Anong sektor ang pinakamalakas gumamit ng tubig?
Ang agrikultura ang may pinakamalaking porsyento na kinukuha (88 porsyento) na tubig sa ibabaw ng lupa base sa
impormasyon na nakalap sa Pilipinas noong 1995. Karamihan ng tubig sa agrikultura ay ginagamit bilang irigasyon sa
mga tanim. Kumpara dito, maliit na porsyento lang (apat na porsyento) ang ginagamit ng mga bahay at komersiyo. Ang
industriya naman ay walong porsyento lang ang ginagamit.
SOURCE: http://earthtrends.wri.org
GAMIT NG TUBIG BAWAT SEKTOR SA PILIPINAS, 1995
Industriya
8%
Bahay at
komersyo
4%
Agrikultura
88%
Tubig at Tao
Magtipid!
Gaano karaming tubig ang nagagamit ng isang tao?
Ayun sa Manila Water, ang isang tao ay tipikal na gumagamit ng 6 cubic meters ng tubig bawat
buwan. Katumbas ito ng 6,000 na litro o 30 na malalaking drum ng tubig. Ibig sabihin, tipikal na
gumagamit ng isang malaking drum ng tubig ang isang tao bawat araw.
1. Isara ang gripo. Minsan hinahayaan
nating nakabukas ang gripo habang
nagsisipilyo tayo, naghuhugas ng pinggan o
naglalaba. Kung isasara natin ito, makakatipid
tayo ng ilang galon ng tubig bawat araw.
SOURCE: http://www.manilawater.com
TOTOO BA?
Ang naglahong lawa
Minsan iniisip natin na habambuhay na nandiyan ang mga ilog, lawa, at dagat. Pero nadiskubre
ng mga tao na naninirahan sa tabi ng Aral Sea (isang lawa sa may gitna ng Europa na malapit sa
bansang Rusya) na pwedeng maglaho ang isang malaking lawa sa loob ng ilang dekada. Dati ang
Aral Sea ay ikaapat na pinakamalaking lawa sa mundo. Pero kung titingnan natin ang larawan
ng lawa mula sa satellite noong 1989, at ikumpara natin ito sa larawan na kinuha noong 2003,
makikita na lumiit ang tubig nito ng higit
sa kalahati. Sinasabi ng mga siyentipiko
na ang katimugang bahagi ng Aral Sea
ay maaaring maglaho nang tuluyan sa
loob ng 15 taon. Dahil ito sa matinding
paggamit ng mga tao ng tubig sa mga ilog
na nagbibigay ng tubig sa lawa. Ginagamit
nila ang tubig bilang irigasyon para sa
bulak (cotton) at iba pang tanim. Ang
kasong ito ay naglalarawan na nauubos
rin ang tubig, kung walang pakundangan
ang paggamit natin nito.
SOURCE OF SATELLITE IMAGES:
NASA Earth Observatory
(http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov)
Aral Sea noong 1989
Lahat tayo ay nangangailangan ng tubig.
Kaya lahat tayo ay dapat maging maingat
sa paggamit nito. Sa ganitong paraan,
makakatulong tayo na masigurado na ang
tubig natin ngayon ay hindi mauubos, at
magagamit pa ng susunod na henerasyon.
2. Ayusin ang tumutulong gripo o tubo.
Ang isang gripo na tumutulo ng 1/16 na
pulgada ng tubig ay nakakasayang ng 10 na
galon ng tubig bawat araw.
3. Hanapin ang tahimik na tagas. Minsan
hindi natin namamalayan na may tagas
hanggang makita natin na mataas na ang ating
bayarin sa tubig. Para malaman kung may
tagas, isara ang lahat ng gripo at tingnan kung
tumatakbo pa rin ang metro.
4. Magtulungan sa inyong komunidad.
Importanteng turuan natin ang ibang tao na
magtipid sa paggamit ng tubig, para makatipid
ang buong komunidad. Ang mga magsasaka
ay maaaring makatipid ng tubig sa paggamit
ng mas mabisang sistema ng irigasyon. Sa
siyudad, pwedeng salain at gamutin ang
maduming tubig para magamit ulit.
SOURCE: The Groundwater Foundation
(http://www.groundwater.org)
Aral Sea noong 2003
• July 2006
S
aan ba nanggagaling ang tubig sa ilalim ng lupa?
May mga nagsasabing tao, sa ugat ng punong kahoy.
Pero ang problema, kung sa ugat ng punongkahoy
nagmumula ang bukal ng tubig, namatay na sana yung
punongkahoy, kasi yun ang dugo ng halaman, ang tubig.
Ang tubig sa ilalim ng lupa ay nagmumula sa butas ng bato,
buhangin, o graba. Ang ulan na nasisipsip ng lupa ay pumupunta sa
mga butas na ito. Kung mas marami ang butas sa isang materyal,
mas marami itong nasisipsip na tubig.
Isa sa mga materyales na madaling sumipsip ng tubig ay ang
putik. Pero ang putik, madamot. Kasi malakas siyang sumipsip
pero hindi siya mabilis magbigay ng tubig kapag binomba. Pero
ang mas importante sa tao ay ang kapasidad ng isang lugar na
makapagbigay ng tubig. Ang graba at buhangin, madaling magbigay
ng tubig.
