Inadequate disaster mitigation and response
The country devotes a substantial portion of its resources in the recovery efforts from the effects of flooding. The cumulative impact of floods on the loss of lives and damage to properties and livelihood (see Table 5.5) results in a deceleration, if not a setback, of social progress and economic activity in affected areas.
Furthermore, the country's archipelagic character, with many small islands, makes it highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Climate data for the past 50 years shows rising temperatures trends, changing changes in rainfall patterns, and an increasing number of extreme climate events like cyclones, flooding, and drought. (Philippine Strategy on Climate Change Adaptation 2010)
Table 5.5. 25-year Flood-related Impacts: 1980-2005
Year | Casualties** | Damage Value* (PhP M) | ||
Dead | Missing | Injured | ||
1980 | 36 | 4 | 55 | 1,472 |
1981 | 484 | 264 | 1,922 | 1,273 |
1982 | 337 | 223 | 347 | 1,754 |
1983 | 126 | 168 | 28 | 523 |
1984 | 1,979 | 4,426 | 732 | 416 |
1985 | 211 | 300 | 17 | 3 |
1986 | 171 | 43 | 155 | 1,838 |
1987 | 1,020 | 213 | 1,455 | 8,763 |
1988 | 429 | 195 | 468 | 8,675 |
1989 | 382 | 89 | 1,088 | 4,494 |
1990 | 676 | 262 | 1,392 | 11,713 |
1991 | 5,201 | 4,278 | 357 | 74 |
1992 | 145 | 95 | 51 | 7,359 |
1993 | 814 | 214 | 1,637 | 25,038 |
1994 | 266 | 54 | 260 | 3,401 |
1995 | 1,255 | 669 | 3,027 | 57,781 |
1996 | 124 | 49 | 97 | 10,109 |
1997 | 199 | 28 | 66 | 4,842 |
1998 | 498 | 116 | 873 | 17,823 |
1999 | 56 | 3 | 25 | 1,555 |
2000 | 338 | 59 | 370 | 7,217 |
2001 | 431 | 134 | 418 | 6,924 |
2002 | 169 | 33 | 71 | 829 |
2003 | 139 | 28 | 182 | 4,567 |
2004** | 1,046 | 437 | 836 | 7,679 |
2005** | 62 | 36 | 51 | 2,487 |
Total | 16,594 | 12,420 | 15,980 | 198,609 |
Source: Flood Risk Management Project Along Selected Principal Rivers, Implementation Program, DPWH, September 2010
*Total damages in infrastructure, agriculture and private property in million pesos.
**Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) data.
Recent events like typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in 2009 which resulted in massive damage to lives and properties were wrought by unpredictable weather patterns resulting from climate change. Existing flood control structures in identified high-risk areas nationwide have proved inadequate in handling the unexpected increase in stormwater discharge, which often results in massive flooding both in HUCs and rural areas.