NEWS

14.03.2013

Pinoy farmers only coping with climate change, says study

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MOST Filipino farmers, fishermen and forest residents are only coping with and not systematically mitigating the impact of climate change, according to a recently released study.

In the study titled “Socioeconomics of Climate Change in the Philippines: A Literature Synthesis—1990–2010,” authors Asa Jose Sajise, Merceditas Sombilla and Rico Ancog said the adaptation behavior of Filipinos should be improved since the country is most vulnerable to the disastrous effects of higher temperatures, stronger typhoons, prolonged dry spells and rising sea levels.

The study was largely funded by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development.

Searca Director Dr. Gil Saguiguit Jr. said the paper is an important contribution to the growing body of serious literature on what can be done to mitigate the vulnerability of coastal communities, upland areas and agricultural lands in the future.

He added that the study revealed a wealth of information about household behavior and how government and social scientists can use it to promote a comprehensive program to mitigate climate change.

Previous studies

THE latest study followed those conducted in recent years.

In 2006 a study by M.G.A. Huigen and Isabella Jens looked into the socioeconomic effects and coping mechanisms of farming families affected by Typhoon Harurot (international code name Imbudo) in Isabela province’s San Mariano town in 2003, and discovered that 78 percent of the farmers did not change their agricultural strategies and maintained a “business as usual” attitude.

This surprised the authors, since the typhoon ruined 64 percent of their yellow corn, 24 percent of their bananas and 27 percent of their rice. None of the farmers resorted to planting typhoon-resistant crops like sweet potato and watermelon.

In 2010 a study by L. Penalba and D. E. Elizegui examined the responses of local government units (LGUs), non-governmental organizations and communities in Batangas province to the impact of Typhoon Milenyo (international code name Xangsane) in 2006. The study showed that there was a disparity between the recommended measures and those implemented on the ground.

“The households employed mainly ‘soft’ structures such as reinforcing their houses and properties. Their behavioral responses included securing food, water and other necessities, including boats and livestock,” the authors noted.

“Similarly, there were significant gaps between actual and recommended practices and serious misconceptions held by local government institutions. Hence, the researchers recommended improving adaptation behavior among groups,” they said.

Even a study of the behavior of the people of Leyte province’s Ormoc City after floods struck there, as well as after the flooding in the coastal areas of Southern Leyte province, showed that the adaptation process is household-based.

This study, by C.D. Predo and B.B. Dargantes, also showed that some households were not confident about cooperative solutions and would just depend on LGUs for defensive solutions.

Predo, Huigen and Jens and other researchers also found that the higher the income levels of the farmers, the higher the possibility of adapting to climate-change impacts.

In 2008 a study by Acosta-Milchik and Espaldon showed that poor farmers in Batangas seldom change their production activities and consumption habits in spite of these impacts. It also showed that the traditional relationships between the farmers and traders tend to be strengthened by these impacts, with the former not opting to change in order not to upset their ties with the latter.

Worse, farmers and fishermen tend to seek financial assistance from traditional lenders rather than official sources of credit, with only 25 percent of them trooping to government offices and credit facilities to secure cash.