Disaster Readiness and

Risk Reduction
Quarter 1 – Module 5:
Vulnerability
Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 5: Vulnerability
First Edition, 2020

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the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such
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over them.

Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Melencia Rosario D. Coronel

Editors: Cristeta M. Arcos
Anne Marielle R. Del Mundo
Vanessa R. Ambas
Reviewers: Dolorosa S. De Castro
Cristeta M. Arcos
Richard Brian L. Tutor
Illustrator: Leumel M. Cadapan
Ronan DC Vergara
Layout Artist: Leumel M. Cadapan
Maria Elinor F. Hemedes
Management Team:
Wilfredo E. Cabral
Job S. Zape Jr.
Eugenio S. Adrao
Elaine T. Balaogan
Rosemarie D. Torres
Ernesto D. Lindo
Dolorosa S. De Castro
Cristeta M. Arcos

Printed in the Philippines by ________________________

Department of Education – Region IV-A CALABARZON

Office Address: Gate 2, Karangalan Village 1900, Cainta, Rizal

Telefax: 02-8682-5773/8684-4914/8647-7487
E-mail Address: [email protected]/ [email protected]
 DRRR
Quarter 1 – Module 5:
Vulnerability
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction 11/12 Alternative

Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on Vulnerability!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed, and reviewed by

educators both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher
or facilitator in helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12
Curriculum while overcoming their personal, social, and economic
constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and
independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this
also aims to help learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking
into consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies
that will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing
them to manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to
encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

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For the learner:

Welcome to the Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction 11/12 Alternative

Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on Vulnerability!

The hand is one of the most symbolized parts of the human body. It is often
used to depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn,
create, and accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies
that you as a learner is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the
relevant competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic
success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time.
You will be enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while
being an active learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to This will give you an idea of the skills or

Know competencies you are expected to learn in
the module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip
this module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you

link the current lesson with the previous
one.

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What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be
introduced to you in various ways such
as a story, a song, a poem, a problem
opener, an activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of

the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding
and skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the
Answer Key at the end of the module.
What I Have This includes questions or blank
Learned sentence/paragraph to be filled in to
process what you learned from the
lesson.

What I Can Do This section provides an activity which

will help you transfer your new
knowledge or skill into real life situations
or concerns.

Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your

level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.
Additional In this portion, another activity will be
Activities given to you to enrich your knowledge or
skill of the lesson learned. This also
tends retention of learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in

the module.

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At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in

developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part
of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Do not forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other
activities included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through
with it.

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do

not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that
you are not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful

learning and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You
can do it!

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 What I Need to Know

In this module, the learner will be able to explain the meaning of

vulnerability. Aside from being able to explain the meaning of vulnerability,
the learner will also be able to apply the different applications and real-life
situations. Knowing the meaning of the word itself will let the learners use
their knowledge to handle situations when vulnerability became the primary
considerations of the community when it comes to exposure, prevention,
mitigation, and recovery from a particular hazard.

The Module is intended to equip you with knowledge and skills in explaining the
meaning of Vulnerability.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. define vulnerability;
2. determine what makes a community vulnerable or not;
3. assess events situations delicately to identify vulnerability level and
coping capacity and ability; and
4. manage personal beliefs through knowing the importance of identifying
exposure and vulnerability to disaster.

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 What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. What are the three phases of disaster management planning for vulnerable
community to make it less susceptible?
a. planning, evacuating, and recovery
b. preparation, response, and recovery
c. evacuating, rebuilding, and recovery
d. preparation, planning, and perception

2. Risk is a situation where in a community is being exposed to danger. What

are the two factors that affect the risk level of a community?
a. alert and alarm
b. hazards and threats
c. hazard and vulnerability
d. vulnerability and susceptibility

3. The following are involved in National Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management planning EXCEPT___________.
a. media
b. Catholic church
c. national government
d. Local Government Units (LGU)

4. Which is NOT a tool provided by the government to protect vulnerable

communities?
a. Government using research to predict storms and floods.
b. Government utilizing computer systems to determine risk levels.
c. Government relocating natural disaster victims to more stable areas.
d. Government funding Army corps of Engineers projects to build bridges

5. Which of the following can be frequently prevented and anticipated?

a. disasters
b. natural hazards
c. human-made hazard
d. socio-economical hazards

6. Which group belongs to the most vulnerable?

a. professionals
b. indigenous people
c. government officials
d. small entrepreneurs

