CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

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1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone areas of the world. The

displacement normally causes mental and physical stress to

44%-98% of disaster survivors experiences both during post-traumatic stress

caused by overcrowding in shelter areas

Disaster are large-scale events that are often unexpected and cause death,

trauma, and destruction of property. The researchers generally agree that

disasters share three key characteristics of large-scale traumatic events. First,

disaster threaten harm or death to a large group of people, regardless of the actual

extent of lives lost. Second, they affect social processes causing disruption of

services and social networks and communal loss of resources. Third, they involve

secondary consequences namely identifiable mental and physical health

outcomes among those affected. The researcher will focus on the potential mental

health consequences of disaster.

The concept of biophilia implies that humans hold a biological need for

connection with nature on physical, mental, and social levels and this connection

affect our personal well-being, productivity, and social relationships (Sheeps

Meadow, 2004)

Stress is a known cause of both mental health disorders and cardio-

vascular diseases. According to the World Health Organization, Mental Health

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disorders and Cardio-Vascular diseases are expected to be the two prime

contributing factors to illness worldwide by 2020.

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 1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.4 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

These are the objectives the study wants to achieve:

1.8 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

From the review of related literature and studies, a theoretical scheme for

the research problem has been formulated. The conceptual framework functions

as the main thrust of the study.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

PRIMARY DATA
Recent experiences PRIMARY DATA
of disaster-stricken
households. Gathered thru Architectural A Livable Refuge in a form of
Analysis Tools a Multi-Functional shelter
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using Biophilic design as a
concept

SECONDARY DATA
SECONDARY DATA
Biophilic Design
Standards

Fig. 1 Conceptual Framework

Hazards such as typhoons, earthquakes, and floods can turn into deadly

disasters if they occur in vulnerable areas inhabited by people, especially those

with few defenses (Tulloch, 2010).

The Philippines is especially prone to hydro meteorological events such as

typhoons and floods, which accounted for over 80% of the natural disasters in the

country during the last half-century. Typhoons, which occur on average about 20

times per year, are the most common natural hazard that Filipinos face. The annual

monsoon season causes severe flooding in many places though floods also occur

due to human activity such as deforestation and encroachment of low-lying areas

(Jha, Martinez, Quising, Ardaniel, and Wang, 2018).

According to DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (2010), Pangasinan

rank 3rd on provinces most susceptible to floods nationwide. The province,

although blooming in terms of economic growth is one of the most affected

provinces when it comes to natural disasters because of its topographical and

geographical setting.

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 In municipal level, the Municipality of Alcala is exposed to 7 natural hazards:

earthquake, (super) typhoon, Monsoons (Habagat), Drought, Landslide, Flooding

and Dam/Dike Breach. Typhoon and flooding are the most active hazards in the

municipality of Alcala (MDRRMO Report – 2019, September 5, 2019). This issue

can be address by putting up evacuation facilities to ensure the safety of the

affected people when there is a need for evacuation. Evacuation centers are

provided for public use in the event of disasters when affected people do not have

a place to go. Quebral, Salanguit, & Salvame (2013) says that unfortunately, the

country does not have a center built for the purpose of taking in people affected by

calamities. Affected families flock to schools and multi- purpose halls provided by

local barangay.

Although makeshift evacuation facilities in the form of schools and multi-

purpose halls are provided, they are poorly equipped to accommodate the victims

nonetheless they are not designed to function as an evacuation shelter. Jewell

(2001) argues that first and foremost a building should be operated to perform its

intended function to the best extent possible and having said that a school and

neither a barangay hall may not be adequate enough as an evacuation facility.

Establish an evacuation facility would be the ideal solution to address the

issue but a stand-alone evacuation facility could not be of value after and/or before

a disaster. That is why the researcher sees fit to incorporate a multi-functional

shelter in the municipality. The research study aims to solve the problems arising

from natural disasters while introducing another facility to work harmoniously with

an evacuation shelter.

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 According to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the municipality is

committed to effectively and efficiently deliver basic services through the

implementation of socioeconomic, environmental and disaster-resilient programs

and projects geared towards sustainable development.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In an analysis of natural disaster hotspot by the Hazard Management Unit

of the World Bank in 2005, the Philippines is among the countries where large

percentages of population reside in disaster prone areas. In the 2011 World Risk

Report published by United Nations University and the Institute of Environment

and Human Security, looking into the four components of risk (exposure,

susceptibility, coping, and adapt capacities), the Philippines is the third most

disaster risk country worldwide.

