The Philippines is one of the most disaster-affected countries in the world and considered especially vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. While the majority of Filipinos continue to reside in rural areas, 47% of the population is estimated to be living in cities, 38.3% of whom are living in overcrowded informal settlements that are especially vulnerable to global warming and related extreme weather events. In Metro Cebu, the second largest city in the Philippines, Flooding of up to three meters is common in many parts of the city during the rainy seasons, which generally runs from June to November. My name is Los Biminda Amancia. I am 59 years old, residing here in Porok Rambutan, Setsu Riverside, Lawaan Tres.
Here in our location, this is the Mananga River. And as you can see, it started flooding. and maybe because In the mountain, maybe at the mountain, maybe it's already raining there because it's always the scenario that if it's raining there, even though here it's not raining, but if it's raining in the mountain, the water of the Mananga River rises. This is the same Mananga River that was really flooded last December 2021. December 16, 2021. That flood, Odette, that was the worst typhoon that the community experienced because it really caused a lot of damage. As you can see, these houses here, before, these are the residence houses.
Look, right now it's just Ashanti anymore because The houses before were flushed out by the typhoon Odit. And slowly we get over it. We go back to our normal lives, doing our daily livelihoods, which is some of the residents are digging the sand and gravel. from the flood the same flood that gives us the sun and gravel so these are the sun and gravel that will give them a something an income for food on the table okay and it's going to rain today i wish that it will not going to be a big flood because It's a very, flood is really really cause us damage. So much effort because when the flood goes to our residence, to our house, the clothes, the things, we need to wash it again because of the mud.
Okay, that's it for today. Fires are also a routine occurrence. especially in low-income neighbourhoods characterised by high density, light material housing, overburdened electric connections and open flame cooking practices. A series of fires affecting huge parts of the city have left thousands of families homeless and awaiting relocation from the local government. Those without an alternative have been residing temporarily in the parking lot of the derelict Cebu International Convention Centre, CICC, with some families living there since 2016. I am Danny Cordoba, former community organizer of Forge Incorporated.
I am currently supporting Forge in their activities in the community. I am also a member of the... I hope that the community will be able to deal with the issues and concerns. At least, I can pass this to the board and the new organizers. Here in particular, the CICC is still struggling for their relocation.
Although, the ongoing process for the permanent relocation in which some buildings for the medium-rise buildings for the relocation is being constructed, but sometimes Here, there are problems that have been solved, issues and concerns like electricity, water, both potable and water that they can use for everyday living. As to electricity, it's good. The problem with the direct connection is that there is no direct connection from the electric operative that supplies the whole of Dakbayan. There are challenges like possibly being cut off from the potential cut and cut, not authorized connection.
There are challenges with water. There are common problems that we face. If you ask for a supply, you will see that the line is high in containers. They can pull and pull to use in their own tanks. We can see the pain and suffering of the people of the CICC.
Like, if you look at the houses, they have no electricity. It's very hot. It feels like the children are in a fire.
There are problems with the drainage system. For example, when it rains, the water they use for bathing or bathing is too much or too much water or stagnant water flow in the community in which it is prone to water loss. It is possible that they will drink from the water.
Sometimes, people experience skin diseases and allergies because of their problems in the house and in the community. So, hopefully, there will be a FORGE. We are asking the community to be more careful and to be more careful with the government agencies in charge or concerned with the community's health and safety. We are looking for an adequate housing program.
Hopefully, as soon as possible, the building that the city government is planning will be able to provide for the people who are living in the area. Within this context of multiple and overlapping forms of risk and insecurity, community-based organisations, often in the shape of homeowner associations, have come to play an increasingly important role in local resilience building. In informal settlements, officers of these organisations represent their members in negotiations with the state and other relevant stakeholders to advocate for their needs and priorities concerning land tenure security and access to basic services including water, toilets, roads and electricity. Recognising limited state capacities and the logistical challenges of navigating narrow streets, many homeowner associations have also established local emergency response teams who act as first responders in their neighbourhoods. Good afternoon, so I am Floro Enricoso, President of the Luis Alaska Mambaling Homeowners Association, at the same time Chairperson of the Alaska Association of Beneficiaries Association and I'm a member of ALERT, Alaska Emergency Response Team.
I am concerned about the alert in the community because our area is vulnerable to the fire and floods. We are very thankful that the alert was made because it benefits us. There are people who are angry and angry at us.
They are asking us to respond to them. They are not responding to us. They are just responding to the community. We are trying to get back the alert.
We are not going to get back the alert. Because of the financial difficulties, I have to leave. I don't have any support. I don't have any resources to use if I don't have the resources to provide like medicine kits, like parts.
Thank you, sir. Water reservoirs are used to store water. This area is prone to fire due to the conditions. The structures are composed of light materials. We are working to restore and reform the Alaska Emergency Response Team.
That's all. Thank you very much.