Introduction

In Southeast Asia, the Philippines is among the hardest hit by natural disasters, particularly

by typhoons, floods and droughts. These natural disasters have negative economic and

environmental impacts on the affected areas and the people who live there. Furthermore, the

agriculture and natural resources sectors are highly vulnerable because they are continuously

exposed to natural disasters and their unwelcome consequences.

An analysis of the impacts of typhoons, floods and droughts on agriculture, food security

and the natural resources and environment of the Philippines will help bring further to light the

nature and extent of these effects. For an economy largely dependent on agriculture and its natural

resources and environment, the data and information as well as overall knowledge gained from the

study may prove useful in developing strategies to address the ill-effects of natural disasters.

Moreover, the results and findings may assist in identifying new studies that can soon be

undertaken in relation to natural disasters, an important research concern which still lacks the

necessary level of focus in the Philippines.

The ultimate aim for doing so is to recommend measures that can be undertaken in response

to the unwelcome impacts of natural disasters on the agriculture and natural resources and

environment sectors and to propose relevant studies that can be undertaken in the future
 .

As in the case of agriculture, natural disasters impact the natural resources and environment

sector. On the positive side, typhoons and floods directly increase the moisture content in the air,

resulting in a temporary cooler temperature for the local people to enjoy. Typhoons also clear the

air of pollution to the benefit of the population residing in congested urban areas. On the negative

side, typhoons, floods and droughts can reduce the impact area’s total vegetative cover; typhoons

and floods lead to soil erosion, higher coastal tides and storm surges; floods result in siltation and

sedimentation, accumulated waste, polluted water and deformed land topography; while droughts

reduce rainfall, lower soil fertility and increase saltwater intrusion. Taken together, all three of

these phenomena indirectly reduce the viability of both land and water ecosystems as suppliers of

ecosystem services and endanger human health and safety with the proliferation of natural disaster-

related diseases.
 In the above framework, it should be pointed out that while there are both positive and

negative impacts on agriculture and the natural resources and environment sectors, it is assumed

that the net impact is negative. Also, it should be emphasized that beyond the aforementioned

framework, not only do natural disasters affect the natural resources and the environment but the

latter influences the former as well (For instance, forests block the force of incoming winds and

limit the damage caused by typhoons, while watersheds store rainwater and reduce the incidence

of flooding). Although important, these and other reverse relationships are not covered in this

study. Thirdly, while it would be interesting to quantitatively measure all the actual impacts of

previous natural disasters on agriculture and the natural resources and environment, this would not

be possible given the limited data available.

Agriculture

From 2004 to 2010, agriculture and fisheries contributed an average of 18.4 % to gross

domestic product (GDP) and grew at an average rate of 2.6 % annually in the Philippines (NEDA

2011). Among the regions, the top contributors to output in 2009 were Region IV-A

(CALABARZON) and Region III (Central Luzon). The agriculture sector during this period

employed an average of 11.8 million people, which accounted for almost 35.1 % of the total work

force of the country. Between 2004 and 2010, the agriculture and fisheries sector exports increased

in monetary value from USD 2.5 billion to USD 4.1 billion. The top agricultural exports in terms

of value were coconut oil, fresh banana, tuna, pineapple, tobacco, and seaweed. It is worth noting

that in 2010 as well as in some years in the past, although the country recorded an overall balance

of trade deficit in the agriculture sector, it had positive trade balance in fishery products. Among
the main challenges facing the agriculture sector in the Philippines is its vulnerability to the

inherent climate volatility within the region, as well as global climate change. In response to this,

an important development goal for the country is an increased resilience to climate change risks

of the agriculture sector. With a rapidly increasing population and demand for food, another major

development goal is improved food security. To attain these two goals and other objectives within

the Philippines’ agricultural sector, the strategies promoted by the government are: a) to raise the

productivity and incomes of agriculture and fishery-based households and enterprises; b) to

increase the investment and employment level across an efficient value chain; and c) to transform

agrarian reform beneficiaries into viable entrepreneurs.

