Lesson 4:

SAFETY
&
SECURI
TY
 Topic 1:
Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management

Topic 1: Disaster Risk Reduction &

Management
INTRODUCTION:

Every year, millions of people around the world are affected by either
human caused or natural disasters. Disasters take different forms, like volcano
eruptions, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornados, or fires. In a disaster,
people face the danger of death or physical injury. They may also lose their
home, possessions, and community where they live in. Disaster can cause a full
range of mental and physical reactions. Those affected may also react to
problems that occur after the event, as well as to triggers or reminders of the
trauma.

Gaining full information about Disaster Management is important in dealing

with man-made and natural disasters. Natural disasters are inevitable, however,
with the modern technology; we could prepare and minimize the damage that it
will cause to our lives and properties. Likewise, man-made disasters can be
prevented if the community will be more careful and be oriented properly on
what they can do in times of the crises.
FOCUS:

At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:

1. Generate new ideas, key concepts and principles of Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management.
2. Recognize hazards brought by disasters and apply disaster risk
reduction and management when needed.
3. Analyze the current disaster situation in the Philippines
PRE-ASSESSMENT: LESSON 4 – Topic 1

 Direction:

Indicate on the space provided whether each of the following item is a hazard or a disaster.
______________1. A super typhoon with storm surge affecting Leyte and Samar.
______________2. A typhoon passing over a remote and unpopulated island.
______________3. A flood in rural are which floods the roads but does not affect any houses.
______________4. A volcano erupting in isolation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
______________5. An avalanche in a ski resort.
______________6. An avalanche high on the mountain and slopes remote from any settlement.
______________7. A tsunami wave 5 m high off the coast of Japan.
______________8. An earthquake in Bohol, Philippines.
______________9. A drought in Australia’s Outback (vast, remote, arid interior of Australia)
______________10. A landslide in a favela (slum area) in Rio de Janeiro.
EXPLORING ACTIVITY:

During a disaster, you may have to evacuate quickly. You might not have time to
gather all the supplies you need. That is why it is important to make a disaster supplies
kit. Remember to pack enough food, water, and supplies to last for three days for each
person in your family. Place the supplies into a duffel bag or a backpack.

Make a list of supplies / items you need to have in your disaster supplies kit and
explain the reason of choosing that certain supplies/items.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
DEEPENING DETAILS:

Definition of Disaster and Disaster Risk

Disaster is defined as “ a sudden, calamitous event, bringing great damage, loss destruction and
devastation to life and property “(Asian Disaster Preparedness Center – ADPC, 2012). Its origin can be
natural, such as earthquakes, floods and hurricanes, or of human origin such as explosions, nuclear
accidents and terrorist acts.
From a socio-cultural perspectives, disaster is defined as “a serious disruption of the functioning of
society, causing widespread human, material or environmental losses, which exceed the ability of the
affected people to cope, using their human resources.” (Adelman,2011).
Relative to disaster, a salient factor that needs to be addressed properly is disaster risk. Disaster
Risk is defined as the “probability that a community’s structure or geographic area is to be damaged or
disrupted by the impact of a particular hazard, on account of its nature, construction and proximity to a
hazardous area” (ADPC,12). In other words, disaster risk signifies the possibility of adverse effects in the
future. It is derived from the interaction of social and environmental processes, from the combination of
physical hazards and the vulnerability of exposed elements.
Nature of Disasters

Disasters are of two types – ‘natural’ and ‘human-made’. Based on the

devastation, these are further classified into major or minor natural disasters
and major or minor man-made disasters.

Natural disasters – These originate from the different “forces” of nature

(geological, meteorological, hydrometeorological and biological). Natural
disaster such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons, and cyclones affect
many countries in Asia particularly Philippines.

Human-made disasters – These disasters occur due to people’s actions

against human, material and environment. These include transport and
industries accidents, such as, air and train crashes, chemical spills, and building
collapses. Terrorism is also categorized as human-made disaster.
Types of Disasters
Disaster can take many different forms and the duration can range from an hour to days or
weeks of ongoing destruction. Below is a list of the various types of disasters, both natural and
human-made or technological in nature that can impact a community. (Hewith and Burton, 1971)

Natural Types of Disasters

•Agricultural Disease and pests
•Storm Surge
•Drought and water shortage – El Niño
•Earthquakes
•Hurricanes and tropical storms
•Landslide and debris flow
•Thunderstorms and lightning
•Tornadoes
•Tsunamis
•Wildfires
•Sinkholes
•Emergency disease (pandemic influenza)
•Extreme heat
•Floods and flash flood
•La Niña
Human-Made and Technological Types of Disasters
•Hazardous materials
•Power service disruption and blackout
•Nuclear power plant and nuclear blast
•Radiological emergencies
•Chemical threat and biological weapons
•Cyber attacks
•Explosion
•Civil Unrest
Disaster from Different Perspectives

A disaster is a result of a vast ecological breakdown in the relation between humans and their
environment; a serious or sudden event on such a scale that the stricken community needs
extraordinary efforts to cope with it, often with outside help or international aid.

Disaster is analyzed from different perspectives as follows:

Physical Perspective

From this view disaster is defined as phenomenon that can cause damage to physical elements
such as buildings, infrastructures, including people and their properties, e.g. houses and environmental
sources of living. Physical effects are the most visible and quantifiable effects of a disaster. In assessing
the aftermath of a disaster, physical damages are essentially considered in data recording. Assessment
of disaster is focused on the following common questions:
How many families are affected? (Displacement, injury, death)
How many houses are damaged or washed out? (in case of super typhoons)
How many buildings collapsed or are damaged? (in case of an earthquake)
How many roads, bridges, dams and other infrastructures are damaged? (in case of floods,
lahar flows and earthquake)
What is the extent of damage in agricultural industry? (crops losses, damaged fish cages,
washed out rice field, etc.)
Psychological Perspective

Psychological research has shown that disasters can cause serious mental health consequences for
victims. These consequences take the form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and a
variety of other disorders and symptoms which have been less investigated. The more stress,
defined in a variety of ways, within the disaster, the more likely there are to be emotional
consequences.

Other psychological effects of a disaster are the following:

 Emotional Effects: Shock, terror, irritability, blame, anger, guilt, grief or sadness, numbing,
helplessness, loss of pleasure derived from a familiar activities, difficulty feeling happy, difficulty feeling
loved.

