component 1a

1st Mid-Term Progress Report for Component 1A of UPLBFI-SPICACC 3.1 Activity 3.3

Senior Researcher: Dr. Nicomedes D. Briones

Dr. Amparo M. Wagan (Analyst)

Dr. Jose Nestor M. Garcia (Analyst)

Ms. Evangeline L. Alcantara (Research Assistant)

Ms. Sofia A. Alaira (Research Assistant)

Strengthening Philippine Institutional Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change Outcome 3.1 Activities 3.3

Component 1A: Review and Screening of

Available Vulnerability Assessment Tools for Their Application in the Agricultural Sectors in

Benguet and Ifugao

1656

UPLB Foundation Inc. Lanzones St., UPLB Campus,

College, Laguna, 4031 PHILIPPINES Tel: (049) 536 3688 Fax: (049) 536 6265

Component 1A of UPLBFI-SPICACC 3.1 Activity 3.3

ii

Prepared by

Dr. Nicomedes D. Briones

Dr. Jose Nestor M. Garcia

Dr. Amparo M. Wagan

Ms. Evangeline L. Alcantara

Ms. Sofia A. Alaira


iii

Executive Summary

The Component 1A of the study conducted a review of available

science-based vulnerability and adaptive capacity assessment tools in

order to build on existing methodologies. The study identified the elements

that should be in the V&A framework: Cultural practices from land

preparation, harvesting, marketing and post harvest; Agricultural financing

as coping mechanisms; Livestock, agroforestry, the integration of

vegetable and livestock should be considered

After reviewing fourteen different V&A assessment tools they

concluded that the most suitable are: ADPC Based Disaster Risk

Management: Field Practitioners‟ Handbook 2004, CARE Climate

Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis (CVCA) Handbook, 2009 and PRRM

Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment Toolkit, 2009.

The team was able to integrate the relevant factors and procedures

of these tools into one V&A Tool: Agricultural System Vulnerability and

Adaptive Capacity Assessment (AgSys-VACA), which has a systematic

approach on the different requirements and constraints with regards to

upland farming in Benguet and Ifugao. It draws from a wide array of

qualitative data gathering tools that investigates area‟s biophysical

characteristics as well as the local community‟s exposure, sensitivity and

adaptive capacity to different hazards.


iv

Table of Contents Title

Executive Summary Page

iii

I. Introduction 1

II. Objectives 2

III. Methodology 1. Collection of reference materials vulnerability assessment 2. Setting of criteria for screening the vulnerability assessment

tools; 3. Review and examination of assessment procedures in terms

of relevance and applicability to climate change vulnerability of the agriculture sector;

4. Development of a proposed vulnerability assessment framework and methodology for the agricultural sector of Benguet and Ifugao.

2 2 2

2

3

IV. Review and examination of available hazard/risk and vulnerability assessment procedures

3

V. Proposed Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity Assessment for the Agriculture Sector of Benguet and Ifugao

A. Purpose of the assessment B. Basic features C. Conceptual framework D. Procedure to conduct the assessment

1. Organize the team 2. Study the area 3. Describe climate-related hazard 4. Describe vulnerability 5. Identify vulnerable groups and capacities 6. Hazard mapping 7. Identify/assess current adaptation measures 8. Conduct Hazard Mapping 9. Identify & Assess Current Adaptation Measures

E. Analysis of results F. Validation of results with the community

6

7 7 7 8 10 10 10 10 11 11 13 15 15 15 15

VI. Summary and Conclusion 16

Cited Literatures 17

Annex 1: Websites on Vulnerability Assessment Annex 2: Reference materials and detailed review in terms of

applicability for Benguet and Ifugao agriculture

19 20


I. Introduction

Climate change is happening and is considered to be one of the most serious threats to sustainable development, with adverse impacts expected on the environment, human health, food security, economic activity, natural resources and physical infrastructure. The surging impacts of climate change will touch everyone in some way, but those who stand to suffer most are the poor. These people already live on the edge of subsistence; they have limited resources with which to adapt to climate change and variability. Most of the world‟s poor have livelihoods that depends directly upon highly climate sensitive resources such as farm fields, forests, fisheries, and other natural assets, climate change will make these resources less reliable in many places, limiting the prospects for many poor communities to escape from poverty.

The Philippines is a developing agricultural country that has started

to see some of the worst manifestations of climate change. According to the Global Climate Risk Index (GermanWatch 2006), it ranks as the 4th most vulnerable country in world.

As a developing archipelago, with widespread poverty and difficult

access to vital resources, it has a low adaptive capacity and a lower chance to cope with disasters brought about by various climate change impacts. Yet, even with the emerging trends of global warming and climate variability, many provinces in the Philippines are still unaware that they are vulnerable and have to contingencies to prepare and cope with its impacts.

The topic of climate change has been around for almost 20 years

and scientific climate risk and adaptation assessment tools have been developed to predict global to national level scenarios of climate change and its impacts. These assessment tools, which are largely based on bio-physical and social criteria, are yet to be tested for their applicability to local conditions and in the context of highland agriculture in the Philippines. The study aims to review available vulnerability assessment tools and select or develop a framework and appropriate tool that can be used to assess the vulnerability of the agricultural sector particularly in the provinces of Benguet and Ifugao.


2

II. Objective

To review available vulnerability assessment tools and select or develop a framework and tool appropriate for assessing climate change vulnerability and adaptive capacity of the agriculture sector particularly highland agriculture of Benguet and Ifugao provinces.