Nangyayari ang pagbaba ng lupa kapag makapal ang putik sa ilalim.
Kapag marami ang putik sa ilalim, at kapag malakas ang pagbomba
ng tubig, ang nangyayari, natatanggal ang tubig sa putik. Ang putik,
marami siyang butas. Pag kinuha mo yung tubig dun, nasisiksik
ang putik. Karaniwan 34 hanggang 60 porsyento ng putik ay tubig.
Ibig sabihin kalahati ng materyales mo, pwedeng masiksik. Kapag
nasisiksik yung putik sa ilalim, bumababa yung lupa.
Sa mga lugar sa dulo ng ilog at tabi ng dagat, kadalasan ang mga
nadedepositong materyal ay buhangin at putik. Minsan may
konting graba, pero kadalasan, buhangin at putik. Kaya mas pwede
Putik
Daloy ng
tubig
Buhangin
Putik
Putik na nasiksik
Daloy ng
tubig
Buhangin
Putik
Illustrations by Paolo Lim
Bumaba
na lupa
bumaba ang mga lugar na ito kaysa sa lugar na graba ang ilalim.
Kasi ang graba, hindi masyadong nasisiksik. Bumababa ang lupa
taon-taon sa mga lugar na tabi ng dagat gaya ng Navotas dahil
marami ang putik sa ilalim nito, at dahil sa pagbomba ng tubig ng
maraming tao.
Meron ding natural na pagbaba ng lupa. Pero kapag binobomba mo
ang tubig, mas napapabilis ang pagbaba ng lupa. Ang epekto na ito
ay permanente. Kasi hindi mo pwede patabain ulit yung lupa kapag
bumagsak na. n
*Base sa panayam kay Hydrologist Johnny Ong
Lupa, lupa, ba’t ka
bumababa?
Photo by Johnny Ong
Alamin ang epekto ng pagbobomba ng
tubig mula sa ilalim ng lupa
• July 2006
Rainwater Harvesting: Harnessing
an Abundant Natural Resource
by Arlene CHRISTY D. Lusterio
The collection and filtration of rainwater could answer the increasing need for
water in urban areas that is becoming more and more unaffordable to the poor
T
he growing demand
for domestic water in
urban areas and the rapid
depletion of groundwater
due to exploitative ground
water extraction and
weak water management
systems magnify the
campaign to shift to
rainwater harvesting.
Ang proseso ng pagsahod ng tubig ulan
(The
rainwater harvesting process)
Rainwater harvesting is a means
of collecting rainwater. In the past
human settlements in Iraq, Iran,
India, Israel, and Egypt collected
rainwater for agricultural uses.
Communities used it as a means
to reduce periodic flooding due to
seasonal rains, provide water for
irrigation of farms, and prevent salt
water intrusion in arid regions.
Rainwater harvesting can be
done today in urban areas to
supplement the lack of water
supply for domestic use. It
could also help alleviate the
dwindling supply of groundwater
by developing recharge wells, a
system which allows rainwater to
percolate back to the ground.
In urban areas in the Philippines,
households collect rainwater
informally without knowing how
to improve the existing system.
Dissemination of information
on rainwater harvesting and
the significant reduction it can
contribute to the general water
consumption will help popularize
the approach.
continued on page 5
Paano sinasahod ang tubig ulan? Una, kailangan ng pangsalo (catchment) ng ulan.
Pwedeng gawing pangsalo ang bubong o isang sementadong lugar. Pangalawa, kailangan ng daluyan (conduit),
gaya ng tubo o kanal na dadaanan ng tubig patungo sa imbakan. Pangatlo, kailangan dumaan ang tubig sa
salaan para matanggal ang mga dumi dito. Pang-apat, kailangan ng imbakan (storage) ng tubig. Pwede itong
tangke o maliit na lawa depende sa gamit ng tubig.
• July 2006
Mga Halimbawa ng Pagsahod ng
Dalawang Tipo ng Pagsahod ng
Tubig Ulan
Tubig Ulan sa Asya
China. Ang lugar ng Gansu ay isa sa pinakatuyot na
lugar sa China. Noong 1995 at 1996, nagkaroon ng
proyekto ang gobyerno kung saan gumawa sila ng
dalawang tangke ng tubig para sa bawat magsasaka.
Noong taong 2000, may mahigit na 2 milyong tanke
na ang nagawa nila. Ang tubig na naiimbak nila ay
ginagamit ng 1.97 milyon na tao at irigasyon para sa
236,400 hektaryang lupa.
Pagsahod sa Bubong
Bubong na
sumasalo ng ulan
Thailand. May mga bahay dito na gumagamit ng
malalaking banga para
makolekta ang tubig
mula sa kanilang mga
bubong. Ang mga banga
na ginagamit nila ay may
kapasidad na 300 hanggang
1000 na litro, at meron
itong takip, gripo, at
labasan ng tubig (drain).
Kaya nitong punuin ang
pangangailangan ng isang
pamamahay na may anim
katao sa panahon ng
tagtuyot, na umaabot ng
anim na buwan.
Imbakan na
may takip
Labasan ng tubig
Pagsahod sa Lupa
Singapore. Sa paliparan ng Changi sa Singapore,
ang ulan na tumatama sa semento ng paliparan at
mga damuhan ay napupunta sa dalawang malaking
tangke. Ang tubig na nakokolekta nila ay ginagamit
para sa fire-fighting drills at pangbuhos ng inidoro.