 Cognitive effects: Impaired concentration, impaired decision-making ability, memory impairment,

disbelief, confusion, nightmares, decreased self-esteem, decreased self-efficacy.

 Physical effects; Fatigue, exhaustion, insomnia, cardiovascular strain, stare response, hyper arousal,
increased physical pain, reduced immune response, headaches, gastrointestinal upset, decreased
appetite, decreased libido, vulnerability of illness.
Socio-Cultural Perspective

What the people living at risk know and do about natural hazards and
disaster risks is mediated by a range of factors including social conditions
(such as age, gender, wealth, and ethnicity) and cultural settings (language,
beliefs, traditions, customs). In most places people are also more or less
exposed by information and ideas coming the “outside” – the world outside
their own cultural setting. At the same time, the field of natural hazards and
disaster has developed its own debates, frameworks, and notions such as
vulnerability, resilience and risk.

Hence, from the socio-cultural point of view, a disasters analyzed based

on how people respond having as parameter their social conditions and
cultural settings. These two factors are important determinants of the degree of
risk., resilience and vulnerability of those affected. That is why some ethnic
groups can easily cope with disasters compared to other groups.
Economic Perspective

From an economic perspective, a natural disaster can be defined as a natural event that causes a
perturbation to the functioning of economic system, with a significant negative impact on assets, production
factors, output, employment and consumption. One salient component of assessing then impact of disaster
impact from this view is defining direct economic cost and indirect losses.

Direct economic cost is the value of what has been damaged or destroyed by the disaster. This
should be seriously considered in disaster risk management and assessment. However, to get the whole
picture indirect losses is crucial in assessing disaster seriousness. This is done by evaluating the main
direct consequences of a disaster. One example is when a head of family losses a job due to isolation or
the workplace itself is affected. The value of losses is measure vis-à-vis time period and salary including
perks and allowances.

Political Perspective

From this view, natural disasters are commonly though top be less politically contentious than armed
conflicts. Yet, a closer look reveals that politics are deeply wedded to both the impact of a natural disaster
and the subsequent delivery of humanitarian assistance. Political considerations before, during and after a
natural disaster can determine who is most at risk, who can intervene, what actions will be taken, and who
will benefit from those actions.

Governmentality or deliverance of government services to constituents can be a plus or minus factor

in disaster risk reduction and management. Government interventions should be present in following
phases of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.
Environmental Perspectives
Disasters are not random and do not occur by accident. They are the convergence of hazards and
vulnerable conditions. Disasters not only reveal underlying social, economic, political and environmental
problems, but unfortunately contribute to worsening them. Such events pose serious challenges to
development, as they erode hard earned gains in terms of political, social and educational progress, as
well as infrastructure and technological development. The millennium declaration recognizes the risk to
development stemming from disaster and calls on the global community to “intensify our collective
efforts to reduce the number and effects of natural hazards and man-made disaster”.

Impacts of Disasters
Disasters often result from the failure to anticipate the timing and enormity of natural hazards. Little
lead time is left to take preparedness actions such as evacuation and strengthening of structures,
Disasters do not only result in deaths and destruction or damage to homes and buildings but also in
the destruction of crops and decreased quality or quantity of water. Apart from these effects, let us take
a look at the other impacts of disasters.
Medical effects. The medical effects of disasters include traumatic injuries, emotional stress, epidemic
diseases, and indigenous disease.

Damage to critical facilities. Widespread disasters can destroy or damage facilities that may be critical not
only in maintaining a safe environment and public order, but also in responding to the disaster. Among these
are communication installations, electrical generating and transmission facilities, hospitals, water facilities
(storage, purifications, and pumping), and other public and private buildings.

Disruption of transportation. During the initial stages of a disaster, almost all surface means of
transportation within a community are disrupted by broken bridges and roads and streets that are rendered
impassable by landslides or floods. The restricted mobility of vehicles makes rescue and other emergency
operations doubly difficult.

Economic impact. As a result of the destruction and damage to critical facilities, especially to transportation
and communication facilities, disasters disrupt economies as normal business operations and other economic
activities are curtailed.

Global environmental change. There is increasing evidence of global climatic change brought about by both
human activity and disasters. Although the long-range consequences are hard to predict, more severe
cyclonic storms, an increase in both flooding and drought, and a trends towards desertification cannot be
ruled out.
Social and political impact. As a large segment of the population in developing countries consists the poor,
who are most vulnerable whenever a disaster strikes, these countries are most affected. The poor are most
prone to disasters like earthquakes and typhoons because of the structures they live in which are
unreinforced and poorly built.
How and When an Event Becomes a Disaster

An event, either human-made or natural, becomes a disaster when it is sudden or progressive,

causing widespread human, material or environmental losses. A typhoon like Yolanda is a natural
phenomenon. It became a disaster due to several factors: its strength (290 km./hour); the storm surge it
brought was sudden and unexpected; and its devastating effect to human, material, and environment.
More than 7,000 people perished. The entire City of Tacloban was literally flattened to the ground.

Another example is Typhoon Ondoy that struck the country in 2009. The Philippines is visited by
typhoons on the average of 20 every year. Hence, typhoons are considered as natural events in this
country. However, Typhoon Ondoy turned into a disaster because of the amount of precipitation brought by
its torrential rains that lasted for several days causing floods and flash floods in Metro Manila. Thousands
of houses were submerged in flood water. Hundreds of shelters along river banks and esteros were
washed out. Power and water supplies were cut off for several weeks. Hundred of lives perished.

A television program like Wowowie, hosted by Willie Revillame, a popular singer-commedian was a
common social event in the Philippine entertainment world. It became so popular that thousands of fans
flock to ULTRA (a huge event venue during that time) to watch the noon time variety show every day,
except Sundays. That event turned out to a disastrous tragedy when there was a human-induced
disturbance among the watching crowd that caused a stampeded. Many spectators were hurt and some
even died which led to the dissolution of said TV program.
When is Vulnerability?

Vulnerability is defined as “the characteristics and circumstances of a community, system or asset

that make it susceptible to the damaging effects of a hazard”. As indicated by United Nations International
Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), “there are many aspects of vulnerability arising from various
physical, social, economic, and environmental factors. Examples may include poor design and construction of
buildings, inadequate protection of assets, lack of public information and awareness, limited official recognition
of risks and preparedness measures, and disregard for wise environmental management”.

