Module 4

Week No: 15 – 17

Title of Module: Environment Awareness and Disaster Management

This module consists of two lessons namely:

Lesson 1: Environmental Awareness and Protection

Lesson 2: Disaster and Disaster Management

Overview
The final module is about the environment and the different disasters that people may
encounter. The first lesson promotes awareness of the environment as well as how we can protect
it. Moreover, it will discuss the proper ways to manage solid waste. The other part of this module
will provide information on how to stay safe in times of disaster. As stewards of this planet, we
have the responsibility to take care of it. It is better to start being educated through this module.

Expected Output: Solid Waste Management in Action, Video

Presentation, Self-Preparedness, Reflective
Essay
Module Time Allotment (weeks or hours): 3 weeks / 9 hours

LESSON 1: Environmental Awareness and Protection

ABOUT THE LESSON:

The physical environment includes land, air, water, plants and animals, buildings and other
infrastructure, and all of the natural resources that provide our basic needs and opportunities for
social and economic development. These are elements that are tangible and that people can
touch. A clean, healthy environment is important for people's physical and emotional wellbeing.
At a fundamental level, factors such as clean air and good quality drinking water are vital for
people's physical health. Other environmental factors such as noise pollution can cause both
physical harm and psychological stress. In this lesson, the environmental problems such as
climate change and solid waste and some ways to avoid further damage to the environment will
be discussed.
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
LO1. Illustrate the kind of environment at present
LO2. Relate to the causes and effects of environmental problems
LO3. Recognize concepts of solid waste management
LO4. Produce a video presentation about environmental problems and ways to
save the environment.
LEARNING OUTPUT/REQUIREMENTS: Solid Waste Management in Action!, Video
Presentation
LESSON TIME ALLOTMENT: 4.5 hours

Address: Hilltop Road, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City 4200, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
Website: www.ub.edu.ph
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

Video – React

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fo_CDHjSdk

DIRECTIONS:

1. Watch the video in the link provided above.

2. Provide a 3 – 5 sentence reaction about the content of the video.
3. Post your outputs in our LMS Discussion

Climate Change

Earth’s climate is now changing

faster than at any point in the history of
modern civilization, primarily as a result of
human activities. Global climate change has
already resulted in a wide range of impacts
across every region of the country and many
sectors of the economy that are expected to
grow in the coming decades.

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Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
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 What's Happening and Why?

Thousands of studies conducted by researchers

around the world have documented increases in
temperature at Earth’s surface, as well as in the
atmosphere and oceans. Many other aspects of global
climate are changing as well. Human activities,
especially emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases from fossil fuel combustion,
deforestation, and land-use change, are the primary driver of the climate changes observed in the
industrial era. These trends are all consistent with a warming world and are expected to continue.
Many lines of evidence demonstrate that human activities, especially emissions of heat-
trapping greenhouse gases from fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and land-use change, are
primarily responsible for the climate changes observed in the industrial era, especially over the
last six decades. The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, the largest contributor to
human-caused warming, has increased by about 40% over the industrial era. This change has
intensified the natural greenhouse effect, driving an increase in global surface temperatures and
other widespread changes in Earth’s climate that are unprecedented in the history of modern
civilization.

Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities

will continue to affect Earth’s climate for decades
and even centuries. Humans are adding carbon
dioxide to the atmosphere at a rate far greater than
it is removed by natural processes, creating a long-
lived reservoir of the gas in the atmosphere and
oceans that is driving the climate to a warmer and
warmer state.

Beyond the next few decades, how much the climate changes will depend primarily on the
amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere; how much of those greenhouse gases
are absorbed by the ocean, the biosphere, and other sinks; and how sensitive Earth’s climate is
to those emissions.

Address: Hilltop Road, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City 4200, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
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 Climate Change in the Philippines

As an archipelago in the Pacific, the Philippines

experiences the effects of climate change through extreme
weather events such as typhoons reaching the (highest)
Category 5 intensity on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane
Scale or “supertyphoons’’.

