Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery Response in the Aftermath of the Taal Volcano Eruption: Towards a Sustainable Disaster Program Implementation

As one of the four thematic areas of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, disaster rehabilitation and recovery encompass measures aimed at mitigating post-disaster consequences through disaster preparedness and mitigation activities. On January 12, 2020, the Taal Volcano erupted, spewing a large amount of ash that reached the northern part of Luzon, forcing the immediate evacuation of residents in high-risk areas and the cancellation of classes and work. As a result of the eruption's impact on residents and their livelihoods, the Provincial Government of Batangas declared a state of calamity throughout the province. Following the eruption of the Taal Volcano, early recovery efforts were carried out to meet the basic needs and resume the activities in the affected areas in order to restore a sense of normalcy to affected individuals' lives. Thus, this study aims to assess the rehabilitation and recovery response in the selected municipalities of Batangas in the aftermath of the Taal Volcano Eruption in terms of agriculture, tourism and livelihood, housing and settlement, social services, and infrastructure.