An Analysis of the Public Perception of Floods in Manila City

Abstract

This descriptive study aimed to conduct an investigation in the effectiveness of flood control pump station in Lagusnilad Underpass in Lawton. For decades, Metro Manila has been battling with flood risk. The area has been inundated with flood waters several times, whether it is due to tropical weather, strong rain fall events, or rising waters. This has resulted in millions of pesos in damages, and in some instances, the same home has been affected multiple times. Many agree that Lagusnilad Underpass in Metro Manila is just not a livable area to begin with; the risk is just too great. However, abandoning the area is simply not an option. As a result, the flood risk battle ensues. Fifty respondents who are making a living nearby the location of the subject and also the everyday passers-by were selected and employed in the study. Some of the interesting insights of the study are: (a) Metro Manila was facing a serious problem specifically in flooding.(b) The pump station in Lagusnilad is very effective in controlling the flood in some areas in Metro Manila. (c) The pump station controls the rate and velocity of runoff along gutters and other surfaces in a manner that reduces the hazard to local residents and potential for damage to pavement. (d) The pump conveys runoff to natural or manmade drainage.

Climate Change and Transport Infrastructures: State of the Art

“…These traffic inhibition systems should be operative under any conditions, even when power outages occur: At this scope, they should be provided with emergency generators and/or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems. In other cases, water pumps are installed to control the water level and reduce damages caused by flood [93,94]. Sidewalks of pedestrian underpasses are often over hanged in respect to the carriageway to avoid hydraulic risks for citizens; this countermeasure helps people also when there is no flooding risk, because it reduces the difference in level they should climb.…”

“…These traffic inhibition systems should be operative under any conditions, even when power outages occur: At this scope, they should be provided with emergency generators and/or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems. In other cases, water pumps are installed to control the water level and reduce damages caused by flood [93,94].…”

Flood Control and Drainage System of Espana Boulevard in Metro Manila

“…The initial drainage construction works were based on the plan for the drainage of Manila and suburbs areas. A master plan prepared in 1952 by the former Bureau of Public Works (BPW), subsequent system improvements were based on lateral revisions of the 1952 master plan [1,2]. One of such revisions was made in 1978 under the "Manila and suburbs flood control projects", another was made in 1984 under" Metro Manila integrated urban drainage and flood control master plan" of the Ministry of Public Works and Highways now it is called the Department Public Works and Highways (DPWH) [3].…”

“…The analysis results show the discharge and flow capacity of the drainage laterals in manila and suburbs to be inadequacy of several channels for 2 year and 10 year floods [1].…”

“…The limited flow capacity of drainage channels was found out to be the caused by one or several combinations of the following: undersized drainage channels, unevenly laid slope of the conduit, irregular channel profile inconsistent drain size, clogged manholes, sediments deposits along the drainage channels, overflowing of the estuary, flood water spilling to neighboring areas and submerged crown elevation at the outlet [1]. Also contribute the significant reduction of their carrying capacity, and thereby aggravating the problem of flooding in the most part of Manila and suburbs area: the encroachment of estuary and waterways by informal settlers, uncoordinated infrastructure development activities by various public utilit y agencies, indiscriminate disposal of garbage, and increased run-off resulting from rapid urban development.…”