Costly typhoon seasons have become a national reality in the country. The typhoon
seasons in recent decades (1980s to 2010s) have been tallying more deaths and damages.
Even the Philippines’ southern islands or Mindanao, once considered ‘typhoon-free’, are now
more frequently visited by typhoons: two of the deadliest typhoons that visited the country in the
2010s – Sendong and Pablo – had devastated the region.

Hence, according to the Global Climate Risk Index, the Philippines is among the top five
countries that are most affected by climate change. A study by the Asian Development Bank
(ADB) has estimated that by 2100, the average cost of climate change to the country would equal
losing 6% of its gross domestic product (GDP) each year, which is more than twice the global
average loss.

The same ADB study has estimated that by investing 0.5% of the Philippines’ GDP each
year until 2020 in climate change adaptation, the country may avert losses equalling up to 4% of
its GDP by 2100.

Government Response

Responding to these climate risks, the Philippine government has demonstrated

leadership through a strong commitment to a climate policy and institutional reform agenda.

1. In 2009, Republic Act 9729 or the Climate Change Act was enacted into law. The law
mandates the mainstreaming climate change (CC) considerations into government policy and
planning.

2. As signatory to global agreements related to climate change such as the Paris Agreement, the
Philippines has submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) that is to be
finalized into Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs.

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Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
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3. Furthermore, Executive Order 43, Series of 2011, created the Cabinet Cluster on Climate
Change Adaptation and Mitigation (that was later reorganized to include Disaster Risk Reduction
or Cabinet Cluster on CCAM-DRR pursuant to Executive Order 24, series of 2017). The creation
of the Cabinet Cluster aimed to facilitate coordination among national government agencies
(NGAs), the local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders on CC adaptation and
mitigation measures.

DENR as Lead Agency

The Climate Change Act, the NFSCC, the NCCAP, the Cabinet Cluster on CCAM-DRR, and
the NBM 114 and 118 have designated responsibilities to the DENR. The DENR is tasked to lead
the Cabinet Cluster on CCAM-DRR as well as oversee the implementation of the Program
Convergence Budgeting for the said cluster. Adaptation Pillar No. 9 of the NFSCC is within the
purview of DENR’s mandate. The said pillar includes integrated ecosystems-based management,
and water governance and management. Section 15 of the Climate Change Act tasks the DENR
with the creation of a climate change information management system.

The Climate Change Service of the DENR answers the need for a unit within the
department that will focus on and address these needs. The Climate Change Service facilitates: (i)
the harmonized coordination and overall direction in the implementation of the mandated CC
functions of the DENR inter-bureaus and offices; (ii) better secretariat work relative to the Cabinet
Cluster on CCAM-DRR; and (iii) the effective and efficient integration and implementation of the
Risk Resiliency Program and Risk Resiliency and Sustainability Program, among others.

Water: Its Pollution and Solution

Water is an inorganic, transparent, tasteless,

odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance,
which is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere
and the fluids of all known living organisms. It is vital
for all known forms of life, even though it provides no
calories or organic nutrients. Its chemical formula is
H2O, meaning that each of its molecules contains
one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms, connected by
covalent bonds.

Water is often equated with life itself. But for an archipelagic region in Southeast Asia
sandwiched between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, water pollution in the

Address: Hilltop Road, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City 4200, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
Website: www.ub.edu.ph
Philippines has caused this precious resource to be anything but life’s sustenance. According to
a report released by the Asian Development Bank, “Heavy inorganic pollutants have made water
increasingly a threat to life.”

A Threat to Life

The Philippines is a developing country that is also undergoing rapid urbanization and
industrialization. Out of more than one hundred million Filipinos, nine million rely on unsafe water
supplies. In fact, water pollution in the Philippines and a lack of proper sewage kills 55 people
every day. UNICEF's Water, Sanitation and Hygiene program in the Philippines notes that access
to adequate sanitation facilities is a problem for more than 30 million Filipinos.

This portion of the population is forced to spend considerable time, effort and energy in
procuring water. Families without a sanitary toilet often face the embarrassment of venturing
outside to relieve themselves. Some resort to asking their neighbors to utilize their sanitary toilet
facilities.

