Capiz flooding hits 8.7% of households, PIDS survey finds

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Households in rural Capiz were among the hardest hit by flooding in Western Visayas between 2023 and 2024, with 8.7% affected — more than double the regional average — according to a survey by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

Data from the first wave of the Philippines Socioeconomic Panel Survey (PSPS) showed that flooding was the second most commonly reported natural disaster among rural households in the region, affecting 4.3% of respondents.

The survey found that 10.8% of rural households in Western Visayas experienced at least one natural disaster in the 12 months before the survey.

Typhoons remained the most prevalent disaster, affecting 6.8% of households across the region, with Antique recording the highest incidence at 15.1%.

Most households affected by natural disasters were in barangays that received some form of government disaster assistance during the same period, though the extent of aid varied across provinces and disaster types.

PIDS, the country’s premier government think tank, said the PSPS aims to provide policymakers with data on household welfare, vulnerability, and development outcomes.

The PSPS is a long-term panel survey tracking 15,088 rural households across 500 barangays in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.

Its first wave of data collection began in December 2023 and concluded in January 2025, with succeeding rounds scheduled every four years until 2043.

Flood mitigation a priority

With Capiz continuing to experience recurring floods, the provincial government has identified the Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project (PRBIDP) as a top priority.

Capiz Provincial Administrator Arthur John Biñas said the project is being prioritized because of the growing need to strengthen flood mitigation, disaster resilience, environmental sustainability, water security, climate adaptation, and long-term economic development within the Panay River Basin.

Biñas said flooding remains a persistent problem across the province, with two to three incidents recorded annually.

“In the second district, seven out of 10 municipalities experience flooding two to three times annually. In the first district, all six municipalities and Roxas City are affected,” Biñas said.

“We really need to address flooding because it affects a lot of people,” he added.

Biñas said the agriculture sector bears the brunt of the damage.

“The agricultural sector is tremendously affected. Farmers not only lose money, but they also lose their source of income,” he said.

Funding remains the biggest obstacle to large-scale flood control interventions, Biñas acknowledged.

“Until we solve severe flooding in the province of Capiz, the number one hindrance will always be funds,” he said.

“If this project had been implemented earlier, we could have accomplished much more. I will be very happy if at least it can finally begin,” he said.

Earlier in April 2026, the National Irrigation Administration-Western Visayas said it is pushing for a PHP 6.5 billion allocation in 2027 to begin major civil works for the PRBIDP.

Based on 2017 figures, the proposed cost of the PRBIDP was estimated at PHP 20.786 billion, though officials said the amount is expected to increase because of inflation and updated project studies.