MORAL ON FLOOD MANAGEMENT

For overpopulated Metro-Manila, interacting factors have some influences in the moral fibers and practices of its leaders and people. Policies are violated, compromised, or modified driven by whims, coated as development, and by immediate needs of the powerful and the poor, respectively. Floodplains, watersheds and lakebeds are converted into residential or commercial use, riparian lands are titled, waterways are slowly encroached and unnoticeably diminished after many years, etc. These greatly affect the natural processes in the river upstream to downstream regime which lead to flood disaster.

Although there is an existing water code to guide in river management, some are unaware and ignore its existence. Bordering from negligence, complacency and ignorance, environmental clearances and permits are issued with inadequate scrutiny and foresight. Political and economic conditions drive the rural folks to venture in more peaceful and progressive urban areas, resulting to congestion. The poor find shelters in high susceptible areas.

However, human beings are endowed with sensitivity and values to act soberly even with little knowledge of the guidelines, policies, and law. On the contrary, needs and desires dominate the decision processes, which lower ones values due to competing demands or pressure. As disaster strikes, the reality of the unchecked and uncontrolled activities takes its toll. People die, properties are ruined, and economy decelerates affecting day to day well being and lifestyle. However, few are incriminated for failed accountability.

Realizations of the impact of disaster, the leaders want immediate solution; hence, they direct the subordinates to plan and act accordingly to pacify the grievances of the constituents for a while. However, great resources and time are needed to solve the accumulated burdens, which were once ignored. Initial emergency to long range solutions cannot be sustained.

Changing the moral values of the people to act responsibly entails reconfiguration of policies (revising, introducing and strict implementation of laws), education (formal and informal, technical enhancement), political (leading by example), and cultural systems. Although, this may require considerable time, radical change even in one aspect may bring breakthrough in flood management.

Lastly, there should be a change of heart. "And that includes ME!!!"

Importance of Trees In Flood Control

As the rain begins to fall from the sky, some particles are caught by the leaves for a time until the rain drops accumulate and trickles to the twigs, then branches, and further to the ground. The water enters the spaces of the soil and infiltrates beneath until it reaches the root system of the tree, where the root takes the necessary amount of water and hold the moist and wet soil.

Trees are canopies which delay the raindrops to reach the ground, and the roots and the soil they hold are small natural reservoirs for a definite time. Under normal condition,  trees can help delay fast runoff or prevent flash floods.

However, during  extreme and prolonged rainfall there are times when  the ground is saturated while the  roots could not hold the stability of  steep slopes leading to inevitable collapse. Land slides, debris flow, or mud flow  occurs carrying uprooted trees, boulders and sediments.

On the other hand, rain drops that accumulate on the leaves and  falls at bigger volume and energy may  dislodged bare soil particles on the ground. Hence, trees cannot prevent but induce soil erosion under bare ground condition.  However, leaves that fall on the ground and the undergrowth vegetation, -such as grass, herbs, bushes, etc. - could armor the ground from bigger drops from the trees.

"Habagat Flood," A Test of Plans

Again, Metro Manila experienced another extensive flood  from a spatially wider longer rainfall from Southwest monsoon. Intense rainfall started early evening of August 06, 2012 and fizzled down on August 08. As usual, same places were inundated  almost the same depth and extent as Ondoy. Only Ondoy has intense rainfall for six hours. Habagat, on the other hand,  has rainfall spread out for three days.

Ondoy caused the government to review the Master Plan for Metro Manila through funding from the World Bank . The Master Plan for Flood Management extended to Rizal, Laguna and some parts of Bulacan. The study is almost completed and ready for distribution.

Data from recent flood will help the concerned agencies to review the just completed  master plan  and check if the countermeasures are in place. The consultants are now checking the simulation of rainfall and runoff through modeling.

In experiment, we do a lot of trials to verify the findings and recommendations. It is the same thing with this. This is one good litmus test.

"All things work together for good, to them who love God"