Adaptation Strategies & Practices of Selected Higher Educational Institutions in Eastern Visayas to Climate Change in Coastal & Marine

Communities

Ma. Elvira A. Martija

BACKGROUND
The Earth s climate has changed many times during the planets history, with events ranging from natural to man made. Human activities associated with industrialization have contributed to alter the composition of the atmosphere and therefore influence the Earth s climate. As a consequence , climate change is experienced at these present times. Though, the consequences of climate change are still debatable, its manifestations are observed and experienced which by itself is life threatening.

These manifestations of climate change, is a double threat to the ecological diversity and economically important coastal areas in the Philippines and all over the world. If these areas will not be protected and the maladaptive practices will continue, these life blood supports of 500 million people for thousands of years will ultimately be gone forever or exacerbated by climate change. These then requires researches or studies, projects and programs that will reduce coastal areas sensitiveness. Thereby, empowering the coastal ecosystem to adapt and resilient to climate change.

OBJECTIVES
The specific objectives of the study are the following: To identify extreme climate variabilities experienced by coastal and marine communities. To determine what adaptation strategies and practices these coastal and marine communities have evolved for a particular climate change manifestation or event. To describe the adaptation strategies and practices that these communities (coastal and marine) have introduced into the ecosystem.

To ascertain the adaptation strategies and practices to climate change in terms of the following conditions: Institutional Technological Economic Social Ecological To document good adaptation strategies and practices of coastal and marine communities to climate change in selected HI s in the Region.

METHODOLOGY
 DATA GATHERING The study was a rapid survey of the adaptation strategies and practices of coastal and marine communities in Eastern Visayas. A descriptive narrative method was employed to document the adaptation strategies and practices in the area study

Area of Study
Data was sourced out mostly from selected PATLEPAM member-institution in the Region. Institutions purposively chosen representing Coastal & Marine Zones Visayas State University (VSU) College of Maasin Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT) Naval Institute of Technology (NIT) Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), Carigara Campus, Samar State University (SSU) Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) Teburcio Tancinco Memorial Institute of Technology (TTMIST).

Data Collection Instrument

Information were gathered mainly from: a. focal person b. key informants and through : a. prepared guide questions for the interviewers b. group discussion c. picture taking d. tape recording

PRESENTATION OF COLLECTED DATA

Extreme climate variabilities, coastal adaptation strategies as well as activities, programs and researches by the different coastal areas in Region 8 gathered from different universities and state colleges are presented in tables in the preceding pages.

A. Experienced Climate Variabilities in Selected Coastal Areas in Region 8

SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY
Climate Change Manifestation Experienced 1. Long drought in 1991 2. Increase of sea level by two feet -Increased height of dikes -Elevated houses Frequent Monitoring of Parameters Change of fishing grounds Coastal Adaptation Protect Accommodate Retreat Sources of Information Mr. Renato Diocton

3. Algal bloom

4. Unusual heavy rains 5. Increase of ocean temperature by 1C was observed between the years from 1998-2008 manifested thru coral bleaching which decreased fish catch (as manifested in an area of a coral reef which produces 30 metric tons/year of fish catch to 26 metric tons/year). The region has experienced fewer typhoons within a period of ten years. Typhoon has shifted its direction. The region has experienced fewer typhoons in the past ten years. Coral monitoring Transfer to another fish catching area

Dr. Felisa Gumba

TEBURCIO TANCINCO MEMORIAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Climate Change Manifestation Experienced Heavy rains resulted flooding (between 1999-2000 water from the ocean and river met. Coastal Adaptation Protect 1. Repairs and construction of dikes and canals 2. Mangrove Reforestation 3. DA provided artificial coral reefs as wave breaker 4.Construction of Sea Wall 5. Houses along coastal areas have elevated post to accommodate in increase of sea level 6.The University had formulated a Disaster Management Program Accommodate Retreat Sources of Information Prof. Eugenia A. Lonzaga, TTMIST

EASTERN SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY (Carigara Campus)

Climate Change Manifestation Experienced -Less typhoons within ten years time, only three typhoons hit the area. -shift of typhoon direction -heavy rains induced flooding (February 2008) -Temperature rise in ocean waters Coastal Adaptation Protect Installed a 30 feet sensor for fluctuating temperature in ocean waters since 2002. Accommodate - Constructed elevated posts when building houses. -Drainage were constructed to accommodate flooding. Retreat Sources of Information Dr. Danilo P. Alura Head, Research Dept.

EASTERN VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Climate Change Manifestation Experienced -Flooding (coastal tide elevated to 1.8m met with riverine water during typhoon Frank (June 2008).. -Increase of sea level as manifested in eroded shore line Coastal Adaptation Protect Accommodate Retreat Sources of Information Prof. Gaudencio Dennis FernandezEVSU, Carigara

-Residents along the shore line have constructed cemented dikes, sea walls and canals.

VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Climate Change Manifestation Experienced Unusual heavy rains Coastal Adaptation Protect Seasonal weather forecast Accommodate Retreat Sources of Information Dr. Canesio D. Predo, Dr. Maia Juliet C. Ceniza, Dr. Humberto R. Mentes

MAASIN COLLEGE
Climate Change Manifestation Experienced Unusual heavy rains Sea level rise, coastal areas experienced a high tide of 2m which induced flooding (June 2008) Coastal Adaptation Protect Installation of a digital rain gauge -Mangrove reforestation and rehabilitation measures were done The University has formulated a Disaster Management Program -Dikes were repaired Accommodate Retreat Sources of Information Dr. Danilo B. Solayao, Mr. Zwingli Montenegro, Environment Project Officer, Mr. Lloyd Tamerlaine Abiera, Disaster Management Officer

Shifting of typhoon direction (less typhoon experienced since 1994)

SOUTHERN LEYTE STATE UNIVERSITY

Climate Change Manifestation Experienced Unusual heavy rains Coastal Adaptation Protect Accommodate Retreat Sources of Information Dr. Veronica L. Reoma, Research Director, Southern Leyte State University; Dr. Dewoowoogen P. Baclayon Head, Research SLSU

PALOMPON INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Climate Change Manifestation Experienced Prolong heavy rains which induced flooding Coastal Adaptation Protect Accommodate -elevated pathways and roads -de clogging of canals -installing air conditioning system -working time was shortened per week Retreat Sources of Information Dr. Ludivina P. Libtic

Prolong Summer March-June for 3 years

NAVAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Climate Change Manifestation Experienced Unusual heavy rains. Coastal Adaptation Protect Accommodate Retreat Sources of Information Local / Indigenous

B. Summary of Experienced Climate Variabilities in Selected Coastal Areas in Region 8

Climate Variabilities / Climate Change Manifestation Coastal Adaptation Protect Accommodate Retreat Nature of Adapted Strategy

1. Unusual heavy rains

1.a Installation of digital rain guage 1.b Seasonal weather forecast 1.c The university had formulated a Disaster Management Program

Institutional

Technological

Social Unknown

2. Shifted typhoon direction 3. Increase of ocean temperature 3.1 Installed a 30 feet sensor for fluctuating temperature in ocean waters (2002) 3.2 coral monitoring 1. Increased height of dikes 2. Elevated posts coastal houses 3. Mangrove rehabilitation and reforestation

Institutional & Technological

Ecological Social Social

4. Sea level rise

Ecological

Climate Variabilities / Climate Change Manifestation

Coastal Adaptation Protect Accommodate Retreat

Nature of Adapted Strategy

5. Flooding

1. Mangrove reforestation 2. DA provided artificial coral reefs as wave breaker 3. As an academe researches programs, Educational Information Campaign were introduced to mitigate impacts of Climate Change.

1. Dikes were repaired 2. Residents along the shoreline constructed cemented dikes, sea wall & canals

-Ecological, Social, Institutional -Institutional, Social

-Institutional & Technological

DESCRIPTION OF GOOD ADAPTATION STRATEGIES AND PRACTICES TO CLIMATE CHANGE

As an academic institution, strategies were developed from researches, activities and program with the involvement of GA s, LGU & NGO s which basically aims to protect and manage the wise use of coastal resources. Technical expertise and assistance were initiated to support the coastal community. Hence, strategies which in itself are environmental practices focused on mitigating the impact of Climate Change .

CONCLUSION
Extreme climate variabilities have been experienced in coastal and marine communities of Eastern Visayas. State Colleges and Universities in their capacity as academic institutions have been involved in developing strategies as dictated by the manifestations of climate variabilities. These has been achieved thru researches, programs and other activities contributed along coastal communities. On the other hand, strategies developed and contributed by the academe play a significant role in understanding the complexities of the environment thru climate change , but there has been no particular research identified to show that adaptation strategies have been considered.

RECOMMENDATION
Adaptation strategies to extreme climate variabilities in the area is still an avenue for research in which the academic community should give immediate attention. Especially that humans have placed themselves on the path of extreme nature and man made events in the coastal areas.

PICTURES TAKEN FROM THE SELECTED COASTAL AREAS IN EASTERN VISAYAS

Carigara Bay showing Shoreline Erosion

Carigara Bay showing Shoreline Erosion

Canals and dikes were constructed to prevent further shoreline erosion

Canals and dikes were constructed to prevent further shoreline erosion

Canals and dikes were constructed to prevent further shoreline erosion

Mangroves reforestation

Rocks and bags of sand as wave breaker

Elevated coastal houses

Seawalls of Sogod Bay

Thank you!!!