Philippines: Strategic national action plan (SNAP) for disaster risk reduction 2009-2019

The Philippine Strategic National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction (SNAP) is a road map indicating the vision and strategic objectives of the Philippines for the next 10 years while pursuing the strategic goals of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA). The SNAP takes off from the Four-Point Plan of Action on Disaster Preparedness (4PPADP) of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and is necessary to sustain the gains from positive effects and lessons learned from disaster risk reduction (DRR) initiatives by different stakeholders. The SNAP contains 18 priority programs and projects from 2009 to 2019 based on 150 strategic actions gathered after several consultations with stakeholder groups. The SNAP utilizes the multi-hazard approach in managing the impact of natural and human-induced disasters especially the threat of climate change. The document in part is a synthesis of previous assessments done by competent organizations and results of a series of national dialogues and focus group discussions.

The SNAP consists of an analysis of the status of DRR in terms of the five HFA priorities for action: a) governance (making disaster risk reduction a priority), b) risk identification, assessment, monitoring and early warning systems (improving risk information and early warning), c) knowledge management (building a culture of safety and resilience), d) risk management and vulnerability reduction (reducing the risks in key sectors), and e) disaster preparedness for effective response (strengthening preparedness for response). While good results of DRR projects and activities have significantly provided opportunities for sound practices to take root, existing organizational and societal structures do not necessarily allow positive values to thrive. Sustaining mechanisms such as making DRR a regular budgeted item, strengthening private-public partnerships, creating incentives for disaster risk reducing behaviour, instilling risk awareness at all levels of government, in households, firms and workplaces are all part of a general strategic plan. The SNAP attempts to enable stakeholders to see the larger picture, particularly through the lens of national safety or resilience.

Priority actions are clustered into five strategic objectives:

• Enabling environment
• Financial and economic soundness (mobilizing resources)
• Supportive decision-making for an enlightened citizenry
• Safety and well-being enhancement
• Implementation and evaluation of disaster risk reduction