I.

Introduction: Flood Mitigation Measures Non-structural

Flood hazard and vulnerability to floods tend to increase over many areas, due to
adverse changes of climatic, terrestrial, hydrological, and socio-economic systems. Therefore,
increasing attention is being paid to upgrading flood protection systems. As sufficient flood
protection cannot be reached in many vulnerable areas with the help of structural means only,
further flood risk reduction via non-structural measures is often indispensable.
Flood hazard and vulnerability to floods tend to increase over many areas, due to
adverse changes of climatic, terrestrial, hydrological, and socio-economic systems. Therefore,
increasing attention is being paid to upgrading flood protection systems. As sufficient flood
protection cannot be reached in many vulnerable areas with the help of structural means only,
further flood risk reduction via non-structural measures is often indispensable.
Flood hazard and vulnerability to floods tend to increase over many areas, due to
adverse changes of climatic, terrestrial, hydrological, and socio-economic systems. Therefore,
increasing attention is being paid to upgrading flood protection systems. As sufficient flood
protection cannot be reached in many vulnerable areas with the help of structural means only,
further flood risk reduction via non-structural measures is often indispensable.
Flood hazard and vulnerability to floods tend to increase over many areas, due to
adverse changes of climatic, terrestrial, hydrological, and socio-economic systems. Therefore,
increasing attention is being paid to upgrading flood protection systems. As sufficient flood
protection cannot be reached in many vulnerable areas with the help of structural means only,
further flood risk reduction via non-structural measures is often indispensable.
Flood hazard and vulnerability to floods tend to increase over many areas, due to
adverse changes of climatic, terrestrial, hydrological, and socio-economic systems. Therefore,
increasing attention is being paid to upgrading flood protection systems. As sufficient flood
protection cannot be reached in many vulnerable areas with the help of structural means only,
further flood risk reduction via non-structural measures is often indispensable.
Flood hazard and vulnerability to floods tend to increase over many areas, due to
adverse changes of climatic, terrestrial, hydrological, and socio-economic systems. Therefore,
increasing attention is being paid to upgrading flood protection systems. As sufficient flood
protection cannot be reached in many vulnerable areas with the help of structural means only,
further flood risk reduction via non-structural measures is often indispensable.
Flood hazard and vulnerability to floods tend to increase over many areas, due to a range of
natural
and human impacts, inducing adverse changes of climatic, terrestrial, hydrological, and socio-
economic systems. Therefore, increasing attention is being paid to upgrading flood protection
systems.
“Flood hazard and vulnerability to floods tend to increase over many areas, due to

adverse changes of climatic, terrestrial, hydrological, and socio-economic systems. Therefore,

increasing attention is being paid to upgrading flood protection systems. As sufficient flood

protection cannot be reached in many vulnerable areas with the help of structural means only,

further flood risk reduction via non-structural measures is often indispensable.” (Menzel, ND)

These measures encompasses:

 Information, education and communication tools (flood maps, public presentations,

collaborative platforms etc.)

 Spatial planning (flood risk adapted land use)

dry-proofing)

 Flood action plans at a local scale (infrastructure maintenance)

 Financial preparedness (insurance of residual risk and reserve funds)

 Emergency response (evacuation and rescue plans, forecasting and warning services)

 Recovery measures (disaster recovery plans, financial provisions of government)

A. Background of the Study

Due to the pressing concern in terms of flooding, the researcher decided to choose

Barangay San Pedro Cutud. It is a barangay in City of San Fernando, Pampanga which is located

approximately 70 kilometers North of Manila. It has a total area of 224 kilometers square.

Figure 1. Map of San Pedro Cutud (Source: Google Map)

Barangay San Pedro Cutud was remarkable for flooding. One of the most remarkable and

unexpected latest event of flood was, when the Cabalantian to Minalin Levee failed due to effect

of heavy rains brought by Southwest Monsoon, occurred last August 2012. The barangay suffers

for months due to flood, causing people to be trapped on the area without any assistance from the

outside of the Barangay.

One reason of flood is the barangay itself being a catch basin area. Due to its low

elevation, water from nearby areas goes and being accumulated within this place resulting it to

flood.

