More Than a Decade after Sendong: Examining the Condition of the Resettled Survivors in Iligan City and Cagayan De Oro City, Philippines

Abstract

It has been more than a decade already since Tropical Storm Sendong (International name Washi) devastated most of the areas in Northern Mindanao, Philippines. Among the cities most affected were Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City, which registered thousands of lives lost, injured, and displaced as a result of the tragedy. This study assessed the impact of resettlement on the economic, social, and environmental conditions of the Sendong survivors in these cities, employing 590 research participants. The findings indicate that the current situation of the resettled families is not generally in good economic shape, given job unavailability and income falling below the minimum poverty threshold. They have been able to socially adapt to the new environment despite the breakup of their social ties before Sendong. However, some relocation sites did not protect the resettled families against environmental risks like flooding or possible landslides. Inquiry into whether they have obtained full recovery after the disaster remains a challenge when compared to their pre-disaster conditions.