GENDER, SLUM POVERTY, AND

CLIMATE CHANGE IN FLOODED

RIVERLINES IN METRO MANILA
by
Emma Porio, PhD
Professor of Sociology and Chairperson, Department of Sociology and Anthropology,
School of Social Sciences, Ateneo de Manila University. Presented at the ADB Seminar
Series on Environments of the Poor and Climate Change, April 27, 2011. Please send
comments to:eporio@ateneo.edu

The views expressed in this paper are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian
Development Bank (ADB), or its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the
data included in this paper and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. The countries listed in this paper do not
imply any view on ADB's part as to sovereignty or independent status or necessarily conform to ADB's terminology.
 Introduction and Key Messages
• Slum Poverty of Urban Poor Communities (w/
Social-Political-Economic Vulnerabilities):
INTERACT with Individual-Based
Vulnerabilities: Age, Gender, Income, Resource,
Tenure Status)HEIGHTENED by
• Ecological-Environmental Vulnerabilities of
Cities/Places & Climate Change-Related Risks
• Deepen the poverty levels of the urban poor;
exacerbate gender impacts of climate change
• Integrate spatial-ecological-gender based
planning and investments , green development
or technologies/jobs to “climate-proof” urban
planning and development initiatives
Gender Vulnerabilities: Practical and Strategic
Needs of Women in Poor Communities
• How does climate change effects affect gender
division of labor in slum HHs/communities?
• Practical (e.g., access to productive resources,
basic services) and strategic needs of women
e.g., education, training, community
organizing)
• Multiple burdens/enabling spaces for women:
Women’s additional social, pol-eco roles
(double-edged, allows women to fulfill
production/social reproduction and com mgt.
roles (e.g., health aide, solid waste mgt., micro-
finance, green police, etc.)
 Data Bases/References
• Climate Change Study Among the Urban
Poor in 15 Riverine Communities of Metro
Manila: Vulnerability, Adaptation, and
Resilience Among Marginal Populations
(Porio/JBIC-JICA)
Preliminary data from:
• Cities at Risk Study on Climate Change
Responses (Mumbai-BKK-Manila),
(Asia Pacific Network)

• Caveat: Not focused on CC and Gender

Metro Manila: Urban Governance and Climate
Change Adaptation
Sources of Risk/Exposure:
•Population: 12 M; daytime: 16-
18M people
•Poverty Incidence: 20-30 percent
•Percentage of population living in
informal settlements/no security of
tenure: 40-50 percent
•National capital—below sea level
•Located in 3 flood basins
•Density: 18,000 per sq.km.
•Urban-Economic Primacy—
pop.12x the next largest city;
accounts 37 % of nat. GDP
•Earthquake fault runs through the
metropolis; high soil subsidence
•Governance (decentralized and
democratized): MMDA (16 cities)
and local government units (17)
•Drainage System (very poor)
Research Sites: 15 Urban Poor Communities in Three Flood Basins
Flood Map:
Flooded
Areas-10,
30, 100 Year
Flood in
Metro Manila
Rescue Operations in Marikina City
Metro Manila Flood Control Stations
(Right)
Source: Manda, E. (2009)
Source: Manda, E. (2009)
Day After Typhoon Milenyo: Children Looking at playgound in Navotas
Bangkulasi, Navotas City: After Typhoon Milenyo
 Social-Political-Economic Vulnerabilities of
Men/Women in Urban Poor Communities
• Low, Irregular, Insecure Sources of Income
• Housing: No security of tenure, danger
demolition & relocation & loss of livelihood
• Residing in areas unsuitable for human
habitation:1) danger zones: along bays, rivers,
creeks, swampy/wetlands; 2) high subsidence;
and 3) costly to install infrastructure and
services
• CC, Floods & women: Ecologcal. Vulnerability
of place/residence interacts with socio-pol. eco.
Vulnerabilities of poor women multiple
disaster  loss of life, housing, appliances,
services and livelihood!
 Ecological-Environmental Vulnerabilities of
Metro Manila and Urban Philippines
• Mostly Located in Coastal Areas/Flood Plains
• Infrastructure/Urban Basic Services:
Sometimes non-existent; NOT “Climate Proofed”
• Located along Seismic Lines (e.g., Marikina
Earthquake Fault)
• Wetlands/Marsh/Swampy Lands: inferior soil,
subsidence, habitat for disease-bearing vectors
• Sea Level Rise and the low-lying areas of most
coastlines and related river systems
• Environmental Pollution/Degradation
 Socio-Pol-Economic Forces: Increasing the
Vulnerability of the Poor & Women to CC
• Rapid urban growth, slow population decline,
and slow economic growth
• Degraded urban environments, inadequate
basic services
• Decentralization/governance of cities:
Uneven capacity and increasing LGU
disparities  incoherent land use planning
and urban development policies
• Renders the city so vulnerable to climate
change effects
Social-Ecological Vulnerabilities of Riverlines
• Infrastructure/Urban Basic Services: Almost
non-existent
• Collection of garbage: almost non-existent,
canals/creeks cloogged
• Roads—water-logged, fast to deteriorate
• Continued construction/building: substandard,
no permits
• Informal filling of water-logged areas by
informal settlers vs. formal filling by real estate
developers disappearance and/or siltation
and clogging of waterways
 Continuous increase in
Source: Corpuz, A. (2010) population and density
Mega Manila Region: Population Density, Urban Primacy,
and Climate Change

