December 17, 2014 A Research Project conducted by the Notre Dame University, Cotabato City in partnership with the Local Government Academy (LGA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 0 January 20, 2015 Table of Contents Table of Contents . 1 List of Tables. 2 Executive Summary . 3 INTRODUCTION . 8 Objectives of the Study . 9 Significance of the Study . 9 Scope of the Study . 10 Terminologies . 10 METHODOLOGY . 12 Design . 12 Locale and Participants . 12 Sampling Design . .. 12 Instruments . .. 13 Data Analysis . 13 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION . 15 A. Demographic Profile of Flood-prone Communities in Central Mindanao . 15 B. Flood-related Problems . 19 C. Disaster Preparedness . 25 D. Type and Level of Response . 32 E. Contributing and Hindering Factors to the Response Mechanism . 36 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS . 40 Conclusions . 40 Recommendations . 41 References . 43 Annexes A. Instruments 44 B. Gantt Chart 46 C. Letters 47 D. Photo Documentation 51 E. Project Staff 55 F. Acknowledgement 56 1 List of Tables Table 1. Flood-prone Barangays per City . 12 Table 2. Barangay Disaster Checklist . 28 Table 3. Level of Capacity of 5 cities . 31 Table 4. Level of Effectiveness of Response Mechanism . 36 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Flooding becomes more frequent now than before. Every year, flood, flashflood and erosion displace families living in low lying communities. The overflow of waterways has repeatedly inundated the flood-prone communities. While heavy rainfall which is associated to climate changes has been recognized as the main cause for intensive and repetitive overflow of water system, clogging of waterways due to heavy siltation and improper disposal of garbage are other causes of flooding. In response to such serious obtaining condition, the national government introduced actions through Republic Act Number 10121 known as Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. The law aims to develop, promote, and implement a comprehensive NDRRMP that likewise aims to strengthen the capacities of the national government and the LGUs to build disaster resilience of communities and to institutionalize arrangements and measures for reducing disaster risks, including projected climate risks and enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities at all levels. This study was pursued as an answer to the call of the Local Government Academy (LGA) of the Philippines to determine the disaster preparedness and response of LGUs in flood-prone communities. Specifically, it answered the following objectives: 1. Determine the demographic profile of flood-prone communities in terms of: (a) population, (b) land area, (c) internal revenue allotment, and (d) structural threats and vulnerabilities; 2. Find out the flood- related problems confronting the LGUs in the community for the past 3 years; 3. Determine the level of preparedness and capacity of the LGUs in mitigating the flood-related problems in terms of: (a) extent of knowledge, ( b) attitude, and (c) level of competence; 4. Find out the types and level of effectiveness of response mechanisms of the LGUs in mitigating flood- related problems; and 5. Find out the contributing and hindering factors to the effectiveness of the response mechanisms being employed. The 11 identified flood-prone barangays in the cities of Kidapawan, Cotabato, Tacurong, Koronadal, and General Santos were the locale of the study. A total of 163 participants composed of City Executive/City Administrator, CDRRMO, barangay officials, and residents who were frequently displaced by flooding for the past three (3) years. The findings revealed that Kidapawan City has a total land area of 33,926 hectares with a population of 125, 447 (2010). For Fiscal year 2014, the city has allotted P448M as its IRA. There are 6 out of 40 barangays which are susceptible to flashflood and erosion. 3 The city of Cotabato which has a land area of 17,600 hectares has a budget of P54M for 2014. In 2010 Census, it has a population of 217,786. The city is politically subdivided into 37 barangays, 21 of which are vulnerable to flooding. In the south, Tacurong City has a land area of 15, 340 hectares with a population of 89,188 (2010 census). For Fiscal Year 2014, its fund amounts to P308, 672, 254.00. Out of its 20 barangays, 2 are frequently inundated by flooding. Moreover, Koronadal City is home to a total population of 158,273 (2010 Census). Its land area of 27,700 hectares is subdivided into 27 barangays. For 2014, the city has a budget of P29, 463, 603.00. There are 11 flood-prone barangays which lie along the banks of river and creek. The city of General Santos has a total area of 53, 606 hectares, populated by 528, 982 constituents as of 2010 Census. Out of 26 barangays, 13 are vulnerable to flooding. The five cities are actually situated outside the typhoon belt and are crisscrossed by rivers and creeks. However, the City of Cotabato is unique because it lies below sea level and part of a major catch basin, the Mindanao River Basin. Kidapawan is a mountainous terrain, surrounded