This report presents the findings of the Mindanao River Basin – Landscape Risk Assessment, undertaken to comprehensively assess the basin’s vulnerability to climate change and natural hazards and to inform the development of sustainable development strategies. Initiated in September 2024, the project has yielded critical insights into the escalating environmental challenges facing this vital ecosystem. Conducted by Xavier University, in partnership with the EU-funded ACCESS Project, Mindanao River Basin Management Council, Mindanao Development Authority, and PAGASA.

A collection of stories on peace, progress, and recovery: a tribal community ending two decades of armed conflict, remote villages transformed by access to clean water, families rebuilding safer homes after a storm.

These stories of change were made possible through the ACCESS and BRIDGE projects, funded by European Union Humanitarian Aid.

Contents:

1. Talaandig Tribe’s 20 Year Journey to Peace (story by ACCORD and CARE Philippines)
2. Empowering Remote Villages with Accessible Water (story by Action Against Hunger Philippines)
3. Building Back Safer After Super Typhoon Egay (story by ACCORD and CARE Philippines)

The recent El Niño event has severely impacted the Philippines, causing widespread drought, food shortages, and economic instability across several regions. In response, the Humanitarian Partnership Platform (HPP) has mobilized ten partner organizations to conduct rapid needs assessments and launch rapid response interventions to support affected communities. 

Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) by HPP Partner Organizations

Cordillera Disaster Response Center & Development Services (CORDIS) conducted assessments in Kalinga province, revealing devastating impacts on agriculture and public health. In Barangay Tanglag, severe crop failures were reported across rice fields and vegetable farms, including mung beans and eggplants. The drought not only led to food shortages but also drastically reduced household incomes. Livestock and fishponds also suffered, compounding economic losses and food insecurity. Similar challenges were observed in Sitio Tomiangan and Dupag Proper, with significant agricultural losses and deteriorating health conditions among residents, including respiratory problems and fevers. 

Tarabang Para sa Bikol (TABI) focused on Albay, where over 2,465 farmers across 1,838.75 hectares of land faced substantial yield losses in rice, corn, and high-value crops. The economic impact has been severe, with many farmers struggling under debt exacerbated by high production costs and reduced earnings. Immediate food aid is crucial to prevent further deterioration in nutritional health and economic stability among affected families. 

Southern Tagalog People’s Response Center (STPRC)‘s assessments in Batangas highlighted critical food insecurity and economic hardships exacerbated by water scarcity and reduced agricultural yields. Reports show that families are rationing food supplies, prioritizing meals for children and the elderly. The closure of sugarcane mills has further exacerbated income losses, pushing vulnerable groups deeper into poverty. 

The Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK) focused on Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental, where food insecurity and shelter issues have compounded challenges following recent floods and ongoing drought conditions. Many homes remain damaged, and residents are struggling with reduced access to food and safe shelter. Urgent relief efforts are needed to address these immediate needs and ensure the well-being of affected populations. 

Ilocos Center for Research, Empowerment and Development (ICRED) conducted assessments across Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union, revealing widespread agricultural devastation. Severe losses in corn, rice, and high-value crops have amounted to millions in damages, affecting thousands of families. Water shortages, dried up water sources, and disrupted farming activities have further heightened food security risks, necessitating immediate support for recovery and long-term resilience-building efforts. 

Cebu-Bohol Relief and Rehabilitation Center, Inc. (CRRC) reported on the dire situation in Cebu City and neighboring municipalities, where drought conditions and multiple grassfires caused by El Nino have decimated crops and severely strained water resources. Critical water shortages have forced drastic measures, including rotational supply interruptions, affecting daily life for over 60,000 residents. The economic impact is profound, with many farmers losing their main source of income and facing heightened health risks due to extreme temperatures and limited access to medical services. 

Mindanao-based HPP partner organizations Agri-Aqua Development Coalition (AADC) and Mindanao Coalition of Development NGOs (MINCODE), provided insights into diverse impacts across Zamboanga City. On the other hand, Kalimudan sa Ranao Foundation, Inc. (KALIMUDAN) focused on El Nino affected communities in Lanao del Sur. From upland communities in Piagapo to lakeshore fishermen in Taraka, the assessments highlighted varying challenges faced by different ecological zones, underscoring the need for tailored response strategies to address local vulnerabilities effectively. 

