Farmers' Resilience towards Climate Change Related Disasters (CCRDs): The Case of Barangay Mabalbalino, San Carlos City, Pangasinan

Abstract

The effects of climate change is imminent in the future, especially without building resilience of communities across the globe. The alteration in the climate variables often causes extreme events, which often leads to Climate Change Related Disasters (CCRD). This study explored through the resilience of farmers in Barangay Mabalbalino, San Carlos City, Pangasinan, Philippines. Specifically, it described the demographic profile of the respondents; determined the knowledge on climate change and its related disasters, readiness and initiatives towards climate change related disasters, and programs and services towards climate change related disasters. The study utilized qualitative design, specifically using phenomenological method. Farmers were interviewed using an interview schedule. Based from the findings, it was determined that, the farmers were not familiar about the meaning and characteristics of climate change and its related disasters. With regard to farmers’ readiness towards CCRD, it was found that they were not resilient towards the phenomenon, this is clearly pictured in the demographic profile of the farmers (i.e. low income and low level education). However, it was known that there were initiatives in the community to adapt to CCRD which makes the farmers resilient at certain degree. These initiatives included elevation of houses, construction of two-storey house for floods and irrigation practices for drought conditions. Without programs and services to combat the effects of CCRD, the farmers were found vulnerable and at risk. Based from the findings, it was therefore recommended to conceptualize programs and services in improving and building the resilience of farmers. In addition, reiteration and adoption of mitigation and adaptation strategies of the National Framework Strategy on Climate Change should further be stipulated to combat CCRD.