Constructing Vulnerability: The Historical, Natural and Social Generation of Flooding in Metropolitan Manila

Abstract

Flooding is not a recent hazard in the Philippines but one that has occurred throughout the recorded history of the archipelago. On the one hand, it is related to a wider global ecological crisis to do with climatic change and rising sea levels but on the other hand, it is also the effect of more localised human activities. A whole range of socio-economic factors such as land use practices, living standards and policy responses are increasingly influencing the frequency of natural hazards such as floods and the corresponding occurrence of disasters. In particular, the reason why flooding has come to pose such a pervasive risk to the residents of metropolitan Manila has its basis in a complex mix of inter-relating factors that emphasise how the nature of vulnerability is constructed through the lack of mutuality between environment and human activity over time. This paper examines three aspects of this flooding: first, the importance of an historical approach in understanding how hazards are generated; second, the degree of interplay between environment and society in creating risk; and third, the manner in which vulnerability is a complex construction.

Should I Stay or should I Go? Determinants of Evacuation upon Flood Warning among Households in a Flood Prone Area in Bukidnon, Philippines

“…This frequent flooding in the country is believed to be caused by global factors (climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss) as well as local factors such as improper land use and human settlements near riverbanks [1]. Floods have been affecting the lives of poor communities living near rivers.…”

Assessing the vulnerability of pumping stations to trash blockage in coastal mega-cities of developing nations

“…On the one hand, the flow of trash in rivers reduces their carrying capacity and increases the likelihood of fluvial flooding during days of extensive rainfall (Laronne and Shulker, 2002). On the other hand, the clogging of pumping stations by trash can result in their failure to defend low-lying urban areas against the impact of fluvial flooding (Bankoff, 2003). Hence, given that this study focuses on trash and their blockage to pumping stations, further reference to flooding, including for purpose of analysis will be based on fluvial floods.…”

“…Without access to adequate waste collection and handling facilities urban trash often end up in waterways (De Sherbinin et al, 2007;Laronne and Shulker, 2002). Consequently, solid wastes flow freely into the drainage network to further aggravate the flooding problem by reducing the carrying capacity of the channels and clogging the pumping infrastructure (Bankoff, 2003;Laronne and Shulker, 2002).…”

“…When a pumping station is blocked, its functionality in the flood mitigation process is jeopardised, leaving the possibility of flooding (Bankoff, 2003), particularly in low-lying areas where drainage is difficult without the use of a pump (Tingsanchali, 2012). Clogged pumps are common causes of drainage infrastructure failure in various coastal mega-cities, with resultant inundation claiming human lives, damaging urban property and disrupting economic activities (Bankoff, 2003;Li, 2003).…”

“…Clogged pumps are common causes of drainage infrastructure failure in various coastal mega-cities, with resultant inundation claiming human lives, damaging urban property and disrupting economic activities (Bankoff, 2003;Li, 2003). This challenging problem, if not effectively addressed will leave these coastal mega-cities continuously trapped in a reinforcing cycle of infrastructure fragility and flood-related losses (Gasper et al, 2011).…”