Occurrence of Typhoons

From 2001 to 2010, the country had a total of 171 typhoons; an average of 17 typhoons per

year (Table 2). The occurrence of typhoons decreased from 2001 to 2002, rose in 2003, fell from

2004 to 2007, increased again in 2008 and 2009, and fell again in 2010. On a yearly basis, the

greatest number of typhoons occurred in 2002, and the least in 2011. Regionally, from 2001 to

2010, the highest number of typhoons in the Philippines occurred in Luzon, particularly in the

Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Central Luzon, and the

Bicol Region. Luzon was followed by Visayas, including its three regions: Eastern Visayas,

Central Visayas, and Western Visayas. Mindanao had the least number of typhoon occurrences

with the CARAGA region having the most number. At the provincial level, from 2001 to 2010 the

highest number of typhoons occurred in Cagayan Province in Region II. Some provinces within

Mindanao and all the ARMM provinces in particular have not been visited by typhoons at all.
Mindanao provinces had fewer occurrences of typhoons compared to Luzon and the Visayas. The

World Bank Group (2011) stated that while the trends in the occurrence of typhoons in the

Philippines in the future are still a subject of much debate, they are likely to increase in intensity,

and with greater consequent damage

http://www.eria.org/ERIA-DP-2013-15.pdf.

The study found that:

 typhoons, floods, and droughts have an insignificant impact on agricultural production at

the national level, yet typhoons have a significant negative impact on paddy rice production

at the provincial level

 typhoons, as exemplified by Ondoy and Pepeng in 2009, have a significant negative impact

on the food security of the households in the affected areas

 households have varying consumption and nonconsumption strategies to cope with the

impacts of typhoons; and

 the different impacts of typhoons, floods, and droughts on the natural resources and

environment have not been quantitatively assessed in detail but the available evidence

suggests that these are also substantial

Based on its results and findings, the study recommends the following:

 since typhoons have significant negative impacts on rice production at the local level as

opposed to the national level, assistance for rice farmers and the agriculture sector as a

whole should be made more site-specific, zeroing in on the affected areas that actually need

it;

 those assisting affected households and areas in overcoming the ill-effects of natural

disasters should consider not only consumption strategies, such as the provision of

emergency food aid, but also nonconsumption strategies, such as the provision of

postdisaster emergency employment; and

 while the available evidence suggests that the natural resources and environment sector is

significantly affected by natural disasters, it is currently less considered as attention is

presently focused on agriculture. It may now be high time to provide concrete assistance

to this sector, in particular by allocating for it defensive investments and rehabilitation

expenditures to cope with these natural disasters

https://www.eldis.org/document/A74971

Before A Typhoon

 Keep yourself updated. With the various media platforms, it is next to impossible to not be

updated of the supposed typhoon’s movement.

 Inspect and clean up your house especially your drainage system. Check to see if there’s a

need to fix your house such as holes on your roofs, damaged doors, windows or ceilings.
 Have them fixed as soon as possible. Do check as well your drainage system. If there’s

clogging, have them fixed or remove any material that may possibly cause the clogging.

 Store ample amount of ready-to-eat foods and water. Make sure that the foods and water

that you will store is adequate enough for you and your family and will last for few days.

Ready-to-eat foods such as canned/packed foods are especially helpful when cooking is no

longer feasible.

 If you have second or third floors or any part in your house that is elevated, have your

things especially those that generate electricity placed in there. This will keep water from

coming in contact with these stuffs.

 If you are advised to evacuate, do so. These people who will inform you of the need for

evacuation are more knowledgeable than anyone else. So don’t be hard-headed, at least not

during this time of distress.

 Always have your emergency kits with you. Your emergency kit may include first-aid

supplies, candles, flashlights, life vests and battery-operated radio.

During A Typhoon

 If no advice to evacuate was announced, then better stay inside your house. Keep yourself

calm and postpone any scheduled travels.

 Keep on monitoring the typhoon’s movement through your television, radio or the internet.

 If you see signs of water rising, better turn off the main sources of electricity. Do keep your

electric-powered items stored in higher areas and refrain from using them during flood.
  Do not wade along flooded areas to keep yourself from contacting water-borne diseases. If

it is inevitable, wear protective gears such as raincoats and boots to protect yourself.

 If you are told to evacuate, calmly comply.

