10. Questions about
4.2. Qualitative Data (Focus Group Discussion)
4.2.3. Findings in Indigenous Knowledge, System and Practices (IKSP)
The low level of awareness of climate change by the respondents (23%) is reflected in the results gathered on the IKSP. Based on the results, the respondents were only able to share their IKSP on fishing and not generally on climate change. During the FGD, most of the elderly respondents who were considered a reservoir of IKSP knowledge has a low level of
34 awareness of climate change. Among the IKSP on fishing presented were: the use of “Paatul”
- these are charms or amulet that provides protection and good luck; “Malaykat” - these are spirits that tend to play with your perception and usually confused you during navigation; “Igan”
- use beetle larvae to be added to fish bait; and “kapembatya” - these are chants/prayers usually done while building fishing tools, going to the marsh, installing fishing equipment, and harvesting. However, there is a notable practice they shared that can be linked in to conservation. This was “Tampal a ipedsapal I kapangawat.” – these are areas in the marsh are that prohibited from fishing. They believed that crocodiles and boa constrictors are abundant in that area and home to spirits. Upon further inquiries and also based on the secondary data provided by the barangay the area was identified as a breeding site and nursery of fishes.
Table 4. Hazards, impacts, and vulnerability
Indicators Present in
Barangay Climate Hazards
Tsunami NO
Typhoon YES
Earthquake YES
Flood YES
Drought YES
High Temperatures YES
Pest infestation YES
Other Hazards
Armed conflict YES
Climate Impacts
Decreased crop production YES
Decreased fish harvest YES
Contaminated water supply NO
Decreased water supply YES
Dengue outbreak and diarrhea NO
Vulnerable Resources
Fishponds YES
Crops YES
Livelihood YES
Homes and Properties YES
35
Water Supply YES
Social Infrastructures YES
Most Vulnerable Sectors
Fisherfolks/Farmers YES
Elderly YES
Persons with disability YES
Children YES
Table 5. Adaptive Capacity
Resources Present in Barangay
Physical/Infrastructure YES
Water Gate Control YES
Water supply system YES
Energy supply (electricity) YES
Telecommunications Tower YES
Garbage collection system in place YES
Barangay Health Station YES
Botika ng Barangay NO
Barangay Hall YES
Senior Citizen’s Building NO
Multi-Purpose Hall YES
Concrete barangay road YES
Public transport vehicles YES
Market Stalls YES
Post-harvest facilities
(Warehouse, solar dryer, rice mill)
YES
Irrigation YES
Community Fish Landing Center YES
Primary School YES
Secondary School YES
Madrasah Arabic School NO
Day Care Center YES
Chapel YES
Mosque YES
Sari-sari (retail) Stores YES
Financial/ Economic Wealth
Internal Revenue Allotment YES
BDRRM Fund YES
Economic Development Fund YES
People’s Survival Fund YES
4Ps Benefits YES
Senior Citizen’s Pension YES
Technology
DRRM Equipment: VHF radio YES
36
Resources Present in Barangay
DRRM Equipment: Cellular phones YES
DRRM Equipment: kampana (bell) NO
DRRM Equipment: Megaphone YES
DRRM Equipment: Siren NO
DRRM Equipment: Rescue vehicle YES
Ownership of TV/radio in households YES
Ownership of cellular phones in households YES
Use of mobile internet YES
Access to a radio station for information dissemination YES Institutions and Social Capital
Enhanced CSO participation in decision-making process YES
Relief goods assistance YES
Disaster risk reduction and management plans YES
Monthly barangay clean-up YES
Community-based approach reforestation YES
Presence of Government Agencies YES
Presence of Private Agencies/NGOs YES
Presence of Church Organizations YES
Presence of Civil Society Organizations YES
Midwife YES
Barangay Health Worker YES
Day Care Worker YES
Human Development
Household’s basic knowledge of climate change YES
Household participation in community meetings YES Conduct of climate change awareness for barangay council
members
YES Conduct of IEC on environment, health and nutrition,
population and climate change
YES
Conduct of hazard drills and simulation YES
Conduct of trainings for emergency response teams YES Natural
Freshwater resources (fishes) YES
Forest resources NO
* Sources: FGD Results, Barangay Profile and BDRRM Plan
37 CHAPTER V
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
This study generally aims to assess the knowledge of climate change, adaptive capacities, and vulnerabilities of the fisherfolks of Barangay Cuyapon who consider Liguasan Marsh as their main source of livelihood. The majority of the respondents of this study are Maguindanaon whose knowledge and awareness of climate change are very basic. Prior to the survey, only 23% of the respondents have knowledge about what climate change is. There was no documented IKSP on climate change per se however there are IKSPS mentioned about the management of their natural resources.
