Department of Civil Engineering

De La Salle University Manila

CIV680M
Seminar on Disaster Risk Reduction and
Infrastructure Development

Assessment of Flood Disaster Preparedness of Muntinlupa City

Submitted by
:
Joanna Patricia B. Santelices

Submitted to:

Dr. Andres Oreta

 ASSESSMENT OF FLOOD DISASTER PREPAREDNESS OF MUNTINLUPA CITY

Joanna Patricia B. Santelices

Abstract - The city of Muntinlupa adheres to the mandate of Republic Act No. 10121,
also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, to establish
a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) in every province, city
and municipality. Flooding in Muntinlupa City is caused by monsoon rains and is further
worsened by high urbanization. Thus, the role of the DRRMO in reducing the risk on
flooding is critical. This paper aims to assess the flood disaster preparedness of the city
based on the four key areas of Leadership Structure, Guide to Action, Disaster
Preparedness, and Partnership, Volunteerism and Innovation. From the data gathered
from the municipal office of Muntinlupa and official local government channels, the
study shows that all of the three barangays have substantial leadership structure, but
needs improvement on the other areas.

KEYWORDS: DRR, BDRRMC, Flooding, Disaster Preparedness.

1. DISASTER RISK PROFILE OF MUNTINLUPA CITY

Muntinlupa, officially known as the City of Muntinlupa, is a 1 st class highly urbanized city located in
the southernmost part of the National Capital Region of the Philippines. It is bounded in the north by
Taguig, in the northwest by Parañaque, in the west by Las Piñas, in the southwest by the city of
Bacoor in Cavite, to the south by the City of San Pedro, Laguna, and in the east by Laguna de Bay,
the largest lake in the country. The city center of Muntinlupa is situated at 14° 24' 29.2788" North,
121° 2' 29.2812" east. The elevation at these coordinates is estimated at 16.1 meters above mean sea
level.

The City of Muntinlupa has a land area of 39.75 square kilometers and consists of 9 barangays,
namely Alabang, Ayala Alabang, Bayanan, Buli, Cupang, Poblacion, Putatan, Sucat, and Tunasan, as
shown in Figure 1. Its population as determined by the 2020 census was 543,445, which represents
4.03% of the total population of the National Capital Region at the time. Based on the figures, its
population density is 13,672 per square kilometer.

Figure 1. Map of the City of Muntinlupa.

1
Muntinlupa’s terrain is relatively flat to sloping towards the east along Laguna de Bay. Gentle rolling
hills occupy the western part of the city, with elevation increasing up to 60 meters and above towards
its southwest portion. While majority of the land area in the city is highly urbanized, the NBP
Reservation in barangay Poblacion, where the national insular penitentiary New Bilibid Prison is
located, remains relatively free of urbanization. Alabang, the business district of the city, is where the
tallest structures in the city are situated. Land reclamation is also done along Laguna de Bay for
further developments. During the dry season, the water level in the lake subsides, exposing the soil
that is then used for farming.

Dry season runs from November to April, while wet season runs from May to October. Maximum
rainfall in Muntinlupa usually occurs from June to September. The average annual of rainfall is
2,014.8 millimeters with a peak of 420.0 millimeters in July and a low of 26.9 millimeters in April.
The highest temperature occurs during the months of April and May at 34 degrees Celsius while the
lowest occurs during the months of January and February at 20 degrees Celsius, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Average temperatures and precipitation.

Despite Muntinlupa commonly being known as one of the least flood-prone areas in Metro Manila,
areas of the city directly facing Laguna de Bay are naturally prone to floods due to its direct proximity
to a large natural body of water, while other areas experience flooding in the occurrence of monsoon
rains. These floods are worsened by high urbanization. According the DOST-UP DREAM, there is a
1/5 or 20% probability of a flood with 5-year return period occurring in a single year. The Rainfall
Intesity Duration Frequency is 223.500 milimeters.