Nakakatipid sila ng $390,000 na Singapore dollars
kada taon dahil dito.
Salaan na bato
at buhangin
Sementado o bakal
na takip
Tanke gawa sa
ferrocement
*Galing sa “Rainwater Harvesting and Utilization: An Environmentally Sound Approach for
Sustainable Urban Water Management: An Introductory Guide for Decision-Makers” (United
Nations Environment Programme – International Environmental Technology Center: March
2002)
Illustrations by Paolo Lim
Lupa o
sementadong
lugar na sumasalo
ng ulan
Indonesia. Sa malalaking siyudad ng Indonesia, ang
tubig sa ilalim ng lupa ay nauubos na dahil hindi
nakakabalik ang tubig sa lupa dahil marami na ang
sementadong lugar. Ang malaking populasyon nila ay
nakadagdag din sa pagkaubos ng tubig sa ilalim ng
lupa. May regulasyon na inimplementa ang gobyerno
na dapat magkaroon ang lahat ng gusali ng balon
(infiltration well) kung saan pwedeng bumalik ang
tubig ulan sa ilalim ng lupa. Naiimplementa ito sa higit
sa kalahati ng teritoryo ng Indonesia. Sa paraang ito,
maaaring magkaroon ulit ng tubig sa ilalim ng lupa na
pwedeng gamitin ng mga tao.
Pilipinas. Sa Capiz noong 1989 sa tulong ng the
Canadian International Development Research
Centre (IDRC) ay nakapagpagawa ang mga magsasaka
ng 500 na tanke ng tubig na gawa sa semento. Ang
mga ito ay may kapasidad na 2 hanggang 10 cubic
meters para imbakan ng tubig ulan.
*Base sa “Rainwater Harvesting and Utilization: An Environmentally Sound
Approach for Sustainable Urban Water Management: An Introductory
Guide for Decision-Makers” (United Nations Environment Programme
– International Environmental Technology Center: March 2002)
• July 2006
Halimbawa ng TAPAYAN NA
MAY Salaan
Sa lugar na walang polusyon, maaaring sapat ang
kalinisan ng tubig ulan para pang-inom. Pero sa
karamihan ng lugar, ang tubig ulan ay maraming
dumi o impurities. Maaari ring madumihan ang
tubig ulan kapag ito ay dumadaloy sa maduming
pangsalo (catchment) gaya ng bubong.
Illustration by Paolo Lim
Malinis ba ang tubig ulan?
25 cm na patong
ng graba
10 cm na
patong ng uling
25 cm na patong
ng buhangin
Eto ang ilan sa mga paraan para siguradong malinis
ang tubig ulan na iniimbak:
25 cm na patong
ng graba
4 Siguraduhing malinis ang bubong. Dapat
hindi ito malapit sa punong kahoy at nahuhulugan
palagi ng dahon. Dapat hindi rin ito kinakalawang.
4 Siguraduhin na ang alulod ay hindi
barado. Pwedeng lagyan ng screen ang ibabaw
ng alulod para hindi ito matapunan ng mga dahon,
lupa, atbp. Pero dapat hindi rin masyadong pino
ang screen para mainitan pa rin ng araw ang loob
ng alulod.
4 Maglagay ng first flush water diverter.
Ang first flush water diverter ay isang sistema
na nagtatapon ng unang daloy ng tubig mula sa
bubong. Dapat hindi muna iniimbak ang unang
daloy kasi may dumi pa ito galing sa bubong.
4 Salain ang tubig. Pwedeng gumawa ng
simpleng salaan sa bahay sa pamamagitan ng
paglagay ng graba, buhangin at uling sa isang
tapayan na may gripo. (Tingnan ang halimbawa sa
kanan.) Marami na ring nabibiling salaan o filter sa
mga tindahan ngayon.
4 Regular na linisin ang imbakan ng tubig.
Dapat nakatakip ito palagi para hindi tirahan ng
mga lamok.
4 Ang pagpapakulo ng tubig pa rin ang
pinakasiguradong paraan para gawing malinis ang
tubig ulan para sa panluto o pang-inom.
Pwedeng gumawa ng sariling salaan sa bahay sa pagpapatong-patong ng
graba, uling at buhangin sa loob ng isang tapayan.
continued from page 3
Integration into community planning
The planning of utilities in the Philippines has never considered the inclusion of
networks that facilitate rain or surface water harvesting and recharge.Water
supply lines are designed with the assumption that water will be supplied by the
established water district and surface run-off naturally goes to drainage canals and
ends up in rivers or streams as overspill. In places where no district water supply is
available, groundwater extraction is the solution.
Planners and sanitary engineers need to design a sustainable system that does not
only ensure water supply, but also integrates the recycling and reuse of rain and
surface water run-off—two water sources that the Philippines has in abundance.
Channelling these water resources to the right places could help prevent flooding
in the urban areas, replenish dry wells and result in a significant reduction of
domestic water demand on the municipal or city water supply line.
About the author
Architect and Environmental Planner Arlene Christy D. Lusterio is the Executive Director of TAO- Pilipinas. She is currently on study leave in Southern Vietnam, doing research on sustainable coastal
settlements under the Asian Fellows award.
• July 2006
By Gerald A. Galgana, Sergio C. Abad II,
Emmi B. Capili, May Celine T. M.Vicente,
Jose Ramon T.Villarin and Joel D. De Mesa
Places like Tanza, Navotas are vulnerable to flooding.
C
oastal areas are continually being threatened
by rising sea levels brought about by global
warming. In Manila bay, land subsidence (sinking of
land) due to excessive ground water extraction
aggravates the situation.
Climate change or global warming, according to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (1992),
refers to the rapid increase of global temperature in a
certain period due to man-made activities. The planet earth
allows itself to maintain a certain range of temperature
essential to life. This is through the greenhouse effect,
which serves as a blanket that keeps the earth warm.
However, industrialization has disturbed this natural process
and increased the greenhouse gas concentrations in the
atmosphere. The increased concentrations trap the heat in
the atmosphere, making the planet warmer.
Global temperatures have been rising steadily from 1860 to 2005.The
year 2005 was the second warmest year on record after 1988. (Source:
Climatic Research Unit of University of East Anglia Hadley Centre of the UK
Meteorogical Office, 2003)
Climate change affects all systems on earth: forests, agriculture,
water, coastal resources and even the health of the people. In
coastal areas, climate change can cause the sea level to rise
because of thermal expansion. Heat causes water bodies
to expand. For example, boiling water expands itself, then
transforms into water vapor. The melting of glaciers in the
Antarctic region also contributes to sea-level rise.
Warm temperatures causes water
bodies to expand, raising water levels.
• July 2006
Being an archipelago, the Philippines is vulnerable to rising sea
levels. A study by Galgana et al. (2004) projected the impact of
the rise of sea level in Navotas, Metro Manila using Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) and Terrain Modeling (tools that
project scenarios through time and space). The study focused on
these barangays found in Navotas: Tangos, San Roque, Daang Hari,
San Jose, Navotas West, Navotas East, and Bagumbayan North and
South. The range of elevation of these areas is about average sea
level to about two meters above average sea level, comprising an
estimated area of 200 hectares. Results of the study show that a
one meter rise in sea level will submerge about 50 percent of the
PHOTOS BY AMILLAH S. RODIL
Low-lying coastal areas such as Navotas are at
risk to rising sea levels brought about by global
warming and land subsidence
study area. Although the parameters of the model may not be
complete, it is substantial enough to show us what may happen
in Navotas in the advent of rising sea levels.
Another study by Siringan et al. (2005) also shows that rising
sea levels in Manila Bay are caused by excessive ground water
extraction rather than mere effects of global warming. If this
water management problem will not be addressed, chances are
this will aggravate the effects of climate-change related sea-level
rise.
Another thing to consider is the onslaught of typhoons and
monsoon rains. The clogged drainage system of Metro Manila
and the increase of concrete surfaces (which are impervious to
water), increases the discharge or flow of rainwater at shorter
times. This enhances the potential for “inland flooding.”
Based on recent climate studies, global temperatures are
continuously rising and climate change is real and happening.
Sea-level rise is inevitable. The Philippines has numerous
coastlines that are vulnerable to sea-level rise. Therefore, proper
planning is vital for adaptation and mitigation. Various tools can
be utilized to project future scenarios (such as modeling and
mapping) whereby results of such analyses can be integrated
in development plans. Foresight and long-term initiatives
are more relevant as opposed to short-lived solutions. Most
importantly, the local people and stakeholders should be wellinformed and educated to promote awareness, behavior change,
coordination and disaster preparedness. Also, there is a need
to strengthen local capacities so that the community will have
a sense of belonging and protect their areas of responsibility.
Climate change or global warming entails a unified effort among
all individuals, stakeholders, communities and even nations. The
time to act is now. Let us start protecting the climate and our
future.
Navotas before and after a projected one-meter sea level rise (blue indicates
flooded areas).
Metro
Manila
References: Galgana, GA, S.C. Abad II, J.R.T. Villarin and M.C.T.M.Vicente, 2004.
“Visualizing Sea-Level Rise in Navotas by GIS and Terrain Modeling.”
Siringan, F. P., C. M. Jaraula, R. Berdin, C. Remotique, M.Y.Yacat-Sta. Maria, P. Zamora.
2005. “A Challenge for Coastal Management.” Know Risk: A United Nations Publication,
pp. 218-219.
The dynamics of sea-level change. Causes of sea-level change include excessive groundwater
extraction, subsidence, circulation changes, thermal expansion, and water exchange among oceans, ice caps and glaciers.
(Source: David Griggs, in Climate Change 2001: Synthesis report, Contribution of working groups I, II and III to the Third
Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, 2001)
About the authors
Gerald A. Galgana is a PhD
student at the Geophysics
Research Laboratory, Department
of Geological Sciences, Indiana
University, Bloomington, Indiana,
USA.
Sergio C.Abad II is the Chief
Executive Officer of GeoAnalytika
Inc., Rosa Alvero St., Loyola Heights,
Quezon City.
Emmi B. Capili is a Program
Research Assistant at the klima
Climate Change Center, Manila
Observatory, Ateneo de Manila
University.
May Celine T. M. Vicente is a
Program Manager of the Center for
Environmental Geomatics, Manila
Observatory, Ateneo de Manila
University.