Environmental group Greenpeace has previously warned that Filipinos in key agricultural
areas are drinking water contaminated with nitrates. After conducting a study on important farming
areas, Greenpeace warned that nitrate levels were alarmingly above the safety limits set by the
World Health Organization (WHO). The group also noted that “drinking water from 30 percent of
all groundwater wells sampled in [the Philippines and Thailand] showed nitrates levels above the
WHO safety limit of 50 mg l-1 of nitrate.”

Water Shortage

Due to water pollution in the Philippines, the country is likely to face a shortage of water
for sanitation, drinking, agriculture and industrial purposes in the next ten years.

In an Asia Development Bank report, the Philippines’ regional group – which includes
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam – has made gains in
improving water security. However, the region is home to a sixth of the global population and the
poorest people in the world. With agriculture consuming a staggering 80 percent of the region’s
water, the region is a global hotspot for water insecurity.

Water conservation efforts in the Philippines by many local and international companies
have protected the water supplies for future use. Coca-Cola has pledged nearly $1.4 million for a
five-year project with the World Wildlife Fund to protect the capital’s drinking water source, the
Ipo Watershed. The Cement Manufacturers’ Association of the Philippines, an industry that
heavily uses water, has started initiatives to capture and utilize rainwater for many production
needs.

Address: Hilltop Road, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City 4200, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
Website: www.ub.edu.ph
 In relation to the problem in the waters of the Philippines, below is a documentary that is
situating water pollution in the Philippines.

Watch the documentary: https://youtu.be/HW0MWfK4M7o

What is Solid Waste Management?

Solid waste management is a term that is

used to refer to the process of collecting and
treating solid wastes. It also offers solutions for
recycling items that do not belong to garbage or
trash. As long as people have been living in
settlements and residential areas, garbage or solid
waste has been an issue. Waste management is
all about how solid waste can be changed and
used as a valuable resource.

Solid waste management should be

embraced by each and every household, including the business owners across the world.
Industrialization has brought a lot of good things and bad things as well. One of the adverse
effects of industrialization is the creation of solid waste.

“Solid-waste management, the collecting, treating, and disposing of solid material that is
discarded because it has served its purpose or is no longer useful. Improper disposal of municipal
solid waste can create unsanitary conditions, and these conditions in turn can lead to pollution of
the environment and to outbreaks of vector-borne disease—that is, diseases spread by rodents
and insects.”

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Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
Website: www.ub.edu.ph
 Categories of Waste

Organic waste: Kitchen waste, waste from food preparation,

vegetables, flowers, leaves, fruits, and market places.
Combustibles: Paper, wood, dried leaves, packaging for relief
items etc. that are highly organic and having low moisture
content.
Non-combustibles: Metal, Tins, Cans, bottles, stones, etc.
Toxic waste: Old medicines, paints, chemicals, bulbs, spray
cans, fertilizer and pesticide containers, batteries, shoe polish.
Recyclables: Paper, glass, metals, plastics.
Ashes or Dust: Residue from fires that are used for cooking.
Construction waste: Rubble, roofing, broken concrete etc.
Hazardous waste: Oil, battery acid, medical waste, industrial
waste, hospital waste.
Dead animals: Carcasses of dead livestock or other animals.
Bulky waste: Tree branches, tires etc.
Soiled waste: Hospital waste such as cloth soiled with blood
and other body fluids.

Address: Hilltop Road, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City 4200, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
Website: www.ub.edu.ph
 Effects of Poor Solid Waste Management

1. Litter Surroundings

Due to improper waste disposal systems, particularly by municipal waste management

teams, wastes heap up and become a menace. While people clean their homes and places of
work, they litter their surroundings, which affect the environment and the community.

2. Impact on Human Health

Improper waste disposal can affect the health of the population living nearby the
polluted area or landfills. The health of waste disposal workers and other employees involved
with these landfill facilities are also at a greater risk. Exposure to wastes that handled
improperly can cause skin irritations, respiratory problems, blood infections, growth problems,
and even reproductive issues.

3. Disease-causing Pests

This type of dumping of waste materials forces biodegradable materials to rot and
decompose under improper, unhygienic and uncontrolled conditions.

