PHILIPPINESI.

Natural hazards in Philippines

1.1 Natural hazards likely to affect the country
Earthquake, wind storm, volcano, flood, drought
1.2 Recent major disasters: January – December 2005
Occurences
Dis_Type
4
Tropical Cyclones(Destructive)
13
Tropical Cyclones(non-Destructive)
28
Flashfloods
15
Landslides
II.

No_killed
63

No_affected
899,938

Total_dam$
49.53

27
11273,405
116,747

5.76
1.08

Disaster Management system

2.1 Administrative system

Conventional long form:
Conventional short form:
Government type:
Capital:Administrative divisions:

Republic of the PhilippinesPhilippines
republic
Manila79 provinces, 117 cities, 1,498 municipalities,almost 42,000 barangays (the smallest
political unit). The Philippines has 17
administrative regions.

2.2 Legal system, legal framework
Presidential Decree No. 1566
This Decree which was promulgated on June 11, 1978 calls for theStrengthening of the Philippine Disaster Control Capability andestablishing the National Program on Community Disaster
Preparedness. Salient Provisions include among others, the following:• State policy on self-reliance among local officials and theirconstituents in preparing for, responding to and recovering fromdisasters.
• Organization of the National, Regional and Local disastercoordinating councils (DCCs)

Sources: ADRC country report, WCDR country report

1

•
•
•

Preparation of the National Calamities and Disaster Preparedness
Plan (NCDPP) by the Office of Civil Defense and implementing
plans by the NDCC member agencies and local DCCs
Conduct of periodic drills and exercises by concerned agencies andlocal DCCs
Authority for the local government units to program funds fordisaster preparedness activities such as the organization of DCCs,
establishment of Disaster Operations Center (DOC) and trainingand equipping of DCC response teams. This is in addition to the5% under Section 324 (d) of the Local Government Code of 1991,
as amended. Under the implementing rules and regulations (IRR)of PD 1566, the disaster management activities of DCC memberagencies as well as procedures and guidelines for inter-agency
coordination and dissemination of information during the threephases are defined.

A. Pre- Disaster Phase
1. Planning for Disaster – Development and formulation ofDisaster Management Plan (DMP)
2. Organizing – Organization of DCCs in accordance with the DCC
structure set forth in the NCDPP
3. Training – Conduct of training on disaster management for
DCC members
4. Drills – Conduct of organizational and community
drills/exercises periodically
5. Stockpiling- Predetermination of food, clothing, shelter, medical
supplies, transportation and other emergency requirements.
6. Resource Data Canvassing – Identification of existing resources,
evaluation of capability resources organization to carry out
disaster-related tasks and allocation of suitable roles for resource
organization
7. Public Information/awareness campaign in coping with disastersituations in accordance with the office of Civil Defense,
Philippine Information Agency well as other government /orprivate entities with facilities for dissemination of information
8. Communications and Warning Activities – Organization ofwarning units in the province, establishment of warning systemthat must be clearly defined and written down in plans, standard
operating procedures and other relevant documents, inform
concerned officials and agencies in the province as well as thegeneral public of the warning system
B. Emergency Phase
Mobilizes all emergency services of the DOC namely rescue andengineering, evacuation, first aid, medical services, emergency relief,
public and fire auxiliary, transportation and survey/conduct damage
assessment with the national government supporting efforts of theSources: ADRC country report, WCDR country report

2Council and evaluation of survey results and submission of damage
report and recommendation to NDCC through the RDCC.
C. Post Emergency Phase
Cross-checking of data of damage report with pre-emergency dataobtained to facilitate the location or whereabouts of persons and toassess available community resources for rehabilitation purposes. This
phase will also determine the nature of extent of rehabilitation efforts tobe undertaken and request of assistance from appropriate government
agencies, private offices/agencies or individual, if the situation goesbeyond the capability of the PDCC.
2.3 Structure of disaster management
DCC Organizational Network
National Disaster Coordinating Council
17 Regional Disaster Coordinating Councils
79 Provincial Disaster Coordinating Councils
113 City Disaster Coordinating Councils
1,496 Municipal Disaster Coordinating Councils
41,956 Barangay Disaster Coordinating Councils
The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) is the policymaking and coordinating body of disaster management at the national
level; it directs all disaster preparedness planning, as well as disaster
response operations and rehabilitation, both in the public and private
sectors. It advises the President on matters related to natural calamities
and disasters, including recommendations for the declaration of State ofCalamity in disaster-affected areas.
In each local government unit (province, city or municipality), the local
DCC is headed by the elected chief executive, such as governor or mayor.
Thus, disaster management is imbedded deeply into the democratic
governance in the Philippines.
2.4 Priorities on disaster risk management
Implementation of the NDCC Four Point Action PlanThe December 2004 flashfloods that affected Quezon and Aurora
Provinces of eastern Luzon Island resulted to severe flooding andlandslides and led the unusually high death toll as well as extraordinary
damage to both public and private properties. The OCD as theimplementing arm and Secretariat of the NDCC immediately
implemented the Four Point Action Plan for Disaster Preparedness toincrease public awareness and involvement in measured put in place bygovernment to minimize the impact of similar disasters in the future.

Sources: ADRC country report, WCDR country report3The NDCC in the implementation of the above action plan has so far
achieved the following:a. Upgrading of PAGASA and PHIVOLCS Forecasting Capability
As of May 31, 2005, PAGASA reported the rehabilitation of its five (5)5 radars located in Virac, Guian, Aparri, Baler and Baguio.
PHIVOLCS enhanced their volcano and earthquake monitoring
system capabilities.
b. Public Information Campaign on Disaster Preparedness
The “Safe Ka Ba?” program has been launched nationwide. Posters,flyers, radio and TV commercials, instructional video, cinema ad
formats and pastoral letters have been produced and distributed
through the regional centers.
c. Capacity – Building for Local Government Units Particularly in
Identified
Vulnerable Areas
Local chief Executives have to take leadership role in all phases ofdisaster management and they should develop a culture ofpreparedness versus culture of reaction.
d. Mechanism for Government and Private Sector Partnership in Relief
andRehabilitation
One of the most important mechanisms achieved this year is thecollaborative partnership program between the NDCC and theLeague of Municipalities through a MOA signed in February 2005.
III.

Disaster management plan

The NDCC has a Calamities and Disaster Preparedness Plan whichspells out the functions of each member agency in times of disasters.
Under the system, various Service committees may be convened during
disaster situation. These Inter-Agency Committees have the following
functions:• Early Warning Service – provides fast and adequate reliablewarning system in time of impending calamity (Committee on
Communication System and Emergency Broadcast System andLocal Warning Service Unit)• Communication and Transport Service – provides, operates andmaintains continuous and adequate reliable communication andavailable transport facilities throughout the period of disaster.
(DPWH, DILG, AFP, PCG, PPA, Bus Operators of the Philippines)• Evacuation Service – evacuates the populace and properties
systematically in case calamity arises (AFP, DSWD, PNP, and localDCCs)

Sources: ADRC country report, WCDR country report

4••

•
•
•

IV.

Rescue and Engineering Service – removes victims and casualties
from areas affected by disaster and undertakes emergency repair ofdamaged infrastructure, utilities and facilities
Health Service – protects life through health and medical care of
the populace and minimizes casualties through proper informationand mobilization of all medical resources. (DOH, PNRC and local
health units)
Relief / Rehabilitation Service – minimizes human suffering andprovides adequate restoration program and services to ensure thenormal functioning of individuals affected by disaster
Public Information Service – provides the civilian population
simple/accurate/relevant and timely information and instruction
arising from natural or man made disasters
Rehabilitation Service – provides rapid restoration of the morale ofpersons affected by disasterBudget size on national level

Annual Budget for Disaster Management
Under the General Appropriations Act for CY 2005, P 700 M wasallocated as National Calamity Fund (NCF) for aid relief andrehabilitation services to communities /areas affected by man-made andnatural calamities, and repair and reconstruction of permanent
structures, including other capital expenditures for disaster operation
and rehabilitation activities. Release from this Fund shall be madedirectly to the implementing agencies and or local government units inaccordance with the recommendation of the National Disaster
Coordinating Council and upon approval of the President of thePhilippines.
V.

