Climate Risk Management of Farming and Fishing Communities

The study was carried out to assess the hazard and climate risk management of farming and fishing communities in the Municipality of Garchitorena. Three (3) most vulnerable barangays were selected as study areas: Barangay 1, Canlong, and Mansangat. The study used descriptive and developmental research designs following a step-by-step assessment. The major part of the land of the municipality is agriculture with large acres of marine and aquatic resources. Farming and fishing are the major sources of food and income. Hence, the municipality is very vulnerable to climatological and hydrometeorological hazards due to its physical, environmental, and socioeconomic conditions. The major hazard is tropical cyclones. Climate risks include more intense and frequent rainfall, longer dry period, sea-level rise, and increasing ocean temperature. Major risk impacts include destruction of agriculture and coastal resources, rough seas that obstruct fishing, resulting in very low to no harvest, and ultimately, scarcity in food and financial distress. On the basis of findings, socioeconomic conditions and poor local governance intensify the vulnerability of the municipality.