Perception of Disasters and Land Reclamation in an Informal Settlement on Reclaimed Land: Case of the BASECO Compound, Manila, the Philippines

Abstract

Southeast Asia’s coastal urban areas continue to grow, with land reclamation fast becoming an important option for megacities to address issues of economic growth and increasing population density. Experts are divided over the advantages and disadvantages of land reclamation, though this process continues unabated, exposing settlements to coastal hazards. The Bataan Shipping and Engineering Company (BASECO) compound is an informal settlement on reclaimed land in Manila, the Philippines. How informal coastal settlements view disaster risk and their more pressing socioeconomic needs is crucial to understanding the potentials and repercussions of land reclamation. Using a topographic survey, a questionnaire survey, and the protective action decision model, this study explored the perception of disasters and land reclamation of informal settlers who are living on reclaimed land. The study found that people are aware of disaster risks, but are more concerned with everyday needs. They are divided on the issue of further land reclamation. Residents on the original non-reclaimed land view it as a coastal defense, while those on reclaimed land fear potential eviction. Despite this, all locations in the community are concerned with the loss of jobs, economic opportunities, and eviction, rather than potential disasters.

Keywords

Coastal hazards / Flooding / Informal settlements / Land reclamation / Philippines / Risk perception / Urbanization

References

[1] Abad, R. 2019. Proposed reclamation projects stoke fear of eviction among Manila Bay squatter families. Business Mirror, 6 September 2019. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/09/06/proposed-reclamation-projects-stoke-fear-of-eviction-among-manila-bay-squatter-families/. Accessed 10 Feb 2020.

[2] Acosta, R. 2018. How are PH tsunami warning systems maintained? Rappler, 2018. https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/disasters/213771-philippine-tsunami-warning-systems-maintained. Accessed 08 Feb 2020.

[3] Alvarez MK, Cardenas K. Evicting slums, ‘building back bgetter’: Resiliency revanchism and disaster risk management in Manila. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 2019, 43(2): 227-249

[4] Anh LT, Takagi H, Thao ND, Esteban M. Investigation of awareness of typhoon and storm surge in the Mekong Delta – Recollection of 1997 Typhoon Linda. Journal of Japan Society of Civil Engineers, 2017, 73(2): 168-173 (in Japanese)

[5] Balgos BC. Miller MA, Douglass M. Securing the safety of informal settler families along waterways in Metro Manila, Philippines: Government-civil society organisation partnership. Disaster governance in urbanising Asia, 2015, Singapore: Springer 177-193.

[6] Ballinger R. Fra Paleo U. On the edge: Coastal governance and risk. Risk governance: The articulation of hazard, politics and ecology, 2015, Dordrecht: Springer 373-394.

[7] Chan FKS, Chuah CJ, Ziegler AD, Dąbrowski M, Varis O. Towards resilient flood risk management for Asian coastal cities: Lessons learned from Hong Kong and Singapore. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2018, 187: 576-589

[8] Chee SY, Othman AG, Sim YK, Mat Adam AM, Firth LB. Land reclamation and artificial islands: Walking the tightrope between development and conservation. Global Ecology and Conservation, 2017, 12: 80-95

[9] Cheng, W. 2012. PNoy appeals to Baseco residents: Leave danger zone. ABS-CBN News, 3 August 2012. https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/metro-manila/08/03/12/pnoy-appeals-baseco-residents-leave-danger-zone. Accessed 10 Feb 2020.

[10] City Government of Manila. 2018. New Manila reclamation project: Environmental impact study summary for the public. Manila, Philippines: City Government of Manila. http://eia.emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ESP-English.pdf. Accessed 12 Jun 2020.

[11] Cutini V, Di Pinto V, Rinaldi AM, Rossini F. Proximal cities: Does walkability drive informal settlements?. Sustainability, 2020

[12] Davis M. Planet of slums, 2007, London: Verso

[13] De Vera-Ruiz, E.D., and R. Fernandez. 2019. Manila Bay reclamation opposed. Manila Bulletin, 18 February 2019. https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/02/18/protests-launched-against-four-manila-bay-reclamation-projects/. Accessed 18 Jan 2020.

[14] Dedekorkut-Howes A, Torabi E, Howes M. When the tide gets high: A review of adaptive responses to sea level rise and coastal flooding. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 2020, 63(12): 2102-2143

[15] Douglass M. Miller MA, Douglass M. The urban transition of disaster governance in Asia. Disaster governance in urbanising Asia, 2016, Singapore: Springer Singapore 13-43

[16] Esteban M, Takagi H, Mikami T, Aprilia A, Fujii D, Kurobe S, Utama NA. Awareness of coastal floods in impoverished subsiding coastal communities in Jakarta: Tsunamis, typhoon storm surges and dyke-induced tsunamis. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 2017, 23: 70-79

[17] Esteban M, Takagi H, Mikami T, Bahbouh L, Becker A, Nurse L, Shibayama T, Nagdee M. How to carry out bathymetric and elevation surveys on a tight budget: Basic surveying techniques for sustainability scientists. International Journal of Sustainable Future for Human Security, 2017, 5(2): 86-91

[18] Esteban M, Takagi H, Valenzuela VPB, Thao ND, Tam TT, Trang DDT, Anh LT. Awareness of coastal disasters: Case of an impoverished low-lying river mouth community in Southern Vietnam. International Journal of Sustainable Future for Human Security, 2017, 5(2): 77-85

[19] Fordham M. Rodríguez H, Quarantelli EL, Dynes RR. Disaster and development research and practice: A necessary eclecticism?. Handbook of disaster research, 2007, New York: Springer 335-346

[20] Guha-Sapir, D., R. Below, and P. Hoyois. 2020. EM-DAT: The CRED/OFDA international disaster database. Brussels, Belgium: Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), Université Catholique de Louvain. http://www.emdat.be. Accessed 12 Jan 2020.

[21] Harnantyari AS, Takabatake T, Esteban M, Valenzuela VPB, Nishida Y, Shibayama T, Achiari H Tsunami awareness and evacuation behaviour during the 2018 Sulawesi Earthquake Tsunami. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 2020, 43: 101389

[22] Islam, M.S. 2018. Assessing the vulnerability of a coastal community to storm surge: The case of Barangay Baseco, City of Manila. Master’s thesis. University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.

[23] JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), Pacific Consultants International, OYO International Corporation, and PASCO Corporation. 2004. Earthquake impact reduction study for metropolitan Manila, Republic of the Philippines. https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/216/216/216_118_11763745.html. Accessed 12 Dec 2019.

[24] Klein Goldewijk, K., A. Beusen, G. Van Drecht, and M. De Vos. 2017. The HYDE 3.1 spatially explicit database of human-induced global land-use change over the past 12,000 years. Global Ecology and Biogeography 20(1): 73–86.

[25] Kritz, B. 2017. HK architects unveil ‘City of Pearl’ project for Manila. The Manila Times, 7 June 2017. https://www.manilatimes.net/2017/06/07/business/real-estate-and-property/hk-architects-unveil-city-pearl-project-manila/331396/331396/. Accessed 25 Jun 2020.

[26] Kron W. Coasts: The high-risk areas of the world. Natural Hazards, 2013, 66: 1363-1382

[27] Lapidez JP, Tablazon J, Dasallas L, Gonzalo LA, Cabacaba KM, Ramos MMA, Suarez JK, Santiago J Identification of storm surge vulnerable areas in the Philippines through the simulation of typhoon Haiyan-induced storm surge levels over historical storm tracks. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 2015, 15(7): 1473-1481

[28] Lee Y. Coastal planning strategies for adaptation to sea level rise: A case study of Mokpo, Korea. Journal of Building Construction and Planning Research, 2014, 2(1): 74-81

[29] Lindell MK, Perry RW. The protective action decision model: Theoretical modifications and additional evidence. Risk Analysis, 2012, 32(4): 616-632

[30] Luces, K. 2013. Manila Bay reclamation project raises specter of storm surge. GMA News Online, 1 December 2013. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/science/337839/manila-bay-reclamation-project-raises-specter-of-storm-surge/story/. Accessed 8 Jan 2020.

[31] Martín-Antón M, Negro V, del Campo JM, López-Gutiérrez JS, Esteban MD. Review of coastal land reclamation situation in the world. Journal of Coastal Research, 2016, 75(sp1): 667-671

[32] Mercado RM. People’s risk perceptions and responses to climate change and natural disasters in BASECO Compound, Manila, Philippines. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 2016

[33] Mileti DS, Darlington JD, Passarini E, Forest BC, Myers MF. Toward an integration of natural hazards and sustainability. Environmental Professional, 1995, 17(2): 117-126.

[34] Miller MA, Douglass M. Miller MA, Douglass M. Disaster governance in an urbanising world region. Disaster governance in urbanising Asia, 2016, Singapore: Springer Singapore 1-12

[35] Morin VM, Ahmad MM, Warnitchai P. Vulnerability to typhoon hazards in the coastal informal settlements of Metro Manila, the Philippines. Disasters, 2016, 40(4): 693-719

[36] Murphy, D. 2012. Baseco and its proclamation. http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph/UNDP4/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/BASECO_PROC1_HTML.pdf. Accessed 25 Jun 2020.

[37] Navarra NL. Surmounting the risk: Community ties of Baseco Compound in managing risk. Journal of Urban and Regional Planning, 2016, 3(1): 26-36.

[38] Neumann B, Vafeidis AT, Zimmermann J, Nicholls RJ. Future coastal population growth and exposure to sea-level rise and coastal flooding—a global assessment. PLoS ONE, 2015

[39] NWPC (National Wages and Productivity Commission). 2018. Wage order No. NCR-22: Providing for a minimum wage increase in the National Capital Region (NCR). Metro Manila, Philippines: Department of Labor and Employment, Republic of the Philippines. https://nwpc.dole.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/reg-ncr-wo-22.pdf. Accessed 5 Jan 2020.

[40] PhilAtlas. 2020. Barangay 649, City of Manila. https://www.philatlas.com/luzon/ncr/manila/barangay-649.html. Accessed 10 Jan 2020.

[41] Porio E. Climate change vulnerability and adaptation in Metro Manila. Asian Journal of Social Science, 2019

[42] PRA (Philippine Reclamation Authority). 2016. Corporate Social Responsibility Statement. 2016. http://www.pea.gov.ph/corporate-profile/citizens-charter. Accessed 25 Jun 2020.

[43] PRA (Philippine Reclamation Authority). 2018. Procurement of consultancy services for the preparation of Feasibility Study (FS), Environmental Impact Study (EIS) and Terms of Reference (TOR) for the procurement of consultancy services for the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) of the Proposed Forty (40) hectare BASECO reclamation project. http://www.pea.gov.ph/images/pra_images/pdf/bidding/PBCONS-18-001-BASECO-Eligibility-Documents-Reposted.pdf. Accessed 25 Jun 2020.

[44] PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority). 2016. 2015 census of population report No. 1—A National Capital Region (NCR) population by province, city, municipality, and Barangay. https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/13_NCR.pdf. Accessed 14 Mar 2020.

[45] Rodolfo, K.S. 2013. Why reclamation nearshore Manila Bay is a very bad idea. The Philippine Star, 13 October 2013. https://www.philstar.com/business/science-and-environment/2013/10/03/1240670/why-reclamation-nearshore-manila-bay-very-bad-idea. Accessed 9 Feb 2020.

[46] Rodolfo KS. On the geological hazards that threaten existing and proposed reclamations of Manila Bay. Philippine Science Letters, 2014, 7(1): 228-240.

[47] Roxas, P.A.V. 2019. PRA defends 22 Manila Bay reclamation projects. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, 2 February 2019. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1084165/pra-defends-22-manila-bay-reclamation-projects. Accessed 20 Jun 2020.

[48] Singson, R.L. 2013. Metro Manila Integrated Flood Risk Management Plan. Manila, Philippines: Department of Public Works and Highways, Republic of the Philippines. https://www.gfdrr.org/sites/gfdrr/files/(SESSIO_3)_Sec._Singson_(Philippines)_052413_DPWH_FLOOD_RISK_MANAGEMENT_(SECRETARY).pdf. Accessed 9 Jun 2020.

[49] Siriwardane-de Zoysa R. Beyond the wall: Dyking as an object of everyday governance in the Bay of Manila. Philippines. Marine Policy, 2020

[50] Solidum Jr., R.U. 2019. Earthquake scenarios for greater Metro Manila area. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58ec1df1d1758e3915cb1470/t/5cca8e96e6a9f30001b52809/1556778685230/Solidum_Earthquake+Scenarios+for+GMMA.pdf. Accessed 18 Jan 2020.

[51] Steinberg, F. 2011. Revitalization of historic inner-city areas in Asia: Urban renewal potentials in Jakarta, Hanoi and Manila. In Proceedings of the 17th ICOMOS General Assembly and Scientific Symposium ‘Heritage, Driver of Development’, 27 November–2 December 2011, Paris, France, 836–848.

[52] Takagi H, Esteban M, Tam TT. Thao ND, Takagi H, Esteban M. Coastal vulnerabilities in a fast-growing Vietnamese City. Coastal disasters and climate change in Vietnam, 2014, Amsterdam: Elsevier 157-171

[53] Takagi H, Fujii D, Esteban M, Yi X. Effectiveness and limitation of coastal dykes in Jakarta: The need for prioritizing actions against land subsidence. Sustainability, 2017, 9(4): 619

[54] UN-DESA (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division). 2019. World urbanization prospects: The 2018 revision (ST/ESA/SER.A/420). New York: United Nations. https://population.un.org/wup/Publications/Files/WUP2018-Report.pdf. Accessed 29 Dec 2019.

[55] UN-Habitat and UNESCAP (United Nations Human Settlements Programme and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) The State of Asian and Pacific Cities 2015, Urban transformations shifting from quantity to quality, 2015, Nairobi, Kenya: UN-Habitat and UNESCAP

[56] Valenzuela VPB, Esteban M, Takagi H, Thao ND, Onuki M. Disaster awareness in three low risk coastal communities in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 2020, 46: 101508

[57] Wisner B, Blaikie P, Cannon T, Davis I. At risk: Natural hazards, people’s vulnerability and disasters, 2004 2 London, UK: Routledge

[58] Wolf MA. Strategies for making sea-level rise adaptation tools takings-proof. Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law, 2013, 28(2): 157-196.