Community-based disaster risk reduction and management concept paper

Department/Unit

Center for Social Concern and Action

Document Type

Archival Material/Manuscript

Publication Date

2-17-2013

Abstract

The Philippines is one of the countries in the world that is prone to natural hazards. The country continues to become vulnerable to various forms of natural hazards even though disaster risk reduction and management laws are already in place. Annually, the country experiences 20 typhoons, that results to floods, loss of lives, and damage to properties. It is no doubt why the 2011 World Disaster Report, our country ranks as the 4th world's most disaster prone country; and 1st most disaster prone in Asia. In Section 14 of RA 10121 stated the Integration of Disaster Risk Reduction Education into School Curricula. It states that "The DepEd, The CHED, TESDA in coordination with the OCD, the National Youth Commission (NYC), the DOST, the DENR, the DILG-BFP, the DOH, the DSWD and other relevant agencies, shall integrate Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Education in the School Curricula o Secondary and Tertiary level of education, including the National Service Training Program (NSTP), whether private or public, including formal and non-formal, technical­ education, indigenous learning and out-of-school youth courses and programs". The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Law (Republic Act 10121) and the Climate Change Act are important and relevant. However, their strict and proper implementations are still something we have to look into. Although these policies are very crucial pieces of legislation, in reality there is still a problem in the way the laws are being carried out and understood by the stakeholders. For instance, even though the new laws mandate disaster preparedness at all levels, most of the local government units and academic institutions are still practicing the old emergency response (reactive) paradigm. With this in mind, there is a strong need to shift gears and align the mind-set of the key stakeholders to the thrusts of the new laws. Doing so would entail capability building through Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation such as public awareness, enhancement of skills and knowledge, information management, and education and training. During disasters, there is a need to conduct Emergency and Relief Assistance/Response to our brothers and sisters in dire need of our support. And After disaster (Recovery and Rehabilitation); there is a pressing needs to continue our networking and resource mobilization and tapping potential partners for the re-building of damage houses. Moreover, the escalating number of disasters in the Philippines is attributed to the lack of capacity of vulnerable communities for disaster preparedness and response capabilities. Thus, early warning systems (EWS), preparedness and contingency planning, and emergency response and recovery mechanisms should be given utmost priority to communities frequented by disasters. Given this, may lessen the impacts of catastrophic events. In addition, the collision of disaster events and the relentless vulnerability of the Philippines to natural hazards are brought about by the failure of the government to implement a nationwide assessment of hazard, risk, and vulnerability. The inability to come up with a specific tool for assessment, leads to the inability of our government to focus on the type of hazard to prepare for and to identify the most vulnerable sector of the country. Lastly, there has been an influx of aid to affected communities whenever a disaster strikes. To ensure that the resources go to the vulnerable sections of the society, there is a need to evaluate and monitor the formation of community based disaster risk reduction structures through Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Committees, School Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Programs and other vital formations. Unfortunately, the burdens caused by the above-mentioned economic and natural disasters lie heavily upon the shoulders of the marginalized and the underprivileged sectors of society. The poor bear more of the brunt as compared to the rich, precisely because they have limited access to resources and the much-needed information to make informed decisions. Also, their voices are often unheard, both in the political and social arena, which make them disempowered and vulnerable to different forms of structural violence.

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Disciplines

Disaster Law | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

Emergency management—Law and legislation—Philippines; Emergency management—Philippines; Disasters—Philippines; Disaster relief—Philippines

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