Lilian Grace D.

Agaton
Design

1. What is the difference between Socialized and Economic Housing?

According to BP 220 or the design standards for economic and socialized

housing, “Economic and Socialized Housing” refers to housing units which are within
the affordability level of the average and low-income earners which are thirty percent
(30%) of the gross family income as determined by the National Economic and
Development Authority from time to time. It shall also refer to the government-initiated
sites and services development and construction of economic and socialized housing
projects in depressed areas.

Talking about the difference of the two, “Socialized housing segment” is for
projects costing P450,000 or below, while“economic housing” covers the price range
starting from P450,000 but not exceeding P1.7 million.

2. Are there any plans to build one in any of our cities?

Upon researching, there are a lot of plans, on going, and turned over housing
projects that have been conducted all throughout this year. The Housing project for
Brgy. Reserva Población, Baler is a proposed plan that has been inked or signed to be
given to the informal settlers of the said city.

Based on my research, “The Department of Human Settlements and Urban

Development (DHSUD) finalized another key pact with Baler, Aurora local government on
mass housing projects mostly intended for informal settler families (ISF).”

3. In which area will this be located?

The Baler Housing Project will be established in Brgy. Reserva on a more than
one-hectare property. It will feature single detached and duplex-single-attached housing
units. Beneficiaries, mostly those residing in critical and high-risk areas, will be
determined after a thorough assessment by the LGU. The projects will also include site
embankment, provision of areas for parks and playgrounds, community facilities,
concrete roads, drainage and slope protection, among other amenities.

Both projects will be constructed using incentivized compliance by partner developers

to a balanced housing program in line with the government’s commitment to provide
decent housing to all Filipino families, particularly the ISFs and those affected by
previous calamities.
 A. SITE JUSTIFICATION

CRITERIA 5 10 15 20 25 RATING

POOR LESS SATISFAC VERY EXCELLE

SATISFAC TORY SATISFAC NT
TORY TORY

SIZE OF 1000- 2000-250 2500-300 3000-500 5000-mor 5

SITE 2000 sq. 0 0 0 e
m. sq. m. sq. m. sq. m. sq. m.
3000-500 25
0
sq. m.
5000-mor
e
sq. m.
25

SITE Does not Have a Have few Have Have a 20

DRAINAG have a poor functional adequate good
E proper drainage drainage drainage functional
drainage system system system drainage
system system

NATURAL Flood Flood Have a Have Have no 15

HAZARDS prone prone few adequate problem
areas and area problem problem in
within in in possible
fault line possible possible natural
natural natural hazard
hazard hazard

AVAILABI Does not Have a Have a Have Have a 25

LITY OF have a resources few adequate good
WATER water of water resources water resources
RESOURC resources but of water system of water
ES unsanitar within the within the
y site site

SAFE Does not Have a Have a Have Have a 5

ROUTES have a few good adequate good safe
TO road signages signage safe routes
OUTSIDE signages within the but not routes and have
AMENITIE and site having a and have a signage
S pedestria pedestria a signage and
n within n lane for and pedestria
the site the users pedestria n lane for
n lane for the users
the user within the
site

PROXIMIT Have no Have a Have a Have a Have a 10

Y TO FIRE fire fire fire adequate good
RESPONS station station station facility of facility of
E within the but within the fire fire
area kilometer area but station station
within the have a
area less
facility in
case of
respondin
g

ROAD Have no Have a Have a Adequate Good 20

ACCESS access few road road access of access of
road access access road to road to
within the but not the site the site
site good
roads

ENVIRON Have no Have Have few Have Have a 25

MENTAL vegetatio vegetatio vegetatio adequate good
AESTHETI n and n but no n and vegetatio amount
C VALUE trees trees trees n and vegetatio
trees n and
trees

Table 1. Site Selection Criteria

A.1 Macro-Meso Site Analysis

Regional

Figure 1. Central Luzon, Region III Map

Central Luzon, designated as Region III, is an administrative region in the Philippines,

primarily serving to organize the 7 provinces of the vast central plains of the island of
Luzon (the largest island), for administrative convenience. The region contains the
largest plain in the country and produces most of the country's rice supply, earning itself
the nickname "Rice Granary of the Philippines". It is composed of seven provinces,
twelve cities and 118 municipalities.

Its 7 provinces are Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and
Zambales. Its 12 cities are Balanga from Bataan, Malolos and San Jose del Monte from
Bulacan, Cabanatuan, Gapan, Muñoz, Palayan and San Jose from Nueva Ecija; Angeles
and San Fernando from Pampanga, Tarlac from Tarlac; and Olongapo from Zambales. It
is one of the most active and energetic regions in the Philippines. It is situated at the
crossroads of AsiaPacific. It serves as the gateway for European and American
business organizations desiring to penetrate Asia.
Provincial

Figure 2. Provincial Map of Aurora

Aurora is a coastal province of Central Luzon region in the Philippines. Little is known about
the province due to its remoteness, but its capital is known for its surfing scene, and the
province has one of the largest expanses of rainforest spared from development, and also
has hidden beaches and mountains. Its capital is Baler and borders, clockwise from the
south, the provinces of Quezon, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Isabela.

Before 1979, Aurora was part of the province of Quezon. Aurora was, in fact, named after
Aurora Aragon, the wife of Pres. Manuel L. Quezon, the president of the Philippine
Commonwealth, after whom the mother province was named.
BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

There are several stories attributed to the origin of the name Baler. Legend has it that
the name of the place originated from Lakan Balid, a chieftain of a prosperous and
thriving village, when the Spanish soldiers came upon, in their exploration of the
northeastern coast of Luzon. The Spanish soldiers found it hard to utter the native word
Balid that they called him instead as Lakan Baler.

A story told of a certain Fray Valeriano, a priest who was once stationed in the village.
He was very kind and people loved him so much. The villagers commonly knew him as
Padre Valer. When he died, the village was named in his honor, later becoming Baler.