Jose Ramon T. Villarin is the
President of Xavier University,
Corrales Avenue, Cagayan de Oro
City.
Joel D. De Mesa is a Research
Assistant at the Center for
Environmental Geometrics, Manila
Observatory, Ateneo de Manila
University.
• July 2006
7
Sagot sa Kakulangan sa Lupa
Bilang tugon sa pagliit ng bilang ng mga lupang angkop sa pabahay,
maaaring isa-pormal ang pagtatayo ng mga proyektong pabahay
sa ibabaw ng mga katawang-tubig. Hindi na bago ang konseptong
ito. May mga tradisyonal na tahanang Pilipino na nakatayo sa tabi
o sa ibabaw mismo ng mga ilog o baybaying-dagat. Halimbawa
ay ang mga tungkod-bahay na itinayo ng mga taong ang buhay ay
nakasalalay mismo sa tubig tulad ng mga grupo ng katutubong
Badjao at Samal, at ng mga mangingisda .
Ang Kampung Ayer sa Brunei ay tinuturing na isa sa mga pinakamatandang
panirahanan na puro tungkod-bahay. Ito ay makikita sa ibabaw ng Ilog
Brunei. Araw-araw ang mga residente dito ay hinahatid ng mga de-motor
na bangka o “water taxis” sa maliliit na pantalan sa lungsod.
Tungkod-bahay sa tubig
Isang alternatibong pabahay para sa mga komunidad
na binabaha o naninirahan malapit sa tubig
ni Edra Belga
Ang Panyee Island ay isang komunidad na naka-tungkod-bahay
sa Phang-nga Bay sa hilaga ng Phuket,Thailand. Isa itong lugar na
July 2006
pinupuntahan ng mga• turista,
dahil sa kakaiba nitong karakter.
PHOTO BY AMILLAH S. RODIL
Ang tungkod-bahay (house-on-stilts) o mga tahanang naka-angat
mula sa lupa, bagaman tinuturing na payak at wala na sa moda, ay
tinitingnan ng maraming propesyonal bilang isa pang mapagpipilian
laban sa mga karaniwang pabahay na nakalatag sa lupa. Ating
alamin kung bakit:
Photos from http://www.sultanate.com/visitbrunei/kampungayer
S
a Pilipinas, isa pa ring malaking usapin ang
pabahay para sa mga nangangailangan.
Bagama’t patuloy ang pagbibigay ng pamahalaan
at ng iba pang organisasyon ng serbisyong
pabahay, tila patuloy pa rin ang paglaki ng bilang
ng populasyon na walang disenteng pabahay. Ang
solusyon sa problemang ito ay iba’t iba. Sa ilang
piling sitwasyon, maaaring isang alternatibong
teknikal na solusyon ang maging kasagutan.
Mga Bentahe (Advantages)
• Pangmatagalang Solusyon. Sa halip na iangat ang lebel ng lupa
sa pamamagitan ng pagtatambak, ang bahay mismo ang inaangat sa
pamamagitan ng mga tungkod o mahahabang haligi (stilts). Ang natural
na lebel ng pagtaas ng tubig sa lugar ay nagsisilbing gabay kung gaano
kataas ang pag-angat sa mga bahay. Sa ganitong paraan naiiwasan ang
pagkasira ng mga ari-arian dulot ng pagbabaha mula sa pagbalik ng tubig
sa lugar na tinambakan, na siyang natural na daluyan ng tubig.
• Oportunidad Pangkabuhayan. Kadalasan ang espasyo sa ilalim ng
tungkod-bahay, lupa man ito o tubig ay maaaring isaalang-alang para sa
kabuhayan ng mga naninirahan dito. Maaaring maging isang palaisdaan,
manukan, o halamanan ang silong ng isang tungkod-bahay. Maaari ding
magkaroon ng oportunidad pangturismo dahil sa kakaibang karakter ng
isang komunidad na puro tungkod-bahay – maaari itong maging isang
modelong komunidad na nagpapakita ng alternatibong solusyon sa
pabahay.
• Mas Murang Halaga ng Lupa. Ang pangunahing panukala para
sa lokasyon ng mga proyektong tungkod-bahay ay sa ibabaw ng mga
katawang-tubig, o sa mga lugar na binabaha. Dahil dito, karaniwang mas
mababa ang halaga ng lupa sa mga lugar na nabanggit.
Mga Teknikal na Konsiderasyon
Imprastruktura (Infrastructures). Kabilang sa mga alalahanin
sa pagtatayo ng maraming tungkod-bahay sa ibabaw ng tubig ay ang
pagpapanatili ng kalinisan ng kapaligiran, lalo na ang tubig, pagtatayo ng
mga madaraanan, at pagkukunan ng tubig at kuryente. Ito ang ilan sa
mga konsiderasyon:
http://www.sultanate.com/visitbrunei/kampungayer
• Paglilinis sa Maduming Tubig (Sewerage Treatment). Hindi maaaring
idiretso ang maduming tubig sa mga ilog o baybaying-dagat. Kailangang
padaanin muna ito sa isang sistema ng pansala (filtering system) na
sisigurong hindi nakasasama ang tubig mula sa mga bahay sa tubig ng
ilog o dagat. Ang minumungkahing sistemang pansala ay binubuo ng:
“composting toilet,” o mga “septic tank” (plastik-HDPE o konkreto na
poso negro), at ng isang “constructed wetland water treatment system”
(CWWTS). Ang “composting toilet” ay isang modernong inidoro na
sa halip na gumamit ng tubig panlinis ay pinapabulok ang mga dumi sa
isang tangke upang gawing pataba o abono. Ang poso-negro (septic
Ang modernong bahagi ng Kampung Ayer sa Brunei ay merong “vacuum
network system” na humihigop ng dumi mula sa mga tahanan sa pamamagitan
ng mga konektadong tubo patungo sa isang planta (sewerage treatment plant)
kung saan sinasala ang mga maduduming tubig.
