“For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die.”—Genesis 6:17
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All-Asia Travel Guide, published by the Far Eastern Economic Review, said the Philippines is one of the world’s most alluring countries. “The country’s assets include its round-the-year warm climate, comparatively low prices, breathtaking natural scenery, and its peoples’ hospitality, which remains charming, if tinged with hopes of financial gain,” it said.
On the negative side, “The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone places on Earth,” to quote the words of Kathleen Tierney, director of the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado. “They’ve got it all. They’ve got earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, tropical cyclones, landslides.”
Based on the 2024 World Risk Index, the Philippines has the highest risk of disasters from extreme natural events and negative climate change impacts. The country topped the index with a score of 46.91, surpassing other Asian countries such as Bangladesh (27.73), India (40.96), Myanmar (35.85), Indonesia (41.13), and Pakistan (27.02).
It is not difficult to acknowledge this reality. The Philippines is situated in “The Ring of Fire” – a narrow area characterized by active volcanic and seismic occurrences surrounding the Pacific Ocean. It looks like a horseshoe-shaped belt about 40,000 kilometers long and up to about 500 kilometers wide.
“The (seismic) activity is the result of the movement of the tectonic plates, the surface crust on which our world is formed, which slowly grow and butt against one another causing cracks that allow deeper molten rock to rise to the surface through what we call volcanoes. Any movement of the plates creates seismic activity we know as earthquakes,” wrote Lindsay Bennet in her travel book entitled Philippines.
The Philippines is also situated within the “typhoon belt” of the western Pacific, an area where approximately one-third of the globe’s tropical cyclones originate.
Typically, typhoons traverse the country in a westward direction, often shifting northward or continuing further westward as they progress. Long-term climatic records indicate that this region is not only the most active globally but also experiences the most powerful storms on Earth.
There is no month in the country that is exempt from them. Typically, the Philippines experiences approximately 20 tropical cyclones annually. However, in recent years, the occurrence of more powerful typhoons has increased, as reported by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Being a disaster-prone country, is it prepared to face such natural calamities? “Disasters in the Philippines present a complex and interconnected challenge,” explains Rachelle Anne L. Miranda of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). “Each solution reveals new difficulties, and there is no single answer to the country’s multifaceted risks. Constant exposure to natural hazards has shaped the vulnerabilities, resilience, and expertise of the Philippines.”
At the recent World Resilient Recovery Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Science Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. presented important insights derived from previous recovery initiatives—spanning various communities and all levels of government—and how these insights are influencing the nation’s enhanced disaster preparedness.
“Our first and foremost lesson: prevention and preparedness as the first line of defense against the devastating impacts of natural hazards,” he said, referencing the occurrence of six tropical cyclones—three of which were classified as super typhoons—within a single month in late 2024.
Despite the intensity of these events, deaths were restricted to 174, thanks to investments in early warning systems, community education, and proactive planning. Nevertheless, the damages incurred amounted to nearly $415 million, underscoring the critical necessity for more robust infrastructure and improved development policies.
Solidum added that the Philippine government sees that protecting lives and the economy starts with science-based systems, and disaster risk reduction as essential for sustainable growth.
“When we protect our wealth, we create more opportunities for everyone. Our goal is a Philippines where every community, city, municipality, and province has easy access to clear, understandable hazard and risk information. This data should be available, accessible, and actionable for all Filipinos,” he pointed out.
Solidum also highlighted the GeoRisk Philippines, a comprehensive geospatial system that combines data on various hazards. This platform improves how the country assesses risks and plans for resilience at the local level as it provides reliable data and analytical tools.
“The Philippines champions information as a basic right and need. Accessible and practical scientific information is the cornerstone of a resilient first line of defense,” he underscored.
He also said that another lesson the government and DOST have realized is that recovery is not just about restoring what was lost but also serves as a strategic entry point for prevention and mitigation—an opportunity to build back better.
“The Philippines has learned that relocating affected communities alone is often insufficient, as successful recovery requires integrating livelihood opportunities and comprehensive social support systems,” said Sec. Solidum.
Recognizing this, under the GeoRisk Philippine Initiative developed the PlanSmart Ready to Rebuild web application, a cutting-edge tool created by the government in partnership with the World Bank. This tool uses science-based data and geospatial platforms to quickly generate detailed rehabilitation and recovery plans, enabling local governments to make smarter, faster decisions through systematic, data-driven approaches.
According to him, local government units find PlanSmart enhances their ability to anticipate recovery measures and seamlessly integrate disaster risk reduction into their broader development frameworks. By embedding resilience into recovery efforts, this innovation helps communities not only rebuild but also establish stronger foundations for sustainable growth and a better quality of life. Through this approach he said, recovery becomes a proactive process that enhances preparedness and strengthens social and economic systems for the future.
In his speech, Solidum underscored that prevention and preparedness are the essential first steps in protecting communities, while building forward better turns recovery into lasting resilience.
“Equitable and transparent financing is crucial to support effective action. These lessons come from a deep understanding of our people’s needs, especially the vulnerable, and reflect a shared commitment with other vulnerable nations to create communities that thrive, not just survive,” the science secretary concluded.
Disasters often recur in the same place – annually or with a gap of some years, said Bob Hansford, disaster risk management advisor at Tearfund, a Christian relief and development agency.
In his article, “Managing disaster and building safer communities,” Hansford talks about the four things that happen when a disaster strikes: emergency response, rehabilitation, mitigation, and preparation.
“In the first few days and weeks after a disaster, there is a need for search and rescue, medical care, food, water, sanitation and shelter, as well as emotional support,” he explains on what an emergency response is.
Rehabilitation comes next. “As the weeks pass, houses need to be repaired, water supplies restored, and livelihoods reinstated,” Hansford says. “Rehabilitation is often called recovery.”
Mitigation is closely linked to rehabilitation. Examples include stronger or raised houses, water pumps on raised platforms, alternative crops to cope better with flood or drought. “Mitigation activities help to ‘build back better,’ making the community more resistant to future hazards,” he says.
Preparation is getting ready for the next disaster that comes. For a storm or flood, it means establishing a warning system, setting aside food or water stocks, making ready an evacuation center or training volunteers.
When asked on how Filipinos can respond to disasters, Dr. Teofredo T. Esguerra, a flight surgeon who is an expert on emergency medical services, replied, “Filipinos should make it like a part of their lives. They should be like Japanese who are always prepared; in fact, they have some survival kits which have already become a part of their day-to-day activities.”
