1. Klima Climate Change Center 8 July 2005
Dissemination Workshop for Mapping Philippine Vulnerability to Environmental Disasters
Klima Climate Change Center
8 July 2005
Center for Environmental Geomatics
Climate Studies Division
Manila Observatory

2. OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION
OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOP
THE VM-DENR PROJECT
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
DISASTER LANGUAGE
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
HAZARDS
STATEMENT OF THE MAPPING PROBLEM
THE GIS APPROACH
CATEGORIES OF FACTORS
DIRECTIONS

3. OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOP
To disseminate findings of the project
To obtain feedback on the usefulness of results
To find out how best to inform the public about project results
To explore follow-up activities arising from results and feedback on them
Mechanics

4. Targetted and localized action
THE VM-DENR PROJECT
“Mapping Philippine Vulnerability to Environmental Disasters”
Susceptibility to and capacity to cope with stresses
Spatial information
Spatial analyses
Targetted and localized action
Collective impacts of damaging events upon our surroundings

5. WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

6. DISASTER LANGUAGE Risk = Hazard x Exposure x Vulnerability
capacity of community to prepare, absorb, recover from hazard
Vulnerability
elements affected by hazard
Exposure
physical impact of disturbance
Hazard
likelihood of harm, loss, disaster
Risk
Risk = Hazard x Exposure x Vulnerability

7. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Risk = H x E x V

8. HAZARDS Natural Anthropogenic Typhoon Drought (El Nino)
Earthquake (Tremor, Landslide)
Volcano
Tsunami
Anthropogenic
Deforestation
Mining
Climate change (historical, projected)

9. STATEMENT OF THE MAPPING PROBLEM
The concept of vulnerability, coupled with its geographic or spatial perspective, gives us meaningful insights.
In particular, vulnerability mapping (VM) assists in spatial analyses towards the formulation of more effective ways to respond in terms of:
Policy and decision-making
Strategizing adaptation.

10. THE GIS APPROACH
The GIS approach, as illustrated, facilitates:

11. THE GIS APPROACH Cont’d
Base mapping with administrative units,
Grouping of map themes by categories and sub-categories,
Breakdown of legends into variables and their corresponding characteristics,
Overlaying and/ or correlation of themes of different types and forms,
Change detection or multitemporal studies for monitoring conditions.

12. THE GIS APPROACH Cont’d
Comparative matrices complement mapping by way of:
Spatial databases, based on which logical and/ or numerical operations are performed,
Comparison across spatial units, these being regions and provinces,
Comparison across different themes by category of hazards and disasters,
Merging of qualitative with quantitative assessments.

13. CATEGORIES OF FACTORS
The Manila Observatory and its research partners have been aware of complex factors at play in the occurence of disasters:
Climate/ weather-related,
Geophysical,
Ecological,
Anthropogenic (Human/ Developmental).

14. CATEGORIES OF FACTORS Cont’d
These categories guided the application of GIS in VM
The boundaries of these categories are not strict or absolute or the categories are not exclusive.
Each category of factors has unique characteristics.
These complicate overlays and intersections within and across categories.

15. DIRECTIONS
The generation of composite (aggregated) vulnerability indices via GIS is promising at both national and local scales.
There is a need to localize disaster vulnerability identification and mapping for the country.
Integrated Marine and Terrestrial Priorities
Land Cover
Land Use
Classification
(2 versions)
Philippine Ecoregions
NAMRIA Base Map by Province
Groundwater Availability
Groundwater Resource
Types of Habitat
Philippine Forest Cover
and Cover Types 1997
and Projected 1999
Major River Basins,
Water Resources Regions
and Critical Watersheds
Threatened Resources and Biodiversity
Slope map

16. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
The Ford Foundation
Luis A. Yulo Foundation for Sustainable Development (LAYFSD)
National Disaster Coordination Council, Office of Civil Defense (NDCC/ OCD)
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services and Administration (PAGASA)
Urban Research Consortium (URC)

17. PROJECT TEAM Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, SJ
Dr. May Celine T.M. Vicente
Engr. Ellen Rose E. Caniete
Climate and Weather-Related Factors
Ms. Lourdes V. Tibig
Ms. Anna Liza T. Solis
Ella Cecilia R. Castillo
Charlotte Kendra G. Castillo
Geophysical Factors
Fr. Sergio S. Su, SJ
Dr. Emmanuel G. Ramos
Ma. Grace C. Cardinal
Ecological Factors
Dr. Teresita R. Perez
Ms. Lizette S. Fernandez
Engr. Joel D. de Mesa
Anthropogenic (Human/ Developmental) Factors
Archilles L. Velante

18. REFERENCES
Coburn, A.W, Spence, R.J.S and Pomonis, A. Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, 2nd ed. Disaster Management Training Programme, UNDP, 1991.
Downing, T.E. and Lonsdale, Kate. Concepts of Vulnerability, AIACC Vulnerability and Adaptation Training, Draft. 28 January 2002.
Villarin, SJ, Jose T., ed. Disturbing Climate. Quezon City: Manila Observatory, 2001.