamba declared a state of calamity for the province on Dec. 6. The NDRRMC said the worst hit areas were Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Apayao, and Kalinga. Flooding was reported in 113 locations, with 31 roads and 29 bridges closed. A total of 262 houses have been damaged. Seventy school buildings were also damaged. Local media reported 4 fatalities in Isabela.
Flash Floods/Flooding Incidents
Number of Incidents 38
Affected Population
Families 534,008
Persons 2,284,004
Evacuated
Families 251,606
Persons 1,139,338
Casualties
Dead 6
Injured 4
Missing 4
Damaged Houses
Totally Damaged 1,245
Partially Damaged 1,835
Damage to Properties
Agriculture P1,285,684
Infrastructure P1,190,000
Private P3,726,100
Typhoon
A total of 21 typhoons entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility in 2019. One of the most devastating was Typhoon Ursula. It was a relatively strong and deadly tropical cyclone which traversed through the Philippines on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for the first time since Typhoon Nina in 2016.
The Visayas was the worst hit, with Iloilo City alone having 13 casualties that had been either struck by fallen trees, electrocuted or drowned. The extent of damage in the Philippines was quiet far, with the Boracay Airport being heavily damaged as many people were stranded in the airport as the typhoon struck. A disaster response officer also reported that power outages and damage in the town if Batad in Iloilo province made it appear as a ghost town. Severe flooding caused devastating damage in the many provinces and islands of Visayas as rain spread across the region, with many houses and vehicles being partially to completely submerged. Multiple houses were crumpled and trees were downed, as well as power lines being downed. All of these obstacles blocked off roads and made roads dangerous to walk on; and the excessive amounts of rainfall made ground, especially higher ground, very unstable. The province of Leyte was placed under a state of calamity following the damage of the typhoon, with livestock, crops, and infrastructure being damaged amounting to P4,348,320,189. Most of the casualties were estimated to have taken place in Iloilo, as the village was badly-hit with severe and swift-moving flash floods. Tacloban was hit as fires broke out and winds allowed these to spread. One hundred forty-seven cities were affected by power outages.
Typhoons
Number of Incidents 21
Affected Population
Families 1,463,500
Persons 6,145,002
Evacuated
Families 76,044
Persons 1,800,000
Casualties
Dead 87
Injured 698
Missing 25
Damaged Houses
Totally Damaged 131,517
Partially Damaged 975,248
Damage to Properties
Agriculture 6,063,091,243
Infrastructure 1,744,080,087
Private
Disasters due to Human-Induced Hazards
Disasters due to human-induced hazards have an element of human intent, negligence or error involving a failure of a man-made system.
In 2019, a total of 313 human-induced incidents were recorded. It affected 2,559,142 families. It killed 2,496 and injured 1,000 people.
Armed Conflict
Armed conflict in the Philippines has been ongoing for decades, with increasing intensity over the past years. The conflict has led to widespread displacement, as well as infrastructure and shelter damage. The year 2019 began with the prospects of a peace deal, with March bringing the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). However, violence, especially related to armed groups excluded from the peace process, continued across the country throughout 2019, forcing 142,767 people from their homes.
On Nov. 9, the Armed Forces of the Philippines launched mortar shelling against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Maguindanao. This led to armed hostilities between the two parties triggering displacement of the local population and an undetermined number of casualties, including a civilian who was injured by stray bullets.
On Nov. 22, government forces, still in Maguindanao, were reportedly attacked by BIFF members. This resulted in continued military operations against the BIFF. A total of 8,735 families (43,675 individuals). The IDPs stayed in 20 evacuation sites in different locations, while others sought refuge with their relatives.
They experienced repeated displacement in 2019 with limited government assistance. Some also experienced health issues. Children in affected communities stopped going to school while the military operations were ongoing.
Livelihood was also affected, with some livestock reportedly hit by stray bullets and killed. IDPs further expressed their appeal to the parties to the conflict to spare civilian properties, and to identify lasting solutions to the fighting in order to resolve the recurring cycle of displacement.
Armed Conflict
Number of Incidents 35
Affected Population
Families 23,262
Persons 151,540
Evacuated
Families 19,803
Persons 142,767
Casualties
Dead 23
Injured
Missing
Development Aggression
Development aggression covers the whole country. The Philippine government actively advertise the country’s resources to foreign investors. The government displays the country’s resources open for plunder. It implements laws, policies and programs for development that do not correspond to the needs and situations of vulnerable communities.
On Feb. 15, RA 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law was signed by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. Peasants considered the law a death warrant to the local rice industry as it opened the floodgates to foreign industries that would overpower or wipe out local rice farmers. A total of 2,500,000 families were negatively impacted by the law. Local farmers were affected by the introduction of more foreign competitors.
With restrictions removed, the National Food Authority lost its power and functions in rice importation. Their role is now limited to maintaining a buffer stock of rice in emergency situations. They are not permitted to manage the licensing of importers and traders. Some 400 NFA employees were laid off as the law moved the NFA under the Department of Agriculture.
Development Aggression
Number of Incidents 3
Affected Population
Families 2,500,032
Persons 425,000
Disease Outbreak
The Philippines grappled with a public health crisis as back-to-back disease outbreaks of measles, dengue and polio have gripped the country since the start of 2019. In fact, disease outbreak is the leading cause of deaths among all disasters that occurred in 2019.