Reasons Why Certain Sectors of Society are More Vulnerable to Disaster than Others

Vulnerability can be seen as the result of a process in which various different things cause a population
to be more vulnerable. These can be split into demographic and socio-economic. They can also be
discussed through the level of community preparedness and the ability of a community to manage the after
effects of a hazard event.

1. Demographic factors

Population density – The more dense the population, the more efficient a response should be,
considering the number of people that might be affected by a disaster. Densely populated cities like Manila
and Quezon City require some amount of education on disaster preparedness, government support and
relief operations in the event of a disaster.

Age of population – Very old and very young populations are less mobile and able to respond to hazard
events well. This makes them more vulnerable compared to others, and this requires more attention from
the government and other support agencies especially during emergency evacuation or relocation.
 Distribution of population – regardless of density, populations may be distributed differently within the
hazard area, e.g. elderly people on lower floors of apartment buildings, or concentrations of highly
vulnerable people in poorer areas of a city. This must be seriously considered in human settlement
planning and relocation activities of the government.

2. Socio-economic factors

Wealth –Low income populations are less likely to be well prepared. Part of preparations is having a
Survival Kit that includes tools to used, emergency food stock and water that could last for at least 3 to 5
days. Poor families will find a hard time to do such preparation due to lack of money to spend.

Education – Education programs such as Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) shake drill can
instruct populations on how to deal with hazards events, like the “Big One” – the anticipated 7.8 magnitude
earthquake that may strike Metro Manila anytime.

Nature of society – In highly centralized government structures, efficient emergency response may be
result of careful planning and training of personnel.

Understanding of the area – Recent migrants are likely to struggle to cope with hazards effects
compared to established population. Understanding the area is a salient factor to be considered in Disaster
Preparedness Planning, and this will give greater advantage to the established or original settlers in a
particular area affected by disaster.
 3. Community preparedness

Building codes – Rigorous and applied building codes protect most buildings from collapse during earthquake.

Scientific monitoring and early warning systems – Established monitoring system can prepare people for the
onslaught of any kind of disaster. The coming of Super Typhoon Yolanda was forecasted by PAGASA. However, the
magnitude storm surge that it caused was not effectively predicted due to lack of advanced monitoring equipment and
technology.

Communication networks – countries with good quality and widespread communication network allow messages to be
quickly shared.

Emergency Planning – Preparation is the key element of prevention for a disaster is embodied in an Emergency Plan.
Where monitoring and communication are in place, the emergency planning likely to prepare a person or a group (family)
for such events and take action based on data, rather than prediction.

4. Dealing with the after-effects

Insurance cover – Another important aspect of preparation is how to deal with the after effects of a disaster. Disasters,
like earthquakes and typhoons, normally inflict damages to life, property and even to environmental sources of living. Part
of their preparation, individuals purchase insurance policies to mitigate their losses, thus preparing them better for similar
future events.

Emergency personnel – These are trained for community preparedness. The availability of such personnel will vary
depending on the time of day and location of the event.
Aid request – outside help in the form of humanitarian aid is necessary during a disaster. However, it should be fasy and
efficient.
Elements at Risk and Exposed to Hazards

Persons, houses, buildings, infrastructures, transportation system, financial

establishment, crops, environmental sources of living, and others like societal components
exposed to known hazard, which are likely to be adversely affected by the impact of a
hazard.

 Risk Factors

Risk signifies the possibility of adverse effects in the future. It is derived from the
interaction of social and environmental processes, from the combination of physical
hazards and the vulnerabilities of exposed elements.
 Fig. 1 – Triagram of Disaster Risk
(Source: Geoscience, Australia

Earthquake

Vu
Tsunami Engineering
Floods Economic

ln
Cyclones Social

ar

era
RISK
Bushfires

z
Landslides
Volcanoes
Ha

bil
ty
Exposure
People
Buildings
Businesses
Infrastructure

This diagram illustrates the concept of risk which combines an understanding of the likehood of a hazardous
event occurring with an assessment of its impact where:
Risk = Hazard x Exposure x Vulnerability
Capacity
The left side of the Triagram shows the different natural hazards that may occur in an area at any given
period of time. The base of the triagram indicates the different elements exposed to hazard/disaster. On the
right side, factors and elements of vulnerability are presented.
Philippine Vulnerabilities to Natural Disasters

The following bullet statement explain why the Philippines is vulnerable to natural disaster
specifically from the effects of Climate Change (Climate Change Primer Manuscript, 2014):
 The Philippines lies in the Pacific typhoon belt and we are visited by an average of 20 typhoons every
year.
 The rugged nature of our landscape makes our communities very vulnerable to landslides, mudflows
and other disasters.
 The Philippines is an archipelagic country with many small islands. 
 Many of our areas are also at or below sea level, and this makes us vulnerable to flooding and worst,
inundation with rise in sea level. 
 With one of the longest coastlines in the world at 32,400 kilometers, we have many areas that are
vulnerable to storm surges. 
 The Philippines is still a primarily agricultural and fishing economy. Disruptions in agricultural and
fishery production and destruction of our ecosystems will have devastating effects on our economy
and food security. 
 Natural hazard risk is compounded in the Philippines by poor institutional and societal capacity to
manage, respond and recover from natural hazard events.  
 The Philippines is considered “high risk” in terms of the country’s ability to manage and mitigate the
impacts of natural hazard and in part due to “entrenched corruption and high levels of poverty”
(Rappler, 2014)
 Aside from being at risk to typhoons, the Philippines is also at risk to volcanic eruptions (we have
active volcanoes), quakes (several fault lines are identified) and flood (we have denuded mountains).
Hazards
Hazards are “those elements of the physical environment, harmful to man and caused
by forces extraneous to him.” (Burton et al 1978)

Standards Australia (2000) defines a hazard as:

“A source of potential harm or a situation with a potential to cause loss.”

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) describes hazard as:

“A natural event that has the potential to cause harm or loss.”

General Classification of Hazards

There are many different ways of classifying hazards. One is to consider the extent to
which hazards are natural.

