The History of Natural Hazards in the Philippines
The History of Natural Hazards in the Philippines
- Gregory BankoffGregory BankoffDepartment of History, Ateneo de Manila University
Summary
The danger from natural hazards is omnipresent in the Philippines. Disasters like typhoons, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and fires, among others, occur so often that they have become embedded in socioeconomic norms and practices and, over time, communities have learned to adapt to their regularity. Typhoons, and the epiphenomenal floods that too habitually accompany them, have caused more loss of life and property than any other natural hazard, and the magnitude and frequency of both are only likely to increase with climate change. Earthquakes not only have repeatedly racked urban centers and rural neighborhoods, leading to tremendous destruction and loss of life, but in the 21st century also threaten the cultural heritage of the nation. Volcanic eruptions have punctuated the history of the archipelago, causing significant population movement as well as economic disruption. Urban fires, largely the product of colonial settlement, remain a largely hidden and unrecorded menace, especially in areas of more informal housing that ring most modern population centers. In sum, the constant exposure to these risks has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s historical development and in influencing its contemporary culture.
Subjects
- Southeast Asia