Post-Haiyan: Alternatives for Disaster Management Law and Governance in the Philippines

Abstract

AbstractThe World Disaster Report of 2019 ranks the Philippines as one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world next to Tongo and Vanuatu. The typhoons that have hit various parts of the country since 2009 have unmasked the need for a more responsive disaster governance and organisation development framework and an institution that will oversee mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery during disasters. In the aftermath of typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) in 2010, the government of the Philippines passed Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, signifying the shift from disaster response to disaster preparedness, from the national down to the community level. Using a literature review on disaster governance, as well as various methods, particularly a stakeholder survey and key-informant interviews, this chapter delves into the various policy options proposed in light of the post-super typhoon Haiyan disaster governance framework. It also looks into the current ways of working of civil society organisations (CSOs) working on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and with local DRRM offices. The paper concludes that whatever policy options available are followed, a stronger accountability mechanism and a more inclusive disaster governance framework should be put into place in the Philippines given its nature as a vulnerable country to natural disasters.KeywordsDisaster governanceCivil society organisationsOrganisational designPhilippinesTyphoon Haiyan