Ang mga bahay ay pwedeng puntahan ng mga tao sa pamamagitan ng mga
tulay o “catwalks” habang ang mga sasakyan ay iniiwan sa ibang lugar.
tank) naman ay isang imbakan ng dumi kung saan sinasala ang maduming
tubig na may halong dumi upang maiwasan ang kontaminasyon ng
tubig sa labas nito. Maituturing na isang malaking poso-negro ang isang
“constructed wetland water treatment system.” Ang maduming tubig
ay natural na nalilinis sa pamamagitan ng sunod-sunod na lebel ng mga
“pond” na may mga halamang may kakayahang magsala ng dumi tulad ng
bakawan, kawayan, at damong tambo.
• Mga Daanan o Kalsada. Hindi makakapasok ang lahat ng uri ng
sasakyan. Magkakaroon lamang ng mga ispesyal na lugar o “parking lots”
sa palibot ng pabahay kung saan makakatungtong ang mga sasakyan tulad
ng kotse, trak, at padyak. Ang daanan papunta sa mga bahay ay maaari
nang lakarin sa pamamagitan ng mga tulay o “catwalks.” Tulad ng mga
tungkod-bahay, ang mga daanang ito ay nakaangat din mula sa tubig.
Maaaring gawa ang mga ito sa matitibay na uri ng kawayan tulad ng laak o
kawayang-tinik, kahoy, o konkreto.
• Karagdagang Halaga sa Paggawa ng Bahay. Ang ilalim ng tubig
ay kadalasang malambot na lupa – putik (clay), buhangin (sand), o burak
(silt). Mahina ang kapit ng mga ito sa isa’t isa. Kung ang isang tungkodbahay ay yari sa mabibigat na materyales tulad ng bato o konkreto,
minumungkahi na magkaroon ng mahahabang haligi na pilote (“piles”) na
nakabaon sa bato sa ilalim ng malambot na lupa. Mas malaki ang halaga
ng pagpapatayo nito. Ngunit, maaaring maging mas mura at simple ito
kung ang mga materyales ng bahay ay magaan at madaling palitan tulad
ng kahoy, kawayan, o mga “lightweight composite boards” na gawa sa
“wood wool.” Maaari ding idisenyo na lumulutang imbis na nakatukod
ang bahay sa tubig, na parang bangka o “pontoon” tulad ng mga bahay sa
Canada at Netherlands.
About the Author
Edra Belga is the staff for the Human Settlements and Environment Program of TAOPilipinas who is currently coordinating with SANAGMANA, an informal community in
Navotas regarding the design of houses for their resettlement area.
• July 2006
Living on Water:
The SANAGMANA Challenge
An urban planner examines the viability of housing on stilts as a
resettlement option for an urban poor community in Navotas
By Eloisa M. Pilapil
Informal settlers in Navotas face a long journey in their
quest for acquiring their own piece of land within the city.
T
he Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Maralita ng Navotas (SANAGMANA) is a federation of a community
of informal settlers who live in the coastal and flood-prone municipality of Navotas located along
Manila Bay. SANAGMANA is comprised of four subgroups: Sitio Mandaragat, Kapit-Bisig San Nazareno
R-10, Sipac Almacen, and Little Samar.
A number of SANAGMANA households, especially
those coming from Sitio Mandaragat, were relocated
to Towerville, Bulacan in 2004 because their housing
sites were affected by the ongoing CAMANAVA
(Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) Area
Flood Control and Drainage System Improvement
project, the construction of a polder dike and road
widening projects of the Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH). But some communities refused
to relocate to Bulacan and instead looked for an
alternative site within Navotas. In 2005, with the help
of Community Organizing in the Philippines Enterprise
(COPE), the Urban Poor Ministry (UPM), a Catholic
church-based organization, technical professionals from
TAO-Pilipinas, Planning Resources and Operations
Systems (PROS), AMH Engineers, and SEASTEMS (an
environmental impact assessment group), they sought
the attention of the Housing and Urban Development
Council (HUDCC) about their plight.
10
• July 2006
On troubled waters. The CAMANAVA Area Flood Control project threatens to
displace the informal settlers living along the Navotas River.
Housing on Stilts
The technical professionals
involved in the project
proposed housing on stilts
(HOS) on water as a possible
solution. HOS is an alternative
scheme of housing the urban
poor or informal settlers
(such as the members of
SANAGMANA) who live
along coastal areas, riverbanks
and waterways particularly
within cities. Although these
areas are considered danger
zones, mitigating measures and
proper planning intervention
can ensure the safety of HOS
settlements.
