Understanding and addressing risks of flooding in the city: The case of Barangay Potrero, Metro Manila

The document examines the application of the Partners for Resilience (PfR) approach in Barangay Potrero, Malabon City, to address chronic flooding. It highlights the importance of localising early warning systems, fostering inter-city cooperation within the Tullahan River Basin, and integrating climate science into community-based disaster risk management.

• Malabon City is highly susceptible to flooding due to its low-lying terrain and location in the estuary of several river deltas, with risks exacerbated by high tides, heavy rains, and overflows from rivers and dams.
• The Tullahan River, which passes through Quezon City, Caloocan, Malabon, and Navotas, has seen decreased water-holding capacity because it has become narrower and shallower over time.
• The Partners for Resilience (PfR) programme improved risk perception in Barangay Potrero by using customised activities such as film showings, purok meetings, and the installation of large-format flood risk maps in strategic locations.
• To improve community response, the local government and PfR worked with the national meteorological agency (PAGASA) to simplify and localise weather forecasts, moving away from a passive acceptance of flooding.
• An improved Early Warning System (EWS) for the Tullahan River Basin requires the coordination of five cities to harmonise protocols and share data on rainfall, water levels, and tide timing.
• The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee (BDRRMC) refined its contingency plans by integrating community experiences, increasing access to climate information, and strengthening the participation of community-based organisations.

APA

Arcilla, M. J. D., & Lagdameo, D. M. (2015). Understanding and addressing risks of flooding in the city: The case of Barangay Potrero, Metro Manila. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Inside-Story-Barangay-Potrero-Malabon1.pdf

Chicago

Arcilla, Merdi Jean D., and Donna Mitzi Lagdameo. Understanding and addressing risks of flooding in the city: The case of Barangay Potrero, Metro Manila. Climate and Development Knowledge Network, 2015. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Inside-Story-Barangay-Potrero-Malabon1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Arcilla |first1=Merdi Jean D. |last2=Lagdameo |first2=Donna Mitzi |title=Understanding and addressing risks of flooding in the city: The case of Barangay Potrero, Metro Manila |publisher=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |date=January 2015 |url=http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Inside-Story-Barangay-Potrero-Malabon1.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{arcilla2015understanding, author = {Arcilla, Merdi Jean D. and Lagdameo, Donna Mitzi}, title = {{Understanding and addressing risks of flooding in the city: The case of Barangay Potrero, Metro Manila}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2015}, month = jan, url = {http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Inside-Story-Barangay-Potrero-Malabon1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }