A Case Study of Matina Pangi Flash Flood:

Solutions and Recommendations

By:

Ezekiel Leano and John Bhevs Mahusay

Abstract:

Information is provided about the general approach and experience on flood management in
Matina Pangi. Of interest are the modifications of the flood and water management policies within
City, which have shifted gradually from an initial flood control and the minimization of flood loss, to
an integrated approach to basin water resources management. This has resulted in the establishment
of a comprehensive river administration system for flood control, water use and environmental
conservation, in addition to the preparation of detailed emergency management plans to deal with
the flooding of the areas.

Summary:

Due to the topography and other leading factors, Matina undergoes natural disasters mainly
to flash floods. Flooding is one of the most devastating natural hazard. This event is causing a number
of deaths per year. In many cases, floods caused deaths, suffering and extensive damages to both
public and private properties. Almost after each flood, the government has paid a large proportion of
the damage in addition to losing significant revenues due to the consequences of economic disruption.
The experiences gained from flood events in the last decade have shown that, almost all essential
infrastructure might be at the risk of costly damage. On the other hand, unplanned urbanization on
both banks of rivers and upper reaches of the basins
have a major role in the rising cost of floods, besides the meteorological and hydrological magnitudes
of the occurrences.

With this study, some ongoing efforts based on the DOST, local municipalities and the people
living the flood hit area are presented. Due to this events, a case study from different institution is
presented. Both structural and non-structural solutions for the sustainable and effective use of the
flood prone areas are given for the case study area. A series of flood protection structures were
designed and built for the rehabilitation of the region. Besides the construction of new reservoirs,
longitudinal and transverse structures for river training, flood forecasting by using the real-time data
collected along the river courses, satellite data use, and non-structural flood protection studies such
as flood proofing, early warning, land use modification, building public awareness of the floods,
keeping flood danger in agenda at flood zones, the change in urban planning concept to keep the
settlements as far as possible from the flood plains, obligatory natural disaster (including floods)
insurance, to discourage the ongoing trend to settle at flood plains and education of the young
generation. So many work programs have been drafted in this studies to develop flood management
and to reduce and when possible to eliminate long term risk and damage to people and their property
from natural hazards and their effects.
Introduction:

Matina areas is becoming critical. This is due to the factors affecting natural disasters. Number
of devastating flood events have occurred in Matina in the last years. In many cases, floods caused
deaths, suffering and extensive damages to both public and private properties. After each flood, the
government had to most of the damage in addition to losing significant revenues due to the
consequences of costly social and economic disruption. Which lead to the loss of funding for
infrastructure for developing and managing the risk of natural disasters.

Over the last year’s natural disasters, flooding events has the costliest results that have brought
government to a new point of views and ideas in reducing the susceptibility to the flood damages.
Leading to the interrelation between land and water resources of the city and the other institutions
concerning natural disasters, specific measures for the flooding hazards cannot be implemented or
evaluated independently. So new system has to be carried out. Which would integrate land and water
resources development in a river basin, within the context of maximizing the efficient use of
floodplains and minimizing loss to life. In this regard, it can be concluded that building a flood control
structure is not enough. Structural flood protection projects may be considered as one of the basic
strategies that can reduce flood damages, and in this context flood protection planning should
consider the full range of the natural disasters activities. Socioeconomic activities, land-use patterns,
hydro-morphological processes, etc., need to be recognized as constituent parts of these systems. The
entire hydrological cycle is considered rather than differentiating between droughts and floods while
planning water resources development of the river basin as a whole.

Background:

Baranggay Matina Crossing 74-A is situated in the Southwest portion of Davao City with a total
land area of 568 hectares. It has a flat topography stretching towards the Davao Gulf. Sixty percent
(60%) of its land area is residential, thirty-nine (39%) is composed of commercial and light industries
and about one percent is used for agricultural purposes. It covers sixty-three (63) puroks under its
jurisdiction, which makes it one of the biggest barangays in the 1st Congressional District of Davao City
(Sanchez, 2014).
 The area is considered both as a minor and major commercial zone with the presence of small,
medium and large commercial establishments. Further, institutions like banks, schools, groceries and
public markets are found in the area. It is a high density residential zone with a socialized housing
zone.

