Capability and vulnerability to flood of the municipality of Milaor, Camarines Sur [Philippines]

Milaor's geographical location determines a significant weight on the social and economic structures of its neighboring the towns and city. It is characterized as flat to gently sloping with 0-3 percent slope. The area particularly the western barangays [villages] being situated in the low-lying portion of the Bicol River basin area and is 0.2 meter below sea level makes a large portion of the municipality susceptible to frequent flooding. Further, it has two types of soil texture, namely clay and clay loam, and is being traversed by the Bicol River and specifically passes along seven barangays. The study was conducted to look into the capability and vulnerability to flood of the Municipality of Milaor, Camarines Sur. Results of the study revealed that the elements at risks to flood of the Municipality of Milaor are its population - 26,452 (NSO 2007), lifelines (water system, power supply and communication facilities), social structures (educational institutions, parish church and the formation center), infrastructures (municipal offices, provincial and barangay bridges and concrete road) and sources of livelihood (farming and agri-related income-generating activities). Population most at risk during flood is 45.89% (12,138 persons or 2467 families) (MSWO 2008). The capability of the community is manifested through the resiliency of the households and by equipping themselves with 'salbabida', boats and life vests, strong family ties, existence of 13 formal education institutions and 5 evacuation centers. While the vulnerability is its geographical location (0.2 m below sea level), the high poverty level on the eastern part, and majority of the houses are single-storey and made of wood. The Municipality of Milaor focuses its efforts on preparedness in terms of response. It reinforces the community's capacity by providing trainings for Basic Life Support, Watermanship and other relevant disaster response trainings. The recommendations are: creation of the Milaor Disaster Management Office and Barangay Disaster Management Offices, capability building/enhancement, trainings/education of household members, advocacy and aggressive information dissemination, and mitigation and intervention strategies such as formulation of local policy and sanction on sanitary solid waste management, installation of creek floodgates, and relocation of perennial flood victims.