CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

I.

Background of the Study Global warming and climate change have been a bigger issue in the world for several years and one of its most certain outcomes is the water level rise. With a coastline of about 34,000 km, the Philippines take a serious view of the potential effects and possible responses to the continuing increase of water level. This phenomenon has physical effects, including inundation (submergence) of lands with low topography, erosion, risk of flooding and salt water intrusion. In turn, these physical changes may cause losses of coastal structures, both natural and man-made, and dislocation of the population and the change of the peoples livelihood. It can also cause consequences such as reduction in biological diversity, loss of wildlife and changes in biophysical properties of the coastal zones. To prevent these unwanted changes, it may be necessary to invoke some possible responses such as construction of seawalls and river dikes, relocation of coastal population or other options. But to have these preventions executable, relevant information on the locations of the possible affected areas are necessary. This could be a help for the Government to specify the essential location of the seawalls or river dikes to be constructed. It can also be an aid to determine the population that must be or may be relocated as early as possible. In Butuan City, the Local Government already have different integrations in making flood hazard maps that will be useful for them in locating possible danger zones. These maps were developed by their engineers for the recent years. The City Government takes a serious outlook on this phenomenon since the Citys history has already arousing records of flooding, taking into account the lands topography and connection to water bodies. Geographic Information System (GIS) has emerged as a new platform that may integrate digital maps, remote sensing, and a multitude of other types of geographic datasets that may be utilized by for analyzing, assessing, modeling and visualizing Earth processes such as depicting projected water level rise through maps and charts. This

could be an effective tool that may be utilized by scientists, researchers and educators for communicating the potential consequences of water level rise to the Government and the general public. This study could produce maps with a more comprehensive discussion of the flooding impacts to the City compared to the maps that the Butuan City Government is currently taking hold. These maps were derived using GIS applications through spatial and geometrical analysis which could give relevant information on the percentage of the area of whole Butuan when inundated by a particular water level rise. Specifically, it has also information for each barangay within the city. The determination of non-affected areas is possible in which these areas can be safe sites for relocation. This study also comprehends on the details of the damage that could possibly be brought to infrastructures in the city when flood occurs.

II.

Statement of the Problem/s a. What could possibly be the areas in Butuan City which may be inundated due to 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 meters water level rise? b. Are the barangays near the water bodies more vulnerable to flood due to water level rise? c. What percentage of the infrastructures in Metro Butuan that may be affected by flood due to 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 meters water level rise?

III.

Statement of Objective/s This study is conducted to assess and interpret the impacts of water level rise in Butuan City. Specifically, it aims to: a. To map the possible areas in Butuan City that may be inundated due to a 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 meters water level rise. b. To determine the percentage of each barangays area that can be affected due to a 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 meters water level rise. c. To determine the percentage of infrastructures in Metro Butuan that could possibly be affected due to inundation by a 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 meters water level rise.

IV.

Significance of the Study The study can give an assessment on the effects and impacts of water level rise in Butuan City. As to what Butuan City was suffering for several years, flooding due to water level rise must be taken into account, for it is surrounded by water bodies and with low topography. The authority must have relevant information on the possible effects of water level rise to the City to insure lesser casualties when the calamity arrives. With this studys result, the latter may use its tabular data and maps as an aid or a tool in the preparations for the procedures and actions that may be taken to cope with the calamity.

V.

Study Area The study will focus assessing the impacts of flood due to water level rise in Butuan City, Philippines only. This study will evaluate each barangays of the city that can be affected by 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 meters water level rise.