The Philippines lies within the Western Pacific Basin, which puts it on the path of an average of 20 tropical cyclones annually, nine of which make landfall. Relatedly, most casualties of natural disasters in the country are caused by all types of floods, i.e., river flood, flash flood, and coastal flood.
The country has the following rankings in terms of vulnerability to natural disasters:
Which government agencies do I turn to for information during natural calamities?
For weather updates and typhoon signal alerts:
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
PAGASA is an agency under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). It provides real-time updates about the weather and typhoon alerts.Contact details:
Website: pagasa.dost.gov.phTwitter: @dost_pagasa
PAGASA hotline: (02) 433-8526
Legend of PAGASA’s color-coded warning signals, which may be issued through Twitter, the media, and coordination with the local government:[3]
For more information about the color-coded warning signal read
How to make sense of PAGASA’s color-coded warning signals
Project NOAH
The Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) is a program launched by the DOST to put in place a responsive program for disaster prevention and mitigation, using advanced technology to enhance current geo-hazard vulnerability maps.The Project NOAH web portal is located at noah.dost.gov.ph.
To learn more about Project NOAH, click here.
For volcanic activities, earthquakes, and tsunami alerts:
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
PHIVOLCS is a service institute of the DOST. The agency is tasked to mitigate disasters that may arise from volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunami and other related geotectonic phenomena.Website: phivolcs.dost.gov.ph
NDRRMC report an earthquake:
(02) 426-1468 to 79, local 124/125;
(02) 929-9254
Text/call: 0905-3134077
Text only: 0918-9428354
Send:
Name, date and time of earthquake, location at the time of earthquake, intensity rating
For damage assessment and consolidated reports on government action:
National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC)
The NDRRMC was established to pursue disaster prevention and risk reduction. It reports updates on the effects and preparedness measures of disaster situations such as typhoons, earthquakes, etc.
Contact details:
Website: ndrrmc.gov.ph
Twitter: @NDRRMC_Open
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ndrrmc-Opcen/103742183037609
NDRRMC hotlines: (02) 911-1406, (02) 912-2665, (02) 912-5668; +63917-8916322
For NCR flood updates:
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
Provides real-time reports on traffic and flooded areas in Metro Manila; aids in flood control in Metro ManilaContact details:
Twitter: @MMDAWebsite: mmda.gov.ph
MMDA metrobase hotline: 136
Flooding control: 882-4177, 882-0925
Where do I send donations for those affected by disasters?
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
The DSWD is the agency responsible for the distributing social services to the Filipino people. It spearheads government relief operations during incidents of calamities.
Contact details:
Website: dswd.gov.ph
Twitter: @DSWDserve
Trunkline: Tel. (632)931-81-01 to 07
What other agencies can I contact during times of mishaps?
Below are emergency hotlines:
Philippine National Police (PNP) Hotline Patrol117 or send TXT PNP to 2920
Bureau of Fire Protection (NCR)
(02) 729-5166, (02) 410-6254, (02) 431-8859, (02) 407-1230
Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) hotline
7890 or 0918-8848484
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
(02) 304-3713
Red Cross hotline
143, (02) 911-1876
Philippine Coast Guard
(02) 527-3877, (02) 527-8481, 0917-724-3682, 0917-PCG-DOTC
North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) hotlines
(02) 3-5000 and (02) 580-8910
Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) hotlines
(0920) 96-SCTEX (72839)
Skyway System Hotline
(02) 776-7777, 0915-6256231, 0939-5006910
South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) hotline
0908-8807539
For more hotlines, please access this page.
For an online LGU directory, please access this page.
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