Notes on AP 10

Contemporary Issues
 
( Contemporary )
 
 Marked by the characteristics of the present period.
 Coming into being during the same period of time.
 
( Issues )
 
 Refers to subjects, themes, or problems that affect the society because they are
being talked about.
 Are causes and bases from people's disagreements and debates, and are widely
affecting people's lives in society.
 
( Contemporary Issues )
 
 Are existing events, situations, subject matters, and conditions relevant in the
modern times ( Kendall, 2013 ).
 
( Types of Contemporary Issues )
 
 ( Political Issue )
 
 These are controversies debated within the political system.
 Territorial Disputes, Anti-Terrorism Law, Political Disputes.
 
 ( Economic Issue )
 
 These are issues faced by the local or world economy.
 Inflation, Unemployment, Underemployment, Poverty>
 
 ( Social Issue )
 
 These are issues that influence a considerable number of individuals within a
society.
 Abortion, Child Pornography, Sexual Harassment, LGBT Discrimination, Fake
News, Teenage Pregnancy.
 
 ( Environmental Issue )
 
 These are harmful effects of human activity on the biophysical environment.
 COVID-19 Pandemic, Illegal Logging, Mining, Quarrying, Plastic Pollution.

 
( Environmental Issues )
 
 Issues which has its roots in the environment and involves a problem surrounding
which there are differing beliefs and values ( Hungerford et. al. 1990 )
 Problems with the planet's systems that have developed as a result of human
interference or mistreatment of the planet.
 
( In summary - Philippines )
 
 The Philippines was blessed with rich natural resources.
 65 million Filipinos rely on these resources to live.
 20% of our GDP in 2014 was from agriculture and fishing.
 Tourism is another good industry in the Philippines.
 The Philippines is a country that is greatly affected by environmental issues
( Geophysical Disasters ).
 
( Disaster )
 
 Is a sudden, calamitous event that seriously disrupts the functioning of a community
or society and causes human, material, and economic or environmental losses.
 
( Types of Disasters )
 
 ( Natural Disasters )
 
 A major event caused by the native processes of the Earth.
 Meteorological, Topographical, Environmental.
 
 ( Man-Made Disasters )
 
 These events are caused directly by identifiable negligent human actions.
 Technological, Industrial Accidents, Security Related.
 
( Common Disasters in the Philippines )
 
 ( Typhoons )
 
 An intense low-pressure storm system that forms over an ocean.
 
 ( Storm Surge )
 
 Is the abnormal increase in water level in seashores when a storm nears coastal
lines.

 
 ( Flood )
 
 An overflow of water that submerges land that is usually dry.
 
 ( Earthquake )
 
 Any sudden shaking of the ground caused by the passage of seismic waves through
Earth's rocks.
 Primary effects, they are the immediate damage caused by the quake, such as
collapsing buildings, roads, and bridges, which may kill many people. Those lucky
enough to survive can suffer badly from the shock and panic.
 Secondary Effects, after effects of earthquakes such as tsunamis, soil liquefaction,
fire, disease & famine, and landslides can occur.
 
 ( Tsunami )
 
 A series of waves caused by an earthquake, underwater volcanic eruption, landslide,
or other abrupt disturbances.
 
 ( Volcanic Eruption )
 
 Occurs when hot materials from the Earth's interior are thrown out of a volcano.
 
 ( Landslide )
 
 A downward movement of soil, rock, and organic material affected by gravity and
influenced by the shape of the terrain.
 It is important to take adequate mitigation measures to diminish the risk of losses to
property and lives.
 
 ( Structural Fire )
 
 A fire involving the structural components of various types of residential,
commercial or industrial buildings.
 Major causes are, faulty electrical wirings & electrical outlets, electrical appliances
overheating or overused power extensions, unattended cooking, and careless
smoking.
 
( Disaster Management )
 
 It is the effective organization, direction, and utilization of available counter-
disaster resources.

 
( Basic Concepts of Disaster Management )
 
 ( Hazard - Dangers )
 
 A situation with the capacity to bring damages to lives, properties, and the
environment.
 