As a response to regulate flooding, drainage systems/networks were built in the year

2003. However “due to some of its constituents lack of discipline” as per one of the barangay
officials causing trash/waste to clog. As the researchers surveyed some part of the area on the

month of February which is almost summer season the canals/drainage system were almost filled

with water and waste, furthermore even without a typhoon a single rain can already result to

flooding on the said area.

During this event, houses in the area were all affected by flood. To lessen possible

injuries and casualties, barangay officials mandated families to leave their houses and find a

better temporary shelter. Families were brought to the church and the said barangay`s multi-

purpose hall that serves as their evacuation area that is located on the main road near the

barangay hall.

More or less 70 families were stuck in two small evacuation centers without enough

goods and proper sanitation. Even pets were also brought to the evacuation centers for them to be

safe too. Families have to stay and rely to the relief goods that were given by the government

officials until the day that the flood was totally gone

B. Objectives

General Objectives

The study generally aims to create a systematized non-structural flood mitigation

response in order to reduce the possible injuries and casualties in Barangay San Pedro Cutud

during flooding events.

Specific Objectives

The study specifically aims to:

to follow for the sake of the whole community. Evaluate and see if there is

something that can be done with it.

2. Propose if there is no such evacuation system that exists, if there is so, then

improve it. In that case, it will help the whole area on being more organized and

well informed on each measure that is to be followed.

3. Provide effective tools and useful information about the project said. In that way,

the community will know every detail of the said project and it is now their task

to follow.

C. Significance of the Study

Flood is unpredictable as well as every calamity that happens on every affected area at

times. The risk of it can never be eliminated by structural means only. Therefore, non-

structural measures is absolutely necessary.

The very purpose of the said evacuation system comes with two points.

 It increases safety in the whole community. People tend to panic at times of

flooding events. With the help of non-structural flood mitigation, people have

some steps to follow. Each of them has their own task to fulfill especially

barangay officials or those who are in the lead.

 It reduces possible injuries and casualties. If the community is well informed

with what to do, it can help the whole barangay to be organized during

flooding events.

A. Scopes and Limitations

This study is conducted to propose or improve the evacuation system of Barangay San

Pedro Cutud only. This is done for the safety of the people in the said area and to lessen

possible casualties and injuries during flooding events.

system during calamities and not its implementation on the said area for the reason that the

research is done during the months of January and February when there is no calamities. The

researchers couldn`t see the exact situation on the said area during times of calamities and

they can only inform the people of the said area about the things that must be done during

calamities.

. Due to financial constraints, this research only provides non-structural measures and

systematized response and not the improvement of every evacuation centers as well as the

provision of relief goods for the affected families. People don’t have enough funds to sustain

the amount of money needed to buy the tools, equipment and goods needed by the people

during calamities for the evacuation to take place, thus making the implementation of the

said proposal also lies in the financial capability of the said barangay itself.

Due to location constraints, as stated above, Barangay San Pedro Cutud has a lot area of

approximately 224 square kilometers making it hard for the researchers to sweep every street

of the said Barangay just to inform each and everyone in the area about the said proposal

making it hard for the said Evacuation System to be implemented completely. Only the main

road, nearby houses beside the barangay hall, Church, Multi-purpose hall and part of its

drainage system were surveyed and visited by the researchers.

II. Review of Related Literature

Available Flood Evacuation Time for High-Risk Areas in the middle Reach of Chao

Phraya River Basin, 1871

According to the study of Jamrussri and Toda entitled Available Flood Evacuation Time

for High-Risk Areas in the Middle Reach of Chao Phraya River Basin, “Evacuation is the

most used strategy to lessen the vulnerability of people to flood disasters. Evacuation not

only reduces the loss of lives of people, but also helps residents quickly regain their

functionality”. This study aims to prevent the worst case scenario rather than to propose a
solution during an event of flood. The study of the researchers, and of Jamrussri and Toda

shares one goal and that is, prevention rather than a solution. This why the researcher

proposed an evacuation system to lessen the risk and to organize the situation during

flooding.

