It has already been two weeks since we arrived in the Philippines. The first few days we got adjusted to the local climate and habits of the Filipino. After a weekend in the capital, Manila, we travelled to Macabebe, the project location. We were welcomed with open arms at the Municipality Hall and even got our own office to conduct our research from.
In the first week in the city we have got known with the neighbourhood and with the local population. They are very kind and willing the help us, but on the other side they ask critical questions which have to be taken into account during the redesign. Civil servants brought us to the site of the pilot project and arranged contact with contractors and people who are suffering from the floods. Although it is dry season right now, the high water levels show up at the edges of the roads. Many houses have subsided and are flooded right now already.
In the meantime the research phase is in full blast and the first progress is made, interviews are started and the network with local people and constructors is being expanded. The latter is not only important for the final construction, but also for the entire region. Including Macabebe there’s an alliance of eight municipalities in the surrounding area which are working together to solve the common water problems.
Each municipality sees the floating houses as a solution for the usually very crowded flooding areas. This indicates the importance of our research for the local inhabitants. In two weeks we will present our intermediate results of our research to the local municipalities and the Dutch embassy. You can read a new update by that time.