After a few days of decomposition, a foul smell is produced, and it becomes a breeding
ground for different types of disease-causing insects as well as infectious organisms. On top of
that, it also spoils the aesthetic value of the area.

4. Environmental Problems

Solid wastes from industries are a source of toxic metals, hazardous wastes, and
chemicals. When released to the environment, the solid wastes can cause biological and
physicochemical problems to the environment that may affect or alter the productivity of the
soils in that particular area.

5. Soil and Groundwater Pollution

Toxic materials and chemicals may seep into the soil and pollute the groundwater.
During the process of collecting solid waste, hazardous wastes usually mix with ordinary
garbage and other flammable wastes making the disposal process even harder and risky.

Address: Hilltop Road, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City 4200, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
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 6. Emission of Toxic Gases

When hazardous wastes like pesticides, batteries containing lead, mercury or zinc,
cleaning solvents, radioactive materials, e-waste and plastics mixed up with paper and other
non-toxic scraps are burned they produce dioxins, furans, polychlorinated biphenyls, and other
gases. These toxic gases have the potential of causing various diseases, including cancer.

7. Impact on Land and Aquatic Animals

Our carelessness with our waste and garbage also affects animals, and they suffer the
effects of pollution caused by improperly disposed of wastes and rubbish.

Consuming styrofoam and cigarette butts have been known to cause deaths in marine
animals. Animals are also at risk of poisoning while consuming grasses near contaminated
areas or landfills as the toxins seep into the soil.

Methods of Solid Waste Management

There are different methods of solid waste management. The following are some of the
recognized methods:

1. Sanitary Landfill

This is the most popular solid waste disposal method used today. Garbage is basically
spread out in thin layers, compressed and covered with soil or plastic foam. Modern landfills are
designed in such a way that the bottom of the landfill is covered with an impervious liner, which
is usually made of several layers of thick plastic and sand. This liner protects the groundwater
from being contaminated because of leaching or percolation. When the landfill is full, it is covered
with layers of sand, clay, topsoil and gravel to prevent seepage of water.

Advantage: If landfills are managed efficiently, it is an ensured sanitary waste disposal method.

Constraint: It requires a reasonably large area.

2. Incineration

This method involves the burning of solid wastes at high temperatures until the wastes are
turned into ashes. Incinerators are made in such a way that they do not give off extreme amounts
of heat when burning solid wastes.

Address: Hilltop Road, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City 4200, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
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 Incinerators that recycle heat energy through furnaces and boilers are called waste-to-
energy plants. These waste-to-energy systems are more expensive to set up and operate
compared to plain incinerators because they require special equipment and controls, highly skilled
technical personnel, and auxiliary fuel systems.

This method of solid waste management can be done by individuals, municipalities and
even institutions. The good thing about this method is the fact that it reduces the volume of waste
up to 20 or 30% of the original volume.

Advantage: The volume of combustible waste is reduced considerably by burning waste. In the
case of off-site pits, it is an appropriate method to minimize scavenging.

Constraint: It can cause smoke or fire hazard and also emits gaseous pollutants.

3. Recovery and Recycling

Recycling or recovery of resources is the process of taking useful but discarded items for
the next use. Plastic bags, tins, glass and containers are often recycled automatically since, in
many situations, they are likely to be scarce commodities.

Traditionally, these items are processed and cleaned before they are recycled. The
process aims at reducing energy loss, consumption of new material and reduction of landfills. The
most developed countries follow a strong tradition of recycling to lower volumes of waste.

Advantage: Recycling is environmentally friendly.

Constraint: It is expensive to set up, and in most emergencies, there is limited potential.

4. Composting

Due to a lack of adequate space for landfills, biodegradable yard waste is allowed to
decompose in a medium designed for the purpose. Only biodegradable waste materials are used
in composting.

It is a biological process in which micro-organisms, specifically fungi and bacteria, convert

degradable organic waste into substances like humus. This finished product, which looks like soil,
is high in carbon and nitrogen. Good quality environmentally friendly manure is formed from the
compost that is an excellent medium for growing plants and can be used for agricultural purposes.

