Dagsa ng Kalamitika: Disaster Relief as Electoral Currency A Case Study on the Persistence of Political Opportunism Amid Calamity Crisis in Hagonoy, Bulacan

Abstract

Disaster events in the developing world highlight the contentious issues on human-environmental interactions, and sustainable development. As extreme weather events intensify, the vulnerable population bears the brunt of its impact, resulting in disaster relief as a critical response mechanism. In the Philippines, ayuda has evolved beyond humanitarian assistance into a political tool, often used to consolidate electoral support. Despite the widespread practice of vote buying, the implications of relief goods in populist politics remains understudied. This study introduces Kalamitika, a portmanteau that captures the intersection of the continuous rise of calamity and politics, through a qualitative case study of Hagonoy, Bulacan, a flood-prone municipality affected by recurring typhoons and tidal surges. Findings reveal four key dimensions of disaster relief in local elections: (1) the vulnerabilities of low-income families amid calamities, (2) their experiences with aid distribution, (3) the pre-electoral dynamics of disaster relief, and (4) the post-electoral dynamics of disaster relief. Moreover, results indicate that disaster relief fosters emotional bonds between politicians and voters, shaped by gratitude, hope, reciprocity, and myopia. These sentiments contribute to non-monetary vote-buying, as politicians exploit relief distribution as a "low-hanging fruit" for electoral engagement. While communities remain aware of systemic inadequacies, the immediate aid they receive reinforces populist tendencies, deepening their political loyalty. Ultimately, this study underscores how disaster relief is weaponized to manipulate voter behavior, reinforcing entrenched clientelism and reshaping democratic processes in disaster-prone communities.