In the scale of municipal level, according to Contingency Plan for River

Flooding in Municipality of Alcala, the MDRRMC are need to prepare for the worst

case scenario that may occur that (River) Flooding will hits the Municipality. In this

case, (River) Flooding will hits as a result of overflowing of the Agno River which

breached portions of dikes in identified one or more barangays. The catastrophic

event caused massive flooding especially in barangays Anulid, Canarvacanan,

Caranglaan, Curareng, Gualsic, Kisikis, Laoac, Macayo, Pindangan Centro,

Pindangan East, Poblacion East, Poblacion—barangays that are nearest to the

river. The flooding will also cause widespread damages of houses, school

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buildings, power, water and communication utilities and lines. A total of 43,000

individuals/ 8,600 families will be affected. Death toll will reach 1000 with 2,000

injured and 3000 missing persons. 120 houses are projected to be totally damaged

while 500 will be partially damaged.

Ideally, this problem could be address the issue by putting up evacuation

facilities to ensure the safety of the people. Quebral, Salanguit, & Salvame (2013)

says that Evacuation is a complex process and careful planning can minimize risks

associated with it. Emergency evacuation centers are required aspects of any

recognized crisis operations plan. It serves as a temporary shelter for victims of

disasters. But evacuation shelters must be properly designed with consideration

to the circulation of users and stability of the structure itself.

In reality, makeshift evacuation facilities in the form of schools and multi-

purpose halls are only provided.

Therefore, several issues will arises such as overcrowding, health

problems, disease outbreak, sanitation issues, lack of water distribution, and other

factors that are necessities for daily survival if makeshift facilities is not designed

to function as a standard evacuation facility.

Establish an evacuation facility would be the ideal solution to address the

issue but a stand-alone evacuation facility could not be of value after and/or before

a disaster. That is why the researcher sees fit to incorporate a multi-functional

shelter in the municipality.

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1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.4 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

These are the objectives the study wants to achieve.

1.5 PREPOSITIONS OF THE STUDY

1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Biophilic Design – is an approach to architecture that seeks to connect

building occupants more closely to nature. Biophilic designed buildings
incorporate things like natural lighting and ventilation, natural landscape
features and other elements for creating a more productive and healthy built
environment for people (Kellert S., 2008).

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 1. Natural Disaster - events such as a flood, earthquake, hurricane, tsunamis
and other natural phenomena that causes exponential damage to
communities, livestock, livelihood and/or loss of life.

2. Multi-Functional Shelter - a facilities in the form for evacuation and assembly

shelter.

3. Refuge -

1.7 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

1.7.1 Disaster Response and Management: The Need for Better Evacuation

Facilities

Due to the priorities of the government locally and internationally to fund

several economic-boosting projects, there is not enough attention being brought

to disaster response and management.

Rahman and Shaw (2015) said that:

“It has been observed that developing cities generally spend only a small

fraction of their budgets on disaster preparedness. Such limited investment in rural

resilience can lead to massive damage after catastrophic events occur.

Experiences show that even a small investment in rural risk reduction is more

effective than picking up the pieces after a disaster.” Rahman & Shaw, (2015) also

argued that disastrous events have occurred in both developing and developed

nations, but developing nations are more vulnerable and experience such incidents

more intensely. The Philippines is a developing country that is very susceptible to

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natural disasters due to its geographical setting. According to Philippine

Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAG- ASA) there

is an average of 20 typhoons entering Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR)

annually. Casualties and damages are a heavy burden upon victims of these

natural phenomena, and after such devastation a safe and secure place must be

made available for the victims. Quebral, Salanguit, & Salvame (2013) says that

when an urgent situation arises evacuation shelters are needed, the general public

expects that officials have thoroughly planned how these shelters are

implemented.

Evacuation centers are provided for public use in the event of disasters

when affected people do not have a place to go. Quebral, Salanguit, & Salvame

(2013) says that unfortunately, the country does not have a center built for the

purpose of taking in people affected by calamities. Affected families flock to

schools and multi- purpose halls provided by local barangay.

Although makeshift evacuation facilities in the form of schools and multi-

purpose halls are provided, they are poorly equipped to accommodate the victims

nonetheless they are not designed to function as an evacuation facility. Several

issues arises such as overcrowding, health problems, disease outbreak, sanitation

issues, lack of water distribution, and other factors that are necessities for daily

survival. Jewell (1921) argues that first and foremost a building should be operated

to perform its intended function to the best extent possible and having said that a

school and neither a barangay hall may not be adequate enough as an evacuation

facility.

