UN ranks PHL as 3rd most vulnerable to disasters

The Philippines is the third most disaster-vulnerable country on the planet, according to the latest United Nations World Risk Index. The World Risk Index gave the Philippines a risk score of 24.32 percent, following Tonga with 32 percent, and Vanuatu with 29.08 percent. The scores were based on a number of factors including exposure to physical hazards, adaptive capacity and coping capacity. Toni Loyzaga, executive director of the Manila Observatory of the Ateneo de Manila University, said at a recent conference that the country’s “lack of coping capacity" intensifies our disaster risk. Former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro urged the improvement of safety measures: “Dapat ngayon palang, pag-usapan na at pag-isipan na kung saan tayo maglalagay ng water catchments at dams, para sa ganun, ngayon lang, nakaprepare na."
Experts say Baguio is the area most prone to disasters, while Palawan is the least prone. Climate change was identified as the most significant underlying factor in disaster vulnerability as sea level rise is predicted to worsen by five centimeters in the next decade while temperatures increase by up to two degrees Celsius in the next three decades. Heavier rainfall is also expected. — ATL/ELR, GMA News