ABSTRACT

Accidents are spontaneous and are often disastrous, leaving the

affected in devastation. It is almost next to impossible to have a foresight to these
damaging events. And even more difficult to act accordingly when we’re
experiencing it first-hand without any preparations or experiences. We may refer
to these destructive events as Disasters. It is the element of disasters to cause
colossal loss and harm among our lives. Also, disasters are often ominous and
uncalled for with the capability to leave adverse results.

However, no matter how spontaneous disasters are there are still ways
in order to mitigate its adverse effects, if not to totally prevent them.
Professionals and authorities concerned with this field present a number of ways
for us to be prepared and ready, so that we can avoid being the victims of
detrimental disasters. If we become ready and fit to act appropriately to what the
situation calls for, then we’ll be better in withstanding the effects of disasters.
Being vigilant and cautious, as well as regarding and recognizing the capability of
disasters to destroy may just save our lives.

Finally, having equipped ourselves with the proper knowledge to be

prepared and ready, we mustn’t become too audacious and confident. It is
imperative that we stay wary and observant to our surroundings. Because after
all disasters can happen anytime and anywhere and no one is immune to its
effects.
 INTRODUCTION

Disasters are spontaneous and bringers of deleterious events especially

to those who are unprepared for it. Also, disasters are any occurrence that
causes damage, ecological disruption, loss of human life, deterioration of health
and health services, on a scale sufficient enough to warrant help or response
from outside the affected community (World Health Organization, 2002).
Additionally, it is the result of a community's vulnerability to existent hazard and
its inadequate capacity to recover after the occurrence of a hazardous event.
Furthermore, disasters can be classified into categories depending on the nature
of the hazard that caused them. According to The Hygo Framework for Action
(2005-2015), the origin of hazards can be natural or be induced by human
processes and may also be a combination of both. Therefore, disasters can be
categorized into three: Natural, Human-made and Combination or Socionatural.

In addition, natural disasters are caused by natural phenomenas such as

typhoons, earthquakes and etc. While human-made disasters are results of
human activities like toxic spills and environmental degradation. The last one is
the socionatural or combination disasters which emanated from the mixture of
both natural and human-made hazards such as flash floods caused by
deforestation.

Moreover, the levels of destruction caused by disasters are affected by

three main factors: Hazard, Vulnerability and Capacity. A hazard is a present
force, either physical event or natural phenomenon, that can cause harm and
damage to people. Meanwhile, vulnerability refers to the community's
susceptibility to the threats posed by a hazard and its ability to mitigate the
effects of hazard. The vulnerability of a community is determined by the
conditions in which the population lives upon. As such, Anderson and Woodrow
(1990) narrowed the factors affecting a community's vulnerability into three: The
Physical/Material Vulnerability, the Social/Organizational Vulnerability and the
Attitudinal/Motivational Vulnerability. Lastly, capacity determines the state or level
of a community's capability to cope and overcome the detrimental effects of
disasters. Overall, these three factors are linked together in order to identify how
a community should prepare and strengthen itself to prevent, mitigate and
overcome the adverse effects of disasters.

Therefore, the proposal aims to:

 Identify the hazards present in Science City of Munoz;

 Determine the vulnerability and capacity of the city;
 Present the Preparedness Plan and Disaster Records of the Science City
of Munoz; and
 Know the preparedness of the city and how to enhance it base on the
obtained data.
 Hazards in Science City of Munoz

The Science City of Munoz is at risk of various hazards classified in the

two categories: Natural and Human-made. Under natural hazard are
hydrometeorological and geological hazards. Meanwhile, under the human-made
hazard is the vehicular and fire hazard.

The hydrometeorological hazards in Munoz are Floods, Landslides

induced by flooding and Typhoons. Furthermore, there are certain rivers and
irrigation systems that increase the percentage of flood and landslide hazards
during typhoons. The Baliwag River, Panlasian River, Casecnan Irrigation Canal,
and Panuyas Creek are continuously monitored by the SCM-DRRMO during
heavy rains and typhoons. This is because they are often the instigators of
flooding and landslides in nearby baranggays. The geological hazards, however,
are more infrequent threats. It includes Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions.
Although these hazards are uncommon in the city, it is still imperative that the
SCM-DRRMO regularly observe and prepare for them.

