Climate Resiliency of Local Government Units in the Down Skirts of Major Abra River Basin

International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 9, Issue 10, October-2018 859 ISSN 2229-5518 CLIMATE RESILIENCY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS IN THE DOWN SKIRTS OF MAJOR ABRA RIVER BASIN

Cid Javier University of Northern Philippines Vigan City [email protected] 09952761207

Miriam Javier University of Northern Philippines Vigan City [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines are confronted with many issues and concerns. Recent years show increasing extremities in weather patterns in the country which is believed to be caused by climate change. Diverse climate has an adverse impact on species, their habitats and the ecosystem in general. Climate change experts anticipate more extreme weather events; but their severity and location are difficult to predict. Its adverse effects are fast becoming a common concern especially to LGUs, which are prime movers of development. Often, LGUs collaborateIJSER or merge in order to respond for a common concern, like ecosystem management. Collaboration and/or amalgamation between adjacent LGUs provide greater resources and create a cumulative impact on natural resource management. In the province of Ilocos Sur, the Abra River is a major river basin (MRB) ecosystem that traverses within the jurisdictions of various adjacent LGUs. This study looked into the capability of LGUs along the downskirts of Major Abra River Basin in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (CCAM). Specifically it looks into the effects of CC impacts experienced by the LGUs in terms of ecosystem, water, health, and communities; and the capability of the LGUs in cross-cutting activities to become climate- resilient community; and implementing CC adaptation and mitigation activities. It made use of ground assessment and validation information through Key informant interview, diary and documentary analysis. Assessment showed that the ecosystem, water, health and community of the LGUs experienced various effect of CC. However, there are activities to show that the LGUs are capable in cross-cutting activities along capacity development, knowledge management, IEC and advocacy, gender mainstreaming, R&D and Techno Transfer to become climate-resilient community. The LGUs have CC adaptation activities along Vulnerability and Adaptation (VA) Assessments, integrated-ecosystem based mgt., climate-responsive agriculture and water,

climate-responsive health sector and disaster-risk reduction management. The LGUs had been implementing CC mitigation activities along energy efficiency and conservation, sustainable infrastructure and transportation and waste management. LGUs within the down skirts of river basins are more susceptible to the impacts of CC because coastal areas adds up immense impact of CC, hence, with greater responsibilities assigned, often without correspondingly increasing financial resources. The degree of impact from which municipalities suffer from CC will depend on the actions and initiatives LGUs take now to build a resilient municipality or city. Unknown or not read as report or accomplishment in CCAM, LGUs have been doing already activities on CCAM even before the creation Climate Change Act or even before LGUs were made to prepare their CC Adaptation Plan. It was NOT only packaged as one Climate Change Resiliency Report. Result of this study could be used to start a more intensive data bank for programs and projects towards Climate Change Resiliency of MRBs. Climate Change Strategic Framework and Action Plan should be formulated for the province.

Introduction Meanwhile, Local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines merge and join Recent years show increasing forces together to respond for a common extremities in weather patterns in our concern, like ecosystem management. country. With diverse climate on one hand Amalgamation of LGUs had led to garnering and species and their habitats dwindling, awards for good administration or chances for ecosystems to adapt naturally governance, socio-econ development, local are diminishing. The climate is changing legislation, and environmental management. and blamed to be human-induced. Climate Amalgamation between adjacent LGUs change experts anticipate more extreme provides greater resources and creates a weather events; but their severity and cumulative impact on natural resource location are difficult to predict. Increases are management. An ecosystem could expected in: flashIJSER flooding; landslides, as a possiblybe seated within the jurisdictions of result of intense rainfall or flood water; various adjacent LGUs. Major river basins storm surges; man-made floods, such as (MRB) usually traverse within provinces or breaches of embankments; and areas not municipalities. The Abra River Basin previously prone to flooding, such as urban traverse within 2 regions, that is within areas. Its adverse effects are fast becoming a neighboring provinces or several common concern of government units. municipalities and one city. Addressing climate change (CC) is part of good governance.