HOS on water is envisioned
as a relocation site integrated
with marine-based livelihood
on unproductive fish farms,
coasts and areas prone
to flooding. It is designed
as a planned community
equipped with the features
of land-based communities,
such as composting and
wastewater treatment, paths,
and open spaces. In the case
of the planned HOS for
SANAGMANA, maintaining
the present flow of water from
the site—which is a fishpond
—to Manila Bay is a prime
consideration.
What specific problems
and prospects confront
SANAGMANA in realizing
this housing dream? There are
many problems but also bright
prospects, as well. Below are
two of the more significant
problems.
Problems
First, the existing government
framework does not
consider the development of
settlements on water as an
option. Existing government
measures to relocate informal
settlers especially in cities
are replete with problems
and failures, particularly on
the provision of security of
tenure. What more with such
a scheme such as HOS on
water, where policies and
laws related to housing and
settlements on marshy lands,
riverbanks or seashores
are few, unclear, if not nonexistent. A pilot experiment on
the current HOS initiative can
convince policymakers of the
Geodetic engineers and SANAGMANA officers survey their planned resettlement area, a one-hectare reclaimed
marine fishpond in Tanza, Navotas.
value of incorporating housing
on water into Philippine
policies and laws. Without a
policy framework, housing
on water will remain illegal,
and we will lose an important
opportunity to provide a
more sustainable solution
to problems confronting
our water-based or coastal
communities.
Second is the problem
of funding. Based on the
SANAGMANA socioeconomic profile, the reported
incomes of the households
indicate that 28.5% (National
Statistical Coordination Board
standard) are below the
poverty threshold. If the IBON
(an independent research think
tank) facts and figures on daily
cost of living were followed,
a much larger 78% fall below
the poverty threshold.
Households also reported
no savings with high expense
for extras. These reflect their
poverty status . Therefore the
affordability of the proposed
housing scheme is crucial.
With the present government
schemes for housing the
poor, SANAGMANA will not
stand a chance at housing,
much less an HOS on water
scheme. SANAGMANA
can avail of a Community
Mortgage Program (CMP)
from the government to get
financial assistance. But CMP
at present is a facility extended
only for housing on land. A
strong community organization
assisted by non-government
organizations and the private
sector would be important in
harnessing community efforts
to successfully avail of the
CMP.
Prospects
HOS as a housing scheme for
SANAGMANA is a challenge
both to the community
organization and those
planning the HOS. While the
technology is available, the
priority of the urban poor is
clearly their social needs. Can
they afford it? What schemes
are there to help them in
the problem of affordability?
How do we address the
problem of security of
tenure? The importance
of professional planning
intervention is beyond doubt.
It can become a meaningful
tool in systematizing
knowledge for the urban
poor’s understanding of the
housing process. Key to this
is a multi-disciplinary team
of planners familiar with
community organizing and
imbued with commitment and
patience in building consensus.
Accommodating populations
in a sensitive environment
such as coastal areas is a
radical option. But with proper
planning, adequate social
preparation, the support and
cooperation of government,
local government, non-
government organizations, the
church and the private sector,
this choice is possible.
About the Author:
Eloisa M. Pilapil, Ph.D, is Vice-President
of the Board of Directors of TAOPilipinas and is currently Project
Manager of the Economic Policy
Reform and Advocacy (EPRA) Project
of the Ateneo de Manila University, a
cooperative grant under the USAID.
Update on the
SANAGMANA
HOS Project
The HOS pilot project was originally
planned over a four-hectare marine
fishpond in Bgy.Tanza, Navotas. But
this did not push through because
the landowner demanded for a
lump sum payment, which was
not an affordable option for the
beneficiaries.Also, the promised
P30M support from the Department
of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH) was not released.
But SANAGMANA has moved
on with its own self-help housing
project on a smaller piece of land
(one hectare) near the original
site. Since the site is a reclaimed
marine fishpond, the use of stilts
is still strongly recommended.
TAO-Pilipinas, PROS, AMH
Engineers, SEASTEMS and JAD
Infinite Surveying are assisting
SANAGMANA in the preparation
of new technical documents.– Edra
Belga
• July 2006
1111
T
he project started out as a simple volunteer design
project for our organization, UP Task Force Arki
(TFA is a service-oriented student organization based in the
University of the Philippines College of Architecture –Ed.).
The Kitanglad Integrated NGOs, an organization based
in Mt. Kitanglad, Bukidnon (in Central Mindanao), asked
TFA through its partner NGO, TAO-Pilipinas, to suggest
designs for the Mt. Kitanglad Cultural Heritage Center.
The Mt. Kitanglad Cultural Heritage Center is envisioned to serve as a venue
for cultural understanding among the various indigenous peoples, mainland
settlers, and the local government units around the area. It will house spaces
for cultural activities and also serve as a support facility for the tourism
activities in the Mount Kitanglad Range National Park.
We started drafting design schemes after getting the requirements. It turned
out to be really difficult, since it was impossible to design for people we
haven’t met, for a site we haven’t seen, and for a culture that’s almost entirely
different from ours. We didn’t think the project would be successful if the
huge gap in the middle of the design process couldn’t be filled. So three of us,
Architect Anna Gonzales, Jhun Fabrero (another TFA member), and I, packed
our bags and flew all the way to Mindanao for the much needed architectuser interaction. Little did we know it was going to be a lot more than that.