 ( Vulnerability - Weaknesses )
 
 The conditions determined by physical, social, economic, and environmental factors
or processes, which increase the susceptibility of a community to the impact of
hazards.
 
 ( Risk - Impacts )
 
 It is the probability of expected losses resulting from interactions between hazards
and vulnerable conditions.
 
 ( Capacity - Preparations )
 
All resources, strengths or attributes available within the community that can be
used to achieve an agreed goal.
 
( When will a disaster occur )
 
 Vulnerable Sector = High
 Hazards = High
 Capacity = Low
 
( Resilience )
 
 It is the aim of Disaster Management.
 The capacity of to adapt, by resisting, or changing in order to reach and maintain an
acceptable level of functioning and structure.
 
( Approaches in Disaster Management )
 
 ( Top-Down Approach )
 
 The Government is the main in-charge of the overall planning of disaster
management for the whole community.
 
 ( Bottom-Up Approach )
 
 The members of the community are working for the creation of an effective disaster
management plan.
( Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Management or CBDRRM )
 
 Best approach for disaster management.
 It is a risk-reduction designed primarily by and for the people in certain disaster
prone areas.
 "Republic Act 10121" - established the National Disaster Risk Reduction
Management in the Philippines.
 Who are involved in CBDRRM Planning? - ( You, Community, Government )
 
( Stages in CBDRRM Planning )
 
 ( Before )
 
 Stage 1 - Prevention and Mitigation.
 Stage 2 - Preparedness.
 
 ( During )
 
 Stage 3 - Response
 
 ( After )
 
 Stage 4 - Rehabilitation
 
( Stage 1 - Prevention and Mitigation )
 
 These are actions aimed at reducing or eliminating the impact of future hazard
events by avoiding hazard or strengthening resistance to it.
 Examples are, undertake building inspection, install automatic fire detection, and
inform & educate citizens and property owners.
 
( Stage 2 - Preparedness )
 
 This stage involves actions done in preparation for an upcoming hazard or disaster.
 Emergency Preparedness Activities - ( Community-Risk Assessments, Emergency
Preparedness Plan or EPP, and Evacuation Drills & Exercises ).
 
( Community-Risk Assessments )
 
 ( Hazard Assessment ) - examples are hazard maps.
 
 ( Vulnerability Assessment ) - examples are vulnerability lists ( Physical /
Materials, Social / Organizational, Attitudinal / Motivational ).
 
 ( Capacity Assessment ) - example are house inspection checklists.
( Emergency Preparedness Plan - Sample )
 
 1. Know where the flood warning systems such as flood markers in your area.
2. Fully charge your phones and keep these loaded for communication.
3. Prepare your survival kit. You can make your own floating device by tying together
empty plastic containers.
4. Go to a higher area or do a preemptive evacuation.
5. Keep all important documents inside a safety box or zip lock bags.
 
( Evacuation Drills - Sample )
 
1. Drills for first aid and medical treatment assistance.
2. Drills for activities on rescue.
3. Drills for countermeasure actions for the mitigation of damages.
4. Drills for evacuation.
 
( Stage 3 - Response )
 
 This stage involves activities that aim to assess the scope and extent of the damages
done by a disaster.
 
( Activities during Disaster )
 
 ( Needs Assessment )
 
 Food distribution and other non-food relief distribution.
 First aid services.
 Water supply sanitation.
 
 ( Damage Assessment )
 
 Repair of emergency lines.
 Survey and monitoring structures.
 Logistics.
 
 ( Loss Assessment )
 
 Evacuation.
 Search and rescue.
 Evacuation center management.
 
 ( Stage 4 - Recovery and Rehabilitation )
 
 These are actions that are centered on the rehabilitation of damaged facilities and
infrastructures and loss services in order to bring back the order and daily activities
of the affected communities.
( Activities after Disaster )
 
 Repair of damaged houses.
 Resettlement or relocation.
 Animal distribution.
 Small rehabilitation project.
 Evaluation of EPP.