On this page:[1]
- Introduction
- Agencies that provide information during natural disasters
- Information on donations to those affected by disasters
- List of emergency hotlines
- Rules for suspension of classes or work in government offices
Introduction
The Philippines lies within the Western Pacific Basin, which puts it on the path of an average of 20 tropical cyclones annually, nine of which make landfall. Relatedly, most casualties of natural disasters in the country are caused by all types of floods, i.e., river flood, flash flood, and coastal flood.
The country has the following rankings in terms of vulnerability to natural disasters:[2]
Which government agencies do I turn to for information during natural calamities?
For weather updates and typhoon signal alerts:
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
PAGASA is an agency under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). It provides real-time updates about the weather and typhoon alerts.
Legend of PAGASA’s color-coded rainfall advisories, which may be issued through Twitter, the media, and coordination with the local government:[3]
For more information about the color-coded warning signal read How to make sense of PAGASA’s color-coded warning signals 
Project NOAH
The Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) is a program launched by the DOST to put in place a responsive program for disaster prevention and mitigation, using advanced technology to enhance current geo-hazard vulnerability maps.
The Project NOAH web portal is located at noah.dost.gov.ph.
To learn more about Project NOAH, click here.
For volcanic activities, earthquakes, and tsunami alerts:
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
PHIVOLCS is a service institute of the DOST. The agency is tasked to mitigate disasters that may arise from volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunami and other related geotectonic phenomena.
Website: phivolcs.dost.gov.ph
NDRRMC report an earthquake:
(02) 426-1468 to 79, local 124/125;
Text/call: 0905-3134077
Text only: 0918-9428354
Send:
Name, date and time of earthquake, location at the time of earthquake, intensity rating
For damage assessment and consolidated reports on government action:
National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC)
The NDRRMC was established to pursue disaster prevention and risk reduction. It reports updates on the effects and preparedness measures of disaster situations such as typhoons, earthquakes, etc.
Contact details:
Website: ndrrmc.gov.ph
Twitter: @NDRRMC_Open
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ndrrmc-Opcen/103742183037609
NDRRMC hotlines: (02) 911-1406, (02) 912-2665, (02) 912-5668, (02) 911-5061 to 64
For NCR flood updates:
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
Provides real-time reports on traffic and flooded areas in Metro Manila; aids in flood control in Metro Manila
Contact details:
Twitter: @MMDA
Website: mmda.gov.ph
MMDA metrobase hotline: 136
Flooding control: 882-4151 to 77, 882-0925
Where do I send donations for those affected by disasters?
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
The DSWD is the agency responsible for the distributing social services to the Filipino people. It spearheads government relief operations during incidents of calamities.
What other agencies can I contact during times of mishaps?
Below are emergency hotlines:
Philippine National Police (PNP) Hotline Patrol
117 or send TXT PNP to 2920
Bureau of Fire Protection (NCR)
(02) 729-5166, (02) 410-6319
Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) hotline
7890 or (02) 726-6255
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
(02) 304-3713 or (02) 304-3904
Red Cross hotline
143, (02) 527-0000, or (02) 527-8385 to 95
Philippine Coast Guard
(02) 527-3877, (02) 527-8481, 0917-724-3682, 0917-PCG-DOTC, (02) 912-3046, (02) 911-1873
North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) hotlines
(02) 3-5000 and (02) 580-8910
Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) hotlines
(0920) 96-SCTEX (72839) or (02) 459-0522
Skyway System Hotline
(02) 776-7777, 0915-6256231, 0939-5006910
South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) hotline
0917-6877539, (049) 508-7509, or (02) 584-4389
For more hotlines, please access this page.
For an online LGU directory, please access this page.
What are the rules for suspension of classes or work in government offices?
Pursuant to Executive Order No. 66, s. 2012:
Automatic suspension of classes:
Signal No. 1: pre-school level, in the affected area,
Signal No. 2: pre-school, elementary and secondary levels, in the affected area
Signal No. 3: pre-school, elementary, secondary, and tertiary levels, in the affected area
The PAGASA shall issue weather forecasts not later than 10:00 PM of the previous day and 4:30 AM of the day of the intended cancellation of classes and work.- In cases where there are classes and work in the morning and suspension of classes and work is only effective in the afternoon, PAGASA should issue the forecast not later than 11:00 AM of the said day.
Localized Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and Work in Government Offices.
In the absence of typhoon signal warnings:
Localized cancellation or suspension of classes and work in government offices may be implemented by local chief executives, as chairmen of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) concerned, in coordination with PAGASA and the NDRRMC, specifically in flood-prone or high risk areas.
*Announcements will be made not later than 4:30 a.m. of the day of the intended cancellation of classes and work, or not later than 11:00 a.m. for suspension of work and classes in the afternoon session.
Meanwhile, according to Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 15, s. 2012, suspension of classes at the collegiate level, including graduate school, is automatic when authorities have declared storm signal no. 3. Otherwise, class suspension will be upon the digression of the heads of the concerned higher education institutions.[4]
Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and Work in the Government During Other Calamities.
Classes in all levels in both public and private schools as well as work in the government offices may be cancelled or suspended in areas affected by disasters or calamities other than typhoons, such as but not limited to floods, earthquakes, tsunami and conflagration, upon the declaration by the President of a State of Calamity based on the recommendation of the NDRRMC.
The concerned Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) headed by the local chief executive shall be responsible for announcing the suspension of classes and work in the government offices in the affected areas in coordination with the NDRRMC, through all forms of mass media available under the circumstances.
- If you have any suggestions as to what information to add to this page, please feel free to use the feedback button to your left.↵
- According to the World Risk Index 2011 of the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security; the 2012 Global Climate Risk Index; and the Asian Development Bank report in 2012, respectively.↵
- For a short discussion on these color-coded alerts, please read this blog entry by Undersecretary Manuel L. Quezon III.↵
- For details please access this page on the CHED website.↵
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