Gendering sugarcane farming: understanding the plight of sugarcane block farmers in Batangas, Philippines

In the Philippines, sugarcane farming is perceived to be a male occupation, meaning female smallholder farmers tend to be overlooked by extension and policy. While research on sugarcane farming and production processes has been extensive, there is limited understanding of the impact of gender dynamics in family farmers’ day-to-day lived experiences in the Philippines and the implications these have on the sugarcane production process. This paper asks whether and how recognising gender dynamics in sugarcane farming in the Philippines can identify an enabling environment for production and empowerment for family farmers. Using forty semi-structured interviews and four focus group discussions of forty participants from Balayan and Calaca, Batangas, Philippines, the research adopts a transcendental phenomenological approach to reveal the lived experiences of block farm members and implications for the block farm system and sugarcane production. The thematic analysis finds institutionalising the block farm system to have had a considerable impact in terms of the assistance provided by the government to harness the knowledge of the sugarcane family farmers to adapt to the modern technologies provided to them. Additionally, patriarchal views in Filipino society restrict that of female family farmers, particularly those who hold key positions in the sugarcane block farm system

Vulnerability Profile and Risk Perception towards an Inclusive DRR for Flood-Vulnerable Communities in Davao City, Philippines

Vulnerable communities of Davao City, Southern Philippines has experienced flooding that leads to catastrophic effects costing damage to properties and loss of lives. Communities need to build its resiliency to respond to flooding and mitigate its negative impacts, while policy makers and leaders need to consciously, regularly review and update its existing policies to address gaps and promote effective community engagement. This paper highlights the results from the quantitative phase of the study to examine and analyze the respondents’ vulnerability, awareness and perception of flood risks. A survey using multi-stage cluster sampling was conducted among 353 respondents from the top five (5) flood vulnerable barangays. Data from the key informant interviews and focus group discussions were also integrated to provide an in-depth explanation of the patterns emerging from the survey. Results of the study revealed that the vulnerability is associated with socio-demographic characteristics, experience in flooding and responses to flooding. Moreover, risk reduction strategies can be further enhanced through a risk communication management using a localized and participatory approach in the proper knowledge transfer of flood risk communication among the stakeholders involved. Community-based policies and well-defined communication processes must be strengthened to promote inclusive approach towards effective community-based disaster preparedness and management

Vulnerability Profile and Risk Perception towards an Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction for the Flood Vulnerable Communities of Davao City

Development and disasters are closely linked but the cause-and-effect relationship between disasters and socio-economic development was ignored in the past. Thus, the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) observed that disasters were seen in the context of emergency response and not as part of long-term development programming. Overtime, effects of disasters can seriously degrade a country’s long-term potential for sustained development. Vulnerable communities of Davao City have experienced flooding that leads to catastrophic effects costing damage to properties and loss of lives. Communities need to build its resiliency to respond to flooding and mitigate its negative impacts, while policy makers and leaders need to consciously, regularly review and update its existing policies to address gaps and promote effective community engagement. This study aims to examine and analyze the respondents’ vulnerability, awareness and perception of flood risks. A survey using multi-stage cluster sampling was conducted among 353 respondents from the top five (5) flood vulnerable barangays. Data from the key informant interviews and focus group discussions were also integrated to provide an in-depth explanation of the patterns emerging from the survey. Results of the study revealed that the vulnerability is associated with socio-demographic characteristics, experience in flooding and responses to flooding. Moreover, risk reduction strategies can be further enhanced through a risk communication management using a localized and participatory approach in the proper knowledge transfer of flood risk communication among the stakeholders involved. Community-based policies and well-defined communication processes must be strengthened to promote inclusive approach towards effective community-based disaster preparedness and management