In 2012, Aie Balagtas See of The Philippine Star reported that at least 4,000 families or 16,000
individuals displaced by floods caused by monsoon rains remained in evacuation centers in
Muntinlupa City. The report noted that the evacuees came from the city’s eight out of nine barangays
near the Laguna Lake, namely Barangays Sucat, Buli, Cupang, Alabang, Bayanan, Putatan, Poblacion,
and Tunasan. Waist- to neck-deep flooding remained in the said areas. Among Muntinlupas’s nine
barangays or villages, only Ayala Alabang was spared from flooding.

In 2020, about 324 families consisting of 1,424 individuals from Cupang were displaced from their
homes due to the effects of Typhoon Ulysses, which included flooding. In August 2021, families were
evacuated due to flooding caused by severe tropical storm Jolina, as shown in Figure 3. According to
Erwin Alfonso, head of the MCDDRM, seven families composed of 21 individuals were evacuated
from the Watiwati area in Greenheights, Putatan. Flooding occurred as the river in the area
overflowed.

2
 Figure 3. Flooding in Putatan due to Typhoon Jolina.

Figure 4. MCDDRM Operations Center roving operation for flood monitoring.

Figure 5. Muntinlupa residents build makeshift bridges amid flooding.

3
 Figure 6. Muntinlupa residents traveling in boats to navigate flooded areas.

Figure 7. Knee-deep flooding in Tunasan due to Typhoon Ondoy.

Figure 4 shows a photo posted by the official MCDDRM Facebook page in 2021, showing areas
affected by floods due to heavy rainfall during their roving operations for flood monitoring. Figures 5
and 6 show a news report by ANC in 2019 regarding flooding in Muntinlupa. According to the report,
residents have taken it upon themselves to build makeshift bridges in order to traverse streets that
have been flooded waist-deep. Other residents have resorted to traveling through the flooded streets
via small boats. Figure 7 shows a still from a video from 2009 wherein the street in front of
Muntinlupa Science High School in Tunasan is experiencing knee-high flooding in the aftermath of
Typhoon Ondoy.

2. MUNTINLUPA CITY DRRMO

Republic Act No. 10121, also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act
of 2010, serves as the national framework upon which local governments can pattern their plans and
strategies. RA 10121 mandates the organization of a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office
(DRRMO) in every province, city and municipality, which shall be responsible for setting the
direction, development, implementation and coordination of disaster risk management programs
within their territorial jurisdiction. In adherence to the executive order implemented by the national
government, the City of Muntinlupa is focused and adamant on building more resilient communities.
Local ordinances have been and are being created for implementation in the city.

4
3. ASSESSMENT OF FLOOD DISASTER PREPARATION OF SELECTED BARANGAYS

This paper explores the roles and functions of the DRRMO of the City of Muntinlupa in disaster risk
reduction, with a focus on flood disaster. Specifically, the paper aims to assess the flood disaster
preparedness of the selected barangays using the following parameters:

1. Leadership Structure
2. Guide to Action
3. Disaster Preparedness
4. Partnership, Volunteerism and Innovation

4. FINDINGS OF THE STUDY

4.1 Leadership Structure

The city fully complies with the creation of the mandated DRMMO, in the form of the Muntinlupa
City Department of Disaster Resilience and Management (MCDDRM). Its mandate is that that the
MCDDRM “shall have the primary mission of administering a comprehensive local disaster resilience
and management program by providing leadership in the continuous development of strategic and
systematic approaches as well as measures to reduce vulnerabilities and risks to hazards and manage
the consequences of disasters”. Its mission is “to build City Disaster Resilience and Management and
Climate Change Adaptation capabilities in accordance with existing laws in order to protect the
people, environment, economy and ensure a disaster resilient Muntinlupa City,” and its vision is “to
become the premier City Department of Disaster Resilience and Management Organization.”

