Harnessing habitat resources for disaster recovery

It was both symbolic and sobering that the country marked this year’s World Habitat Day (WHD) on 6 October while many Filipino families were still reeling from recent disasters. A magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck northern Cebu on 30 September left hundreds of families homeless and displaced. Less than two weeks later, an even stronger tremor hit Davao Oriental on 10 October, toppling houses, schools and roads, and deepening the anguish of communities still trying to recover.

The WHD 2025 theme, “Urban Crisis Response,” could not have been more relevant. It calls attention to the urgent need for preparedness, resilience and inclusive recovery in the face of natural and human-made crises. In the aftermath of the recent earthquakes, volunteers and government agencies immediately mobilized to provide food, water and hygiene kits to affected villages. These swift responses highlight Filipino compassion and solidarity. Yet, much more needs to be done — especially for those whose homes now stand on unsafe ground near active fault lines. For many displaced families, finding a new and safer place to live is the next great challenge.

For those rendered homeless by the earthquakes in Cebu and Mindanao, securing a safe environment is the first and most crucial step toward recovery. The lesson from past experiences is clear: relocation sites must not only provide shelter but must also be free from hazards. The floods that swamped a relocation area for super typhoon “Yolanda” survivors in Ormoc, Leyte serve as a cautionary tale. Building new homes in unsafe zones risks repeating the same tragedy. Disaster recovery should therefore begin with careful site selection, guided by science and respect for nature’s boundaries.

Equally important, new habitats must sustain families not only physically but economically. A resilient community is one where people can rebuild their livelihoods and thrive. The environment should offer natural resources that support income-generating activities — fertile soil for crops, clean water for irrigation, or natural beauty that promotes eco-tourism.

In Barangay Santiago, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, members of the Higaonon tribe show how this balance between nature and livelihood can be achieved. They cultivate bamboo not only for environmental protection but also as a source of livelihood, crafting guitars, chess sets and chairs that they sell to nearby towns. The enterprise supports farmers and artisans alike.

In another Higaonon community, traditional weavers cultivate abaca and cotton, transforming these fibers into tribal garments using handlooms and backstrap looms. These practices combine cultural heritage with sustainable economic activity — a model of how natural resources can sustain life and identity at once.

However, such habitats must be cared for to remain sustainable. The people who benefit from the land have a shared responsibility to protect it — by keeping it free from pollution, planting trees, and replenishing what they use. Sustainable disaster recovery hinges on these sustainable practices.

Rebuilding after a crisis should not merely restore what was lost; it should improve the way people live with the environment. By ensuring lasting safety, stability and self-reliance, communities can transform tragedy into opportunity — becoming not only prepared for the next crisis but stronger, greener, and more resilient in the years to come.