Invoking “Indigenous Circumstances” in Disaster Governance Implications for Disaster Justice

• Main Author: Macalandag, Regina; Philippines
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2024
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/phstudies/vol72/iss1/4; https://archium.ateneo.edu/context/phstudies/article/1197/viewcontent/Invoking_20_E2_80_9CIndigenous_20Circumstances_E2_80_9D_20_5Bvol._2072_20no._201_20_282024_29_2063_E2_80_9390_5D.pdf
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

In 2010 the Philippine government introduced a national policy aiming forsafer, adaptive, and disaster-resilient communities. Thisarticle questionsthe assumption that the policy inherently benefits everyone in disastergovernance. Focusing on the challenges faced during its implementation,particularly in the resettlement of sea-based Badjao indigenous peoplenow living in urban areas, the study draws on a 2018–2019 case study. Itreveals that the rhetoric of safety justifies resettlement, contrasting withthe lived experiences that contest risk reduction, and argues that state-ledresettlement intensifies vulnerabilities. Utilizing empathic recognition, thisarticle explores how neglecting empathy toward indigenous communitiescan lead to disaster injustice.KEYWORDS: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES • BADJAO • RESETTLEMENT • RHETORIC OFSAFETY • DISASTER JUSTICE