Every time heavy rain falls, hundreds of people are forced to leave their homes to seek safety from floods that cause significant property damage and pose a risk to life. Unfortunately, the very government facilities designated to assist those in need are often the first to be overwhelmed by the rising waters.
In Kabankalan City, 55.56% or 20 out of 36 healthcare facilities (HCFs) are situated in flood-prone areas, making health access problematic during the times when residents most need it.
State-developed GeoRisk PH, based on data from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Mines and GeoSciences Bureau (MGB), indicated that the city has 1 facility highly susceptible to floodwaters and 19 facilities in moderately susceptible areas.
Out of the 20 HCFs, the majority are village health centers. Only four are classified as private or government hospitals. Of these, three are in areas moderately prone to flooding, while the Kabankalan City Hospital (KCH) is in a safer zone.
The only issue is that during emergencies, it can only serve patients in the uplands of the city, as it is approximately 35 kilometers from the city proper, where most health facilities are at risk of flooding.
Earlier, the city government announced plans to take over Dr. Gumersindo Garcia, Sr. Memorial Hospital and make it a public medical institution, and city mayor Benjie Miranda acknowledged that the facility’s location is vulnerable to flooding.
He said that once the takeover materializes, the city would find ways to address its current state, including its vulnerability to flooding.
The flooding issue in the city has not only affected the HCFs, but also almost all the industries, which is attributed to the overflow of the Ilog-Hilabangan river, which, according to the Provincial Environment and Management Office (PENRO), now needs stronger watershed rehabilitation efforts, citing the impact of degraded upland areas on flood risks.
The city recently secured a P2 billion loan from the state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), with three approved terms, to address flooding amid division in the Sanguniang Panglungsod (SP).
Research on the impact of floods on HCFs worldwide suggested that authorities should lead efforts to develop protocols and standards to help HCFs assess potential flood impacts and explore available flood risk management measures.
“HCFs should receive guidance on standardizing and actively overseeing preparedness plans, including rehearsing and updating the plans. These exercises help ensure new staff and patients become familiar with the procedures. Additionally, local authorities should organize large-scale emergency drills and develop emergency plans to coordinate the preparedness efforts of multiple HCFs and other key responders, such as ambulances and police,” the research suggested.
“The availability of HCF building codes can help ensure the safe design, use, and adaptation of these facilities. The codes should specify climate-resilient strategies, such as elevating building floors and placing backup generators and other essential equipment well above ground level. If basements are required, they should be designed to be flood-proof and reserved for non-essential purposes,” the research added.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.