Voices from the Field: Stories of Struggle and Resilience  

Farmers are facing severe hardships due to El Niño’s impacts. Their stories highlight the devastating agricultural losses, financial struggles, and deteriorating living conditions. Despite these challenges, their resilience and hope for community support shine through.  

The Razon family of five, residing in Malinis, Lemery, Batangas faces severe hardships exacerbated by El Niño. The father, who suffered a stroke last November, can no longer contribute to the labor-intensive farm work, leaving the mother, daughter, and daughter-in-law to handle land preparation, planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, and quality control on their less-than-a-hectare farm. The son joins the father in negotiating and selling their produce to avoid unfair pricing. Despite spending PhP60,000 on their eggplant crop, not counting their labor, the intense drought has severely reduced their yield from over ten bags a week to just ten bags every two weeks, with a portion being unusable. “Our savings are totally depleted,” the mother shared, “and most of our income now goes towards my husband’s medication and check-ups, leaving little for food and other essentials.” 

Ivy Ozeña, a 22-year-old pregnant mother residing in San Felix, Sto. Tomas, Batangas, faces dire challenges exacerbated by the ongoing dry season due to El Niño. Her husband’s income from farm labor has dwindled, forcing him to turn to charcoal-making, earning just enough to buy five kilograms of rice per week. “We eat less now to make sure our child and the baby get enough,” Ivy shared, highlighting the sacrifices they make amidst food scarcity. Despite these hardships, Ivy prioritizes her health, attending monthly pre-natal check-ups and planning for a safe childbirth with the support of a local lying-in facility and midwife. 

Vangelen Salem, a 46-year-old rice and vegetable farmer from Zone-4, Libon, Albay, is struggling with the severe impacts of El Niño. “During the previous plantation, I harvested 123 sacks of rice from my 4-hectare land. However, this time, the scorching heat and intense sunlight brought by El Niño have wreaked havoc on my rice crops. It’s devastating to say that my yield this time is only 7 sacks,” Vangelen shared. The drought has stunted the growth of her rice plants, leading to significant losses in productivity. Not only has rice production been affected, but Vangelen’s vegetable and fruit cultivation, particularly watermelon, has also suffered. “The watermelons, which used to grow beautifully, have failed to reach their full potential this season. The relentless heat and limited water supply have hindered their development, resulting in smaller and underdeveloped watermelons,” she added. 

The failing irrigation system, coupled with the soaring price of crude oil, has made it too costly to operate consistently, forcing Vangelen to abandon her rice field until the rains return. “We recently purchased crude oil to water the plants, hoping to aid their recovery. However, the plants have not fully recovered yet,” she noted. The prolonged drought continues to challenge Vangelen’s family, decreasing their income and food availability. The financial constraints and limited water supply further exacerbate the hardships faced by farmers like Vangelen. “It is my hope that the community extends their hands to farmers like me,” she expressed, hoping for support to overcome these difficult times. 

Maria Salome Angco, a 57-year-old farmer and mother from Barangay Nangan, Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental, has faced devastating impacts on her livelihood due to subsequent natural disasters. “The damage to our livelihood has been severe. Our house was submerged when the continuous rains late last year caused the water to rise. My vegetable crops were destroyed, leaving us without a source of income. And now with this drought, nearly all my remaining vegetables died; where I used to harvest 10-15 kilos, I now get less than 2 kilos. My husband, who is a fisherman, has been catching little or no fish for more than seven months. When he does catch some, it’s barely enough for us to eat for a day. I just feel like crying because our situation is always like this, but my heart remains strong,” shared Nay Sally, reflecting on the dual challenges of flooding and drought that have decimated their crops and drastically reduced fish catch.   

Despite these adversities, Nay Sally, a founder of Agraryong Reporma Samahang Kababaihan (ARSK), continues to champion women’s leadership in her community. She remains hopeful, emphasizing the support she has received from fellow women farmers and community leaders: “The help I received from my fellow women and the community has been significant; I learned a lot from them, and they also help me. Some people can’t believe that a woman can do the work of farming, but I’ve shown them that I can.” 

