Part 7/13:
Faced with ongoing flooding, Filipinos have become resourceful. Many raise their homes on stilts or elevate furniture to avoid water damage. Some have invested thousands of pesos to reinforce their dwellings or improve drainage. For example, Rens, a resident of Bulacan, has spent over PHP 50,000 to elevate his house, recognizing that relocating is not a feasible option for most.
Local communities have also pioneered grassroots early warning systems—sharing storm alerts via Facebook or community groups—to prepare residents. People often stockpile essentials and prepare evacuation protocols, though these are limited in effectiveness when storms strike unexpectedly or when existing infrastructure fails.