1
RESILIENCY OF NAVOTAS CITY
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
AND MANAGEMENT
A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of Department of Public Administration
College of Political Science and Public Administration Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Sta. Mesa, Manila
In Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Bachelor in Public Administration and Governance
By
Bautista, Ryan A.
De Guzman, Ferjan Christian T. De la Torre, Earl Lewis L.
Pimentel, Rehom P.
Prof. Antonius C. Umali Adviser
2 CERTIFICATION
This thesis entitled “Resiliency of Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Times of Calamities” prepared and submitted by Ryan A. Bautista, Ferjan Christian T. de Guzman, Earl Lewis L. De La Torre, and Rehom P. Pimentel in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Bachelor in Public Administration and Governance has been examined and recommend for Oral Examination.
Prof. Antonius C. Umali Adviser
APPROVAL
Approved by the Panel on Oral Examination on December 2013 with the grade of_______.
Chairperson Florenda S. Frivaldo Chairman
Prof. Fidel Esteban Dr. Isagani O. Sta. Maria
Member Member
Accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor in Public Administration and Governance
Dr. Sanjay P. Claudio Dean, CPSPA
3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This study would not be possible without the help of Dr. Florenda S. Frivaldo, the researcher’s adviser for Research Methodology in Public Administration and Prof. Antonius C. Umali, the researcher’s adviser for Research Writing with Defense for providing the researchers the necessary guidelines and measures in writing the thesis. The researchers would like also to acknowledge Dr. Sanjay P. Claudio, the College Dean, for giving assistance especially in the formulation of the proper questionnaire to be used in the survey. The effort of Prof. Ernest Vera-Cruz, the researcher’s professor in Public Policy, is also recognized for trying to influence the researcher’s mind in choosing a topic and for providing the researchers the concept of thesis.
The researchers would also like to acknowledge Hon. Edgardo J. Ollet, the Regional Director for Office of Civil Defense – National Capital Region and Senior Vice-Chairman for Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, for giving assistance and for providing the recommendation letter in facilitation of the survey. In relation to this, the researchers would like also to appreciate the effort of Hon. John Reynald M. Tiangco, the City Mayor of Navotas for permitting the researchers to conduct survey in respective Barangays of Navotas City and so with Hon. Paul Ross Bryan S. Felix, the Chairman of Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, in response to the request of the researchers to conduct a qualifying survey before the actual survey in the respective Barangays.
Most of all, the help of the researcher’s parent is very much appreciated for providing the financial and moral support in the accomplishment of the study and,
4 above all, the guidance of Almighty God for making everything available and possible to the researchers.
5 ABSTRACT
Title: Resiliency of Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Times of Calamities
Researchers: Bautista, Ryan Asi
De Guzman, Ferjan Christian T. De La Torre, Earl Lewis L. Pimentel, Rehom P. Adviser: Prof. Antonius C. Umali
Institution: Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa, Manila
Degree Program: Bachelor in Public Administration and Governance Introduction:
The study is all about the implementation of plans, programs and projects of the government to its citizens especially the local government units with which is the first unit of the government to its citizenry.
The study in general aims to ascertain the level of resiliency of Navotas City with regards to Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. Four main categories were being set to be used as the standard namely, Programs and Projects, Facilities, Equipments and Rescue and Reliefs.
Statement of the Problem:
Generally, Navotas City was being rated based on the following specifications:
1. Preparedness of Navotas City Government with regards to the implementation of their programs and projects in terms of:
6 b. Preparedness
c. Response
d. Recovery and Rehabilitation
2. Preparedness of Navotas City Government with regards to the availability and capacity of their facilities to respond to the needs of the people.
3. Preparedness of Navotas City Government with regards to the availability and capacity of their equipments to respond to the needs of the people.
4. Preparedness of Navotas City with regards to the capacity and responsiveness of the Rescue and Relief operations in times of Calamities.
Research Method:
Aside from being a descriptive type of research, a research questionnaire was also formulated in lieu of the set of standards listed by NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council)
Summary of Findings:
On the level of resiliency of Navotas City with regards to the implementation of Programs and Projects, Navotas City garnered weighted mean of 4.01 out of 5 which is equivalent to an interpretation of very satisfactory.
On the other hand, in terms of the Level of Resiliency of Navotas City with regards to the availability and capacity of their Facilities to respond to the needs of the people, findings showed the weighted mean of 3.36 out of 5 which is tantamount
7 to satisfactory.
On the level of Resiliency of Navotas City with regards to the availability and capacity of their equipments to respond to the needs of the people, the weighted mean is 3.47 out of 5 which denotes that the level of resiliency is satisfactory.
Lastly, on the level of Resiliency of Navotas City with regards to the capacity and responsiveness of their Rescue and Relief, it showed a weighted mean of 4.26 out of 5 to finally show that their rescue and relief is very satisfactory.
Conclusion:
Based on the following findings, the researchers conclude that the level of Resiliency of Navotas City with regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects, are relatively capable to prevent and mitigate the possible effects of calamities with regards to casualties and damage to properties, to be prepared for the possible harmful effects, to be responsive enough in times of calamity, and to recover and rehabilitate after the calamities had struck the City. The Navotas City has provided the enough evacuation areas to the citizens where the relief goods, enough space, electricity, water supply, sanitation and other vital requirements are almost available, and there is none yet a functional hospital in the City which is now under construction. The availability and capacity of the equipments to respond to the needs of the people in times of calamity, with regards to light equipments such as power saw, generator, rubber boat, oxygen tank, tower light, command tent and other light equipments as well as the heavy equipments such as dump truck, water tanker, road graders, telescopic crane and other heavy equipments, are not absolutely available and capacitated.
8 The Navotas City has enough manpower to employ in times of rescue and reliefs such as the police department which is already devolved to Barangay level, the fire department is relatively capacitated and responsive to needs of the people, and the city has enough volunteers to be employed in times of relief operations.
