Philippines faces urgent disaster risks as Senator Legarda calls for safer housing

On the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Senator Loren Legarda has called for increased national and local commitments to improve the safety of Filipino homes. Legarda emphasized that preparedness efforts must address the reality that many families remain exposed to recurring dangers, such as flooding and landslides, due to economic constraints.

The Philippines is ranked first in the 2026 World Risk Index. Data from PAGASA indicates that an average of 20 tropical cyclones enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility annually, with eight or nine making landfall. Furthermore, the World Bank’s 2025 Country Partnership Framework notes that approximately 60 percent of the nation’s land area and 74 percent of its population are vulnerable to multiple natural hazards. Legarda highlighted that the poorest 20 percent of the population suffer asset and income losses 1.5 times higher than the average, often making the costs of retrofitting or relocating homes unaffordable.