This study examines Benguet province residents' perception on natural hazards and its risks, how they cope with these and how they choose where to reside. Benguet is a mountainous province that experiences many natural hazards because of its physical characteristics (generally high elevation and sloping terrain), and because it is earthquake-prone and within the high typhoon incidence zone. Despite repeated experience of hazardous events, damage to property and loss of lives, people continue to locate residences in the province's mountainous areas. The perception on natural hazards of household survey respondents and participants of FGDs may be described as follows : clear notion of what the hazards are (identified were landslides, flooding, strong winds, heavy rains and earthquake); varied ranking (for level of concern) given to different hazards, especially across categories of years of residency, farming/non-farming groups and municipalities; and varying perception on the effects of natural hazards and climate change on households, also across categories of residency and municipalities. In general, perception on natural hazards and risks differed across individuals, and was found to be shaped most significantly by hazard experience as proxied by years of residence and municipality location. Individual characteristics, such as age and sex, have generally not been found to be significant determinants; these variables according to literature are mediating variables that help shape perception indirectly through their effects on hazard exposure and experience. Information sources constitute another important factor of hazard perception, next to hazard experience. Sources of information 'with the personal touch', such as word of mouth, barangay tanods and community assembly, were found to be important sources for some groups of respondents. Actions to prepare for natural hazards named by survey respondents include participation in community related activities and preparation of household level plans and survival kits, all of which were mentioned at high percentages by respondents. Actions before, during and immediately after a hazard significantly and consistently varied across municipality location and across categories of years of residence; but mixed results were seen across the other characteristics, age, sex and source of income. Actions of respondents tabulated by rankings of hazards showed mixed results indicating the ambiguity of the link between hazard perception and protective action taken.The gap between perception and action is seen in the 8% of household survey respondents who would not evacuate when notified to do so. Understanding what shapes action is a step towards creating effective hazard communication materials and tools. Factors for residential location choice were identified in FGDs to include personal/cultural, livelihood, environmental, and access to service. The physical features of the actual location of the residential housing clusters, however, have implications on their exposure to natural hazards; but susceptibility to natural hazards was not a primary consideration in residential location choice. In general, findings from the analysis of factors of residential location choice showed positive factors to outweigh natural hazards considerations.

This study attempts to explain the walking of people within Sitio Olandes, Monte Vista Subdivision, Cinco Hermanos Subdivision and Industrial Valley Subdivision, collectively known as Barangay Industrial Valley Complex (IVC) Marikina City. The existing urban form of the barangay and results of interviews and discussions conducted with residents of the barangay were correlated to the Hierarchy of Walking Needs as developed by Alfonso (2005). Furthermore, this study examines the possible implications of certain socio-economic factors to the walking behavior of respondents. Analysis of data shows that age, health, and wealth all seem to impact walking behavior. Likewise, issues of safety and accessibility are seen as factors which influence the decision to walk. In fact, many respondents who claim to feel safe in their surroundings are more likely to prefer to walk compared to those who claim to feel unsafe. Respondents from Sitio Olandes were observed to prefer to walk more compared to residents from the other three areas within the barangay. This is likely due to their lack of alternative modes of travel and other resources such as money. Furthermore, results from Multinomial Logistic Regression analysis reveal that the walking behavior of respondents from the barangay does not strictly correlate with Alfonzo's Hierarchy of Walking Needs. In fact, based on study results, respondents tend to value accessibility above all others. In fact, based on study results, respondents accessibility above all others. This suggests that respondents value the presence of activity centers such as parks, shops, and other government and educational institutions within their community, more than the presence of pedestrian infrastructure such as sidewalks. Comfort and feasibility of the walking trip were also factors considered by respondents when deciding to walk or not. The elements of pleasurability and safety were considered to be the least influential factors.The urban form of the barangay does impact the walking preferences of its people. Pedestrian infrastructure and other safety features such as pedestrian lanes are still important aspects which encourage people to walk, although it is evident from this study that the element of diversity in the urban form is primarily what affects the decision to walk or not. Results show that the diverse mix of shops, educational and religious institutions, recreational areas, and government offices all influence a person's decision to walk. This diversity creates a healthy environment for interaction with both social and economic benefits. Based on the study findings, it is recommended that pedestrian- accessible parks and other centers of activity need to be established if walking is to be encouraged in this area. Developing a gender- and age-neutral space fit for study, work and play all together seems to be the most appropriate development for the barangay, not only to encourage walking (especially for those in the gated communities), but also socialization and meaningful interaction. However, in planning for future developments, city planners and officials should be mindful of the needs of the community, taking into account the socio-economic profile of its residents, as well as the potential for dynamic changes within the barangay across time.

This research study generally aims to mainstream the needs and priorities of women on flooding in local development planning of Marikina City. Specifically, it aims to: 1) present the experiences of women living in Barangay Tumana Settlement Site in Marikina City during Tropical Storm Ondoy; 2) identify the needs and priorities of women on flooding; and 3) mainstream the needs and priorities of women on flooding in the DRRM plan of Marikina City.

Among the different clusters (emergency telecommunication; emergency shelter; food and nutrition; health; camp coordination and management; water, sanitation, and hygiene; protection; logistics; education; livelihood and agriculture; and early recovery) identified by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), early warning system and emergency telecommunication were the critical factors in the unpreparedness of women and their families during Ondoy flooding. This was due to unavailable and ineffective early warning system and emergency telecommunication. This situation branched out to several problems in other clusters which include unprepared emergency shelters, unsystematic distribution of food, health problems, and insufficiency in basic and logistical needs and services.