1. Natural hazards such as earthquakes or floods arise from purely natural processes in
the environment.
2. Quasi-natural hazards such as smog or desertification that arise through the interaction
of natural processes and human activities.
3. Technological (or human-made) hazards such as the toxicity of pesticides to agricultural
lands, accidental leaks of chemicals from chemical laboratories or radiation from a
nuclear plant. These arise directly as a result of human activities.
Earthquake Hazards
What is an earthquake?
An Earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the perceptible shaking of the
surface of the Earth, resulting from the sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust that creates
seismic waves. (US Geological Science – USGS).
The following are different hazards that normally result from the occurrence of an
earthquake:
• Ground Shaking or Ground Motion
• Ground or Surface Rupture
• Liquefaction
• Earthquake -induced ground subsidence and lateral spreading
• Tsunami
• Earthquake-induced Landslides
Natural Signs of an Impending Tsunami
•Animal Behavior
Some zoologist hypothesize that some animal special like elephants have the ability to
sense subsonic Rayleigh waves from an earthquake or a tsunami.
•Drawback
This is an observable natural sign of an impending tsunami that is noteworthy. In fact,
drawback can serve as a brief warning. There are already proofs that people who observed
drawback survived when they immediately run for high ground or climbed to upper floors of
nearby buildings.
Volcanic Hazards
Various Volcano-Related Hazards

Volcanologist are always working to understand how volcanic hazards behave, and what can be done to
avoid them, USGS Bulletin enumerates a few of the more common volcanic hazards, and some of the ways in
which they are formed and behave. These are the following:
Lahar
Lahars are a specific kind of mudflow made up of volcanic debris. They can form in a number of
situations, namely:
1. When small slope collapses gather water on their way down a volcano.
2. Through rapid melting of snow and ice during an eruption.
3. From heavy rainfall on loose volcanic debris.
4. When a volcano erupts through a crater lake
5. When a crater lake drains because of overflow or wall collapse.
Ash Fall
Volcanic ash consists of fragments of pulverized rock, minerals and volcanic glass, created during
volcanic eruptions and measuring less than2 mm (0.079 inches) in diameter. The term volcanic ash is also
often loosely used to refer to all explosive eruption products (correctly referred to as tephra), including
particles larger than 2mm. Volcanic ash is formed during explosive volcanic eruptions when dissolved
gases in magma expand and escape violently into the atmosphere.

Volcanic Gases
Magma contains dissolved gases, which provide the driving force that causes most volcanic eruptions. As
magma rises towards the surface and pressure decreases, gases are released from liquid portion of the
magma (melt) and continue to travel upward and are eventually released into the atmosphere.

Lava Flows
Lava flows are streams of molten rock that pour or ooze from an erupting vent. Lava is erupted during
either non-explosive activity or explosive lava fountains.
 
Precautionary measures before, during and after volcanic eruption

There are dangers that volcanic eruptions pose to people so it is important that they know how to
handle situations before, during and after volcanic eruptions to avoid serious problems. The following are
precautionary measures before, during, and after volcanic eruptions that may help save lives: (adopted
from PHIVOLCS’ Emergency Advisory)
Other Geological Hazards and their Causes
Discussed below are other geological hazards and their causes as defined by the US Geological
Science (USGS):
Rainfall-Induced Landslide
A Landslide is a massive outward and downward movement of slope-forming materials. The term
landslide is restricted to movements of rocks and soil masses. These masses may range in size up to entire
mountainsides. Their movements may vary in velocity. A landslide is initiated when a section of a hill slope or
sloping section of a sea bed is rendered too weak to support its own weight. This is generally triggered by
other natural hazards such as prolonged, heavy rainfall or by other sources of water which increase the water
content of the slope materials.
Causes of Landslide

Landslides occur when the slope changes from a stable to an unstable condition. A change in the
stability of a slope can be caused by a number of factors, acting together or alone.

Natural causes of landslides include:

 Groundwater (pore water) pressure acting to destabilize the slope
 Loss or absence of vertical vegetative structure, soil nutrients, and soil structure (e.g. after a wildfire)
 Erosion of the toe of a slope by rivers or ocean waves
 Weakening of a slope through saturation by snow melt, glaciers melting, or heavy rains
 Earthquakes adding loads to barely stable slope
 Earthquake-cause liquefaction destabilizing slopes
 Volcanic eruptions

Landslides are also aggravated by human activities, such as:

 Deforestation, cultivation and construction, which destabilize the already fragile slopes
 Vibrations from machinery or traffic
 Blasting (e.g. as miners or traffic)
 Earthwork which alters the shape of a slope, or which imposes new loads on an existing slope
 In shallow soils, the removal of deep-rooted vegetation that binds colluvium to bedrock (e.g. kaingin
farming system)
 Construction works, agricultural or forestry activities (e.g.logging) which change the amount of water
infiltrating the soil.
Potential Hydrometeorological Hazards

The following are the most common hydrometeorological hazards as defined by the National oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):

Source: www.ortonline.org
Cyclone
A cyclone is an intense low pressure system which is characterized by strong spiral winds
towards the center, called the “Eye” in a counter-clockwise flow in the northern hemisphere. Hazards
due to tropical cyclones are strong winds with heavy rainfall that can cause widespread flooding/flash
floods, storm surges, landslides and mudflows.
Classification of Cyclone
 Tropical Deprresion – maximum winds from 35 kilometers per hour (kph) to 63 kph
 Tropical Storm – maximum winds from 64 kph to 118 kph
 Typhoon – maximum winds exceeding 118 kph
 Super typhoon Haiyan strongest on record with over 10,000 feare
d dead in Philippines
– Citizen Climate

Typhoon

A typhoon is a large, powerful and violent tropical cyclone. It is a low pressure area rotating
counterclockwise and containing rising warm air that forms over water in the Western Pacific Ocean. Less
powerful tropical cyclones are call Tropical Depressions and Tropical Storms. A typhoon is called a
hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean, a cyclone in the Indian Ocean and wily-wily in Australia. Typhoons can
inflict terrible damage due to thunderstorms, violent winds, torrential rain, floods, landslides, large and very
big waves associated with storm surges. Hurricane-force winds can reach out as little as 40 km from the
center of a small hurricane and as far as 240 km in a large hurricane. Tropical storm-force winds can
extend as far as 480 km from the center of large hurricane. These are very dangerous storms.
 Source: Great Source Daily

