Cost Estimation of Physical Impacts of Flooding in Kabacan, North Cotabato, Philippines

Flooding is one of the most common environmental hazards that pose alarming concern in the Philippines. In Kabacan, North Cotabato-a major rice-producing municipality in Mindanao, the increasing flooding incidents have been documented in recent years particularly during rainy season and extreme climatic events. However, detailed statistics regarding the physical losses of affected households are very limited as the generation of good field data remains a challenge. This study assessed and monetized the physical impacts of the extreme flooding brought by typhoon Crising in February 2013 using a combination of valuation techniques. The physical impacts of flooding which include damage to farm house structures and contents amounted to P 386, 916.68. The physical costs of flooding amounting to P 386, 916.68 reveals that flood is a costly problem in Kabacan with wide-ranging impacts particularly in rice farming communities and to the local government’s fiscal budget. Thus, to address the flooding problem in the area, a long-term and planned flood-mitigating program to be invested by the local government unit is clearly required.