Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity of the Guagua Community in Pampanga

Abstract

The study specifically endeavored to identify the pattern of climate variability that affected the study site and assess its social and economic impacts, determine the adaptation strategies employed by the municipal local government unit (LGU) and its constituents, improve their awareness on the climate change phenomenon and on the urgency to take action and plan accordingly, and, propose measures to enhance the adaptive capacity of the affected sectors and stakeholders. Necessary data were collected through community consultations, key informant interviews and focus group discussion. Continuous rain is the most harmful or destructive climate change related event in Guagua as its adverse impact on all identified most vulnerable groups or sectors (agriculture, fishery, business, students, transport service, households and LGU) is considerably large. Agriculture, on the other hand, is most vulnerable sector followed by the group of students, LGU, HH, transport service and fishery sector. The municipal LGU is implementing innovative adaptation strategies at the local level, such as the establishment, effective recording, and appropriate use of the rain gauge information to reduce adverse impacts of typhoons/heavy rains. Human resource capacity is very important for promoting effective adaptation. The enhancement of adaptive capacity is a necessary condition for reducing vulnerability.