Thunderstorm
A thunderstorm is a weather condition that produces lightning and thunder, heavy
rainfall from cumulonimbus clouds and possibly a tornado. It is a violent local
atmospheric disturbances accompanied by lightning, thunder, and heavy rain often by
strong gusts of wind, and sometimes by hail. The typical thunderstorm caused by
convection occurs when the sun’s warmth has heated a large body of moist air near the
ground. This air rises and is cooled by expansion. The cooling condenses the water
vapor present in the air, forming a cumulus cloud. The turbulent air current within the
cloud causes a continual breaking up and reuniting of the rain drops, which may form
hail, and builds up strong electrical charges that result in lightning.
 Source: US News

Tornado
A tornado is described as a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm
to the ground. Tornadoes come in many sizes but are typically in the form of a visible
condensation funnel whose narrow end touches the earth and is often encircled by a cloud of
debris. It can have a wide range of colors depending on the environment. Typically, tornadoes
may appear nearly transparent and invisible until dust and debris are picked up. Tornadoes
develop from severe thunderstorm in warm, unstable air along and ahead of cold fronts. It starts
from a change in direction, an increase in wind speed with increasing height and a rise from
within the thunderstorm which triggers the rotation of wind from horizontal to vertical.
 Source: WorldPress.com Source: Energy Education

Flash flood
A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low lying areas like washes, rivers, dry lakes and basins. It may be
caused by heavy rain associated with a severe thunderstorm, hurricane, tropical storm, or melt water from ice or snow
flowing over ice sheets or snowfields. Flash floods may occur after the collapse of natural ice or debris dam, or a human
structure such as a man-made dam. Flash floods are distinguished from regular floods by a timescale of less than six
hours. The water that is temporarily available is often used by foliage with rapid germination and short growth cycles, and
by specially adapted animal life.
Flood
Flood is the inundation of land areas which are not normally covered by water. A flood is usually caused by a
temporary rise or the over-flowing of a river, stream, or other water course, inundating adjacent lands or flood-plains. It
could also be due to a temporary rise of lakes, oceans or reservoirs and or other enclosed bodies of water, inundating
border lands due to heavy and prolonged rainfall associated with tropical cyclones, monsoons, inter-tropical convergence
zones or active low pressure areas. Floods are basically hydrological phenomena and they are also caused by storm
surges, and tsunami along coastal areas. Several factors contribute to flooding. Two key elements are rainfall intensify and
duration. Intensify is the rate of rainfall, and duration is how long the rain lasts. Flooding occurs in known floodplains when
prolonged rainfall over several days, intense rainfall over a short period of time, or a debris jam causes a river or stream to
overflow and flood the surrounding area.
 Source: Weather Channel Source: ABS-CBN News

Storm Surge

Storm surge is a rise of seawater above normal sea level on the coast, generated by the action of
weather elements, such as cyclonic wind and atmospheric pressure. Sea level is raised and driven
towards the coast. Where the depth is shallow and the slope of the sea bed is gradual, the natural flow
of the water is delayed by affect of friction on the sea bed. As more water moves from the sea to the
coast excess water piles up on the shore line. This pilling up of water makes a large volume of water
which might eventually flow into the hinterland some distance from the coast. Depending upon then
shape of the coastline and the slope of the sea bed, storm surge can sweep across large portions of
coastal areas.
 Source: Jagran Josh Source: Rappler Source: Eagle News

El Niño and La Niña

El Niño and La Niña are complex weather patterns resulting from variations in ocean
temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific. These two phenomena are opposites phases of what is
known El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. The ENSO cycle is a scientific term that
describes the fluctuations in temperature between the ocean and atmosphere in the east-central
Equatorial Pacific.

La Niña is sometimes referred to as the cold phase of ENSO and El Niño as the warm phase
of ENSO. These deviations from normal surface temperatures can have large scale impacts not only
on ocean processes, but also on global weather and climate.

El Niño and La Niña episodes typically last nine to 12 months, but some prolonged events
may last for years. While their frequency can be quite irregular, El Niño and La Niña events occur on
average every two to seven years. Typically, El Niño occurs more frequently than La Niña.
PREPAREDNESS AND MITIGATION
 Source: Fire System, Inc.

Fire Hazard

Fire hazards include all types of live flames, causes of sparks, hot objects, and chemicals that are
potential for ignition, or that can aggravate a fire to become large and uncontrolled. Fire hazards also include
all types of potential threats to fire prevention practices, fire fighting, built-in fire safety systems and situations
that restrict the escape of people from an affected building or area in the event of a fire.

Common Fire Hazards

The following fire hazards are common at home, in public places, transports and work places:

 All types of flames used for any work

 Electric wires, higher loads, loose connections and old electrical equipment
 All cooking and heat generating appliances
 All works and situations where fire is essential such as welding, cutting, metal casting, etc.
 Improper storage of tools, equipment and items during and at the of the day’s work.
 Smoking and personal lighters and matches
 Fireworks, pyro-techniques, ammunitions and explosives
 Improper and unauthorized storage of flammable and hazardous materials and chemicals especially the
flammable ones
 Insufficient capacity and numbers of emergency exits and stairs
 Hindrance to sight or reach fire fighting equipment, markings and alarm system
 Insufficient numbers and types of fire extinguishers
 Absence of fire detection and alarm system
 Violation of building and fire codes.
 Source: Networks Source: Blog-Minico Insurance

Top causes of fire

Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries.
Smoking is the leading cause of civilian home fire deaths. Heating equipment is the second
most common cause of home fire fatalities.
Below are some other common causes of fire:

 Kitchen Stoves
 Faulty Wiring
 Smoking in Bed
 Lighting
 Flammable Liquids
 Candles
 Children
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is define as “a systematic approach to identifying, assessing and
reducing the risks of disaster. It aims to reduce socio-economic vulnerabilities to disaster as well as deal
with the environmental and other hazards that trigger them” (Asian Disaster Reduction Center – ADRC).

Elements of DRRM

The following is a discussion of Disaster risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) as a continuum
indicating the interrelationship of the different elements of DRR (FAO series):
1. Disaster Risk Reduction Continuum

 Ongoing development activities – Ongoing DRM aspects in different development programs.

 Risk Assessment – Diagnostic process to identify the risk that a community faces
 Prevention – Activities to avoid the adverse impact of hazards
 Mitigation – Structural / Non-structural measures undertaken to limit the adverse impact
 Preparedness – Activities and measures taken in advance to ensure effective response
 Early Warning – Provision of timely and effective information to avoid or reduce risk
2. Immediate Disaster Response

 Evacuation – temporary mass departure of people and property from threatened locations
 Saving people and livelihoods – Protection of people and livelihoods during emergency
 Immediate Assistance – Provision of assistance during or immediately after disaster
 Assessing damage and loss – information about impact on assets and loss to production.
 
