Test on Mapping/ Prelim Exam | Abegail Laron

Figure 1. Map of the neighborhood centering on the Barangay Hall and covering 150 meters radius

Iglesia ni Kristo Lokal ng

Nagkaisang Nayon

Health Center
St. Mary Daycare Center
Our Lady of
Barangay Hall Christian Help
Sub Parish
Loka
Silanganan Resto Bar
Covered Tricycle
Court Station

Mater Fidelis School

150 m radius

Address: 167 Zone, 15 S.M. Bernardo Ave, Barangay 168, Caloocan, 1420 Metro Manila
Latitude and longitude: 14.733140461116117, 121.01632560059305

TABLE 1. MAPPING TABULATION

Nearest point or relative distance

Facility/ Amenities Length and/or Number
from place of residence (in meters)
Major Road 1 major road (Llano Road) within the 300 meters radius 300 meters
Minor Roads • S.M. Bernardo Avenue (approx. 780 m) • Less than 2 meters
• Mahogany Street • 50 meters
• Apitong Street • 17 meters
• Guijo Street • 57 meters
• Narra Street • 120 meters
• Tangili Street • 143 meters
River/ Creek 1 creek near by Barangay Hall Less than 10 meters
Houses Approx. 297 houses within the 150 m radius Approx. 30 meters
Commercial Building Loka Resto Bar 88 meters
Institutional Facilities • 1 Health Center • 64 meters
 Test on Mapping/ Prelim Exam | Abegail Laron

• 1 Silanganan Covered Court • 20 meters

Sari-sari store 7 sari-sari stores 25 meters to 120 meters
Jeep, bus, tricycle stations 1 tricycle station 94 meters
Church • Our Lady of Christian Help Sub Parish • 20 meters
• Iglesia ni Kristo Lokal ng Nagkaisang Nayon • 150 meters
Schools • St. Mary Daycare Center • 10 meters
• St. Peter Academy of Kalookan • 300 meters
• Mater Fidelis School • 167 meters
• Llano Elementary School • 300 meters

Figure 2. Map of the neighborhood centering on the Barangay Hall covering 150 meters to 300 meters radius

Barangay Hall

150 m radius St. Peter Academy

Llano Elementary of Kalookan
School

300 m radius
 Test on Mapping/ Prelim Exam | Abegail Laron

1. Identify some issues and concerns with respect to the areas within the 'public realm' on that map. Relate them to the
flooding which affects your community or neighborhood (if applicable), and/or to other natural and man-made calamity/urban
problems, i.e. traffic congestion, fire, etc.

Since there is a presence of creek surrounding the neighborhood, I have noticed that during rainy seasons, the water level of
the creek goes up, affecting the nearby residential houses in the area but did not cause flooding up to the Barangay Hall. Even though
there is already a wall to address that, still, the possibility of flood is inevitable and will most likely happen if there is a typhoon. Second,
there is trash being thrown on the creek which will contaminate the area and can be a hazard to the residences if not addressed
properly by the local government. This can be solved by providing maintenance and there is a proper waste management.

2. What are the public spaces or public structures in your neighborhood that were or will be greatly affected by flooding (if in
case), and/or urban problems and what are some of the physical, social, and economic modifications that urban design can
contribute to mitigate or adapt to flooding incidence in the future, and/or your identified urban problems. Identify as many
public spaces on that map.

Example: On sidewalks. What is the width of the sidewalk? Do you think that the physical distancing required by the Covid-19 protocol
of at least a meter away from each person (side by side) is enough? How can you correct this? What measure/s can you put in place to
ensure that this protocol is observed on that public space? What about on the transport terminals, i.e. tricycle stations? What about on
the neighborhood store? Entrance to your subdivision? Front of your house? Neighborhood park and the park or street amenities?

