The intended beneficiaries of this manual are the CBDRM trainers, practitioners and facilitators, local government authorities and staff, civil society organizations, the academe and women’s groups and communities.

The training manual can be downloaded here.

With our generous share of vulnerability to disasters, and a more generous share of both natural and man-made hazards, the Philippines is a disaster risk epicenter. The country lies in an area highly prone to natural hazards – typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flash floods, vector-borne diseases. The socio-economic and political conditions of the country also makes Filipinos very vulnerable to disasters. This has placed the Philippines as one of the world’s most disaster prone nations and climate change can only exacerbate all of these.

The Disaster Risk Reduction Network (DRRNet) in the Philippines is a network of disaster risk reduction advocates and practitioners throughout the country. According to DRRNet, the Philippines’ vulnerability to disasters has increased immensely throughout the years, resulting in the loss of lives, livelihood, and property.

DRRNetPhils is advocating for a policy shift from disaster response and preparedness to disaster risk reduction and management through the development and establishment of a national framework that will foster an enabling national policy environment anchored on multi-stakeholder action. A policy is needed to reduce and manage disaster risks in the country because of two reasons. One, the Philippines lies in the heart of an area prone to natural disasters and two, the country’s socio-economic and political conditions make the Filipinos vulnerable to disaster impacts.

The DISASTER RISK REDUCTION and MANAGEMENT BILL (DRRM) Bill

A new law is needed because a paradigm shift is urgently needed in transforming the country’s disaster management system. The new law shall adopt and adhere to principles and strategies consistent with the international standards set by the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) which is a comprehensive, action-oriented response to international concern about the growing impacts of disasters on individuals, communities and national development. The HFA was formulated and adopted by 168 governments at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction held in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan in 2005.

The prevailing framework for disaster management in the Philippines and in many developing nations has been the traditional or has a “dominant” approach. The flaw with this approach is that it narrowly views disasters as a function of the physical strength, magnitude or intensity of a hazardous event. This is not always the case. Disasters become disasters when the people who are affected cannot cope with the social, psycho-social, economic and physical impacts. Most importantly, the risk of  a hazard event turning into a disaster is also determined by the capacities of the affected community and the people’s ability to withstand, shield itself, and recover swiftly from such devastating events.

The proposed DRRM Bill encourages the government to shift its focus to disaster prevention and risk reduction by putting more emphasis on strengthening the communities’ and people’s capacity to anticipate, cope with, and recover from disasters, as an integral part of development programs. Mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in the country’s policies, programs, and plans therefore lies at the very heart of the DRRM Bill.

The policy shift in the new DRRM Bill.

Basic Principles for an Effective DRRM Law

1. Prioritize community level DRRM, focusing on most vulnerable sectors

Priority must be given to activities that focus on these “high risk” groups in the most disaster-prone, poorest communities of the country in terms of educating them on DRR/M and empowering them to meaningfully participate and contribute to reducing disaster risks. Utmost concern and support in reducing the vulnerabilities of our communities and making them disaster resilient should be a priority. And how can their vulnerabilities be reduced? How can communities be made disaster resilient?

2. Strenghten local capacities

The primary strategy to reduce vulnerability is to reinforce or create local strengths upon which communities can draw to anticipate, resist, cope with and recover from hazards. It is crucial to recognize, strengthen and scale up the skills, knowledge, and innovative practices that disaster prone communities have initiated and sustained in response to natural disasters – for the most part without financial and institutional support.

3. Ensure greater participation from civil society

Furthermore, following the principles upheld by the constitutions and by the Local Government Code, peoples’ organizations (POs), non-government organizations (NGOs), academic and research institutions, church and faith-based formations, and other concerned organizations and sectors such as the women, children and the youth, farmers and fisherfolks, should be represented, and must have active and substantive participation in all levels of DRRM/coordination. These groups possess a wealth of knowledge in effective risk assessment and risk reduction approaches and have played many key formal and informal roles in community recovery and risk reduction. Their participation in public decision making is a key element in overcoming the barriers of social exclusion, economic inequity, and political marginalization that have led to their increased vulnerability.