Rapid Response Efforts: Delivering Lifesaving Aid 

To address the dire needs identified in the assessments, HPP’s partner organizations have initiated rapid relief operations, delivering essential supplies to the most affected communities: 

Citizens’ Disaster Response Center’s local partner Panay Center for Disaster Response (PCDR) targeted 909 households across 21 fishing and farming communities in Aklan, Iloilo, and Capiz. Each household received 15 kilograms of rice, providing critical food support amid the ongoing drought. This rice distribution is vital, as it serves as the primary staple, and local production has been severely curtailed by the drought. 

In Iloilo, Citizens’ Disaster Response Center’s local partner Center for People’s Resources and Services (CPRS) reached 700 individuals with a comprehensive aid package, including 15 kg of rice, miswa, mung beans, and biscuits. These distributions took place in Brgy. Salvacion Hda. Maasin & Purok Tumpok, Brgy. Blumentritt, and Brgy. E Lopez in Silay City, and Brgy. Bacong, Brgy. Busay, Brgy. Balingasag, and Brgy. Calumangan in Bago City. The varied contents of these packages aim to address both immediate hunger and nutritional needs. 

TABI provided support to 514 vulnerable families in Pio Duran, Polangui, and Ligao in Albay, with each family receiving 25 kg of rice. In Pio Duran, the distribution focused on barangays La Medalla, Buenavista, Banawan, and Lawinon, where families were in urgent need of food supplies. Polangui’s aid targeted communities like Cotnogan, Balinad, and Itaran, while Ligao City saw distributions in Tambo and Basag, crucial in areas where local food production had collapsed due to the drought. 

Looking ahead, CORDIS and CARE are preparing to distribute aid packages to 450 families in Kalinga, specifically Brgy Tanglag, Lubuagan; Brgy Allaguia, Pinukpuk; Brgy Limos, Pinukpuk; and Brgy Dupag, Tabuk. Each family will receive 60 kg of rice, 5 cans of sardines, 2 liters of cooking oil, and 1 kilogram of sugar. These packages are designed to sustain families for an extended period, providing not just staple foods but also essential cooking supplies. 

Urgent Needs and Recommendations 

Based on these Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA), the HPP has identified urgent needs and recommended targeted interventions to mitigate the ongoing crisis: 

• Immediate Relief: Swift distribution of food aid to alleviate hunger and prevent nutritional deficiencies among affected populations. 

• Agricultural Support: Provision of seeds, agricultural inputs, and technical assistance to help farmers recover and sustain their livelihoods amid significant crop losses. 

• Health Interventions: Deployment of medical teams to address rising health issues exacerbated by the crisis, ensuring essential healthcare services reach vulnerable communities. 

• Water Management: Rehabilitation and sustainable management of water sources to secure adequate irrigation and community water supply. 

• Sustained Community Support: Enhanced coordination with local government units and NGOs to implement comprehensive support programs that address immediate needs and foster long-term resilience. 

Enabling Locally Led Responses 

The Humanitarian Partnership Platform (HPP) prioritizes locally led responses that empower communities to rebuild and strengthen resilience against future climatic shocks. Through close collaboration with local stakeholders and leveraging community knowledge, the platform not only addresses immediate challenges but also forwards suggested solutions for longer-term recovery. 

The HPP demonstrates effective coordination and solidarity in responding to the El Niño crisis in the Philippines. Through thorough assessments, rapid response initiatives, and targeted interventions, the HPP is committed to upholding the dignity and well-being of affected populations. These efforts aim to lay the groundwork for sustainable recovery and resilience-building efforts across the regions. 

About the Humanitarian Partnership Platform 

Established in 2016, the Humanitarian Partnership Platform (HPP) serves as a collaborative hub for its members, facilitating timely exchanges, fostering collaboration, and enhancing capacity development. The HPP manages an Emergency Response Fund (ERF) designed with streamlined processes, minimal bureaucratic requirements, and expedited approvals. This responsive mechanism enables partners to swiftly conduct assessments and distribute aid to communities in need. 