Even though the Barangay Hall, Health Center, and the Daycare Center are near by the creek, there was no reported flooding
that happened on those buildings even during the typhoon. However, those residential houses that are located beside the creek are
prone to flooding as I have noticed during rainy seasons. There is no proper sidewalk along the street of Barangay Hall and I think it is
one of the urban problems that should be addressed to have a better pedestrian flow in the area. The tricycle station is placed below
the Loka Resto Bar which is accessible to many people and is properly organized. There is a limited presence of commercial facilities
which I think is important to have accessibility to the market in our neighborhood and our area is mostly residential but there are sari-
sari stores and bakeries nearby. There is no major problem such as flooding associated surrounding our house even though it is
 Test on Mapping/ Prelim Exam | Abegail Laron

located on the corner lot, it is quite noisy from time to time which is inevitable due to the location. There is also a lack of public
amenities such as parks, only the covered court. Although there is an existing park, it is gated and usually close and it is very small.
There is no good views or playground located in our area which I think should be prioritized by our local government.
 Test on Mapping/ Prelim Exam | Abegail Laron

3. Also, identify (probably on the same map) a potential evacuation area in your community whether outside the 150meter
radius or horizontal/vertical distance. Define the criteria or justify why you choose that particular area to be an evacuation
zone or center.

Based on figures 1 and 2, a potential evacuation area in our community would be the Silanganan Covered Court and Llano
Elementary School. Those two are government owned and is spacious enough to accommodate many affected families just in case
flooding occurs. Based on my observation, those two areas are not prone to flooding even though the Silanganan Covered Court is
near by the creek while the Llano Elementary School is surrounded with major road and residential houses. Aside from that, both areas
are accessible to major roads which can be accessible to emergency and medical vehicles or services.

4. Coming from the recent experience of urban areas with regards to flooding/urban problems and the pandemic in various
places all over the country; define a program of evacuation/quarantine facilities where it could be effective, safe, and
resilient.

A. Evacuation Planning

The first step to have an effective, safe, and resilient evacuation or quarantine facilities is by assessing and addressing the needs
of the community. This could be done by using the demographic data and local knowledge to identify the populations that are most
likely will be impacted by disasters and those who have higher risk of becoming ill with COVID-19. Next is by assessing the existing
transportation within the area to follow public health best practices including mask wearing, social distancing, and sanitization and to
reduce shadow evacuation by identifying the areas at the highest risk for disaster impacts and in which areas residents can have a
safely shelters. The usage of private vehicle should also be address to reduce virus transmission in carpools and how to avoid crowded
 Test on Mapping/ Prelim Exam | Abegail Laron

areas at rest stops and destinations. Lastly, issue evacuation guidance to the people by including detailed instructions on how to
reduce the risk of virus transmission and to update plans accordingly just in case it will take longer. The risk should be prioritized and
its information can be paired with advice on the usage of masks and other precautions in shelter spaces.

B. Sheltering and Mass Care Operations

Public shelters are the most important part in community evacuations plans that serves as a temporary shelter for the people. The
demand for a much larger size during the pandemic is necessary but dependent on the size of the evacuees. It is important that in
shelter planning during pandemic, it should hold greater public shelter capacity and to reduce the population size to support increased
physical distancing among the people. If not feasible, there should be an emphasize to mask wearing, strong enforcement policies,
sanitization procedures, and frequent handwashing. There should be an incorporation of safety measures in shelter design and
operation by having designated isolation spaces for people who are sick and exposed to virus. Having a trained shelter staff is also
important to ensure the safe conduction of shelter operations and in compliance with public health. There should also be a
collaboration with the local partners such as schools, places of worship, voluntary organization, and public-private partnership that can
provide alternative shelter facilities, coordinate feeding operations, and provide in-kind services to reduce the burden on public
resources and increase the likelihood of compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols.

C. Evacuation and Sheltering Risk Communication

There should be a public willingness to follow evacuation orders and public health guidance in order to reduce losses during
disaster and to limit the transmission of the virus. One way to have that is to have an effective risk communication to help the people
evaluate risks and make decisions about protective actions. Begin by addressing the concerns that are most common in the population
by providing detailed guidance and address misconceptions about the risk of COVID-19. The message should address the needs of
concern of the specific people and to develop mechanisms in identifying and combating misinformation. The use of visual tools to
deliver those messages are helpful such as illustrations, multiple languages, audible messages, and large font size. The barrier should
be addressed and provide actionable solutions. The emergency guidelines can be strategically issued through a variety of outlets such
as television, radio, social networks, and social media that are seen by diverse audiences.