Beyond resilience: a human ecological analysis of the disaster risk reduction management of the University of the Philippines Manila

Abstract

The damage created in the Philippines by disasters coupled with the frequency of which it occurs countinuously stifles the underdeveloped country's communities. An analysis of the disaster management in the country indicates that the disaster management implemented tends to take a reactive approach, despite the country having a national disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) system. This reactive approach has an overall effect on the concept of the resilience of people, enhancing their sense of an inbuilt resilience but consequently increasing their satisfaction on unsatisfactory DRRM as well. The country relies heavily on humanitarian aid to deal with damage sustained from disaster. The lack of adequate disaster facilities has had a negative effect on schools as these are often used as evacuation areas. Public health is likewise affected. Using a human ecological approach, the study seeks to analyze the policies implemented by the University of the Philippines Manila in DRRM. The university's DRRM has advantages distinct to it, such as the expertise in health, the proximity it offers to the international airport and fire stations, and the closeness to government administrative buildings in case it requires external assistance. However, the advantages are outnumbered by the disadvantages to the DRRM. High liquefaction and flooding potential, tsunami and earthquake hazard-prone area, urban proximities, no near open areas, a disorganized city plan, and slow bureaucratic processes for reactive disaster management are just a few of these. Cooperative disaster management is important in mitigating the effects of these. UPM released a DRRM manual in 2014, but its distribution and high technicality has seen failed student participation in DRRM, which is an important aspect since the UPM community is primarily comprised of students. There are loopholes as well, such as overlapping management functions and the failure to address possible evacuation areas. The manual revisions have also seen delays in release. Alternatives are then offered to these problems. Analysis of the indicators of a resilient community exposes the severe lack of infrastructural resilience in the campus. The study then notes the importance of youth participation in DRRM, reinforcing resiliency in the nation in the face of adversity, going beyond technical resilience.