LGUs within the down skirts of river financial resources. The degree of impact basins are more susceptible to the impacts of from which municipalities suffer from CC climate change because coastal areas adds will depend on the actions and initiatives up immense impact of climate change, local governments take now to build a hence, with greater responsibilities assigned, resilient municipality or city. often without correspondingly increasing IJSER

Republic Act 9729 or known as climate change, to ensure that food Climate Change Act of 2009 require the production is not threatened and to enable LGUs to come out with their Climate economic development to proceed in a Change Framework Plan. The plan should sustainable manner. Likewise, adopts the allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to

strategic goals in order to build resilience to Mitigation (CCAM). Specifically, it aimed climate change-related disasters. to answer the following questions: 1. What is the degree of experiencing Understanding and addressing CC climate change impacts and will be environmentally, socially and vulnerabilities of the LGUs in terms economically most effective if they are of ecosystem, energy, water, health, based on relevant scientific, technical and infrastructure and communities? economic considerations and continually re- 2. What is the degree of capability of evaluated in the light of new findings. the LGUs in the following cross Actions to address climate change can be cutting activities to become climate- justified in their own right and can also help resilient community; Capacity in solving other environmental problems. development, Knowledge Hence, assessing the capabilities the LGUS management, IEC and advocacy, along the downskirts of river basins of Gender mainstreaming, and Research Ilocos Sur in meeting its concerns in and development and technology Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation transfer? (CCAM) is so important and relevant 3. What is the degree of capability of because this will serve as an input in the the LGUs in the implementation of protection, conservation and management a CCAM program along following: crucial natural resource and public Multi-stakeholder partnership, administration. Financing, Valuation, and Policy and An assessment of the capability of Planning? the key players of development (GAs, 4. What is the extent of capability of NGOs/POs and business sector) on how they the LGUs in implementing climate harmonize their efforts will provide a clear change adaptation activities in terms understanding of their roles and directions of: Enhance vulnerability and towards resiliency. This study specifically adaptation assessments; Integrated- viewed into theIJSER degree of experiencing ecosystem based management, climate change impacts and vulnerabilities Climate-responsive agriculture, of the municipalities and city found the Water governance and management, downskirts of Abra River in terms of Climate-responsive health sector, Ecosystem, Energy, Water, Health, and Disaster-risk reduction? Infrastructure, and Communities. 5. What is the extent of capability of Furthermore, the study looked into degree of the LGUs in implementing the capability of the cities and selected climate change mitigation activities municipalities in the following cross cutting in terms of: Energy efficiency and activities to become climate-resilient conservation, Sustainable community; Capacity development, infrastructure and transportation and Knowledge management, IEC and Waste management advocacy, Gender mainstreaming, and Research and development and technology Methodology transfer. The researchers conducted a Qualitative Study using Ground Assessment This study looked into the capability and Validation of Information (GAVI) of LGUs in the downskirts of Abra River through Key Informant Interview (KII). Basin on Climate Change Adaptation and Diary and transcript of meetings will