3. Post Disaster to Continuum

 Ongoing assistance – Continued assistance until a certain level of recovery

 Recovery – Actions taken after a disaster with a view to restoring infrastructure and services
 Reconstruction – Actions taken after a disaster to ensure resettlement/relocation.
 Economic and Social Recovery – Measures taken to normalize the economy and societal living
 Ongoing development activities – continued actions of development programs
 Risk Assessment – Diagnostic process to identity new risks that communities may again face
Emergency Planning and Management
The diagram below presents the four phases of emergency planning, namely, mitigation, preparedness,
response, and recovery. This continuum serves as guide in designing an emergency plan for the family and the
community.
Monitoring, Evaluating and Reporting

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting are key activities for the success of an
emergency plan. To respond effectively to changing circumstances and new information,
a local government unit (LGU) must have a way to assess emergency planning progress
on objectives and outcomes and initiate corrective action where required. A system of
monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement is needed to determine the
effectiveness of emergency plan

Source: pinterest
 Monitoring

On an ongoing basis, LGU will systematically collect and store data for
indicators about progress toward the achievement of emergency plan outcomes.
Also, a LGU will be responsible for collecting data for these indicators over the
span of the emergency plan and for monitoring the data trends showing changes
occurring in the region.

 Evaluating

Data on monitoring will undergo rigorous evaluation, analysis and

interpretation of results within the context of governments policies and strategies
designed to achieve the objectives and to ensure that management actions are
appropriate spatially and temporarily.

 Reporting

A LGU will use various mechanism to formally communicate an emergency

plan progress to the public, including the release of reports on a regular basis that
speak directly to then plan, as well as ministry communications that address more
specific aspects of the plan.
 10 Natural Disasters That Have Already Happened In Just 5
Months Of 2020

1. The Australian Bushfire 2019-20

2. Devastating Floods In Indonesia
3. The Dreaded Coronavirus
4. Volcano Eruption In The Philippines
5. Earthquakes In Turkey, The Caribbean, China, Iran,
Russia, Philippines & India
6. Locust Swarms In East Africa & Parts Of India & Asia
7. Cyclone Amphan In India & Bangladesh
8. Forest Fires In Uttarakhand, India
9. Floods In Assam, India
10. Snow In Antarctica Turns Green

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNPiaPy_vZM
Lesson 4: Topic 2
INTRODUCTION:

Crime Prevention “The ultimate goal of crime prevention is to reduce the risk of being a victim.” (SIU,
par. 1) “Successful crime prevention efforts will promote a safer community by enhancing the
perception of safety and the attitudes and behaviors that help people feel safe.” (SIU, par. 3)
Reducing crime must be a community effort. It requires the work of not only law enforcement but also
the community itself. Crime prevention programs can be instituted, but until everyone decides to
work together on the effort, they can be futile.

It is quite obvious that the rate of crimes are increasing day by day in all societies in the world, but
there are a lot which can be done by both the governments and the individuals to reduce the
crimes in communities.

A lot of important measures, on the one hand, can be taken by the governments in order to reduce
or even eradicate different types of crimes.
On the other hand, individuals in societies can be of great help to cut down on the number of
crimes being committed. The overwhelming majority of people tend to participate in activities
assisting the government to keep the society a safe place for their own families and the others and
for all age groups .Take as an example, most people by reporting the problems to police can play
an indispensable role in crime-prevention activities. In addition, when people themselves care
about decreasing heinous crimes in cities, it can be sort of a preventive action to harness well the
situation in society by government as well.
…………………………………………………………………………….
FOCUS:
At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
1. Classify crimes and determine preventive ways.
2. Vigilant to report crime incidents to proper authorities.

 
PRE-ASSESSMENT: LESSON 4 – Topic 2
Direction: Read the questions carefully and choose the correct option.
1. Police are more likely to spot suspicious and/or criminal activity in progress than possibly local residents.
A. True
B. False
2. What are some possible reasons crime may go unreported?
C. People are hesitant to call out of fear they will be identified by the potential criminal
D. People take for granted that someone else has already contacted the police
E. They worry being embarrassed if their suspicious prove to be unfounded
F. All of the above
3. People are not suspicious, the behavior or activity is suspicious.
G. True
H. False
4. A stranger entering your neighbor’s house when it’s unoccupied.
A scream anywhere might be serious.
Anyone peering into parked cars.
Anyone removing accessories, license plates or gasoline from a car.
Persons entering/leaving a business place after hours.
Sound of broken glass or other unusual noises.

Can all be considered what?

I. Innocent activity
J. Normal activity
K. Coincidental
L. Suspicious activity
5. Not every stranger who comes into your neighborhood is a criminal.  There are many legitimate door-to-door
salesmen, repairmen and servicemen moving around your neighborhood.
M. True
N. False
6. Out of the following choices, what would be considered "suspicious activity"?
O. A person carrying something of value to their car?
P. A person running, while carrying something of value to a car?
Q. A person carrying something of value at 3 a.m. in the morning to a car?
R. Both B and C
7. Number to call when one needs help in a police, fire or medical emergency situation.
A. 911
B. 119
C. 117
D. 711
8. The reduction of crime in the community is the sole responsibility of the Police Department?
E. True
F. False
 
9. Illegitimate call which tells jokes, asks for a date, or hangs up as soon as an operator answers.
G. Joke
H. Prank Calls
I. Emergency Calls
J. Non of the Above
 
10. Anti-Fencing Law is a special law which imposes penalties on people who sell, dispose, buy or acquire anything of
value which are stolen.
K. True
L. False

EXPLORING ACTIVITY:

Direction: Give example or a scenario of a crime and ways to prevent the said crime.

 
 FIRMING – UP:

Many people are too scared to leave their home because of a fear of crime.

Some people think that more should be done to prevent crime, whereas others feel that nothing can
be done.

What are your views? In the succeeding discussion some preventive ways to reduced crimes will be
discussed.

DEEPENING DETAILS:
What is Crime?
As cited Gregorio (1988), a crime is the commission or omission by a person having capacity, of
any act, which is either prohibited or compelled by law and the commission or omission of which is
punishable by a proceeding brought in the name of the government whose law has been violated.
(Wharton’s Criminal Law, 1957, Vol. 1,p.11)

What is Crime Prevention?