On the other hand the human-made hazards present in Munoz are

vehicular accidents and fires. The first one, vehicular accidents, are common
hazards that often become disasters. According to the head of the SCM-
DRRMO, Engr. Josefino Fos Correa, road accidents are more prone in between
5 pm up to 2 am. The reason behind this is the lack of daylight from 5 pm all
through the night. And that after 2 am, the number of vehicles traveling are
reduced in numbers which will result to a calmer and safer flow of traffic. Second
is the fire hazard which becomes disastrous due to human or technological
activity. In Science City of Munoz, the most common origin of fires is Electrical
Short-circuiting due to either defective or unattended appliances.
 Vulnerability of Science City of Munoz

The Physical/Material Vulnerability

Factors such as location, type of housings and buildings, state of living,

infrastructure and services, source of livelihood, and the overall physical
condition of the population affect the city's Physical/Material Vulnerability. People
like farmers whose livelihood comes from agriculture, people with disabilities, and
those without adequate resources are considered to be vulnerable under this
type of vulnerability. They are the people who experience the worst of disasters
and are often the longest to recover. Moreover, residents of Munoz living in
flashflood prone areas, those who are near waterways, and inhabitants of houses
made of light materials are also seen as the physically or materially vulnerable
when it comes to disasters.

Social/Organizational Vulnerability

This type of vulnerability is concerned with the social and government

system. It also involves how the city should act as a whole group before, during
and after a hazardous event that may be the difference to life and death. In
Munoz, the government and authorities are well aware of the importance of
harmonious interaction between people in desperate times. That is why the
governing bodies of the city ensure that their interaction among the people is
unequivocal. Also, the Science City of Munoz tries to reduce any form of social
hierarchy during hazardous events. Rather, they implement equal distribution of
help and response to everyone.

Attitudinal/Motivational Vulnerability

The mental state of the population towards disasters can also affect their
tolerance to its adverse effects. In this area of vulnerability, the people who think
negatively and barely believe in their capabilities to change the outcome of
hazardous happenstance are more likely to feel the devastating effects of
disasters than those who have willful minds. In addition, it is important to have a
firm fighting spirit and sense of independence in order to overcome the
overwhelming results of disasters.

The Capacity of Science City of Munoz

The City's abilities to cope and recover from hazardous events are divided
into three:

Physical/Material Vulnerability and Capacity

This defines the City's capability to handle itself during and after disasters
in terms of physical or material means such as rebuilding damaged
infrastructures, responding to help, aiding the victims and more. The SCM-
DRRMO and BFAR (Bureau of Fire and Rescue) had arranged a group of trained
rescuers that will respond to calls for help. Furthermore, these departments are
well-equipped in case of disasters and have the proper technology to observe
and prepare for them. Evacuation areas are also of abundance in Munoz,
including the appropriate warning and directional signage. In the latest, the BFAR
had acquired a new Fire Truck with the inclusion of modern firefighting
equipment.

Social/Organizational Vulnerability and Capacity

This relates to the City's capacity to recover in terms of social aspects. As

such, Munoz’s government never tires in harmonizing with its people. Good
communication and interaction between these two forces withhold a huge impact
to the state of recovery and response of the city to disasters. In Munoz, various
drills are taught to different sectors of the city (Students, Employees, PWDs and
4Ps Beneficiaries). This is to prepare the general public and to inform them with
the correct form of action before, during, and after a certain disaster. Moreover,
the SCM-DRRMO had associated itself with different media and news
organizations to better improve the systematic distribution of information
throughout the city.
Attitudinal/Motivational Vulnerability and Capacity