III. Methodology

The following steps were followed to achieve the objective:

1. Collection of reference materials on vulnerability assessment and on topics related to assessing climate change effects, mitigation and adaptation in developing countries. The materials were sourced from the internet, published and unpublished reports by individuals, local and international institutions, and journal articles (Annex 1). Materials containing vulnerability assessment procedures were thoroughly reviewed. Nine vulnerability assessment tools were analyzed for their relevance and applicability for Benguet and Ifugao.

2. Setting of criteria for the screening the vulnerability assessment tools.

In order to determine the applicability of the tools for the agriculture sector of Benguet and ifugao, a set of criteria was formulated:

a) The assessment addresses vulnerabilities to hazards due to

climate change; b) The assessment must be at the community level; c) Emphasis of the assessment should be on the agricultural sector ; d) The assessment must have a holistic view of the community‟s

agricultural sector considering the biophysical, economic, socio-cultural, and political components;

e) The assessment should be practical and easy to follow, particularly the data collection; and

f) The assessment must seek to integrate agricultural indigenous knowledge system with scientific and technical concerns.

3. Review and screening of the vulnerability assessment tools in terms of

their applicability to the agriculture sector of Benguet and Ifugao provinces. The assessment tools were evaluated in terms of their strengths and weaknesses on the following aspects: purpose, framework, scale/level, methods, and agriculture-related data requirements. The strengths refer to the positive features and applicability of the tool for the conditions in Benguet and Ifugao.


3

4. Development of a proposed vulnerability assessment framework and methodology for the agricultural sector of Benguet and Ifugao. This was done by integrating the strengths of the different tools that were reviewed.

IV. Review of the Existing Vulnerability tools for Their Applicability to the Agriculture Sector of Benguet and Ifugao Provinces

A total of nine vulnerability assessment tools were reviewed and

screened (please see Annex 2). Most of the tools reviewed were designed mainly (or at least a part of the tools) to assess vulnerability and adaptation to natural hazards, including hazards due to climate change. Among the tools reviewed, only three dealt specifically with vulnerability to climate change: PRRM & DENR (2009); Daze, A., K. Ambrose and C. Ehrhart (2009); and Hamill, A., B. Riche and N. Clot (2007).

Generally, the reviewed assessment tools include hazard

assessment, vulnerability assessment, and adaptive capacity assessment but they differed in the degree of assessment and on assessment methods. Some of the reviewed assessment tools were focused on people‟s vulnerabilities and their livelihoods (CARE, 2002; VCA-IFRCRCS, 2007; CVCA-OCIEP, n.d.) Some also considered agriculture as a major livelihood or activity but little was mentioned about agriculture in the assessment. Hence, very limited agricultural data were specified and were mostly assumed to be collected in the assessment process. One assessment model, the PRRM-DENR tool, however highlighted agriculture along with other sectors like water & forestry sectors, coastal sector and health sector.

In terms of data collection, a wide range of methods and techniques

were used by the different assessment tools. These include collection of secondary data, formal interviews, and a range of participatory data collection techniques. Most of the reviewed assessment tools employed and described in detail participatory data collection techniques.

Presented in table 1 is the list of the available vulnerability

assessment tools that were reviewed for their applicability for the agriculture sectors of Benguet and Ifugao provinces and an overview of the evaluation done on each tool. (Detailed review is presented in Annex 2).


4

Table 1. Overview of the evaluation made on the different vulnerability assessment tools.

Vulnerability Assessment Tool

General Comments Applicability to the Agriculture Sector of Benguet and Ifugao

Vulnerability and Adaptation (V & A) Assessment Toolkit. Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

While it considers climate change scenarios and changing socio-economic scenarios with changing climate change, the methodology is maybe difficult to implement at the community level

The tool is not applicable at the community level assessment but some variables can be used. The method for assessing current adaptation measures can be adapted for Benguet and Ifugao

Household Livelihood Security Assessments: A Toolkit, CARE USA

The tool is not designed for assessment of vulnerability to climate change

Not applicable for the agricultural sector of Benguet and Ifugao

Community-wide Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (CVCA), Government of Canada

The tool is not specific for climate-related vulnerability on agriculture.


Community-based Disaster Risk Management : Field Practitioners‟ Handbook, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC),

Although the tool is for the assessment of climate change-related vulnerabilities at the community level, it is not specific for agriculture. It has a broad scope and agriculture is not highlighted

Procedure for participatory disaster risk assessment can be adapted for assessing vulnerability to climate change

VCA Toolbox With Reference Sheets, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Not specific for vulnerability of agriculture to climate change. Climate change is just one of the hazards being mentioned

Tools on household vulnerability assessment, neighborhood vulnerability assessment, livelihood and coping could be adopted

How To Do a VCA, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Same as VCA Toolbox With Reference Sheets (previous tool in the list)


5

Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis Handbook, CARE International,

Although the tool is for analyzing vulnerability and capacity to adapt to climate change at the community level, agricultural data to be collected were not mentioned. Only guide questions were provided for the national, local government/community, and household/individual levels on resilient livelihoods, disaster risk reduction, capacity development, and addressing underlying vulnerability.

Combining local knowledge and scientific data could be adopted for Benguet and Ifugao i.e. anecdotal experiences and observations requires scientific explanation

Community-Based Risk Screening Tool – Adaptation and Livelihoods (CRiSTAL), IISD, IUCN, SEI-US and Intercooperation

The tool is intended for project planners and managers to better understand the links among climate change, livelihoods and their work. No indicators were mentioned but guide questions.

