Levels and determinants of vulnerability of two indigenous communities in the Philippines: Implications from using mixed-methods approach

Issue Date

2016

Abstract

This paper aims to determine and compare the vulnerability of selected indigenous communities in the Philippines using several integrated index development approaches. Better understanding on how negative impacts of climate change could be effectively reduced is the identification of appropriate vulnerability assessment approach that is applicable to the local and cultural contexts. Critical in the case of indigenous communities is the analyses of determinants of vulnerability by and with themselves. Design/methodology/approach – Using the survey data of combined 169 households, vulnerability scores of two adjacent Alangan Mangyan indigenous communities were quantified utilizing a set of 31 indicators that were systematically combined via the balanced-weighted (composite index) and unbalanced-weighted (principal component analysis) approaches. Findings – The computed vulnerability scores of the Alangan Mangyan communities using several approaches yielded varying results. In both study sites, the degree of vulnerability is differentiated even among households of indigenous communities of comparable socio-economic characteristics. The developed indices confirm that typhoons, level of education, literacy rate and monthly income were found to have direct effect on the Alangan Mangyan communities’ vulnerability. Originality/value – The study has successfully tested various methodological frameworks in implementing vulnerability assessment applicable in the context of indigenous communities in the Philippines. Results highlighted the need to simultaneously implement several vulnerability assessment approaches to allow comparison of results instead of solely basing climate change vulnerability-reduction programs to be implemented to a single assessment approach.

Source or Periodical Title

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management

ISSN

1756-8692

Volume

8

Issue

2

Page

154-174

Document Type

Article

Language

English

Subject

Adaptation, Adaptive capacity, Alangan Mangyan, Index approach, Indigenous peoples, Philippines, Principal component analysis, Vulnerability

Identifier

DOI:10.1108/IJCCSM-09-2014-0100.

Digital Copy

yes

Link to Full Text

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