This refers to the state of thinking of individuals or groups pertaining to

their abilities to affect their environment. The authorities responsible for the
safety of Munoz and its citizens during disasters continuously persevere, to the
best of their abilities, in order to prepare the population. These people strive to
mitigate the effects of hazards and to prevent them from becoming disastrous. In
doing so, they are exercising confidence and collaborative thinking that pave the
way for a more ready and qualified population when disasters strike.
 Preparedness Plan of Science City of Munoz

Demographic of Science City of Munoz

Science City of Munoz has a land area of 16,305 hectares that is

comprised of 37 baranggays, four of which composes the city proper. A total of
9,819 hectares of land is contributed to agricultural use, while 2,847 hectares of
land is used for residential purposes. As of 2015, the population of Munoz is a
total of 90,854 individuals.

Figure 1. Science City of Munoz Map

Evacuation Areas

 Science City of Munoz Permanent Evacuation Center located in MNHS-

Annex Compound.
 Emergency Evacuation Center located in PAGASA Gym Compound.
 3 Alternative Evacuation Areas.
Hazard and Risk Monitors

 11 Staff Gauges are spread across the city to monitor surface water levels
during typhoons.
 24/7 monitoring of flashflood prone areas during heavy rains or typhoons.
 Continuous observation of the two major fire prone areas in Munoz.
 Maintaining the City's own Automated Weather Station.

Response and Rescue

 10 Pick-up points across the city during evacuation process.

 36 Fire Hydrants located in various baranggays to ease the response
during fire disasters.
 24/7 Emergency Responder Action by trained rescuers.
 Creation of Baranggay Emergency First Responder.

Precautions

 Placement of Warning and Directional Signage in tactical locations.

 Building and reproduction of Evacuation Areas in qualified locations.

Drills and Training

Disaster Preparedness
Training on First Aid and
BLS/CPR, Fire and Date Number of Participants
Earthquake Drills for:

31 Schools, University and

Educational Institutions N/A Institutions. 264 Teachers
and 5,591 pupils/students.
PhilRice-SCM July 18, 2017 200
Person With Disability-SCM July 20, 2017 60
 Jesus Christ of Latter Day September 16, 70
Saints (Mormons)- SCM 2017
Baranggay Bantug Emergency November 22, 50
First Responder Training 2017
4Ps Beneficiary May 2-16, 2018 29 Baranggays and 2,342
participants.
 DISASTER RECORDS OF SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ

TYPHOON DISASTERS

Damages/Affected Families
Year Typhoon Agriculture Infrastru- Properties Family Casualty
Name cture
October 11, Santi Php. 42M NONE NONE NONE NONE
2013 (3,622 has of Palay)
September Luis Php. 35,433,886.00 NONE NONE 43 NONE
15, 2014 (2,084.35 mt. of Palay) (182 Individuals)
October 2, Kabayan Php. 12,539,312.50 NONE NONE 73 NONE
2015 (964.56 mt. of Palay) (468 Individuals)
October 20, Lando Php. 119,877,521.40 Php. Php. 53 NONE
2015 (9,989.29 mt. of Palay) 23,100,00 500,000.00 (277 Individuals)
0.00
December Nona NONE NONE Php. 2M 652 NONE
14, 2015 (3,231 Individuals)
October 16, Lawin Php. 26,959, 028. 85 NONE NONE 30 NONE
2016 (2,073.77 mt. of Palay) (172 Individuals)
Table 1. Typhoon Disasters

The table above shows the typhoon disasters that occurred in Munoz in
the past 5 years. The typhoon Lando caused the most damage in terms of
Agriculture and Infrastructure. Then, the typhoon Nona did the most damage in
Properties and Families. As seen from the table, none of the typhoons inflicted
casualties.
VEHICULAR DISASTERS

Year Number of Number of Number of

Accidents Injured Fatalities
2017-2018 102 159 14
Table 2. Vehicular Accidents

The table above shows the vehicular accidents in Science City of Munoz.
According to the SCM-DRRMO, 75 percent of these accidents are
tricycle/motorcycle related, while 35 percent are caused by automotive such as
cars, trucks, buses and etc.