It is also considered a flood risk area with flood mitigating zones. There are two major rivers
running along the jurisdiction of the area : Pangi River (which cuts across Purok Sambag, San Isidro,
Guadalupe, Mahayahay, Arroyo compound, Balusong, Lopez Village, Alzate compound, Concepcion
compound and Doña Francisco) and Davao River which sets the boundary of the two puroks in Matina
Gravahan. As recorded by the Barangay Office, the puroks enumerated above were inundated by the
overbanking of the two rivers situated near them for the past years.

Population:
BARANGAY POPULATION NO. OF HOUSES POPULATION BUILT UP
DENSITY DENSITY

MATINA PANGI 13,625 13,545 21.24 1.13

NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE

Matina, Davao City is a community where people live by a river, thus, prone to sudden onset flooding.

• “unsafe conditions” may be: poor housing conditions, dangerous location, risky livelihoods, lack of
disaster preparedness skills, etc.

• “dynamic pressures” may be: no community organization for collective efforts to reduce flood risks,
rapid migration tendencies that change the social structure, the lack of local markets for small farmers
to sell their produces or buy agricultural inputs, etc.
• “root causes” may be: government negligence of sand mining in that river, the lack of government
policy on flood warning systems and land use planning, poor men and women are not allowed to
attend meetings on flood mitigation and emergency response

Disaster Occurrence:

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-

ASA) identified an Inter-tropical Convergence Zone was present in the southern part of Mindanao and
this ITCZ was caused by the convergence of two trade winds-nor east trade winds and southeast trade
winds in a particular area. The convergence of these winds resulted to thunderstorm clouds. The
formation of thunderstorm clouds in the uplands of Tugbok District where the Pangi River originates
along with Calinan and Talomo, generated heavy rain which lasted for about three hours. The heavy
pouring of rain resulted to the overflowing of the Pangi River, which brought a destructive flashflood
to riverside communities.

In the previous years, barangay Matina experienced a couple of flooding in these areas,
however, the June 2011 flashflood was an unexpected disaster that resulted to loss of lives and
damage to properties.

At the onset of the flashflood, the response team of the barangay and other agencies were
not able to penetrate immediately the affected areas due to the forceful and risky current and height
of the floodwaters. It was only when the water started to subside that responders were able to reach
the affected areas.

Post-Disaster:

Recovery and Response

The immediacy of response and action of the different agencies and concerned organizations
to assist the affected areas initially started six hours after the disaster. Figure 7 shows the summarized
timeframe of the disaster response.

 June 28, 2011 --- within the first 6 hours of the disaster, massive relocation efforts
were done to put victims on safer grounds (2nd and 3rd floors of the Barangay Hall)
 first-aid teams immediately addressed medical concerns of the victims once settled in
the relocation site
 June 29, 2011 --- Capt. Joel Santes initiated community kitchen to feed victims
 relief goods from both government and non-government and church-based sectors
and concerned individuals arrived within the first 24-hours after the disaster
 medical stations were formed by the Baranggay Committee on Health

Post disaster interventions:

Various organizations and NGOs, in addition to the government agencies were identified as
responders of the disaster:
 • Baranggay Matina Emergency Unit
• Barangay Bago Aplaya VEST
• Barangay Baliok EAST (Emergency Assistance Service Team)
• Barangay San Antonio SAVED
• Phil Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection
• 911 Urban Search & Rescue
• Barangay Gov. Vicente Duterte DFRS, Knighthawk Foundation, Inc.
• The City’s Royal Blood Rescue Team, Kabalikat Civicom

Affected barangays and families:

 Total number of affected families in Matina was 8,464

In addition, 29 were recorded casualties from drowning with more number of females than
males and majority were children ages 8 months to 9 years old. This data shows the most vulnerable
groups were the ones greatly affected by the disaster. Hence, the interaction of the hazard (flood)
with the vulnerable group (children and women) in an unsafe condition resulted to disaster.

