OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOPAND A

GIS-BASED APPROACH TOMAPPINGN DISASTER RISK IN

THE PHILIPPNES

Center for Environmental GeomaticsClimate Studies Division

Manila Observatory

Dissemination Workshop for Mapping Philippine Vulnerability to Environmental Disasters

Klima Climate Change Center8 July 2005

OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION• OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOP• THE VM-DENR PROJECT• WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?• DISASTER LANGUAGE• THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK• HAZARDS• STATEMENT OF THE MAPPING PROBLEM• THE GIS APPROACH• CATEGORIES OF FACTORS• DIRECTIONS

OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOP

• Objectives– To disseminate findings of the project– To obtain feedback on the usefulness of results– To find out how best to inform the public about

project results– To explore follow-up activities arising from results

and feedback on them

• Mechanics

THE VM-DENR PROJECT

• “Mapping Philippine Vulnerability to Environmental Disasters”

Spatial information

Spatial analyses

Targetted and localized action

Susceptibility to and capacity to cope with stresses

Collective impacts of damaging events upon our surroundings

WHERE DOES THE MONEY

GO?

DISASTER LANGUAGE

Risk = Hazard x Exposure x Vulnerability

capacity of community to prepare, absorb, recover from hazard

Vulnerability

elements affected by hazardExposure

physical impact of disturbanceHazard

likelihood of harm, loss, disasterRisk

Risk = H x E x V

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

HAZARDS• Natural

– Typhoon– Drought (El Nino)– Earthquake (Tremor, Landslide)– Volcano– Tsunami

• Anthropogenic– Deforestation– Mining– Climate change (historical, projected)

STATEMENT OF THE MAPPING PROBLEM

• The concept of vulnerability, coupled with its geographic or spatial perspective, gives us meaningful insights.

• In particular, vulnerability mapping (VM) assists in spatial analyses towards the formulation of more effective ways to respond in terms of:– Policy and decision-making– Strategizing adaptation.

THE GIS APPROACH

• The GIS approach, as illustrated, facilitates:

Polygon Region Attribute 1 Attribute 2

• Base mapping with administrative units,

• Grouping of map themes by categories and sub-categories,

• Breakdown of legends into variables and their corresponding characteristics,

• Overlaying and/ or correlation of themes of different types and forms,

• Change detection or multitemporal studies for monitoring conditions.

THE GIS APPROACH Cont’d

THE GIS APPROACH Cont’d• Comparative matrices complement mapping by

way of:– Spatial databases, based on which logical and/ or

numerical operations are performed,– Comparison across spatial units, these being regions

and provinces,– Comparison across different themes by category of

hazards and disasters,– Merging of qualitative with quantitative assessments.

CATEGORIES OF FACTORS

• The Manila Observatory and its research partners have been aware of complex factors at play in the occurence of disasters:

– Climate/ weather-related,

– Geophysical,

– Ecological,

– Anthropogenic (Human/ Developmental).

CATEGORIES OF FACTORS Cont’d

• These categories guided the application of GIS in VM

• The boundaries of these categories are not strict or absolute or the categories are not exclusive.

• Each category of factors has unique characteristics.

• These complicate overlays and intersections within and across categories.

DIRECTIONS

• The generation of composite (aggregated) vulnerability indices via GIS is promising at both national and local scales.

• There is a need to localize disaster vulnerability identification and mapping for the country.

Integrated Marine and Terrestrial Priorities

Land CoverLand Use

Classification (2 versions)

Philippine Ecoregions

NAMRIA Base Map by Province

Groundwater Availability

Groundwater Resource

Types of Habitat

Philippine Forest Cover and Cover Types 1997

and Projected 1999

Major River Basins,Water Resources Regions and Critical Watersheds

Threatened Resources and Biodiversity

Slope map

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

• The Ford Foundation• Luis A. Yulo Foundation for Sustainable Development

(LAYFSD)• National Disaster Coordination Council, Office of Civil

Defense (NDCC/ OCD)• Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical

Services and Administration (PAGASA)• Urban Research Consortium (URC)

PROJECT TEAM• Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, SJ• Dr. May Celine T.M. Vicente• Engr. Ellen Rose E. Caniete• Climate and Weather-Related Factors

– Ms. Lourdes V. Tibig– Ms. Anna Liza T. Solis– Ella Cecilia R. Castillo– Charlotte Kendra G. Castillo

• Geophysical Factors– Fr. Sergio S. Su, SJ– Dr. Emmanuel G. Ramos– Ma. Grace C. Cardinal

• Ecological Factors– Dr. Teresita R. Perez– Ms. Lizette S. Fernandez– Engr. Joel D. de Mesa

• Anthropogenic (Human/ Developmental) Factors– Dr. May Celine T.M. Vicente– Engr. Joel D. de Mesa– Archilles L. Velante

REFERENCES

Coburn, A.W, Spence, R.J.S and Pomonis, A. Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, 2nd ed. Disaster Management Training Programme, UNDP, 1991.

Downing, T.E. and Lonsdale, Kate. Concepts of Vulnerability, AIACC Vulnerability and Adaptation Training, Draft. 28 January 2002.

Villarin, SJ, Jose T., ed. Disturbing Climate. Quezon City: Manila Observatory, 2001.