Basic framework for Ifugao and Benguet should be guided by key questions focusing on agricultural sector. Can be adapted for to evaluate whether existing government programs are contributing to enhance adaptation of agricultural sector to climate change

Methodological Framework for Vulnerability Assessment of Climate Change Impacts on Forest-based Development Sectors, Europe aid, CIFOR and CATIE

The tool is designed not for the agricultural sector

Not applicable for the agricultural sector of Benguet and Ifugao but the coupled environment-human system and the dynamic interaction between the two should be considered

Risk Management

Benchmarking Tool,

Government of Sta.

Lucia, Organisation of

Eastern Caribbean

States and USAID

The tool focuses on evaluating the adequacy of current disaster risk management tools, readiness and capability of local national institutions to deal with the risk of disaster rather than climate change.



6

While the reviewed assessment tools each have their own strengths and weaknesses in terms of purpose, framework, scale or level of assessment, methods and techniques for data collection ( see Annex 2), not one is solely appropriate to be used for assessing vulnerability to climate change of the agriculture sector, specifically that of Benguet and Ifugao provinces. Most of the reviewed tools are designed for assessing a community in general and the effects of natural hazards and disasters including that of climate-related disasters. Almost all do not even include collection of agriculture-related data. If agriculture was cited, suggested data requirements are not at the community level or data requirements for agriculture are very limited, if not defined at all.

The following subsection discusses a proposed community-based

climate change vulnerability and adaptive capacity assessment for agriculture, where data requirement specific for the highland conditions in Benguet and Ifugao provinces are incorporated.

V. Proposed Community-Based Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity Assessment Tool for the Agriculture Sector Benguet and Ifugao

A new tool was developed that is suitable for Benguet and Ifugao by

integrating the relevant features of the tools that were reviewed. This proposed Community-based Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity Assessment of the Agricultural Sector for Benguet and Ifugao are further described below.

The framework for the vulnerability and adaptive capacity

assessment was developed based on the definition of vulnerability as the degree to which a system is susceptible to, or unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate changed, including increased variability and downside risk (IPCC 2001) and the adaptive capacity as the ability of a system to adjust to climate change (including climate variability and extremes) to moderate potential damages, to take advantage of opportunities, or to cope with the consequences (IPCC WGII).

The general procedure was adapted from Kuban, R. and H.

McKenzie-Carey (n.d.) but the conduct of vulnerability assessment was patterned from the Participatory Disaster Risk Assessment procedure of Abarquez, I. & Zubair Murshed (2004) which includes hazard assessment, vulnerability assessment and capacity assessment. The suggested data requirements were based on several sources including journal articles. Some data collection methods, i.e. community-based and participatory data collection techniques were taken from the rest of the reviewed assessment


7

tools. Since the reviewed assessment tools lack information on the agricultural sector, other data on agriculture to be collected and the methods of collecting the data were added. Several of the agricultural data were adapted from Garcia and Wagan (2010).

A. Purpose of the Assessment:

To determine the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of the agriculture sector thus be able to provide a basis for planning and prioritizing adaptation measures for the agriculture sector of Benguet and Ifugao province at the provincial, municipal and community level. B. Basic Features of the Assessment Tool:

a. The approach is community-based; b. Anchored on the definition that climate change vulnerability is the result

of the interaction and interrelation of three major factors: hazard, exposure and adaptation;

c. It views agriculture as a holistic system with biophysical, economic, socio-cultural, and political components

d. Two major components of the assessment: 1. Climate change variables and their Impact on the different

components of the agricultural system, 2. Capability of the system to cope with adversities and further

develop into a resilient production system

C. Framework for the Assessment Tool

Dealing with climate change will also include dealing with disasters. Natural hazards by themselves do not cause disasters, but the combination of an exposed, vulnerable and ill-prepared population or community with a hazard event that results in a disaster. Climate change will affect disaster risks in two ways firstly through the likely increase in weather and climate hazards, and secondly through increases in the vulnerability of communities to natural hazards, particularly through ecosystem degradation, reductions in water and food availability, and changes to livelihoods. Together, they reduce the capacities of communities to cope with natural hazards (ISDR 2008; 2009).

Climate change is said to result from different abnormalities in the climate.

These abnormalities will have different effects on the community and the natural resources. A community may have different populations, and different and living in different environmental conditions, hence, the same community may have different levels of vulnerability to different types of natural hazards. Vulnerability


8

of a community to the different abnormalities will also differ. The vulnerability to climate change is determined by the nature of the natural hazard, the exposure level, and the adaptive capacity of the affected community (EEPSEA, 2008) (Figure 1). In assessing therefore for the vulnerability of a community, it is important to first identify the type of climate abnormalities that climate change could bring.

The adaptive capacity to climate change is defined as the ability of a

system to adjust to climate change (including climate variability and extremes) to moderate potential damages, to take advantage of opportunities, or to cope with the consequences (IPCC WGII).

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework for understanding vulnerability (Smith et al. 2001).

