Mapping Philippine

Vulnerability to
Environmental
Disasters
Climate- and Weather-Related Risk
Maps
The Philippines is prone to various climate/
weather-related hazards because of its
location in the tropics, along the path of
typhoons, monsoons and El Nio-La Nia.

RISK TO PROJECTED
TEMPERATURE INCREASE
The areas most at risk to temperature increase during the
projected 2080 climatology are Mindanao and Central Visayas.

The top 20 provinces at risk to projected temperature increase

are:
1. Sulu
2. Basilan
3. Lanao Del Sur
4. Maguindanao
5. Lanao Del Norte
6. Davao Del Sur
7. Zamboanga Del Sur
8. Tawi-tawi
9. Misamis Occidental
10.Camiguin
11.Siquijor
12.Misamis Oriental
13.Cebu
14.Agusan Del Norte
15.Zamboanga Del Norte
16.Albay
17.Sarangani
18.Negros Oriental
19.Negros Occidental
20.Ifugao

RISK TO PROJECTED RAINFALL CHANGE

The map of risk to projected rainfall change shown below
incorporates both rainfall decrease during the dry season and
rainfall increase during the wet season. The areas most at risk
to projected rainfall changes are Central, South and Southeast
Luzon and Eastern Visayas
The top 20 provinces at risk to projected rainfall change are:
1. Albay
2. Pampanga
3. Ifugao
4. Rizal
5. Cavite
6. Sorsogon
7. Laguna
8. Biliran
9. Batangas
10. Pangasinan
11. Masbate
12. Metro Manila
13. Tarlac
14. Nueva Ecija
15. Northern Samar
16. Aklan
17. Capiz
18. La Union
19. Western Samar
20. Romblon

RISK TO TYPHOONS
Northern Luzon, Southeastern Luzon and Eastern Visayas
are the areas highly at risk to the occurrence of tropical
depressions, tropical storms, typhoons and super typhoons.
The top 20 provinces at risk to typhoons are:
Cagayan
1. Albay
2. Ifugao
3. Sorsogon
4. Kalinga
5. Ilocos Sur
6. Ilocos Norte
7. Camarines Norte
8. Mountain Province
9. Camarines Sur
10. Northern Samar
11. Catanduanes
12. Apayao
13. Pampanga
14. La Union
15. Nueva Ecija
16. Pangasinan
17. Masbate
18. Tarlac
19. Western Samar

RISK TO EL NIO
Areas highly at risk to El Nio-induced drought are Central
and West Mindanao.
The top 20 provinces at risk to drought are:
1. Sulu
2. Basilan
3. Maguindanao
4. Lanao Del Sur
5. Lanao Del Norte
6. Davao Del Sur
7. Misamis Occidental
8. Sarangani
9. Zamboanga Del Sur
10. South Cotabato
11. Zamboanga Del Norte
12. North Cotabato
13. Sultan Kudarat
14. Siquijor
15. Tawi-tawi
16. Negros Oriental
17. Camiguin
18. Davao del Norte
19. Misamis Oriental
20. Bukidnon

COMBINED
CLIMATE- AND
WEATHERRELATED RISKS
Summing the four individual risk scores
reveals that the areas most at risk to
climate- and weather-related risks in general
are Southeastern Luzon and Eastern
Visayas. This indicates that the risk to
typhoons and risk to projected rainfall
change dominate the sum. The lower
composite risk scores of Mindanao likewise
indicate that although Mindanao has higher
risk to temperature increase and El Nioinduced drought compared to other areas,
the difference in the scores is not large.

The top 20 provinces at risk are:

1. Albay
2. Pampanga
3. Ifugao
4. Sorsogon
5. Biliran
6. Rizal
7. Northern Samar
8. Cavite
9. Masbate
10. Laguna
11. Batangas
12. Sulu
13. Western Samar
14. Nueva Ecija
15. Tarlac
16. Pangasinan
17. Basilan
18. Metro Manila
19. Camarines Sur
20. La Union

Reference
Center for Environmental Geomatics Manila Observatory (Cpyright 2005)

The map shown here is a composite risk map that

considers projected rainfall change, risk to projected
temperature increase, risk to typhoons, and risk to El
Nio-induced drought. The combination of all these
meteorological hazards has recently caused disasters
to the islands of Luzon and Visayas, where most of
the
risks
are
concentrated.
The pattern of typhoon tracks has been frequenting
the eastern portion of the country, such that more
disaster preparedness efforts are now centered on
Eastern Visayas. These weather disturbances
increase the risks in areas whose topographical
features are prone to landslide and flooding. Sadly,
most of the rural areas in the Visayas have been
exploited of their natural resources, the effects of
which are characterized by degradation and
instability of land. With this profile, the susceptibility
of these areas to hydrometeorological hazards is
high.
PAGASA has installed various weather stations all
over the country to accurately detect, observe,
measure, and forecast any of possible meteorological
hazards. It is then important to be aware and be
prepared at the onset of the season for specific
hazards so that disasters may be minimized if not
totally
prevented.

Practical Ways of Coping

Hydrometeorological Hazard-prone
Areas in the Philippines
As soon as PAGASA issues a warning for any hydrometeorological hazard:
1. Check your emergency kit.
2. Make plans for evacuation to higher ground
especially if you live in a coastal area.
3. Participate in cleanup activities to clear pathways
of rainwaters to avoid flooding.
4. Cut dead or rotting trees and trim tree branches
that could otherwise fall off from the force of winds
and cause injury or damage.
5. Reinforce supports or foundations in your house to
withstand strong winds or water.
6. Transfer valuables and other furniture to higher
ground especially if your place is flood-prone.
7. Secure objects found outside that could be blown
away or cause damage to property or bring harm to
people.
8. Unplug any electronic equipment.

During any hydro- meteorological hazard:

1. Stay indoors. Do not go to isolated or
open areas.
2. Stay updated with PAGASA's official
announcements by listening to the news.
3. If the electricity is out, use batteryoperated radios.
4. Stay away from corded devices such
as telephones, air conditioners,
computers, and lightning fixtures. Power
surges from lightning can cause serious
damage.
5. Do not go near windows, doors, and
porches.