Housing agency taps satellite technology to track land misuse, ease floods

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is partnering with the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) to use satellite technology in monitoring land use violations that worsen flooding in Metro Manila and other urban centers.

“Actually, alam mo yung usapin ng pagbaha, hindi lang yan engineering problem. It's really an urban planning and land use planning problem,” said DHSUD Assistant Secretary Mylene Rivera in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing Friday.

(Flooding is not just an engineering problem. It is really an urban and land use planning problem.)

Rivera explained that decades of poor urban planning, including the construction of housing, malls, and factories in low-lying areas and the encroachment of informal settlers into rivers and easements, have narrowed waterways and blocked natural drainage systems.

“Kung sinakop mo, nag-encroach ka doon sa buffer zones na yun, liliit, kikited ang ilog. So yan, magko-cause yan ng pagbaha,” she said.

(If you occupy those buffer zones, the river narrows. That is what causes flooding.)

Satellite monitoring for zoning violations

To strengthen enforcement, DHSUD and PhilSA will roll out a Land Use Compliance Assessment Monitoring System early next year.

“When you superimpose satellite images with LGU land use maps, makikita mo yung mga non-compliance. Hindi ka na makakapagtago, mas madali na mag-monitor,” Rivera explained.

(By overlaying satellite images with local government maps, violations can be detected. You cannot hide anymore, monitoring will be easier.)

She said the system will allow DHSUD and LGUs to quickly spot illegal constructions on agricultural land, river easements, and other restricted zones, ensuring compliance with zoning and environmental regulations.

Safer homes under 4PH

Rivera also highlighted the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH) as a long-term solution to move families out of danger areas.

“We ensure that the projects na enrolled sa 4PH ay pumasa doon sa Site Suitability Assessment… wala siya doon sa mga danger areas,” she said.

(We ensure that projects under 4PH pass the Site Suitability Assessment and are not in danger areas.)

Low-income families in Metro Manila earning P47,000 and below per month are prioritized, with Pag-IBIG Fund partner developers offering affordable units nationwide.

“Ngayon, because of this program… may pagkakataon na po ang ating mga kababayan na makabili ng bahay. Ligtas pa, hindi na sila babaha na parang kada bagyo, nagwo-worry sila,” Rivera said.
(Now, because of this program, Filipinos have the chance to own their own homes. Safer too, so they won’t have to worry about flooding every time a storm comes.)

Rivera urged families to avoid unlicensed developers and apply only through accredited 4PH projects to ensure housing safety and quality.—LDF, GMA Integrated News