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1.7.2 Evacuation + Assembly Facilities: Harmony between Two Spacious

Facilities

The construction of public assembly facilities must first be defined and

carefully planned because all too often projects are launched on the basis of

personal desires, competition with other cities, community pride, political

pleasures, business influences and a score of similar reasons. Jewell (1921) states

that these buildings [pertaining to public assembly facilities] from such beginnings

will remain a tax burden on their cities for many years to come. An assembly facility

is an ideal accompaniment for an evacuation facility as both requires spacious

areas to accommodate hundreds of users. Both facilities shall work harmoniously

with each other because of the combination of the site’s needs and potentials.

Jewell (1921) emphasizes that:

“The goal, it would seem, would be a facility “tailor-made” for its community,

but at the same time recognizing the specific or peculiar needs of that building’s

users or lessees. From a functional standpoint the floor plan of the building must

reflect the affinity of certain activities for one another.

By combining both the need for a disaster ready facility and potential of a

multi-functional facility is a “tailor-made” design for the community.

1.7.3 AFTERMATH: From Temporary to Transitional

Solving the problem of natural disaster by providing an evacuation facility,

causes another problem itself. A stand-alone evacuation facility is only defined by

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the frequency of natural phenomena thus, the said structure although may be

permanently stable is not economically feasible.

According to Bappenas (2006):

“There is no such building designated or allocated only for vertical

evacuation center, because of the long term period of tsunami disaster [pertaining

to Meulaboh City, Indonesia – a tsunami-prone area] and efficiency in urban space

and cost. Evacuation Shelter Building (ESB) is defined by an additional function

assigned to the planned or existing buildings which already has a specific function.

Hence an ESB is a multi-function building. The existing function should be public

function or public service oriented function. The examples include: mosques,

school, convention centers and shopping centers. (p. 35)

The transition from a temporary use of an evacuation facility during and after

times of natural disasters into another use that would benefit the community and

as well as the site must be of vital consideration. Thus, the idea of a transitional

use or space should be recommended. Jewell (1921) emphasizes that

operationally, the relation of one function to another is equally important (p. 21)

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 One good example is the Baseco Evacuation Shelter, an evacuation

situated at Baseco Compound, Manila. It was constructed last 2010 by the order

of former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. In the year of 2014, the evacuation shelter

was used twice. As of now, Baseco Evacuation center remains as a community

hall for public usage such as trainings and small religious gatherings.

1.8 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Input Process Output

Need
1. Identify the design issues when it comes to Multi-Functional
Evacuation Facility planning multi-functional evacuation shelter.
Shelter
2. Define the support facilities that are needed to be
supported in the proposed multi-functional
evacuation shelter.

3. Analyze the specific aspects of spatial planning can

Potential
be applied for multi-functional evacuation shelter
Assembly Facility through respondent’s data and related literature.

The need and potential would lead to designing a multi-functional shelter, a

Figure 2: Conceptual Framework
structure would not only cater for the victims of cataclysm but would also be a
Diagram

platform for economic growth. The purpose of the study is to fill the knowledge gap

about derivation of spatial function for a Multi-Functional Shelter in Alcala,

Pangasinan.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jha, S., A. Martinez, P. Quising, Z. Ardaniel, and L. Wang. 2018. Natural

Disasters, Public Spending, and Creative Destruction: A Case Study of the
Philippines. ADBI Working Paper 817.Tokyo: Asian Development Bank Institute.
Available: https://www.adb.org/publications/natural-disasters-public-spending-
and-creative-destruction-philippines

Gärdenfors, P. (2004). Conceptual Spaces: The Geometry of Thought.

Cambridge: The MIT Press.

Harold C. Hansen, A. P. (2010). Mega Shelter Planning Guide. United States:

International Association of Venue Manager, Inc.

IFRC, Powerpoint Presentation - ‘Emergency Shelter in Natural Disasters’,

www.ifrc.org/PageFiles/95528/Shelter in Natural Disasters.pptx
IOM 2012, Transitional Shelter Guidelines,
https://www.iom.int/files/live/sites/iom/files/What-We-Do/docs/Transitional-
Shelter-Guidelines.pdf

Navaza, J. C. (2013). COMMUNITY SHELTER GUIDELINE. Mozambique:

Publifix.

ORALLO, A.-L. D. (2011). STUDY ON EARTHQUAKE RISK AND

VULNERABILITY MANAGEMENT and LESSONS LEARNED. Philippines:
ARDC VISITING RESEARCHER.

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Reddy, M. S. (2014). Managing Crowd at Events and Venues of Mass Gathering.

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UNISDR 2015 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction.
https://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/gar

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