Emergency Plan of Action (EPOA) Philippines: Tropical Depression Usman and Monsoon

Floods, 2018

The study Emergency Plan of Action (EPOA) was needed as the tropical depression

Usman landed in the Philippines during the month of December 2018. It immediately pours

large volume of rainfall in the vicinity of Borongan, Estern Samar. One of the largest

humanitarian organization in Philippines which is The Philippine Red Cross rendered their

services to the affected families. Red Cross together with other agencies who supports their

agenda and mission gave an helping hand in different ways as possible. The said organization

takes meticulous steps in planning and organizing programmes in helping the people. This

would not be possible without the help of different sectors and agencies that brings major

contribution in achieving their goals. One of the agencies that gives primary help is the

PAGASA, in this case the organization collects information and data in order to fully

understand the situation. By analyzing the said situation, Red Cross is now formulating

operational strategies such as search rescue and evacuation plan. As it mentioned earlier, the

steps in planning takes meticulous and careful planning. The organization breaks down this

steps in a detailed operational plan that includes shelter which is the crucial part of planning.

In accordance with this, the shelter or the evacuation center must take different

considerations with the displaced people. One of this is, must be far away enough from

flooding. Gives adequate space to the families avoiding them in being crowded that may

become a risk factor in spreading different diseases. Another is the presence of basic needs of

people. A safe drinking water and electric supply that is most needed primarily in

communication. Aside from shelter or evacuation center, part of the evacuation plan is the

source of food of the people and promotion of personal hygiene. In order to avoid food
 poison, acquired diseases like leptospirosis or dengue inside the evacuation centers. The

health of the affected families and their safety is the primary goal. This cannot be achieved

without the help of the volunteers who dedicated themselves in serving the humanity

especially in vulnerable situations experiences by the Filipinos.

Integrated Flood Management Tools Series Flood Emergency Planning - World Meteorological

Organization, 2011

Integrated Flood Management (IFM) calls for a combination of effective strategies in

flood management that employ structural and non-structural measures and a pro-active and post

recovery approach to dealing with flood risk. It was issued last February 2011. Because absolute

protection from flooding is a myth, flood emergency management is an integral part of flood risk

reduction, which aims at managing and minimizing the damaging effects of flooding. Flood

risks are defined as the expected losses from actual flood events over a specified period, and

consist of the magnitude of the flood hazard, the exposure of human activity to flooding and the

vulnerability of the elements at risk. Flood emergency measures can reduce the exposure to

flooding; for example, moving individuals away from flooded areas to prevent individuals from

drowning or the spread of diseases. Similarly, flood emergency planning can contribute, when

integrated into an early warning system, to the shutting down of facilities that, if flooded, are

likely to have an adverse effect on the safety of the population and the environment (for

example, chemical plants). It is not easy, however, to perform flood emergency planning and

management properly. Early warning without appropriate action is not sufficient to ensure

reduction of risk to flooding. Inadequate management may even worsen the situation: risks

owing to exposure to flooding may sometimes be higher when evacuation is unorganized rather

than when it is non-existent. Institutions and stakeholders need to make necessary flood

emergency planning and management arrangements so that individuals can respond effectively

to flooding. For the public, governments provide, to the extent possible, flood defences in an

effort to reduce risk up to a certain predefined ‘design flood’.

This research conducts the proposal and improvement of an evacuation system as a

response to flooding in Barangay San Pedro Cutud, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. This

methodology consists of the main reasons of flooding surveyed by the researchers in the said

area.

A. Data Gathering
 Stated below are the questions prepared and asked by the researchers during the survey in

Barangay San Pedro Cutud, City of San Fernando Pampanga.

1.) When did the flooding started?

The first ever flooding event that happened was when lahar destroyed and flooded the

area in 1991.

2.) What is the cause of flood?

The cause of flood in the area is the area itself having a low elevation. Water

accumulates in the area resulting to flood.

3.) For the past 5 to 10 years, when was the most devastating flooding event that

happened?

In August 2012, the Minalin to Sto. Tomas tail dike broke resulting to a very

destructive flooding event. The barangay suffered a month of flooding before it

dissipated.

4.) What flooding depth has been recorded to be the most remarkable?

During the most remarkable flooding event that happened last August 2012, the

recorded flooding depth was 3m or equivalent to a 1 storey building/ 1 standard size

house.

5.) Was there any record of injuries and casualties?

According to one of the citizen of the barangay, there is one record of casualty in the

area. One citizen was trapped in the house and wasn`t able to go out to save his own

life.

6.) Do the evacuation centers function well?