D. Procedure in the Conduct of the Assessment

There are three major phases of the assessment with several activities in each phase, listed as follows:

a. Pre-assessment and planning phase 1. Organizing the vulnerability and capacity assessment team. 2. Study of the area through secondary information 3. Planning and preparation for the field work


9

b. Actual assessment 1. Site reconnaissance 2. Describe climate-related hazards in the community (types, location,

frequency, seasonality, impacts, and magnitude of damage). 3. Describe vulnerabilities and capacities of the community. 4. Conduct hazard mapping 5. Identify and assess current adaptation measures

c. Post-assessment phase

1. Systematize, analyze and interpret the data 2. Validate the data with the community

The following subsection describes in detail the steps in the conduct of the

proposed vulnerability and adaptive capacity of the agriculture sector in Benguet and Ifugao. A stepwise illustration of the conduct of the proposed assessment is illustrated in figure 2: Figure 2 An illustration of the conduct of the proposed community level climate

change vulnerability and adaptive capacity assessment for the agriculture sector of Benguet and Ifugao.


10

1. Organizing the Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment Team. A minimum of five members will be sufficient to conduct the vulnerability assessment. The team should include representatives of the following groups: the municipal agricultural office, municipal development planner, and municipal disaster coordinating council, response organizations (e.g., police, fire, and people‟s organizations. While not all of these are required on a continuous basis, they should all provide an input in the determination of “vulnerability” and in the development of a meaningful solution to the problem. These may include emergency medical services (EMS), local utilities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), social services, and key volunteer organizations (i.e., those representing or those servicing vulnerable populations).

2. Study of the area through secondary information. Collect secondary data

regarding the target community from various sources. The data to be collected and sources may include the following:

Data Requirements Possible Sources

Climate Statistics (Rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind, tropical cyclones, drought occurrences, changes in climate)

PAG-ASA, local weather stations (e.g., state colleges and universities, research centers), comprehensive land use plans (CLUPs)

Agricultural Data (Land use, production areas, soil types/characteristics, farming systems, crops planted, cropping patterns and schedules, nutrient and pest management, support services, crop yields, damages, production inputs and losses, pests and diseases, livestock production, forest cover, government programs/projects)

Municipal Agricultural Office, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, state colleges and universities, research centers, comprehensive land use plans (CLUPs), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Provincial and Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office

Community Map Barangay development plans

3. Planning and preparation for the field work. The Team should attempt to

define the boundaries of what they will strive to achieve, how they will work to do so, for how long, with what resources, and so on.

4. Site reconnaissance. An ocular observation of the area is necessary prior to the conduct of any other field activity. This will enable the team to observe the resources in the area, biophysical and socioeconomic resources, as indicated in the secondary data. A transect walk and photo documentation will provide


11

opportunity to closely observe the various components of the agricultural systems and the resources that are critical for food production. Preparation of guide questions for key informants will be an advantage in getting as much information during this first visit and field activity in the area.

5. Description of climate-related hazards in the community (types, location,

frequency, seasonality, impacts, and magnitude of damage), as follows:

Step Data to be collected

(Indicators)

Output Method

a. Identify climate-

related hazards in the community. List down and describe the nature of hazards in terms of its recurrence, seasonality, location

Type of hazards

Seasonality

Location

List and nature of hazards

Seasonal occurrence of hazards

Timeline (hazard history and significant events that happened in the community)

Seasonal calendar (seasonality of the hazards and activities)

b. For each of the

hazards, determine how frequent the community is exposed to the hazard, what were affected and their impacts

Frequency of exposure to the hazards

What were affected

Magnitude of the damage (e.g. effects on crop yields)

Observed trends

Prevalence and severity of the hazards

Historical transect (how much natural resources have been affected by the hazards)

Matrix ranking (determine hazard that has most serious impact on the community

6. Describe vulnerabilities of the community. The following is the procedure:

Step Data to be collected

(Indicators)

Output Method

a. Identify high risk areas

(harsh environments) Flood-prone

areas

Steep areas prone to soil erosion or landslides

Drought and dry spell sensitive

Location of “high risk” areas

Key informant interview

Community mapping

Transect walk


12

areas b. Identify vulnerable

farming systems

Identify major farming systems (crops livestock, fish)

Determine sensitivity of crops and livestock to extreme climate conditions (severity of impacts of crops and livestock)

Map areas devoted to climate-sensitive crops and livestock

Areas planted to annual crops (rice, corn, vegetables)

Areas with large number of livestock

Areas devoted to aquaculture

Vulnerable farming systems

Secondary data (area planted to crops, sensitivity of crops to climate change)

Transect walk

Seasonal calendar (rainfall, cropping pattern and farm activities, seasonality of income)

c. Map high-density

areas High density

areas High

population density map

Social mapping

d. Identify operational sectors of the community

Operational sectors (e.g. residential, farms, industrial, etc.)

Operational sector map

Operational sector mapping

e. Describe socio-

economic condition of the community

Population change

Age structure

Dependency rate

Household income level

Sources of income (including on-farm, off-farm, and non-farm)

Socio-economic resilience of the community

Secondary data


Wealth ranking

f. Identify “most

vulnerable” groups Most vulnerable

groups List of “most

vulnerable” groups

Matrix ranking considering Identifying those living in harsh environments, low income, dependent on agriculture for


13

source of income, children, disabled

Analysis of all types of livelihood assets (human, physical, financial, social, natural capital)

g. Describe climate

hazard preparedness of the community

General knowledge of the hazards

Presence of early warning system

Access to information/ communication facilities

Presence of adaptation measures

Climate hazard-preparedness information


Focus Group Discussion

Note: The procedure in the conduct of the different participatory tools could be taken from Abarquez, I. and Zubair Murshed. 2004. Community-based Disaster Risk Management: Field Practitioners’ Handbook. Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), Klong Luang,

Pathumthani, Thailand.

