University civic engagement in disaster management: the case of the University of the Philippines in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Sendong

Abstract

Tropical storm Sendong (aka Typhoon Washi) hit the island of Mindanao on December 15, 2011, bringing flash floods that devastated the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan located in the north-western side of the Island. The destruction was particularly massive in Iligan City with more than 800 people reported dead or missing, 80,000 people displaced from their homes, 15,000 houses damaged, and close to P600M in property, infrastructure, and agriculture losses. The magnitude of the devastation mobilized relief efforts from government agencies, civil society organizations, and international relief agencies. The University of the Philippines, in consultation with its alumni, civil society organizations, and Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, a UP alumnus who has taken the lead in the Senate in mobilizing public support for relief and rehabilitation efforts in the area, decided to focus its assistance on Iligan City which has received less media and national attention compared to Cagayan de Oro City. The engagement of the UP in Iligan City is anchored on the fact that the University is critically positioned to assist local governments and local communities during periods of disaster. It is mandated by law (Republic Act 9500), as a national university with public service functions; it can harness the technical expertise of its faculty and specialized institutes to provide strategic, focused, and high impact immediate assistance in times of disasters; and has the capability to provide long technical assistance through its scientific and policy research. UP also has its network of alumni and linkages with other universities, national agencies, and local governments to undertake strategic intervention. The engagement of the University was undertaken through the UP Padayon Disaster Response Team that was organized under the direction of Vice President for Public Affairs Prospero de Vera. It consisted of a 26-member multi-disciplinary team of experts organized into four teams - medical health team, forensics team, community health and water/sanitation team, and geohazard team that went to the disaster affected areas from 27-30 December 2012. This study documents the engagement of a University in disaster management and discusses the institutional and policy actions necessary to make this effort continuing and sustainable. The study narrates the establishment of the UP Padayon Disaster Response Team, the activities and assistance rendered in the disaster affected areas, discusses the observations and recommendations contained in the Report, analyzes the dynamics between the University and other institutions involved in disaster relief, and actions needed to institutionalize university engagement in disaster management.