No, for the reason that more or less 70 families were forced to stay in their two small

evacuation areas without proper sanitation and well ventilated place.

The main reason for flooding is the barangay itself being a catch basin area. Due to its

low elevation, rain water accumulates and stays there for a period of time. The officials of the

barangay planned a drainage system which was constructed in the year 2003. However, this
system does not function well because of the waste and stagnant water found in the drainage

itself.

Figure 1. Drainage System of Barangay San Pedro Cutud

According to the officials of the barangay, the Main Road is the safest road to cross

during a flood. It was far elevated than the other roads. Also, their evacuation center are easily

accessible when using the main road. The multi-purpose hall and the church of San Pedro Cutud

served as their evacuation centers. As surveyed by the researchers last January, the barangay

officials will conduct and implement an evacuation system. The researches will also be

proposing their own evacuation system as a response to flooding in the said barangay.
 Figure 2: Church of San Pedro Cutud

Figure 3: San Pedro Multi-Purpose Hall

B. Method of Analysis

These are the steps that the researchers designed to accomplish this study:

1. Information – To provide necessary information about the coming typhoon or

calamity that will cause the area to be flooded and to educate people about the steps

to follow before, during, and after the flood. Also to provide tools such as flood maps

about the safest route to pass through during flooding events.

2. Evacuation Centers – Building and centers that were to be used should be flood

resistant, safe and efficient for every family and should have proper sanitary area.

3. Infrastructure Maintenance – Includes the improvement of every infrastructure that

were driven out or destroyed by flood.

4. Financial Preparedness – During the stay of flood in the area, the community should

be prepared financially for the provision of their needs such as food, water and other

materials to be able to survive.

services were included in the emergency response.

6. Disaster Recovery Plan – Disaster recovery plans for the victims after the flood as

well as financial provision to be able to start again form the government.

IV. Results and Discussions

As a result of the data that were gathered and discussed about the said study, these are the

following steps to be followed before, during, and after the flooding events.

Before the flood

 Keep informed about the weather condition as well as how often the flooding

occurs in the area. Be sure that the whole family is well informed.
  Prepared a certain kit that contains all the necessary things that should last at least

two to three weeks. e.g. (medicines, bottled water, batteries, easy open canned

goods, flashlight, radio, cell phones, power bank, candles, matches, hygiene kit).

 Forecasting and weather monitoring should be done by the barangay officials to

properly inform all the residence in the community. Transportation means should

be ready to prevent commotion.

 Evacuation centers should be prepared for the affected families.

 The community should be financially prepared for their needs and necessities.

During the flood

 Do not try to cross rivers or any areas that are subjected to flood.

 As much as possible stay in a safer area where the flood can’t access. Each

members should be monitored safely to prevent injuries as well as casualties.

 Listen and follow all the instruction given by the authorities.

 Be sure to eat/drink clean food and water. Preferably well cooked and boiled one.

After the flood

 Secure the safety of every family member before going back to each houses.

 Check all the electric wiring before using any of it to prevent sudden fire.

 Make sure to clean the whole area affected to remove all the unnecessary remains

left by the flood.

 Avoid going to disaster prone areas.

V. Conclusion and Recommendation

The study generally aims to create a systematized non – structural flood mitigation

response in order to reduce possible injuries and casualties in Barangay San Pedro Cutud.

Having recorded a single casualty during the latest devastating event last August 2012, the

researchers decided to create an evacuation system with the purpose of reducing the recorded

casualties and injuries.

organized community and systematized process even during flooding events.

This study can help the community and reach every family member to make sure that

their safety is under control. It assures the whole barangay of their safety and it reduces possible

injuries as well as casulaties.

References:

Menzel, ND Non-Structural Flood Protection – A Challenge

Google Earth Map

Jamrussri and Toda (1871)”Available Flood Evacuation Time for High-Risk Areas in the

middle Reach of Chao Phraya River Basin” Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2073-

4441/10/12/1871 on March 2019

Tropical Depression Usman and Monsoon Floods” Retrieved from

http://adore.ifrc.org/Download.aspx?File on March 2019

World Meteorological Organization (2011) “Integrated Flood Management Tools Series

Flood Emergency Planning” Retrieved from

https://library.wmo.int/pmb_ged/ifmts_11.pdf on March 2019