After the Typhoon

 Monitor and update yourself with the progress of the typhoon through radio, television or

the internet (should this be accessible).

 If your house was one of the heavily damaged, make sure that you heed to the advice of

the authorities regarding its safety and stability. If they are uncertain of your house’s

condition, do not go yet. If the house didn’t have that much damage, have your house

inspected and do the needed repairs immediately. Just be safe in inspecting your house and

avoid scattered debris.

 Watch out for live wires or any electrical outlet that may be submerged in water. If you

don’t have the sufficient knowledge on electrical wirings, have a knowledgeable person

inspect these wires as well as your appliances before you actually use them again.

 Wear protective gears such as boots. Water-borne diseases such as Leptospirosis do not

only spread out during typhoon but also after the typhoon. The bacteria that cause this

disease may still be present in moist soils or scattered debris and if these contacts with your

open wound, the chances of developing such disease is very much likely.
  Boil water before drinking as they may be contaminated.

 Clean up. Dispose things that may be a ground for mosquitoes to breed. Such stuffs may

include tires, cans or pots.

Non-perishable foods

According to the FDA, non-perishable foods—foods that are shelf-stable, and don't need to be

refrigerated or cooked—should be the first items you throw in your grocery cart. Here's a list of

non-perishable items you should stock up for and can enjoy throughout the storm.

1. Bottled water.

Your water may not be drinkable after a storm, so purchase bottled water you can drink and cook

with post-Hurricane Irma or any other natural disaster. Be sure to buy at least one gallon of water

per person per day for no less than three days, FEMA recommends. (For a family of three, that's

nine gallons of water.)

2. Canned foods such as tuna, salmon, vegetables, or fruits.

Many canned products can last up to a year on your shelf, according to the CDC. What's more,

these products are ready to eat—no cooking required. Though, we imagine canned green beans or

peas taste better heated. Canned foods should stay safe in the storm, but the FDA says you can

pack them in plastic bags for added security. Just be sure to check the cans haven't bulged before

you open them up.

3. Instant soup mixes.

You can whip up a piping hot meal over your gas stove with nothing more than an instant soup or

noodle pack—think: ramen noodles and your bottled water. The single-serving pouches ensure

you won't have to worry about refrigerating leftovers.

4. Peanut butter.

You probably already have peanut butter in your house, but make sure it's not natural peanut butter,

which must be refrigerated after opening. This spread will last you long after the storm passes,

giving you another source of protein you don't have to cook.

5. Cereal.

You may not be able to make eggs and toast during the storm, so settle for cereal, which is shelf-

stable for up to a year and the right ones can supply a bevy of healthy grains to your diet.

Emergency Food

Some items don't have to be non-perishable to be eaten in a storm. Here are some to buy.

1. Apples.

While apples will eventually go bad, they're one of the longest-lasting fruits you can buy.

2. Canned marinara sauce.

If you stocked up on dry pasta—which you should, as it's shelf-stable almost indefinitely—you'll

be happy to pair it with a prepared (and canned) sauce.

3. Boxed potatoes.

Read the labels and purchase boxed potatoes that use only water or milk to make. They'll last for

six months, and make a tasty side dish for your canned meats.

4. Crackers.

Pair crackers with your peanut butter for an instant snack packed with protein. They can last up to

six months—but buy the dry, crisp variety to reach that longer shelf life.

5. Soy or almond milk.

If you lose power, you may still need milk—but it won't be safe to drink it from your fridge for

very long. So buy shelf-stable soy or almond milk you can easily add to your cereal. You can also

buy powdered milk, which can last for up to six months.

IMPORTANT GENERATOR SAFETY TIPS

1. Place generator in a well-ventilated location and away from combustible materials.

2. NEVER FUEL generator when it is running.

3. READ and REFER to Owner’s Manual for hook up procedures.

 4. If using extension cords, consider running the cord along the walls avoiding heavy traffic

areas.