Another legend said that it is derived from a native word Balid, the dialect of the
Aetas/Dumagats. To them, it meant “a place to come home to” or pinagbalikan. Aetas’
tribes are known for their nomadic character, but no matter where they roam or their
nomadic instinct took them, they always come back to a place along the coast which
they called Balid.

Another story told was that of a Spanish Priest asking a native woman the name of the
place. The woman answered Valé for she mistook him asking for her name. Later, the
Spaniards called the place “Baler” for they found it hard to utter Valé.

But the most popular and accepted origin was recorded and defined in “Vocabulario de
la Lengua Tagala” a Spanish dictionary published in 1754 by Juan dela Noceda and
Pedro de San Lucas. According to the book, the name Baler originated from the word
“Balod” , a large mountain dove (Paloma Montes) that was once abundant in this place.
In addition, tales handed down to generations said that no matter where Balerians go in
their search for fame and glory, they would always hope of going back home to Baler.
In 1609, seven (7) intrepid Franciscan Missionaries led by Fray Blas Palomino
penetrated the thick forest of the Sierra Madre Mountains and found Baler as a
settlement. This small settlement was improved and converted into a town by the
Augustinians and the Recollects in 1658. Due to scarcity of religious missionaries, the
Franciscan again took over the administration of the settlement in 1703. In 1856 Baler
was the principal town “El Principe”, a district of the province of Nueva Ecija. In 1901
under the American Administration, the district was incorporated into the Province of
Tayabas, later named Quezon Province.

On June 14, 1951 by virtue of R.A. 648 Baler became the capital town of the
sub-province of Aurora. The town served as the capital town when Aurora was officially
created as an independent province by virtue of Batas Pambansa Blg. 07.

The town Baler is most remembered in the annals of Philippine history as the last
bastion of Spanish rule in the country,

It claims historic significance for being the birthplace of the late President Manuel L.
Quezon who is the Father of the national language, Father of Social Justice and first
President of Philippine Commonwealth.

Baler is the hometown of Senator Edgardo J. Angara, one of its illustrious sons, who is
famed much for his brilliant service in the country.

SITE

Reserva is a barangay in the municipality of Baler, in the province of Aurora. Its

population as determined by the 2020 Census was 5,158. This represented 11.78% of
the total population of Baler.

DEMOGRAPHICS

The household population of Reserva in the 2015 Census was 4,580 broken down into
1,045 households or an average of 4.38 members per household.
POPULATION BY AGE GROUP

According to the 2015 Census, the age group with the highest population in Reserva is 5
to 9, with 535 individuals. Conversely, the age group with the lowest population is 80
and over, with 31 individuals.

Combining age groups together, those aged 14 and below, consisting of the young
dependent population which include infants/babies, children and young
adolescents/teenagers, make up an aggregate of 33.65% (1,541). Those aged 15 up to
64, roughly, the economically active population and actual or potential members of the
workforce, constitute a total of 62.18% (2,848). Finally, the old dependent population
consisting of the senior citizens, those aged 65 and over, total 4.17% (191) in all.

The computed Age Dependency Ratios mean that among the population of Reserva,
there are 54 youth dependents to every 100 of the working age population; there are 7
aged/senior citizens to every 100 of the working population; and overall, there are 61
dependents (young and old-age) to every 100 of the working population.

The median age of 22 indicates that half of the entire population of Reserva are aged
less than 22 and the other half are over the age of 22.

HISTORICAL POPULATION
LOCATION

Reserva is situated at approximately 15.7989, 121.5361, in the island of Luzon.

Elevation at these coordinates is estimated at 9.8 meters or 32.2 feet above mean sea
level.

LAND AREA

Baler has a total land area of 9,255 hectares (source: DENR, Land Management Bureau).
However, several studies account for varying land area of the municipality. It ranges
from 8,565 to 12,127 hectares which could be attributed to boundary disputes being one
of the oldest municipalities in the province in which nearby municipalities took from its
territory.

Ironically, the smallest among the municipalities in the province of Aurora in terms of
land area, Baler comprises only about four (4) percent of the province’s land area. It is
politically subdivided into (13) thirteen barangays, five (5) urban barangays in the
Poblacion and eight (8) barangays in the fringe areas.
ADJACENT BARANGGAYS

Reserva shares a common border with the following barangay(s):

Laboy, Dipaculao, Aurora

Ipil, Dipaculao, Aurora
Obligacion, Baler, Aurora
Bagtu, Maria Aurora, Aurora
Bangco, Maria Aurora, Aurora
Buhangin, Baler, Aurora

LABOR FORCE

The working age population grew from 17.210 to 19.961 inhabitants in 2000. In 2005,
there is an increment of 3.3% per annum (higher than the overall population growth).
This number is expected to increase up to 27.629 in 2020 with a net increment of 7.660
persons in the next 15 years (510 per annum) without taking into account migration
effects, as seen in table 5.2. The population momentum in the municipality brings as a
consequence the percentage increase of this cohort from 57% to 66% as percentage of
the total population.

Baler has a young and increasing population that will need additional opportunities to
be employed.

In 1995 the dependency ratio was 0.78, but in 2000 this ratio fell down to 0.74 still a bit
higher than the provincial ratio of 0.68. Thus, in Baler there are 74 dependants for every
100 persons in working ages compared to 68 in Aurora province. The implication of this
ratio is that less disposable income is available in every household, but this situation
will improve until 2020 when the ratio drops to 0.51 (see table).
As a conclusion, it can be cited that there will be a net increment in the labor force in the
municipality, despite the improvement in the dependency ratio. Since the agricultural
sector is not generating enough number of employment and is not able to generate
more because of their inherent low productivity per worker, it is predicted that for the
next 15 years, the other sectors of the economy (manufacturing and service) have to be
promoted in order to cope with the employment demands of the growing working age
population.

