This initial work engagement with Mirant Philippines Foundation allowed ESSC to put forward its analysis of the 2004 disaster beyond that of deforestation and logging.

The great damage wrought by flooding in Quezon in the past two decades has brought to the fore the question as to what were the actual causes of the disasters. The long-term effects of these events continue to be felt by the families in the hard-hit areas. Long-term solutions are needed, not only to rehabilitate these communities, but also to reduce - if not prevent - the destruction of life and property in similarly vulnerable areas in the future.

On-going research and data analysis show that a loss of one to three percent forest cover in the Sierra Madre Range over the last 11 years is not an adequate justification for focusing on illegal logging but more reason to focus on poverty reduction, relocation of high risk communities and ensure the accountability of local government. Loss of forests equates to loss of soil, biodiversity, the recharge of aquifers and of livelihoods. The reversal of this will not necessarily prevent future disasters of similar nature as floods and landslides are part of the natural processes of reshping the landscape over time. People must be relocated to low risk areas. ESSC's research is beginning to tackle 50 to 100 year rainfall events. The area of risk, today, is increasingly determinable.

As new data pours in, policy-makers are provided with a sounder basis for drawing up responsive solutions to different problems, and a better orientation to the long term needs of major relocation of communities to other lands, especially in Infanta and the eastern seaboard. The analysis is further integrated with a wide range of information that would contribute to a more manageable understanding of the causes of disasters and developing social contracts.

The statement released by ESSC to government agencies, environmental groups, academe, media, professional organisations, church groups, businesses, international research institutes, development institutions and key individuals working in the forestry and natural resource managment sector is available online Report on the 2004 flooding disaster.

In addition two sets of a four poster map series in Tagalog were produced. The work relied on a GIS based analysis of the different geo-spatial information and datasets available, as well as local interviews and related studies by other agencies.

Institutional presentations were made to NGOs, media, the National Disaster Coordinating Council, the REINA local government units and to the Philippine Forestry Forum. A year later a television documentary obtained ESSC's inputs as part of its presentation on how the communities are faring a year later.