facilitate in generating individual interviews. of 23.9°C and a 31.9°C maximum. Relative Documentary analysis of existing secondary humidity is 87.3. data or files or any related documents of concerned organizations or individuals will The greeneries at the down skirts of be used in documentary analysis. the MRB is adorned both public forest and private ones. Some native plants found in Results and Discussion: the upland are vanishing. Panarien, kamangeg and other related indigenous 1. The effects of climate change impacts tubers, the tebbeg tree are claimed to be just experienced in the downskirts of Abra of the few plants that are diminishing in River Basin in terms of ecosystem, quantity. However, they agree that climate energy, water, health, infrastructure change might be a reason because the soils and communities could be described now are drier as compared before. A small as follows: group of fish vendors claimed that quantity of igat, lagdaw and varieties of shells like a. Ecosystems arusangis are decreasing already. Their The Cordillera mountain range reason, its gone because the “baak” (old or stands stately on the eastern part of the mature) ones were not able to lay eggs LGUs found at the downskirts of Abra River anymore. The temperature of the river water Basin. It has abundant spring resources that might be too high already to allow the eggs can be harnessed for adequate supply of to hatch or for the juveniles to survive into water, not only for household use but for adult ones. Fish travel to places that are irrigation purposes, too. The city of Vigan deeper because the water is colder as and municipalities of Santa and Caoayan are compared to the nearby shallow water. bounded on the west by the West Philippine However, they claim that the absence of big Sea. The Abra River is the only big river fishes is due to overfishing of fish while that cuts across the LGUs. they are still young. IJSER The climate of the place is arid, The absence of natural water breaker characterized by two (2) well-pronounced in its shoreline like rocks or corals, and seasons; dry and wet. Dry season is usually being directly exposed to the open seas experienced from November to April; while make the coastal LGUs more prone to wet (rainy) season starts in May until erosion. The possibility of erosion is present October. Occasional rainfall also occurs at in their sandy beach areas. the onset of the dry season caused by the northeast monsoon passing through the The agricultural practices in the area region. The town is naturally shielded from are sensitive to atypical change in weather the trade winds by the Cordillera Mountain pattern. Its main products like rice, corn, Ranges. In the middle of May, drift winds vegetables and Aquaculture products like from the Pacific Ocean sweep over the area, tilapia, bangus, grouper, shrimp and crabs signaling the imminent wet season. are dependent to right weather condition. Typhoons and tropical depressions bring The mango industry of the municipality about abundant rain during the months of suffered a lot. The hot weather induced the July to September. Temperature ranges from fast proliferation of insects that produces 21.6°C to 34.7°C or a minimum temperature black sticky excreta that destroy both flowers and young fruits of mango. The

insects (black rot) are also responsible for to climate change especially during extreme the block spots of mature fruits. The strong cold months and intense hot summer winds during the cold season blow off the months. Prolonged rainy season induce the flowers and young fruits from the tree. presence of vector responsible for incidence Prolonged rainy season destroy the quality of influenza and colds. of dragon fruits. e. Infrastructure b. Energy The LGUs had just updated their There are no records available to DRRM/CCA Plan and one of its concern is show the impact of Climate Change to to respond to the infrastructure needs like energy use. According to one person road repair and construction of flood and interviewed, the demand for energy depends erosion controls. Roads including those that on whether you are rich or poor and not on traverse the Poblacion areas are sometimes the climate change. If a poor farmer feel hot, severely affected by flood waters rising from he will just go under the mango tree and its rivers. The Quirino bridge was flooded refreshed by the shade and breeze of the during the presence of typhoons Feria and wind, but if a rich Chinese businessman Pepeng. The strength of flood waters during feels hot, he will just open the electric fan or typhoon Feria destroyed the bridge and if not the air conditioner. Typhoons with impassable. Mobilization was severely thunderstorms usually led to brown-outs. affected. Some unpaved barangay roads This could be due to the standard operation were further damaged by typhoons and of ISECO in the maintenance and protection dusty during dry season. of its facilities. f. Community c. Water It is the mandate of the municipality People primarily depend on shallow through its MDRRM Office to attend groundwater for domestic and agriculture. possible victims of both man-made and However, there IJSERare water stores selling natural disaster before, during and after a treated water for drinking. Metro Vigan disaster. Tourism facilities at the coastal are District supply chlorinated water to some expected to have lower visitors during wet barangays. season. Mobility of transportation and prices of commodities were not generally affected Abra River is the only big river that by disasters except during the time typhoon cuts across the towns. The barangays that lie Feria. Signal or reception of communication along the Abra River are flood prone areas facilities are none or weaker during during the rainy season. The strong flow of typhoons however the duration is short only. flood waters and uncontrollable surges of water erode the properties that line the river 2. The capability of the LGUs in the endangering life and properties. cross cutting activities to become one climate-resilient River Basin is d. Health assessed as follows: There are no specific records that deal specifically on effect of climate change a. Capacity Development. to the health status of the municipality. A number of the Agriculture However, the RHU personnel claim that Technicians (AT) at Municipal Agriculture increase in blood pressure could be related have attended seminars on CCAM

