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