emi

Name of Funding Organization/Sponsor: Asian Development Bank

Country and Location: Metro Manila, Philippines

Start Date: October 2011

Completion Date: February 2012

Narrative Description of Project:

The project aims to improve ADB’s understanding of the potential impacts of a major earthquake on Metro Manila and to develop reasonable and practical recommendations regarding preparedness and response, with a primary focus on the welfare of ADB personnel.

Phase I of the project, completed on 15 December 2011, determined the hazardscape which ADB is facing in terms of a large earthquake in Metro Manila. It includes identification and assessment of the potential impacts on public and commercial services and infrastructure which ADB and other organizations rely on, including essential public services and supply networks of food, water, and electricity, as well as the public transportation and highway networks in Metro Manila. EMI gathered data, both from ADB, as well as from external service providers and government agencies through field investigations, panel interviews and a review of reports and pertinent documents such as the disaster risk management plans of adjacent local authorities and contingency plans by utility providers. The data gathered were analyzed by EMI experts to assess possible impacts for the forecasted West Valley Fault Earthquake and develop possible scenarios that may occur.

Based on the findings in Phase I, the second phase of the Project  will provide recommendations for a comprehensive preparedness and response framework to manage the impacts of a major earthquake on ADB and its surrounding areas.

The Project will provide a “Road Map” in order to build an internal ADB program focused on improving management and employee understanding of the risks, with the intention to develop a capacity to cope with the consequences of forecasted earthquakes and other hazards for the Metro Manila area.

The Phase 2 Recommendations will complement ongoing ADB preparedness activities in two ways: first, it will support the Business Impact Analysis preparedness efforts which are focused on securing, at a minimum, 17 Critical Crisis Support Processes for ADB continuity of operations, and second, it will assist to minimize disruption to ADB employees and families by providing recommendations for an in-house ADB crisis preparedness program to improve the security, safety, and wellbeing of ADB’s employees, families, and contractors.

Project Key Accomplishments to Date:

• Assessment and analysis of the capacities of ADB and relevant external organizations and agencies in dealing with the impacts of strong earthquakes through an evaluation of critical processes, existing contingency plans and response scenarios, and mechanisms for decision-making and coordination
• Mapping of locations of ADB staff and personnel in a Geographical Information System for emergency planning purposes

Contribution to Urban DRR:

• Identification of hazards, vulnerability, and risks for emergency management and planning purposes
• Review, evaluation, and assessment of an institution's capacity to deal with earthquakes and other emergency situations
• Review and assessment of existing coordination and response mechanisms and structures when facing disasters and similar situations
• Scenario building to strengthen institutional capacity for response  and recovery
• Increased stakeholder's awareness and capacity to respond to disasters

EMI Personnel Involved:

• Ritche Van Angeles, Local Emergency Management Expert
• Dr. Fouad Bendimerad, Risk Assessment Expert
• Anna Benesovska, Emergency Management Expert
• Jerome Cruz, Project Managert
• Jose Mari Daclan, Knowledge Management Specialis
• Leigh Lingad, GIS Analyst
• Atty. Violeta Seva, Legal and Institutional Arrangements Expert
• Jerome Zayas, Disaster Risk reduction and Management Expert

Contact Person: Jerome Cruz, Project Manager, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it