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CONCEPT PAPER
SUBMITTED BY:
ENCINA, EDMHEL WENDY M.
SAGUN, ERIKA NICOLE F.
TRIMOR, ALTHEA MAE P.
BSCE-1A
SUBMITTED TO:
MR. FEVVIE VON ASISTIO
MAY 2025
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COLUMBAN COLLEGE INC.
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From Ashes to Recovery: The Impact of Mount Pinatubo 1991 Eruption to Olongapo
Urban Landscape
TITLE
I. Introduction
The Mount Pinatubo eruption of 1991 stands as one of the most destructive volcanic
catastrophes in the 20th century, particularly among Olongapo City and the neighboring
provinces of Central Luzon. It brought about destruction for several years in the forms of
pyroclastic flow, lahars, and ashfalls. As Olongapo's pivotal event, it disrupted lives and
destroyed buildings in addition to testing the people's fortitude. Just at this time, the U.S.
Naval Base on Subic Bay was closed. The reconstruction of Olongapo serves as a
significant example of disaster recovery in urbanized architectural and engineering
infrastructure resilience. Studying Olongapo's recovery is essential for us to understand
the importance of implementing disaster-resilient engineering and architectural strategies
when it comes to urban reconstruction.
II. Statement of the Problem
The calamitous eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, marked as one of the largest
volcanic eruptions in recorded history across Central Luzon, particularly impacting rural and
urban areas infrastructures. On the other hand, the lengthy negotiations between the U.S. and
Philippine governments on the cost and terms of leasing for the extension of the military
bases at Subic and Clark from 1988 to 1992 eventually culminated in disputes that led to the
closure of the facilities. The eruption itself resulted in severe infrastructure damage in
Olongapo City due to the heavy ashfalls that were released, roofs began to collapse and lahar
(fast-moving volcanic mud, ash, and debris that is mixed with water) flows destroyed roads
and bridges. Also, the closure of the U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay made the recovery more
complicated since it led to economic challenges because of the loss of employment and
financial support. Both these pressures led to creative engineering and planning alternatives
for the reconstruction of an Olongapo that was truly livable and resilient. This study sets out
to explore these key questions:
• In what ways did the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo change the demographic and social
landscape of Central Luzon?
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• How did the eruption of Mount Pinatubo directly affect the urban infrastructure of
Olongapo City?
• How did the city manage reconstruction under the twofold challenges of natural
disaster and withdrawal of the U.S. military?
• What reconstruction strategies were employed in Olongapo, and how effective were
they?
III. Objectives of the Study
To assess the impact of the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption on Olongapo City both
physically and in terms of socio-economics.
To explore alterations to city planning and development practices that emerged
after the eruption, particularly pertaining to disaster risk management, land use,
and environmental dimensions.
To assess the efficiency and effectiveness of recovery strategies used during the
eruption phase, with particular attention to the retrofitting, repair, rebuilding, etc.
of infrastructure.
To evaluate the long-term impact of disaster-resilient infrastructure in Olongapo.
To explore local and national government policies that influenced recovery. • To
derive lessons for disaster-resilient urban development.
IV. Significance of Study
The study is significant in showing how Olongapo has taken a disaster and turned it
into an opportunity for innovation on the fronts of infrastructure and urban planning. The
necessity of urban planning reform that positions itself on disaster risk management
planning. With natural disasters growing in frequency and intensity as the climate
changes, the thought processes and lessons derived from this study could be useful for
policymakers to help build resilience among communities and to improve infrastructure
for a future hazard. Examining the city's engineering and architectural responses to the
problems, we can gain insights when it comes to effective urban disaster recovery
strategies.
The findings of this study will be particularly relevant to civil engineering and
architecture professionals, emphasizing the importance of resilient infrastructure in
disaster-prone areas. More interesting is the fact that understanding how Olongapo
addressed massive reconstruction—while adapting to the loss of the U.S. military base—
may provide insights into how cities can recover from disasters and achieve increased
self-reliance. Thus, lessons here have implications for addressing other vulnerable areas
in the Philippines and worldwide.
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V. Review of Related Literature
According to the report made by Mercado et al. (1996), the eruption caused
intensive damage to the surrounding regions, with the economic loss estimated at 10.1
billion pesos in 1991 alone. Estimated damage to public infrastructure amounted to 3.8
billion pesos, mostly destroyed were the irrigation and flood control systems, roads and
bridges, as well as school buildings. Agricultural land was seriously affected by ash fall.