The MCDDRM is led by Department Head Mr. Erwin O. Alfonso, Ph.D. The department is comprised
of four divisions: administrative division, training division, research and planning division, and
operations and warning division. The administrative division is further divided into administrative
service section, financial management section, and information & media relations unit. The training
division is divided into disaster preparedness & awareness section, and emergency medical service
section. The operations and warning division, the biggest division among the four, is comprised of the
inter-agency sub-unit (PNP, BFP, MTMB and DDRM call-takers), I.T. section, hydromet section,
rescue and retrieval section, emergency medical service section, logistics section, and operations
center.
The organization structure of the MCDDRM is comprehensive, ensuring that all aspects and factors
that must be considered in disaster resilience and management are covered.

In 2022, the Muntinlupa City government received the highest “Beyond Compliant” award at the
22nd Gawad Kalasag Seal for Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils and Offices
(LDRRMCOs) organized by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
(NDRRMC) through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). Based on the guidelines, Beyond Compliant
LGUs are those that get an assessment rating of 2.5 to 3 while Fully Compliant LGUs are those that
receive a rating of 1.5 to 2.49. Getting a Beyond Compliant award meant that the City of Muntinlupa,
represented by MCDDRM, surpassed the standards for the establishment and functionality of
LDRRMCOs based on Republic Act No. 10121. The city government was proud of this achievement,
as it was its first year that the city was up for consideration for the said award.

4.2 Guide to Action

The LGU is highly aware of the flood-prone areas within its jurisdiction. In addition to flood hazard
maps, they are aware of population and families that are at risk during flooding including
marginalized individuals, and regularly post reminders relating to flood warnings on official social
media channels to keep the public informed. The city is also compliant with the budget allocation for
disaster preparedness.

5
 Announcement posted on City Government of Muntinlupa – OFFICIAL Facebook page.

4.3 Disaster Preparedness

The MCDDRM has designated emergency response teams that have undergone proper necessary
trainings, which include simulation exercises. The local disaster response department also installed
early warning system across the city to inform communities in a timely manner about typhoon signal
warnings, severe flooding, and earthquakes, among others, as shown in Figure 8. There are evacuation
plans in place and designated evacuation centers are prepared in the event of typhoons and subsequent
flooding, as shown in figure 9. The city is prepared with the necessary tools and equipment in the
event of rescue operations and evacuations, as shown in Figures 10 to 12. Live updates pertaining to
ongoing evacuations are posted on the official channels of the LGU to inform the public, as shown in
Figure 13.

Figure 8. Early Warning Public Address System.

6
Figure 9. Evacuation center at Sucat Elementary School.

Figure 10. MCDDRM ambulance.

Figure 11. A rescue boat of the MCDDRM.

Figure 12. Logistics room containing rescue equipment.

7
 Figure 13. Real-time evacuation updates posted by the LGU.

4.4 Partnership, Volunteerism and Innovation

In 2018, in celebration of the National Disaster Resilience Month, the local government of
Muntinlupa hosted an expo and demo of equipment for Disaster Risk Reduction Management
together with local BFP and other emergency response team partners. Selected vehicles and
equipment for extrication activities, search and rescue for collapsed structures, firefighting efforts, and
other operations were showcased in the event, as shown in Figure 13. These include a Rescue
Ambulance with Automated External Defibrillator, hydraulic cutters, drones, fiber boats, pneumatic
light masts, and tools for high and low angle rescues. Then-mayor Jaime Fresnedi noted that
Muntinlupa is equipped to respond and rescue residents in times of disasters and calamities. Other
exhibitors who participated in the expo include: BFP Muntinlupa, City Health Office – Health
Emergency Medical Services, Brgy. Ayala Alabang, Brgy. Bayanan, Brgy. Poblacion, Brgy. Putatan,
Brgy. Tunasan, KABALIKAT-CIVICOM, volunteers from Sampaloc, Manila, and the Philippine Red
Cross, and suppliers of search and rescue equipment. Muntinlupa City Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Office (MCDRRMO) also highlighted infomercials on disaster preparedness in the
duration of the expo. Preceding the event, MCDRRMO also partnered with the Philippine Heart
Association for the conduct of Simultaneous Mass Demo of Hands Only CPR with over 700
volunteers from local communities and the private sector.

