Over the past decade, the Philippines endured hundreds of natural disaster occurrences,

making it among the most disaster-prone countries in the world. In a study conducted by the

World Bank in 2008, 50.3 percent of its total land area and 81.3 percent of its population are

vulnerable to natural hazards. The 2016 World Risk Report published by the United Nations

University Institute of Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) also revealed that the

Philippines ranked third in the most disaster-prone countries in the world with a Risk Index of

26.70 percent. This brought profound threat to almost every life being not only to humans but

also every individual creature living across the Philippines and additionally the possible

damages in residential, commercial, agricultural, and environmental sector.

Based on the Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA), the damages incurred due to natural

extreme events and disasters amounted to Php.463 billion from 2010 to 2019. Agriculture

posted the largest share with 62.7 percent or Php.290 billion followed by infrastructure, and

private/communications with 23.0 percent or Php.106 billion and 14.3 percent or Php.66 billion

respectively. Although 2011 recorded the highest number of natural disasters at 367, the highest

number of deaths was recorded in 2013 at 7,056, the year when Typhoon Yolanda hit Luzon,

Visayas and Mindanao in November, and a 7.2 magnitude earthquake affected Bohol in

October. This was followed by 2011, the year when Tropical Storm Sendong hit the country in

December. The Philippines recorded a total of 12,097 deaths from 2010 to 2019.

Amid the vulnerability of the country to natural hazards, Philippine Institute of

Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS) director Renato Solidum Jr. admitted, that the nation

remains unprepared for major catastrophes.

According to the World Health Organization, the COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably

tested the disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) system of the Philippines, shedding

light on its weaknesses and sluggishness. Over the past decade, the approaches taken in
disaster management have revealed the unreliability of the disaster response system of our

country.

In 21st century the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are highly

valuable in lessening the risks brought by natural hazards to communities (Lamentillo, 2022).

The Internet is amongst the fastest channels for the transmission of knowledge and information

across wide areas. These means of sharing information can also reach many people from

different backgrounds and engaged across a variety of sectors. This technology can be utilized

by government agencies and local government units to anticipate the arrival of a disaster,

enforce evacuation measures, and strategically position assets and supplies for disaster

response operations.

By the help of the Internet, the Disaster Management Information System has the ability

to enhance interoperability within disaster risk management and can lead to an integrative

nature of information flow. It can also allow governments to easily generate, analyze, share, and

disseminate valuable information for its constituents.

When it comes to disaster preparedness and response, relying solely on traditional

methods and manual processes can lead to limitations and challenges. In the process of

MDRRMO-Binalonan, the current approach involves using social media to disseminate

information about upcoming or ongoing disasters to residents. However, this method may not

reach all residents in real time, potentially leaving some uninformed. In terms of disaster

response, residents are required to call the MDRRMO-Binalonan's emergency hotline to report

incidents and provide necessary information for a prompt response. Unfortunately, the lack of

precise incident location details often hinders the timely mobilization of MDRRMO-Binalonan's

responders, resulting to delays in emergency response. Moreover, the manual data

management practices employed by MDRRMO-Binalonan pose challenges in maintaining

accurate and up-to-date records. The process of manually recording and documenting disaster-
related information is time-consuming. Additionally, retrieving and analyzing data from manual

records can be a cumbersome task, limiting the ability to gain meaningful insights and in

generating reports that would help the town in decision making.

With these concerns, a management information system for the Municipal Disaster Risk

Reduction Management Office – Binalonan (MDRRMO-Binalonan) is appropriate for

implementation. The proposed system, ResQuire, is a web-based management information

system designed specifically for MDRRMO-Binalonan. It can be utilized by the staff and officials

of MDRRMO-Binalonan as well as the residents of Binalonan. The implementation of a disaster

management information system significantly improves the capacity of MDRRMO-Binalonan in

terms of disaster preparedness and response.

References:

World Bank. (2023.). Towards a Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management System for the

Philippines. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/philippines/brief/towards-a-

comprehensive-disaster-risk-management-system-for-the-philippines

Philippine Statistics Authority. (n.d.). Damages due to Natural Extreme Events and Disasters

amounted to PHP 463 billion. Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/content/damages-due-natural-

extreme-events-and-disasters-amounted-php-463-billion

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. (n.d.). Prepare for Tsunami, Urges Usec.

Solidum. Retrieved from https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/7643-prepare-for-

tsunami-urges-usec-solidum?cookie_f1c2eb3d29444b35e29064d3b05e858e=accepted
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Implementing Health Emergency and Disaster Risk

Management. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/activities/implementing-health-emergency-

and-disaster-risk-management