5.1 Solid Waste

Solid waste problem is one of the major environmental issues confronting the
municipality of Baler especially . In terms of collection efficiency, the service collection
areas only include the 5 barangays comprising the town’s poblacion. The remaining 8
barangays are not served due to inadequacy of personnel truck and equipment. Baler
has only one functioning garbage truck to serve the whole municipality.

In the absence of the permanent sanitary landfill contributed most to the tremendous
problem in solid waste. In response to this, Municipal Solid Waste Management Board
conducted several activities to address the tremendous problem on solid waste and to
ensure the attainment of clean and green surroundings and to comply with the
provisions of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Program of
the locality.
Hazardous Waste
Hazardous wastes are materials used or generated during processing that are toxic,
corrosive, ignitable and reactive chemical substance. Hazardous waste would likewise
include refuse from hospitals and infirmaries which may include human waste,
pathogenic and infectious wastes. At present waste from the town’s hospital is not
allowed to be deposited in the existing dumpsite. These pathogenic wastes are
individually disposed off by hospital. The unregulated disposal of this type of waste may
impact on the delicate coastal environment of Baler.

Recyclables solid wastes, on the other hand, are usually sold in junk shops. But
oftentimes because of the absence of a material recovery facility (MRF) and the public’s
general disregard for waste segregation, some hazardous wastes such as exhausted
batteries, butane-filled lighters, solvent and lubricating oil containers and sulfuric acid
containers are incorporated in the municipal refuse and disposed at the municipal dump
site.

Because of Baler’s relatively high water table, the possibility of contamination is all the
more pronounced. However, the extent of leaches has yet to be determined.

● Garbage Disposal in Baler

The usual manner of garbage disposal employed by 76% of the residents is through
backyard burning of household waste. Only 12% of the local population disposed their
garbage through garbage collection practices employed by the municipality. Currently,
the municipality has only one collection truck to do the rounds of garbage collection.
5.4 Access to Sanitary Toilets As of 2006, 84.78 % of households in Baler have
sanitary toilets, while 7.39% of households with insanitary toilet and 7.81% households
without toilet. It was reported that two chamber septic tanks are being used in most
households.

7.1 Transport System

Geographically Baler is far from Manila in terms of road distance. Baler can be reached
from outside Aurora via two routes. These are the Baler-Bongabon road and the
Pantabangan – Maria Aurora road. The former route is used by some private vehicles
while the latter route is used by the passenger service vehicles and most of the private
cars.

Baler has a very small sea port which is currently used for very small scale fishing
loading and unloading activities. No commercial sea transport services are present at
the present.

7.2 Road network

Baler can be reached from outside Aurora via two routes. These are the Baler-Bongabon
road and the Pantabangan- Maria Aurora road. The former has a distance of 62 kms.
From the provincial boundary, while the latter has length of 41 kms. The residents of
coastal barangays of San Luis use water transportation (motorized bancas) to reach the
municipality, while those from DICADI (northern municipalities) areas use the coastal
national road. The road network of Baler has a total length of 87 kms. Of this total,
National Road accounted for 24.64%, while the Provincial Road, Municipal Road and
Brgy. Roads have a share of 17.35% & 8.59% and 49.40% respectively. The table below
shows the breakdown of these roads per barangay, classified according to
administrative jurisdiction
Road Rights-of-Way

Road right-of-way widths throughout Baler vary between 5 meters to 8 meters.

Barangay roads usually have widths between 4 and 6 meters, while national, provincial
and municipal roads vary in width from 6.1 meters to 8 meters.

Most of the roads in the Poblacion barangays are concrete-paved, while roads outside
the poblacion are either gravel-lined with medium standards, or earthfill roads in poor
condition. Farm to Market Roads (FTMR) of Baler, which serve as access from
production to market outlets ( Poblacion), have combined length of 9.11 kms. These
FTMRS include the following:
7.3 Bridges

There are eight (8) bridges in Baler. These bridges have a combined length of 1.169 km.
Six are classified Reinforced Concrete Deck Girder (RCDG) and one bailey Type of the 6
RCDG bridge, Aguang has the highest load capacity of 20 MT., the rest 15 MT. The lone
Bailey bridge is located in Brgy.Obligacion constructed across the Pacugao River and
has a load capacity of 15MT. The newest is Buton Bridge in Brgy. Buhangin made of
Reinforced Steel.
7.4 Water Transportation

Baler has a port and wharf at Sitio Cemento, Zabali and Sitio Duongan, Poblacion 5,
respectively. The port has a total length of 250 meters and is used by
passenger-motorized bancas plying the Baler-Casiguran sea-lane while the wharf is
used loading and unloading of passenger and cargoes. Likewise, the wharf is the best
places for these boats to take refuge during bad weather and typhoons.

Baler Municipal Fish Port at Sitio Cemento, Zabali operates for unloading and loading of
fish catch in the Municipality. It usually utilized by commercial and medium scale
fishers, as well as fish buyers, dealers and transporters.

7.5 Air Transportation

At present, far, no regular commercial air transport services routing in the area.
However, Baler Airport in Brgy. San Isidro of the nearby Municipality of San Luis , about
seven (7) kilometers away from the town proper is a feeder airport that can
accommodate light chartered flights.

7.6 Land Transportation

Within the Poblacion and neighboring barangays, tricycles are the most commonly used
public transport services. Tricycles are also routing from Baler to the adjacent
municipalities and vice-versa. However, some passenger jeepneys are also routing from
Baler to Ma. Aurora and vice versa. Likewise, jeepneys, vans and buses are used to
transport travelers going out and coming in of the province. Traders use cargo trucks in
by-land shipment of their products.

AS of 2007, there are 2,131 motor vehicles registered at Land Transportation Office.
This evidenced by the heavy traffic along the Quezon Street and other major streets of
the Poblacion. A considerable number of motor vehicles and motorcycles (tricycles) are
rotating within the vicinity of Baler. MTOP record reached to more than 997 of tricycles
which are common type of public road transport services in Baler network due to the
establishment of three (3) motorcycle trading center.

