The Philippines is located in the Pacific typhoon belt and is affected by around 20 tropical cyclones every year, causing significant damage and losses in the agricultural and fisheries sector. Being susceptible to numerous hazards, the inception of the Republic Act (RA) No. 10121, also known as the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010”, stands as a pivotal legislative measure of the country in the field of disaster risk management. In line with the RA 10121, the Philippine government has implemented a range of plans and policies to reduce, if not prevent, disasters through the four (4) thematic pillars of DRRM, such as prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation and recovery pillars.
The agriculture and fisheries sector being exposed and vulnerable to various calamities has set up the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Section (DRRMS) which is also instrumental in maintaining food security in the country.
The section aims to mitigate and strengthen the Philippines against disasters and ensure food security through the following key strategies:
1. Establishing an operational policy framework for disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) activities
2. Coordinating DRRM activities encompassing prevention & mitigation, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation & recovery
3. Developing and managing a GIS-based DRRM information systems database, including criteria for analyzing disaster reports and potential impact on agriculture & fisheries
4. Conducting rapid damage and needs assessment (RDANA), damage and losses assessment (DALA), and post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA)
5. Providing early warning information to minimize damage and losses in agriculture and fisheries
6. Creating tools to facilitate the integration of DRRM activities into the DA programs.
To ensure the implementation of the aforementioned key strategies, the DRRMS has created three (3) ad hoc units which consists of: (1) the Disaster and Climate Information Office (DCIO), (2) the Disaster Risk Reduction Office (DRRO), and (3) the Rehabilitation and Recovery Support Office (RRSO). For more information, you may check the DA-DRRM webpage.