Emergency telecommunication should be gender sensitive and people-centered to ensure that it is accessible to both genders, especially women, so they will have the capacity to respond to it immediately and appropriately. Providing basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing should be prioritized to protect the nutrition and health needs of women and their families. Provision of sufficient and clean water and the availability of nutritious food are highly important because it provides women and their families’ needs in other clusters. Logistical support should be provided because this is important in ensuring the health and security of the evacuees. Overcrowding should be addressed to ensure the adequacy of the logistics available in the evacuation centers. Financial support is essential for the early recovery of the affected families.

The needs and priorities of women on flooding should be mainstreamed in two (2) levels - policy and planning levels. In formulating the LGU’s DRRM plan, it should use gender and climate lenses to be able to see the gender-related concerns and issues on flooding which need to be addressed to be able to attain gender just strategies.

The study aims to examine the economic impact of tobacco vis-a-vis rice farming and identify what its continued production entails for farming households and LGUs. It reviews related legislations, policies and programs to understand the legal framework that governs agriculture in general, and tobacco farming in particular. In addition, the study also looks into the contribution of the tobacco excise revenues to see whether it benefitted the tobacco farming communities as recipients, especially the farming households in Candon City, Ilocos Sur. The study compares the profitability of tobacco vis-a-vis rice by subjecting the household incomes derived from these crops to cost and returns analysis. Finally, the study measures the household-level food security by using the subsistence level carrying capacity analysis.

The study concludes that tobacco farming as an agricultural activity has many economic impacts. While it is not consumed for food, it is a contributor to household income and employment generation, but income from tobacco farming alone cannot contribute in the attainment of household food security. In comparing the net income from farming rice and tobacco, the study shows that tobacco-farming households are almost on the same footing as rice farmers. The average cost of production in farming tobacco is significantly high that evens out the average farm income derived from the crop. All in all, tobacco farmers are not better off than rice farmers.

Furthermore, the study shows that tobacco production seems to be in a relative decline. Both the volume of tobacco leaf production and land areas devoted to tobacco are declining which could be attributed to the decreasing productivity of farms where tobacco are planted; the change in the land uses of these agricultural lands; and/or the shifting of farmers from planting tobacco to other crops.

Also, it was not evident from the study how RAN7171 has directly benefited tobacco farmers and their communities because one of its inherent weaknesses is its failure to include the tobacco farmers in the actual management of the tobacco excise fund at the LGU level. Discretion in the utilization of the fund is left at the hands of local chief executives whose agenda have not reflected the needs of tobacco farmers as beneficiaries. RA 7171 also comes in direct conflict with Articles 17 and 18 of the FCTC, as well as provisions of RA 9211, that call for alternative livelihood programs for tobacco farmers in compliance with these laws.

The Philippines is one of the most natural hazard prone countries in the world, especially water-related disasters (floods and landslides) triggered by typhoon. This study is motivated by the extreme flooding incidence in Metro Manila and surrounding areas in September 2009, during the most devastating typhoon to hit the country named as Tropical Storm Ondoy. Highly urbanized cities of Metro Manila in the downstream of Marikina River Basin suffered the most and the degradation of the upper part of the basin in Rizal Province has been identified as one of the main causes of such massive flooding. Apart from flooding, water resources degradation problems such as surface water pollution and diminishing groundwater, are also prominent in this rapidly urbanizing river basin.

The main objective of this research is to develop a framework of integration among Spatial Planning, Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), and water-related Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), as a long-term strategy to increase urban resilience. The research mainly offers four approaches in assessing the current state and future potential of integration, namely; 1) river basin as spatial framework, 2) “practical” (rather than comprehensive) integration of Spatial Planning, IWRM, and DRR, 3) Spatial planning as dominant perspective and platform for integration, 4) spatially explicit methods of assessment. Those approaches shaped spatial perspective in assessing the integration on organizational dimension, sectoral dimension, and territorial dimension.

Besides policies and planning documents review, stakeholder analysis by using stakeholder mapping and perception analysis, in order to assess the integration, the research extensively employs spatial-in nature tools such as remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) including: Arc-hydro tool, from simple Spatial ANalysis to Spatial Multi-criteria Analysis and raster analysis. Arc-hydro tool in Arc GIS 9.3 software environment was utilized in comprehensive terrain processing analysis to delineate basin/watershed. Remote sensing techniques using ENVI 4.7 software were applied to temporal satellite images (Landsat 1972, 1993, 2001, 2009) to carry out land use/land cover mapping and changes detection analysis. The spatial multi-criteria analysis tools were developed in this research and were applied for Flood and Landslide Risk Assessment that integrate Hazard, Exposure, and Vulnerability components, Vulnerability Assessment of surface water that covers point and non-point sources of pollution and Vulnerability Assessment of groundwater to contamination that utilized DRASTIC model.

The research found out that the trend and current state of geo-physical and human environment in Marikina River Basin explain clearly the factors contributing to the high risk and vulnerability to disaster risk (especially flood) and water resources degradation. The institutional setting for managing those problems is highly complicated, fragmented, crowded, while institutional linkages or organizational integration is relatively weak. Most of the strategic issues of land, water, and disaster were considered in existing plan. However, spatial measures to mitigate the problems were inadequate especially in the local spatial plans where each of the multiple local spatial plans within the basin has different conditions in accommodating spatial requirements of water resources and basin-wide flood management plan. The spatial multi-criteria analysis tools identify the common spatial focus among water resources and basin-wide flood risk reduction concerns, which can be considered as prioritized areas for “making space for water”. It can be used as input to spatially mainstream the disaster (flood & landslide) risk and water management into Spatial Planning. FInally, the overall result of integration assessment becomes the base for policies recommendation in improving the integration institutionally and substantively, among Spatial Planning, IWRM and water-related DRR in Marikina River Basin.