Comprising fourteen organizations nationwide, the HPP includes eleven women-led organizations, one international NGO, two women’s rights organizations, and four member organizations identified as a coalition or network of CSOs. The platform operates under a governance structure co-developed through peer nomination and volunteering, ensuring inclusive decision-making and effective operational management. For more information on the HPP, reach out to the HPP Secretariat at philippinepartnershipplatform@gmail.com. 

This video will be presented during the Pacific Resilience Meeting 2021 in a session that aims to share insights around the integration of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in the Pacific and to trigger reflection on recent research initiatives that look at where are biggest challenges and opportunities are across policy, legislation and community practice.

Mariedel “Dhel” Barbin is the Secretary of Barangay Potrero in Malabon City, Philippines. Barangay Potrero is a project area of the Moving Urban Poor Communities toward Resilience (MOVE UP) Project and the Partners for Resilience Project funded by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid. Read more at https://next.rilhub.org/2020/09/29/communi…

An Excerpt from the Document:

INTRODUCTION

CORAL reefs are among the most biodiverse ecosystems globally, and they support the provision of goods and services for approximately 500 million people in coastal communities (Hoegh-Guldberg et al. 2019). Yet, climate change threatens the sustainability of coral reefs. Increased ocean temperatures mean coral bleaching and mortality events are becoming more widespread (Wilkinson 2000; Speers et al. 2016). These changes are modifying food systems and decreasing fisheries productivity (Rogers et al. 2018), increasing the vulnerability of millions of people dependent on reefs for their livelihoods (Hoegh-Guldberg et al. 2019).

Within coral reef systems, the effects of social and ecological change are inequitably distributed (de la Torre-Castro et al. 2017; Lau et al. 2021a). Gender, the social meaning and expectations regarding what it is to be a woman or man, shapes how individuals experience opportunities and outcomes within social-ecological systems (Resurrección & Elmhirst 2008; Nightingale 2016). Women tend to face greater constraints than men in their capacities to respond to social-ecological change; men tend to have greater access to and control over assets (i.e., natural resources, income or technology) meaning they are generally better positioned to cope and recover from such change (Cohen et al. 2016; Locke et al. 2017). Moreover, in cases where social-ecological change has created food or economic insecurity, men are more likely to migrate to urban areas to find work, leaving women to bear the brunt of food provisioning, reproductive labour and experience the impacts of poverty more intensely (Rao et al. 2021).

Gender also shapes how people experience and engage with programmes and policies seeking to assist communities overcome social-ecological disturbance. In many cases, men are more able than women to access information and support, have greater flexibility to participate in alternative or adapted livelihoods, and greater autonomy in making strategic life decisions (Locke et al. 2014; Cohen et al. 2016; Lawless et al. 2019). To ensure both effective and equitable outcomes, it is critical that environmental development interventions consider, and work to address these inequities. Yet, analysis of gender approaches used by interventions within coastal social-ecological systems suggest that current efforts are falling short of catalyzing needed progress toward gender equality (Stacey et al. 2019; Lawless et al. 2021; Mangubhai & Lawless 2021).

How environmental interventions interact with gender can be situated along a spectrum from those that seek to ‘reach’, ‘benefit’ or ‘empower’ women and men (Johnson et al. 2018),  to those that actively seek to ‘transform’ gender inequalities (Kleiber et al. 2019) (Figure 1)1. Research has shown that the majority of environmental interventions seek to ‘reach’ or ‘benefit’ participants (Danielsen et al. 2018; Mangubhai & Lawless 2021). ‘Reach’ approaches tend to focus on ensuring women are included in interventions, for example, equal numbers of women and men participating in activities or projects. ‘Benefit’ approaches focus on advancing individual access to resources, for example, as a means to increase productivity or income generation (Johnson et al. 2018; Kleiber et al. 2019). While these are important steps, these actions alone are unlikely to generate the profound gender and social change needed to drive equitable outcomes. Further along this spectrum, yet far less evident in environmental and conservation practice, are approaches that seek to ‘empower’ individuals. Essentially, these approaches focus on strengthening agency through expanding strategic freedoms or life choices, ultimately enhancing individual ability to make and act on decisions. Given women tend to have relatively less agency than men (Kabeer 1999; Muñoz Boudet et al. 2013), there is a tendency for ‘empower’ approaches to primarily focus on women.

