Disasters are an inevitable part of life due both to the nature of the Earth itself as well as human nature. Since they cannot be avoided altogether, preparedness is our best answer to this phenomenon.

A critical incident is any event that results in a noticeable change in the state of things. It usually comes in the form of an emergency which is defined as an unforeseen set of circumstances that require immediate response. If such an occurrence is not properly answered, it could escalate into a crisis or a consequential turning point in a series of events. Should the situation further deteriorate, then it becomes a disaster or an out-of-control serious disruption in the normal functioning of a community or of society. It results in massive losses and an extensive impact on the affected group, usually beyond the group’s capabilities to recover.

Principles of Crisis Management

In the Philippines, the basis for crisis response protocols is the National Crisis Management Core Manual, created under Executive Order No. 82 of former Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III. This was signed on September 4, 2012. The order is called Operationalizing the Practical Guide for National Crisis Managers and the National Crisis Management Core Manual; Establishing National and Local Crisis Management Organizations; and Providing Funds Therefore.

According to the Core Manual, the following are the key principles in crisis management:

• Whole-of-Nation Approach (WONA) Based on the values of bayanihan and pagkakaisa, this refers to having leaders at all levels having constantly open communication channels with each other as well as giving everyone involved the chance to be part of disaster response and preparedness, such as being part of identifying risks, developing solutions, and aligning capabilities so that no one feels ignored nor isolated.
• Strengthened Inter-Agency Collaboration Due to the limited resources available to the different government agencies or departments, they need to be able to rely on each other to be more effective at addressing complex and interconnected threats, especially when handling new types of situations. To be successful, they must be able to address all aspects of the crisis: diplomatic, political, military, humanitarian, economic, and social.
• Efficient Situation Awareness This refers to not only gaining awareness to current situations, but also learning to detect previously unknown threats and issues long before they occur. It also includes effectively conveying the appropriate warnings and providing enough preparation time to everyone involved.
• Tiered Response to Incidents Local government units must be empowered such that they are capable of answering to the challenges of any crisis that might occur in their community. However, higher levels of governance, including national level organizations must, at the same time, be prepared to support and sustain local efforts when necessary.
• Adaptable Operational Capabilities Crisis, by their nature, are unpredictable events. While protocols must be established to answer to different types of incidents, all of these protocols must be flexible enough so that they are adaptable to any unforeseen changes or complications that might occur in any situation.
• Unity of Effort Through Unity of Command All relevant agencies must have a clear mandate on their roles and responsibilities. At the same time, all members of these agencies must understand the roles and responsibilities of their counterparts in other agencies. A clear delineation of functions means that everyone knows what they are supposed to do and everyone knows what they can expect of everyone else.
• Readiness to Act Adequate response to an incident highly depends on the operatives’ willingness and ability to act on their duties. This must be engrained among First Responders and encouraged in the community. This may include readily taking command or being responsible for entire situations. Thus, people in leadership positions must be trained well enough such that they need not hesitate when the situation calls for them to act.
• Intensified Public Information Campaign A community that is aware of public safety protocols is better guarded against disasters. As such, relevant agencies must ensure that they are consistent in creating public information campaigns, education strategies, and communication plans in a timely and accessible manner.

Should the government find itself in an extreme situation for which no statutes or policies are in place to handle said situation, the President is authorized to use their constitutional powers to protect the State and its people and maintain peace and order in the country or any part of it.

These principles are founded on the 1987 Philippine Constitutions, best practices in governance and, most importantly, our cultures and values.

Types of Critical Incidents

There are two general types of critical incidents: man-made crises and natural incidents.

Man-Made Crises

As its name implies, man-made crises are critical incidents that happen due to the action, inaction, or failure of a man-made system.

