Lessons from past disaster experiences in

the Philippines

Adoracion M. Navarro, Ph.D.Undersecretary

National Economic and Development Authority, Philippines

10 March 2019, Sendai International Center, Japan

Philippinesarchipelago consisting of 7,641 islands

population: 108.11 million in 2019 (UN estimate)

types of disasters: typhoons, floods, landslides, storm surges, earthquakes, volcanic

eruptions, tsunami, El Niño, La Niña, ecological disasters, armed conflict

Philippines: third most at risk (World Risk Index 2018)

Source: World Risk Report 2018

Legend:

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Organizational Structure

Impacts of Major Disasters on GDP

Impacts of Major Disasters on GDP

Notes: * Amounts cannot be compared across years due to changes in methodology estimation (i.e., PDNA

vs. quick estimation using NEDA’s Regionalized Disaster Impact Simulator); exch. rate used: USD1=PHP52

Impacts of Major Disasters on GDP (continuation)

In 2018 alone:

• 14 major disasters / incidents

• inflicted USD1,076.35 million damages and losses,

equivalent to 0.331 percent of the country’s GDP

• Supertyphoon Ompong (Mangkhut) brought the

highest amount of damages and losses at

USD754.81 million or 0.232 percent of GDP

Lessons learned from our past

disaster experiences

Mainstream disaster risk reduction and climate change

adaptation into local plans and programs

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10174

People’s Survival Fund (PSF)

Provides long term finance support of climate

adaptation programs and projects

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10121

Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction

and Management Act of 2010

Strengthens the country’s policies and institutional

capacity for disaster risk reduction and

management to increase resilience of communities

to disasters including climate change impacts

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9729

Climate Change Act of 2009

Mainstreams climate change (CC) into government

policy formulations, plans, and programs, including

integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR) into

climate change programs and initiatives

National Climate Change

Action Plan (2011-2028)

Philippine Development

Plan

National Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management

Plan (2011-2028)

Regional Development

Plans

Mainstreaming that is consistent with the global agenda and

international frameworks

Example of planning tool: Socioeconomic Resilience Assessment

Methodologyhttp://www.phresilience.com

• The People Survival Fund (PSF) facility, for technical and financial

assistance to enable local communities implement adaptation measures -

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)

and Climate Change Commission are exploring partnerships to maximize the

PSF and NDRRM Fund for risk transfer schemes such as insurance.

• Disaster Risk Management Development Policy Loan with a Catastrophe-

Deferred Drawdown Option (DPL with CAT-DDO) - DPL with CAT-DDO is a

contingent line of credit which could make funding immediately available for

relief, recovery and/or reconstruction financing in the event of a natural

disaster of significant magnitude (where a state of calamity is declared at the

national level).

Develop facilities for adaptation including risk transfer

mechanisms

Sources: Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

CAT-DDO2 project documents

• National and local government units are collaborating in

identifying safe areas for the construction of transition houses

prior to relocation of victims to permanent resettlement areas.

Identification of these areas are being based on the available risk

assessments and hazard maps.

• Among the requirements are improved structural design and

establishment of women and children-friendly spaces to protect

and promote the welfare of women, children, and indigenous

peoples. Protocols for emergency cash transfers, calamity loans,

and livelihood programs are also established.

Provide adequate transition houses and livelihood

opportunities to disaster victims during the early

rehabilitation and recovery period

Source: Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

• Disaster response must include economic, material and

physical needs, and psychosocial and mental concerns.

• Efforts include increasing public awareness of the mental

health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS),

capacity building of local implementers, and ensuring that

facilities and relocation sites are MHPSS-friendly.

Provide adequate mental health and psychosocial support

services

• “Build back better!” Upgrade standards in construction of

infrastructures and public facilities; can withstand 250 kph Typhoon

wind speed, ground shaking and other hazards

• Use science-based information in plan preparation

• Provide trainings for alternative livelihood which are more resilient

to disasters

• Build new housing sites in areas outside unsafe zones

• Provide access to basic services and livelihood in resettlement

areas

15

Lessons Learned from Supertyphoon Haiyan (2013)

• example of Building Back Better

• also a storm surge protection project

• covers 3 local government units: Tacloban

City, Palo municipality and Tanauan

municipality

• JICA provided technical assistance on

planning and design

Thank you!

National Economic and Development AuthorityNEDA sa Pasig, 12 St. Josemaria Escriva Drive,

Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1605, The Philippines

Tel. Nos. (02) 631 0945 to 68

www.neda.gov.ph