IJSER © 2018 http://www.ijser.org International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 9, Issue 10, October-2018 865 ISSN 2229-5518 particularly on rice crops and vegetables at week. Environment month and Climate OPAG and other government agencies like change week were celebrated in Vigan and the Philrice. Information dissemination was other LGUS only celebrate environment undertaken by the AP to individual target month. It is usually celebrated by tree farmers on the use of climate change planting activities and clean-up activities. resilient agricultural practices. Disaster management related activities are disseminated but not explicitly on climate The MPDO, ILGO or the DRRMO were change. There are no activities that bring the most probable offices that were assigned information on climate change by the to prepare for the CCA Plan despite the municipal government to the barrios. presence of a designated environmental officer in most of the municipalities and d. Gender mainstreaming city. Information needed in the preparation The women sector are not directly of the plan were taken from various offices. involved in the annual climate change- related activities of the municipalities, b. Knowledge management except in Vigan City. However, it could be Base in an informal conversation with noted that the LGUs along the downskirts of some farmers, fishermen and fruit growers, Abra River Basin have activities on information on Climate Change is learned cleanliness and beautification activities. between them as well as the others through These activities may not be written through the AT, radio, and tv. The schools in the papers but these help in lessening impact of municipality integrated in their teachings climate change. some basic concepts in climate change concepts to the pupils. In high school e. Research and development and principal, climate change is part of the technology transfer science subject for first year and is again All the LGUs along the downskirts of introduced in chemistry. Books, magazines, the River Basin had conducted Vulnerability newspaper and theIJSER internet were used by the Assessment that served as base-line students and teachers in understanding information used in the preparation of the climate change. However, just like most Municipal/City Disaster Risk Reduction municipalities, the LGUs has no specific Management /Climate Change Adaptation activity along data management concerning Plan (MDRRM/CCA). The LGUs are still CCAM and neither print materials on dependent with other government agencies CCAM is displayed in their municipal/city in gathering information and other pertinent hall nor posted in the internet. data along CCAM.

c. Information, Education, Campaign 3. The capability of the LGUs along the and Advocacy down skirts of the Abra River Basin in Climate Change as a general concept the implementation of CCAM is integrated in the curriculum of basic program is presented as follows: education. Science public high school teachers claimed that they organize the a. Multi-stakeholder partnership (Young Environment Steward-Organization) The response for disasters caused by because it is a DepEd directive. The climate change is centralized at the mayor’s organization initiates activities along climate office. Offices like DRRMO, Engineering, change and celebration of climate change Agriculture and Rural Health Unit as well as

IJSER © 2018 http://www.ijser.org International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 9, Issue 10, October-2018 866 ISSN 2229-5518 the Barangay Chairmen report directly to CC concerns but rather is allocated to him for planning and monitoring purposes. similar once like those for Disaster Risk, The mechanism for CC coordination follows Reduction and Mitigating Program, resilient the formal Organizational Structure of the seeds in agriculture and medicines in RHU. municipality. Implementing CCAM is Plans on CCA, DRRM and Development participatory and community based since plans reflect funding for CCAM related they themselves are the ones that identify programs. the vulnerable groups and the priority. CCAM related endeavors between and Funds are available are limited to among LGU, business sector and civil implement local support programs on societies are also more visible during CCAM. There is an approved policy disasters. Records and interviews gave an defining the distribution of funds to different idea that there are no mechanisms to the offices but not specifically identify as facilitate private sector to invest activities CCAM-related programs. The amount of that support CC concerns neither partnership financial distribution varies as per income with foreign institution in implementing class municipalities. CCAM related-activities 4. The extent of capability of the cities b. Policy and Planning and municipalities along the down Records from the MPDOs shows skirts of Abra River Basin in policies related to CCAM. The LGUs have implementing climate change developed their own CCA Plan likewise adaptation activities is seen as follows: DRRM Plans. CC concerns are considered in development planning since the updated a. Enhanced vulnerability and CLUP of the municipality also updates adaptation (V&A) assessments locations of areas vulnerable to drought, Vulnerability and adaptation (V&A) erosion and infestation. assessments could be found in the Climate IJSERChange Adaptation Plan of the Municipality c. Valuation or city. The MPDO, LGO or/and the As per records, there are neither DRRMO are tasked to prepare said plan. standard mechanisms nor procedure that The staff of said offices together with the directly measure estimate gain or loss of any engineering office worked with the Phivocs of the LGUs due to CC. The engineer’s of DOST in mapping and producing needed office has its own way of valuating physical data in preparing geohazard maps that are and infrastructure damages caused by crucial in assessing the vulnerability. incidence of typhoon. According to agriculture’s office, their valuation is limited Base on records, updating of only on lost caused CC while they don’t vulnerability and adaptation assessment is have any method to determine gain. The not done periodically and is done only when RHU has no specific reporting and planning there is updating of the CLUP and on health-related programs that directly preparation of the CCA. Moreover, the risk respond CC. sectors were included in the risks assessment but rather were only informed of the d. Financing findings of the scientific study. In return, Based on records, there are no those that were at risks were informed that identified funds that specifically respond to they report to the municipal/city hall

