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.
