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.
When it comes to natural disasters, the Philippines has long been among the most vulnerable countries in the world for a long time. One would expect our government and private sector to have taken the lead and continuously improve when it comes to the protections and the responses that we have in place, even more so as the risks increase further due to the effects of global warming and climate change.
Our own experience has already told us many times that we have no choice but to shore up our strategies for mitigation and responses to the natural disasters. If our leaders could step up the effort, and set more ambitious goals, maybe even to be a world leader in that aspect, millions of Filipino lives and property would be spared from the worst effects of disasters that we may never be able to prevent, but can still do something about.*