Gender transformative approaches (GTAs) are considered the frontier of gender best practice. GTAs seek to surface and rebalance unequal norms, power relations and structures toward those that are considered gender equal (expanded in Section 2) (Wong et al. 2019; McDougall et al. 2020). They are distinct from approaches that only seek to address the symptoms of gender inequality (i.e., ‘reach’, ‘benefit’ or ‘empower’ approaches). GTAs are more ambitious and are designed to tackle the root causes of inequality (McDougall et al. 2020) and thus realize more transformative and longlasting progress towards gender equality across a range of scales. While the use of GTAs is emerging in environmental sectors, and specifically in food systems discourse, to date, there has been little guidance for their application in coral reef social-ecological systems.

A recent literature review (Lau & Ruano-Chamorro 2021) found that although attention to gender and fisheries, and marine environments is increasing (Harper et al. 2013, 2020; Gopal et al. 2014; Kleiber 2014; Frangoudes & Gerrard 2018; Frangoudes et al. 2019), studies of gender are more nascent in tropical seascapes (de la Torre-Castro et al. 2017; de la Torre-Castro 2019), and gender transformative approaches are rarely applied. There is thus considerable scope to enhance gender equality outcomes by elucidating what applying a GTA entails in this context.

To view and access the technical brief, click here.

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The INCREASE Project has committed to holding four (4) learning exchanges engaging local implementing partners and partner communities across provinces to share DRR CCA / IRM good practices, ideas for sustainability and upscaling, innovations, and evidence from which these are based.

Similarly, the project has also committed to producing four (4) research briefs/communication materials, or case stories, from DRR CCA / IRM good practices and innovations documented to be published through RILHUB.

This partner-level learning exchange is the second part of the INCREASE Cross-Learning Platform for Resilience-Building Session 3. The learning questions raised to partners are the following:

1. How is community members’ participation in DRR and CCA programs and activities changing?
2. How are community members being included in the design and delivery of these risk reduction programs and activities? What role do women’s organizations, women CSO leaders, and local champions play in facilitating inclusion?
3. How is the project influencing LGUs to be gender-responsive and risk-informed?
4. From the perspective of a local planner, why is there a need for gender-responsive and risk-informed planning? What benefits can one get from mainstreaming IRM? Any evidence as to why local governments need to be more flexible to change (i.e. integrating IRM, gender lens in their plans), etc.?

To access a soft copy of this presentation deck, please click here.

INCREASE or  “Philippines – Increasing Resilience to Natural Hazards” aims to increase the resilience of 45,00 women and men small scale farmers and fishers, including 720 extremely poor female-headed households, to natural hazards and the effect of climate change. The project will run from 2019-2021 in different parts of the Philippines, namely 36 barangays across 8 municipalities in the provinces of Cagayan, Mt. Province, Northern Samar, and Surigao del Sur. Its project components and activities include early warning systems, alternative livelihood, and climate and disaster governance.

by Ashley Venerable, INCREASE Project

Early Warning Systems (EWS) equipment were officially turned over to the community members and barangay officials of Natonin and Barlig, Mt. Province last September 8 and 9, 2021. 

EWS equipment includes basic emergency and first aid equipment such as generators, spine boards with strap, two-way radios, amplifiers, public awareness devices, bells, rope, sets of BP apparatus, first aid kits, among others. All of which were identified by community members who were actively engaged in community risk assessments and contingency planning workshops conducted as part of the INCREASE: Increasing the Resilience to Natural Hazards project. Along with the equipment, household-level flyers about the specific hazards in their community and the evacuation plan, and EWS signage containing warning signals and actions for community members were also handed over during the turnover ceremony.