by elevated lands with Mt. Apo as the highest elevation, while General Santos City is a catchment of headwaters located at the foot of Daguman Range and two (2) dormant volcanoes; Mt. Matutum in Polomolok and Mount Parker in T’boli in South Cotabato. The city of Koronadal lies near the foot of mount ranges of Roxas and Quezon. The major causes of flooding include heavy rainfall; siltation of rivers, creeks, and canals; presence of informal settlers along the banks of waterways; garbage; and others such as conversion of upland into banana plantation and over proliferation of water hyacinth. On level of preparedness, the LGUs are moderately prepared. They have established some structures and systems, formulated policies and plans, acquired competencies, and procured few hardware and equipment. They have moderate level of capacity in terms of knowledge, competence, and attitude. The types of response provided are services and assistance. The recipients perceived those responses as highly effective. The common contributing factors to the response mechanism undertaken include degree of disaster preparedness at barangay and city levels; bayanihan spirit; early warning system; vulnerability assessment; and communication system; and construction of flood control infrastructures. One barangay recognizes the presence of enhanced equipment of the city and 4 community-based training. In contrast, the response mechanisms are hindered by limited disaster risk reduction fund; resistance to forced evacuation; lack of heavy equipment in almost all barangays; terrain of the city; political differences; and lack of alternative power supply. The researchers conclude that flooding results from heavy rainfall and siltation of rivers, creeks, and canals. The erosion of soil at higher elevations as in mountain ranges in North and South Cotabato causes siltation of waterways. Clogged sewerage due to garbage causes the overflow of creeks and canals. Improper disposal of garbage generally choke the waterways. The presence of informal settlers along river and creek banks contributes to the garbage problem. Dumping of wastes and trashes into the drainage system limits its capacity adversely affecting the flow of large volume of flood and flashflood waters. The LGUs in the five (5) cities in Central Mindanao are moderately prepared (77.83%) They have some early preparations for flooding. The presence of some structures and system, policies and plans, skills training and hardware and equipment indicates that some proactive actions and plans are already in place. This clearly suggests that they have some knowledge and skills as well as some equipment needed for early preparations. The level effectiveness of barangay disaster response depends on the level of early preparations of the barangay and CDRRMC. Early planning for response mechanism, competency building, and procurement of DRRM-related equipment, gadgets, tools, supplies and others can actually save more lives and properties of victims and also minimize damage to environment. The residents in flood-prone areas have developed resiliency to flooding. Their repeated yearly encounter with flood has made them learn coping mechanisms. Their refusal to forced and pre-emptive evacuation is an indication that they have already acquired effective mechanism of coping with flooding. Favorable rating is given to the proactive actions and response mechanism performed at the barangay level. In spite of the repeated experience of displacement due to flooding, the families in low lying barangays have positive view about the rendered services and assistance they received. This may imply that what they received during the emergency is reasonable and sufficient for their needs. 5 Community cooperation or bayanihan spirit is alive and strong in the barangays. The positive values such as caring, compassion, sympathy and support for the needy are favorable traits and characteristics that must be promoted and preserved among all peoples. The 5 percent share from IRA for BDRRMC limits the barangay to implement their disaster risk reduction plans. The limited allocation for disaster hinders the local officials to establish and procure the basic requirements relative to flooding. The barangays which directly attend to the needs of community have limited hardware and equipment and trainings that will make them competent most especially on camp management and flood/swift water search and rescue. The researchers would like to recommend the enhancement the early preparations in the barangay level. The barangays must have complete resolutions on early warning system, communication protocol, and organization of SAR. Barangay evacuation center be must be determined and protocol for evacuation must be properly disseminated to the affected residents. Enhance their skills through trainings in search and rescue, camp management, and first aid/basic life support. They need to enhance their hardware and equipment. Increase the 5% share from IRA for BDRRM Programs. Bigger allocation is needed to fully capacitate the barangays most especially in building competencies and hardware and equipment.