Pampanga Pampanga

Bulacan Bulacan

Rizal Rizal

Metro Metro
Manila Manila

Cavite Cavite
Laguna Laguna

Batangas Batangas

1980 2007
Figure 1. Population Trends of Metro Manila (1970-2020)

Figure 1. Population Trends of Metro Manila (1970-2020

 Metro Manila Cities and
Concentration of Informal Settlers
Concentration of Informal Settlers
 Large

Source: Manda, E. (2009)

Poverty, Environment, and Climate-
related Risks in Metro Manila
 ..

Child crossing makeshift bridge to buy food across waterway in

swampy Ibayo Tipas, Taguig City, West Mangahan Flood Basin
Table 2. Environmental Vulnerabilities of Places: Sources of
Vulnerabilities for Urban Poor Households in the
Three Metro Manila Flood Plains
Flood Environmental characteristics: Socio-eco.
Plains Sources of vulnerabilities characteristics: Sources
of vulnerabilities
Pasig- Living in flood-prone areas along Mdn monthly income:
Marikina riverlines/riverbanks, subsidence, P18,000;
clogged waterways Ave.Education--9.5 yrs.
KAMANAVA Living along flood-prone riverlines; Mdn monthly income:
near the coast (prone to floods and P15,000
sea level rise/tidal surges), land Ave. education: 11 years
subsidence, clogged waterways
West Living along flood prone riverlines Mdn monthly income:
Mangahan (Mangahan Floodway, Napindan P8,000;Educ: 7.5 years;
Channel) near Laguna Lake, Housing dilapidated, light
swampy lands/wetlands, materials, migrants,
subsidence, clogged waterways renters, women-headed
households, no services
Table 3. Summary of Costs/Losses/Inconveniences Due to
Floods, Tidal Surges
Effects on Basic Services
Clogged sewage, drainage and toilets; have to use neighbor’s
toilet, resort ―to wrap and throw‖ to river/creek, worms/snakes
Brown-outs, grounding of electric lines and appliances
Water become murky, dirty, and not potable
Increase in costs of potable water from suppliers, with those in
West Mangahan paying about 100-300 percent more
Loss/repair of appliances
Average: P4615 but West Mangahan and Maybunga floodway
incurring more with average loss of P10,000 and P20,000
respectively
Transport costs (pedicab, styrofoam boats, tri-cycles)
Usual cost of P10-50/per person -- double or triple depending on distance
and depth of flood waters
Table 3. Summary of Losses/Inconveniences Due to Floods
and Tidal Surges (last flood), cont’d.
Absences from school
1-7 days with children from Marikina River Basin (ave. 6) and
Mangahan floodway (ave. 5) incurring the most absences
Health and Income Loss
2-98 workdays (ave. 5)* lost from sickness due to floods but
West Mangahan 7 days
1-15 days workdays (ave. 4 days but Marikina-West Mangahan
(6 days ave.) lost due to floods: about P1,500-P1715 income loss
P200-350 spent on medicines (West Mangahan spent less as
they did not have money for medical services so just rested to get
well and losing more income from work)
*removed outliers
Adaptation: A Water Water-Based Lifestyle
Adaptations:
1.Transport: styro-foam/plastic boats, pedi-cabs
and tricycle built high
2.Housing/architecture: stilts, taurpaulin/plastic
)
roofs, raising of floors/posts, abandoning 1st
floor/adding another floor; makeshift bridges to
other houses, across creeks/rivers, to main
roads
3.HH Tasks/Mgt.: string pulleys & baskets within
& across houses for raising HH appliances,
getting food across houses; makeshift bridges
Adaptation: A Water Water-Based Lifestyle
Adaptations (cont’d):
4. Apparel/Things: boots, raincoats, plastic-made
5.Physical structures and Life-style: Perennial
temporariness, always make-shift and make-do
6. Livelihood/Diet in floody riverlines:
• water hyacinths/lilies, water cress
)