Contributory Factors to the Disaster:

The factors identified to be contributory to the disaster include:

 The high rainfall within the watershed of Matina-Pangi River (60mm for three hours between
10pm-1am
 Expansion of agricultural activities upstream
 Expanding urbanization resulting in increase of run-offs
 Siltation, development of sandbar at the mount of the river
 Backflow of Matina-Pangi river due to high tide level

Post Disaster Management

The communities learned the hard way from the disaster experience and immediately worked
on the revival of their Disaster Reduction Management Team (DRRM). Programs for risk intervention
were also revived and a more aggressive communication intervention for awareness and strengthen
the capacity of vulnerable people of their barangay. These programs were made better in cognizance
of the RA 10121. From a responsive approach, the community transformed into both responsive and
proactive approach towards dealing with disasters, especially floods. Moreover, risk intervention
programs were included in the post disaster strategies (Sanchez, 2014).

Similarly, the following measures were also undertaken as part of the Prevention,
Preparedness and Mitigation strategies:

• Detailed geohazard mapping in the Talomo and Matina-Pangi River watershed area as an
intervening target for a Detailed Geohazard Mapping and Assessment Program (MGB Central,
Regional Office & DENR)
• Updated floodway mitigating zone (Urban Zoning Map, 2013 -2022)
• Davao City has only established a Risk Reduction and Management Council, instead of an
office as mandated by Law, however, planned to create an office
• Clear-cut program plans and programs as indicated in the City’s Sectoral Plan
targeting/mitigating disasters, such as:
Disaster Mgt. Program budget of PhP 2 Million to implemented in 2013
• Regular de-siltation of rivers and creeks & protection of river banks through
planting
Maintain proper solid waste management
• Installation of Automated Rain Gauges in Tamugan, Calinan and Lacson on June 2013 as
warning devices
• Provision of drainage line to Matina River
• Rehabilitation and improvement of drainage system in the study area and the whole of Davao
City

Conclusions and Recommendations:

Matina areas are naturally a flood prone area. This is by its physical characteristic where the entire
land area of the Matina drains itself towards the Talomo River, this river is considered as the most
important river basins in the city. The factors of this is due to the of population and human settlements
found along the banks or nearby the river tributaries for example the housing, business and
institutional areas affected by the Matina Flash Flood.

In the 2011 flash flood in Matina area, it has diplays a higher level of social capital among
residents, various groups and institutions in Davao. The response was quickly mobilized. One of the
advantages is that the City has a highly sophisticated search and rescue personnel with facilities and
equipment through its 911. Their strength plus community mobilization made disaster response not
only quick but effective as well. Although there are casualties recorded, mostly, vulnerable groups,
women, children and senior citizens this is not as high compared to other areas with similar situation
and given that the flood occurs without expectation and/or longer warning lead time.

Flash Floods should not only be approached within the confines of geographical boundaries.
It is multi-dynamics, and cross boundary issues. Through this issues, it is recommended for concern
individualities and institutions to unite and do efforts and initiatives to work together given their
varying interests, be it political, economic and environmental. It should come up with the best results
to improve the environment of such areas to adapt the changing ecosystem. This would contribute a
lot more resilience to the community to be able to achieve needs, knowledge and capacities, which
should empower people to plan for and cope with the impacts of climate change.
References:
Badri, S. Ali, et. al. (2006). “Post disaster resettlement, development and change : a case study of the
1990 Manjil earthquake in Iran”. Disasters 30(4):pp451-468. Blackwell Pubishing Oxford, UK.

Balang, Jr., Antonio (2010). “Mainstreaming DRR in Barangays Apas, BUlacao and Kalunasan in Cebu
City. Building Disaster-Resilient Communities : Stories and Lessons from the Philippines. Quezon
City, Philippines:CSWCD-UP.