Progress and situations of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA)

Development of National Platform
The NDCC Comprehensive Disaster Management Framework (Tab A)
In keeping with the vision of the NDCC to be a “Council that isresponsive to the policy making requirements of emergency managementthat utilizes the nation’s resources as called for during emergency
situations” and in pursuant to the agreements forged during theFebruary 26, 2002 Joint NDCC Technical Working Group and National
Relief and Rehabilitation Committee Meeting created are the following
NDCC Committees:A. NDCC Committee on Mitigation (NDCM)• Formulate/develop a disaster mitigation program

Sources: ADRC country report, WCDR country report5•Draft presidential issuance on the adoption of the proposedprogram• Prepare draft bill amending existing laws based on the policies
embodied in the disaster management program for possible
endorsement to congress by the president as an administration
bill• Perform other duties/tasks that may be assigned by the NDCC
B. NDCC Committee on Disaster Preparedness (NCDP)• Formulate/develop national contingency plans on earthquake, fire,
air and maritime disaster, etc.
• Review and evaluate all documented plans submitted ascompliance to the pertinent instructions and/or guidelines set
forth in the National Calamities and Disaster Preparedness Plan
• Formulate/update contingency plans, guidelines and SOPs
• Perform other duties/tasks that may be assigned by the NDCC
C. NDCC Committee on Disaster Response (NCDR)• Provide the civilian populace simple/accurate/relevant and timely
information arising from the natural or man-made disaster orfrom any impending emergencies• Provide/make available transport facilities in the duration ofdisasters and during emergency operations•
Evacuate the affected populace and properties systematically andprovide temporary/evacuation shelter until such time thatevacuees are ready to return to their respective houses• Provide/distribute relief goods/items• Protect life thru health and medical care; proper medical aid;
provision of medical facilities; and minimize casualties thru
proper information and mobilization of medical resources• Assist existing fire stations in fire control and prevention• Conduct search and rescue operations when necessary• Perform other duties/task that may be assigned by the NDCC
D. NDCC Committee on Disaster Rehabilitation (NCD Rehab)• Formulate/develop plans for the effective implementation/prioritization of rehabilitation programs on infrastructure andrecovery• Provide information needed by NDCC on Plans for rehabilitation
on infrastructure and recovery of disaster victims• Implement rehabilitation plans/program as approved by NDCC
• Evaluate and prioritize calamity fund requests from National andLocal Government Units for rehabilitation programs/projects• Develop research and identify other funding sources to include
foreign assistance for rehabilitation programs and activities• Review policies on fund utilization for accountability andtransparency• Perform other duties/tasks that may be assigned by NDCC

Sources: ADRC country report, WCDR country report

6

VI.

Projects on disaster reduction headed by the Ministry

1. Training Program on Capacity Building
1.1 Emergency/Disaster Management Traininga. In House Training• Orientation/Reorientation of OCD personnel• Basic and Advance Civil Defense Officers (CDO) Courses• Computer Literacyb. Clientele• Disaster Preparedness Seminar• Training of Facilitators in Contingency Planning for Regional
Disaster Coordinating Council members• Contingency Planning Formulation Workshop for local
Disaster Coordinating Councils• On-line
Comprehensive
DisasterRiskManagement
Framework Course for Professional and Practitioners inDisaster Management
1.2 Specialized Skills Training• Collapsed Search and Rescue (CSSR) Course – 9 days
• Medical First Responders (MFR) Course – 13 days
2. Program on Dissemination of Knowledge and Promotion of AwarenessPart of the NDCC Four Point Action Plan is the Implementation of a
Public Information. Campaign on Disaster Preparedness dubbed as “SafeKa Ba?” campaign slogan which all the thematic messages will beanchored on. The goal is to have an integrated strategic communications
campaign that promotes and sustain a coherent and coordinated effort indisaster management through awareness, preparedness and response
focusing on natural hazards like typhoons that cause flooding andlandslide; earthquake that cause collapsed buildings homes andstructures; volcanic eruptions that cause ash falls, pyroclastic, lahar andlava flows and tsunamis that cause widespread destruction of coastal
areas.
Delivery mechanisms are as follows:
Posters, TV Commercial, Radio Commercial, Flyers, EmergencyBroadcast Alert, Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill,
Pastoral Letter
VII.

ADRC Counterpart
Office of Civil Defense, Department of National Defense
Camp Gen.Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines, 3004

Sources: ADRC country report, WCDR country report

7