Philippine E-Journals

Proactive Resilience: How Catandunganons Prepare to Face Up a Super Typhoon’s Fury

Ramon Felipe A. Sarmiento | Joel Jordan | Ma. Nena T. Vital | Maricel S. Cariaso

Discipline: social sciences (non-specific)

 

Abstract:

Using a combination of research methods, this study aimed to 1) describe the lived experience of the survivors of super typhoon Rolly (with international name “Goni”) in Catanduanes in terms of their preparations; 2) reconstruct their worldview regarding typhoons and preparation practices in dealing with them; and 3) identify policy implications as indicated by the lived experiences. Specifically, this investigation used case-study approach to capture the lived experiences and network analysis to describe the refuge-seeking behavior. Findings indicate that the survivors faced typhoon Rolly according to what may be called a “culture of resiliency” cultivated through many previous experiences of typhoons. It is comprising of 1) a worldview that takes typhoons as integral part of reality that constantly shape their lives, an attitude of acceptance and facing up to its challenges; and 2) a set of proven practices in mitigating its impact, including the use of social capital of informal network for refuge-seeking and accessing resources for basic necessities for survival and building back to normalcy. A salient character of the Catandunganons’ enterprise of disaster mitigation is its social class dimension: dealing with typhoons is differentiated according to the divide between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” Findings too imply on policy formation by the institutionalized stakeholders such as the local government. Basically, it is suggested that planning for disaster mitigating must be based on the assumption that the people have indigenous knowledge and resources in effective dealing with the impact of typhoons. Among other recommendations, it is specifically desirable to (1) make “ayuda” to be more proactive to include the giving out of goods for anticipatory buttressing of houses and other preparatory measures; (2) create building technologies that also target those of modest means.