World's 4th Most Accident-Prone Country According to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the

Philippines was the fourth most accident prone country in the world. The two institutions arrived at this conclusion after finding out that some 5,809,986 Filipinos were killed or injured as a result of disasters or man-made calamities over a ten-year period (1992-2001). [http://www.txtmania.com/trivia/disasters.php[

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS OF THE PHIL. GOVERNMENT

Background The Pacific Rim is an area exposed not only to great tremors or earthquakes but to a wide range of natural disasters. The Philippines archipelago, located near the western edge of the Pacific Ocean, is in the direct path of seasonal typhoons and monsoon rains which bring floods, storms, storm surges, and their attendant landslides and other forms of devastation. The Philippines also sits on the "ring of fire" where the continental plates collide and thus experience periodic earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The Philippine exposure to natural disasters may be characterized as frequent, varied, and severe.[ http://www.adrc.asia/countryreport/PHL/PHLeng98/index.html] The effects of these natural disasters are not only demonstrated to individuals and families but to whole communities and to the nation. They take toll on lives not only through death but also through destroying homes and families and by damaging individuals psychological health.

FLOODS, TYPHOONS AND CLIMATE CHANGE [http://www.clarksubicmarketing.com/special_events/disaster_preparedness_seminar_philippine

s.html]
An average of 20 typhoons and dangerous storms arrive in the Philippines from the Pacific Ocean over the eastern seaboard yearly. In 2009, Ondoy hit the Philippines. This was one of the most devastating typhoons in modern history with 73 dead and more than 300,000 people left homeless. Typhoon Sendong: death toll reached 823 while 600 others remained missing after the flashfloods Saturday in Northern Mindanao [Death toll may surpass 1,000; 'Sendong' leaves Phl By Helen Flores (The Philippine Star) Updated December 20, 2011]

All governmental and private entities responsible for large segments of the population should be prepared for these fateful natural disasters and put into force mitigation techniques to reduce potential risk and loss of life. EARTHQUAKES AROUND THE WORLD AND IN THE PHILIPPINES Observed increase in more powerful earthquake activities worldwide

The carefully prepared and knowledgeable response from managers and first responders through effective training and preparation programs is an absolute necessity for earthquake response.

VOLCANOES There are 37 volcanoes in the Philippines, of which 18 are still active volcanoes.

The most widely known volcanoes in the Philippines are Mt. Pinatubo, Mt. Mayon and the Taal volcano. These are all on the main island of Luzon. The devastating effects of Mt Pinatubo: Erupting in June 1991, this powerful volcano produced the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century. Over 800 people were killed by the eruption of Pinatubo in 1991, mostly by roofs collapsing under the weight of accumulated and saturated wet ash, a hazard that was largely exacerbated by the simultaneous arrival of Typhoon Yunya.

Additional preparedness and knowledge of the dynamics of weight loading to roofs from this deadly mixture could have quite possibly saved hundreds of additional lives. Thanks to advance seismic activity analysis and the informed preparedness of the officials of the area, tens of thousands of people were evacuated from the immediate site prior to the eruption, thereby significantly reducing the overall death count. Obviously, volcano preparedness and the ability to respond effectively and properly to these entirely uncontrolled natural disasters are crucial. WATER RELATED DISASTERS -ferry accidents PROBLEM: Bad weather, especially during typhoon season, poor maintenance, overloading of vessels -especially during the Christmas season as families return to their villages for reunions -- and lax enforcement of regulations has brought many tragedies. June 2008: The Princess of the Stars ferry sails into a typhoon and tips over near the coast of Sibuyan island. close to 800 people are killed. The need for a comprehensive, thorough water search and rescue training program TERRORISM AND BOMBING IN THE PHILIPPINES subject to many terrorist and bombing incidents The need for terrorism suppression and bomb analysis, search techniques and evacuation procedures are critical. http://www.ndrrmc.gov.ph/attachments/042_MDRReducation_Philippines.pdf http://www.clarksubicmarketing.com/special_events/disaster_preparedness_seminar_philippines.html http://www.adrc.asia/countryreport/PHL/PHLeng98/index.html

Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction in the Education Sector in The Philippines The Philippines has been committed to mainstreaming disaster risk reduction (DRR) into the education sector for some time now. In 2007, the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) issued an order memo to the undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, bureau directors, directors of services/centers and heads of units, regional directors, schools city/division superintendents, and heads of public and private schools to prioritize the mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction management in the school system and ensure implementation of programs and projects related to DRR. So the MDRD Education and DRR in the Philippines Education program worked from this strong foundation and commitment. Some DRR concepts can be found in existing subjects but there was no formal curriculum related to DRR before this program. Safer school construction in the Philippines. There are two types of plans for designs and specifications of public schools under the PL-SBP; Standard Building Plan, and Special Building Plan. The Special Building Plans are designed specifically for a particular school that poses danger for the occupants in cases of calamities and hazards. Soil stability, wind forces, and floods are considered in these designs. Public schools are primarily used as evacuation centers during disasters. Schools often suffer damage as their usage as emergency shelters is not factored into their design and so their use as such puts a strain on them; facilities are left unclean, and school activities are disrupted. Classes are often suspended temporarily during disasters and some teaching is held in tents when the school is being used as an evacuation center. Teachers are also affected by disasters; they are mandated to assist during emergencies and therefore might be tired and emotionally affected as well as struggling to teach children with lower concentration levels in uncomfortable temporary classrooms. The National Disaster Management Program The Philippine disaster management program has a broad scope covering disaster preparedness, organization and training, construction of disaster reduction facilities, disaster response and rehabilitation, public information, and research and development. Other disaster preparedness measures have also been undertaken such as disaster drills and exercises, and the establishment of disaster management operations centers. Disaster management operations centers have been established with capabilities for a wide range of emergency services which include rescue, evacuation, emergency housing and relief services. The improved quality of planning, coordination and high state of preparedness have been responsible for a more and rapid and comprehensive disaster response capabilities in various areas of the country. Volunteer workers with proper training, and reaction teams with proper equipment and skills have been invaluable in the disasters response effort. They have complemented the professionals in the various military and civil agencies of government as well as those in the private sector. In addition, the communications and warning capabilities of the government have also been augmented by the media organizations and the corporate communication capabilities of large Philippine enterprises. Together these resources have provided which are the essential safety margins during disasters of uncertain and unexpected destructive force.

Public information before, during and after disasters is an important aspect of disaster management in the Philippines. Both through training and public education campaigns the disaster coordinating councils maintain and enhance public awareness of disaster reduction. Manuals and bulletins provided to media professionals help keep disaster preparedness in the public agenda. Special events like civil defense day, fire prevention month, disaster consciousness week, and the day for the international decade for natural disaster reduction help to mobilize civic consciousness. Since the knowledge base of disaster management remains inadequate, the Philippines has also included research and development in disaster reduction techniques as part of its national disaster management program. Current priorities in this area include meteorological and hydrological disaster researches being conducted by the Philippine weather bureau (PAGASA) such as the tropical cyclone research on typhoon movement prediction, typhoon surface structure research, typhoon formation and intensification research and meteorological and hydrological hazard assessment. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) is also conducting studies on the seismicity of Luzon and Visayas islands as well as the volcanic hazards of Mindanao island.