Sapa's Journey in 2012: Tail Dike Disaster

Background of the Barangay:

• Location: Santo Niño (Sapa) was a neighborhood in Santo Tomas, Pampanga on the
island of Luzon. It was situated at approximately 15.0040, 120.7072 (15° 0' North, 120°
42' East), on the island of Luzon. It is divided into four parts: the Quirino, Balut,
Magsaysay and Osmeña streets.

•Population: According to the latest census of the Philippine Statistics Authority, which
was last held in 2020. They were able to determine 4310 of the population in Sapa,
which represents 10.06% of the whole population of Sto.Tomas.

• Topography: The elevation at these coordinates is estimated at 8.3 meters or 27.2 feet
above mean sea level. A city, town, village, or other agglomeration of buildings are
evident in this place. There was also a river around Balut Street. The elevation of
Osmeña and Magsaysay Street is approximately 17ft, the Quirino and Balut streets are
14ft, while the elevation of the river is approximately 10 -12ft and 0.49 miles long.

•Culture: Sapa celebrates the Viva! Viva! Sto. Niño festival!

It was common practice to celebrate in Sapa during the
second week of January. During the parade, people dance
to the drumbeats and shout "Viva!" while presenting their
own Sto.Niño. People walk from Quirino, Balut, Magsaysay
and Osmeña streets until the festival is finished.

•Products: One of the proudest products of Barangay Sapa is their pottery work.
•Available Equipment/Tools

Backhole Truck

Patrol Rescue Van

*Currently, according to Capt. Bernardo "Itik" Silvestre, the equipment and tools
that are available in Sto.Niño (Sapa) are not enough. Most of the Hydrometeorological
equipment/tools are only available in the municipality.

•Existing hydrometeorological hazard prevention projects

1. Project of planting trees and plants.
The purpose of this project is to plant trees mostly in Balut Street. It is a place in
Sapa that is prone to flooding.
2.Canal unclogging
Capt. Bernardo "Itik" Silvestre said, "Yung ibang tao dito basta basta nalang
nagtatapon ng basura! na napupunta sa mga kanal natin." This problem is one of the
reasons for flooding here in Sapa, so the proposed solution to this is complete cleaning
of the canals as well as expanding them.

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2. Formation of Association such as "Balut Boys"
The Barangay encourages people to voluntarily join associations to improve the
situation of the Barangay Sapa. One good example of this are the Balut boys, who are
basketball players that help clean and build the community.

3. Regular cleaning of the river.

The purpose of regularly cleaning the river, is for the water to flow smoothly and avoid
flooding in other low-lying area.

Worst Hydrometeorological Hazard Experienced

August 7, 2012, at 1:00 pm, the whole community of Barangay Sto. Nino (Sapa)
Sto.Tomas Pampanga experienced their worst hydrometeorological hazard. Because
of the continuous heavy rainfall brought by the southwest monsoon "Habagat", which
was heavily strengthened by the tropical storm outside of the Philippines' responsibility,
the typhoon Haikui. Resulting for the 19-kilometer tail dike in San Fernando-Santo
Tomas-Minalin, breached in four portions triggering flash flood on the whole landmass
of Sapa
Because of the sudden flash flood, many people were affected. According to the
barangay's record, there were approximately 1500+ affected people among the 3,317
population on Sapa, including the people on Northville, which is a former street on
Sapa. The most vulnerable people that the authorities consider are those people who
haven't a second floor in their home.
For those people who don't have a second floor and the people who live on Balut
and Quirino streets, the LGU helps them evacuate to the Visitas Church, while others
are at San Matias Elementary School. Others stay in their house which has a second
floor. LGU and the barangay are visiting them regularly as well as giving them relief
goods and the reason that they do it is because of the lack of capacity of the evacuation
center to accommodate more people. In addition to minimizing the problem, which is the
water that flows out of the dike, the barangay helps the LGU produce some sandbag to
decelerate the leaking of the water on the tail dike.

Post-analysis

•What went wrong in the disaster preparedness and response?

Barangay and the authorities became too calm about the situation. Because of
this, they didn't get warned and ready for the situation. So they didn't properly monitor
the Tail Dike and they hesitated to release water from the dam. Resulting in the tail dike
to breached

•Issues involved in the post-analysis of the incident?

Unfortunately, the barangay Sapa on Sto.Tomas didn't have enough equipment,
tools and rescue personnel that could be used during the flashflood. According to Capt.
Itik Silvestre, there were equipment/tools and rescue personnel in the municipality of
Sto. Tomas. But it's not enough to distribute to 7 barangays.

•How was the rehabilitation process implemented

They encourage all citizens to help to clean up and restore the damage left by the
flashflood. The authorities also provided relief afterwards. The fund that they use is not
enough, so the rehabilitation process lasts long.

•Suggestions for prevention

1. Strict enforcement of "Tapat ko, Linis ko" in every household.

2. Organizing a Fundraiser to buy equipment/tools that can be used to reduce

hydrometeorological dangers.

3. Implement proper waste management such as the separation of non-biodegradable

and non-biodegradable things so that the waste disposal process can be done properly.

4. Elevation is needed, particularly on Balut and Quirino streets, which serve as the
catchment area for floodwaters from neighboring barangays and streets.

•Things to do before hydrometeorological hazard

1. If a typhoon or any hydrometeorological hazard occurs, barangays should designate

someone to keep an eye on the level of water in the river around Balut Street.
2. Know where to evacuate, you can evacuate to Visitas Church and San Vicente Event
Center.
3. Allocation of finances to ensure that there is enough money available for the
residents' relief supply distribution.
4. Sending individuals to visit each residence of the residents and inform them as to
whether they should make preparations prior to the typhoon's arrival or whether they
should make preparations to evacuate.
5. Early preparation of tools and equipment from the municipality.
6. Preparing an emergency kit. It should include clothes, flashlight batteries, and canned
goods.
7. Know the Barangay hotline; 09981711926 and 4023613

•Things to do during hydrometeorological hazard

1. Assisting people and helping them not to panic.

2. If at risk, use lightweight materials like plastic gallons or styrofoam to survive the
flood.
3. Move immediately to high-rise buildings or houses with a second floor.
4. Evacuate immediately.
5. Keeping an eye on the flood's water level.
6. Deactivate the electricity

•Things to do after hydrometeorological hazard

1. Stay updated on the news about the hazard.

2. Stay away from any electrical post.
3. Do not go outside unless it is an emergency.
4. Checking the residents if they are injured and missing.
6. If both the people and the government were incapable of handling the crisis. The
Barangay should declare a state of calamity.
7. The Barangay should distribute relief goods to affected residents.
8. The barangay should estimate how many of the residents are injured and missing.
9. Do not return to your home unless the authority gives permission.
Documentation