These include:

• Civil Disturbances These can refer to disruption in society caused by a group. The violent ones are referred to as civil disorders or civil unrest. These are acts of violence perpetuated by assemblies of three or more people and causing immediate danger or results in damage to property or injury to persons.
  • Labor Strikes Temporary halt in a service or operation caused by a concerted action of a group of employees or a labor union
  • Demonstrations March or gathering of people in opposition of or to show support for something
  • Riots Tumultuous disturbance of public peace caused by an assembly of three or more people acting towards a common goal
  • Anarchy General lawlessness and disorder generally resulting from a perceived absence or failure in government
  • People’s Strikes Extended sympathetic strike that involves not only the workers or employees in a certain company or sector but also the community at large
• Revolts Refusal of control or rule by an authority by using violent action
  • Mutiny An act of defiance against a military authority done by two or more persons subject to said authority
  • Insurrection An organized, generally violent act of rebellion against the government or a governing authority
  • Coup d’Etat Sudden, violent overthrow of an existing government by a small group, starting with control of the armed forces, law enforcement entities, and other military elements
• Revolutions Extra-constitutional attempt to replace one form of government with another to effect a fundamental change in governance
• Border Incidents Territorial disputes over the division of land or water bodies
• Wars Considerable hostile conflict between political groups for a significant duration and magnitude
  • Conventional Wars Use of traditional means to wage war
  • Biochemical Wars Warfare involving biological and chemical weaponry
  • Nuclear Wars Considered the most dangerous weapons on earth, nuclear weapons are used in this type of war
• Kidnappings Unlawful taking of a person against their will, usually through violence, force, threat, or intimidation
• Hijackings Seizing control of a vehicle through threat or force
• Hostage-Taking Incidents Holding a person or persons captive to be used as bargaining chips when demanding from authorities
• Terrorist Activities Intimidating the public, cultivating an atmosphere of fear, provoking the government, destabilising the structures of a country, undermining public safety, etc. for whatever purpose the perpetrator supports (More details can be found in RA 11479 or The Anti-terrorism Act of 2020.)
• Attacks or Raids Violent attacks on government installations and other vital facilities

Natural Incidents

Natural crises are critical incidents coming from natural hazards. They are generally beyond human control.

These include:

• Fires
• Marine Disasters
• Air Disasters
• Structural Collapse Failure of a structure of a component thereof to maintain its integrity
• Hazardous Spills
• Utilities Failure Unplanned malfunction of essential utility systems, including, but not limited to, electricity, water, and gas
• Nuclear Accidents
• Famine
• Fuel Shortages
• Pestilence Contagious disease that is virulent and devastating
  • Sporadic Disease that occurs irregularly and infrequently
  • Endemic Constant presence of a disease within a limited geographic area
  • Hyperendemic Persistent, high level of disease occurrence
  • Epidemic Increased, often sudden, disease incidence in a limited geographic area
  • Outbreak Similar to an epidemic, but happens over a smaller area
  • Cluster Aggregation of a greater number of cases in a specific place and time
  • Pandemic An epidemic that has spread over a number of countries or continents and affecting a large number of people
• Floods
  • Minor Floodings
  • Major Floodings
  • Flash Floods
• Volcanic Eruptions
  • Lava Flow
  • Tephra or Ash Fall
  • Pyroclastic Density Currents
  • Lateral Blast
  • Volcanic Gas
• Earthquakes
  • Tectonic Earthquakes
  • Volcanic Earthquakes
• Tidal Waves
• Tsunamis
• Typhoons
• Droughts

Phases of Critical Incident Management

To better address crisis situations, the 5P Crisis Management Model was developed. This follows the three phases of crisis management: Proactive, Reactive, Post-Conflict.

The Proactive Phase is subdivided into three stages:

• Predict As the name implies, this involves the identification of risks and threats present in the community so as to foretell the likelihood of the occurrence of a critical incident. Additionally, analysis of developing and reported incidents are conducted to help improve the prediction model.
• Prepare This involves planning, organising, training, stockpiling of supplies, people, and equipment that could be needed during a crisis.
• Prevent This refers to deliberate actions done to avoid the occurrence of a critical incident.

Should any untoward incident occur despite the efforts done in the previous stage, the Reactive Phase is initiated and we move in Perform. During this stage, contingency plans and protocols are implemented to respond to the incident with the goal of saving lives, protecting property and the environment, as well as the preservation of social, economic, and political structures in the area.

Finally, during the Post-Conflict Phase, Post-Action and Assessment is done. This can only happen when the situation has already cleared. In this phase, the community seeks to return to business as usual while evaluating the response and finding ways to improve prediction, preparation, prevention, and actual execution.

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