In Barlig, barangay officials and representatives from INCREASE covered barangays, Kaleo, Chupac, Lunas, and Ogo-og, and Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative were present during the turn-over ceremony. Female household heads who were the main participants of the Resilient Livelihood activities of INCREASE, also attended the ceremony and offered a song of appreciation to CARE Philippines and Cordillera Disaster Response and Development Services representatives. In Natonin, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Officer along with Barangay Balangao and Alonugan officials and female household heads received the equipment and IEC materials. 

People-Centered EWS

EWS is an adaptive measure for climate change, using integrated communication systems to help communities prepare for hazardous climate-related events. This means that through EWS, community members receive relevant and timely information in a systematic way prior to a disaster in order to make informed decisions and take action. A successful EWS can save lives and livelihood. To be effective, EWS needs to actively involve the communities at risk, facilitate public education and awareness of risks, effectively disseminate messages and warnings and ensure there is a constant state of preparedness. 

During INCREASE workshops, risk information and the necessary equipment to relay warning signals were identified. This information was identified by the community members and barangay officials and was documented and translated into IEC materials to make sure that warnings are understandable by all members of the community. 

The Need for EWS Equipment

Typhoon Rosita hit our area, we thought it was the end. The experience awakened our community. We exhausted every means to prepare for the next disaster. Thanks to INCREASE Project, we were able to identify early warning devices needed in our area to better respond to natural hazards,” shared Brgy. Balangao Chairperson Conrado Limangan, upon receiving the EWS equipment. 

Recalling the worst typhoon in their memory, community members mentioned that since they had no equipment back then, members of the Barangay DRRM Council would only be shouting to instruct community members to evacuate their homes. Power and communication lines were interrupted then, hence they identified a generator as one of the main EWS equipment needed in their area. Natonin Municipal DRRM Officer Soledad Nasudman recognizes this and shared, “Thank you for bringing the project nearer to us. Even if the BDRRMC officials are capacitated, if equipment is not available, response and preparedness would not be as effective.”

nowledge that they need to find a funding source for the purchase and installment of EWS. Barangay Chupac Chairperson, Benedicto Nabunat shared, “We express our deepest appreciation to the INCREASE team for the equipment because we know that our barangay’s budget can’t afford to provide these. We are thankful because it’s rare that a project reaches an isolated area like ours.” In addition to these equipment, risk maps plotting the community facilities, houses, forests, and farmlands, their level of susceptibility to several hazards that can affect them will be put up. To test the early actions and preparedness capacities of the officials and community members, a drill will also be conducted as part of the INCREASE Project.

Natonin and Barlig are both prone to typhoons and landslides. During their community risk assessments and contingency planning workshops, community members shared that they experience at least 3 to 4 typhoons in a year. One barangay was also named as the “Home of Rain” since rain is nonstop in the area for almost the whole year. While community members recognize the need for EWS equipment and IEC materials, they also ack

INCREASE aims to increase the resilience of 45,000 women and men small-scale farmers and fishers, including 720 extremely poor female-headed households, to natural hazards and the effects of climate change. It is present in 4 provinces, 8 municipalities, and 33 barangays. CARE Philippines and CorDis RDS lead its implementation in Mt. Province. 

Women and men farmers in INCREASE areas were capacitated to build communal and household-level resilient livelihoods. Among these livelihoods is swine production. This manual was created in particular, as a supplementary to the training sessions held in the communities to further boost the knowledge, skills, and attitude of the participants in organic agriculture production in accordance with the industry standards. The manual contains useful tips in the designing of pigpens, preparation of organic feeds, fermentation of feeds, beddings, and silage for raising organic hogs.

To access a soft copy of this manual, please click here. 

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INCREASE or  “Philippines – Increasing Resilience to Natural Hazards” aims to increase the resilience of 45,00 women and men small scale farmers and fishers, including 720 extremely poor female-headed households, to natural hazards and the effect of climate change. The project will run from 2019-2021 in different parts of the Philippines, namely 36 barangays across 8 municipalities in the provinces of Cagayan, Mt. Province, Northern Samar, and Surigao del Sur. Its project components and activities include early warning systems, alternative livelihood, and climate and disaster governance.