Development of Vulnerability Assessment Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction at Three Levels of Geopolitical Units in the Philippines

Rex Aurelius C Robielos,Delia B Senoro,Froilan P Ney,Chiuhsiang Joe Lin

doi:10.3390/su12218815

Rex Aurelius C Robielos, Delia B Senoro + Show 2 more

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This study developed a comprehensive framework for vulnerability assessment as a tool to measure vulnerability at three levels of geopolitical units in the Philippines. This is a comprehensive multi-disaster framework that can provide information to a decentralized type of government system like the Philippines. The vulnerability assessment framework (VAF) that has been developed was anchored upon the IPCC model and used the integration of community-based monitoring system (CBMS) data, expert inputs, and a series of community-based activities such as consultative fora, focus group discussions, workshops, and risk reduction immersion activities. The developed VAF for the assessment of vulnerability indices (VIs) is a system framework composed of a vulnerability scoping diagram (VSD) and an expanded vulnerability assessment model (VAM). The VSD is composed of three dimensions (e.g., exposure, sensitivity, resiliency), seven identified hazards, with 26, 27, and 29 sub-indicators for household, barangay, and municipal levels, respectively. Measuring vulnerability can be an effective strategy for assessing the potential impact/s of natural disasters on society. The continuous occurrence of natural disasters in the Philippines requires enhancement of public understanding of vulnerability. This would provide transparent understanding and enhance community competency leading to the development of methodologies and tools to assess various factors and indicators of vulnerability. The information extracted from using the VAF and VSD are helpful to the local government units, especially in preparing budgets, strategies, and programs for disaster risk reduction.

Highlights

The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world
Several frameworks have been developed over the past years to measure vulnerabilities to climate change. These were conceptualized from its geography roots and natural disasters research to a variety of other research contexts such as ecology, public health, poverty and development, sustainability science, and related others [6,7]
In the process of problem formulation (Phase 1), Figure 3 elaborates the data gathered on the human cost of natural disasters and the various hazards affecting the three levels of geopolitical units

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Introduction

The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. It has endured a total of 283 natural disasters over the past two decades (i.e., 1995–2015) [1]. In 2017 alone, the country experienced 22 major natural events and disasters, which affected 850,000 families and destroyed almost 12,000 houses, resulting in 7.3 billion pesos in damage costs [4]. In light of these recorded disasters and damage costs in the Philippines, measuring community vulnerability is a crucial task towards developing effective risk reduction strategies and the promotion of a culture of disaster resilience [5]. Several frameworks have been developed over the past years to measure vulnerabilities to climate change These were conceptualized from its geography roots and natural disasters research to a variety of other research contexts such as ecology, public health, poverty and development, sustainability science, and related others [6,7]. The risks and vulnerability reduction framework of a certain country is anchored upon specific disaster event/s, geographical location, and regional conditions [8]

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