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What is the DRRM Act?

Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Act of 2010 (DRRM Act) is a new law which transforms
the Philippines’ disaster management system from disaster relief and
response towards disaster risk reduction (DRR). It was approved on
May 27, 2010 and repealed Presidential Decree No. 1566 which was
enacted in 1978.

Why do we need to have a new law?

Under the old law (P.D. 1566), disaster management centered only
around the hazard and the impacts of a disaster. It assumed that
disasters cannot be avoided, and most plans were on giving relief
goods and infrastructures like
dikes and flood control systems.
The government’s response to
disaster was focused on disaster
response. Government was then
reactive to disasters.

The DRRM Act comes at a time

when the Philippines grapples
for answers to the ever-
increasing risk of its people to
disasters, particularly in the face
of intensified global climate
change. We need a more
proactive approach to managing
disaster risks. The DRRM Act
transforms and reforms the way
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we deal with disasters. We now recognize that impacts of disasters can

be reduced by addressing the root cause of disaster risks.

Framework

RA 10121 calls for the need to develop a National Disaster Risk

Reduction Management Framework (NDRRMF) which shall provide
for a comprehensive, all hazards, multi-sectoral, inter-agency and
community-based approach to DRRM. The NDRRMF shall serve as
the principal guide to disaster risk reduction and management efforts
of the country and shall be reviewed on a five-year interval, or as may
be deemed necessary, to ensure relevance.

The NDRRMF envisions a country of “safer, adaptive and disaster-

resilient Filipino communities toward sustainable development.” It
conveys a paradigm shift from reactive to proactive DRRM with the
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end view of increasing people’s resilience and decreasing their

vulnerabilities. The aim is to empower communities and develop the
“right” mindset and positive behavioral changes towards reducing and
managing risks and lessening the effects of disasters. Identifiable with
the framework are terms like “building back better”, building upon
lessons learned, good practices, research and experiences, addressing
the underlying causes of vulnerability, and increasing adaptive
capacity or the ability to adjust to the given situation.

Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM)

is a series of actions to:
• reduce the risk of disaster
• minimize the effect of disaster
• facilitate a rapid recovery

Terms and Concepts used in Community-Based DRRM (CBDRRM)

Hazard:

A dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition that

may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage,
loss of livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption, or
environmental damage.

A possible source of danger may cause;

• injury
• death
• harm
Types of hazards:
a. Natural – typhoon, earthquake, volcanic eruption, tsunami;
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b. Human-made – fire, pollution, oil spill, industrial accidents like

leakage of toxic waste;
c. Combination of both or socio-natural hazards – flooding and
drought can fall under this category if it is due to deforestation.

Disaster:

An overwhelming event causing great

loss of life and resources which exceed
the community’s ability to deal with it.

Any occurrence that causes damage,

ecological disruption, loss of human
life, deterioration of health and health
services on a scale, sufficient to
warrant an extraordinary response from
outside the affected community or area.
– WHO

A disaster can be defined as an occurrence, either natural or man-

made, that causes human suffering and creates human needs that
victims cannot alleviate without assistance. – American Red Cross

Risk:

The possibility of suffering harm or loss.

The word “risk” has two distinctive connotations: in popular usage the
emphasis is usually placed on the concept of chance or possibility,
such as in “the risk of an accident.” Whereas in technical settings, the
emphasis is usually placed on the consequences, in terms of “potential
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losses” for some particular cause, place and period. It can be noted that
people do not necessarily share the same perceptions of the
significance and underlying causes of different risks.

Vulnerability:

It is the inability to resist a hazard or to respond when a disaster has

occurred.

The degree to which an area, people,

physical structures or economic assets
are exposed to loss, injury or damage
caused by the impact of a hazard.

Some examples of vulnerability:

a. Locations
b. Houses made of light materials
c. Conflict in the community
d. Lack of knowledge and skills on
preparedness and protective
measures
e. Attitude of helplessness

Capacity:

Ability to perform by using available resources to reduce the effects of

disaster.
The combination of all strengths, attributes, and resources available
within a community, society or organization that can be used to
achieve agreed goals.
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Some examples of capacity:

a. Permanent houses
b. Land ownership
c. Adequate food and income sources
d. Family and community support in times of crises
e. Local knowledge
f. Strong community leadership and organizations

DRRM Phases

Actions will be taken before, during and after the occurrence of a

disaster in four phases:
1. Prevention/Mitigation Phase
2. Preparedness Phase
3. Response Phase
4. Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Phase

1. Prevention/Mitigation Phase

This phase includes taking action to reduce damages to a community

before a disaster happens.

Activities like:
• educating the public on the risk of potential disasters and their
effects
• building codes
• public safety regulations etc.
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2. Preparedness Phase

A set of actions that enhance the ability of communities and

governments to respond to a disaster.

Preparedness steps
may include:
• developing
plans of action
in response to
disasters
• practice drills
and exercises
for emergency
personnel
• putting
warning
systems in place
• developing evacuation plans
• installing emergency communications systems
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3. Response and Relief Phase

Quick actions are taken during and after the disaster in order to
provide emergency needs:
• First Aid and Medical Care
• Food
• Water & Sanitation
• Shelter
• Transportation of disaster victims
• Safety & Security
• Basic Human Need

4. Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Phase

Actions taken to restore the community to a normal state:

• reconstruction of houses, damaged roads and other basic
infrastructure
• restoration of livelihoods
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References:
1. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change
Adaptation (CCA) for the Community Workers, Philippine
User’s Guide, Philippines 2011
2. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan
(NDRRMP) 2011-2028