Ranked as the most disaster-prone country for 13 years, the Philippines also emerged as the ninth-most earthquake threatened nation worldwide, experiencing 581 quakes in 2023 alone, according to a study by Utility Bidder, a UK-based energy consultancy company.
Among these was a devastating magnitude 7.4 earthquake that hit Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur last December 2, which was caused by movements in the Philippine trench. That quake led to more than 6,500 aftershocks and claimed three lives.
“An earthquake with a magnitude over seven is considered a major earthquake. Severe damage will have occurred at the epicenter,” the researchers noted.
Located in the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire,’ the Philippines is naturally prone to seismic activity. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the country experiences an estimated 100 to 150 earthquakes annually.
The study shed light on the escalating financial toll of disasters, revealing that in 2022, the total cost amounted to an astonishing $223.84 billion, which represents a 43 percent increase from numbers a decade ago, illustrating a significant upward trend in the economic impact of these catastrophic events.
Referencing the 2022 World Risk Index that evaluates the risk of disaster from extreme natural events across 193 countries, providing insights into each nation’s susceptibility and resilience to natural catastrophes, the UK-based research underscored the Philippines’ position as the country most vulnerable to disasters globally.
“Extreme natural events cannot be prevented directly. However, governments can reduce risk by strengthening education and health, fighting poverty, and taking preparedness measures,” the study said.
“Countries that install and use early warning systems, build earthquake-proof buildings, and invest in climate and environmental protection are better prepared against extreme natural events,” it continued.
The study also highlighted climate change as a key driver of escalating global disaster frequencies, as well as pointing out that warmer sea surface temperatures could boost wind speeds, heightening the risk tropical storms, while rising sea levels further expose more areas to the erosive power of waves and currents, amplifying flood risks.
The recent powerful earthquake that rocked Taiwan should serve as an urgent reminder for us to shore up our defenses and protections, as well as potential rescue and recovery responses against such a natural disaster that we know our country is prone to. Such solutions won’t take effect immediately, but will take some time and a lot of deliberate effort.
If we haven’t started already, it is something that Filipinos should be prioritizing as soon as possible.*