It is an act to be done in order that a crime could not happen. Crime prevention is everybody’s
concern. We have to join hands in order to lessen crime in our community if not totally eradicate it.
How can we minimize Crime?
It is through crime prevention where we can lessen crimes in our society. Don’t be a victim! Take not
of the following preventive measures and share them with the community you are residing.

Community Involvement:
1. A conscious collective effort to maintain peace and order in the neighborhood is far more effective
than self or family-oriented approach to crime prevention.
2. Good leadership and the active participation of community members are vital.
3. Regular crime prevention meetings should be held to discuss the most common modus operandi of
criminals and thieves and the countermeasures against them.
4. Resident volunteers, in groups of two or three, can walk the streets in designated areas at specific
hours.
5. When a crime is in progress, volunteers should cal “117”.
6. A witness to an ongoing crime can alert neighbors by making noise or giving pre-arranged signals. He
should call “117”.
7. If the Ronda group is small, only the leader of the volunteers should know the time and area of
neighborhood walk.
 How to Keep Your Family Safe
1. Make sure you and your family know the general whereabouts of all members for the day. If possible,
have a schedule board in the kitchen where family members can post their schedules or destinations.
2. Instruct all family members and household help not to entertain strangers at the gate or on the phone.
Children should be especially trained not to converse with strangers on the phone. Transactions should
be done outside the gate. This will prevent closer visual observation of your premises or household lay
out.
3. Teach your family and household help to verify the identity of the phone callers before identifying
themselves.
4. Never give out information on the whereabouts of family members to just anyone on the phone. Friends
or relatives should be politely asked to call again so they can personally talk to the person they are
looking for. Should the unknown caller insist on asking to speak to each family member, ask for his
name, and politely say the message will be relayed and that he should call back. Call the police for
assistance if you repeatedly receive anonymous phone calls.
5. Have a standing order that a designated family member be contacted in an emergency or if there are
dubious characters at your door or on your phone. List the important phone numbers in the front or back
of your directory for easy access.
6. Be aware of phone swindlers who call in and report that one family member has been in an accident
and is asking for the family member or household help to bring cash or other valuables to a certain
place. Verify with another family member before acting on this.
7. House help applicants should be asked for clearance and ID pictures. It would be better if they are
recommended by a relative or friend.
How to keep Children Safe
1. Advice children to refrain from playing/loitering on the roads outside your residence where they are
highly vulnerable to abduction. Also, advice them never to leave home without telling you of their
destination and expected arrival time.
2. Carefully “back-check” references of anyone you intend to employ-baby-sitter, domestic helper,
gardener, driver or even security guard. It is very possible that the kidnappers would utilizing such
persons for infiltrate your residences so as to acquire vital information on household valuables, layouts
and patterns.
3. Hiring a security guard for the street will greatly improve the security situation of your residence.
4. Teach your children not to talk to strangers, especially in school. Should they be approached, tell them
to run to the principal’s office and report the incident.
5. Ask your children's school to help provide security by not giving out any information on your children to
anybody and avoiding publicity in which students are named or their pictures shown.
6. Insist that strict guidelines be followed as to the persons authorized to pick up your children. They
should not be allowed to leave with any other person without your prior authorization. To ensure
maximum safety, children should be allowed to speak on the phone to the one authorizing the release.
This practice provides protection against kidnappers who call and claim to be child’s parent.
7. Instruct children on how to call “117” in case strangers or suspicious characters hang on around the
house.
8. At night, keep the door to the children’s room open so that any unusual noise may be easily heard.
9. Keep the house well-lighted if it is necessary to leave the children home.
How to Secure Your Belongings

1. Keep a record of the important information of all household facilities and equipment, such as TV,
Radio, Audio System. Videocassette recorder/player, refrigerator, and washing machine. Have an
inventory of your jewelry and other precious items and documents like birth, baptismal and marriage
certificates.
2. Store cash, and other valuables in the bank. Hiding them inside locked drawers does not guarantee
that they will be safe from the knowing eyes and practiced moves of robbers.
3. Bring in all outdoor equipment (bicycles, garden hose, mower, etc.) at night. Leaving these valuables
out in the garden or the streets is an open invitation to robbers and thieves.
4. Protect your household facilities and valuables from prying eyes by using curtains or drapes.
5. Check all electrical appliances to make sure they are turned off before leaving your home, ensuring
that a fire will not break out while you are away.
6. Provide family members with their own keys to the household. This is safer than leaving the key in a
“secret” place, one that can be discovered by any person who takes the time to watch your
movements when you leave your home and come back at night.
7. If you and your family are going on vacation, ask a neighbor to watch your home, or ask a relative to
stay in your home for the duration of your vacation. An empty house is a prime target for criminal
elements.
 Do Not Fall to Cellphone Snatching

Dos….
1. Buy cellphones only from authorized dealers.
2. Record your cellphone serial numbers immediately after purchase. Serial numbers are available in the retail packs of brand
new units.
3. As much as possible, bring your cellphone with you only if you urgently need it during the day. Otherwise, it is best that you
leave it at home.
4. Always place your cellphone in your pocket or your bag where it is not visible.
5. Set your cellphone in “silent” mode when you are in public places and inside public vehicles.
6. If there is an urgent need for you to use your cellphone while outside, go to a place where you are more secure - inside
stores, near security guards, near police stations, inside offices, or even in comfort cubicles.
7. Always walk in well-lighted places. When walking alone, be on guard for persons following you – walk towards areas where
there are people in case you might need help.
8. Keep your bag containing your cellphone close to your body.
9. When in public vehicles, be alert for snatchers; be suspicious of passengers who come in threes or fours and who position
themselves beside/behind the driver, near the “estribo”, and one among the passengers.
10. If you fall victim to snatchers, reports to the police and to your cellphone providers immediately.
11. Always cooperate with the police and barangay authorities.
12. If you wish to own a second hand cellphone, ask for the complete kit and receipt.

