The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Located along the Pacific ring of fire, the Philippines is highly susceptible to seismic and volcanic risks. The country is also subject to the world record of typhoons every year. Climate change and pandemics are exacerbating those risks.
Over the past decade, the World Bank has been supporting the Government of the Philippines in building the country’s resilience to climate change, natural disasters, and pandemics through development policy financing, investment operations, technical assistance, analytical work, knowledge-sharing, and policy dialogue.
Reactive to Proactive Policy Shift
Learning from its previous experiences in dealing with disasters, the Philippines has gradually shifted its approach from reactive to proactive risk management with a significant focus on preparedness and resilience building.
World Bank's continuing engagement in the Philippines is in support of the country's transformative disaster risk management (DRM) reforms to ensure physical, social, and financial resilience of the government and Filipino communities.
Programs
The Ready to Rebuild: Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery Program is a joint program of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and the World Bank (WB). Ready to Rebuild enhances the capacity of national and local governments to recover better and faster from natural disasters and climate risks even before it happens. This covers pre-disaster and post-disaster activities such as gathering baseline data, formulating a recovery plan, financing, facilitating emergency procurement and implementation, crafting a communications strategy, and developing M&E mechanisms. A total of 325 local governments have participated, translating to 1,805 Mayors, DRM officers, and technical staff trained to prepare baseline data, risk-informed recovery plans, and risk financing strategies prior to disasters.
Watch Videos of Ready to Rebuid Program | Download Ready to Rebuild Publications
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) developed the GeoRiskPH, a web-based platform that serves as the government’s central source of information for accurate and efficient hazards and risk assessment. It promotes the use of science-based risks and hazards information for planning and prioritization of investments in public infrastructure projects. The GeoRiskPH-Informed Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (LDRRMP) Coaching Sessions implemented by the OCD, DOST-PHIVOLCS, and the WB facilitates efficient integration of science-based risks and hazards assessment in local DRM plans. A total of 450 technical staff from 150 provinces and cities were trained to use the GeoRiskPH platform for their DRM plans.
Watch Videos of Coaching Sessions
DOST-PHIVOLCS, in collaboration with OCD and the WB, developed the Plan Smart web application. It is an automated planning tool that will systematically generate Rehabilitation and Recovery Plans using science-based information from GeoRiskPH integrated system and pro-forma templates. This web application is also ready to receive baseline data of local governments that are essential for planning. To equip provinces and cities, a series of training on the use of Plan Smart is being conducted. Participants are being trained on how to collect, manage, and integrate their baseline data into GeoRiskPH platform for a risk-informed Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan.
Learn more about PlanSmart | Watch Animated Video of PlanSmart
More Disaster Risk Management Programs on Response, Recovery and Resilience
LGU Guide for Rehabilitation and Recovery from COVID-19, Department of the Interior and Local Government
Post-Disaster Shelter Policy Framework, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development
Emergency Cash Transfer, Department of Social Welfare and Development
Seismic Risk Reduction and Resilience Project, Department of Public Works and Highways