16 November - Masantol, Pampanga
Site Visit Summary
The North Manila Bay Flood Protection Strategy team had a coordination meeting with a representative from the Municipal Environmental and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) in Masantol LGU. The team discussed the purpose of visits, and these are site inspection and conducting focus group discussion.
Together with MENRO, the site team navigated the bodies of water traversing of the municipalities of Masantol and Macabebe, Pampanga. The site team took pictures and videos using drones along with the Bebe – San Esteban cut-off channel and Pampanga river until it reached the southern portion of Macabebe downstream.
Fishponds in Sapang Kawayan (left)Pampanga River Delta (right)
The site team had random residents along the riverside at Barangay Palimpe and Sapang Kawayan who were interviewed and shared their flooding experience and response using our survey questions. The team interviewed around ten residences, and they were very cooperative in sharing their thoughts during the interview.
Community Interview in Masantol, Pampanga
In a parallel activity, the Focus Group team conducted the forum discussion with stakeholders composed of 15 fisherfolks in Masantol. They are very participative in our discussions by sharing their inputs about Nature-based Solutions when presented and giving information about their experience during flooding. They expressed their issue about natural high tide from Manila bay. They are hoping that their town will be the pilot location.
Focus Group Discussion with Fishermen in Masantol
Site Visit Snapshots
Drone footage along with Pampanga River (upper and lower left) and fishpond (upper and lower right)