Bus lines plying to various parts of Luzon are operated by bus companies such as:
Genesis, ABC and D Liner. Public Utility Vans covered by informal franchise are also
augmenting the public transport services plying the Baler-Bongabon and
Baler-Pantabangan national roads.

Normally, the scheduled departure of buses from Baler is at early 5:00 AM up to the late
hours in the morning. Public utility van usually leaves in the afternoon.
7.7 Potable Water Supply Facilities

As of 2011, 3,710 households ( 51.53%) have access to Level III water supply facilities,
1,723 households (26.72%) have access to Level II water facilities and 997 households
(15.46%) tap their water from Level I water facilities in Poblacion.

Level I water supply facilities consist of a protected well or a developed spring with an
outlet but without a distribution system, generally adaptable for rural areas where the
houses are thinly scattered. Examples of Level I facilities are public deep wells, shallow
wells, private wells and spring development. There are 357 such Level I facilities in
Baler.
Level II facilities consist of a source, are reservoir, a piped distribution network and
communal faucets located not more than 25 meters from the farthest dwelling unit.
Level II facilities ail to serve rural or urban fringe areas where dwelling units are
clustered more densely to justify a simple piped system. A total of 67 such Level II
facilities are located in Baler.

Level III facilities refer to a municipal water system were dwelling units have individual
connections. This water system has a source, a reservoir, a pipe distribution network
and household taps. Level III systems are designed for densely populated areas. As of
2006, Baler’s Level III systems serve a total of 3,323 household connections.
There are 13 Barangay Water Supply Association (BWSA’s) in Baler organized in various
dates. These are located in seven (7) barangay with combined total number of 289
members.

Free flowing wells are found anywhere in the municipality. These are the major sources
of water supply for the population of Baler. At present, there are strategically located in
four urban core barangays (Poblacion) and eitght non-urban barangays. The barangays
with the most number of free flowing wells are Pingit (20), Sabang, (19) Buhangin (17)
and Reserva (16).

7.8 Irrigation Facilities

The existing Communal Irigation System (CIS) in Baler support the water requirements
of 931 hectares of rice lands, being cultivated by 800 farmers. The availability of
irrigation water provides farmers an opportunity of cultivating their farms twice a year.
The list of CIS can be found in the table below:

7.9 Power Supply

Status of Electricity
The Aurora Electric Cooperative (AURELCO) serves the electrification of Baler. This
cooperative draws its power supply from NAPOCOR’s 69,000KV lines at Sta. Rosa Luzon
Power grid. A capacity of 5 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) is received by AURELCO’s
Sub-Station at San Isidro, San, Luis, Aurora. The use of solar panel as source of energy
is also introduced in Baler. One of the projects of DAR is the installation of roughly 4
units of solar panel in Sitio Kinalapan, Brgy. Pingit. The recent program of DPWH is the
installation of solar panel for the street lights along Buton Street, Barangay Sabang.
7.10 Flood Control Infrastructure
With Baler experiencing major flooding in recent memory, flood control facilities are
critical to Baler’s survival. Three (3) flood control projects and one drainage structure
are operational in Baler, as per 1994 DPWH reports. The flood control structures

include a 344-meter road dike in Brgy. Pingit, a 400-meter earth dike in Brgy. Buhangin
and a 201-meter concrete sea wall constructed along the shoreline of Brgy. Sabang to
protect it from the scouring effects of sea waves. The lone drainage structure was
constructed in Sitio Castillo in Brgy. Sabang, where the outlet of the Castillo River was
rechannelled from its original location at the east side of Sitio Castillo, to the west side.

7.11 Communication

Telecommunications

At present no telephone facilities are available in Baler except for some government and
private offices. This is because of the presence of cell sites of SMART and GLOBE that
provide signal to cellular (mobile) phones used by majority of the people in the area.

There are also few units of radio-based transceivers and hand-held two-way radios that
are owned and used by some private and government agencies.

Postal Services

Baler Post Office manages by Philippine Postal Corporation is located at the Municipal
Building, Baler, Aurora. Regular office hours stay from 8:00 – 12:00 AM to 1:00 – 5:00
PM from Monday to Friday and half-day working hours every Saturday.

Newspaper Circulation

There are fourteen (14) national newspapers circulating in the municipality. (See table).
It comprises six (6) broadsheets and 8 tabloids. In addition, there are nine (9) weekly
national magazines circulates in the area. These printed media reach Baler in the early
hours of the afternoon and are being provided by one (1) privately owned news
distributor.

Two (2) local newspapers of regional circulation are available in the area. These are
Newsbreak Aurora and Time Record Aurora, both are issued weekly.

PHYSICAL FEATURES

TOPOGRAPHY AND ELEVATION

Baler has almost equal area of lowland and upland at 43% and 57% respectively. The
upland is located at the southeastern part of the municipality. It consists of hills and
mountains which formed part of the great Sierra Madre Mountain Range. The
northwestern part of the municipality is classified as lowland and serves as the
drainage of the municipality, which accommodates water discharges from two (2) of its
main rivers, the Suklayin and Aguang Rivers. The table below shows the detailed
distribution of slope classes of the municipality of Baler.

0-18% slope – level to rolling 5,353 has. 57.9%

 18-30% slope – rolling to hilly 2,962 has. 32.0%

30-50% slope – steep hills/mountains 940 has. 10.1%

In terms of elevation, Baler has an elevation range of 0 to 625 meters above sea level.
The peak of the Dibudulan Mountain is considered the highest point in the municipality
and this is found at the southwestern portion of the municipality. Table 3 and Elevation
Map show the distribution and location of elevation classes of Baler’s topography.

CLIMATES AND RAINFALL

Baler falls under Type II Climate of the Coronas Classification with distinct dry and wet
seasons. Significant rainfall (>150 mm.) generally occurs every month. Climatic
elements are briefly discussed below:
Rainfall. The wettest months are October to December while the driest month is August.
The annual rainfall is 3,384.1 mm and the mean monthly rainfall is 282.01 mm. The high
level of rainfall can be attributed to climate change which causes the unpredictable
changing weather conditions.

