Jeandra Mae S. Pardinez | Dianne Nicole N. Lawas | Czarmae Joyce C. Garabiles
The study focused on facilitating climate change adaptation through communication among households in the municipality of Real, Quezon, particularly in the neighboring barangays of Malapad and Lubayat. It determined the socio-demographics, economic characteristics, and the overall knowledge of households about climate change adaptation. It also determined the relationship between the characteristics of the respondents and the aspects of knowledge; identified the facilitating and hindering factors in understanding climate change adaptation; developed Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) material on climate change adaptation, and evaluated its effectiveness. Research methods included survey, focus group discussion, and key informant interview. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics and thematic analysis. Out of 151 respondents, the majority were females, aged between 18 to 39, married, high school graduates, living in the coastal area for more than 30 years, and working as fishermen with a monthly income of 10,000 and below for a family with one to five members. The respondents were undecided (3.14) on adaptation planning, agreeing (4.00) to disaster preparedness, and undecided (2.68) on preventive measures. Only age was found to have a significant relationship with level of knowledge on adaptation planning at ?=0.05. The lack of access in technology, lack of resources due to communication constraints, seminars and programs not effectively implemented were considered as the hindering factors, while broadcast media, well-implemented seminars and programs, and notices were perceived as the facilitating factors in understanding climate change adaptation. The themes generated included message, communication channel, and communication approaches. The IEC material developed was found effective in disseminating information to understand climate change adaptation.