Harvard survey says Pinoys now more disaster-ready

Under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s leadership, the Philippines has achieved notable progress in disaster preparedness, with new data revealing significant improvements.

A recent survey by the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) shows that Filipinos are now considerably more equipped to handle disasters than in past years. The survey indicates a 42 percent increase in self-reported disaster preparedness among Filipinos over the last seven years.

Conducted between February and March 2024, the survey gathered insights from 4,608 respondents across the Philippines, revealing an average score of 19.2 across five key areas of preparedness: planning, training, material resources, information dissemination, and social support. 

This score reflects a marked increase from the 13.5 average recorded in HHI’s initial 2017 study, which used the same methodology and assessment tools.

While the findings show progress, the Philippines remains among the most disaster-prone nations globally, and HHI emphasized the need for ongoing improvements. Increased support and investment are crucial, particularly in local leadership, advanced technology for early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, community engagement, and proactive response strategies.

In October, President Marcos inaugurated the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) in Pasay City, where he underscored the private sector’s role in advancing “investments and practices in environmental, social, and governance areas.”

“Through collaborative research, information sharing, and innovative financing, we continue to strengthen and deepen our partnerships with these key stakeholders,” he noted.

The President also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering local authorities and youth through nature-based, ecosystem-centered solutions that respect local traditions.