SUNDAY’s formidable duo of strong winds and big waves brought by the southwest monsoon and tropical storm “Carina” intensified the spotlight on the importance of urban planning in safeguarding coastal communities. Distressing scenes from Barangay Boulevard in Molo, Iloilo City, where residents faced property damage and displacement, underscore a need to revisit and improve urban resilience strategies.
In coastal areas, this hinges on developing policies that anticipate and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters. For Iloilo City, this must not only focus on immediate relief but also long-term sustainability and safety. Building codes, zoning laws, and the strategic development of coastal infrastructure such as breakwaters or seawalls must be seriously considered.
In Barangay Boulevard, Sunday’s incident revealed vulnerabilities that could have been mitigated with more robust infrastructure and better-prepared community layouts. Building codes need stringent enforcement, ensuring that all structures within vulnerable zones are capable of withstanding severe weather events. This may include elevated housing, reinforced materials, and designs that consider the potential for high winds and water ingress.
Zoning laws has a key role in disaster risk reduction by preventing development in high-risk areas and ensuring that land use is compatible with safety and environmental sustainability. The local government could consider restrictions on certain types of development along the most vulnerable stretches of the coast and promote relocation or elevation for existing structures at risk.
The development of breakwaters or seawalls can provide a physical barrier against storm surges and high waves, as evidenced in other parts of the world with similar geographical challenges. Such infrastructure not only protects against immediate physical damage but also preserves the shoreline and prevents long-term erosion — issues that, left unaddressed, can exacerbate the vulnerability of coastal communities.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, along with other city departments and agencies, convened in the wake of Sunday’s destructive sea surge, illustrates the kind of cohesive action required in such emergencies. However, this reactive measure must be complemented by proactive urban planning. The integration of advanced warning systems, community education on emergency preparedness, and regular drills are equally crucial.
It is commendable that advisories and safety precautions were promptly issued, urging residents to secure their properties and prepare emergency kits. Such reflect a growing awareness and responsiveness from local authorities. Still, the path toward resilience requires embedding disaster risk reduction into urban planning and community development.
Only through a comprehensive, forward-thinking approach to urban planning can we ensure that coastal areas are not only habitable but resilient and safe for all residents.
