Disaster is one of the most alarming issues today; its hazards, causes, intensities, extent effects and measures on how to prevent, prepare and respond on it. The country of Japan and Philippines are positioned in Pacific Ring of Fire and surrounded by large bodies of water in nature, natural disasters such as typhoons, floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis are highly visible making them to become the two of the most disaster prone countries in the world (Cain, 2009). The past disasters they have experienced taught them on how to prevent, prepare and respond to it. Extensive plans, programs and strategies was built to further lessen the casualties of these disaster.
In Japan, they carried out stages of disaster prevention, emergency response, recovery and reconstruction which was strengthened by the legislation of Disaster Countermeasures Basic Act (DCBA) in 1961 (Kazusa, n.d.). It was adopted two years after the Ise-wan Typhoon which caused a great destruction and loss more than 5,000 people (Nazarov, 2011). Similarly, in the Philippines which has the Presidential Decree 1566 issued in 1978 (Republic of the Philippines, 1978), a formal policies and provisions for “Strengthening the Philippine Disaster Control, Capability, and Establishing the National Program on Community Disaster Preparedness” which was completed in 1988 by the “Calamities and Disaster Preparedness Plan” and in 1991 by the Local Government Code of the Philippines (Republic Act 7160). Both of these acts/laws provide an answer in response to disaster management.
Under these legal provisions, disaster management groups was created. The Central Disaster Management Council (CDMC) of Japan which was formed under the Disaster Countermeasures Basic Act, ensured the multi-ministerial and multi-sectoral participation in disaster risk reduction. It is managed by the Prime Minister as its chair and by the Minister of State for Disaster Management as its supporting chair. The council is also led by the heads of relevant public corporations such as Bank of Japan, Japanese Red Cross Society, Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK - a public broadcasting corporation), Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT - a telecommunication company), and some academic experts (ADRC, n.d.).
On the other hand, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council or NDRRMC at present) was created under the Presidential Decree 1566. The council is the highest policy-making, coordinating and supervising body for disaster management in the Philippines. It is administered by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and also managed and chaired by the Secretary of National Defense and the Secretaries/Heads of important departments/offices of the government such as Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Philippine National Red Cross.
These two councils exercise the direction over all disaster operations from regional down to the lowest unit of society. They are responsible for making policy, strategies, programs and plans that will give solutions for major disasters at national level.
After the formation of these councils, master plans were created. In Japan, the Basic Disaster Management Plan (latest amendments in December 2011) was formulated and reviewed by CDMC in accordance to Article 34 of DCBA. This master plan presents the basic guidelines for establishment of the disaster management system, promotion of disaster management projects, development of faster and more appropriate disaster recovery, assignment of priorities in disaster management operation plans and regional disaster management plans and so on. This is also provides a basis whereby all government ministries and agencies as well as designated major public corporations such as Bank of Japan and NHK formulate their own Disaster Management Operation Plan. Likewise, all the local authorities create their own Regional Disaster Management Plans or Local Disaster Management Plans (Kazusa, n.d). These disaster reduction perspectives are incorporated into relevant development plans such as National Spatial Plan, Social Infrastructure Development Priority Plan, National Land Use Plan and urban/rural planning (ADRC, n.d.).
While in the Philippines, the National Disaster and Calamities Preparedness Plan was formulated by OCD and NDCC. This plan covers all conceivable contingencies, short of war emergencies, making use of all resources, both government and private sectors (NDCC, 1988). The plan specifies the functions and responsibilities of each member agency in times of disasters and emergencies, as well as, the coordinated disaster control effort from the national down to the regional, provincial, city, municipal, and barangay levels are being undertaken. The plan also orders several disaster management activities that need to be started by concerned member agencies at the pre-disaster, emergency, and post-emergency phases. The National Disaster Risk Reduction, Management and Recovery Framework and Plan has been developed and formulated under the new DRM Act known as “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction, Management and Recovery Act of 2009” (ADRC, n.d.).
Over all, both of these plans were adhered to principles and strategies with the international standards set by Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA). It covers all phases of disaster management – preparedness, prevention/mitigation, response and recovery/rehabilitation.
In order to implement these plans, the government must allocate an annual budget. In Japan, they covered about 1% of the total general-account budget expenditure or approximately 11 billion dollars for disaster risk reduction (ADRC, n.d.). While, according to the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010, the Philippines does not have an annual budget but they allocated a Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund wherein not less than 5 % of the estimated revenue from regular sources shall be set aside and also the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund shall be determined upon approval of President. Besides, the OCD allocated a revolving fund worth 1 billion pesos which can support the disaster management in the country.
Both countries have their similarities in terms of hazards and disaster experiences. To further respond to these, formulation of legal provisions for disaster risk reduction acts, management, plans and budgets have been undertaken. Even though, both countries provided all of these, there are still some challenges and areas need for assistance in disaster management. It is hoped that Japan and Philippines will collaborate and support each other in the work of prevention, preparedness, response and recovery, so that these countries in reality of their geographical features and meteorological conditions can move closer in becoming the societies that have mitigated the risk of disasters.
References
ADRC. (n.d.). Information on Disaster Risk Reduction of the Member Countries: Japan. Retrieved from Asian Disaster Reduction Center: http://www.adrc.asia/nationinformation.php?NationCode=392
ADRC. (n.d.). Information on Disaster Risk Reduction of the Member Countries: Philippines. Retrieved from Asian DIsaster Reduction Center: http://www.adrc.asia/nationinformation.php?NationCode=608&Lang=en&Mode=country
Cain, F. (2009, May 20). Ring of Fire Volcanoes. Retrieved from Universe Today: http://www.universetoday.com/31139/ring-of-fire-volcanoes/
Kazusa, S. (n.d.). Disaster Management of Japan. Retrieved from Kochi University of Technology: http://management.kochi-tech.ac.jp/PDF/IWPM/IWPM_Kazusa.pdf.
National Disaster Coordinating Council. (1988). Calamities and Disaster Preparedness Plan. Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City: Department of National Defense.
National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council. (2011). Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010. Quezon City: Office of Civil Defense. Retrieved from www.dnd.gov.ph/pdf/OCD-NDRRMC%20-%20Republic%20Act%2010121%20&%20IRR%20-%204%20July%202011.pdf.
Nazarov, E. (2011, 10 19). Emergency Response Management in Japan. Retrieved from Japan Water Forum: www.waterforum.jp/jpn/katrina/Typhoon_Isewan.pdf
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