This paper presents the differential impacts of flood hazards among street children, the
urban poor and residents of wealthy neighborhoods in Metro Manila, Philippines. It argues that being
poor is not the only reason why certain sectors are more vulnerable to floods or any environmental
hazards – spatial isolation and lack of participation in decision making intensify their present and
future vulnerability, as well. Archival research, interviews, focused group discussion, participant
observation and surveys of populations at risk are employed to delineate the flood experiences and
coping strategies of street children and residents of poor urban settlements and wealthy neighborhoods
in Metro Manila at the household and community levels. The concept of entitlement, the
Contextual Hazards Model, and the Access Model are used in the data analysis and interpretation.
Several policy recommendations on hazard management and disaster mitigation are identified to
reduce flood losses in Metro Manila.