Advantage: Composting is environmentally friendly as well as beneficial for crops.

Constraint: It requires intensive management and experienced personnel for large scale
operation.

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Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
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5. Pyrolysis

This is a method of solid waste management whereby solid wastes are chemically
decomposed by heat without the presence of oxygen. It usually occurs under pressure and at
temperatures of up to 430 degrees Celsius. The solid wastes are changed into gasses, solid
residue of carbon and ash and small quantities of liquid.

Advantage: This will keep the environment clean and reduce health and settlement problems.

Constraint: The systems that destroy chlorinated organic molecules by heat may create
incomplete combustion products, including dioxins and furans. These compounds are highly toxic
in the parts per trillion ranges. The residue it generates may be hazardous wastes, requiring
proper treatment, storage, and disposal.

To summarize, proper solid waste management is an integral part of environmental

conservation that should be observed by both individuals and companies globally

Solid Waste Management in Action!

It is now time to help our nature restore its beauty and make the world a safer place to
live in. Follow the instructions below for your activity.

1. Choose one method of solid waste management that you can implement in your house.
2. Do it and take a photo
3. Submit your photo in the LMS with a caption of the solid waste management method you
did and share what you realized while doing the method.

Address: Hilltop Road, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City 4200, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
Website: www.ub.edu.ph
 Video Presentation

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Create a two-minute video presentation

about environmental problems and ways
to save the environment
2. Avoid using disturbing graphics.
3. You may use any video-editing
application.
4. If there are pictures, video clips, and
sound/music used in the video, cite their
sources properly.
5. Upload your output in the LMS drop box.

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Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
Website: www.ub.edu.ph
LESSON 2: Disaster and Disaster Management

ABOUT THE LESSON:

A disaster is a sudden, calamitous event that seriously disrupts the functioning of a
community or society and causes human, material, and economic or environmental losses that
exceed the community’s or society’s ability to cope using its own resources. Though often caused
by nature, disasters can have human origins. This is why it is important to be aware of the ways
to avoid risk and serious damages caused by the disaster.

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

LO1. Define disaster and disaster management

LO2. Practice disaster preparedness and mitigation
LO3. Illustrate the ways to prepare in times of disasters

LEARNING OUTPUTS/REQUIREMENTS: Self-Preparedness, Reflective Essay

LESSON TIME ALLOTMENT: 4.5 hours

LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

Self-Assessment

Watch the following videos to get information about disaster and disaster risk management.

Natural and Man-made Disasters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpCPOjHh224

Building Capacity for Disaster Risk Management

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxp6R1D2Kng

With a scale of 1-10 as ten is the highest, how are you going to rate your preparedness
during a calamity such as typhoon and earthquake?

Address: Hilltop Road, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City 4200, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
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 What is a Disaster?

A disaster occurs when a hazard impacts on vulnerable people. The combination of

hazards, vulnerability and inability to reduce the potential negative consequences of risk results
in disaster.

(VULNERABILITY + HAZARD) / CAPACITY = DISASTER

Natural hazards are naturally occurring physical phenomena caused either by rapid or
slow onset events which can be geophysical (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis and volcanic
activity), hydrological (avalanches and floods), climatological (extreme temperatures, drought and
wildfires), meteorological (cyclones and storms/wave surges) or biological (disease epidemics
and insect/animal plagues).

Technological or man-made hazards (complex emergencies/conflicts, famine, displaced

populations, industrial accidents and transport accidents) are events that are caused by humans
and occur in or close to human settlements. This can include environmental degradation, pollution
and accidents. Technological or man-made hazards (complex emergencies/conflicts, famine,
displaced populations, industrial accidents and transport accidents)

There are a range of challenges, such as climate change, unplanned-urbanization, under-

development/poverty as well as the threat of pandemics that will shape humanitarian assistance
in the future. These aggravating factors will result in increased frequency, complexity and severity
of disasters.

Disaster Management can be defined as the organization and management of resources

and responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular
preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters.

Address: Hilltop Road, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City 4200, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
Website: www.ub.edu.ph
 Philippines: A country Prone to
Natural Disaster

The Philippines has suffered from an inexhaustible number of deadly typhoons,

earthquakes, volcano eruptions and other natural disasters. This is due to its location along the
Ring of Fire, or the typhoon belt – a large Pacific Ocean region where many of Earth’s volcanic
eruptions and earthquakes occur. Annually, approximately 80 typhoons develop above tropical
waters, of which 19 enter the Philippine region and six to nine make landfall, according to the Joint
Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).

The Philippines is in fact the country most exposed to tropical storms in the world. Violent
tropical storms, such as the latest Haiyan typhoon, can generate 10 times as much energy as the
Hiroshima bombing.

Here is a list of earthquakes, volcanic

eruptions, typhoons, cyclones and other natural
disasters the Philippines has had to cope with
during the past decade - leaving thousands of
people dead and the country's infrastructure and
economy in tatters.

Bohol earthquake, October 2013

In the early morning hours of October 15, 2013 the island province of Bohol, located in
Central Visayas in the Philippines, was disrupted by the deadliest earthquake in the Philippines
in 23 years. The earthquake lasted 34 seconds and had a magnitude of 7.2. The Bohol earthquake
had an impact on the entire Central
Visayas region. According to the
National Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council
(NDRRMC) 222 people died, 976
were injured, and more than 73,000
houses were damaged or destroyed.
It has been estimated that the energy
the quake released was equivalent to
32 Hiroshima bombs.

Guinsaugon Landslide

The village of Guinsaugon, on the southern part of Leyte island, was buried when an entire
mountainside collapsed on 17 February, 2006 – 1,126 people were killed in the disaster. A school,
along with 500 homes were wiped out when a rapid flow of mud made its way down the mountain

Address: Hilltop Road, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City 4200, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
Website: www.ub.edu.ph
slope. The disaster occurred after torrential rains of up to 200 centimeters (78 inches) dumped
down on the region within 10 days. Locals blame deforestation, caused by illegal logging, to be a
contributing factor in the disaster.

Taal Volcano Eruption (January 2020)

On January 12, 2020 Taal Volcano in Batangas erupted. Sudden steam-driven or phreatic
explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall
and lethal accumulations or expulsions of
volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas
within Taal Volcano Island (TVI) and along
its coast. At least 584,000 people have been
affected in Batangas, Quezon, Laguna, and
Cavite. There are over 6,100 people staying
in evacuation centers, and at least 194,000
people are served outside the evacuation
centers. The eruption of Taal Volcano was a
phreatomagmatic eruption from its main
crater that spewed ashes across
Calabarzon, Metro Manila, and some parts
of Central Luzon and Ilocos Region,
resulting in the suspension of school classes, work schedules, and flights in the area. The
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) subsequently issued an Alert
Level 4, indicating "that a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

The enactment of Republic Act 10121 otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Act of 2010 has laid the basis for a paradigm shift from just disaster
preparedness and response to disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).The National
DRRM Plan serves as the national guide on how sustainable development can be achieved
through inclusive growth while building the adaptive capacities of communities; increasing the
resilience of vulnerable sectors; and optimizing disaster mitigation opportunities with the end in
view of promoting people’s welfare and security towards gender-responsive and rights-based
sustainable development.

Address: Hilltop Road, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City 4200, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
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 Over the past several years, the country has gained a lot of attention and momentum in
the area of disaster risk reduction. Numerous projects and activities have been undertaken by
various Philippine stakeholders and agencies in DRRM. However, sustaining the positive results
and scaling them up to effect rippling positive changes in the lives of the people have been
constant challenges. Threats remain. Disasters and people’s risk to disasters are still present.
This is because the underlying causes of people’s vulnerability has yet to be fully recognized and
addressed. For years, DRR has focused more on efforts around disaster preparedness and
response and not so much in identifying the hazard-prone areas and other factors which
contribute to people’s exposure to disasters; incorporating risk analysis to development plans;
building people’s capacities towards sustainable livelihood options; and the like. Although DRR
has been gaining attention among peoples and institutions, a complete paradigm shift from
“disasters as an immediate product of hazards” to “disasters as a function of people’s
vulnerability” has not yet fully happened.

In accordance with the NDRRMF, through the NDRRMP, the country will have “Safer,
adaptive and disaster resilient Filipino communities towards sustainable development. “This will
be achieved through the four distinct yet mutually reinforcing priority areas, namely, (a) Disaster
Prevention and Mitigation; (b) Disaster Preparedness; (c) Disaster Response; and (d) Disaster
Recovery and Rehabilitation. Each priority area has its own long term goal, which when put
together will lead to the attainment of our country over goal/vision in DRRM.

The priority area on Disaster Prevention and Mitigation provides key strategic actions
that give importance to activities revolving around hazards evaluation and mitigation, vulnerability
analyses, identification of hazard-prone areas and mainstreaming DRRM into development plans.
It is based on sound and scientific analysis of the different underlying factors which contribute to
the vulnerability of the people and eventually, their risks and exposure to hazards and disasters.

Disaster Preparedness provides for the key strategic actions that give importance to
activities revolving around community awareness and understanding; contingency planning;
conduct of local drills and the development of a national disaster response plan. Risk-related
information coming from the prevention and mitigation aspect is necessary in order for the
preparedness activities to be responsive to the needs of the people and situation on the ground.
Also, the policies, budget and institutional mechanisms established under the prevention and
mitigation priority area will be further enhanced through capacity building activities, development
of coordination mechanisms. Through these, coordination, complementation and interoperability
of work in DRRM operations and essential services will be ensured. Behavioral change created
by the preparedness aspect is eventually measured by how well people responded to the
disasters. At the frontlines of preparedness are the local government units, local chief executives
and communities.

Disaster Response gives importance to activities during the actual disaster response
operations from needs assessment to search and rescue to relief operations to early recovery
activities are emphasized. The success and realization of this priority area rely heavily on the

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completion of the activities under both the prevention and mitigation and preparedness aspects,
including among others the coordination and communication mechanisms to be developed. On-
the-ground partnerships and the vertical and horizontal coordination work between and among
key stakeholders will contribute to successful disaster response operations and its smooth
transition towards early and long term recovery work.

The Rehabilitation and Recovery priority area covers areas like employment and
livelihoods, infrastructure and lifeline facilities, housing and resettlement, among others. These
are recovery efforts done when people are already outside of the evacuation centers.

The Objectives of the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System

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 Survival Kit List for a Natural Disaster

When building your emergency supply kit, start with the right container. Choose something
that is waterproof and easy to carry, like a plastic tote or waterproof duffle bag. For your home kit,
you may need multiple containers.

Here are the basics of what you need to make it through three days:

Water

At a minimum, keep one gallon of water per person per day. That means if your family
consists of five people, you want 15 gallons of water. If you can store more, do so. Those who’ve
been faced with an emergency situation have said that the gallon a day is hard to stretch when it
comes to drinking water, cleaning yourself and your surroundings, and cooking – especially if and
when medical treatment needs to be administered.

Make sure that any water you use for drinking, washing or preparing food, cleaning dishes,
brushing your teeth, or making ice is not contaminated. Anything with a bad odor or taste should
be avoided, as it may cause diseases like dysentery, cholera, typhoid, or hepatitis.

Food Supplies

Non-perishable goods such as canned vegetables, soups, and powdered milk provide
your family with nutrients when the possibility of cooking or preparing food is minimal. Strive to
have around 2,000 calories per person per day to consume, with some to spare. Keeping a variety
of foods in stock, including vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, and meat will give you a balanced diet
and keep everyone healthy and well-fed.

First-Aid Supplies

If you end up in an emergency situation, there’s a good chance you’ll have to do some
level of first aid on someone. While it may be as simple as putting a bandage on a toddler's knee,
it could also be as stressful as stitching a wound on that same child’s head.

For your emergency disaster kit, include more than just bandages and creams. Have
syringes, splints, and a suture kit to ensure you’re prepared no matter what happens. You never
know when you’ll end up needing to render first aid to not only family, but also friends, neighbors,
or even strangers who stumble upon your disaster sanctuary. Include a week’s worth of any and

Address: Hilltop Road, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City 4200, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
Website: www.ub.edu.ph
all prescription medications you and other family members take, as well as things like ibuprofen,
antihistamines, and antibacterial creams.

If you have infants, young children, elderly parents, or disabled family members, keep their
needs in mind as you pack and prepare your emergency disaster kit. Things like diapers, formula,
insulin, and a walker can mean the difference between keeping things calm and controlled and
swimming in absolute chaos.

Utensils

If you have your stockpile of food and water, but no can opener or pot to heat things up,
you’ll be in a bit of trouble. That’s why it’s important to have utensils included in your disaster kit.
Anything you need to prepare and eat meals, include it. Better to be over prepared than under.

Safety Items

Almost as important as first-aid supplies, safety supplies are essential. Include emergency
blankets, equipment to start fires, flashlights, a multi-tool, a knife, and a whistle. A NOAA weather
radio keeps you updated on weather alerts and helps you stay prepared.

Documents

In your emergency kit, keep copies of all your important documents. These include your
insurance cards (medical, house, auto, and life), birth certificates, passports, social security cards,
marriage licenses, state identification or driver’s licenses, and your emergency disaster plan –
which includes the contact information for everyone in your family, as well as out-of-state family,
emergency services in the area, and anything else you might need. Keep these inside a
waterproof container within your disaster kit.

Other Items

The list doesn’t stop there. Here are more items you should have in your kit to ensure you get
through an emergency or disaster.

● Personal care items like toothpaste and shampoo

● A battery-operated or crank-style radio
● Extra batteries of all sizes
● A small amount of cash, preferably in small bills
● Spare credit card

Address: Hilltop Road, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City 4200, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
Website: www.ub.edu.ph
 ● Map of the local area
● Extra set of car and house keys
● A list of things that should be done before you leave and how to do them
● Emergency contact list, including names, phone numbers, and addresses

Self-Preparedness

Rate your self-preparedness in the occurrence of a natural disaster such as typhoon and
earthquake by filling out the table below. Put a check on the numerical rating of 1-5 wherein 5 is
the highest.

Survival Kit List 1 2 3 4 5

Water

Food Supplies

First-Aid Supplies

Utensils

Safety Items

Documents

Other Items

List down your ways on how you can help in your community when disasters/calamities occur.
Submit your answer in the drop box in your LMS.

____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

Address: Hilltop Road, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City 4200, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
Website: www.ub.edu.ph
 Reflective Essay

Question

Relate the quotation by Max Mayfield that says

“Preparation through education is less costly than learning
through tragedy.” to the lesson about disaster
management and preparedness.

REMINDERS!

 Your reflection should contain 3 paragraphs with 5 sentences each.

 Post your outputs on our UBian LMS Discussion

Address: Hilltop Road, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City 4200, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
Website: www.ub.edu.ph
References:

A. Books
Espiritu, R. et al. (2018), National Service Training Program with Common and Specific
Modules, Malabon City, Mutya Publishing House, INC.
Bustria, Ma. Corazon (2017) Instructional Module in Civic Welfare Training Service
Villasoto, Herminigildo. (2018) Human Person Gearing Towards Social Development
(NSTP-CWTS 1): Work text for College Students
Co, M. G. et.al. 2016. Understanding the Science and Practical Knowledge of Preppin for
Disasters. Mutya Publishing House, Malabon City
B. Journals
C. Internet Sources
Climate Change Service (n.d.). Climate Change in the Philippine Context Retrieved July 19,
2022, from https://climatechange.denr.gov.ph/
Disaster preparedness: IFRC. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://bit.ly/3aMjV3S
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://bit.ly/2RaCoJ6
Natural disaster survival guide: Your emergency checklist. Ammo.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://bit.ly/3grBcNs
Wingard J. & Brändlin A. S., (2013), Philippines: A country prone to natural disasters: DW:
10.11.2013. DW.COM. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/2Dj38EG

Address: Hilltop Road, Brgy. Kumintang Ibaba, Batangas City 4200, Philippines
Telephone Numbers: +63 43 723 1446 | 980 0041
Website: www.ub.edu.ph