4. Address root causes of disasters

The root causes of disasters are political, economic, social and environmental. Disasters do not occur only because of natural settings and natural events but they are also a product of the social, economic and political environment where people live in adverse socio-economic situations that lead them to inhabit high risk areas and engage in dangerous livelihood. Disaster is more than a function of the physical strength, magnitude or intensity of a hazardous event; it is also determined by the capacities of the affected community and the people’s ability to withstand, shield itself and recover swiftly from such devastating events. Thus, long-term solutions lie in being able to build a more just, equitable and compassionate society. Practical steps towards this goal include strengthening democratic accountability, increasing women’s, youth and children’s substantive participation and voice in decision making, and strengthening partnerships with civil society organizations.

Advocating the DRRM Bill

The DRRNet has worked with the TWGs of both the Senate and the House of Representatives (HOR).  The  Senate has passed its version of the DRRM Bill.  In  the HOR, after the committee report, the Bill can be taken up for interpollation and deliberation in the HOR.  The HOR consoliated version as it is,  now contains many of the provisions which the DRRNet advocates for. Advocacy needs to be continued so that at least 50% + 1 signatures from Congressmen and committee members can be obtained.

DRRNet will highlight its advocacy on the DRRM Bill through activities to be held at the House of Representatives on  October 14, 2009 which is also DRR International Day.  It urges for the enactment of the bill before the year ends, if not before the end of the 14th Congress.

Let’s not wait for another disaster to happen…
Pass the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Bill NOW!

Click here to view the DRRM Bill Primer

Both CDP and CDRC has gone a long way in advocating CBDRM. In 1999, CDRC’s training and education desk has been instrumental in the conception and establishment of CDP, which also this year celebrates 10 years of service in promoting and developing CBDRM with communities, NGOs, national and local governments.

CDRC Celebrates 25th Year

On October 6, 2009, the Citizen’s Disaster Response Center (CDRC) celebrated its 25 years of dedicated service to the vulnerable sectors with the theme: “Dalawampu’t Limang Taong Paninilbihan at Sama-Samang Pagkilos ng Mamamayan sa Pagharap sa Kalamidad.”

Since its inception, CDRC has continuously promoted community based disaster management by enhancing peoples’ capacities and reducing their vulnerabilities through preparedness and mitigation, emergency relief, and rehabilitation programs.

CDRC’s 25th year anniversary will be a one year event — highlighting the works and achievements of CDRC and its Regional Centers through various activities like photo exhibits, fora, education festival, contests, concert and tree planting. Information and advocacy materials such as pins, t-shirts, calendars, planners, books and videos will be produced. A new website and the CDRC Resource and Training Center will be launched as well.

A thanksgiving mass was held on October 6, 2009, at the National City United Church, Times St., West Triangle Homes, Quezon City to kick off the year-long celebration.

On October 10, 2009, CDRC also organized an education festival at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani grounds in EDSA. The activity, dubbed as “Fun Day”, included educational booths for both children and adults on different topics related to disasters featuring film showing, storytelling, puppet show, educational discussion, games, etc. After the education festival, the awarding ceremony of the winners for the annual ABKD poster making contest for children and the “Name-Our-Theme-Song” contest was held.

Click here to view the CDRC 25th Year Anniversary Photo Album
Click here to view the CDRC 25th Year Concept Paper and Year-long List of Activities

Click here for the “Views from the Frontline” abridged handbook

The Center for Disaster Preparedness has been selected as the National Coordinating Organization for the “Views from the Frontline” Hyogo Framework for Action  (HFA) monitoring and review project. The project involves joint research, information sharing and learning from local initiatives in disaster risk reduction and the progress of  implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action.  The Views from the Frontline is complementary to the Philippine Government’s report to the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) with added value of the Civil Society/Non-government Organizations’ perspective and focus on local and on-the-ground activities.  The global report is to be presented to the Global Review in Geneva in June 2009.

The Views from the Frontline Project is being undertaken by the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction with National Coordinating Organizations and Regional Coordinating Organizations.  At the Asia  regional level, the Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN) is the Regional Coordinating Organization.

Your contributions to be part of this undertaking to have the actual survey work at the local level would be highly appreciated.  We want to enlist as many NGOs/civil society organisations as we can to join us in the actual survey work at the local level. Those involved in the data gathering at the local level are “Participatory Organisations” (POs).

The main role of the PO will be threefold:

1. To administer the relevant survey questionnaire with the two main respondent groups:
a. Local Government Officials
b. Civil Society Organisations

2. Hold community consultations to discuss the survey findings, draw out key recommendations and possible joint actions between the various stakeholders.

