The havoc brought about by the recent calamities brings into question the efforts toward disaster risk reduction management. While the government boasts of having enacted the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act (Republic Act No. 10121), it failed to minimize casualties and injuries that the latest typhoon-turned low pressure area, Usman, resulted to the death of 85 persons, 20 missing and 40 others injured in Eastern Visayas, Bicol and MIMAROPA in the last few days of December 2018. A similar disaster occurred barely two months ago when Typhoon Ompong ravaged Luzon and Visayas causing 82 casualties, 138 injured and two missing.
The Philippines consistently ranks third in the World Risk Index. In 2018, the country scored 25.14 next to Tonga's 29.42 and Vanuato's 50.28. Though the figure is slightly lower to its previous year score of 27.69, it is still classified as "Very High". The Philippines likewise scored 49.94 and 50.33 in the Risk Index's major components, "Exposure" and "Vulnerability".Both scores are interpreted as "Very High".
Despite the high risks the country is facing, negligence, and political as well as personal interests always get in the way to effectively develop and implement programs that mitigate disaster-related risks and prepare the people to become more responsive and resilient. In 2015, for instance, the Philippine Commission on Audit (COA) found out that funds for disaster-related programs and activities were under-utilized.Some government agencies would try to control as much funds as possible but lacks the necessary capacity to use the same. As a result, agencies that has the capability but lacks the necessary connections to lobby for bigger funds end up getting only the crumbs. Because of the imbalance between funds and capability, disaster-related casualties and damages are high while resources are just wasted.
From 2014 to 2016, the COA also found that the local government units (LGUs) and the Department of National Defense violated the rules on disaster fund management. In 2015, it was reported that "a total of P244.997 million was spent by 124 LGUs on activities not related to disaster risk management, instead of being funded by regular appropriations" Hence, there are cases when the DRR funds are depleted but disaster-related programs were not implemented.
Interests of government officials over disaster-related activities are also low. During Typhoon Ompong, while Cagayan is suffering from the onslaught of typhoon, local government officials are touring the palace with Presidential Assistant Bong Go, who was seeking a position in the Senate. The palace later defended Go's and the LGU official's tour as having been set earlier than the typhoon which simply indicates the importance of the activity over disaster preparedness and response.
(To be continued)
The Philippines consistently ranks third in the World Risk Index. In 2018, the country scored 25.14 next to Tonga's 29.42 and Vanuato's 50.28. Though the figure is slightly lower to its previous year score of 27.69, it is still classified as "Very High". The Philippines likewise scored 49.94 and 50.33 in the Risk Index's major components, "Exposure" and "Vulnerability".Both scores are interpreted as "Very High".
Despite the high risks the country is facing, negligence, and political as well as personal interests always get in the way to effectively develop and implement programs that mitigate disaster-related risks and prepare the people to become more responsive and resilient. In 2015, for instance, the Philippine Commission on Audit (COA) found out that funds for disaster-related programs and activities were under-utilized.Some government agencies would try to control as much funds as possible but lacks the necessary capacity to use the same. As a result, agencies that has the capability but lacks the necessary connections to lobby for bigger funds end up getting only the crumbs. Because of the imbalance between funds and capability, disaster-related casualties and damages are high while resources are just wasted.
From 2014 to 2016, the COA also found that the local government units (LGUs) and the Department of National Defense violated the rules on disaster fund management. In 2015, it was reported that "a total of P244.997 million was spent by 124 LGUs on activities not related to disaster risk management, instead of being funded by regular appropriations" Hence, there are cases when the DRR funds are depleted but disaster-related programs were not implemented.
Interests of government officials over disaster-related activities are also low. During Typhoon Ompong, while Cagayan is suffering from the onslaught of typhoon, local government officials are touring the palace with Presidential Assistant Bong Go, who was seeking a position in the Senate. The palace later defended Go's and the LGU official's tour as having been set earlier than the typhoon which simply indicates the importance of the activity over disaster preparedness and response.
(To be continued)
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