Survival strategies to overcome inaagosto and nordeste in two coastal communities in Batangas and Mindoro, the Philippines
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to describe how the people in two coastal communities in Batangas and Mindoro respond to the effects of these seasonal changes on their lives and livelihood.
Design/methodology/approach
The study makes use of findings from a previous study conducted by the author in Batangas and from primary data gathered in Mindoro through interviews with key informants.
Findings
The study shows that people in the two communities visited viewed the monsoon rains and typhoons brought about by seasonal changes as being part of the daily life challenges they had to face. The rainy season was also the lean food season which they called inaagosto in Batangas and nordeste in Mindoro. Hence, their responses were mostly at the individual or household level, rarely taking advantage of community programs and projects that could help them survive the lean food season. Although divided by a body of water, the people in Batangas and Mindoro employed very similar strategies. These strategies included negotiating for entitlements, engaging in extra‐income‐earning activities, and reallocating scarce food resources in the home. They differed, however, in ways in which they had “reinvented” food during the lean season. In both communities, coping was seen to be gendered.
Practical implications
The paper provides an understanding of how people respond to hazards that accompany the lean season and how best to approach these responses to achieve optimum results that would truly address the challenges faced by affected communities.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the development of more appropriate programmes and projects that would alleviate the effects of inaagosto and nordeste.
Keywords
Citation
Natalia M. Dalisay, S. (2008), "Survival strategies to overcome
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited