PROJECT RISE: ASSESSMENT OF DIPOLOG CITY’S FLOOD

RISK AND RESILIENCE MEASURES

A Project Study Presented to

The Faculty of School of Engineering of
Andres Bonifacio College

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering – Construction Engineering and Management

Ardines, Alqueen
Cabasag, Rowen
Guzman, Laiza
Rapada, Noriel
Sereňo, Rigyn
Sumbilon, Justin Clark

September, 2024
 CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Rationale

Dipolog City, situated along the coastal areas of Zamboanga del Norte in the

Philippines, contends with the pronounced coastal hazards of flooding and typhoons—a

predicament shared by coastal communities in the region due to its adjacency to the Sulu

Sea. A study by Williams and colleagues sheds light on the flood risk and adaptation

strategies in flood-prone coastal areas of the Philippines. [1] The research highlights the

widespread vulnerability of these regions to coastal flooding, driven by factors such as

sea-level rise and severe weather events, comprehending its geographical context within

this framework is paramount. [2] It accentuates the collective challenges posed by

climate-related risks in the coastal areas of Zamboanga del Norte, underscoring the

imperativeness of regional collaboration and robust policy frameworks to address these

issues. This underscores the significance of proactive measures, sustainable development,

and community resilience endeavors in ameliorating the recurrent impact of these hazards

on Dipolog City and the surrounding coastal regions. [3]

Furthermore, recent news reports have documented a severe flooding incident in

Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines, transpiring in January 2023. This incident assumes

utmost importance as it vividly illuminates the local climate and meteorological patterns

in the region, particularly the repercussions of heavy precipitation and the manifestation

of natural calamities, including typhoons. In this scenario, incessant heavy rainfall from

January 10 onwards precipitated widespread flooding, resulting in casualties and

necessitating the evacuation of thousands of residents. This event underscores the

region's susceptibility to substantial rainfall, particularly during specific meteorological

phenomena such as Low Pressure Areas (LPAs) and the Northeast Monsoon. The

detailed depiction of the flood's impact on the affected populace, infrastructure, and daily

life poignantly elucidates the real-world implications of local climate and meteorological

patterns. [4], [5]

Moreover, Hemmati, Ellingwood, and Mahmoud's study underscores the salience

of the flood risk predicament confronting urban communities. This salience emerges from

the intricate interplay between climate change and socioeconomic development. [6]

While climate change has garnered significant attention concerning the escalating flood

risk, the study underscores that socioeconomic development, encompassing economic

expansion and population growth in flood-prone locales, constitutes a substantial

contributor deserving equitable consideration. [7] The repercussions of flood risk

encompass multifaceted impacts on public safety, property, and the environment.

Consequently, grasping and adroitly managing the consequences of urban growth on

flood risk becomes an imperative undertaking. [8]

However, the research gap in this study is the need for a comprehensive

investigation into the vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies specific to Dipolog City in

the Philippines, which faces recurrent flooding and typhoon-related risks due to its

coastal location. While there is existing research on flood risk management, coastal

hazards, and 3D flood modeling, there is a scarcity of studies that focus on this particular

city's unique challenges and the development of tailored flood resilience strategies.

Additionally, there is a research gap in understanding the local perceptions and socio-
economic vulnerabilities related to flood risks in Dipolog City, which is essential for

effective risk reduction policies. This study aims to bridge these gaps by conducting a

thorough assessment of Dipolog City's flood risk and resilience measures while

integrating 3D flood modeling to enhance floodplain mapping in a location-specific

context.

This study endeavors to address a salient research gap by conducting a

comprehensive inquiry into the vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies pertinent to

Dipolog City—an exposed coastal area in Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines, susceptible

to recurring flooding and typhoons. It concurrently probes recent flood incidents to

discern their correlation with local climate and meteorological patterns, accentuating the

symbiotic relationship between climate change, socioeconomic development, and flood

risk. The primary objective is to proffer proactive measures and community resilience

initiatives that efficaciously mitigate the recurrent impact of coastal hazards on Dipolog

City and its neighboring regions. This research contribution offers pivotal insights for

policymakers and stakeholders, facilitating the enhancement of disaster preparedness and

sustainable development within coastal communities confronting climate-related

exigencies.
1.2 Conceptual Framework

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

3D Floodplain
Flood Risk Data Collection Mapping
Assessment and Analysis Recommendations

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework of the Study

This study primarily focuses on conducting a comprehensive Flood Risk

Assessment of Dipolog City, Philippines. It entails the collection and evaluation of data

concerning the city's susceptibility to flooding, encompassing historical flood

occurrences, geographical features, and current climatic conditions. The central

component of this study is the Data Collection and Analysis phase, which involves

surveys, interviews, and a thorough examination of available data sources to gain insights

into Dipolog City's flood risk. The culmination of these efforts yields a set of 3D

Floodplain Mapping Recommendations derived from a meticulous data analysis process.

These recommendations play a pivotal role in enhancing flood risk management

strategies and planning for potential flooding events in Dipolog City. This
straightforward framework delineates the study's essential stages, from evaluating flood

risk to formulating practical 3D floodplain mapping recommendations.

1.3 Problem Statement

This study aims to proffer proactive measures and community resilience

initiatives that efficaciously mitigate the recurrent impact of coastal hazards on Dipolog

City and its neighboring regions. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following:

1. How can Dipolog City be empowered to overcome its recurrent flooding

challenges, ultimately fostering resilience within the community and enhancing its

ability to withstand and recover from flood-related adversities?

2. What is the systematic approach involved in conducting a comprehensive flood

risk assessment in Dipolog City, utilizing the acronym "RISE" (Resilience, Risk

Assessment, Integration, Sustainable Solutions, and Empowerment) as a guiding

framework, and what are the key findings of this assessment?

3. How can various strategies and elements, including data analysis, community

engagement, and the formulation of effective flood mitigation measures, be

effectively integrated to develop a comprehensive flood risk management plan

tailored to the specific needs of Dipolog City?

4. How can a 3D Flood Risk Model be effectively utilized to propose comprehensive

floodplain mapping recommendations based on the findings and outcomes of the

flood risk assessment report in Dipolog City, with the aim of enhancing flood risk

management and community resilience within the city?

1.4 Significance of the Study

This study may contribute to the following beneficiaries:

Citizens of Dipolog City. The citizens of Dipolog City are direct beneficiaries of

this thesis as it aims to empower the city to enhance its resilience against recurrent

flooding and related adversities. The study's findings and recommendations may

contribute to improved flood risk management, reduced vulnerability to floods, and

enhanced overall public safety. Ultimately, the citizens may benefit from a more secure

and resilient living environment.

Local Government Unit (LGU). The LGU of Dipolog City plays a pivotal role

in disaster management and urban development. This study provides valuable insights

and a comprehensive flood risk management plan that the LGU can utilize to make

informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and implement proactive measures to

mitigate flood risks. The research may assist the LGU in fulfilling its responsibilities to

protect the welfare of its constituents and ensure sustainable urban development.

The Civil Engineering Department at Dipolog City. They may benefit by

offering practical insights into engineering principles and flood risk management. It can

be used as a real-world case study for students to understand flood risk assessment

complexities and enhance the curriculum with research-oriented learning.

Civil engineering students. They may gain exposure to comprehensive flood risk

assessment, practical aspects, and mitigation measures, inspiring future research in water

resources engineering and disaster resilience.

 The researchers. They may gain experience and expertise, contributing to their

academic and research portfolio.

Future researchers. These people in flood risk assessment and management,

especially in coastal areas, may build upon this study's foundation, fostering continuous

improvements in flood resilience and risk reduction strategies.

1.5 Scope and Limitations of the Study

This research centers on Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines, as a

case study to examine flood risk and resilience strategies. It employs a mixed-methods

research design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. A stratified random

sampling technique is utilized to ensure representation across various geographical zones

within the city, recognizing potential variations in flood risk. In this stratification,

households are systematically sampled to gather quantitative data through surveys.

Qualitative insights are derived from focus group discussions with community members

and in-depth interviews with key informants. This comprehensive approach enhances the

study's validity by triangulating results. However, limitations may arise due to data

availability constraints and resource limitations, potentially impacting the depth and

breadth of the study. The temporal scope concludes with the research, and

interdisciplinary collaboration may present challenges. Nevertheless, this study strives to

offer valuable insights into flood risk management and community resilience, particularly

in coastal areas with similar challenges.

1.6 Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined operationally to better understand this study:

Community Engagement. Community engagement involves actively involving

the residents of Dipolog City, local stakeholders, and relevant authorities in the process

of flood risk assessment and management. It includes conducting community meetings,

workshops, surveys, and consultations to gather input, share information, and

collaboratively develop flood resilience strategies.

Community Resilience. In this study, community resilience means how well the

community can prepare for, respond to, recover from, and adapt to floods. It involves

keeping people safe, protecting property and essential services, and making a quick and

lasting recovery.

Comprehensive Flood Risk Assessment. A comprehensive flood risk assessment in

this study means thoroughly looking at many things that contribute to flood risk, like past

data, rain patterns, land features, how vulnerable buildings and infrastructure are, and

what the community is like. It uses data analysis to understand how likely and how bad

floods can be in Dipolog City.

Flood Mitigation Measures. Flood mitigation measures are actions and plans to

make flooding less harmful. These can be things like building barriers or improving

drainage systems, but also things like warning systems, planning where to build, and

teaching the community about floods.

 Floodplain Mapping. Floodplain mapping means making detailed maps that show

which parts of Dipolog City can get flooded. It helps identify places at risk, show how

bad floods can be, and is useful for planning.

Flood-related Adversities. Flood-related adversities are all the problems and bad

things that happen when floods come, like damage to property, broken infrastructure,

people being forced to leave their homes, losing essential services, and anything else that

goes wrong because of floods.

RISE. RISE is a way to think about how to deal with floods in this study. It stands for

Resilience (getting better at dealing with floods), Risk Assessment (figuring out how bad

floods can be), Integration (mixing data, community ideas, and plans together),

Sustainable Solutions (finding ways to keep the solutions working for a long time), and

Empowerment (getting the community and others involved in flood decisions).

Systematic Approach. The systematic approach in this study involves a structured

and organized methodology for conducting a comprehensive flood risk assessment in

Dipolog City. It encompasses a well-defined sequence of data collection, analysis, and

decision-making processes that are logically interconnected and guided by the acronym

"RISE" (Resilience, Risk Assessment, Integration, Sustainable Solutions, and

Empowerment).
 REFERENCES

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