Box 2: Eruption of Mt.

Pinatubo
Mt. Pinatubo, a volcano located on the west coast of Central Luzon some 100 km
northwest of Manila, violently erupted in July 1991. The eruption, one of the largest globally
in the 20th century, caused severe damage. Some 6 km3 of pyroclastic material was deposited
in river basins whilst a further 1 km3 of ash was deposited across an area up to 40 km from
the volcano, effectively altering the hydrology of the whole region (USACE, 1994). Fallout
affected a total area of 340,000 km2 (PHIVOLCS, 1991). The impact of the eruption was
exacerbated by Typhoon Diding, which occurred immediately after the eruption scattering
water-soaked ash over a very large area and causing massive mudflows. These, in turn,
covered large areas of agricultural land and destroyed buildings, bridges and roads and other
infrastructure. Minor eruptions continued until 4 September 1991.
The provinces of Zambales, Pampanga, Tarlac and part of Bataan, all in Region III,
were most severely affected by the initial eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Some 80,000 ha of
agricultural lands and fishponds was buried by ash and the initial lahars; transport,
communications, power, irrigation and other infrastructure as well as houses and public
buildings were damaged; drains and other water conduits were blocked, increasing the risk of
flooding; commercial and industrial operations in the cities of Angeles and Olongapo
suspended; some 600,000 jobs lost, equivalent to around a quarter of total employment in
Central Luzon; and 200,000 people evacuated at the height of the eruption (PHIVOLCS,
1991).
Subsequent lahars generated by heavy rainfall have occurred in every year since the
eruption, although lahar dykes defenses have gradually been constructed to contain lahars and
reduce losses. The lahars have caused extensive damage to agriculture and infrastructure, for
example, lahars in 1991 and 1992 alone affected almost 260,000 persons and destroyed 4,190
houses. The continued annual threat of lahars has created certain problems in designing
appropriate rehabilitation programs for livelihood creation and for the reconstruction of
infrastructure.
Prior to July 1991, Central Luzon had been the Philippine's prime rice growing
region, accounting for 20.5% of national palay production and 15.7% of gross acreage. Ten
years on, in 2000, it accounted for 15.2% of national production and 13.% of gross acreage.
Sugar production and aquaculture had also been important. For example, had Central Luzon
produced some 45 percent of the country's total fishpond production in 1990. By 1994

aquaculture output from the region was still only some 60 percent of previous levels due to
the obstruction of water flows and tidal exchange. Coastal and freshwater fishing operations
as well as fragile eco-systems, including mangroves and coral, were also disrupted by
increased siltation, changing river flow patterns and destruction of breeding areas (USACE,
1994). These problems have continued as more ash is washed downstream.