Recommendation:
On the onset of conclusions, these recommendations were being formulated: First, the City shall continuously implement their existing programs and projects accompanied by efficient and effective implementation with proper fund allocation thereof; second, the City Government of Navotas shall provide additional facilities especially the hospitals since there is none yet provided with enough medical facilities and medical experts; third, additional budget shall be allocated to the City’s disaster risk reduction and management in order to purchase additional equipments to be used in times of calamities; fourth, further research shall be conducted for the purpose of more comprehensive City’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management focusing on specific calamity such as earthquake, tsunamis, typhoons, storm surge, tornados and other calamities; and lastly, other local government units may replicate the existing Disaster Risk Reduction and Management of Navotas City or even improve it depending on how it suit their existing situation for the development of their own disaster preparedness measure.
9 TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page ………..……….…… 1 Approval Sheet ……….….…………..……. 2 Acknowledgment ……….…….……… 3 Abstract ……….………. 5 Table of Contents ………. 9 List of Tables ………... 15 List of Figures ………. 18 CHAPTER I Introduction ………. 19
Background of the Study ..………...………...…….. 20
Conceptual Framework ………... 27
Theoretical Framework ……….. 28
Statement of the Problem ………. 31
Significance of the Study ……….. 32
Scope and Limitation ………... 33
Definition of Terms ………. 35
CHAPTER II Review of Related Literatures and Studies ……… 37
Foreign Literatures ………. 37
Foreign Studies ……….. 39
Local Literatures ……… 48
10
Synthesis and Relevance to the Study ………..……. 63
CHAPTER III Research Design and Methodology ………....… 65
Research Design ………...…. 65
Sampling Technique ……….. 66
Population and Respondents of the Study ……….… 66
Locale of the Study ………..…..… 67
Instrumentation …………..………. 67
Data Gathering Procedure ………....… 69
Statistical Tool ………..……….. 70
Statistical Treatment of Data ………..……….. 71
CHAPTER IV Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data ..………..… 73
Table 1 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Prevention and Mitigation in Terms of Regular Declogging of Drainage and Canals ……… 73
Table 2 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Prevention and Mitigation in Terms of Dredging and Desilting Activities in Coordination with other Agencies ……… 74
11 Table 3 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Prevention and Mitigation in Terms of Proper Waste Disposal ……….. 74 Table 4 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Preparedness in Terms of Identification of Appropriate Location for Food Preparation…….... 75 Table 5 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Preparedness in Terms of City wide Community-based Early Warning System………. 76 Table 6 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Preparedness in Terms of Provision of Whistle, Flashlight and Compass ……….. 76 Table 7 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Preparedness in Terms of Public Information Dissemination ……… 77 Table 8 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Preparedness in Terms of Trainings and Seminars on Calamity Preparedness ……… 78 Table 9 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Response in Terms of Proper Documentation of Damage, Needs, and Assessment………. 79 Table 10 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Recovery and
12 Rehabilitation in Terms of Coordination with Neighboring Local Governments Regarding Rivers and Roads Clean-up Drives………. 79 Table 11 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Recovery and Rehabilitation in Terms of Stress Debriefing for the Community and Government Employee Involved ……….…. 80 Table 12 Data Gathered with Regards to the Availability and Capacity of their Facilities in Terms of Evacuation Centers……….. 81 Table 13 Data Gathered with Regards to the Availability and Capacity of their Facilities in Terms of Hospitals ………... 81 Table 14 Data Gathered with Regards to the Availability and Capacity of their Equipments in Terms of Light Equipments (Like power saw, Generator, Rubber Boat, Oxygen Tank, Tower Light, Command Tent, etc.) ………..…. 82 Table 15 Data Gathered with Regards to the Availability and Capacity of their Equipments in Terms of Heavy Equipments ( Like dump truck, Water Tanker, Road Graders, Telescopic Ring, etc.)………... 83 Table 16 Data Gathered with Regards to the Capacity and Responsiveness of their Rescue and Relief in Terms of their Police Department……….. 84 Table 17 Data Gathered with Regards to the Capacity and Responsiveness of their Rescue and Relief in Terms of their Fire
13 Department……… ..84
Table 18 Data Gathered with Regards to the Capacity and Responsiveness of their Rescue and Relief in Terms of their Rescuers/Volunteers………. ….85
Table 19 Data Gathered with Regards to Programs and Projects in
Terms of Prevention
Mitigation……….…86
Table 20 Data Gathered with Regards to Programs and Projects in
Terms of
Preparedness……….……8 6
Table 21 Data Gathered with Regards to Programs and Projects in
Terms of
Response………8 7
Table 22 Data Gathered with Regards to Programs and Projects in
Terms of Recovery and
Rehabilitation………...….87
Table 23 Data Gathered with Regards to Programs and Projects in Terms of Prevention Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and
14 Rehabilitation……….. …88
Table 24 Data Gathered with Regards to
Facilities………..89
Table 25 Data Gathered with Regards to
Equipments……….89
Table 26 Data Gathered with Regards to Rescue and Relief……….90
Table 27 Data Gathered with Regards to Programs and Projects,
Facilities, Equipments and Rescue and
Relief………..90
Table 28 Ranking of the Perceived Suggestions and Recommendations by the Fourteen Barangays of the City for the Betterment of their Disaster Risk Reduction Management………91
CHAPTER V Summary of Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations……..92 Summary of Findings ………....92 Conclusions ………....94 Recommendations
15 ………....95 Bibliography ………...97 Appendices………..………. 100 A – Copy of RA 10121 ………...101 B – Request Letter to NDRRMC……….……...139 C – Request Letter to Navotas City ……….….141
D – Endorsement Letter from Metro Manila DRRMC ………...143
E – NDRRMC Assessment Tool ………...……144
F – Survey Questionnaire
………..…150 G – Navotas City Map
………153 H – Navotas City Profile
16 I – Curriculum Vitae
………...….157 Bautista, Ryan A.
……….157 De Guzman, Ferjan Christian T. ………...158
De La Torre, Earl Lewis L. ……….159
Pimentel, Rehom P.
