Pork and Typhoons: The Influence of Political Connections on Disaster Response

Abstract

To what extent do political connections between politicians influence disaster response? To address this question, we produce a baseline estimate for post-disaster need by calculating a storm exposure measure for every municipality in the Philippines from 2001-2010. Then, controlling for storm exposure, we analyze the effect of political connections on reconstruction fund distribution from House legislators to municipal mayors. Our analysis shows that political connections, especially clan ties, increase reconstruction funds allocated to a given municipality. These results suggest that a more needs-based disaster response may require placing a limit on political discretion in the disbursement of post-disaster funds.

Keywords: pork, disaster assistance, typoons, natural disasters, Philippines, Southeast Asia

JEL Classification: H40, H41, H54