Shell study shows 81% of Metro residents believe city is resilient to natural disaster

MANILA, Philippines - Metro Manila residents believe their city is resilient to the challenges of natural disasters and urbanization but at the` same time acknowledged that a number of key developmental issues still exist, a study released by the Shell Scenarios team and conducted together with global research firm Ipsos showed.

“While the overall positive perception of Filipinos is truly admirable, it is important that this mental and emotional resilience does not lead to an oversight on important physical and actual resilience,” said Glynn Ellis, strategic energy advisory of Shell corporate strategy and planning and a member of the team behind the study.

The survey covered a thousand individuals at least 18 years of age across Metro Manila with representative sample in terms of age, gender, work and socioeconomic status.

According to the survey results, majority of Metro Manila residents or 81 percent are satisfied with their quality of life. Respondents cited positive attributes such as the city’s natural beauty and recreational spaces.

Eighty six percent of those living in Metro Manila, meanwhile, feel the city is resilient to extreme weather events.

“However, with the number of major weather disturbances that Metro Manila has faced in recent history – most impactful of which was tropical cyclone Ondoy, residents also identified priorities in waste management, drainage declogging and construction of roads.

Other initiatives that the respondents deemed are needed include reforestation (29 percent) and development of waterways and river basins (21 percent).