………...….160
List of Tables
Table 1 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Prevention and Mitigation in Terms of Regular Declogging of Drainage and Canals
Table 2 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Prevention and Mitigation in Terms of Dredging and Desilting Activities in Coordination with other Agencies
Table 3 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Prevention and Mitigation in Terms of Proper Waste Disposal
17 Table 4 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Preparedness in Terms of Identification of Appropriate Location for Food Preparation
Table 5 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Preparedness in Terms of City wide Community-based Early Warning System
Table 6 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Preparedness in Terms of Provision of Whistle, Flashlight and Compass
Table 7 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Preparedness in Terms of Public Information Dissemination
Table 8 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Preparedness in Terms of Trainings and Seminars on Calamity Preparedness
Table 9 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Response in Terms of Proper Documentation of Damage, Needs, and Assessment
Table 10 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Recovery and Rehabilitation in Terms of Coordination with Neighboring Local Governments Regarding Rivers and Roads Clean-up Drives
18 Table 11 Data Gathered with Regards to the Implementation of their Programs and Projects under the Category of Recovery and Rehabilitation in Terms of Stress Debriefing for the Community and Government Employee Involved Table 12 Data Gathered with Regards to the Availability and Capacity of their
Facilities in Terms of Evacuation Centers
Table 13 Data Gathered with Regards to the Availability and Capacity of their Facilities in Terms of Hospitals
Table 14 Data Gathered with Regards to the Availability and Capacity of their Equipments in Terms of Light Equipments (Like power saw, Generator, Rubber Boat, Oxygen Tank, Tower Light, Command Tent, etc.)
Table 15 Data Gathered with Regards to the Availability and Capacity of their Equipments in Terms of Heavy Equipments ( Like dump truck, Water Tanker, Road Graders, Telescopic Ring, etc.)
Table 16 Data Gathered with Regards to the Capacity and Responsiveness of their Rescue and Relief in Terms of their Police Department
Table 17 Data Gathered with Regards to the Capacity and Responsiveness of their Rescue and Relief in Terms of their Fire Department
Table 18 Data Gathered with Regards to the Capacity and Responsiveness of their Rescue and Relief in Terms of their Rescuers/Volunteers
Table 19 Data Gathered with Regards to Programs and Projects in Terms of Prevention Mitigation
Table 20 Data Gathered with Regards to Programs and Projects in Terms of Preparedness
19 Table 21 Data Gathered with Regards to Programs and Projects in Terms of
Response
Table 22 Data Gathered with Regards to Programs and Projects in Terms of Recovery and Rehabilitation
Table 23 Data Gathered with Regards to Programs and Projects in Terms of Prevention Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery and Rehabilitation
Table 24 Data Gathered with Regards to Facilities Table 25 Data Gathered with Regards to Equipments
Table 26 Data Gathered with Regards to Rescue and Relief
Table 27 Data Gathered with Regards to Programs and Projects, Facilities, Equipments and Rescue and Relief
Table 28 Ranking of the Perceived Suggestions and Recommendations by the Fourteen Barangays of the City for the Betterment of their Disaster Risk Reduction Management
List of Figures
Figure 1 Conceptual Framework
20 CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
In the world of ours, there are different mysteries or phenomena that happen in our everyday lives. We cannot assume that our life is safe even if we're inside home. There is still the presence of danger and disturbance not only from those perpetrators but also from our surroundings most likely from our nature. There is
21 what we call “the revenge of nature”. What we did to our environment will be reflected back to us.
From the beginning of time, different catastrophes had struck not only the face of the earth but also its darkest sides. Since creatures are living to the parts of the earth that are livable, mankind took the chance of recording and studying these natural phenomena in order to at least lessen the destruction that it may bring to mankind.
In the advent of 1950’s, these natural phenomena became more rapid because of the “climate change” in cause of greenhouse effect that is emitted through the depletion of Ozone layer in the southern hemisphere. Even those places that have been hit by typhoon then are now getting worse because of these destructive disasters and changing calamities. Until now, typhoons, earthquakes and flash floods are very prone and these are sending thousands or even millions of individual to death and damage to properties as well. Truly, we are now in the state of over reactive nature which urges drastic calamities.
In the Philippines, we are struggling hard every year to fight such natural calamities like typhoons and flash floods that often resulted to failure and bring a high average of death and destruction to mankind.
Background of the Study
Over the years, the Philippines had been devastated by strong typhoons which led to massive flooding in low lying areas particularly in the cities of Metro Manila. As time passed by, these typhoons got stronger and stronger that even the
22 prepared citizens were shocked by the catastrophic damage it brought about. Because of this, the national government and different local government units were alarmed. At this state, disaster preparedness for risk reduction is required in order to address the problem.
On the 26th of September 2009 at about 6:00 pm, Typhoon Ondoy hit Metro Manila and dumped one month's rainfall in less than 24 hours. Along with flooding along other river systems, 80 percent of the National Capital Region became flooded and 25 nearby provinces were flooded. In Metro Manila alone, 20 feet (6.1 m) of dirty water forced people to evacuate their homes. By the 30th of September at least 450,000 inhabitants had been displaced, with at last 380,000 forced into makeshift shelters. Two hundred forty six people were reported dead. It is believed that blocked pipes and a poorly maintained sewerage system, along with uncollected domestic waste, were major contributory factors in the speed with which the flood waters were able to engulf the surrounding area. A State of National Calamity was declared by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and a task force was set up to rescue the inhabitants, however the government was forced to admit that resources were in short supply, and called for world assistance. After all, good efforts have been made to make the drainage system better for the whole city by fixing the sewers together with the new trademarked "Red Sidewalks". This is the worst storm on record that Metro Manila has experienced since 1967.
On 24th of June 2011, heavy rains of Severe Tropical Storm Meari affected Luzon including Metro Manila. The water level in Marikina River reached its critical level, flooding beside its riverbanks, just near along the river. Fortunately, the water
23 level did not reach its higher banks, into the streets and communities. No casualties were reported but the mud and debris from the river was left by overflowed riverbanks.
On 27th of September 2011, Typhoon Pedring dumped heavy rains like Ondoy over Luzon including Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Marikina's water level reached a higher level than 24 June 2011, reaching 20.1 meters (66 ft) by 5pm. The flood submerged houses in several Barangays of Marikina City and San Mateo. SM Marikina Basement Parking submerged in muddy water. No deaths were recorded in Marikina, but in San Mateo, there is one. The day after, the Marikina River returned in critical level. On 29 September 2011, 5 am, water subsided in the banks of the river and the residents started to clean. Six o'clock in the morning, water reaches the 15.2 meters.