7. Identify capacities of the ‘vulnerable groups’ of the community. A list of

capacities by „vulnerable groups‟ can be made. The following are some of the capacities that can be identified:

Type of Capacity

Description Data to be collected

(Indicators)

Influence on Adaptive Capacity

Physical capacity

The quality of being physically capable

Number of disabled individuals

The presence of significant number of disabled individuals decreases adaptive capacity

Cognitive ability and linguistic capacity

Cognitive ability is the ability to quickly and efficiently process information while linguistic capacity is the ability to comprehend key

Literacy rate High literacy rate generally have high adaptive capacity


14

messages

Resource availability

Resources that can be used in reducing negative effects of climate change

Access to transportation

Lack of access to transportation decreases adaptive capacity

Communication system

The system by which information on climatic change is channeled and imparted from the source to the community.

Presence, effectiveness and efficiency of a communication system

Absence of an effective and efficient communication system reduces adaptive capacity

Degree of isolation

Isolation from physical, political or cultural areas

Location and access

Isolation decreases adaptive capacity

Strength or availability of support systems

Presence of support systems (e.g. neighbors, community self help, family, NGOs, or service providers, agricultural support (shelter for livestock, rehabilitation support)

Availability of support services increases adaptive capacity

Economic capacity

Income Income level High income level increases adaptive capacity

Sources of income Diversity of income sources (to include on-farm sources of income)

Dependency on on-farm sources of income decreases adaptive capacity

Cost of climate-related adaptation

Cost of adaptation

High cost of adaptation reduces adaptive capacity

Technological ability

Knowledge of technology that can reduce negative impacts of climate change

Knowledge of technological adaptation

Lack of technological knowledge decreases adaptive capacity


15

The data can be collected through Venn diagramming, key informant interview and Spider diagram for livelihood assets by group.

8. Conduct hazard mapping. From the previous step, capture the hazards, vulnerability, natural resources and facilities in community and/or digitized maps. Identify intersection or overlap of “high risk areas” and “most vulnerable groups”. These are areas at risk from specific hazards and vulnerable members of the community. The hazard mapping could be done for different seasons.

9. Identify and assess current adaptation measures. For each of the hazards that the community has experienced, identify what adaptations the community has done to lessen the impact of the hazards. Assess each of the adaptation qualitatively by determining their prevalence among livelihoods in the community (few, common, majority), effectiveness of the adaptation for the specific hazard (low, medium, high), and the length of time the action is effective (short, medium, long), benefits to the livelihoods, the costs and benefits (low, medium, high), the availability of credit for the adaptation, and the presence of institutional, legal, socio-cultural, economic and technological barriers to the implementation of the adaptation measures.

E. Systematize, analyze and interpret the data. Systematize the data by

putting them into a format that will allow better analysis and interpretation. Enter the large quantity of raw data into charts and cleaning up diagrams and drawings for easy understanding.

Once systematized, present the data to the team members for analysis and interpretation. This may take time but team members‟ skills will improve with practice. It is essential to include one or two members of the community because they know their reality and are best able to clarify issues and put them into context. To give credibility the observations and conclusions, use triangulation by looking for at least three sources to support the interpretations. With the analysis of the data, understanding of the community‟s situation will be based on coherent evidence. The information can then be used as basis for planning, prioritizing and developing adaptation measures for the agriculture sector of the target provinces (IFRC & RCS. 2007).

F. Validate the Data with the Community. Present the findings to the

community in a format that is accessible to everybody. Use visual aids and appropriate language. The presentation should be dynamic but give the community the opportunity to voice their opinions and questions. Take down notes so that conclusions can be modified (IFRC & RCS. 2007).


16

VI. Summary and Conclusion

The provinces of Benguet and Ifugao are among the highly

vulnerable areas in the country primarily because of its geographic location and

dependence of its people and its local economy on agriculture. Interviews with

stakeholders in these provinces (as reported in project Component 2A)

highlighted their awareness about climate change, the climate change–related

hazards they are facing and some impacts of climate change especially on their

agricultural systems. While it necessitates today a region-wide vulnerability

assessment of the entire Cordillera region, the uniqueness of agricultural

systems and diversity of practices by different ethnic groups in the region, a

community-level vulnerability assessment to climate change, is more appropriate.

It is at this level of assessment that effective adaptation measures might be

determined.

This project component attempted to provide a simplified

vulnerability assessment tool which is community-based and can be used by the

local development planners and decision –makers in the provinces of Benguet

and Ifugao. It is an easy to use tool for identifying vulnerable agricultural areas

and farming communities and be done in a quick but organized manner. This tool

being a product of the integration of agriculture variables, often used for

describing agricultural systems and designing appropriate interventions, and

actual experiences and observations about agriculture in Benguet and Ifugao

Province may provide reliable conclusions as to what agricultural areas and

communities in the province need immediate and appropriate adaptation

measures. Likewise this tool, having considered both technical and indigenous

knowledge about the area will provide results that are important inputs to

computer-based models for predicting climate change impacts (Project

component 2B) on the agriculture sectors of Benguet and ifugao.


17

Cited Literatures

Abarquez, I. and Zubair Murshed. 2004. Community-based Disaster Risk Management: Field Practitioners‟ Handbook. Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), Klong Luang, Pathumthani, Thailand. www.adpc.net

CARE. 2002. Household Livelihood Security Assessments: A Toolkit prepared

by TANGO International, Inc., Tucson, Arizona for CARE USA, PHLS Unit, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 2002. www.care.org, [email protected]

Daze, A., K. Ambrose and C. Ehrhart. 2009. Climate Vulnerability and Capacity

Analysis Handbook, CARE International. www. careclimatechange.org EEPSEA. 2008. Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, and Policy in South East

Asia. Economy and Environment Program. Proceedings of the Climate Change Conference, Bali, Indonesia, 13-15 February 2008.