Temperature and Relative Humidity. The recordedminimum mean monthly temperature

was 25.5°C which is in February while the maximum mean monthly temperature was
28.8°C which is in September. As to the annual average temperatures, the maximum
was 33.8°C, the minimum was 21.4°C and the annual mean temperature was 27.3°C.

The most humid month in Baler with relative humidity of 88% was recorded in the
month of December while the month of July is the least humid month with 75% relative
humidity. The average annual relative humidity is 82.5% with an average prevailing wind
speed of 2mps and direction of WNW.
Wind. About 2 meters per second or 7.2 kph is the annual wind speed in Baler. The
prevailing wind direction is southeasterly during the month of April, northwesterly in
October, northerly in January, November and December, westerly in June to September
and southerly in February, March and May.

Tropical Cyclones. Considered as the most impressive and destructive weather

phenomenon in tropical regions are tropical cyclones. These developed in the Pacific
Ocean and usually pass along and oftentimes across the eastern coast of Luzon in the
north or northwest direction.

An average of 3.4 cyclones or 17 percent of the yearly average cyclones of 19.8 enters
the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) which has direct effect in the province of
Aurora. The main risk occurs over the 6-month period from June to November.

SOIL TYPES

In terms of soil types, Baler can be grouped into four physiographic areas: lowland soils,
upland soils, hill and mountain soils and miscellaneous land types.
Lowland Soils. Lowland soils consist of young formed from fluvio-marine sediments
and alluvial materials. These soils are found in areas classified as active tidal flat, beach
ridges and swales, broad alluvial plains and collu-alluvial fan.

Active tidal flats are found at the convergence point of the Pudoc creek and Duongan
River. The area is poorly drained, characterized by coarse loamy soil texture, moderately
deep soils, with periodically severe flooding but with no apparent erosion. This area is
also a mangrove area, with nipa growth

Areas surrounding the Poblacion of Baler are categorized as broad alluvial plains with a
concentration of agricultural activities. The soils are poor to well drained, characterized
by fine loamy to clayey texture, moderately deep to very deep, with no apparent erosion
and with little (or zero) to moderate and to severe flood risk levels.

Collu-alluvial fan covers the level to nearly level Cemento Valley and Dicasalarin. The
soil is well to moderately well drain, characterized by fine loamy to clayey textures,
moderately deep to very deep, with no apparent erosion or flooding. Beach ridges and
swales cover some areas of Sitio Castillo and areas now occupied by beach resorts in
barangay Sabang.

Upland Soils. The upland soils of Baler can be described as undulating to rolling,
slightly to moderately dissected low volcanic, metamorphic and dioritic hills. These
areas have complex slopes ranging from 8 to 25 percent. The lands are well drained,
with clayey soil textures, moderately deep to very deep soils, with erosion levels ranging
from slightly – to moderately-eroded, but with no flooding. These areas are the
commonly abused areas of the municipality where hill farming activities are
concentrated.
LAND CLASSIFICATION

The Municipality of Baler is classified into two (2) major land classifications. These are
the forestland and alienable and disposable land. Forestland accounts 52 percent of the
municipality’s total land area, while A & D land covers the remaining 48 percent.

All forestlands of the municipality are within the jurisdiction of Barangays Pingit and
Zabali along with 871 hectares of A & D land. The rest of the barangays are lowland
barangays and classified A & D land. The distribution and spatial location of the
municipality’s land classes are described in the succeeding tables.
Land Cover: The 1990 and 1999 forest cover of the municipality of Baler is presented in
the next Table. The 1990 forest cover data is based on the result of the Forest Cover
Survey and Mapping of Aurora Province conducted by the National Mapping and
Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA). On the other hand, the 1999 forest cover
data is based on the interpretation of the 1999 Aerial Photographs that covered Baler.

It can be noted from the table below that between 1990 and 1999 residual forest
was reduced by 3.4 percent, while sub-marginal forest was increased by 2.8 percent.
Likewise, brush land increased by 1 percent with 0.4 percent decreased in grassland.
Old Growth Dipterocarp forest no longer exists in the municipality.
 1. Accessibility

Baler can be reached from outside of Aurora via two routes. These are the
Baler-Bongabon Road and the Pantabangan-Canili-Maria Aurora Road. The former has a
distance of 62 kms. while the latter has length of 41 kms. from the provincial boundary.
D’Liner Bus and Lizardo Trans serve as transportation from Baler- Dipaculao-Maria
Aurora-Cabanatuan via Pantabangan and vice versa. There are also D’ Liner and Lizardo
buses that operate from Baler to Baguio City via San Jose City and vice versa. Genesis
Bus is an air conditioned bus that carry passengers from Baler to Manila via
Pantabangan road and vice versa. Moreover, Aurora Bus and D’ Liner are air conditioned
buses that transport from Baler to Cabanatuan and vice versa. Joy Bus is a tourist’s
bus that carry passengers from Manila to Baler via Pantabangan Road. It leaves from
Cubao terminal at 12:00 and 1:00 in the morning while the Joy Bus from Baler terminal
departs at 4:00 and 5:00 am. D’ Liner and Lizardo buses route from Baler – Dinalungan
– Casiguran – Dilasag and vice versa. In addition, vans are now available as alternative
means of transportation going to Cabanatuan, Baguio and Casiguran.

The residents of coastal barangays of the nearby Municipality of San Luis utilize water
transportation like motorized bancas to reach the place. Those from the DICADI
(Dinalungan, Casiguran and Dilasag) areas use land transportation via
Baler-Dipaculao-Casiguran Road.

Being the capital town and center of commercial activities of Aurora Province, the
municipality of Baler is accessible from adjoining municipalities and several barangays
by means of tricycles which is the most common public transport service, also plying
the network of concrete and gravel-paved barangay (41 km), municipal (7.7km),
provincial (16 km) and national roads (22km).