Although located hundreds of kilometers away from the Philippines, the southerly flow from Typhoon Haikui enhanced the southwest monsoon across much of Luzon. As a result, widespread heavy rains impacted regions still recovering from deadly floods triggered by Typhoon Saola less than a week earlier. During a 22 hour span from 6–7 August, 687 mm (27.0 in) of rain fell in parts of Metro Manila, leading local media to compare the event to Typhoon Ketsana in 2009, which killed 464 in the city. Some of the most severe flooding took place along the Marikina River, which swelled to near-record levels. During the afternoon of 7 August, the river reached a height of 20.6 m (68 ft), well beyond the flood level of 16 m (52 ft) and about 3 m (9.8 ft) below the record level set during Typhoon Ketsana. About 70 percent of Metro Manila was affected by flooding. Some areas were submerged
24 in up to 3 m (9.8 ft). Due to the expanding floods, officials in the city evacuated more than 23,000 residents from flood-prone areas and relocated them to shelters set up across the area. According to a reporter from the British Broadcasting Corporation, many residents were reluctant to leave their belongings behind, and some traveled back through flood waters to retrieve their belongings. Officials feared the flooding could worsen as the La Mesa Dam continued to overflow at the time. At least nine people were killed and four others were injured in a landslide in Quezon City. More than fifty people died on this day. This was the worst rain in non-direct typhoon or tropical storm on record that Metro Manila has experienced since 2009, surpassing the accumulated amount of rain brought by Typhoon Ketsana.
The 2012 Philippine Floods, informally known as Typhoon Habagat (monsoon), was an 8-day period of intense raining and thunder storms in the Philippines from August 1 to August 8, 2012. It affected particularly the National Capital Region, the provinces of the CALABARZON Region, namely, Quezon, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal, and the provinces of Region 3, namely, Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan. It is not actually a typhoon, but a strong movement of the Southwest Monsoon (Tagalog: Habagat) caused by the pull of the Typhoon Saola (Gener) from August 1 to August 3 and was further enhanced and strengthened by the Typhoon Haikui. However, it is often considered as a typhoon because of the damage it caused, which is yet the heaviest damage done by intense raining since the intense raining in September 2009, when Typhoon Ketsana hit Metro Manila. The intense, nonstop rains caused the Marikina River to overflow, and destroyed the same places that were ruined by Typhoon Ketsana in 2009. Moreover,
25 it also caused a landslide in the Commonwealth Area, and also caused the collapse of the North bound side of the Marcos Highway.
The damage was almost as massive as Typhoon Ketsana, although there is no typhoon when the heavy rains reached its peak in August 7. Due to the storm-like damage it had caused, the period from August 1–8 was also referred to as, Ang Hagupit ng Habagat(The Wrath of the Monsoon) and also the Bagsik ng Habagat (Worst of Monsoon). The intense flooding and raining it caused left 95 people dead and 8,428 homes destroyed and 6,706 damaged. Losses throughout the country amounted to at least ₱604.63 million (US$14.31 million).
The enactment of Republic Act 10121 otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 has laid the basis for a paradigm shift from just disaster preparedness and response to disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).The National DRRM Plan serves as the national guide on how sustainable development can be achieved through inclusive growth while building the adaptive capacities of communities; increasing the resilience of vulnerable sectors; and optimizing disaster mitigation opportunities with the end in view of promoting people’s welfare and security towards gender-responsive and rights-based sustainable development.
Over the past several years, the country has gained a lot of attention and momentum in the area of disaster risk reduction. Numerous projects and activities have been undertaken by various Philippine stakeholders and agencies in DRRM. However, sustaining the positive results and scaling them up to effect rippling positive changes in the lives of the people have been constant challenges. Threats
26 remain; Disasters and people’s risk to disasters are still present. This is because the underlying cause of people’s vulnerability has yet to be fully recognized and addressed.
For years, DRR has focused more on efforts around disaster preparedness and response and not so much in identifying the hazard-prone areas and other factors which contribute to people’s exposure to disasters; incorporating risk analysis to development plans; building people’s capacities towards sustainable livelihood options; and the like. Although DRR has been gaining attention among peoples and institutions, complete paradigm shift from “disasters as an immediate product of hazards” to “disasters as a function of people’s vulnerability” has not yet fully happened. Also, converging DRR and CCA remains to be a challenge, both in understanding, mainstreaming into plans and policies, including institutional mechanisms. Lastly, gaps in terms of increased knowledge, understanding and capacities remain and cause a big challenge for the country in terms of DRRM.
The NDRRMP outlines the activities aimed at strengthening the capacity of the national government and the local government units (LGUs) together with partner stakeholders, to build the disaster resilience of communities and to institutionalize arrangements and measures for reducing disaster risks, including projected climate risks and enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities at all levels. It highlights, among others, the importance of mainstream DRRM and CCA in the development processes such as policy formulation, socioeconomic development planning, budgeting and governance particularly in the area of environment, agriculture, water, energy, health, education, poverty reduction,
27 land-use and urban planning and public infrastructure and housing among others. Mainstreaming also puts to forth the need to develop common tools to analyze the various hazards and vulnerability factors which put our communities and people into harms. The NDRRMP also highlights the need for institutionalizing DRRM policies, structures, coordination mechanisms and programs with continuing budget appropriation on DRR from national down to local levels. Through permanent mechanisms, competency and science-based capacity building activities can be done, alongside the nurturing of continuous learning through knowledge development and management of good DRRM practices on the ground.
Last but not least, the NDRRMC adheres to the principles of good governance within the context of poverty alleviation and environmental protection. It is about partnerships and workings together – engaging the participation of CSOs, the private sector and volunteers in the government’s DRRM programs towards complementation of resources and effective delivery of services to the citizenry.