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7. It refers to the community’s ability to reduce vulnerability through
prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery.
a. disaster
b. hazard
c. resiliency
D. risk

8. It is a set of existing conditions, which badly affect the community’s

ability to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, and respond to hazardous
events.
A. disaster
B. disaster risk
C. hazard
D. vulnerability

9. What does the statement “Vulnerability is situation specific” means?

a. Vulnerability cannot be determined easily
b. Not all communities are vulnerable to earthquake
c. It means that vulnerability depends in every individual
d. Vulnerability of a certain community depends on the level of
preparedness

10. The following are ways on how to develop resiliency EXCEPT________.

a. ability to identify the hazards
b. ability to escape a specific event
c. ability to respond immediately after the disaster
d. ability to prepare all the time for the possible outcome

11. Complete the sentence. High vulnerability level and high hazard
status are associated with_______________.
a. low disaster risk
b. high disaster risk
c. medium disaster risk
d. none of the above

12. Which of the following groups of people are more vulnerable to

disasters?
A. men, women, boys
B. men, boys, old people
C. women, children, old people
D. none of the above

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13. The following factors can help lessen the vulnerability of a community
EXCEPT _______________.
a. preparedness of the community
b. presence of Disaster Risk Reduction Management Team
c. availability of health services and facilities in times of calamity
d. provisions of housing on areas that have fault lines in the vicinity

14. Which statement best describes vulnerability?

a. Vulnerability can cause the loss of life or injury, property damage.
b. Vulnerability is a potentially damaging physical event,
phenomenon, or human activity .
c. Vulnerability can generate social and economic disruption or
environmental degradation .
d. Vulnerability is the susceptibility of an individual or a group of
people on the impact of natural hazard.

15. Why do you think the total number of deaths attributable to natural
hazards has risen overall?
a. because less people lived in less vulnerable areas
b. because events are better documented today than in the past
c. because the magnitudes of natural hazard events are increasing
d. because human population are increasing in areas that are
vulnerable

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 Lesson Explain the meaning of
1 Vulnerability

Vulnerability can determine the ability of an person or a group to predict, cope

with, resist and recover from the effects of a natural or human-induced threat.
As vulnerability increases, it means that the population is at greater risk of
suffering from a severe natural danger.

What’s In

Direction: Spot the hazard. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

` Figure A Figure B

Left: "DSCF0856" by gvlx, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0;

Right: "Unsafe construction in Macau" by Azchael, licensed under CC BY 2.0

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1. Examine Figures A and B. Identify all the hazards that you can see.

Figure A Figure B

2. Give at least three (3) potential scenarios from each picture that can
occur due to the presence of hazard?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Notes to the Teacher

There are several possible answers. Consider answers that are
relevant to the questions and could have been a possible answer
but not included in the answer key.

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 What’s New

Inspection Time!!
Direction: Since being safe and protected is the number one GOAL of every
family, let us conduct an ocular inspection of your house and backyard to
ensure your family’s safety against hazards and disasters.
Follow the steps below:
1. Tour around your house including the backyard and assess if there is/
are hazards observed in your house.
2. As much as possible, make a list of all the hazards that you will be
observed.
3. Using all the hazards that you listed, determine what could be the
possible events that may put you and your family at risks.
4. Who among the family members are prone or susceptible to the listed
hazards?
5. Identify the reasons why that member of that family is vulnerable.

Hazards Possible events Susceptible Reason of

family Vulnerability
member/s
(Exposure)

Guide Questions:

1. Based on your assessment from the tour that you made, how will
you define vulnerability in your own words?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

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 2. After knowing the hazards in your house, what is your plan of action
to avoid harm?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

What is It

Vulnerability Defined

Vulnerability is a state of being at risk. According to Republic Act 10121

also known as ‘Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of
2010’, vulnerability is defined as the characteristics and circumstances of a
community, system or resource that make it susceptible to the damaging
effects of a hazard. With all the identified hazard at home, there is a
possibility that some family members might be susceptible or prone to the
accident due to the presence of hazard.