NATURAL HAZARDS

Baler has a high level of disaster risks. In addition to storm surges brought about by
tropical cyclones, the other natural hazards observed to be present in Baler and its
outlying areas include earthquakes, tsunamis (seismic waves), landslides, liquefaction,
and flooding.
Flooding

Baler lies in one of the Philippines’ major sedimentary basins. Thus, low-lying areas in
the northwestern portion of the town are annually flooded, causing damage to
settlements, infrastructure, agricultural crops, and even death. Almost 40% of these
areas are subject to flooding. Flood-prone areas include Barangays Suclayin, Reserva,
Obligacion, Calabuanan, Buhangin, Poblacion, and portions of Sabang. In addition to
physiographic conditions, other contributory factors to flooding include deforestation
due to logging, land degradation caused by hill farming, sedimentation, shifting river
courses, riverbank erosion, and improper land use activities (such as encroachment on
water channel easements and illegal settlements along drainage canals).

The physiographic condition of Baler is a basic contributory factor to the town’s

perennial flooding. Nestled between the mountain ranges of the Sierra Madre, Baler
functions like a conduit that funnels flood waters from the surrounding upland regions
to the Baler Bay. Studies undertaken after Typhoon Violeta in November 2004
determined that the floodwaters affecting most of Baler’s barangays generally followed
a southwest to northeast direction. It showed that Barangays Buhangin, Obligacion,
Suklayin, and the Poblacion – all of which lie along the flood’s path – were the most
seriously affected. Based upon the Municipal Flood Map, 11 out of Baler’s 13 barangays
are exposed to flooding. Only the upland barangays of Zabali and Pingit are exempted
from the problem. Estimates indicate that about 60.2% of Baler is relatively safe from
floods while the remaining 39.8% are subject to varying degree of flooding.

Earthquake

Of the several earthquake generators within the Luzon region, the closest to Baler is the
Casiguran Fault and a segment of the Philippine Fault located about 35 kilometers
southwest of the town. The Casiguran Fault has been identified as the most active zone
in the Northern Philippines. Located in a seismically active belt and Baler’s proximity to
earthquake generators exposes the area to the effects of ground-shaking. Historical
records show that two major earthquakes had its epicenter in the province of Aurora: 1)
the 1968 earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale had its epicenter in Casiguran;
and 2) the 1970 earthquake with intensity 7.2 had its epicenter in Baler itself.

Liquefaction

The majority of Baler’s soil deposits consist of alluvial materials and unconsolidated
sediments. Combined with a high water table, the alluvial plains (which make up almost
half of the municipal land area) was identified by PHIVOLCS as susceptible to
liquefaction. Based on historical accounts, there were three recorded cases of
liquefaction in the Baler area. These occurred in 1968, 1970, and 1980 – all of which
coincided with major earthquakes generated by the Casiguran Fault.

Landslide

If deforestation, timber poaching and illegal activities such as “kaingin” (slash -and-burn
cultivation) in the upland areas persist to continue, the risk of landslides and flash
floods might likely occur, as what happened in the neighboring town of Maria Aurora.
Loose materials and unconsolidated sediments can easily give way with the relative
absence of vegetative cover.
SITE ANALYSIS (ANDREA ENRIQUEZ)

There is mostly residential buildings, secondly many commercial buildings and mixed
use buildings. There are few institutional and government buildings around the area.
The site is one of the most green or with high vegetation capacity in the area.

LOT

RESIDENTIAL AREA

COMMERCIAL AREA

MINOR ROADS

MAJOR ROADS

BUS STOPS
A bus company is located besides our main lot called Genesis Transport Inc. in Aurora.
The yellow circles represent where the bus stops loacated.
Vehicular access is not a problem in the site. The RROW is a two-way road but traffic
can be formed because of big vehicles like trucks and busses. Double-side parking is a
problem.

SWOT

STRENGTH
-Transportation access
-Entrance oppurtunities
-Central area

WEAKNESS
-possible traffic jams
-different building harmony

OPPORTUNITIES
-parking loads
-event combinations with surrounding markets and the flea market
-reachable supplies

THREATS
-noise pollution
-exiting markets and bus transpo company
BUILDING LAWS (KEN GARMA)
Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 – an act to enhance the mobility of disabled persons by
requiring certain buildings, institutions, establishments and public utilities or install
facilities and other devices.

