Participatory 3-Dimensional Mapping for Disaster Risk Reduction An assessment of needs and opportunities for PDIs indigenous partner

communities
Participatory 3-Dimensional Mapping (P3DM) is a form of mapping which facilitates the integration of local and scientific knowledge with bottom-up and top-down actions in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). It is cheap and relies upon locally available materials, easing the transfer of experience from one community to another. P3DM for DRR was introduced to PDI or staff member who participated in a training conducted in Zamboanga del Sur in 2010. Initial discussions conducted in Manila stimulated interest and it was agreed that the tool and method should be introduced to potential target stakeholders amongst PDIs partner communities. The briefing was conducted during the PDI anniversary activities in Palauig, Zambales, from 29 to 31 March 2012. Goal and objective of the activities The activities conducted in Palauig was aimed at assessing potential ways of using P3DM for DRR amongst different indigenous communities. This preliminary consultation with potential partner communities was deemed necessary in order to avoid imposing from the outside a tool and method which the people might find impractical or unsustainable. The specific objectives of the briefing were to 1/ introduce P3DM as a tool and method for enhancing DRR to local communities, and 2/ to assess its relevance in addressing local issues. Participants Participants were indigenous people from different communities in Masinloc (Zambales), Botolan (Zambales), Limay (Bataan), Coron (Palawan) and Iligan (Lanao del Norte) (Figure 1). There was strong attendance party from San Juan, Loob Bunga and Baquilan in Botolan. Participants included the barangay captain and two kagawads from San Juan. Participants included both male and female of all ages. They proved dedicated and engaged in the series of activities conducted. Venue and schedule of activities The activities were hosted by the PDI field office in Zambales and conducted at a former rice mill. The venue provided enough space for the participants to move around, engage in the mapping activities, and interact with each other. Activities conducted The programme of activities included a series of seven interrelated exercises geared towards identifying and ranking community issues and assessing the relevance of P3DM to address these local concerns. The sequence was as follows: 1/ a short interactive discussion to introduce the concept of disaster and the main tenets of disaster risk reduction;

Figure 1. Participants to the P3DM for DRR consultation activities conducted in Palauig, Zambales, on 29 March 2012 (photograph by JC Gaillard)

2/ a four-station carousel to identify: - disaster-related issues within the communities (ano ba ang mga isyu sa komunidad tungkol sa kalamidad?); - how the participants plan to address those concerns (ano ang mga plano upang tugunan o bigyang solusyon ang mga isyu?); - what are the needs for implementing such a plan (ano ba ang mga kailangan upang isakatuparan ang mga solusyon?); - who the stakeholder of this plan should be (sino ba ang responsable, may kaalaman, o may pakialam sa mga isyu o solusyon kontra sa kalamidad?). 3/ a scoring and ranking of issues, plans, needs and stakeholders to identify issues and concerns which stand out. To complete this exercise, a set of five pushpins were given to each participant who were free to distribute them according to the importance of each point. 4/ a short interactive discussion to introduce P3DM for DRR to the participants.

5/ a participatory mapping activity following the principles of P3DM for the participants to appraise the potential contribution of the tool and method in solving disaster-related issues in their community. Participants were gathered into three groups composed of the people from San Juan, Botolan (group 1), Baquilan and Loob Bunga, Botolan (group 2), Masinloc, Limay, Coron and Iligan (group 3). Groups 1 and 2 were invited to map their local communities, i.e. San Juan and Baquilan, while group 3 focused on the surrounding of the venue. To plot community-related information (including rivers, roads and other lifelines, houses and other major landmarks, and

natural and technological hazards) participants used a sheet of Styrofoam, pushpins of different shapes and colours, and yarns of various colours. At the end of the exercise, each group was invited to share insights from their map and engage in a discussion with other participants. 6/ a short follow-up discussion on the concept of disaster and principles of disaster risk reduction based on the participants experience and own map of their community. 7/ an assessment of the relevance of P3DM for addressing issues, fostering plans, covering needs and involving stakeholders identified in the second and third activities. Participants were invited to plot pushpins on a four-quadrant target (emphasising issues, plans, needs and stakeholders) in accordance to their evaluation of the relevance of tool. Assessment of needs and opportunities Figure 2 shows the results of the carousel and scoring-ranking activities. Participants have emphasised anthropogenic environmental degradation (deforestation, mining, quarrying and solid-waste pollution) as their main concern, which should be addressed through communityled actions geared towards restoring forest cover, proper solid-waste management and raising awareness. Such actions require initial training, followed by appropriate planning and actual implementation of associated measures. Participants also mentioned the need for enhanced warning in the advent of cyclones or typhoons. Stakeholders to be involved in answering those needs and in designing action plans include members of local communities, teachers and relevant government agencies such as PAGASA. Most participants eventually expressed their appreciation of the participatory mapping activity and its relevance in addressing the foregoing issues, developing appropriate plans, covering relevant needs and involving local and government stakeholders (Figure 3 see also PDI video recordings). Participants from Limay and Botolan, notably San Juan, proved particularly eager to conduct P3DM in their village in planning for DRR. Outlooks P3DM for DRR activities may be conducted in Limay as a pilot site amongst PDI partner communities. Training may be conducted under the supervision on Jake Rom D. Cadag. Further trainings may be conducted in other PDI partner communities, notably in Botolan.

Figure 2. Outcomes of the carousel exercise run as part of the P3DM for DRR consultation activities conducted in Palauig, Zambales, on 29 March 2012 (photograph by JC Gaillard)

Figure 3. Participants evaluation of the relevance of P3DM in addressing pre-identified issues, fostering community plans, covering local needs and involving required stakeholders, Palauig, Zambales, 29 March 2012 (photogrph by JC Gaillard)

JC Gaillard and Jake Rom D. Cadag Quezon City, 1 April 2012

Text editing by: Ely Santos Photo editing by: Ramon T. Ayco, Sr.