This article is based on the author’s BS Development Communication thesis.
Suggested citation:
Cuadra, Efrelij J. (2012). Dawahon island fishermen’s information environment, awareness and coping mechanisms for typhoon-induced risks. Unpublished BS Development Communication thesis, Visayas State University, Baybay, Leyte, Philippines.
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by
Efrelij J. Cuadra
BS Development Communication 2012
Visayas State University
Visca, Baybay, Leyte, Philippines
Rural communities affected by frequent typhoons often lack time and resources to recover their losses. Usually, the typhoon season starts as early as May until November, but the peak activity of the typhoons is in July and September. Typhoons produce heavy winds and high seas which often last for several days making it impossible to the fishermen to go (Bailey, 1982). On the other hand, according to the Philippine Travel Guide (2004), aside from the Pacific eastern coastline of Luzon and Samar, Leyte is one of the target places of typhoons which greatly hit each year during monsoon seasons.
In the country, fishing is the main source of living in the coastal areas. Because of that, the fishing sector contributes to the income, employment, foreign exchange earnings and nutrition of the country (Green, White, Flores, Carreon, & Sia, 2003). But if changes like climate change-induced risks will occur, these threats will further aggravate the already dismal condition of the Philippine fisheries (Calvan, 2010).
Communication activities are needed to improve fisherfolk’s ability to cope with the impacts of typhoon-induced risks in fishing. For the communication activity to be effective, it must be a process that involves all stakeholders and employs the best possible combination of media, materials, and methods (FAO, 2006). For example, in the case of fishermen in Kubang Puji village (Jakarta), fishermen needed weather information because it is the key to determining whether they could go fishing or not while in Papua New Guinea (PNG), they have identified the major constraints to the development of the coastal fisheries. These are the lack of information about fisheries and environmental issues and the poor exchange of information between the various stakeholders and fishing industry workers (Des Rochers & Ame, 2005).
But how aware are the fishermen regarding the typhoon-induced risks in fishing? If they are, do they know of coping mechanisms for typhoon-induced risks? If they now have knowledge of the typhoon-induced risks, where did they learn this information? Have they tried to employ or practice some of these coping mechanisms? Are they cooperating with the community-organized activities to cope with typhoon-induced risks? What does the community have to say about fishermen’s involvement or participation in community-organized activities to cope with typhoon-induced risks?
Results of this study will serve as guide in communicating the natural hazards of typhoons in this changing climate and the coping mechanisms to typhoon-induced risks. This case of the Dawahon Island fishermen could also provide insights to local government units and other stakeholders in coastal barangays with the end in view of reducing the impacts of typhoons and seasonal strong winds such as during Habagat (southwesterly wind) and Amihan (northwesterly wind).
Objectives
Generally, this study aimed to determine Dawahon Island fishermen’s information environment, awareness and coping mechanisms for typhoon-induced risks in fishing. Specifically, this study aimed to:
- Determine the socio-demographic profile and information environment of the respondents;
- Find out the respondents’ awareness of coping mechanisms for typhoon-induced risks;
- Find out fishermen’s coping mechanisms for typhoon-induced risks.
Theoretical Framework
This study was based on the constructivist perspective. According to Forster (2006), the essential idea of constructivism is that the person is the one responsible in constructing his/her own reality. These constructions are alterable since the products of human intellects may change if their constructors will become more informed and sophisticated (Guba & Lincoln, 1994).
Campilan (1994) distinguished between the constructivist and positivist perspectives. He said constructivism focuses on meanings, looks at the totality of each situation and from the data, the ideas will be developed. Positivist, on the other hand, focuses on facts, reduce phenomena to simplest element and will just formulate hypotheses and then test them.
Campilan (1994) also clarified that the major concept of the constructivist perspective is that, both the researcher and the people researched on are all present in the process of understanding and interpreting the world around them. In this way, results are literally created as the study proceeds (Guba & Lincoln, 1994).
Constructivists argue that a research framed within the constructivist perspective requires the use of multiple methods. Thus, to surface respondents’ coping mechanism for typhoon-induced risks, this study employed a survey and focus group discussions. The FGD used a variety of participatory tools.
Methodology
Study sites
This study was conducted in Dawahon Island, Bato, Leyte. Dawahon Island is a coastal barangay of Bato of which the residents’ primary source of income is guso (Eucheuma) farming, followed by fishing. Fisher folk of the island stay for good because this island has a vast fishing ground (Vista Pinas, 2010).
