The threatening impact of climate change had since been a serious threat to human security. Its implication to both national and international conditions has intensified the threats and challenges of global instability, societal cohesion, law and order and human security issues such as hunger, poverty and conflict.
Climate Change and its emerging security implication in the Philippines is a reality that many Filipinos must inevitably face. The Conflict that arises from lack of access to food and water resources, as well as mass migration, in order to seek better living conditions, poses a great challenge to the government. Its effects create threats that were aggravated by adverse social conditions such as extreme poverty, political instability, and environmental degradation. And as a natural consequence, this gives birth to the emergence of extremism and terrorism.
Tacloban City was struck by Super Typhoon Yolanda which recorded as the strongest storm so far in eastern Visayas, killing thousands of people and left millions homeless. Major roads and bridges were destroyed and all business establishments had collapsed. There was no access to food and water which prompted survivors to loot ATM machines and stores. The uncontrollable situation eventually resulted to the complete shutdown of the city’s operations.
This research study used the mixed method which involves collecting, analyzing and integrating quantitative (surveys) and qualitative (focus group and interview) research.
Quantitative data, includes close-ended information that is found to measure attitudes, behaviors, and performance instruments. The analysis of this type of data consists of statistically analyzing scores collected on instruments (e.g., questionnaires) or checklist to answer research questions. Further, this method turns raw numbers into critically analyzed and objective interpretation and comparing it to other findings with a careful application of rational and critical thinking.
Qualitative data, on the other hand, consists of open-ended information that the researcher usually gathers through interviews, focus groups and observations. The analysis of the qualitative data (words, text or behaviors) typically follows the path of aggregating it into categories of information and presenting the diversity of ideas gathered during data collection. This study employed what is generally referred to as theme-centered analysis or thematic analysis where one of the advantages is its theoretical freedom.
The operational capability of Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) as regards in handling the security, peace and order situation during the Yolanda crisis was very poor. This was affirmed by the barangay officials stating that the TCPO’s manpower are not capable of handling the peace and order, in time of disaster, as well as in handling various tasks of responding to crisis. Further, TCPO clearly lacked the disaster equipment, as well as funds for use by its personnel during deployment in the height of extreme natural calamity.
The TCPO personnel also lacked trainings as well as situational awareness as to what would be the impact of the said super typhoon. Additionally, even in the administration of first aid, they had no knowledge and skills thereon. TCPO just relied on their capacity and capability deploying singlehandedly its available assets without coordination with LGUs/NGOs and other stakeholders. Their planning as regards the utilization of resources did not jibe with the real or actual disaster scenario despite massive forecast by PAG-ASA. There was no fund available for use during the mobilization of its assets.
Based on the study, the operational capability of TCPO in handling the peace and order situation during huge calamity were not effective particularly on its manpower, logistics, and finances. The lack of training and situational awareness of the TCPO personnel had caused them not to effectively and efficiently perform during disaster which contributed to the poor operational capability and backed up by lack of resources to utilize during disaster. The lack of coordination between the TCPO and Local Government of Tacloban City along with the other stakeholders fails to address the problem with resources.
Researchers came up with the recommendations that may improve the operational capability of Tacloban City police Office. Through interviews and focal group discussions, the necessity of deploying personnel before, during, and after the disaster on specific priority areas are one of the initial consideration. As part of the disaster pre-planning activity, TCPO must coordinate with the regional and provincial headquarters for augmentation of personnel in case of local police and their families became victims of calamity/ies, that they may be allowed to go on emergency leave to secure their respective families. In a large scale of disaster, the National Headquarters of the PNP or Regional Level must take over to manage the over-all affairs of the local police unit in handling peace and order until the local PNP personnel recovers from the impact disaster.
To ensure the responsiveness towards disaster, the TCPO must be provided with basic personal and unit SAR equipment as well as heavy equipment as needed through coordination with the Local DRRMC. However, in normal situation, TCPO must program activities to improve the capacity and capability of its personnel through training and seminar on various types of calamities.