Figure 13. The DRRM Equipment Expo at the Muntinlupa City Hall Quadrangle.

8
Recently, Muntinlupa City pioneered the screening of disaster ads at local cinema and theater houses
through City Ordinance 17-708. The Muntinlupa City Council partnered with cinema house operators
and owners of similar establishments to provide a free three to five minutes airtime of infomercials on
disaster risk reduction (DRR).

In 2021, the local government of Muntinlupa inaugurated its Mobile Learning Hub, the first
innovative roving ‘learning bus’ in Metro Manila to teach disaster resilience in order to improve
community resilience and level of disaster preparedness of city residents, as shown in Figure 14. The
learning bus is equipped with state-of-the-art Virtual Reality area where residents can wear VR
headsets to experience being in ‘close-to-actual’ scenarios of disasters including earthquakes,
flooding, storm surge, bomb explosion, chemical poisoning, volcanic eruption, tsunami, and landslide.
The VR facility aims to provide immersive, visual and sound-based experience of weather
disturbances and calamities and to train residents on disaster response. Muntinlupa City DDRM chief
Erwin Alfonso says the Mobile Learning Hub targets to mainstream disaster mitigation, adaptation,
and resiliency by bringing learning resources to communities and vulnerable sectors.

Figure 14. The MCDRRM Mobile Learning Hub.

The LGU also inspires volunteerism in different groups, such as the Muntinlupa Disaster Youth
Volunteer (MDYV), an organization composed of members from different youth sectors and
barangays in Muntinlupa, call for donations and conduct relief operations in time of need, as shown in
Figure 15. Another such group is the Muntinlupa Development Fund, a non-stock, non-profit
organization founded in 1986 by Muntinlupa residents, established to help uplift the social and
economic conditions of the Muntinlupa communities by generating and mobilizing resources,
developing linkages and alliances with various sectors and organizations with similar purposes, and
supporting and undertaking programs that promote self-reliance and economic empowerment, also
conduct relief operations in times of disaster, as shown in Figure 16.

Figure 15. MDYV Relief Operation.

9
 Figure 16. MDF relief operation at KKKT-HOA Inc. in Tunasan.

5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Flooding caused by typhoons and amplified by high urbanization is a problem in the City of
Muntinlupa. In the occurrence of flooding, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office
(DRRMO) is crucial because they are at the forefront. The DRRMO was created to pursuant to
Republic Act No. 101201, also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk reduction and Management Act
of 2010, where the DRRMO is responsible for setting direction, development, implementation and
coordination of disaster risk management program within their territorial jurisdiction.

This paper aims to assess the flood disaster preparedness of the City of Muntinlupa and the
Muntinlupa City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MCDRRMO) based on the
following criteria: 1. Leadership Structure, 2. Based on research conducted in this study, results show
that:

1. Leadership Structure: The city fully complies with the mandated creation of the DRRMO. Its
organizational structure is comprehensive, and the roles of each component are accomplished
satisfactorily.

2. Guide to Action: The city is aware of the hazards and which areas are prone to them.
Institutionalized planning and budgeting for disaster preparedness are clearly included in the annual
city budget.

3. Disaster Preparedness: Rescue teams are in place and have undergone proper trainings. Early
warning systems are in place and the public is kept informed regarding hazard preparedness and
announcements. The DRRMO is well-equipped to respond to affected areas in times of flooding.
Emergency hotlines are also regularly posted on social media. There are clear evacuation plans and
designated evacuation centers. Social media is used to raise awareness on incoming typhoons and
potential flooding.

4. Partnership, Volunteerism and Innovation: The DRRMO has numerous programs in partnership
with other government units, establishments and organizations working towards disaster awareness
and preparedness. The city is also coming up with innovative ways to educate the public in a highly
unique, engaging and memorable manner. The city’s efforts thus inspires the public to come forward
and help in times of need.

Based on these results, the researcher recommends further trickling down these broad and yet
effective practices down to the Barangay level if deemed necessary for even more comprehensive and
quick response in times of disaster.

10