Research design
This is an exploratory type of research which followed a case study and qualitative approach. A case study research provides a richness and depth of information which is not frequently supplied by the other methods (Hancock, 2002). Qualitative research is effective in obtaining culturally specific information about the values, opinions, behaviors, and social contexts of particular populations (Mack, Woodsong, MacQueen, Guest & Namey, 2005).
Respondents
The study included fishermen-respondents from Dawahon Island, Bato, Leyte. The participants in this study were recruited using the following criteria: 1) He/she must have lived in the community for at least five years; 2) He/she must have been fishing for at least 10 years and, 3) He/she is willing to have his/her ideas be documented. From the list of qualifiers, 30 fishermen were randomly picked to serve as respondents of the study.
Focus group discussion
To complement the survey, a focus group discussion (FGD) was conducted with eight fishermen as participants.
The Climate Variability and Capacity Analysis Handbook (Chambers, 2009) published by Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere, Inc. (CARE, Inc.) was adapted as a participatory tool guide in the focus group discussion. These tools are hazard maps, seasonal calendars, historical timeline and vulnerability matrix.
Hazard mapping
Hazard maps were used to identify the areas and resources at risk from climate hazards and also analyzed changes in hazards and planning for risk reduction while seasonal calendars were used to understand livelihoods and coping strategies. Then, the historical timeline was used for making the people aware of trends and changes over time whereas vulnerability matrix was used to determine the hazards that have the most serious impact on important livelihoods.
Validation of results
To validate the findings from the individual interviews, the data were presented to the key informants after the focus group discussion. The key informants included local leaders, representatives of community-based organizations, and representatives of non-government organizations (NGOs) in the study site.
Results
Results showed that television and interpersonal contact (especially neighbors) were the top two information sources on typhoon-induced risks of respondents. Respondents were very much aware of typhoon-induced risks and their coping mechanisms before, during and after the typhoon and revealed some damages that the typhoons bring to their livelihood, particularly their guso (Eucheuma) farm. Moreover, the respondents revealed numerous coping mechanisms. These included: (1) stock food like rice and canned goods, (2) tie the roof to prevent it from being blown away during strong winds, (3) bring the bigger pump boats to Bohol and (4) remove the outriggers of the motorized pump boat and bring it to much safer place inside the island.
Through their drawing or illustration during the FGD, it was learned that four localized winds could affect their resources. These are Habagat (Southwestern wind) that comes during the months of May to October, Timog (Southeastern wind) that hits the Island from March to April, and both Dumagsa (Northeastern wind) and Amihan (Northwestern wind) comes every November to February.
The Dawahon fishermen have no other alternative livelihood. They either get into guso (Eucheuma) farming or go fishing or vice versa.
Implications and Recommendation
Results show that television and interpersonal contact (especially neighbors) were the top two sources of information on typhoon-induced risks of the respondents. This implies that television and interpersonal communication were instrumental in making the fishermen-respondents aware of information about typhoon-induced risks and their coping mechanisms. Since they were only exposed to television for a maximum of four hours because their limited power supply it is suggested that the local authorities should do something to increase the length of time of electric services in the island so that the residents especially the fishermen will have more access to TV programs that may carry important information such as early warnings of an incoming typhoon. Otherwise, they need to have other means of learning about possible threats to the island residents. The more people in the island who will have access to information through television the more people will be aware of the weather condition. This is also because of the very active role played by interpersonal communication like neighbors, barangay officials and family members.
The study also found that the respondents were very much aware of typhoon-induced risks as well as their coping mechanisms before, during and after the typhoon. What they sadly revealed are the damages that the typhoons bring to their livelihood, particularly their guso farm. It is therefore recommend that concerned sectors look into the plight of the fishermen in Dawahon to help them cope with the impacts of typhoon on their livelihood. For example, the municipal government of Bato, Leyte may consider improving and constructing a sea wall on the other sides of Dawahon to prevent the impacts of big waves on the houses nearest to the shoreline. Also, there is a need to improve the meteorological services of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) especially in communicating the weather forecasts by disseminating more precise predictions so that fishermen will have informed decisions on whether to go ashore or not.
The Dawahon fishermen have no other alternative livelihood– that is, if not guso farming, they go fishing or vice versa. The local government should at least help them by providing market to their produce, especially their guso during high production or peak season when they said that there is lack or no more market for their guso.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