Minimum Requirements for Accessibility

● Inside buildings and structures
● Easy access to ingress and egress
● Accessible elevators should be provided one entrance level
● Entrance at different level from grade, provide ramps
● Leveled vestibule for entrances with dimensions of 1.50 m width and 1.80 m
depth
● Ramps are required except if the structure were served by dropped curb,
elevators and other mechanical devices
● Ramp clear width: 1.20 m
● Gradient of 1:12
● 1:12 gradient ramps should not exceed 6.0 m long. Longer ramps with same
gradient should have minimum landing of 1.50 m every after 6.00 m
● Change of level not less than 1.80 m should provide landings at the top and the
bottom of any ramp
● Handrails of 0.70 m and 0.90 m in height should be provided at both sides
● Curbs on both sides of ramp minimum of 10 mm support for wheels (wheelchair)
● For a rise of 0.20 m and the ramp directly towards a road, provide railing across
the bottom of ramp its full width not less than of 1.50 m
● Non-skid materials
● Minimum clearance of door is 0.80 m
● Clearances should be measured surface of fully opened door
● Door pressure and force not more than 4.0 kg and device not exceed 1.0 kg
● Clear spaces of 1.50 m x 1.50 m extending and beyond door. A minimum
distance of 1.20 m clearance from the edge of the door panel to the nearest wall
should be maintained and unobstructed.
● Provide protections and stops for door swing, walls, plants, cabinet and other
devices that prevent from sudden opening of doors
● Minimum width of corridor is 1.20 m
● Door hardware height located between from 0.82 m and 1.06 m preferably 0.90
m above the floor
● Kick plates dimensions of 0.30 m to 0.40 m for major are doors
 ● Threshold and sliding doors tracks in ramped from maximum height of 25 mm
● For switches manually operated 1.20 m – 1.30 m above the floor
● Corridors with turnabout space at maximum distance of 12.00 m for wheelchair
turnaround
● Slip-resistant surface
● Washrooms and toilets accessible and easy passage of a wheelchair; Minimum
area of 1.70 m x 1.80 m of water closet stalls, provide grab bars, one fixed and
one movable
● Turning space of 2.25 sq. m. with minimum dimension of 1.50 m
● For a building having 20 storey, provide one (1) on each sex, provide two (2) in
excess of 20 storey
● Maximum height of water closet 0.45 m flush control of 1.20 m
● Maximum height of lavatories 0.80 m with knee recess of 0.60 m – 0.70 m depth
of 0.50 m
● Elongated lip of urinals 0.48 m
● Stairs tread should be slip resistant materials slip resistant nosing strips such as
rubber material
● Gray value color edge of steps
● Tactile strip of 0.30 m wide shall be installed, serve as early warning device for
visually impaired for sudden change
● 30.00 m distance from the entrance to the nearest elevator aided by directional
signs
● Minimum dimension of 1.10 m x 1.40 m
● Button control height with Braille signs 0.90 m – 1.20 m that can be reached by a
seated person
● Braille signs indicating floor level located at every door frame
● At the places of assembly, refer to number of spaces allotted to a person seated
on a wheelchair depend on capacity of area. (Rule III, Section 3)
● In case of large number of wheelchair user, provide movable seating on both
ends of each rows

Republic Act 9514 – Fire Code of the Philippines

Access to Exits
A door from a room to an exit or to a way of exit access shall be of the side-hinged,
swinging type. It shall swing with exit travel.

Discharge from Exits

All exits shall terminate directly at a public way or at an exit discharge.
Exits shall discharge to a free and unobstructed way to the exterior of the building and is
readily visible and identifiable from the point of discharge from the exit.

Size of Signs
Every exit shall have the word “EXIT” in plainly legible letters not less than fifteen
centimeters (15 cm) high with the principal strokes of letters not less than nineteen
millimeters (19 mm) wide, except that in existing building externally illuminated exit
signs therein having the word “EXIT” in plainly visible letters not less than eleven and
one half centimeters (11.5 cm) high, other than in places of assembly, may be continued
in use.

Fire Retardant Paint

In existing buildings the required flame spread classification of interior surfaces may be
secured by applying a proven fire retardant paints or solutions to existing interior
surfaces having a higher flame spread rating than permitted

Signal Initiation
Activation of the complete fire alarm system shall be initiated. A manual fire alarm box
shall be provided in the natural path of escape from fire near each exit from an area and
shall be readily accessible, unobstructed and at visible points.
Additional fire alarm boxes shall be so located that from any part of the building not
more than thirty meters (30 m) horizontal distance on the same floor must be traversed
in order to reach a fire alarm box.

Exit ArrangemenT
Exits shall be so arranged that at least two (2) separate exits will be available from every
floor area

Types of Exit
Door of the swinging type leading directly outside or through a lobby or passageway
leading to the outside of the building
Horizontal exits
Smoke proof enclosures
Stairs
Ramp

Travel Distance to Exits

Every area used for the storage of high hazard commodities shall have an exit within
twenty three meters (23 m) of any point in the area where persons may be present,
except where automatic fire suppression system protection is provided, distances may
be increased to thirty meters (30 m)

Extinguishing Requirement
Every high hazard occupancy shall have automatic fire suppression system protection
or other equivalent protection as may be appropriate to the particular hazard, including
explosion venting for any area subject to an explosion hazard, designed to minimize
danger to occupants in case of fire or other emergency before they have time to utilize
exits to escape.

Design Standards for Subdivision

Residential subdivision projects shall conform with the following minimum design
standards, applicable local government units' (LGU) zoning ordinances as well as
pertinent provisions of the National Building Code if project is with housing component:

The following non-saleable area shall be observed consistent with PD No. 1216:

Parks/Playgrounds
Allocation of area for parks and playgrounds shall be mandatory for projects one (1)
hectare or more and shall be deemed non-buildable area. The same shall be
strategically located within the subdivision project. Area allocated for parks and
playgrounds shall in no case be less than 100 square meters.

Community Facilities
Mandatory provision of areas for community facilities, such as neighborhood
multi-purpose center both for open market and medium cost housing projects with area
one (1) hectare and above. These areas are non-saleable. However, the developer may
provide additional areas for community facilities such as schools and commercial/retail
centers in excess of the mandatory requirement set forth in this rule which shall be
deemed saleable. The use of the said area shall be indicated in the plan and shall be
annotated in the title thereto.

Circulation System
● Hierarchy of Roads
The circulation system for open market and medium cost housing projects shall
have the following hierarchy of roads:
Minimum road right-of-way shall be in accordance with this section.

In no case shall a major road be less than 10 meters when used as main access road
and/or as future connection.

● Major Road - a street or road linking the site and serves as the main traffic artery
within the project site and shall traverse the longer axis of the property.
● Collector Road - a street or a road that services pedestrian / vehicular traffic from
minor roads leading to major roads.
● Minor Road - a road which main function is to provide direct access to lots and
other activity centers.
● Motor Courts - shall have a right-of-way of not less than 6 meters in width with
provision for sufficient space for vehicular turn around in the form of a cul-de-sac,
loop, branch or "T", with a maximum length of 60 meters inclusive of terminal.
● Service Roads - roads which provide for the distribution of traffic among
individual lots and activity centers.
● Alley - a 2-meter wide walkway which shall be used to break a block and to serve
pedestrians and for emergency purposes. It shall not be used as access to
property.

