Civil defense launches 2011-2028 national disaster plan

MANILA -- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) formally launched on Wednesday the county's national road map for disaster preparedness, risk reduction, and management efforts.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP) sets out specific objectives for reducing disaster risks together with related actions to accomplish these goals. It also outlines activities that would strengthen the national and local government units' capabilities in disaster preparedness and response.

The NDDRMP goals are to be achieved by 2028 through 14 objectives, 24 outcomes, 56 outputs, and 93 activities. It covers four thematic and priority areas: Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Response, and Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery.

The goal of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation area, which is the main responsibility of the Department of Science and Technology, is to make communities avoid hazards and mitigate their potential impacts by reducing vulnerabilities and exposure to them.

The Disaster Preparedness area, which is the responsibility of the Department of Interior and Local Government, seeks to establish and strengthen capacities of communities to anticipate, cope and recover from the negative impacts of emergency occurrences and disasters.

The Disaster Response Area, which is the responsibility of the Department of Social Work and Development, aims to provide life preservation and meet the basic survival needs of those affected by disasters.

Lastly, the Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery area, which is the responsibility of the National Economic and Development Authority, seeks to restore and improve facilities, livelihood, and living conditions of the affected communities.

The goals of each thematic area lead to the attainment of the country's overall vision for disaster risk reduction management which is to create "safer, adaptive and disaster resilient Filipino communities towards sustainable development."

The need for such a national disaster plan has been stressed since the Philippines is exposed to disasters and hazards due to its geography and geology. Internal conflicts in some areas of the country also pose threats.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the annual direct damages caused by disasters between 1990 and 2006 amount to P20 billion.

Moreover, the NDDRMP cited that between 1997 and 2007, 84 tropical storms entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and left 13,155 casualties and affected more than 51 million families.

Economic losses due to typhoon damages in agriculture, infrastructures and private properties are estimated to reach P158 billion.

The NDDRMP also cited the dangers brought by earthquakes, flash floods, landslides, and human-induced disasters such as armed conflicts. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)