Garcia, JNM, and A.M. Wagan. 2010. Vulnerability and Adaptive Capacity

Assessment of Agricultural Systems at the Community Level (VAST- Agro): Methodology Development. Progress Report. Agricultural Systems Cluster, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna.

Hamill, A., B. Riche and N. Clot. 2007. Community-Based Risk Screening Tool –

Adaptation and Livelihoods (CRiSTAL), IISD, IUCN, SEI-US and Intercooperation. 37 pp. www. Proventionconsortium,org.

IFRC & RCS. 2007. How To Do A VCA, International Federation of Red Cross

and Red Crescent Societies, Geneva, Switzerland. www.ifrc.org IFRC & RCS. 2007. VCA Toolbox with Reference Sheets, International

Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Geneva, Switzerland. www.ifrc.org

ISDR 2008. Climate change and disaster risk reduction. Briefing note 01.

International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. United Nations, Geneva Switzerland. September 2008. www.ipcc.ch, www.unfccc.int, www.unisdr.org, www.preventionweb.net, www.emdat.be, www.un.org/climatechange/.

ISDR 2008. Adaptation to Climate Change by Reducing Disaster Risks: Country

Practices and Lessons. Briefing note 02. International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. United Nations, Geneva Switzerland. November 2009. www.ipcc.ch, www.unfccc.int, www.unisdr.org, www.preventionweb.net, www.emdat.be, www.un.org/climatechange/.

http://www.adpc.net/

http://www.care.org/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.ifrc.org/

http://www.unfccc.int/

http://www.emdat.be/

http://www.unfccc.int/

http://www.emdat.be/


18

Kuban, R. and H. McKenzie-Carey. n.d. Community-wide Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (CVCA), Office of Critical Infrastructure and Emergency Preparedness. Government of Canada, Ottawa. www.ocipep-bpiepc.gc.ca

Nkem, J., C. Perez, H. Santoso and M. Idinoba. 2007. Methodological

Framework for Vulnerability Assessment of Climate Change Impacts on Forest-based Development Sectors, Europeaid, CIFOR and CATIE. www.cifor.cgiar.org/trofcca/attachment/second_annual_report.pdf

Opadeyi, J. and B. Spence. 2007. Risk Management Benchmarking Tool,

Government of Sta. Lucia, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and USAID. www.stlucia.gov.lc/nemp/general/btoolreport.pdf

PRRM & DENR. 2009. Vulnerability and Adaptation (V & A) Assessment Toolkit.

Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Quezon City, Philippines.

Smith, T. F. 2010. Towards Enhancing Adaptive Capacity for Climate Change

Response in South East Queensland. The Australian Journal of Disaster and Trauma Studies. ISSN: 1174-4707, Vol. 1010-1. http://www.massey.ac.nz/~trauma/issues/2010-1/tsmith.htm

http://www.massey.ac.nz/~trauma/issues/2010-1/tsmith.htm


19

Annex 1. Websites on Vulnerability Assessment

Website


www.adpc.net Community-based disaster risk management: field practitioners‟ handbook. Asian Disaster Preparedness Center

www.care.org [email protected]

Household livelihood security assessment : a tool kit for practitioners

www. careclimatechange.org

Climate vulnerability and capacity analysis : handbook

www.cmsdata.iucn.org Climate change and development project, pilot phase climate change vulnerability assessment in Zambia

www.csiro.au/resources/CAF-workingpapers

Climate change vulnerability assessment: review of agricultural productivity. CSIRO climate adaptation flagship working paper No. 1

www.cses.washington.edu/db/pdf/snoveretulgb574ch9.pdf

Conduct a climate resiliency study. Chapter 9 : Conduct a climate change risk assessment

www. Proventionconsortium,org/?pageid=39

Community-based risk screening tool – adaptation and livelihood (CRISTAL)

www.ifrc.org VCA toolbox with reference sheets

www.cifor.cgiar.org/trofcca/attachment/second_annual_report.pdf

Methodological framework for vulnerability assessment of climate change impacts on forest-based development sectors

www.stlucia.gov.lc/nemp/general/btoolreport.pdf

Risk management benchmarking tool

www.prrm.org

Vulnerability and adaptation (V&A) assessment : toolkit

http://www.adpc.net/

http://www.care.org/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.cmsdata.iucn.org/

http://www.csiro.au/resources/CAF-workingpapers

http://www.csiro.au/resources/CAF-workingpapers

http://www.cses.washington.edu/db/pdf/snoveretulgb574ch9.pdf

http://www.cses.washington.edu/db/pdf/snoveretulgb574ch9.pdf

http://www.ifrc.org/

http://www.cifor.cgiar.org/trofcca/attachment/second_annual_report.pdf

http://www.cifor.cgiar.org/trofcca/attachment/second_annual_report.pdf

http://www.stlucia.gov.lc/nemp/general/btoolreport.pdf

http://www.stlucia.gov.lc/nemp/general/btoolreport.pdf

http://www.prrm.org/


20

Annex 2. Strengths and Weaknesses of vulnerability assessment tools reviewed for their applicability to the agriculture

sector of Benguet and Ifugao Province.