5. Inspect cords for fraying, cracks or cuts.

6. NEVER lay power cord on wet or damp area

CNMI TYPHOON CONDITION LEVELS AND PREPARENESS INFORMATION

Based on information received from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Joint Region

Marianas (JRM), CNMI Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management Agency (OHS

& EM) will set conditions based on the time destructive winds (50 knots) or greater are expected

to reach the CNMI:

CONDITION LEVEL 4:

The CNMMI is in CONDITION 4 year-round due to our location in typhoon alley, until a

higher condition is set. It means any destructive winds could be upon us within 72 hours.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

1. Maintain areas around the house clear of debris and loose material.

2. Dead branches should be pruned/removed from trees.

 3. Determine location of official shelters (will be announced or posted the OHS & EM

website).

4. Stock and maintain your typhoon supply locker.

5. Consider plastic trash cans with wheels for later personal items transport if evacuation is

necessary.

6. Have a personal list of ER and family telephone numbers to call.

7. Copy important documents with originals in a safe place.

8. Have a personal list of hotels and costs, accept pets?

CONDITION LEVEL 3:

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN 48 HOURS.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

1. Clean/bleach and fill bathtubs, plastic trash cans (with wheels) with water

2. Set refrigerator to coldest settings.

3. Freeze water in jugs.

4. Fill vehicle fuel tanks.

5. Check your generator, test run it, have adequate fuel safely stored (see below)

6. Get cash, ATMs may not work after the storm.

7. Secure yard equipment, move plants inside.

8. Protect electronics (bag, prepare to move to an interior room off the floor).

9. Have a supply of rags and old towels.

 10. Double check your Typhoon Supply Locker.

CONDITION LEVEL 2:

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS ARE ANTICIPATED WITHIN 24 HOURS.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

1. Close typhoon shutters if your home is equipped with it, otherwise board up all windows

and doors.

2. Unplug appliances

3. Turn off gas valves

4. Turn off main water valve

5. Fill containers and your bathtub with clean water and keep them covered.

6. Set refrigerator and freezer to their coldest setting and pack your freezer tightly with

newspaper (This will keep your food colder longer).

7. Secure cars: 1) Set your emergency break 2) Close all windows and doors tightly.

8. Move carpet and furniture away from windows.

9. Consider evacuation to an official shelter if your home is not storm proof (will be

announced on the local radio stations or visit the OHS & EM website).

10. Complete your last errands then stay off the road.

11. Stay tuned to local media broadcasts.

CONDITION LEVEL 1:

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS ARE ANTICIPATED WITHIN 12 HOURS (OR ALREADY

OCCURING) ONLY EMERGENCY VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED ON THE ROAD

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

1. Stay indoors

2. Place towels/rags around leaky doors and windows

3. Conserve water.

Safety tips to follow before, during, and after a Typhoon

Before a Typhoon

Stock your emergency kit. You should have a flashlight, a multi-purpose tool like a Swiss

knife, extra batteries, a first aid kit with a full complement of bandages and medicine and

other medical supplies to last your family up to a week (especially if someone has a

condition which requires daily medication), sanitation and hygiene items (you don’t want

to run out of toilet paper when there’s a chance the water could be shut off), and a laminated

card listing family and emergency contact information, a cell phone (make sure it’s loaded

if you’re on a prepaid plan), charger, and extra cash.

 Check and top up your food and water supplies. Make sure you have a good supply of

non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food as well as clean water you won’t need to access the

tap for. You should also check that you have what’s needed to prepare the food (e.g., can

openers and the like). Also check that you have filled pails with water in your bathroom in

case the water gets turned off in your area, but also be careful to leave these covered so as

not to provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

 Cover up your windows and draw your blinds or curtains. If you live in an area directly

in the path of the storm, board up your windows or cover them with cardboard. You should

also draw your blinds and curtains, as if these breaks and blow inward, debris will hopefully

get caught by the blinds and curtains rather than flying into your home.

 Check your house’s drainage system for debris. If your home’s drainage system is

efficient, this will lessen your chances of leaks and flooding due to backed-up drains and

the like.

 Elevate your valuables and electronics. Anything you don’t want to risk immersing in

water should be moved to a higher level, preferably an upper floor if you have one. Just

make sure not to stack things too high or to stack heavy items above shoulder level, as

these could fall over and injure someone.

 Load a radio with batteries. You’ll want to be able to monitor the situation from the

safety of your home, so make sure you have means to do so that isn’t reliant on roof-

mounted satellites or cables that could be damaged by the storm.