As of now, with respect to the initiative of the government to address the issue of disaster preparedness throughout the country, the project NOAH or the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards of the Department of Science and Technology is launched. It is the national government’s newest project designed to serve as sentinel that will address the serious challenges brought by extreme hazard events. The said project aims to give local government units; private companies and individual’s information that can help them make informed decisions in times of disasters.
28 These include hydrometer sensors development, DREAM-Lidar, FloodNET, hazards information media, landslide hazards mapping, Doppler system development, and storm surge inundation mapping.
29
INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT
Programs and projects of Navotas City on Disaster Preparedness o Prevention and Mitigation o Preparedness o Response o Recovery and Rehabilitation
Facilities use to respond in times of Calamities o Evacuation Areas o Hospitals Equipments use to respond in times of Calamities o Heavy Equipments o Light Equipments
Rescue and reliefs operations in times of Calamities o Police Department o Fire Department o Rescuer/ Volunteer o Questionnaire o Survey
o Dialogue with the Navotas City DRRMO personnel
o Physical Site Survey and Photographic Record
o Key informant Interviews
o Effective implementation of their programs and projects;
o Availability and capacity of their facilities to respond to the needs of the people;
o Availability and capacity of their equipments to respond to the needs of the people;
o Capacity and
responsiveness of the Rescue and Relief Operations in times of Calamities.
30 Figure 1. Conceptual Framework
Theoretical Framework
This study is in accordance with the mandate of Republic Act No. 10121 also known as "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010". On the section 11 of the said Act, it states that there shall be City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The council is mandated to approve, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plans and regularly review and test the plan consistent with other national and local planning programs; ensure the integration of disaster risk and climate change adaptation into local development plans, programs and budgets as strategy in sustainable development and poverty reduction. Aside from the two, CDRRMC is also required to recommend the implementation of forced or preemptive evacuation of local residents if necessary; and lastly, convene the local council once every three (3) months or as necessary.
Section 12 (c) of the act further provides for the specific functions of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to be performed with impartiality as the condition may require due to disaster particularly typhoons and floods. The office shall consolidate local disaster risk information which includes natural hazards, vulnerabilities, and climate change risk reduction and management at the local level; operate a multi hazard early warning system, linked to risk reduction to provide accurate and timely advice to national or local emergency response organizations and to the general public, diverse mass media, particularly radio, landline communications and technologies for communication within rural communities;
31 formulate and implement a comprehensive and integrated LDRRMP in accordance with the national, regional and provincial framework and policies on disaster risk reduction in close coordination with the local development councils (LDC’s); conduct continuous disaster monitoring and mobilize instrumentalities and entities of the LGU’s, CSO’s, private groups and organized volunteers, to utilize their facilities and resources for the protection and preservation of life; properties during emergencies in accordance with existing policies and procedures.
Furthermore, section 12 empowers the CDRRMO to identify, assess, and manage the hazard vulnerabilities and risks that may occur in their locality. It also requires them to disseminate information and raise public awareness about those hazards, vulnerabilities and risks, their nature, effects, early warning signs and counter-measures; maintain a database of human resource, equipment, directories, and location of critical infrastructures and their capacities such as hospitals and evacuation centers; and recommend through the LDRRMC the enactment of local ordinances consistent with the requirements of this act.
The above cited powers are provided to uphold the people’s constitutional rights to life and property by addressing the root causes of vulnerabilities to disasters. Moreover, it recognize the local risk patterns across the country and to strengthen the capacity of LGU’s for disaster risk reduction and management through decentralized powers, responsibilities, and resources at the regional and local levels. Overall, Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management act of 2010 is promulgated to ensure that the government agencies and LGU’s give top priority and take adequate and appropriate measures in disaster risk reduction and
32 management.
Aside from R.A 10121, this study is also based on the idea of Anticipatory Government stating that prevention is better than cure. This is one of the ten principles of Reinventing Government advanced by Osborne and Gaebler in 1992 which makes use of business model prescriptions for government using private sector innovation, resources, and organizational ideas to improve the public sector.
As it says, prevention rather than cure, LGU’s particularly City government of Navotas must be able to provide a holistic, comprehensive, integrated, and proactive disaster risk reduction and management approach in lessening the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of disasters for the safety and security of life and property of all its citizens. A disaster preparedness plan is needed to make all citizens capable, to adhere to the challenges brought about by typhoons and floods. Preparedness measures and techniques will lessen and prevent any further damage from such calamities.
33 Statement of the Problem
This study aims to assess the capacity of Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction Management based on the framework, or guidelines and standards set by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Specifically, this sought to answer the following questions:
1. What is the level of satisfaction of the respondents on the performance of Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in implementation of their programs and projects on the following areas:
1.1 Prevention and Mitigation; 1.2 Preparedness;
1.3 Response; and
1.4 Recovery and Rehabilitation
2. What is the level of satisfaction of the respondents on the adequacy of the equipments and facilities of the Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management?
3. What is the level of responsiveness of the Rescue and Relief of Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in times of calamities on the following areas:
3.1 Police Department 3.2 Fire Department 3.3 Rescuer/Volunteer 3.4 Barangay
34 betterment of the Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management?
35 Significance of the Study
This Study will be of great help to the citizens of Navotas, being known as the Catch Basin of Metro Manila, in order for them to be more prepared when floods occur on their area on the onslaught of a typhoon. Such preparedness will lead them to be more secured for themselves, families, love ones and properties as well.
In addition to this, the City Government of Navotas will be able to know the necessary adjustments they must perform on their disaster preparedness measures and techniques so that it will be more effective and responsive to the needs of their community. As the local government whose prime duty is to serve and protect its people, it is a must that the way of the city government of Navotas in dealing with typhoons and floods are truly effective, for this natural calamity has a big effort into the lives and properties of the citizens.
When the assessment has proven that Navotas City’s capability to cope up with typhoons and floods is really effective, it is recommendable that it can be replicated by other local government units. In such way, they can be as prepared as Navotas City and they can even still improve it for their benefit.
The study will enable the authorities in the city to lessen the casualty during a typhoon and even make it to zero. Furthermore, damage to property will be lessening as well.