whenever flashflood or erosion is about to temperature. It also gives time for fish happen. growers to condition the fishpond for the next incubation period. b.Integrated-ecosystem based management Fruit and vegetable growers claimed All plans and ordinances of the that some of the several forms of infestation LGUs provides that the mayor lead the were reported to the agricultural office so management natural resources, from upland that appropriate actions be given. The to coastal resources management. The municipal agriculture office sent technicians municipalities of Caoayan and Santa and to attend seminars and trainings facilitated Vigan City had declared a Marine protected by OPAG on Climate Change and its impact area. Fisheries ordinance reflects provision to agricultural crops including high value on safeguarding of its coastal and water fruit crops like mangoes. inland resources of the LGUs. They are all working with CENRO in the reforestation Efforts on maintaining clean activities to sustain forest areas. They have drinking water supply for households could tree nurseries to sustain tree planting be seen in the LGUs. The CLUP provides activities. The CCA serves as the blueprint for the mainstreaming water resource of the municipality in identifying the management not as a result of CC but to integration of National policies on ensure a clean water supply for every protection vulnerable ecosystems from CC. household since most of which still depend on either shallow or deep well as water There are no regular neither timely resource. protection or rehabilitation activities of at- risk ecosystems. While there are There is no document showing the environmentalists and agriculturists in the particular concern on groundwater resource LGUs of the lower stream of Abra River, management but there are documents in the there is no specificIJSER technical person that ensuring of safe and clean coastal water to responds to the conservation activities of the promote and enhance the tourism industry. area. Community participation in water resource conservation was seen during the c. Climate-responsive agriculture consultation meeting provided by the NIA in All the mayors happened to be all the establishment of irrigation system for supportive to agricultural activities. Because agriculture. of this scenario, the farmers are distributed with certified rice seed and corn seeds that Water conservation and also the are suitable in arid place like Ilocos Sur. importance and how to protect it is for sure Technology in farming onions and other integrated in basic education because this is vegetable cash crops were based from prescribed by the DepEd. Observance of researches on climate resilient farming that Water Day Conservation was neither were recommended by the OPAG to ensure celebrated in schools nor the local a year-round food sufficiency. government unit.

Inland aquaculture stops when the f. Climate-responsive health sector fishponds turn to become shallow. This is to The rural health unit has organized prevent fishkill because of high water persons to identify, monitor and control