Damage to crops, livestock, and fisheries was about 1.4 billion pesos. But then, the
eruption was not the end of the devastation as the Lahars continued to threaten lives and
property in many towns in the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga, and Zambales. In
Zambales alone, more than 96 barangays were affected, and educational, infrastructural,
and economic losses running into millions of pesos were suffered by Olongapo. (de
Guzman, 2003) Lahars continued flowing through the major rivers of Santo Tomas and
Bucao systems, as mentioned by Kelvin Rodolfo and co-authors in 1996.
The flowing forms reshaped landscapes, inundated communities, and lent their
access to roads. This fact points out the big cue of lahar mitigation in long-term
development efforts in Zambales. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (2005), from
June 7 to 12, the first magma reached the surface of Mount Pinatubo. Because it had lost
most of the gas contained in it on the way to the surface (like a bottle of soda pop gone
flat), the magma oozed out to form a lava dome but did not cause an explosive eruption.
However, on June 12 (Philippine Independence Day), millions of cubic yards of gas-
charged magma reached the surface and exploded in the reawakening volcano's first
spectacular eruption. According to the study “Back Analysis of the Institutional and
Social Responses to the Eruption and Lahars of Mount Pinatubo Volcano from 1991 to
1998” (1991), the PHIVOLCS and USGS had already predicted the eruption and enabled
prompt evacuations and saved many lives.
However, the resettlement efforts that were made faced a lot of issues including
poor infrastructure, limited livelihood options and even cultural mismatches most
importantly to the communities like the Aetas. Engineering solutions such as dikes and
dams were introduced to control the lahar flows but some of them failed due to the flaws
of the design and lack of maintenance. The study suggests that future recovery efforts
should focus on accurate predictions, better infrastructure, and considering the
community’s needs to ensure lasting recovery.
VI. Proposed Methodology
By analyzing the study, historical analysis is suitable for the 1991 eruption of Mount
Pinatubo because it supports an understanding of the past event, decisions made, and
consequences over time. This historical case study method is going to be employed, using
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archival research from government documents, scientific reports, and academic journals.
Moreover, the eruption from a historical context allows one to recognize contextual
dimensions, responses, and the event's long-term outcomes using social, cultural,
economic, and environmental dimensions. Major strategies include: analysis of content
on damage and reconstruction records, comparative evaluation of pre- and post-disaster
infrastructure layouts, and review of engineering interventions and urban planning efforts
in Olongapo. Combining historical analysis with interviews to study the eruption of
Mount Pinatubo and its impacts on Olongapo City can be a very worthwhile
methodological approach.
VII. Expected Outcome
By combining the insights that the researchers gain in the study for a perspective of
the variety effects on Olongapo City from the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo,
capturing both short and longer-term implications for the community, environment and
socio-economic impacts. It is expected to show that infrastructure planning is crucial for
resilient urban development when complemented by disaster risk reduction principles.
Researchers hope to relate suitable observations of resiliency and adaptation in response
to disaster. In the end, researchers hope to draw conclusions pertaining to the usefulness
of local and national responses, and their relationship to community cohesion and
recovery, whilst drawing lessons for improving disaster preparedness. This research
intends to add to a growing understanding of how communities may better adapt to
natural disasters, and to promote more resilient systems for similar disasters in the future.
REFERENCE
- Engineering Structure: Framework for modelling post-earthquake functional recovery
of buildings. (2021, November 1). Science Direct.
[Link]
- Leone, F., Gaillard, JC. Analysis of the institutional and social responses to the
eruption and the lahars of Mount Pinatubo volcano from 1991 to 1998 (Central
Luzon, Philippines). GeoJournal 49, 223–238 (1999).
[Link]
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READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
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- Mercado, R. A., Lacsamana, J. B. T., & Pineda, G. L. (1996). Socioeconomic impacts
of the Mount Pinatubo eruption. U.S. Geological Survey.
[Link]
- Pinatubo eruption. U.S. Geological Survey. [Link]
- Total Disaster Risk Management: Concept and Best Practices. (n.d.). Emmanuel M.
de Guzman. [Link]