In times of typhoons and floods, it is a mandate that everybody is prepared. As a model city, Navotas City’s disaster preparedness measures and techniques must be effective and responsive for it to be able to save the lives and properties of its citizens. Such effectiveness and responsiveness will be determined through this
36 study.
Scope and Limitation
This study is limited on the determination of the level of resiliency of Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in times of Calamities especially on the delivery of service to the people. A pre-survey was conducted on November 22, 2013 to the selected citizens of Navotas City with twenty five respondents chosen randomly in order to test the accuracy, appropriateness and reliability of the questionnaires. In relation to this, the researchers found that the ordinary citizens are not qualified to be the respondents because most of them are not aware to the existing programs and projects of the City. If the researchers would still use the ordinary citizens as the respondents in determining the resiliency of the City, it would lead to the bias or misappropriate result because of the ignorance to their City’s disaster preparedness measure.
The gathering of information from the City Government of Navotas on the their Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, using an assessment tool provided by the Office of the Civil Defense, National Capital Region – Metropolitan Manila, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, which serves a qualifying survey, was conducted on October 29, 2013 in order to determine their programs and project, the adequacy of their facilities to respond to the victims of calamities, the availability and capacity of their equipments, the responsiveness of their rescue and relief operation and their capability to recover and rehabilitate in times of calamities.
37 The researchers also gathered information in the form of survey questionnaire on the same day to the Officials of respective Barangays in Navotas City namely San Rafael Village, North Bay Blvd. South, North Bay Blvd. North, Bangculasi, Bagumbayan South, Bagumbayan North, Navotas West, Navotas East, Sipac-Almacen, San Jose, Daanghari, San Roque, Tangos, and Tanza, being the heads of every Barangay who have the absolute knowledge regarding the City’s action for disaster preparedness, which also, in the same manner, represent their constituent, as the respondents to the City Government’s Preparedness measure in order to measure their level of satisfaction to the said measures in validation of recently conducted qualifying survey.
38 The following terms are defined according to their operational use in the conduct of the study:
Calamities – This refers to natural disasters like typhoons, floods and earthquakes,
tsunamis, and others.
Efficiency – This refers to the capability of the Navotas City Government to
implement their programs and projects regarding disaster preparedness responsibly obtaining the best services with the limited resources.
Effectiveness – This refers to the capability of the Navotas City Government to
properly implement their programs and projects regarding disaster preparedness.
Preparedness – This refers to preventive measures that should be undertaken
before natural calamities occur and the feasibility of such policies to the citizens.
Availability – This refers to the resources that can be used and consumed in times
of emergency and relief.
Facilities – This refers to structures that can be used and in times of emergency
and relief.
Equipments – This refers to materials that can be used and consumed in times of
emergency, rescue and relief.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management – This refers to the systematic
approach to deal with natural calamities and disasters, how to prevent or lessen the damage and how to accommodate the casualties.
Resiliency – refers to the capability of Navotas City Government Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, with regards to their programs and projects, to prevent and mitigate the possible harmful effects of calamities, to be prepared for the
39 possible effects of calamities before reaching the city, to be responsive to the harmful effects or damages brought by the calamities, and to rehabilitate and recover after the calamities had struck the city; the adequacy of facilities and equipments of Navotas City Government to respond in times of calamities; and the responsiveness of the police department, fire department and volunteers to act in times of calamities.
Excellent – the rating given when all the programs and projects for disaster preparedness are operating and the implementation of such is outstanding
Very Satisfactory – the rating given when most of the programs and projects for disaster preparedness are operating and the citizens are very satisfied with its implementation
Satisfactory – the rating given when the existing programs and projects for disaster preparedness are just enough and the citizens are satisfied with its implementation Poor – the rating given when the programs and projects for disaster preparedness are not enough thus, the citizens are not satisfied with its implementation
Very Poor – the rating given when the programs and projects for disaster preparedness are absolutely not being implemented.
40 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES AND STUDIES
Foreign Literatures
Over the years, different parts of the world had been victims of natural calamities. Almost all parts of the world witnessed how massive the destruction would be when the force of nature takes its arms against the citizens. Since then, different nations have allot their resources and effort on how they can make themselves prepared so that the negative impacts of such disasters will be lessened or even prevented. This issue has been crucial since then, for it involves both the life and property of every citizen. As its prime duty to serve and protect the people, every government of such country should undertake measures to prepare their citizens so that they can cope up with such disasters. Such preparedness measure involves the establishment of evacuation sites, packing up relief goods, and emergency rescue response teams. All of these factors are essential for an effective disaster risk reduction and management.
Even though a disaster preparedness plan had been established, still, massive disaster can prevail. Thus, the effectiveness of the disaster preparedness and techniques should be given the top priority.
As in the case of Taiwan in 2001, where it had been struck by two powerful and intensifying typhoons, Nari and Toraji, hundreds of people were left dead and over 1,700 people were left homeless. The government of Taiwan, despite of its disaster measures and preparedness skills, were left helpless at all because of poor coordination within each branches that holds the responsibility of keeping its citizens
41 safe and sound within such disasters that may occur.
As a result, after the occurrence of the two typhoons, they immediately initiate to reform their policy regarding disaster preparedness and management. They in turn give emphasis in empowering basic communities to train them in responding in such calamities and disasters. They somehow realized that by disseminating these functions to the community, it would give more resistance to reduce the fatality and destruction of such calamity.
In the United States, the devastating Hurricane Katrina is the worst disaster ever struck in economical basis. With a whooping $200 Billion of economic loss, 1,200 fatalities and evacuees in all 50 states, it is quite difficult to believe that although they have an impressive master disaster management plan, the risk and the destruction would even more worsen.
“Bureaucracy, meet catastrophe”. The generalization of this was that no matter how complex your management planning is all about, it all entails to the effectiveness of it. The results of disaster management all relies to the efficiency of contingency planning and the decision-making processes of those people involved in the management procedure. In line with this, US Government improved more of their information dissemination about such possibilities including the more updated weather data and forecast for such calamities and disaster. The very important matter here is citizen’s participation and the willingness to rely its safety and security to the authority.