We decided to hold a two-day workshop on architectural design and
space making, which aimed to allow the indigenous peoples of Kitanglad
to provide inputs in the design of the Mt. Kitanglad Cultural Heritage
Center. Encouraging their participation in the design process, could in a way,
contribute to their empowerment as the true protectors and cultivators of
the land. It was pretty ambitious, but not impossible, as we soon found out.
At first, I realized how paralyzing it was when I couldn’t speak the language
of the Bukidnons, the tribe who composed majority of the participants of
the workshop. I felt depressed because I felt I wasn’t giving enough of what I
could share. But after a few activities and exercises, I realized it really wasn’t
that difficult.
When I was assigned to facilitate the discussion among the “elders group”
on the formulation of the design criteria, all I had to do was listen hard,
listen well and listen more, especially when I sensed that the elders were
also doing their part in trying their best to communicate their thoughts.
Somehow, I felt that we were able to strike a middle ground: Our
conversations were composed of 30 percent Binukid, 20 percent Bisaya, 50
percent Tagalog, served with patience and loaded with sincerity!
Designing with the Lumad
on Mt. Kitanglad
A volunteer learns more about architecture and life in a design
workshop with an indigenous community in Bukidnon
by Paolo B. Aguila
12
• July 2006
photos by Paolo B. Aguila, Anna Gonzales and Jhun Fabrero
Language barrier
After familiarizing ourselves with the site, we then integrated the site
with the forms and the spaces agreed upon the day before. We, together
with the tribe, made sketch models of the structures and assembled
them on the scaled map of the site, to form the most concrete image
we could come up with of the basic design of the future cultural
heritage center.
That night was indeed one that will forever remain in my heart. I felt
a different kind of fulfillment; one that will never be replaced by any
form of reward. I’m used to doing volunteer work for my organization,
but this rare chance to work with these amazing people made me
realize that architecture can be a lot more than fabricating forms. It
can be a tool to empower individuals, reinforce identity, and facilitate
communication. Architecture can undeniably, build worlds; given the right
avenues, it can also build people.
Bae Inatlawan explains that they like the image of a Thai palace, because its
roof structure reflects the seven peaks of Mt. Kitanglad.
Mapping daily activities
The first day was really enlightening, for both us and the Bukidnons.
The tribe was asked to dramatize their daily activities so we could get
an idea on how these will affect the design of the center. After the very
enjoyable presentation, the members of the tribe expressed their delight
in having gone through the activity. More than being able to have fun in
performing, there was something in the activity that made them realize
that their life, however ordinary, is worth staging. It was a simple yet
self-esteem strengthening exercise. We also learned a lot about their
culture, sensibilities, and identity as a people.
Lessons from Kitanglad
The workshop in Kitanglad taught me these basic yet important lessons:
One is that learning is a continuous process. No matter how old you
are, how powerful you are, how smart you are, you’re never too good
for additional learning. I’ll never forget these people who’ve thanked us
for sharing our knowledge and
skills when in fact, I’m not so
sure if it was them or us who
learned and grew more with
the experience.
Choosing a form
Another enlightening exercise was the architectural forms preference
exercise. We showed them different indigenous architectural forms from
different “lumads” (indigenous peoples) from all over South East Asia, in
order to trigger their aesthetic sensibilities and extract from them their
preferred “built” forms. We also hoped to understand what spaces they
felt most comfortable with.
The Bukidnons picked a Thai palace as their most preferred form, but
not for the same reason I naively thought they would. When asked why
they chose the image of the Thai palace, they said it was because the
roof structure reflected the seven peaks of Mt. Kitanglad! I was floored
to hear such a simple yet sensitive explanation of aesthetic preference
from people who haven’t gone to an architectural school, or even finish
secondary school. I, assuming myself to be in a position to say what
kinds of reasons are valid in the choice of forms for built structures,
underestimated the very people I could learn so much from; or rather,
overestimated my capacity to think. Either way, we realized that were
there to learn, as much as we were there to share.
Getting dirty
After formulating the design criteria for the center, and mapping the
activities of the tribe, we decided to literally get our hands dirty, and
create a clay (mud and water) model of the site, representing the
approximate scale, proportions and orientation of the site, complete
with existing foliage and topography.
Author Paolo
Aguila creates
a sketch
model together
with Onil, a
participant
from the
Bukidnon tribe.
The workshop involved creating a clay model of the site, complete with foliage
and topography.
Perhaps the most important lesson for me is that life acquires more
meaning when it is shared. I have never felt so proud in my whole life
of what we were able to accomplish during our brief stay. I felt that I
was able to share the gift of architecture and give it back to whom it
truly belongs, to the people. I have often questioned the purpose of this
profession that I chose to pursue, contemplating whether it will bring
me happiness in the future. But in seeing how it can possibly help other
people find comfort and happiness, I did find happiness and fulfillment
for myself. The experience may not have completely laid out the path
that I am to take, but it did expand my options, as much as it did make
the world a bigger place. Somehow, it gives me a firmer resolve to keep
doing what I do, hoping that tomorrow the world will see a day when
more people will start sharing. I can only imagine the beautiful changes
that will make!
About the Author
Paolo Aguila was the chairperson of the University of the Philippines-Task Force Arki for the schoolyear 2004 to 2005.The design workshop was held in May 2005.
• July 2006
13