Surigao del Norte — Four years after Typhoon Odette struck Siargao, some displaced residents — including persons with disabilities — are facing challenges in government relocation sites, according to a report released Thursday by Human Rights Watch (HRW).
In its findings dated Feb. 19, HRW said several relocation areas lack consistent access to basic services and may not be fully accessible for persons with disabilities. The group recommended stronger consultation and inclusive planning in future relocation efforts.
“Siargao island authorities have relocated people, including those with disabilities, to sites that are inaccessible and lack basic services,” said Emina Ćerimović, associate disability rights director at HRW. She urged national and local authorities to conduct full consultations with affected communities to ensure relocations uphold the rights of persons with disabilities.
Typhoon Odette, internationally known as Typhoon Rai, displaced thousands of families in Siargao in December 2021. Following the disaster, authorities implemented “No-Build Zone” policies in coastal and riverbank areas to reduce exposure to future hazards.
Between May and September 2025, HRW interviewed 48 individuals across four municipalities — Del Carmen, Pilar, San Isidro, and Santa Monica — including 25 persons with disabilities and their family members. The report documented evacuation difficulties during the typhoon and raised concerns about terrain, water access, and flood risks in some relocation sites.
In San Isidro, about 40 families were transferred from a riverbank area to an uphill site known as Josephath. Some residents cited challenges related to steep terrain and water access. In Pilar, families relocated with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reportedly experienced flooding in parts of the relocation site during heavy rains, according to HRW.
Del Carmen and Santa Monica are currently developing relocation plans. Del Carmen Mayor Alfredo Coro acknowledged the need for broader consultation and said the municipality intends to pursue a more disability-inclusive process.
HRW cited the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which calls on governments to ensure the protection and inclusion of persons with disabilities in disaster response and recovery efforts.
The group emphasized that as climate-related disasters become more frequent, inclusive and participatory relocation planning will be critical to ensuring long-term safety and resilience.
“The Philippine government and international donors should provide local authorities in Siargao with sufficient support to develop durable solutions for those uprooted by Typhoon Odette or increasingly exposed to climate risks,” Ćerimović said.
HRW noted that strengthening consultation, accessibility, and service delivery in relocation sites could help improve outcomes for vulnerable communities while supporting broader climate adaptation efforts.
