CEBU, Philippines— A recent nationwide survey
on disaster preparedness and climate change perceptions in the Philippines done
by the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) from February to March 2024
revealed that Filipinos’ self-reported disaster preparedness level has increased
by 42 percent on average over the past seven years.
HHI survey collected nationwide data from 4,608
Filipinos across all regions in the Philippines and showed an average of 19.2
out of 50 across five objective measures of disaster preparedness: planning,
training, material investment, information, and social support. Each criterion
received a score from 0 to 10.
“A score of 19.2 highlights both progress and
areas needing urgent attention. While it shows an improvement in disaster
preparedness, the score suggests that Filipinos are only doing 38.4 percent of
the kinds of disaster preparedness activities needed to be prepared,” Dr.
Vincenzo Bollettino, director of the HHI Resilient Communities program and
co-lead for this study shared.
Bollentino said that this is a significant
improvement from an average score of 13.5 out of 50 in a pioneering study
conducted by HHI in 2017 using the same methodology and instrument; however, it
is not enough for a country with the highest disaster risk in the world.
He added that on the 11th anniversary of one of
the most destructive typhoons in history—Typhoon Haiyan (local name: Super
Typhoon Yolanda) on November 8 2013, the Harvard survey shows how much progress
has been made to prepare for such events, and how much more is left to do.
“For a
country as vulnerable to disasters as the Philippines, this is not enough, so
we must accelerate our efforts to ensure Filipinos are investing, planning,
training, and building closer ties to their communities.” Dr. Bollettino stated.
According to Dr. Patrick Vinck, Director of
Research at HHI, enhancing the Philippines' disaster preparedness requires
investing in local leadership and leveraging technology to improve early
warning systems and community engagement, among other critical measures.
“This should be accompanied by investments in
resilient infrastructures, local capacities, and anticipatory actions,” Dr.
Vinck added.
Material
investments and social support are still low
Among the objective measures of disaster
preparedness, Filipinos scored highest in information at 4.9 out of 10; and
scored lowest in social support at 2.3 out of 10. However, the overall score
remains relatively low across all dimensions, the survey showed.
Survey participants were also asked what
activities their households carried out to prepare for disasters. In terms of specific social support
activities, only a few Filipinos at 23 percent, are members of a group or
association and are familiar with their local disaster risk reduction and
management officers at 16 percent.
Generally, social support declined from 2.7 out
of 10 in 2017 to 2.3 in 2024, the survey said. Most Filipinos implemented
measures to safeguard important documents like birth certificates and property
titles at 87 percent.
Many Filipinos at 70 percent also monitor
typhoon and other disaster warnings while 60 percent familiarize themselves
with rainfall warning systems, suggesting they routinely experience
water-related hazards, such as storms and floods.
While 58 percent of Filipinos discuss emergency
plans as a family, only a few, 20 percent have prepared their respective
disaster management plan, Go bag 27 percent, adequate supplies of regularly
taken medications, 32 percent, and first-aid kit 33 percent.
Disaster
preparedness varied by region
In addition to a nationwide perspective, the
survey offers regional datasets to provide regional, provincial, and local
stakeholders contextually relevant information on disaster preparedness and
resilience.
Among the regions, the Cordillera Administrative
Region (24.0 out of 50), Central Visayas (21.5), and Western Visayas (21.4)
reported the highest levels of preparedness. On the other hand, Davao Region
(17.3), Negros Island (15.8), and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao or BARMM (15.1) reported the lowest levels of preparedness.
Surprisingly, the National Capital Region or
Metro Manila ranked 11th in level of disaster preparedness (19.1) and slightly
below the national average (19.2). It is also one of the regions with the least
progress in disaster preparedness over time, with an increase in preparedness
score by only 22 percent or 3.4 points from 15.7 in 2017.
“NCR is the heart of the Philippine economy and
home for a significant part of the country’s population, yet it is routinely hit
by natural hazards; thus, increasing its disaster preparedness is crucial.” Dr.
Bollettino underscored.
Although having the lowest preparedness score
among regions, the BARMM has reported the highest increase in preparedness
score of 8.0 in 2017 to 15.1 in 2024, marking a 90 percent (+7.1) increase.
The BARMM has historically been less vulnerable
to natural hazards like typhoons, but climate change has contributed to
increased occurrences of flooding and drought throughout the region. This
relatively low exposure to natural hazards and years of conflict have impeded
its disaster preparedness efforts.
While major investments are generally poured
into peacebuilding, poverty reduction, and protection of internally displaced
persons (IDPs), more investments are needed now and, in the future, to deal
with an increasing number of climate-related hazards, Dr. Bollettino said.
In contrast, some regions with a low regional
preparedness score, such as Caraga (18.0) and Davao Region (17.3), also showed
little progress at 11% (+1.7) only.
Wealth
and education are associated with preparedness
The survey also explored the role of Filipinos’
socio-demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, education, and wealth
in their disaster preparedness levels. Results
revealed that preparedness is strongly associated with the respondents’
education and wealth, but not much with their age and gender.
In terms of education, Filipinos who only have
primary education are less prepared compared to those who attended higher
education. In terms of wealth, the poorest Filipinos feel less prepared
compared to the wealthiest.
Informing
DRR through socio-behavioral research
According to Bollentino, with the Philippines
ranked as the most disaster-prone country for three consecutive years now,
increasing support and investments in preparedness are crucial. It is essential
for key decision-makers and policymakers to understand disaster preparedness
and resilience through the lens of Filipinos themselves to align relevant programs
and policies with emerging needs and priorities at the household level.
HHI’s 2024 nationwide survey collected data
using a standardized questionnaire administered during face-to-face interviews
by trained local enumerators. The sample was designed to provide representative
data at the regional level. Data were weighted to match the population
distribution. This ensured that the findings reflect the perspectives of the
broader population across the Philippines.
Besides disaster preparedness, the survey also
explores climate change perceptions, mental health impacts, micro, small and
medium enterprise (MSME) resilience, and disability-inclusive DRRM, among
others.
In the succeeding months and weeks, the HHI
Resilient Communities team will continue sharing data and information from the
nationwide survey with relevant stakeholders in the public, private, academia,
civil society, humanitarian sector, and the media to inform programming and
policymaking at the national and regional levels.
HHI Resilient Communities, a research program
at HHI, has nearly a decade of experience supporting disaster and climate
resilience through collaborative research, engagement, and informing action in
South and Southeast Asia. The program has been operating in the Philippines
since 2015.
HHI is an academic and research center in
humanitarian crisis and leadership at Harvard University. (Source/Survey Results: HHI/@Mark Daza)