The Philippines is one of the most hazard prone and vulnerable countries in the world to climate change effects due to its geographical location. Climate change is already happening and affecting many places causing huge problems to coastal ecosystems. Vulnerability and disaster assessment and mapping in coastal areas are essential tasks and undertakings for coastal disaster risk management. The objectives of this study were to assess the climate change vulnerability and disaster risks in the four municipalities (Sta. Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc and Palauig) of Zambales and to determine the climate change community-based adaptation (CBA) and ecosystem-based adaptation (EBA) strategies. Remote sensing, GIS, secondary data gathering and key informant interview were used to assess vulnerability and disaster risks and mapping in the four municipalities. Survey questionnaire, focus group discussion and key informant interview were utilized in gathering data for the determination of climate change adaptation strategies. Using remote sensing technology, it was revealed that coastline changes have occurred in the shorelines of the four coastal municipalities after a decade. Sea level rise happened in Sta. Cruz and Masinloc, Zambales while there was build-up of soil in the coastline of Candelaria and Palauig, Zambales. Twelve hazard maps, 12 vulnerability maps and 12 disaster risk maps were generated for the three major disasters (flood, landslide, storm surge) in the four coastal municipalities.
Abstract. The Philippines experiences an average of 20 cyclones per year which cause flooding in many parts of the country and Zambales is one of them. In August 2013, Typhoon Labuyo hit the province that affected most of its municipalities and placing the town of Masinloc under the state of calamity due to occurrence of flood. Likewise, in September 2018, Typhoon Ompong hit the province of Zambales and brought heavy rains and floods to the municipalities of Sta. Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, and Palauig. Hence, this study was conducted to generate flood hazard maps in the northern municipalities of Zambales: Sta. Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, and Palauig using Geographic Information System through raster calculator. Weights of the factors considered in generating flood hazard susceptibility map, namely, elevation, slope, soil type, land classification, and distance from the river, were drawn from ten (10) experts and undergone Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Field validation was also conducted to test the accuracy of maps generated. Flood hazard susceptibility was categorized into four (4) namely high, moderate, low, and no susceptibility. Results showed 15% of the total land area of Sta. Cruz, 12% of Candelaria, 15% of Masinloc, and 19% of Palauig had high susceptibility to flooding. Barangays situated in these areas should be given priority in flood adaptation and mitigating programs.
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