3. Bring back to the national level the surveys for consolidation and analysis.

The PO will need to implement the surveys and consultations in close coordination with the Center for Disaster Preparedness as the NCO. Each of the questionnaires will take approximately 20 minutes to complete and will be undertaken by the POs with the different respondent groups on a voluntary basis.

Partnership and ownership at the local level is crucial to achieving the project objectives and outcomes. Bringing the concerns and interests of vulnerable communities into the heart of DRR policy and practice requires us close the gap between local, national and global work, and between policy advocates and practitioners at the grassroots level. The production of solid evidence, based on local realities, is critical for developing policy positions from which we can engage in the national, regional and international policy discourse.

The more NGOs and civil society organisations we have in this data gathering process the more effective will be our work. There is probably no more compelling form of exerting influence over policy formulation and implementation than the collective force of large numbers of different civil society organisations and NGOs from different regions of the world, who share common concerns and are united in a collective action to build disaster resilient communities.

Kindly pass on this invitation to other NGOs / CSO with presence at the local level.  Academic and research institutions, national and local NGOs, faith-based organizations, community-level groups and associations, people’s organizations are all welcome to join this initiative.

CDP attended a training workshop with ADRRN on how to carry forward the Views from the Frontline Project in the Philippines in Kuala Lumpur on 5-6 December 2008. Subsequently, a training workshop will be held on December 8, 2008 for Participating Organizations in Manila.

This project and initiative is being coordinated by the Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) in partnership with  the Regional Coordinating Organization – Asian Disaster Reduction and Relief Network (ADRRN) and the Global Network of Civil Society Organizations for Disaster Reduction.

For more information please contact Ms Lorna Victoria (Vice President, CDP) at oyvictoria@yahoo.com or cdp@info.com.ph

Reference Documents:

VIEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE
(pdf version, click to view or download)

Views from the Frontline – Abridged Handbook for Participating Organizations

Annex 1: Letter 1 – Presentation
Annex 2: Letter 2 – Reminder
Annex 3: Guiding Checklist of CSO Categories
Annex 4: Questionnaire for Local Government (Senior Officials)
Annex 5: Questionnaire for Local Government (Planning Officials)
Annex 6: Questionnaire for Local Government (Education)
Annex 7: Questionnaire for Civil Society
Annex 8: Questionnaire for Community Representatives
Annex 9: Management Sheets
Annex 10: Evaluation Template Local Community Consultations
Annex 11: Local Community Consultation Feedback Questionnaire

The TLC responds to the ongoing demand for evidence-based, context-specific, up-to-date and applied CBDRM resources / tools for training, education and learning in Asia. Within 2008 – 2009, the TLC Philippines works for and strengthens its functionality, the publication of a gender-sensitive knowledge product, and the institutionalization of CBDRR curriculum and programs in universities and training institutions.

You can download the newsletter here.

This case study is the second of a series on “Institutionalizing Disaster Risk Management in Higher Education and Training Institutions” in the Philippines. The effort is an initiative of the CBDRM Training and Learning Circle (TLC). One of its outcomes is to form a workgroup and develop a guideline for institutionalizing Community Based Disaster Risk Management in universities and training institutions in Asia.

The case study can be downloaded here.

The Opening Remarks were given by Dr. Amaryllis Tiglao-Torres, Dean of CSWCD. The speakers were Dr. JC Gaillard, Visiting Professor at the Dept. of Geography College of Social Science and Philosophy (UP) who spoke on the “Context of Disaster Risk Reduction and the Hyogo Framework for Action”; and Dr. Greg Bankoff, Professor of Modern History, University of Hull, United Kingdom who spoke on the “Opportunities and Challenges in Disaster Studies and Research”. The forum was attended by students and members of the CBDRM TLC.

Click here to download the proceedings of the forum.

The ACCORD Project is funded by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) and the Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CNDR). Its aims to help increase the capacities of communities to reduce their risks agianst disasters. The project operates in 16 barangays and 20 schools in the municipalities of Dingalan in Aurora, Calabanga in Camarines Sur, and St. Bernard sa Southern Leyte.

Recognizing the importance and effectiveness of community training in increasing the capacities of communities, the ACCORD project has developed the the 4-module traning manual which aims to become a reference material for the conduct of Disaster Risk Reduction Training. The book is composed of four modules: Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM); Disaster Preparedness; Contingency Planning; and Conduct of Community Drill.

