Metro Manila is the capital of the Republic of the Philippines and is officially called the National Capital Region. Although it is the smallest region, it is the most populous and the most densely populated. As of 2004, Metro Manila has an estimated population of 86,241,697. The Philippines attains a moderate economic growth, buoyed by remittances by its large overseas Filipino workforce, booming information technology industry, and cheap labor in other sectors. Although the GDP expanded from a 0.6% decline in 1998 to 4.2% growth in 2003, 40 percent of the population are under the poverty line in 2001.

The Philippines is subject to various types of hazards due to its geographical location and physical environment being in the “Pacific Ring of Fire”. This ring is a zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that encircles the basin of the Pacific Ocean. Thus, the Philippines is prone to landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes and tsunamis.

Makati City, Metro Manila

Makati City is one of the 16 cities and 1 municipality comprising Metro Manila. It has a total land area of 27.36km2 or about 4.3% of the region’s land area. Its total population is 471,379 as of NSO 2000 Census, with a density of 17,229 persons per square kilometer. The city’s daytime population is estimated to reach at around 1.2 million with transient workers from adjacent cities and municipalities, tourists, businessmen and the like flock the city for business and leisure.

Among the major disaster risks faced by the city is earthquake. Makati City lies within the West Valley Fault System where large tectonic movements can release seismic energy. An earthquake from this origin could severely affect the city’s central business districts, affecting high-rise office buildings, commercial centers, residential areas and the like. The Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study (MMEIRS) showed that with a 7.8 magnitude earthquake scenario hitting the city, around 8,918 or 17% of all the buildings will be heavily damaged while around 16,374 (32.5%) will be partly damaged. Expected casualties can rise to 12,000 individuals while 4,000 will be injured. The fire damage in this scenario can cover 116 hectares with 49,000 buildings projected to be burnt down affecting 1,600 people.

Aware of these imminent risks, the Makati City Government created the Makati City Disaster Coordinating Council, pursuant to Presidential Decree 1566—the national framework for disaster risk management. The city provides programs, projects and activities on preparedness, mitigation, operational response and recovery in emergency situations. It also ensures effective coordination of resources and operatives to, during and after disasters.

For more information, please visit www.cityriskpedia.com.