Road Right-of-Way (ROW)

The corresponding right-of-way for hierarchy of roads shall be as follows:
Minimum Lot AreA
The minimum lot area for various types of housing under open market and medium cost
housing project shall be as follows:

Saleable lots designated as duplex/single attached and/or rowhouse lots shall be

provided with housing units. Price of saleable lots intended for single-detached units
shall not exceed 40 percent of the maximum selling price of house and lot packages.

Lot Frontage
The minimum lot frontages for various types of housing under open market and
medium cost housing projects shall be as follows:
Minimum Requirements for Group A Dwellings

Dwelling Location and Lot Occupancy

The dwelling shall occupy not more than 90% of a corner lot and 80% of an inside lot,
and subject to the provisions on Easements of Light and View of the Civil Code of
Philippines, shall be at least 2.00 meters from the property line.

Light and Ventilation

Every dwelling shall be so constructed and arranged as to provide adequate light and
ventilation as provided under Section 805 to Section 811 of the Code.

Sanitation
Every dwelling shall be provided with at least one sanitary toilet and adequate washing
and drainage facilities.

Foundation
Footings shall be of sufficient size and strength to support the load of the dwelling and
shall be at least 250 millimeters thick and 600 millimeters below the surface of the
ground.

Floor
The live load of the first floor shall be at least 200 kilograms per sq. meter and for the
second floor, at least 150 kilograms per sq. meter.

Roof
The wind load for roofs shall be at least 120 kilograms per sq. meter for vertical
projection.
Stairs
Stairs shall be at least 750 millimeters in clear width, with a rise of 200 millimeters and
a minimum run of 200 millimeters.

Entrance and Exit

There shall be at least one entrance and another one for exit.

General Requirements of Light and Ventilation

● Subject to the provisions of the Civil Code of the Philippines on Easements of

Light and View, and to the specific provisions of the Code, every building shall be
designed, constructed, and equipped to provide adequate light and ventilation.
(Refer to Guidelines on Easements, View Corridors/Sight Lines and Basements at
the end of this Rule)
● All buildings shall face a street or public alley or a private street which has been
duly approved. (Refer to Guidelines on Streets/RROW and Sidewalks at the end of
this Rule)
● No building shall be altered nor arranged so as to reduce the size of any room or
the relative area of windows to less than that provided for buildings under this
Rule, or to create an additional room, unless such additional room conforms to
the requirements of this Rule.
● No building shall be enlarged so that the dimensions of the required court or yard
would be less than what is prescribed for such building lot.

Sizes and Dimensions of Courts

● Minimum Setbacks for Residential Buildings/Structures
 ● Setbacks for Commercial*, Industrial, Institutional and Recreational Building

Ceiling Heights

Habitable rooms provided with artificial ventilation shall have ceiling heights not less
than 2.40 meters measured from the floor to the ceiling; provided that for buildings of
more than one (1) storey, the minimum ceiling height of the first storey shall be 2.70
meters and that for the second story 2.40 meters and the succeeding stories shall have
an unobstructed typical head-room clearance of not less than 2.10 meters above the
finished floor.
Abovestated rooms with natural ventilation shall have ceiling
heights of not less than 2.70 meters.
Mezzanine floors shall have a clear ceiling height not less than 1.80 meters above and
below it.

Sizes and Dimensions of Rooms

Minimum sizes of rooms and their least horizontal dimensions shall be as follows:
Rooms for Human Habitations - 6.00 sq. meters with a least dimension of 2.00 meters;
Kitchen - 3.00 sq. meters with a least dimension of 1.50 meters; and
Bath and toilet - 1.20 sq. meters with a least dimension of 900 millimeters.
Air Space Requirements in Determining the Size of Rooms

Minimum air space shall be provided as follows

School Rooms - 3.00 cu. meters with 1.00 sq. meter of floor area per person;
Workshop, Factories, and Offices - 12.00 cu. meters of air space per person; and
Habitable Rooms - 14.00 cu. meters of air space per person.
Window Openings
Rooms intended for any use, not provided with artificial ventilation system, shall be
provided with a window or windows with a total free area of openings equal to at least
10% of the floor area of the room, provided that such opening shall be not less than 1.00
sq. meter. However, toilet and bath rooms, laundry rooms and similar rooms shall be
provided with window or windows with an area not less than
1/20 of the floor area of such rooms, provided that such opening shall not be less than
240 sq. millimeters. Such window or windows shall open directly to a court, yard, public
street or alley, or open watercourse.

Required windows may open into a roofed porch where the porch:
1. Abuts a court, yard, public street or alley, or open watercourse and other public open
spaces;
2. Has a ceiling height of not less than 2.70 meters;
3. Has one of the longer sides at least 65% open and unobstructed.
Eaves, canopies, awnings (or media agua) over required windows shall not be less than
750 millimeters from the side and rear property lines.
There shall absolutely be no openings on/at/within/through all types of abutments
(such as firewalls) erected along property lines except for permitted vent wells. This
Rule strictly applies to all new and existing developments.

In locating window openings it should be borne in mind that in cases of extreme

emergencies windows must serve as emergency egress to vacate the premises or
access for rescue operations. Such windows shall meet the following requirements:
1. They can be opened from the inside without the use of any tools;
2. The minimum clear opening shall have a width not less than 820 millimeters and a
height of 1 meter;
3. The bottom of the opening should not be more than 820 millimeters from the floor;
4. Where storm shutters, screens or iron grilles are used, these shall be provided with
quick opening mechanism so that they can be readily opened from the inside for
emergency egress and shall be so designed that when opened they will not drop to the
ground;
5. All areas immediately outside a fire exit window/grille must be free of obstacles and
must lead to a direct access down into the ground or street level.

ABUTMENTS (FIREWALLS) ON THE SIDE & REAR PROPERTY LINES

Figure VIII.21. Annotation: The 0.40 m height of the firewall above the roof lines of the
buildings is an absolute minimum. Only the flashing may be allowed to cross over to the
other side of the firewall for anchorage purposes