Criteria

Strengths

Weaknesses (Limitations)

Other

Concerns

Remarks,

Observations

Vulnerability and Adaptation (V & A) Assessment Toolkit. Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

Purpose of the tool

Includes enhance capacity and support the development and implementation of an assessment of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change

For development plans to achieve sustainable and climate-resilient communities

Framework Identification of climate change scenarios to understand consequences of climate change

Development of socio-economic scenarios with respect to baseline conditions, to understand how vulnerability changes

Develop agricultural V&A assessment

Develop detained description of historical and current impacts of climate on agricultural production – baseline scenario

Assessment of current adaptation measures

Determine future vulnerabilities

Determine potential adaptation measures

No specific climate scenario model specified

Validity of computer-generated climate scenarios

Does not include identification of „most vulnerable‟ groups

Validity of computer-generated socio-economic scenarios

Agricultural V&A does not include identification of high-risk areas (flood-prone areas, landslide risky areas, drought sensitive areas, etc.)

Suggested equation for characterizing climate risk and vulnerability may not be applicable

Need to clarify how to characterize vulnerability in terms of severity of impact


21

Scale/level Philippine setting Province, municipal, city

Methods Use of climate change models, socio-economic scenario model,

Survey and assessment of adaptation measures

Timeframe specified

Includes a matrix for prioritizing adaptation measures

Good methods of integrating results with other sectors in the analysis

Not participatory

Models may not be available at the community level

Timeframe for assessment is necessary

Matrix for assessing current adaptation measures be adapted for Benguet and Ifugao

Agriculture related data requirements

Includes description of agriculture

Climate statistics

Several agricultural data

Data requirements may not be available at the community level

Agricultural data to be collected for Benguet and Ifugao has to be clearly specified

Others: Documentation of best practices is recommended because there are a number of Indigenous and farmer-initiated practices that help Ifugao and Benguet adapt to climate change.

Cross cutting issues (e.g. infrastructure, non-agricultural livelihood as affected by climate change ) must be assessed in relation to agricultural systems


22

Household Livelihood Security Assessments: A Toolkit, CARE USA

Purpose of the tool

To provide a framework to analyze and understand the web of poverty and people‟s mechanisms for dealing with it

Does not include vulnerability assessment of agriculture to climate change

Not designed for assessment of vulnerability to climate change

Framework To enhance understanding about local livelihood systems – livelihoods, economic, sociocultural and political systems and the constraints, vulnerabilities, marginalization, and risks of poor families living within this context – and important differences among types of households and among members within the household.

Not a framework for vulnerability assessment to climate change

Scale/level Regional

Methods Rapid rural appraisal or participatory rural appraisal methods

Good reference for describing community level and participatory data gathering technique

Not specific for agriculture though assumes agriculture as a major livelihood

Adapt PRA methods for assessing vulnerability of agricultural systems to climate change

Some suggested data to collect and data collection methods in other sectors included in this tool (i.e. water resources and forestry sector, coastal sector and health sector) may also be considered for inclusion in assessing


23

vulnerability, but in relation to the agricultural systems of Ifugao and Benguet


Major and minor livelihood strategies

Sources of income

Farm and off-farm employment

Seasonal and permanent migration

Limited agriculture-related data

Others:

Community-wide Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (CVCA), Government of Canada

Purpose of the tool

To enhance existing hazard or risk analysis approaches by providing context and tools for incorporating a perspective of vulnerability and capacity as it relates to population segments.

Not specific for climate change-related vulnerability

Framework Identification of the community‟s most vulnerable groups, where they reside and capacity to respond or recover.

Hazards include those not related to climate change

Scale/level Municipal

Methods Collection of secondary data, mapping, scaling, scoring, other methods of collecting the data were not specified

Methods of collecting the data not well-defined

Timeframe for assessment not given importance

Terminologies used are uncommon


Not defined

Others:


24

Community-based Disaster Risk Management : Field Practitioners‟ Handbook, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC),

Purpose of the tool

To reduce vulnerabilities and to strengthen peoples‟ capacity to cope with the disaster risks they face

Framework Participatory Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA), which is a diagnostic process to identify the risks that the community faces and how people overcome those risks. The process involves hazard assessment, vulnerability assessment and capacity assessment. People‟s perception of risk is considered.

Not specific for agriculture

Procedure for participatory disaster risk assessment can be adapted for assessing vulnerability to climate change

Scale/level Community

Methods Good reference for describing participatory techniques for collecting data

Every step in the procedure is guided by key question

Broad scope, agriculture not highlighted


Off-farm and agriculture-based jobs mentioned but variables not defined

Agriculture-related data limited

Others: Good definition of terms

VCA Toolbox With Reference Sheets, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Purpose of the tool

To assess the risks that people face in their locality, their vulnerability to those risks, and the capacities they possess to cope with a hazard and recover from it when it strikes

Clear and straight forward

Not specific for vulnerability of agriculture to climate change. Climate change is just one of the hazards being mentioned

Clear objective of the aim of the assessment to provide clear direction of activities to be conducted and data to be gathered

Framework No framework. The material will serve as a guide presenting the process, tools, methods


25

involving in collection data for planning purposes to reduce risk

Agriculture is considered as the major livelihood yet not much data about agriculture that should be collected not provided in detail.