IJSER © 2018 http://www.ijser.org International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 9, Issue 10, October-2018 868 ISSN 2229-5518 diseases related to climate change. It has mitigation activities is presented as physicians, nurses and other health staff to follows: respond to its constituents. The RHU has allotted funding for its services but there is a. Energy efficiency and conservation none that specifically funds for disease The mayors of the LGUs led the control programs brought by CC. The RHU conservation of energy particularly on respond to all forms of emergency cases not electricity in all public offices. This is done only to climate-sensitive and vector-borne so that the municipality could be able to diseases but also to other diseases. The conserve payment for electric consumption health staff interviewed claimed that they and not as a concern of climate change. The are particularly active in clean-up drives, LGUs has thier own way in campaigning for campaigning for proper sanitation and and monitoring energy efficiency and advocacy in fighting dengue mosquitoes. conservation. Despite the presence of private clinics and hospitals, the RHU still caters most of the The LGUs have no program on the health and medical needs of the utilization of renewable and alternative city/municipality. energy. Moreover, although the LGUs are silent in campaigning for energy g. Disaster-risk reduction conservation among households, some The LGUs marked efforts to minimize or residents conserve energy not because of reduce risks from climate change induced climate change concerns but to decrease hazards. They have their own people that are electric bills. Funds are not available to directly working for climate and disaster risk promote energy efficient technologies. management. This is reflected from the organizational chart of the DRRM Task b. Sustainable Infrastructure and Force per municipality or city. They Transportation established system to prepare residents of Sustainable infrastructure and coming of typhoonsIJSER or drought and that transportation refers to the activities that assures vulnerable parties to assistance on promote environment friendly designs and impact of CC. technologies for infrastructure and transportation. There are no ordinances and The cities have but the municipalities do resolutions that provides for climate change not have their policy framework for climate resiliency however records shows that there change adaptation and mitigation. However, are ordinances that calls for waste all of them has a Climate Change management, adoption of organic farming, Adaptation Plan. The inclusion of CCAP is fishery, tourism-related activities and others. an additional requirement of DILG in the There is no evidence that the LGUs are into preparation of DRRM Plan. There is no green architecture neither green infra. There concrete evidence that exclusively discuss are neither favorable conditions nor monitoring and reporting mechanisms incentives in the issuance of building permit related to climate and disaster management. to those that will practice green architecture.

5. The capability of the LGUs along the Generally, the air quality in the down skirts of the Abra River Basin in LGUs in Abra Riber Basin is not yet implementing the climate change polluted although a part of the national road traverses along the LGUs. An ordinance

regulating smoke belching vehicles is in traditional basic education. Despite humble place in each of the municipality/city. There efforts of the city to become climate is no organized body assigned to guarantee resilient, it still depends on the services of eco-friendly transportation system, however technical people from other government in there are programs of the PNP on preventing of the operation of smoke belching vehicles. monitoring that effects CC to the city.

Unknown or not read as report or c. Waste management accomplishment in CCAM, LGUs have been Waste management refers to the doing already activities on CCAM even ways and means towards full before the creation Climate Change Act or implementation of proper waste even before LGUs were made to prepare management. The municipalities have no their CC Adaptation Plan. It was NOT only strong programs on solid waste management packaged as one Climate Change Resiliency since none have sanitary landfills as Report. provided by RA 9003. IEC on waste management program is sustained along its Recommendation public offices and in the public market. Part of the IEC is the scheduling of collection of Result of this study could be used to waste. Waste collection is limited only in its start a more intensive data bank for Poblacion and adjacent Barangays. programs and projects towards Climate Conclusion Change Resiliency of MRBs.

The LGUs along the down skirts of Climate Change Strategic Framewor Abra River Basin are faced with many k and Action Plan should be formulated for challenges of climate change. Its long the province. summer months pose hot temperature that is References detrimental to theIJSER agricultural crops and animals of the city. However, it provides Center for Science in the Earth System (The better avenues to do business related to the Climate Impacts Group) 2007 historic industry of the city. Preparing for Climate Change. A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and The LGUs have various cross-cutting State Governments. University of activities, programs and projects that made Washington, Washington and ICLEI them capable to address climate change. Its – Local Governments for public officials and other personnel likewise Sustainability the women sector are usually exposed to seminars and even in-house trainings to Mani, Muthukumara, Anil Markandya and adapt with or mitigate the effects of climate Viju Ipe. 2008. Climate Change change. They have applied various media to Adaptation and Mitigation. A educate the city constituents on concerns Practical Guide. The International and programs in climate change. CC Bank for Reconstruction and concerns are updates of its web sites, Development. World Bank, television and radio news, and concepts in Washington

Regional Development Council -R12009. Regional Conference on Environmental Issues and Concerns.

Simpson, M.C., Gössling, S., Scott, D., Hall, C.M. and Gladin, E. (2008) Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in the TourismSector: Frameworks, Tools and Practices. UNEP, University of Oxford, UNWTO, WMO: Paris, France.

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