There were 48,500 reported cases of measles and 560 deaths since the Department of Health a measles outbreak in February. In August, the DOH declared a dengue epidemic. Since then, 429,409 cases of dengue and 1,705 deaths were reported. It was the worst dengue epidemic the country has seen in a decade.
The following month, the DOH confirmed the re-emergence of polio 19 years after its eradication. Sixteen cases were confirmed. The health department launched campaigns to bolster polio immunization, including a move to inoculate children under the age of 5 in several parts of the country.
Disease Outbreak
Number of Incidents 4
Affected Population
Families
Persons 478,125
Casualties
Dead 2,265
Injured
Missing
Fire
The most number of disasters recorded were of fire with 209 incidents. One of the worst fire incidents in 2019 was the Mandaue City fire.
On June 27, at 1:08 am, a fire broke out in Brgy. Tipolo, Mandaue City. An investigation of the Mandaue City Fire Station confirmed that the blaze originated from a 2-storey home. Brgy. Tipolo Chief Romana Cuizon said 1,931 families living in 624 residential establishments were displaced by the fire. The city council placed 3 sitios in the barangay under a state of calamity. No fatalities nor injuries were recorded, and damage was pegged at P1,300,000.
Fire
Number of Incidents 209
Affected Population
Families 29,834
Persons 124,200
Evacuated
Families 24,609
Persons 102,171
Casualties
Dead 23
Injured 53
Missing
Damaged Houses
Totally Damaged 13,371
Partially Damaged 769
Damage to Properties
Agriculture P9,000
Infrastructure
Private P32,185
Poverty and the Philippines’ Vulnerability to Disasters
Vulnerability can be characterized as the abated capacity of an individual or group to forecast, cope with, combat and recover from the impact of a natural or human-induced hazard. The concept is relative and changing. Vulnerability is most generally correlated with poverty, but it can further appear when communities are confined, anxious and helpless in the face of risk, shock or stress.
People vary in their exposure to risk as a culmination of their social group, gender, ethnic or other identity, age and other aspects. Vulnerability may again differ in forms: poverty, for example, may mean that housing is impotent to cope with an earthquake or a typhoon, or lack of preparedness may ensue a lackadaisical response to disaster, leading to greater loss of life or prolonged adversity.
Physical, economic, social and political circumstances determine people’s level of vulnerability and the amount of their capacity to confront, cope with and recover from hazards. Apparently, poverty is a big contributor to vulnerability. Poor people are more inclined to live and work in areas exposed to potential hazards, while they are less expected to have the resources to cope when a disaster strikes.
Moreover, disasters contribute to the seemingly unending cycle of poverty by destroying the meagre livelihood of vulnerable sectors. For instance, the drought in 2019 affected 503,102 families, and damaged a total of P7,962,521,863 in agriculture. This means that each family lost P15,826 because of the drought. This is equivalent to almost 2 months of income of a typical Filipino farmer who only earns an P8,000 a month. This is why during drought, most farmers had to skip meals or borrow money from loan sharks, driving them deeper into poverty.
Community-Based Disaster Management: Making a Change in Society
Community participation has been identified as the added aspect in disaster management crucial to reverse the comprehensive trend of growing number and loss from disasters, build a perception of security and disaster resilient communities, and assure sustainable development for all.
Whether a disaster is big or minor, of nationwide or local magnitude, it is the people at the community or village level who endure most its detrimental effects. They use coping and survival schemes to face and respond to the situation long before outside help from NGOs or the government reaches them. They are attentive to cushion themselves from the battering and harm through community-based disaster preparedness and mitigation.
In general, the goal of CBDM is to convert vulnerable or at-risk communities to disaster resilient communities.
Within this action, the creation and strengthening of community disaster preparedness committees is the key to organizing communities for sustainable disaster risk reduction. The DPCs are the decisive interface or the avenue for outsiders such as NGOs or government offices to assist/back up the community at-large. The community groups and organizations are fundamental in continuing the risk reduction process for the community to meet expected aims and objectives in CBDM.
References
https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/WorldRiskReport-2019_Online_english.pdf
https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/disaster-risk-reduction-philippines-status-report-july-2019
https://www.unisdr.org/files/68265_682308philippinesdrmstatusreport.pdf
https://www.ndrrmc.gov.ph/
https://dromic.dswd.gov.ph/
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-05/03/c_138031684.htm
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/03/06/1899107/drought-due-el-nio-hit-more-provinces
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/philippines-economy-04062019174245.html
http://floodlist.com/asia/philippines-northeast-monsoon-floods-cagayan-december-2019
https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/idp-protection-assessment-report-afp-vs-biff-inspired-armed-conflict-maguindanao
https://www.acaps.org/country/philippines/crisis/mindanao-conflict
No to Rice Trade Liberalization Law, An Anti-Farmer Measure!
https://www.ifpri.org/publication/philippine-rice-trade-liberalization-impacts-agriculture-and-economy-and-alternative
What Philippines gave up with the recent enactment of rice trade liberalization law
Senate to probe rice trade liberalization law’s implementation
https://www.doh.gov.ph/node/16647
https://www.doh.gov.ph/node/16645
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2019/05/23/725726094/the-philippines-is-fighting-one-of-the-worlds-worst-measles-outbreaks
https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/identifying-vulnerable-poverty-natural-disasters-case-typhoons-philippines
https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps1406.pdf
https://www.preventionweb.net/publications/view/733