Methods Various participatory tools presented

Coping strategies presented

Good sample matrix that can be used as pattern for collating data gathered and analyzing so that data collected can be useful in identifying and planning to adaptation measures

Most of the tools presented are not geared towards assessing vulnerability to climate change

Vulnerable people not well defined

Examples of vulnerability assessment not for agriculture

Coping strategies not for agriculture

Tools on household vulnerability assessment, neighborhood vulnerability assessment, livelihood and coping could be adopted


Community baseline data contains:

Physical description of community (location is mountainous, includes floodplain or flash flooding hazard, coastal, elevation above sea level, ease and ability to access this community during floods, landslides, post-hurricane damage

Climatic conditions, including extreme events and changes in climate

Demographics of the community (total adults,

Limited agriculture-related data (farming systems, crops, and livestock not included)


26

youth, children, infants, toddlers and young children, average family size, gender make-up of the community

Physical vulnerability of the community (trees, heavily wooded, mixed wooded and open agricultural areas, mainly open areas with only occasional tree cover, situation of community on or near streams that do or may flood, river bank, not elevated structures, river bank, but with elevated structures, flood plain, high ground

Food (typical food stocks/type consumed, how families acquire their food, typical food distributed for short-term emergency, food reserves at family level, food reserves at community)

Others: Good reference in conducting participatory tools for collecting data

How To Do a VCA, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Purpose of the tool

Framework

Scale/level

Methods


Others: Same as VCA Toolbox With Reference Sheets (previous tool in the list)


27

Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis Handbook, CARE International,

Purpose of the tool

To provide a framework for analyzing vulnerability and capacity to adapt to climate change at the community level, prioritizing local knowledge on climate risks and adaptation strategies in the data gathering and analysis process.

Framework Analyzing vulnerability to climate change and adaptive capacity at the community level; Combining community knowledge and scientific data to yield greater understanding about local impacts of climate change

Very clear definition of terms

Combining local knowledge and scientific data is important for Benguet and Ifugao i.e. anecdotal experiences and observations requires scientific explanation


Methods Uses analytical tools as secondary research, institutional mapping, policy analyses, key informant interviews for the national, local government/community, and household/individual levels; with some participatory tools

Applicability of the results of the analysis well presented

Agricultural data to be collected not mentioned

Guide questions were provided for the national, local government/community, and household/individual levels on resilient livelihoods, disaster risk reduction, capacity development, and addressing underlying vulnerability


Not defined; Assumes agriculture data will be collected in the process

Others:


28

Community-Based Risk Screening Tool – Adaptation and Livelihoods (CRiSTAL), IISD, IUCN, SEI-US and Intercooperation

Purpose of the tool

To develop a decision support tool that helps project planners and managers better understand the links among climate change, livelihoods and their work.

Focused on project‟s adaptive capacity to climate change

Framework Uses two modules: (Synthesizing Information on climate & livelihoods, and Planning & managing projects for adaptation)

Guided by key questions

Basic framework for Ifugao and Benguet to be guided by key questions focusing on agricultural sector

Scale/level Community level

Methods Different participatory tools such as stakeholder and community consultations, participatory workshops, and interviews are introduced to assist project planners and managers to gather information

Not participatory Necessary to evaluate existing government programs if they are contributing to enhance adaptation of agriculture sector to climate change

Likert technique of ranking could make the entire assessment procedure simple, easier to follow


Synthesizing Info on climate & livelihoods What is the climate context?

What are the anticipated impacts of climate change in the project area?

What climate hazards are currently affecting the project area?

Agriculture-related data not well-defined


29

What are the impacts of these hazards?

What are the coping strategies used to deal with the impacts?

What is the livelihood context?

What resources are important to the livelihoods in the project area?

How are these resources affected by the current climate hazards?

How important are these resources to coping strategies?

Planning & managing projects for adaptation What are the impacts of project activities on livelihood resources that…

Are vulnerable to current climate hazards?

Are important to local coping strategies?

How can project activities be adjusted to reduce vulnerability and enhance adaptive capacity?

Others:


30

Methodological Framework for Vulnerability Assessment of Climate Change Impacts on Forest-based Development Sectors, Europeaid, CIFOR and CATIE

Purpose of the tool

To outline the procedural approach in undertaking vulnerability assessment of the forest ecosystem and the ecosystem goods and services they provide for livelihoods and national development categorized here in sectors, in response to climate impacts.

Not for agriculture

Framework Methodology for vulnerability assessment must represent and highlight the coupled environment–human system and the dynamic interaction between these components.

Assessment of the forest ecosystem services connected to different sectors with great emphasis on how climate change impacts on forests may affect these ecosystem services and consequently the different sectors.

Not for agriculture

Scale/level Regional or country

Methods Multi-stakeholder participatory approach


None

Others:


31

Risk Management

Benchmarking Tool,

Government of Sta.

Lucia, Organisation

of Eastern

Caribbean States

and USAID

Purpose of the tool

To improve the ability of national governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector to proactively plan and implement effective and efficient actions that would reduce their vulnerability to natural disasters and create greater economic resilience when they do occur.

Framework Focus on six risk management activities: risk Identification, risk mitigation, risk transfer, disaster preparedness, emergency response, rehabilitation and reconstruction

Focuses on evaluating the adequacy of current disaster risk management tools, readiness and capability of local national institutions to deal with the risk of disaster

Scale/level National and Regional

Methods Sourcing of relevant documents, use of questionnaire, scoring of results

Not participatory


No agriculture-related variables mentioned

Others: A easy to use and understand survey instrument for evaluating the adequacy of current disaster risk management tools, readiness and capability of local, national institutions to deal with the risk of disaster

component 1a

Documents

prrm vulnerability

different va assessment

care climate vulnerability

adaptation assessment

alaira component

agricultural sector

climate change outcome

va framework