NAME: Ruthchelyn S.
Oxales
Course and Section: BSBA-HRDM IIC
ACTIVITY 1. CASE ANALYSIS
Governance Audit Case Study in the Philippines
Case Study Topic: The Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) Disaster Response
Background:
Analysis of Governance Practice:
1. TRANSPARENCY
a. Strengths: The government initially released some information about
the severity of the typhoon and the need for aid. The government did
receive significant international aid, and some efforts were made to
track and report on its allocation.
b. Weaknesses: The government's initial response lacked transparency,
with delayed and incomplete information about the disaster's impact,
unclear aid allocation, and ineffective communication channels.
2. ACCOUNTABILITY
a. Strengths: Investigations were launched into potential corruption and
mismanagement of funds following the disaster, but their effectiveness
remains questionable. Heightened media attention and public
examination did pressure officials to be more accountable, but the
long-term impact of this pressure is yet to be fully assessed.
b. Weaknesses: While investigations into corruption and
mismanagement were launched, the lack of clear accountability
mechanisms and tangible consequences for officials hindered their
effectiveness. Furthermore, the lack of transparency in the
investigative process raised concerns about its integrity and further
diminished public trust.
3. PARTICIPATION
a. Strengths: Local communities were involved in some aspects of the
relief and rehabilitation efforts, particularly in community-based
recovery projects. The Civil society organizations played a significant
role in providing aid, supporting communities, and advocating for
specific needs.
b. Weaknesses: Local communities and civil society organizations lacked
significant decision-making power in the relief and rehabilitation
efforts, particularly regarding long-term recovery plans. This resulted in
insufficient attention to the specific needs of marginalized groups,
leaving many feeling excluded from the process.
4. EFFICIENCY
a. Strengths: Despite challenges in aid distribution, the response to
Typhoon Yolanda saw some strengths, including rapid relief efforts by
various agencies and the successful mobilization of significant
international aid.
b. Weaknesses: The response to Typhoon Yolanda was hindered by
significant logistical challenges, including overwhelmed infrastructure,
coordination issues between agencies, and communication
breakdowns, which resulted in delays in aid delivery, particularly to
remote areas.
5. OVERALL GOVERNANCE
The Typhoon Yolanda disaster highlighted the urgent need for improvements
in the Philippines' disaster preparedness and response systems, sparking
increased attention to proactive disaster risk reduction strategies aimed at
building community resilience. Typhoon Yolanda revealed significant
weaknesses in the Philippines' disaster preparedness, including inadequate
planning, insufficient resources, and poor training. Coordination and
communication breakdowns between agencies led to a fragmented response
and delayed aid. Furthermore, the government lacked the capacity for long-
term recovery, leaving affected communities with unmet needs.
LESSON LEARNED:
To improve disaster preparedness and response in the Philippines, the
government should prioritize transparency and accountability by
implementing strong mechanisms for reporting and aid distribution, as well
as clear consequences for negligence or corruption. Furthermore, significant
investment in comprehensive disaster preparedness plans is essential,
including realistic risk assessments, reliable communication systems, and
training for first responders and communities.