DONTs….
13. When in public places, refrain from displaying your cellphone unnecessarily. Avoid using it in public. Do not clip it on your
waist or carry it while walking or while inside public vehicles. This will only give snatchers the opportunity to grab it from you.
14. Never lend your cellphones to strangers who may approach you to make emergency calls.
15. Do not resist hold-up men or snatchers. Do not panic. Follow their instructions but remain calm enough to remember their
description and the directions they took in escaping.
16. When inside establishment, offices or restaurants, do not leave your cellphone lying around on tables, on top of cabinets, or
even on chairs beside you. You’ll never know when strangers, or thieves posing as visitors, may come and take your
cellphone when you are least aware.
17. When paying for purchases in stores or supermarkets, do not leave your cellphone on the counter. Place it in your bag or
pocket.
REMEMBER, BUYING OR SELLING STOLEN PROPERTY IS PUNISHABLE
UNDER THE “ANTI-FENCING LAW” OR PD 1612

The ANTI-FENCING LAW is a special law, which imposes penalties on people who
sell, dispose, buy or acquire anything of value which are stolen.

People caught possessing stolen property or articles will be punished with

imprisonment of 6-12 years to a maximum of 20 years depending on the value of the
stolen property or article.
 What to do if you are Under Threat 

1. If there are suspicious sounds or shadows in your home, try to contact the police or call 117
quietly, so as not to let the intruders know that you are aware of their presence. Most robbers are
after the property inside your home, and are more prone to working swiftly and quietly to avoid
any physical or violent encounters.

2. If your are awakened by the sound of intruders, you have seral options. One, lie quietly to avoid
attracting attention, hoping that they will leave you undisturbed. Two, you may choose to open
lights and make noise by moving around, thereby warning them that you are awake, and scaring
them into leaving your home. Even if you are alone in the house, you may speak loudly to an
imaginary companion.

3. If you signs of a break-in or suspicious persons inside your home, do not attempt to go is as
robbers may still be inside. G to your nearest neighbor and call the local police or call 117 for
immediate assistance.

4. Remain calm and do not panic. Although robbers would prefer to avoid a confrontation, they are
easily agitated and more prone to uncalled for abuse or violence.

5. Try to talk it out with robbers, if you are up to it. This will delay them, and allow for alternative
action on your part, if the situations crops up.

6. Note all peculiarities and mannerism of the robbers if you come face-to-face with them. Tattoo
marks, physical defects, moles and speech mannerism with help in giving the police a more solid
description of the robbers.

7. Call the police immediately after the robbers leave your home. You may also text 117 for this
purposes.
 How to Avoid Rape

Here are few precautions, which will greatly reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

1. Be alert when you are alone.

2. Avoid walking alone. Walk on the streets where there are other people.
3. Stay out of alleys, vacant lots, and buildings.
4. Walk near the curb and don’t pass too close to shrubbery, doorways, and other places of concealment. Avoid
shortcuts.
5. Be discreet. Don't broadcast details of your personal plans to casual acquaintances or strangers.
6. If you must work late in an office building, alert a friend or relatives or the security guard so he will know where you
are and when to expect you. Ask your employer to provide an escort, arrange to leave in a group. Don’t walk to your
vehicle alone if you can avoid it.
7. Carry a shrill whistle in your hand ready to use.
8. If someone is following you, cross the street ahead for bright lights and people, then be ready to use your whistle.
9. Do not hitchhike or accepts rides from strangers. If a vehicle approaches and you are threatened, turn and run in the
opposite direction. The driver will have to turn around to pursue you. Make your screams loud and long.

Remember, the opportunity for rape is increased when you accept an offer of a ride home or late snack from
someone whom you’ve just met at a lounge, club or party. Being aware will lessen your chances of being assaulted.
When arriving home by taxi or private car, request the driver to wait until you are inside.
What will you do if you are being attacked?
1. Be prepared to defend yourself if physically attacked.
2. Think! Don’t panic!
3. Look for a way to escape
4. You best defense is noise – loud screaming. If there is no response, try screaming “Fire!” People may pay more
attention to “Fire!” because it could affect them.

 
 
Protection from Bomb Threats

A BOMB is a device capable of producing damage to property and injury or death to people when detonated or ignited.
Bombs are classified as explosive, which cause damage by fragmentation, heat and blast wave; and incendiary, which
generate fire-producing heat without a substantial explosion when ignited.
How to Save Lives
“Love your neighbor as you love yourself” is one of the commandments of God. We can do this by
saving lives of other people by calling or texting 117 during EMERGENCIES such as:
1. Crimes
2. Accidents
3. Disasters
4. Road Traffic Hazards, and Other Safety Concerns

What is “117”?

“117” is the number to call when one needs help in a police, fire or medical emergency situation.
Having expanded its service to text messaging, it can also received complaints and tips to assist in the
anti-illegal drug and terrorism campaign. In fact, it has linked up with PDEA, the Task Force on the
Security of Critical Infrastructure for the purpose, and the National Anti-Kidnappings Task Force. Set up as
a round-the-clock emergency call/message center. It connects the caller/texter to the most appropriate
responding unit and/or relays complaints, tips and messages to the proper authorities.

Is “117” the universal emergency number for the Philippines?

Yes, executive Order 226, signed by President Arroyo on July 14, 2003, designated “117” as the
official emergency access code of the Philippines.
Prior to this, then President Estrada signed Administrative Order 124 for the creation of a Joint
Commission on Street Watch and Administrative Order 36 on the Institutionalization of the Patrol program.
When should you use “117”?

“117” should be used only for emergency. An emergency situation is when one needs the immediate assistance of
police, fire and jail operatives and/or when in need of medical assistance. Text “117”, on the other hand, may be used for
non-emergency situations like tips on illegal gambling, abusive officers, terrorism tips, drug trafficking and other public safety
and security concerns which may require further verification and surveillance activities.

 When no to call “117”?

Do not call “117” for directory assistance, personal inquiries, information or as a prank. If you have any information on
crimes committed or illegal activities, you text “117” of call your local police directly. If you call “117” by mistake, say so
immediately to avoid unnecessary dispatch of responders or minimize queuing of calls.

What “117” call are considered prank or illegitimate?

A prank call is one that tells jokes, asks for a date, or hangs up as soon as on operator answers. To eradicate prank
calls, the DILG has called on provincial, city and municipal councils to pass respective ordinances to eradicate prank calls.
Prank calls may clog lines and prevent the connection of real emergency calls, which may save lives. To educate the public
about the responsible use of the hotline, information and advocacy campaigns are being done by the Foundation for Crime
Prevention (FCP) and the Department on Interior and Local Government (DILG) and their partner agencies.
Remember!