Homebound Oblivion: Costas' Unseen Presence
The Philippines, a nation frequently hit by typhoons, earthquakes, floods, and armed conflict, faces a significant challenge in addressing the displacement of its citizens. Political changes, weak local capacities, underfunded disaster offices, and fragmented data systems are among the roadblocks to addressing this issue effectively.
Each calamity leaves internally displaced persons (IDPs) with uncertain housing, fragile livelihoods, and limited access to basic services. The United Nations defines IDPs as people forced to leave their homes due to armed conflict, violence, human rights violations, or disasters, but who remain within their country’s borders. Last year, the Commission on Human Rights placed the figure at 80,300 internally displaced individuals. In 2022, around 700,000 people live in displacement in the Philippines.
Recognizing the rights and needs of IDPs, ensuring they have safe homes, secure livelihoods, and a voice in recovery and planning, is crucial for building a safer nation. In response, legislative measures have been introduced to guarantee the rights of IDPs. Senate Bill 594 and House Bill 8269 aim to ensure access to goods and services for affected populations within the country. However, the specific individuals who sponsored or introduced these bills are not detailed in the available sources.
RA 10121, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Act of 2010, does not offer rights-based protection to IDPs. The Act is principally about structures rather than rights and standards, and about response actors rather than displaced people. RA 10121 is in dire need of strengthening to explicitly protect IDPs.
The House passed Senate Bill 594 in third and final reading in 2023, but it is still awaiting deliberation in the Senate. In poorer municipalities, the mandated five percent disaster fund yields little, leaving them unable to prepare adequately. Advocacy groups have been pushing for stronger protections for IDPs.
In the autonomous region of Bangsamoro, BTA Bill No. 32 / Rights of Internally Displaced Persons of the BARMM Act of 2024, was unanimously approved on its third reading by the BARMM Parliament in September 2024. This is an IDP Framework specific to BARMM.
Transformative processes, those that extend rights to the marginalized and prioritize bottom-up approaches, are needed to tackle vulnerability at its roots. The Marawi siege of 2017 displaced approximately 360,000 residents. The Marawi recovery effort, led by Task Force Bangon Marawi, showed that top-down decisions can lead to mistrust and uneven recovery among displaced residents.
The Philippines observes National Disaster Preparedness Month every September. For 16 years, the Philippines has ranked among the world's most disaster-vulnerable nations. Strengthening RA 10121 to explicitly protect IDPs is essential to ensure they have the right to rebuild with dignity. Disasters and displacement will continue, and ensuring the rights and needs of IDPs are recognized is crucial for building a safer nation.
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