It also serves as a sourcebook of information, excercises and activities for the effective conduct of DRR training. Overall, the manuals are based on the experiences of the ACCORD project and is a fit documentation of all the efforts of community members and their involvement in the successful implementation of the project.

The manuals were published in 2009 by CNDR and CARE through the support and funding of the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department, under the “Fifth DIPECHO Action Plan for Southeast Asia.”

Click on the title below to download the publication:

Complete:
Pagsasanay sa Disaster Preparedness at Contingency Planning (23 MB, pdf, includes 4 modules)

Per Module:
Module 1 : Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM)
Module 2 : Disaster Preparedness
Module 3 : Contingency Planning
Module 4 : Conduct of Community Drill

Bangladeshi study tour participants at DILG

A Study Tour participated in by nine senior government officials from different line agencies in Bangladesh, and one representative of the European Commission in Bangladesh was held in the Philippines from April 11-15, 2009.  The study tour was conducted through the partnership of the Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) Philippines, and the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP), and aimed to impart learnings and lessons about  the disaster risk management systems that were set-up in different levels for disaster response, so that possible replication of effective approaches and strategies in Bangladesh context could be explored.

This  initiative was brought forth through the Earthquake and Tsunami/Storm Surge Preparedness component of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) which aims to facilitate the preparation of earthquake risk assessments, contingency plans and education programme within Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet cities in Bangladesh. The component also plans to undertake an extensive risk and vulnerability assessment of coastal areas to increase awareness and improve response management systems for coastal dwellers against the impact of storm surge and tsunami. One of its objectives is to inculcate a better understanding among decision makers, disaster professionals and elected representatives about mitigatory measures against earthquake and other urban disaster. CDMP has designed this study tour for disaster managers to make them more aware about earthquake and other urban disaster preparedness activities that have been undertaken by different agencies in the Philippines and Thailand. The study tour is facilitated by the Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP), and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), in Philippines and Thailand, respectively.

The study tour in the Philippines was headed by Honorable Secretary Md. Mokhlesur Rahman of the Ministry of Food and Disaster Management (MoFDM).  On the first day of the study tour, the group went to Dagupan, Pangasinan where Bangladeshi officials had a chance to witness the early warning system conducted in the area and also met the city mayor. The following days of the study tour was held in Manila, where the participants were able to visit the Office of Civil Defense / National Disaster Coordinating Council (OCD-NDCC), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS),  Department of Education (DepEd) and cities of  Makati and Marikina.

The participants and representatives of government agencies in the Philippines had a very fruitful discussion and sharing on good practices and approaches in Disaster Risk Management.  The participants also expressed enthusiasm to share the learning and experiences they gained for possible  replication in their country. Moreover, the Senior Government Officials of Bangladesh also commented on the fact that women seemed to be truly empowered in the Philippines, an observation resulting from their meetings and encounters with women leaders during the entire study  tour.

Click here to view Photos of the Study Tour or the CDP Photo Gallery.

The InterChurch Organization for development Cooperation (ICCO) and Kerk in Actie based in The Netherlands organized an exchange visit in the Philippines from November 17-30, 2008, to enhance the capacities of their partner organizations in Indonesia, Central America and Afghanistan in community based disaster risk management.  The Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) facilitated the CBDRM Training cum study visit.  The first part of the program was a four-day training on CBDRM wherein participants were introduced to the concept of CBDRM and how this practice evolved in the Philippine context.  An actual Risk Assessment was done in Buklod Tao in Banaba, San Mateo, Rizal.

Click here to view photos of the study visit.

DRM Training and Study Visit in Coordination with DepEd  with the Maldives Teachers
March 23-28, 2009

The Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) conducted the disaster risk management  training for school administrators and teachers from Maldives from March 23 – 28, 2009. Aside from the latest framework and concepts for mainstreaming disaster risk management in the education center, good practices from  Philippines and international experiences were shared.  The Department of Education gave inputs on its integration of DRM in the curriculum and its school safety programs and facilitated study visit to 2 schools.  DepEd   Undersecretary Antonio A. Inocentes  was guest of honor for the  Closing Activities.  The training was arranged by the Education Development Center of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Maldives with funding support from UNDP-Maldives.

Click here to view photos of the study visit.