  Charge up your power banks and emergency lights. Chances are high that you’ll lose

power at some point if the storm hits your area hard. In fact, even if it doesn’t, you may

still experience some power outage. So make sure you have rechargeable lights you can

leave around the house, and that these are charged before the storm hits, and make sure you

have the ability to charge up your mobile phones if they run out of juice.

 Identify an alternate safe area. Should you need to evacuate, already have a plan as to

where to go. Or if you are caught out in a storm, your family should know where you’re

most likely to spend the night. This is likely to be a friend’s or relative’s house, so make

sure you ask them in advance if it’s all right to stay with them should the typhoon

necessitate it.

During a Typhoon

 Stay inside as much as possible. It’s likely that home is the safest place to be; certainly

going outdoors in rough weather is a bad idea, not just because you could be lashed by

wind, rain, and debris and floodwaters may have risen, but also because visibility is poor.

This results in a higher risk of road accidents and other mishaps.

 Keep everyone in your household calm. Panic will make mistakes more likely, and this

can lead to injuries or worse. What’s more, if you have family pets, they will most likely

take your cue from you; if your family is calm, it’s likely your pet will be too—although

make sure your pet is safe and indoors with you rather than outside at the mercy of the

elements.
 Monitor local radio. Someone should be on the alert for evacuation warnings and other

developments like unpassable roads and the like. Radio stations are the most reliable source

of news during a thunderstorm, provided your radio is battery-operated.

 Be smart about food and water consumption. Consume perishables first as you never

know when the electricity might conk out. If the water is turned off in your area, you might

want to save the water in those precious pails you filled up in the bathroom for quickly

washing faces, arms, and legs or for a simple sponge bath instead of using these up bathing.

 Only use your mobile phone for important things. The power could go out at any time

during a storm, and this may not be restored for days. So it’s a good idea to conserve your

mobile phone’s batteries, especially if you have a smartphone that rarely lasts a day without

charging. Turn off non-essential functions like WiFi, bluetooth, and cellular data, and avoid

playing games, no matter how boring getting cooped up in the house might be.

 If it starts to flood, turn off the main power. You don’t want live outlets that could be

waterlogged and charge any flood waters that might invade your home, so make sure all

adults in the household know how to turn off the main power if need be. If there’s an option

to turn off power on the ground level while maintaining power on upper levels, all the

better.

 If you must wade through flood waters, wash with clean water as soon as possible.

This is fairly self-explanatory as flood waters are visibly filthy, but we’ll add one more tip:

if you have any open wounds or acquire them while walking in floods, make sure you

disinfect and treat these right away.

  Be wary of live wires or water-logged outlets. These could charge the floodwaters in the

area, so if you see that your ground floor is flooded above outlet level and you weren’t able

to turn off the power to your home, do not venture into the water, even if this is below knee

level.

 Immediately tend to any injuries. We’ve already mentioned the importance of doing this

should you walk through floodwater, but this is also important if anyone gets cuts or bruises

from falling items or flying debris. And if anyone gets hit in the head, watch for symptoms

of concussion.

After a Typhoon

 Continue to monitor news sites, radio stations, or TV channels. This will help you keep

abreast of what roads are passable, what areas are still at risk, and so on.

 Run a check on electricals before using them. Electrocution is a very real risk in the

aftermath of a storm, so have an electrician check the wiring in your home as well as any

appliances you might have. Also be sure that any electrical devices are thoroughly dried

out before being used.

 Wear protective gear while dealing with debris. You don’t want to risk cutting yourself on

rusty nails or pieces of tin from roofs or anything like that, so make sure you wear thick gloves

(garden gloves should come in handy) when clearing your home of debris. You should also wear

sturdy boots.
 Check for contamination of your food and water. If the power failed, throw out anything

in your fridge that might have gone bad. Check your water supplies as well, and make sure

you throw out anything that’s been exposed to rain water.

 Dump water that may have accumulated in containers like pots, cans, etc. You don’t

want to have possible breeding grounds for dengue-bearing mosquitoes around your home,

so if there is anything that might hold stagnant water, make sure you clear it as soon as

possible.