Abstract
This paper focuses on the accountability of disaster preparedness and response of two cities in Metro Manila, Philippines. The paper draws a lesson from the experiences of two highly urbanized cities in Metro Manila and how coordinated efforts in disaster preparedness and response among the members of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (CDRRMC) were accounted for. This paper provides a deeper understanding of how city governments fulfill their commitments and responsibilities to disaster victims during disaster preparedness and response. This study utilized key informants interviews and focus group discussions among key members of CDRRMC and review of existing laws and relevant policies. The upward vertical accountability is well established as this involves members of the City DDRM Councils as the council members are accountable to their respective City Mayors. Downward vertical accountability is not well defined as this refers to the accountability of DRRM frontline service workers to the disaster victims. The horizontal accountability among members of the City DRRM Councils is yet to be established as this involves different department heads who are at the same level of power and authority. The paper provides fresh insights on the vertical and horizontal accountability in disaster governance of cities in Metro Manila.
Highlights
Vertical and horizontal accountability are forms of accountability and are facets of democracy and good governance
The study initially documented the horizontal and vertical accountability of Cities of Quezon and Muntinlupa to appraise if certain provisions (Sections 12, 19 & 20) from Republic Act 10121 were enforced by the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices (LDRRMOs)
The Disaster Preparedness and Response (DPR) includes how the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (C/DRRMO) accounts to their Superior or Donor in the execution of their functions. For both Quezon City and Muntinlupa City, disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) Council representatives claimed that they are accountable to the Office of the Mayor since that office is the one making final approval of the DRRM funds release and utilization
Summary
Vertical and horizontal accountability are forms of accountability and are facets of democracy and good governance. These two forms of accountability exist in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM). Due to the severe impact of disasters experienced by the affected countries, it is imperative to establish accountability in disaster governance as it promotes the stakeholders’ fulfilment of responsibilities. There have been significant achievements in DRRM. There remain certain issues that nations encounter in disaster governance. Some countries fail to demonstrate good governance, which hampers the effective implementation of DRRM. There can be challenges brought by having multiple disaster governance paradigms in the processes of DRRM
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