The main climate hazard is flooding as the wetland overflows during the wet season and inundates the surrounding low-lying communities including Barangay Cuyapon. The previous history of climate hazards had caused displacement and damage to properties in Cuyapon, and over the years, there is an increase in flooding because of heavy rains. While flooding in the marsh is beneficial to fishing activities, there is a drastic decrease in the amount of fish caught as well as in the number of fishing days affecting the livelihood and food security.
Most of these fisherfolks have no other source of income, no household savings and only a few have access to financial loans thus rendering them a vulnerable sector.
At the community level, Barangay Cuyapon possesses the adaptive capacity for climate change, considering the currently placed structures and systems, policies and plans, skills training, and equipment vis-à-vis its exposure to climate hazards. However, at the household level, the findings show that the adaptive capacities of the fisherfolk households are insufficient. These findings at the household level are summarized as follows:
1. Infrastructure – While most houses are made of semi-permanent materials, these are prone to flooding.
2. Financial Capacity – There is no diversity in the livelihood of the fisherfolks although there is a 7% who engages in construction as a laborer. Half of the respondents do not own a boat for fishing and those who have, uses a boat with a paddle. Without bancas, traditional methods of fishing are used such as hook and line and bamboo traps. The average monthly income of the households is 1,500.00 only. For household wealth, less than a quarter has household savings and access to financial loans. Less than 50% are 4Ps beneficiaries.
3. Technology - Food preservation is through drying specifically for fish. Food supplies
38 are stored in cabinets as there is only a margin who owns a refrigerator. Most of the commodities are purchased. The common water source is a Level 1 deep well/flowing and harvesting of rainwater is not widely practiced. The electricity is provided by Cotabato Electric Cooperative but there are some households who rely on solar as an energy source. Most households use firewood for cooking.
4. Human Development – The highest educational attainment was elementary level.
Asthma, diabetes and hypertension are among the listed climate-related health issues.
The disaster experiences aside from flooding are earthquakes and armed conflicts which caused the households to a forced evacuation.
5. Cuyapon has a functional solid waste management program in which wastes are collected per schedule. On sanitation, almost 80% do not own a toilet and 42% of them use the communal toilets and 52% defecate along the marsh. Regarding their community involvement: Only a few households are members of a community-based organization, but the majority of them are actively participating in community meetings.
To conclude, the vulnerability of the fisherfolks of Barangay Cuyapon to climate change is high because their exposure and sensitivity to climate hazards and impacts are high and their current socio-economic conditions are poor.
39 CHAPTER VI
RECOMMENDATIONS
The fisherfolks of Barangay Cuyapon are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and variability because their adaptive capacities at the household level are insufficient. To mitigate this, it is recommended to strengthen their adaptive capacity especially in increasing their level of awareness of climate change. Implementing effective Information, Education, and communication (IEC) through contextualization to the level of the members of the community will increase their knowledge of climate change. Specific intervention at the household level should be identified and implemented leading to behavioral change towards the increase of their adaptive capacity. The internal and external stakeholders should provide more climate- resilient alternative livelihoods to fisherfolks to reduce their vulnerability. Adaptation of these recommendations will increase the community’s climate change resiliency at the household level.
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44 Appendix A. Fisherfolk’s Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity Survey
Tool
FISHERFOLK’S CLIMATE CHANGE VULNERABILITY AND ADAPTIVE CAPACITY SURVEY Respondent number: _________