Bene, et. al. (2012). Resilience: New Utopia or New Tyranny? Reflection about the Potentials and
Limits of the Concept of Resilience in Relation to Vulnerability Reduction Programmes.
www.ids.ac.uk
Business World Online (May 2015).
Cadag, Jake Rom and JC Gaillard. (2012). “Integrating knowledge and actions in disaster risk reduction
: the contribution of participatory mapping”. AREA Vol 44(1), 100-109. ISSN 0004-0894.

David, Carlos Primo C. et. al. (2010). “Community and DRR Technology Interface : the Reduction of
Flood Risk in the Bicol River Basin II (BRB2)”. Building Disaster-Resilient Communities : Stories
and Lessons from the Philippines. Quezon City, Philippines:CSWCD-UP.

Dela Cruz, Leonore P, Elmer M. Ferrer and Maureen C. Pagaduan (eds.)(2010). Building Disaster-
Resilient Communities : Stories and Lessons from the Philippines. Quezon City,
Philippines:CSWCD-UP.

Dodds, Graham G. (2015). “This Was No Act of God” : Disaster, Causality and Politics. Risk, Hazard and
Crisis in Public Policy, Vol. 6(1).

Estacio, Remle Anne M. (2013). “A Case Study Documenting the Various Methods Used by Local
Barangay Unit of Matina Crossing in the Post-crisis Phase of the Davao City flashflood”.
Unpublished undergraduate thesis, UPMindanao

Magalang, Miguel R. (2010). “Mainstreaming DRR and CCA in Mandatory Planning and Budgeting
Processes of Baranggays : A Case Study on Building Disaster-resilient Communities in
Marinduque”. Building Disaster-Resilient Communities : Stories and Lessons from the Philippines.
Quezon City, Philippines:CSWCD-UP.

Mochizuki, Junko, et al. (2014). Revisiting the ‘disaster and development’ debate – Toward a broader
understanding of macroeconomic risk and resilience. Climate Risk Management Vol 3:39-54.
Science Direct online 22 May 2014.

NDRRMP 2011-2028

O’Brien, et. al. (2006). “Climate change and disaster management”. Disasters 30(1) : pp. 64-80.
Blackwell Publishing, Oxford UK.

Olson, Richard S. & Vincent T. Gawronski. (2010). “From Disaster Event to Political Crisis : A ‘5C+A’
Framework for Analysis. International Studies Perspectives 11, 205-221
Hannah Reid (2015). Ecosystem- and Community-Based Adaptation: Learning from community-Based
Natural Resource Management, Climate and Development,
DOI: 10.1080/17565529.2015.1034233
Sammadar, Subhajyoti, et. al. (2015). “Evaluating Effective Public Participation in Disaster
Management and Climate Change Adaptation : Insights from Northern Ghana through a User-
based approach.” Risks, Hazards & Crisis in Public Policy, Vol 6(1).

Sanchez, Katrina M. (2014). “IEC Strategies on Risk Management and Precautionary Practices of
Residents in Barangay Matina Crossing 74-A”. unpublished undergraduate thesis, UPMindanao.

Saño, Eunice A. (2010). Advocacy and Support Work for the DRRM Law in the Philippines. Building
Disaster-Resilient Communities : Stories and Lessons from the Philippines. Quezon City,
Philippines:CSWCD-UP.

Stephenson, R.S. (1994). Disasters and Development. 2nd ed. UNDP Disaster Management Training
Module.

UN-ISDR (2003). Disaster Reduction and Sustainable Development : Understanding the links between
vulnerability and risk to disasters related to development and environment. www.unisdr.org

UNDP (ud). The Way Forward : Make risk reduction central to development. www.undp.org

Villanueva, Daphne & Christian Aid (2010). Building Disaster-Resilient Communities : Stories and
Lessons from the Philippines. Quezon City, Philippines:CSWCD-UP.

World Bank Report 2015 on Disaster Risk Management in the Philippines.

World Development Report 2010 : An Overview. www.ReliefWeb

www.ibrd.org

www.unisdr.org

www.undp.org

www.un.org
 CASE STUDY
CE 446
HYDROLOGY

Submitted to:

Engr. Marie Fee Lacsado

Submitted by:

Ezekiel Leano

John Bhevs R. Mahusay