Meanwhile, the Super Typhoon Usagi last September 2013 gave Hong Kong atleast 25 fatalities in the Province of Guangdong only and hundreds of evacuees.
42 The storm track of the typhoon should have been tracked down to Mainland China but the typhoon changed its path heading to Hong Kong. It really means to say that even if there is the forecasts made by such Meteorological agencies, preparedness and alertness measures should be the prime responsibility.
For the record, Cyclone Nargis, the deadliest Cyclone ever recorded in the North Indian Ocean Basin, leaving almost 200,000 deaths and up to $ 10 Billion damage to property put the issue of Climate Change that was became visible in the early 1970s to brought the issue of Global warming in a global perspective.
Lastly, in the case of 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, the government should shoulder a policy on effective and efficient mobilization of information and communication in order to enhance the disaster preparedness and management plan. Contingency planning should also be at stake in order to foster a vibrant and cooperative manner in which every part of the organizational plot of response and retrieval could be achieved.
Foreign Studies
The massive effects of disaster have been a problem throughout the whole world. Several studies had been done and continuous research to address such phenomenon had been conducted.
Probability assessment of flood and sediment disasters in Japan using the Total Runoff-Integrating Pathways model
To address many of the problems faced in hydrological engineering planning, design, and management, a detailed knowledge of flood event characteristics, such
43 as flood peak, volume, and duration is required. Flood frequency analysis often focuses on flood peak values and provides a limited assessment of flood events. To develop effective flood management and mitigation policies, estimation of the scale of potential disasters, incorporating the effects of social factors and climate conditions, is required along with quantitative measures of flood frequency. The Japanese flood risk index, the flood disaster occurrence probability (FDOP), was established based on both natural and social factors. It represents the expectation of damage in the case of a single flood occurrence, which is estimated by integrating a physical-based approach as a Total Runoff Integrating Pathways (TRIP) model with Gumbel distribution metrics. The resulting equations are used to predict potential flood damage based on gridded Japanese data for independent variables. This approach is novel in that it targets floods based on units of events instead of a long-term trend.
Moreover, the FDOP can express relative potential flood risk while considering flood damage. The significance of the present study is that both the hazard parameters (which contribute directly to flood occurrence) and vulnerability parameters (which reflect conditions of the region where the flood occurred), including residential and social characteristics, were shown quantitatively to affect flood damage. This study examined the probability of flood disaster occurrence using the TRIP model for Japan (J-TRIP), a river routing scheme that provides a digital river network covering Japan. The analysis was based on floods from 1976 to 2004 associated with flood inundation and sediment disasters. Based on these results, we estimated the probability of flood damage officially reported for the whole
44 region of Japan at a grid interval of 0.1 degrees. The relationship between the magnitude of the rain hazard expressed as the probability of exceedance and the probability of flood damage officially reported was expressed as an exponential function by equalizing the whole region of Japan based on excess probability. Moreover, the probabilities of flood damage occurrence according to social factors and changes in climate conditions were also examined. The probability of flood damage occurrence is high, especially in regions of high population density. The results also showed the effect of the dam maintenance ratio on extreme flooding and flood damage frequency. The probability of flood damage occurrence was expected to increase during extreme weather events at the end of this century. These findings provide a sound foundation for use in catchment water resources management. Community Base Disaster Risk Management in India
Creating awareness is the most challenging, when dealing with a multi-lingual, multi-cultural population with varying levels of literacy. However in doing so it is crucial for strengthening the capacity by improving infrastructure and providing trainings to people, and finally marshalling resources of every kind to cope with natural or human-induced hazards and to prevent them from turning into disasters. In the pursuit of this objective, a steering committee was constituted at the national level by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, with representation of experts from a diverse stream of communication including advertising and media. Under the Government of India - United Nation Development Program Disaster Risk Management Programme, the states have evolved specific awareness campaign strategies involving multiple media. Some of the initiatives have been fairly intensive.
45 Awareness Strategies
Holistic disaster management necessitates multistakeholder approach involving all segments of society. Apart from the print and electronic media, places with high public visibility such as hospitals, schools, airports, railway stations, bus terminals, post offices, commercial complexes and municipality offices are being used to spread the desired messages among the common masses on the need to adopt and integrate disaster risk reduction measures to secure their lives, livelihoods and property as sine qua non for comprehensive disaster risk reduction. Slides in cinema halls are being shown regularly for mass awareness and for taking up various steps against earthquake risks.
Information, Education and Communication
In order to assist the State Governments in capacity building and awareness generation activities and to learn from past experiences including sharing of best practices, the Ministry of Home Affairs has compiled/prepared a set of resource materials developed by various organizations/institutions to be replicated and disseminated by State Governments based on their vulnerabilities after translating it into the local languages. The voluminous material which runs into about 10000 pages has been divided into 4 broad sections in 7 volumes. These sections cover planning to cope with disasters; education and training; construction toolkit; and information, education and communication toolkit including multi-media resources on disaster mitigation and preparedness. The Planning section contains material for analyzing a community’s risk, development of Preparedness, Mitigation and disaster management plans, coordinating available resources and implementing measures
46 for risk reduction. Model bye-laws, DM Policy, Act and model health sector plan have also been included.
Education and Training includes material for capacity building and upgradation of skills of policy makers, administrators, trainers, engineers etc. in planning for and mitigating against natural disasters. Basic and detailed training modules in disaster preparedness have been incorporated along with training methodologies for trainers, for community preparedness and manuals for training at district, block, and village levels. For creating a disaster-resistant building environment, the Construction Toolkit addresses the issue of seismic resistant construction and retrofitting of existing buildings. BIS Codes, manuals and guidelines for RCC, Masonry and other construction methodologies as also for repair and retrofitting of masonry and low-rise buildings have been included. The IEC material seeks to generate awareness to induce mitigation and preparedness measures for risk reduction. Material and strategies used by various States and international organizations, including tips on different hazards, have been incorporated along with multi-media CDs on disasters.
The material has been disseminated to all the State Governments/UT Administrations with the request to have the relevant material, based on the vulnerability of each district, culled out, translated into local languages and disseminate widely down to the village level.
