2018 Reports

Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Building in Manila:
Focus on Informal Settlements

Porio, Emma E.; Yulo-Loyzaga, Antonia; Ortiz, Monica

Manila, one of the world’s most densely populated and hazard-prone cities, faces recurrent flooding and extreme weather due to sea level rise, typhoons, and inadequate drainage systems. Informal settlements house millions of residents in high-risk areas with limited access to basic services, insecure tenure, and constrained participation in decision-making, intensifying vulnerability. Adaptation efforts, including in situ upgrading, resettlement, livelihood diversification, and community-based disaster preparedness, have been implemented alongside large-scale flood control and green infrastructure projects, though governance fragmentation and legal challenges have hampered full effectiveness. Strengthening coordinated local government support, integrating informal economies, and extending social services are essential to enhance resilience and reduce climate-related risks for the urban poor.