PhD candidate
Thesis topic: Disasters, Human Rights, and Resilience: Case Studies and Lessons from Three (3) Regions in the Philippines
Qualifications: Master of Arts in Political Science (University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines); Bachelor in General Education (major in Political Science)
Supervisors: Dr Christine J. Winter, Dr David Jenkins
Email michael.jamillon@postgrad.otago.ac.nz
The Philippines is the most disaster-prone country in the world, according to the 2024 World Risk Report, and the most at-risk country for 16 years in a row. Being exposed to natural hazards for decades, communities in the country often face many setbacks in recovering from these unnatural and intersecting disaster events, and so it is crucial to understand what helps or hinders their ability to rebuild and adapt. On one hand, this study attempts to examine how disasters and other systemic shocks influence the ability of disaster-affected communities to build resilience. On the other, the study will attempt to determine the possible pathways through which resilience can be achieved and strengthened.
The intention is not only to expose how citizens and local government units respond to converging crises but also reveal how they contribute to enhancing their resilience.