Philippine Disasters

1. storm surge - the abnormal rise in seawater level during a storm

2. exposure - component of disaster risk that refers to that which is affected by natural disasters, such as people and property

3. mitigation - measures that eliminate or reduce the impacts and risks of hazards through proactive measures taken before an emergency or disaster occurs

4. vulnerability - a condition, temporary or permanent, resulting from physical, social, economic, environmental factors which increases the susceptibility to the impact brought by a hazard, and defined as the expectation value of losses (deaths, injuries, property, etc.) that would be caused by a hazard

5. pacific ring of fire - refers to a path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes

6. landslide - the mass movement of rock, soil, and debris down a slope due to gravity. It is a natural process that occurs in steep slopes but its frequency in the country has been attributed to illegal mining

7. hazard - a process, phenomenon or human activity that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, social and economic disruption, or environmental degradation

8. equator - a major factor why the Philippines has the warmest ocean temperatures in the world leading to the formulation of typhoons

9. typhoons - refers to the most hazardous phenomenon experienced by the Filipinos in the past five years

10. Department of Finance (DOF) - They are responsible for assessing the funds needed in preparation for disasters

11. Social Security System (SSS) - This agency offers loans to their members who are affected by the calamity

12. National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) - This agency takes the lead in the disaster rehabilitation and recovery phase in the country

13. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) - Distributes relief goods and provide immediate assistance to those in need and with damaged homes

14. Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) - This agency heads the coordination and communication among local government units (LGUs) and the affected areas

15. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Sets a prize freeze or controls the increase in price of goods in areas declared as state of calamity to prevent hoarding, or illegal strong of a big amount of goods

16. Philippine Information Agency (PIA) - The agency that takes lead in informing the public to increase their capacity to act accordingly and respond immediately in times of disaster through various infomercials on radio and television

17. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) - This is the highest organized and authorized body for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) in the Philippines. They are vested with the overall policy-making, coordination, integration, supervision, monitoring and evaluation functions focusing on DRRM

18. Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) - It is the implementing arm of the NDRRMC, who provides leadership in the continuous development of strategic and systematic approaches as well as measures to reduce the vulnerabilities and risks to hazards and manage the consequences of disasters

19. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) - This is the Philippine national institution dedicated to providing flood and typhoon warnings, public weather forecasts and advisories, meteorological, astronomical, climatological, and other specialized information and services primarily for the protection of life and property and in support of economic, productivity and sustainable development