Vulnerability is also situation specific. This means that if a specific

province is prone to earthquake, it does not mean that all localities on that
province is vulnerable to it. The vulnerability of different towns or cities or
even provinces differ in the way they prepare for the hazard and the amount
and type of resources they have in order prevent and manage it. To lessen
vulnerability means to make the community prepared and ready for the
possible damaging effect of the hazard. This further means that to make the
community less vulnerable, it must be resilient. So, to develop resiliency at
home, you should first identify the hazards and be prepared all the time for
the possible outcome and respond immediately.

Moreover, it is also hazard specific. A community that is vulnerable to

earthquake hazard does not necessarily mean that it is also vulnerable to
typhoons. Hazards have different traits that can influence the disasters
possible to happen.

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 What’s More

Direction: Read the story below and answer the questions that follow.

Nick and Gary who were neighbors are both students of Looc
National High School. Due to the forecasted typhoon the night before,
some waited for the announcement of classes suspension.
Unfortunately, there was no announcement. Nick decided to go to
school bringing his books, notebooks, and laboratory materials. On the
other hand, Gary also decided to go to school bringing not only his
books, notebooks, and laboratory materials but also flashlight, whistle,
and some supplies of food and water. Due to bad weather, the school
janitor blocked off the entrances and exits because the grounds were
flooded. So, Nick and Gary were stranded in a covered court near the
school. Both were trying to call their family, but the signal’s down.

1. Who do you think is more vulnerable? Nick or Gary? Why do you

think so?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

2. In the story presented about Nick and Gary, what were the actions
taken by one student that made him less vulnerable to flood? What
were the reasons why the other student became more vulnerable?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

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 What I Have Learned

Direction: Based on the story given in “What’s more” activity, answer the
following questions briefly.
1. If you are going to base your definition of vulnerability on the story given, how
will you define it?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. Based on the story given previously about Nick and Gary, describe what could
possibly happen. What have you realized from their story?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3. Could it be possible that both students are exposed to the same hazard, but
they can have different level of vulnerability? Explain how.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

4. Based from the story, is vulnerability situation specific or hazard specific?

Explain.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. Cite your realization/s about the importance of knowing one’s capability,
strength, and exposure to hazards.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

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 What I Can Do

Direction: Consider your answer in the activity “What’s New” to answer

the following questions. Write your answers on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. If you are going to consider all the hazards that you identified in
the activity, do you think your place can be considered safe or
not? If yes explain why. If not, what else could be done to make
your place less vulnerable?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

2. With all the hazards that you have identified, who do you think
among your family members will be most affected? Explain your
answer.

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

3. As a family, do you think all members have same level of

vulnerability in the hazards present in your house?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

4. Give at least three factors that can affect the vulnerability of your
family and your residence.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

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 Assessment

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
1. A community with high level of vulnerability and high hazard has ___.
a. high disaster risk
b. low disaster risk
c. medium disaster risk
d. none of the above

2. Which of the following groups of people is more vulnerable to disasters?

a. men, boys, old people
b. men, women, boys
c. women, children, old people
d. none of the above

3. Which of the following factors does not help lessen the vulnerability of a
community?
a. preparedness of the community
b. presence of Disaster Risk Reduction Management Team
c. availability of health services and facilities in times of calamity
d. provisions of housing on areas that have fault lines in the vicinity

4. Which statement best describes vulnerability?

a. Vulnerability can cause the loss of life or injury, property damage.
b. Vulnerability is potentially damaging physical event, phenomenon, or
human activity.
c. Vulnerability can generate social and economic disruption or
environmental degradation.
d. Vulnerability is the susceptibility of an individual or a group of people on
the impact of natural hazard.

5. What is the main reason why there has been an overall increase in the
number of deaths related to natural hazards?
a. Less people lived in less vulnerable areas
b. Events are better documented today than in the past
c. The magnitudes of natural hazard events are increasing
d. Human population are increasing in areas that are vulnerable

6. Which group belongs to the most vulnerable?

a. professionals
b. indigenous people
c. government officials
d. small entrepreneurs

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7. It refers to the community’s ability to reduce vulnerability through
prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery.
a. hazard
b. disaster
c. resiliency
d. risk

8. It is a set of existing conditions, which badly affect the community’s

ability to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, and respond to hazardous
events.

a. disaster
b. disaster risk
c. hazard
d. vulnerability

9. What does the statement “Vulnerability is situation specific”

means?
a. vulnerability cannot be determined easily
b. not all communities are vulnerable to earthquake
c. it means that vulnerability depends in every individual
d. vulnerability of a certain community depends on the level of
preparedness

