Philippine E-Journals

Adaptive responses of selected Botolan residents to natural calamities

Adama Hannah Deguilmo | Euwenafe Milay | Graciano Faye Sabado

 

Abstract:

This study, which aimed to uncover the adaptive responses of selected Botolan residents who experienced severe natural calamities, used case study to capture the depth and complexity of human adaptation. Three cases of Botolan residents within and around a particular barangay showed that the social impacts of the series of destructive typhoons either push victims to retreat or reach out, and draw primarily from inner and external resources made available to them before and after the calamity to adapt to new conditions after the destruction of moral and property. Adaptive responses ranged from (1) accessing and/or increasing social support from within or outside the family, (2) taking refuge in one‘s skills and other remaining assets, (3) having the initiative in mitigating destruction by drawing from one‘s strong sense of survival and preparing for worse case scenarios, to (4) having faith in the assistance of a higher being or the opportunities such a being presents in many of life‘s challenges.