CHAPTER I

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Flooding is considered to be one of the most common and most destructive natural hazards.

It is a natural occurrence where a large quantity of water overflows into an area which is normally

dry. It can cause excessive damage to property, loss of livestock, destruction of crops and even

loss of human life. Floods are triggered by heavy rainfall, tropical storms, and dam break.

Floods usually occur during rainy season where there are numerous amounts of rainfall.

As relative sea level increases due to climate change, it no longer takes a strong typhoon to cause

flooding. Flooding now occurs with high tides in different areas due to climate-related sea level

rise, land subsidence, and the loss of natural barriers. One of the ways people do to minimize

flooding is through directing water into an outlet, hence, the drainage system.

A drainage system is a system of natural and artificial channel which is designed so that

the water flows away quickly and is disposed of in a surface watercourse. It is important to have

an efficient drainage system in order to allow water to flow away from the ground as soon as

possible in order to prevent flooding.

Subdivisions adapt the drainage system with the end goal to manage the flow of water

inside or around property and pass on water to an appropriate outlet. The drainage system of the

subdivision shall abide to the natural drainage pattern of the subdivision site and shall drain into
appropriate water bodies or public drainage system. Not following the standards for establishing

an effective drainage system may result for different problems to arise.

According to “The United Nations University’s Institute for Environment and Human

Security”, Philippines ranks third on the 2017 World Risk Report, which indicates "the risk of

disaster in consequence of extreme natural events" in 171 countries around the world. The World

Risk Index (WRI) measure each country’s exposure or risk of being struck by natural disasters like

hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding, drought, and rising sea levels.

On August 2018, Water Level in Ipo and Bustos Dams in Bulacan has reached spilling

level, prompting authorities to open gates. Over the weekend, the water level at Ipo Dam reached

101.13 meters, higher by .13 meter than its spilling level of 101 meters while the water level at

Bustos Dam hit 17.52 meters, a .02-meter more than its spilling level of 17.50 meters. The Bulacan

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said Ipo Dam opened its

radial gate 1 while Bustos Dam opened 1 and 2 sluice gates on Saturday. As of Monday morning

(August 13), the radial gate of Bustos Dam was fully opened and already released over 1,500 cms

of water, according to the PDRRMO. Villages in the towns of Hagonoy and Bulakan were the

most affected of the release and again submerged with waters due to the overflowing of rivers. The

PDRRMO said at least 31 villages in Bulacan were inundated by the monsoon rains that prompted

the provincial government to place rescue teams on alert in flooded areas particularly in Calumpit,

Marilao, and Meycauayan. (UNTV News and Rescue, 2018).

Different towns in Bulacan experience high-tide flooding which has been worsening

through the years. Even those who live in subdivisions particularly those who are residing at Desta

Homes in Malolos, Bulacan also experience high tide flooding. Desta Homes subdivision was not

spared by flooding caused by imminent rain and high tide. It is experiencing floods not only during
the rainy season but also on a sunny day because of the high tide which affects the daily life of the

subdivision’s residents.

Desta Homes Subdivision lies near the Atlag River. Once the river is rising or in high tide

season, the subdivision experience flood. There is an existing drainage system constructed around

the subdivision which is designed to drain excess rain and ground water from impervious surfaces

but, the drainage system is incapable of holding much water which causes flooding around the

subdivision.

The purpose of this study is to assess the current condition and propose a flood mitigation

plan that is suitable in Desta Homes Subdivision. The researchers aim that this study will come-

up with long-lasting solution that will alleviate the current state of the subdivision.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The main problem of the study is flooding at Desta Homes Subdivision. It aims to answer

the following queries as a possible aid to solve the problem:

 Will the proposed structural and non-structural measures ease the flooding?

 Will it be able to hold future rainfall events?

 Aside from the proposed measures, what other ways could help to mitigate the flooding?

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The general goal of the study is to ease flooding in Desta Homes Subdivision.

Specifically, the research aims to:

  Assess the situation at Desta Homes Subdivision.

 Determine the flood control structures that are applicable for the subdivision.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of undertaking this study is to control or possibly to prevent flood occurrence

by effectively collecting and conveying excess rainfall and excess water from overflowing rivers

that runoffs to the land area. The residents of Desta Homes Subdivision will benefit on this study

to ensure their safety and health from floods that may contain bacteria’s and other pollutants that

can cause disease to the people and to prevent the risk of damaging and loss of their property.

Through this study, the researchers was benefit as they able to apply the knowledge, they

have learned through the past years of Civil Engineering degree. In this way, the researchers will

also be able to contribute to the current problem of the said subdivision and to ease inconvenience

the problem has brought.

1.5. SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

This study was focused in determining the structural measures for Desta Homes

Subdivision flood mitigation plan. It includes the recommended structural and non- structural

measures and the design, plan, and estimated cost of the proposed rehabilitation and improvement

of the existing drainage system .This study will be focused only in the vicinity of Desta Homes

Subdivision; hence it delimits the architectural design, plumbing connections to different

structures in the subdivision and the drainage system outside the Desta Homes Subdivision.