10. The following are characteristics of a resilient community

except___________.
a. ability to identify the hazards
b. ability to escape a specific event
c. ability to respond immediately after the disaster
d. ability to prepare all the time for the possible outcome

11. What are the three phases of disaster management planning for
vulnerable community to make it less susceptible?
a. planning, evacuating, and recovery
b. preparation, response, and recovery
c. evacuating, rebuilding, and recovery
d. preparation, planning, and perception

12. Risk is a situation where in a community is being exposed to

danger. What are the two factors that affect the risk level of a
community?
a. alert and alarm
b. hazard and threat
c. hazard and vulnerability
d. vulnerability and susceptibility

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13. The following are involved in National Disaster Risk Reduction
Management planning EXCEPT___________.
a. media
b. Catholic church
c. national government
d. local Government Units

14. Which is NOT a tool provided by the government to protect

vulnerable communities?
A. utilizing computer systems to determine risk levels
B. using research and studies to predict storms and floods
C. relocating natural disaster victims to more stable areas
D. congress funding Army corps of Engineers projects to build
bridges

15. Which can frequently be prevented and anticipated?

a. disasters
b. natural hazards
c. socio-economical
d. human-made hazard

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 Additional Activities

Direction: Write at least 300 words essay to describe the poster below. How
can you relate this to vulnerability? Refer to the rubrics for scoring in the next
page.

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Rubrics for word essay

4 3 2 1
Understanding writing shows writing shows writing shows writing shows
of literature/ unusual strong, clear adequate little or no
texts insight understanding understanding understanding
understanding but may be of text
too general or
superficial

Word Choice fresh/vigorous; vivid/interesting; appropriate simple/vague;

contributes to attempt to but not appears to
"voice" __ very establish "voice" specific or lack "voice"
limited use of __ limited use of vivid; weak _excessive use
1st and 1stand "voice" __ of 1stand
2ndperson & 2nd person & "to weak attempt 2nd person &
"to be" verbs be" verbs to limit use of "to be" verbs
1st and
2nd person &
"to be" verbs
Sentence correct/varied correct, but sometimes frequent
Structure lacks variety incorrect & errors & lacks
lacks variety variety
Transitional smooth & somewhat many not not used &/or
Devices effective; smooth & smooth & frequent
marked on generally some errors in errors in
draft effective; most usage; many usage; many
marked on draft not marked on not marked on
draft draft
Language very few (if few errors; several errors; numerous
Mechanics any) errors; generally well requires errors;
very well proofread additional appears not to
proofread proofreading have been
proofread

Taga Deped ThemeXpose, “RUBRIC ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR ESSAY WRITING”,

DepEd Tambayan, May 01,2019,
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RHSkR2W8lr0t98jBwyJ7FEZlZEDk_b0v/view

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References

Bueza, Michael. “The Role of LGUs, Local Councils during Disaster”,

December 6, 2014. Accessed May 20, 2020.
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/44026-role-lgu-local-councils-
disaster.
Campanero, Nida S., and Egargo, Veronica N. “Correlates of Vulnerability: A
Quantified Study of People’s Vulnerability on the Impact of Super Typhoon
Yolanda in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, Philippines.” Imperial Journal of
Interdisciplinary Research 3, no. 9 (2017), Accessed May 20, 2020.pp
416–432.
Commission on Audit (COA), nd. Disaster Management practices in the
Philippines: An assessment. Philippines: Commission on Audit. Accessed
May 20, 2020.
GOVPH. “Executive Order No. 335, s. 1941: GOVPH.” April 1, 1941. Accessed
May 20, 2020. http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1941/04/01/executive-
order-no-335-s-1941/.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM). 2011. The
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP).
Philippines: NDRRMP, Department of Interior and Local Government
(DILG). Accessed May 20, 2020.
Republic Act No. 10121. Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Act of 2010. Manila, Philippines: Congress of the Philippines. Accessed
May 20, 2020. http://www.mdrrmc.gov.ph/attachments/
article/45/Republic_Act_10121.pdf

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education - Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR)

Ground Floor, Bonifacio Bldg., DepEd Complex

Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines 1600

Telefax: (632) 8634-1072; 8634-1054; 8631-4985

Email Address: [email protected] * [email protected]

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