UP Manila DRRM-H Innovative Tools for Disaster Risk Reduction: A Descriptive Review of Technologies for Resilience and Response

ABSTRACT The increasing frequency of disasters in the Philippines highlights the need for accessible, community-adaptive, and health-focused digital innovations in disaster risk reduction and management in health (DRRM-H). This paper describes three digital tools developed by the University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila) DRRM-H team to support mental health triage, community-level coordination, and institutional emergency reporting. A descriptive review was conducted on Unahon, e-Ligtas, and the Health, Emergencies and Disasters: Incident Reporting System (HEAD IRS), analyzing their features, target users, implementation settings, and alignment with DRRM-H goals. Unahon is a behavioral-based triage tool designed to support mental health assessment in evacuation settings, usable by non-specialist responders and aligned with national MHPSS protocols. e-Ligtas is a progressive web application that enables real-time communication between local governments and citizens during disasters through two-way incident reporting, facility checking, and damage assessment. The HEAD IRS is an internal tool used by UP Manila for real-time documentation of incidents during drills, with automated logging and reporting functions. All tools are designed for low-resource settings and were developed under the DOST-NICER Program. These tools demonstrate practical and scalable innovations that address psychosocial support, community engagement, and institutional preparedness. Their integration into local and national disaster health systems may contribute to more responsive and resilient disaster management efforts in the Philippines.