Part A: Integrating DRR in the School Curriculum: Project Experience
Part B: Study on Impact of Disasters on the Education Sector
Part C: School Construction: Current Practices and Improvements Needed

The second part of the document (page 32) features the study report on “Impact of Disasters on the Education Sector in the Philippines” prepared by the Centre for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) Philippines under the Advocacy and Pilot Project Implementation in Education Sector in South East Asia, a project of ADPC’s program on Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction into Development Policy, Planning and Implementation (MDRD). The research was led by Emmanuel M. Luna (Lead Researcher) together with Maria Leonila P. Bautista and Mark P. De Guzman as Research Associates.

The publication can be downloaded here.

The idea of developing a curriculum on Disaster Risk Management came with a sense of urgency to meet the demands for addressing disaster cases that abound the Bicol region. The sad experiences that Bicol had since the 70’s with Typhoon Sining and the most recent disaster cases due to Typhoon Milenyo and Reming in 2006, which brought tremendous risks and disasters to the human populace in the Region, triggered the academe to rethink what the country is currently doing to manage risks brought about by disastrous events, hence the curriculum.

Publishing the series of case studies is an initiative of the CBDRM Training and Learning Circle (TLC). One of its outcomes is to form a workgroup and develop a guideline for institutionalizing Community Based Disaster Risk Management in universities and training institutions in Asia. The CBDRM Training and Learning Circle (TLC) exists to strengthen and facilitate the crucial nterface betweek training and education for Community Based Disaster Risk Managemnent (CBDRM) in the Philippines, through ongoing knowledge exchange cycle between community-based organizations, training institutions and universities across the country.

The case study can be downloaded here.

The article focuses how local knowledge and practices can be applied to community-based disaster risk management, and how combining it with scientific and technical knowledge can achieve disaster risk reduction. It features the case of Brgy. Banaba, San Matero Rizal, and Dagupan City, Philippines, among others.

Tropical Coasts Magazine is published biannually through the partnership led by the Global Environment Facility, UNDP, Intrnational Maritime Organization, SIDA MArine Program, Coastal Management Center and UNEP, and is geared towards stimulating thee xchange of information and sharing of experiences on environmental protection and the management pf coastal and marine areas.

The article can be found on page 56 of the publication.

The case study focuses on community-based disaster risk management & local governance implemented in the City of Dagupan, north of Manila in northern Philippines, by the Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP), through the PROMISE program. It has provided an opportunity for city officials to go back to the city’s (urban) village communities and train them on CBDRM. Barangay Disaster Coordinating Councils were revitalized, which helped develop village disaster risk reduction plans that have benefited the city.

The “Program for Hydro-Meteorological Mitigation for Secondary Cities in Asia” (PROMISE) seeks to mainstream community-based disaster risk management project (CBDRM) into city good governance and is implemented in several countries in Asia.

The case study can be found on page 46 of the publication.

The action research to develop the Child-Oriented Participatory Risk Assessment and Planning (COPRAP) Toolkit was conducted by Mayfourth D. Luneta of the Center for Disaster Preparedness (CDP) Philippines, from September 2005 to June 2006 with the support of the ProVention Consortium Applied Research Grants for Disaster Reduction Programme. The Research Partners were Buklod Tao (people’s organization in Barangay Banaba, San Mateo Rizal which implements community based disaster management), Center for Positive Future (local high school), and the Center for Disaster Preparedness. The mentor of this Action Research is Lorna P. Victoria.

The COPRAP Toolkit can be downloaded here. (706 kb)

The trainor’s manual was developed by BALAY and CDP, together with Save the Children UK. This module is today available for use in the National Disaster Coordinating Council, its counterparts in the local government units, various service providers working with children and involved in disaster management, most especially community-based disaster management, and finally, the thousands of barangays in the country as significant units in the locality that are regularly engaged and are always vitally affected by conflicts and disasters and the multi-stakeholders in these localities.

The manual can be downloaded here. (6 MB)

The case study talks about Banaba, a village of the urban poor in the outskirts of Manila that is plagued by flooding,improper waste disposal, poor sanitation and hygiene, unemployment, and high population growth. Poverty has driven many residents and ‘informal settlers’ to live by an increasingly eroded riverbank and in flood-prone areas. In 2007, Buklod Tao (BT), a local environmental community organisation, embarked on an initiative that linked livelihoods, environmental care and disaster preparedness. BT is involved in disaster preparedness and mitigation in Banaba, as well as in the income-earning production of ‘Go Bags’ (disaster evacuation bags) and life vests for children at risk.

The case study can be found on page 66 of the publication.