Pepe and Pilar’s dream house is in the pastoral/wilderness mode.

However, upon learning that the slope

is unstable, they change their behavior and their lifestyle; they adapt. It is a life-changing decision,
choosing to avoid the risk completely. Pepe and Pilar then explored another location: the MegaWorld
Twin Lakes which tries to create the impression of living in the Tuscany Region of Italy, despite this being
located next to Taal Lake. They thought that their pastoral dream house is now attainable, since the
hazards maps show that area is outside the danger zone of Taal Volcano. But given the recent eruptions
of Taal we know that just because an area is located outside the danger but within close proximity of the
volcano, does not make that location less vulnerable to risks. Pepe and Pilar also explored another
option: Go back to the first location and modify the environment to lessen or mitigate the impact of a
landslide by building a retaining wall that stabilizes the slope. It is a technological solution in the
cornucopian mode. It proceeds from the assumption that technological progress - the “cornucopia of
wealth, growth and commodity production” - within capitalism can manage the landscape - in this case
they are decreasing the effect of a landslide if it does happen, by having a retaining wall built to block
the debris from hitting their house.

However, Pepe and Pilar did a reality check on their budget and concluded that they cannot afford
retaining walls; thus they decide to stay put, and be PREPARED using knowledge/building capacities to
anticipate the effects of hazards/disasters so that in the actual event they know what to do. Pepe & Pilar
installed a warning system which contains information that will let them know exactly what to do and
when - e.g evacuate or stay put, duck-cover-hold, go to higher ground etc. Preparedness is recognition
of residual hazard or risk, hence continuous alertness and attentiveness are necessary. If and when they
can already afford it, Pepe and Pilar agreed that perhaps in the future they can excavate the slope, to
PREVENT a disaster from happening (as opposed to reducing its effects or knowing how to respond
effectively in the event of a disaster) - in this case eliminating the entire slope takes away the hazard risk
and thus puts the probability of disaster from a landslide to zero. However, there is a caveat from Dr.
Pacheco - “complete removal of hazard may be easier said than done; we are careful that ‘excavation of
the whole slope’ does not create or lead to other hazards”

What positions and tropes can you detect from the choices that pepe and pilar made?

What are the pros and cons of those choices?

Answer

Pepe and Pilar's choices and actions reflect several positions and tropes related to risk
management, adaptation, and resilience in the face of hazards and disasters.

1. Adaptation and resilience: Pepe and Pilar initially had a pastoral/wilderness

dream house, but when they learned that the slope was unstable, they changed
their behavior and adapted their lifestyle to avoid the risk completely. They
explored other options to achieve their dream, but when they couldn't afford a
retaining wall, they decided to stay put and be prepared. Their choice to be
prepared through installing a warning system reflects their resilience and
willingness to adapt to the potential hazards of their location.
 2. Technological solution and cornucopian mode: Pepe and Pilar considered a
technological solution in the form of a retaining wall to mitigate the impact of a
landslide, reflecting the cornucopian mode that technology can solve problems
and increase productivity. However, they couldn't afford it, and so they opted for
preparedness and resilience instead.
3. Risk recognition and management: Pepe and Pilar recognize the residual hazard
or risk of living on an unstable slope, and they take steps to manage it through
preparedness, resilience, and potentially in the future, excavation of the slope.
They are aware that complete removal of hazard may not be feasible and could
lead to other hazards.
4. Proximity and vulnerability: Pepe and Pilar assumed that living outside the danger
zone of Taal Volcano meant they were safe from hazards. However, the recent
eruptions of Taal demonstrate that proximity to a hazard can still pose significant
risks.

Overall, Pepe and Pilar's choices reflect a nuanced understanding of risk management
and adaptation in the face of hazards and disasters. They recognize the importance of
preparedness and resilience, while also being mindful of the potential limitations and
unintended consequences of technological solutions and hazard mitigation measures.

Answer

Pepe and Pilar's choices have both pros and cons, which are discussed below:

Pros:

1. Adapting to the situation: When Pepe and Pilar learned that the slope of their
dream house was unstable, they changed their behavior and adapted their
lifestyle to avoid the risk completely. This shows that they are willing to adapt to
the situation and make informed decisions based on new information.
2. Preparedness and resilience: Pepe and Pilar decided to install a warning system to
be prepared in case of a disaster. This shows their willingness to be prepared and
resilient in the face of potential hazards. They recognized the residual hazard or
risk of living on an unstable slope and took steps to manage it.
3. Cost-effective solutions: When Pepe and Pilar realized that they couldn't afford a
retaining wall, they decided to stay put and be prepared instead. This decision
reflects a cost-effective solution that prioritizes preparedness and resilience over
costly infrastructure.
4. Cautionary approach: Pepe and Pilar's decision to excavate the slope only if and
when they can afford it reflects a cautionary approach to hazard mitigation. They
 are aware that complete removal of hazard may not be feasible and could lead to
other hazards.

Cons:

1. Limited options: Pepe and Pilar's decision to stay put and be prepared is a limited
option that does not eliminate the hazard but only reduces the impact of the
hazard. While it is a cost-effective solution, it may not provide complete
protection in case of a disaster.
2. Proximity to hazards: Pepe and Pilar's initial assumption that living outside the
danger zone of Taal Volcano meant they were safe from hazards is a common
misconception. They learned that proximity to a hazard can still pose significant
risks.
3. Delayed hazard mitigation: Pepe and Pilar's decision to excavate the slope in the
future, if and when they can afford it, may delay hazard mitigation and potentially
increase the risk of a disaster in the meantime.
4. Potential unintended consequences: Pepe and Pilar's decision to excavate the
slope to prevent a disaster from happening may create or lead to other hazards,
as warned by Dr. Pacheco. They need to carefully assess the potential unintended
consequences of their actions before proceeding with excavation.

In conclusion, Pepe and Pilar's choices reflect a balance between cost-effective

solutions, preparedness, and cautionary approach to hazard mitigation. However, their
decisions also highlight the potential limitations and unintended consequences of
various risk management strategies.