Folk Troupes
Reaching out to the rural population and in a way they can best comprehend is the main challenge Disaster Risk Reduction in Southern Africa of communication.
47 The very purpose of communication is to simplify the information and make people understand. The challenge comes when you are dealing with the rural population with a very high level of illiteracy. In the rural areas of Uttar Pradesh (UP), such as Gorakhpur, Siddhant Nagar, Bahraich, Gazipur, Deoria, Rampur, Gonda, Balrampur and Saharanpur, the literacy level is only 42% as against the national average of 65%.
The Disaster Management Authority of UP decided to turn to local media to inform, educate and entertain people. Various training programme of local troupes was organized and puppet shows, magic shows, and street plays (locally called as nukkad natak), were performed by these local troupes in different places. These troupes through the medium of traditional folk forms and in the local dialect made people aware of various issues related to disaster management. In addition, the cadence of ancient folk songs was used to convey new, crucial messages of safety when dealing with disasters. These songs were composed in local languages such as Hindi, Bhojpuri, Bundelkhandi and Awadhi. Supported by the District Administration, the folk troupes fan out through the rural and semi-urban areas of the state, creating awareness about disaster preparedness and mitigation. The songs and skits of these troupes have also been compiled into a manual for wider dissemination. Indeed, translation of the manual into other languages, would aid in spreading awareness about disaster management techniques in rural and semi-urban areas throughout the country.
Agriculture Fair, Maharashtra
48 structures is organized every year in Satara district in Maharashtra and is visited by several lakhs of people including both rural as well as urban population. In rural areas earthquake resistant features are hardly used in houses, due to lack of awareness and expertise. In order to create awareness amongst the masses, a demonstration unit depicting earthquake resistant features and a stall is set up in the Agriculture fair. Through the stalls and the demonstration unit, visitors are not only exposed to the earthquake resistant features, but are also explained that usage of this technology is cost effective too.
National Service Scheme Volunteers
The NSS volunteers are active in Maharashtra as they carry out Information Education Communication (IEC) activities on various social themes. A street play on disaster awareness covering both natural (flood, earthquake, cyclone) as well as human-induced (road accidents and fire) disasters and also capturing information about five methods of handling the injured persons, has been prepared in Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra by involving NSS volunteers and by using local musical instruments. The play also gives information about the district disaster helpline number 1077 and dos and don’ts related to various disasters. This play has been enacted at 22 places, including bus stops, government offices and various other public places.
Public Transport System
One of the key initiatives for preparedness is creating mass awareness regarding disasters. In order to create mass awareness, autorickshaws are being used in Maharashtra as carriers for disaster awareness messages. Regional Traffic
49 Office (RTO) in Maharashtra has the updated records of different types of vehicles. Therefore it was decided to select auto-rickshaws which are the most popular way of commuting by local people.
Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), volunteers and other civilians prepared the slogans for the Auto-rickshaws regarding earthquakes, like “Bhukampratirodhak GharSurakshit Ghar.” Various stakeholders which include District Publicity Officer, Local Urban Bodies, representatives of educational institutions, Lions Club, Rotary Club and other civil groups have collaborated in this initiative. This unique initiative has gained a lot of success in awareness generation about DRM. During this awareness Programme, various stakeholders involved are District Publicity Officer, local urban bodies, representatives of educational institutions, lions club, Rotary club and other civil group. This method has gained a lot of success in awareness generation about DRM.
Disaster Preparedness Month
A burgeoning city like Delhi underscores the need for enhanced levels of disaster mitigation and preparedness in view of its high vulnerability profile, with a complex interplay of factors. As part of the awareness generation activities, the city has embarked upon the observance of the Disaster Preparedness Month. The month long activities were designed to convert the challenge of making Delhi a safer city by actively involving every stakeholder in disaster mitigation and preparedness.
Disaster Risk Reduction and management through effective institutional linkages, the case study of Pakistan
50 management tools such as preparedness and mitigation measures. In Pakistan, the 2005 earthquake that brought massive destruction at the national level was mismanaged by government agencies. Lack of linkage between authorities and the slow response from the government have contributed to more human losses in the disastrous event. Hence, there is need to re-organize the system at all tires of government to cope with disastrous events.
Disaster management in Pakistan
The history of disaster management can be divided into two phases: before and after the 2005 earthquake. It was a significant incident in the history of Pakistan, killing over 70,000 people and leaving over one million homeless. The media and other agencies reported that the government was not ready for such an incident as they were not prepared at all, and not at any level. In case of floods, early warning is issued and provides the time to accomplish tasks but the earthquake presented a different situation.
In 1970 when a cyclone struck Pakistan, policymakers established the Federal Relief Commission (FRC) in the Prime Minister Secretariat. It was the start of the disaster management system in the country and the mandate was allocated to the FRC by the Calamity Act 1958. Thus, there was a system available but this commission has a reactive approach. The FRC’s job was to provide assistance in case of disaster but they never planned any activity for hazardous events. When the 2005 earthquake struck, the government institutions responded slowly. This event provided an impetus to institutionalize a new system for disaster management. Thus, the Disaster Management Ordinance 2006 was promulgated and under this
51 ordinance the NDMC was constituted. NDMC comprised the elected people while the NDMA was established under NDMC. The NDMC chairman is the Prime Minister of the Country and this commission is meant to take the key decision and allocation of the funds. Whereas the NDMA’s function is to implement the decisions of the commission, the NDMA is comprised of the employees of the federal government and heads of line agencies.
Further, the Ordinance also provided the mandate to establish the disaster management authority at the provincial level which is the lower tier in the government system that can be called region. In the same way, it provides guidelines to constitute the disaster management authority at the local government level. The system is constituted but still their approach is reactive rather than proactive.
Local Literatures
At present the need for disaster preparedness has become one of the major concerns of the Philippine Government. Massive damage on both life and property remains to occur when typhoons struck the archipelago – an inevitable event due to the geographic location of the Philippines bounded by the Pacific Ocean in the east where weather disturbances are formed. At rate, 20 typhoons hit the country every year. It has been said that typhoons and floods had been our ancient curse so protecting the citizens from its consequences should be the number one concern of the Republic.
