Impact of Natural Hazards in Some Key Cities in the

Philippines

1

Session 1

Safe CitiesModule 2: Philippines Application

Background

The Philippine archipelago has a total land area of 115,800 square kilometers

It has 115 cities and 1,496 municipalities

Metro Manila is the seat of Philippine Government and is composed of 15 cities

2Safe CitiesModule 2: Philippines Application

Hazards

An average of 22 typhoons enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility each year, and 5 of which may be destructive

About 5 earthquakes a day are felt in the country. That is about 1,825 quakes a year!

From 1999 to 2003, 39 weather disturbances were experienced by the country

3Safe CitiesModule 2: Philippines Application

CAMANAVA

CAMANAVA stands for Caloocan City, Malabon City, Navotas City and Valenzuela City

These areas are high prone to flooding and flashfloods due to its topographical location and rapid urbanization

4Safe CitiesModule 2: Philippines Application

Marikina City

Marikina City is located along the valley in eastern Metro Manila. It is composed of 14 barangays, 12 of which lie along the Marikina River.

Marikina River is a tributary of the Pasig River

Marikina City’s population is approximately 480,000 to 500,000

5Safe CitiesModule 2: Philippines Application

Baguio City

Baguio City is located at the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR). It is prone to soil erosions, landslides and earthquakes.

16 July 1990 Earthquake in Baguio City 401 dead 1,103 injured 223 missing 3,668 families rendered homeless

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Other Key Cities Prone to Natural Hazards

Ormoc City (Region VIII) Flooding and Flashfloods

Dagupan City (Region I) Flooding

Cabanatuan City (Region III) Liquefaction

Butuan City (CARAGA) Flooding

7Safe CitiesModule 2: Philippines Application

Urban Growth

Urban Growth has aggravated the effects of natural hazards in previous years

Metro Manila’s population is about 10.5 million

Population Annual Growth Rate City of Manila is 3.6% Quezon City is 4% Caloocan City is 3.5%

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Rapid Urbanization

Rural – urban migrants has boosted the percentage of squatters in Metro Manila. In 1980, National Housing Authority reported that one out of four Metro Manila resident is a squatter.

Rapid urban growth paved way for these informal settlers to build houses along the river banks and coastal areas.

Rapid Urbanization has tremendously aggravated the effects of natural hazards

9Safe CitiesModule 2: Philippines Application

Payatas Dump Site Tragedy

This tragedy is dubbed as “trashslide” or “garbalanche” and happened only in the Philippines.

This is a concrete picture of the hazard incurred due to urban migrants.

This tragedy resulted to 224 deaths and 38 missing persons.

10Safe CitiesModule 2: Philippines Application