“Disaster Risk Reduction and Management is a continuing global challenge that needs to be addressed at the local level,” Nimfa L. Bracamonte, project leader of the study on Disaster Management Towards Climate Change Adaptation in Two River Systems in Iligan City, said in the recently concluded Mindanao Policy Forum on NRCP Research-based DRRM Policies: Keeping Everyone Safe.

DRRM means Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, a term adopted by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and used locally in line with R.A. 10121 of 2010 that strengthens the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System, provides for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework and institutionalizes the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan in the country.

The study conducted by the researchers from Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) was a response to the city’s unfortunate experience with typhoon Sendong way back in December 2011 wherein 29 of the 44 barangays in Iligan City alone were badly affected by the typhoon, resulting to the loss of thousands of lives and costly damage to properties, infrastructures and livelihood.

The research which covers four barangays in Iligan City: Pala-o; Puguan; Mandulog; and Hinaplanon, involved 518 informants – of which over 50 percent were housekeepers and the sources of income largely come from private employment, construction, and farming.

Bracamonte cited that respondents’ interviews reveal that the Iligan residents were taken by surprise by the intensity of Sendong due to the fact that Iligan City is not usually a typhoon hit area.

On the other hand, Professor Amabelle Embornas of MSU and member of the research team shared in the forum her recollection of her family’s typhoon Sendong experience, which she considered traumatic.

Although Embornas’ family heard about the storm from DOST-PAGASA, they initially took it lightly since typhoons didn’t leave much of a negative impact usually in Iligan. However, as the water began to rise, her family evacuated and spent the night in a hotel. When they returned the following morning, they witnessed the devastation brought by the flashflood that left dead bodies lying by the road side, severely damaged houses in the neighborhood, and their own house was covered by fallen trees.

“It’s a tragic event that could’ve been prevented,” Embornas said.

Science Direct cited that Tropical Storm Washi (locally named Sendong in the Philippines), was recorded as the world’s second most deadly disaster in 2011. Sendong landed along the east coast of Mindanao, causing 1,292 deaths, 1,049 missing, 2,002 injured, and total of 695,195 people (110,806 families) affected.

One of the findings of the study of Bracamonte’s team is that the respondents’ awareness of typhoon and its accompanying risks improved when typhoon Pablo hit the same area in 2012. The increase in awareness was evident both at the household and barangay levels.

The research team, of which the two other members are Dr. Liwayway S. Viloria and Dr. Sulpecia L. Ponce, proposed four resolutions to be adopted specific to the City of Iligan: on disaster preparedness; on the response during disasters; on recovery and rehabilitation; and on disaster prevention and mitigation.

“Kung wala ang mga barangay and municipal resolutions at ang mga action plans na inyong ginawa para sa disaster reduction and risk management, baka mas marami pa ang nangamatay at nasira noong dumaan ang kalamidad,” DOST Secretary Fortunato T. dela Peña said in recognizing the contribution of the researchers in DRRM efforts of the government. DOST