8/6/2019 The Philippines is Prone to Natural Disasters

1/2

The Philippines is prone to natural disasters, particularly

typhoons, floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes,

and tsunamis, lying as it does astride the typhoon belt, in the

active volcanic region known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, and in

the geologically unstable region between the Pacific and

Eurasian tectonic plates. The Philippines also suffers major

human-caused environmental degradation aggravated by a

high annual population growth rate, including loss of

agricultural lands, deforestation, soil erosion, air and waterpollution, improper disposal of solid and toxic wastes, loss of

coral reefs, mismanagement and abuse of coastal resources,

and overfishing. According to Greenpeace SouthEast Asia, the

Philippines major historical river, the Pasig River is now

biologically dead due to negligence and industrialization.

Currently, the Philippines' Department of Environment and

Natural Resources has been busy tracking down illegal loggers

and been spearheading projects to preserve the quality of

many remaining rivers that are not yet polluted.

FLOODS, TYPHOONS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

An average of 20 typhoons and dangerous storms arrive inthe Philippines from the Pacific Ocean over the eastern

seaboard yearly. The Philippines has been the unfortunate

recipient of increased flooding from move powerful and

dangerous typhoons in recent years.

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. It appears global

climate change is dealing island nations some of the hardest

blows.

Many scientists and experts in world climate change predict

additional calamities as the rise in average ocean levels from

global warming and the effects of iceberg and glacier

meltdown continue to grow. Unfortunately, the coastal areas

of the world and island nations such as the Philippines areonce again most at risk.

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. These

comprehensive and timely seminars provide the kind of

training needed to better-prepare administrators and firstresponders.

EARTHQUAKES AROUND THE WORLD AND IN THE

PHILIPPINES

Worldwide, over the last few decades, a marked increase in

more powerful earthquake activity is painfully obvious. With

the Philippines residing in the middle of the most activeearthquake zone in the world, The Ring of Fire, it is

incumbent and critical that officials and those responsible for

large groups are required to be prepared for the inevitable

unexpected upheaval, resultant damage and potential

casualties.

Information, preparation and understanding of these massivenatural disasters is critical for the effective reduction in loss

of life and limb. The carefully prepared and knowledgeableresponse from managers and first responders through

effective training and preparation programs is an absolutenecessity for earthquake response.

VOLCANOES

Volcanoes are a fact of life in the Philippines. Most of the7100 islands of the Philippines are actually of volcanic origin.

Thereare 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 onthe main island of Luzon. We all know the devastating effects

of Mt Pinatubo. Erupting in June 1991, this powerful volcano

produced the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20thcentury.Over 800 people were killed by the eruption, mostly by roofs

collapsing under the weight of accumulated and saturated wetash, 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.

At the writing of this paper, the Taal Volcano is currentlyexhibiting signs of another eruption. Alert level two is

currently in effect for Taal, which lies only 30 miles south of

the Philippine capital city of Manila. Nearly 700 people have

left their homes to stay in evacuation centers or with relatives.

Obviously, volcano preparedness and the ability to respond

effectively and properly to these entirely uncontrolled natural

disasters is crucial.

WATER RELATED DISASTERS AND THE NEED FOR

WATER BASED SURVIVAL TRAINING

The Philippines is a nation surrounded by water. Insomuch

so, the nation sees many water-related accidents and disasters

on a yearly basis. Literally thousands of people have been

killed by ferry and boating accidents in the Philippines.Due to the fact we are a nation of 7100 islands, and many are

not able to afford air travel or they are located too remote to

an airport facility, ferry boats are the predominant mode for

national travel.

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.

TERRORISM AND BOMBING IN THE PHILIPPINES

Like it or not our nation is subject to many terrorist andbombing incidents. We live in a diverse nation with many

ideologies, political parties and those intent on promotingtheir agenda through the use of violence. Rebel organizations

against the Philippine government, its citizens and supportershave made their objections and opinions known through the

use of violence. The truth of the matter is that bomb scaresare almost a daily incident in our country.

The need for terrorism suppression and bomb analysis,

search techniques and evacuation procedures are critical.

We are proud to offer and coordinate, through a professional

anti-terrorism and bomb prevention group, a one day

comprehensive course structured specifically for this modern-

day reality. This course should be a prerequisite for all largemunicipalities and smaller local provincial government units.

8/6/2019 The Philippines is Prone to Natural Disasters

2/2