• fishing, over-flow fish from nearby fishponds

• labor-hire, transporting things/people
7. Health: informal/self-medication for small
complaints; heavy subsidy for deadly infections
like leptospirosis or dengue
Costs of Water Water-Based Lifestyle: Summary
•Basic services/infrastructure: substandard but
costs more (e.g., potable water costs 100-300 %
more)
•Loss/repair of appliances--do not last long
•Education participation and performance of children
)
compromised
•Transport costs; other daily expenses double/triple
•Health and Income Loss higher
•Loss of income/livelihood; Socio-Psychological
disposition w/environmental poverty: dirt, pollution,
sickness
Gender Dimensions:CC & Environmental Poverty
• Women: more time spent for cleaning,
laundry, securing food; taking care of
sick HH members; monitoring
children who like to play in rain, river
and floods, loss of income
• Men: spend more time-repair of
home, appliances (men had lower
incomes, high unemployment
compared to women, loss of income)
• Climate change adds more burden to
women
Source: Gonzales, Anna Maria M. ―Reminders from little brother Ondoy‖ Philippine Daily Inquirer. 4 Oct. 2009.
 Case Studies : Urban Poor HHs and Women-Headed
Households in Marikina/Pasig Cities (Post-Ondoy)
• CC Impacts: (Losses/Costs, Adjustments)

•CC Effects on Basic Services (Water, Sanitation,

Energy, Health/Medicine) and Needs
(both Practical – Strategic)

•Psychological Impacts: Trauma, Ondoy hit during late

morning, men were away; women doing marketing/HH
chores; now when it rains-fear, cannot sleep at night)

•Economic Impacts: Loss of businesses; Loss of work

for a month; loss of livelihood
SWAT and Pasig City Rescue Officials
in the Immediate Rescue and
Evacuation Plan for Flood Victims
SWAT and Pasig City Rescue Officials
in the Immediate Rescue and
Evacuation Plan for Flood Victims
Before: Ave. daily 110 trucks a day
Ondoy : 250 trucks/day for 30 days
Sanitizing Operation:1 month-3 US$ M
Cost of Health Services in Health Center/Hospital
to Climate Change-Related Complaints
Service Estimated Cost
Ordinary check-up PhP300-500 up to 1,500

Sputum analysis/check-u[ PhP750-1,500

1. Dengue (referred to public hospitals PhP35,000-60,000

where patient pay minimal payment)*

2. Leptospirosis (referred to public hospitals PhP10,000-50,000

where patient pay minimal payment or free)*

Services given pro-bono or charge minimally to urban poor by medical missions

Blood analysis P2320 = PhP750-3,200

Urine analysis P90 = P700

Blood typing P90 = P700

ECG P90 = P1,500 – 2,500

X-ray P90 =P500

Physical Exam A (including Blood Chem, Blood typing and ECG)

P490 = P2,500
Summary of Costs/Losses Due to Floods (monthly)
Pre-Ondoy Ondoy Period Post-Ondoy

Men Women HH Men Women HH Men Women

HH HH HH HH

Absences from school 6 8 14 17 6 7

Number of workdays lost 5 7 9 10 5 8

from sickness due to flood

Number of work days lost 6 8 20 22 6 9

due to flood

Average income loss due P1,715 P3,250 P7,250 P6,450 P2,750 P3,400
to floods

Average amount of spent P300 P400 P3,200 P3,000 P500 P450

on medicine

Average losses P25,000 P20,000

(appliances, etc.)

Average income P6,250 P5,000 - - P6,500 P4,200

Summary of Costs of Basic Needs/Services (in
pesos, monthly
Pre-Ondoy Ondoy Period Post-Ondoy
Men Women Men Women HH Men Women
HH HH HH HH HH

Food P6,000 P5,800 P2,500 + P2,000 + P6,500 P6,000

relief goods relief goods

Water

• Drinking P50 P45 P240 P240 P60 P50

• Cooking/washing P80 (well) P80 (well) P80 (well, P80 (well, P80 (well) P80 (well)
utensils P500 P550 long lines) long lines) P740 (piped) P700 (piped)
(piped) (piped) P1,500 P1,500
(piped) (piped)

Energy/electricity P2,000 P1,800 P5,000 P4,500 P2,000 (wet) P1,800 (wet)

P3,000 (dry) P2,500 (dry)

Sanitation/Laundry P300 P310 P2,000 P2,000 P360 P320

(mud, waist deep;
cleaning – 2 weeks –
one month)

House repair P1,500 – P1,000 –

P15,000 P8,000
 Percent Increase/Decrease of Costs/Losses Between Men-
and Women- headed Households Due to Floods (monthly)
Pre-Ondoy Ondoy Period Post-Ondoy

Men Women HH Men Women HH Men Women

HH HH HH HH

Absences from school 33% 21% 17%

Number of workdays lost 40% 11% 60%

from sickness due to flood

Number of work days lost 33% 10% 50%

due to flood

Average income loss due 90% -11% 24%

to floods

Average amount of spent 33% -6% -10%

on medicine

Average losses -20%

(appliances, etc.)

Average income -20% - -35%

 Percent Increase/Decrease of Costs of Basic
Needs/Services in Men- and Women-headed
Households (monthly)
Pre-Ondoy Ondoy Period Post-Ondoy
Men Women Men Women Men Women
HH HH HH HH HH HH

Food -3% -20% -8%

Water

• Drinking -10% same -17%

• 0% (well) 0% (well) 0% (well)
Cooking/washing 10% (piped) 0% (piped) -5% (piped)
utensils

Energy/electricity -10% -10% -10%(wet)

-17% (dry)

Sanitation/Laundry 3% same -11%

(mud, waist deep;
cleaning – 2 weeks –
one month)

House repair -33% to -47%

Climate Change Exacerbates Inequalities b/w
Men and Women, especially among the Poor
• Increased burdens of multiple roles/engagements of
women (production, social reproduction & com. Mgt.)
• Increased Costs/losses in HH mgt due to CC:
Loss in HH appliances, beds, garments
)
Costs in house repair
Increase in costs of laundry/sanitation
Increase in water costs
Increase in energy costs
increase in hours of housework
•Gender & HH mgt of resources: PAGKASYAHIN:
Make DO w/ available funds; no income/job, no credit
Climate Change Exacerbates Inequalities b/w
Men and Women, especially among the Poor
• Increases multiple burdens of women
(Acc to Visayan migrant women in Tumana, Marikina,
they have about 6 Burdens/Cares in their life (Buhay)):
1. Bata (children)
2. Bana (husband)
)

3. Basura (Waste-segregation/recycling)
4. Barangay (Com Mgt. volunteer work/BHWs)
5. Bagyo (Typhoon)  6.Baha (Floods)
•Community Mgt. Roles increases burden but greatly
Expands Women’s Social-Pol.-Eco. Status
 Integrating Strategic Needs of
Women, CCA and Local Governance
•Linking practical-strategic needs of women to local
governance (case study: Pasig City CCA Program)
Integrating CCA and gender practical-strategic
needs issues to the training/capability-building
programs (livelihood, clean and green movement,
barangay security/patrol (e.g., Pasig City), health,
children, environmental literacy campaign, etc.
• Encouraging/building political leadership among of
women in both men/women’s groups

•Institutionalize gender-sensitive policies through

programs in climate change adaption (CCA)
Pasig City Environment Program LGU Partners
Partnershi Pamantasa
Catholic
Manila Water, Cong. p for Clean n ng
IPM Romul Lungsod Church
Meralco, SM, Air
Garbage ng Pasig
Asahi, o Assoc. of
Medical City, Hauler Kiwani’s Federatio Metro Pasig
etc. Pasig Club n of Manila Pastoral
Chamber of Environme
Lion’s Jeepney Council
Commerce nt Officers
Club Assoc.
DepEd DOH
ACTO Rotary Ortigas Market Federations
Transport Clubs Center Vendor’s Pasig of Parents
Teachers
Group Assoc. Assoc. Greenhear
Association
LLDA DENR t
Balikatan Movement
MMASBA
sa
Kilus Metro Manila
Association
LTO of
MAYOR Pamayanan
Foundati Anti-Smoke
on Inc. Belching
Barangay E Assoc.
Chairmen

Pasig
City Nat’l Clean Green
City
Police
Engineerin Police Prosecutor’s Command, and
g Green Volunteer
Office Communication
Office s
s, & Control
Solid Green City Committee
Waste Barangay Program on Ecology
City Affair’s Pasig City CENRO – and
Parks Office Council major Environment
Office office Protection
Organization:Solid Waste Mgt.
Program of Pasig City
Waste Diversion Strategies
Pasig City Materials Recovery
Facilities
 Conclusions/Recommendations
• Ecological-Environmental Vulnerability of Wetlands
Deepen Social Vulnerability of Poor Women
• Water-based lifestyle/Climate Change Adaptations also
heighten their vulnerability
•Larger forces exacerbate CC effects on women: 1)rapid
urbanization/congestion, 2) inadequate, uncalibrated
)
infrastructural development, 3) inconsistent urban
policies/development, etc. compound the effects of
climate change on cities on the poor, especially women

•Climate Change Impacts and Gender: Income Class or

employment status (related to education) intertwine
with lack of housing tenure, inadequate services,
migrant status DEFINES/SHAPES CC IMPACTS
 Conclusions and Recommendations
• Inconsistent urban policies/development, etc.
compound the effects of climate change on cities;

•Need to integrate ecological-environmental (spatially-

anchored) aspects to urban planning/dev.
ecological boundaries vs. pol-adm. boundaries in
)
centralized-decentralized contexts
water-based urban design, vertical urbanism, green
economy- technologies, architecture

•Need to integrate gender concerns in planning and

urban development
•Invest in building the capability of women (organizing,
green jobs, health and nutrition for children, etc.)
 Process for Developing a City Adaptation Plan
for Climate Change (cf.McGranahan et al)
Assessment of vulnerability to Assessment of vulnerability to
socio-economic stresses climate change impacts
(integrate gender ) (integrate gender)

Local economic development National/Regional climate

strategies; integrated change strategy;
development plans; integrated Local (barangay/city) climate
municipal/city environment change assessments (integrate
plans (integrate gender) gender)

Overlay to identify vulnerable areas

Develop adaptation options and actions

Prioritize actions ( gender-

sensitive priorities)

Gender-sensitive CAP
(City Adaptation Plan)
Maraming salamat po!!!

Thank you very much!