Fishermen are highly vulnerable due to the sensitivity of fisheries and water resources to climate change and variability. This study aimed to contribute to the growing database on climate change adaptation of vulnerable sectors in the Philippines. Due to its archipelagic structure, developing countries such as the Philippines are the most exposed in the world to the risks and potential consequences of climate change (Tolentino et al, 2016).
This study will adapt the vulnerability assessment framework by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2011). This approach provides a framework for analyzing climate change vulnerability and adaptive capacity at the community level. Exposure and sensitivity to climate change hazards determine the impact of climate change on bio-geophysical and social systems.
However, long-term quantifiable data on the effects of climate change on wetland floodplain fisheries are lacking (Naskar et al., 2017). It is therefore crucial to quantify the physical effects of climate change on these services. Information about climate change can be found in the news and on community forums (Kabir et al., 2016).
Similarly, 90% of fishermen believe that climate change would lead to the extinction of some fish species.
Quantitative Data (Household Survey)
In this chapter, the results of the household surveys and focus group discussions and the analysis of the results are presented in two sections. The first part presents quantitative data on the demographic profile of respondents, their knowledge of climate change and their ability to adapt. The second part presents the qualitative findings of the focus group discussion of fishermen of Barangay Cuyapon, Kabacan, Cotabato.
The highest level of education for household members was elementary level (47%), followed by secondary level (26%) and vocational level (0.2%).
For possible reasons for climate change, respondents chose deforestation (27%), population growth and the will of God/Allah (25%), industrial/vehicular emissions (20%) and urbanization (2%). As for the extent of floods and typhoons over the past ten years, 89% believe it has increased. When asked if they had noticed any change in the rainfall or rain pattern in the last ten years, 92% said it had intensified while 1% said they had not noticed any change.
The majority (94%) of respondents testified that their fish catch has decreased over the past ten years. The reasons that received significant responses were overfishing (78%), excessive chemical fertilizers/pesticides (13%) and solid waste pollution (9%). What do you think are the possible causes of the decrease in harvest/fish caught.
24 respondents vary; 48% had a roof made of durable material made of metal sheets, and 40% were made of light material nipa/kalakat. A refrigerator is unusual because only 14% of respondents have one and 86% store their food in cupboards. The primary source of drinking water is a deep spring/stream dependent on a Level II water system, 5% on a Level III water system, 2% on rainwater and bottled water received a zero (0) response.
Sixty-three percent (63%) of households dispose of solid waste to the barangay LGU, 18% incinerate it, 15% dump it into open water, and 3%. Only 22% of respondents in HH have their own toilet and 73% have a flush toilet. Of the 78% of households that do not have a toilet, 42% use a communal one, while 58% defecate along the banks of the marsh.
68% of the respondents stated that they have changed their fishing method in the last 10 years in order to achieve an increase in the fish catch. In terms of type of fish caught, mudfish (dalag) obtained the highest response at 25%, with gourami and puyo tied at 14%, and eel received the lowest response at 2%. On the boat material mix, the majority (76%) of respondents with boats use wood as their primary material, followed by fiberglass and zero response for bamboo.
When asked, if they have changed the type of material of their boat during the last 10 years, 52% of respondents say that they have changed the material of their boat. And the reason is that the respondents prefer wood (44%) and some other materials were considered by the respondents as not durable (32%). 44% of the respondents were the recipient of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Fisherfolks organization got the highest response (57%), followed by Bantay Pawas (23%) while youth organization got the lowest with 5%. Hypertension and asthma received a 1% response while the question about illness received no response, but 10% of respondents have a member of their household who belongs to Persons with Disabilities (PWD). When asked Have you experienced property damage, 67% was caused by flood, 24% by an earthquake, 7% by armed conflict, and 2% by the typhoon.
Questions about shelter
Questions about food
Questions about water
Questions about energy
Questions about waste
Questions about fishing
Questions about water
Questions about
Questions about
Questions about
Qualitative Data (Focus Group Discussion)
- Historical Timeline
- Vulnerability Matrix
- Institutional Participation
- Hazard Mapping
- Seasonal Calendar
- Findings in Indigenous Knowledge, System and Practices (IKSP)
The first observed inhabitants of the barangay are groups of the Maguindanaon tribe in 1939. The most vulnerable to earthquakes are the concrete structures that are mostly found near or in the center of the barangay. The low level of awareness among respondents about climate change (23%) is reflected in the results collected at the IKSP.
Based on the results, respondents were able to share their IKSP only for fisheries and not for climate change in general. Most of the respondents of this study are Maguindanaon whose knowledge and awareness of climate change is very basic. Before the survey, only 23% of respondents had knowledge of what climate change is.
There was no documented IKSP on climate change per se, but there is mention of IKSPS on managing their natural resources. Financial ability – There is no diversity in the livelihood of the fishermen, although there is a 7% who are involved as a laborer in construction. To conclude, the vulnerability of the fishermen of Barangay Cuyapon to climate change is high because their exposure and sensitivity to climate hazards and impacts is high and their current socioeconomic conditions are poor.
The fishermen 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 awareness of climate change. Effective implementation of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) through contextualization at the level of community members will increase their knowledge about climate change.
Adaptation of these recommendations will increase community resilience to climate change at the household level. Sensing climate change in freshwater fisheries and the role of these systems in their adaptation strategy in the central river region. Assessing vulnerability to climate change at the local level: a case study of the Dniester River Basin (Moldova).
Knowledge and perceptions of climate change and human health: findings from a baseline survey among vulnerable communities in Bangladesh. Losses of coastal wetland ecosystem services due to climate change: a case study in the west coast of Bangladesh.
DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE
KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE 1. Are you aware of Climate Change?
Where did you learn about Climate Change? (Multiple answer acceptable)
Has fish catch/ harvest in your area reduced during the last 10 years?
What do you think are the possible causes of the reduction in the Fish harvest / caught? (Multiple answers acceptable)
ADAPTATION STRATEGIES 11. Information about shelter
- Queries about food
- Queries about energy What are your Energy Source
- Queries about waste
- Queries about water transportation Type of boat
- Questions about livestock How many livestock do you own?
- Queries about financial resources Do you have household savings?
- Queries about community involvement
- Queries about health and climate change Does any member of your household have
- Queries s about disaster risks Has your family been relocated/displaced?
Have you changed the type and material composition of your boat in the last 10 years? Participants will create a map of the community and highlight landmarks such as housing, key facilities (churches/mosques, health clinics, schools and evacuation centers) and resources (fishing spots and water bodies) in the area. When you go to the swamp and come across a carabao or a monkey, leave them alone.
