Background

A river is an important natural resource for farmers especially hog raisers

due to the obvious water. It is an indispensable commodity useful for
feeding, cleaning and even butchering. Fortunately, among the non-dense
areas in prk. Waling-waling brgy. Pangi, water is free and very accessible
through Pangi river.

Pangi river, since the time of immemorial, had been a source for irrigation
for rice farmers, also a rich resource for other agricultural activities. Lately,
it has served as a tourist attraction specifically, for ‘White Water Tubing'. To
the hog raisers, the water of Pangi river was a constant supply for their
project.

Environmental hazards is widely recognized as a factor that affects the

livelihoods of many people frequently around the world (United Nations
International strategy for Disaster Reduction [UNISDR], 2015) . Thus,
cannot be expected that these effects is similar as people’s lifestyle differ in
terms of their level of development, which largely determines their
response to specific disasters (Weldegebriel and Amphune, 2017)

Agriculture sectors remains one of the most vulnerable to climate change in

the Philippines that affects food security (NICCDIES 2018). Swine farms
are one of the most common in the Philippine agriculture for food, jobs and
income. However, most of the swine cages are poorly structured and
continuously exposed to natural disasters, hence it is affected and
vulnerable to changes in climate (Israel and Briones, 2013)
In most cases of flooding impacts, the most vulnerable landscapes for
flooding are low-lying areas and basins where rivers approach their base
level (Nott, 2006). These areas, particularly in semi-arid regions, are
subject to flash floods due to torrential rainfall and steep escarpments in
their headwaters (Bull & Kirkby, 2002). On the international datas, during
the months of June and early July 2016, heavy rainfall led to severe
flooding in China resulting farms in WuhanCity and as well as
independently operated black hog farms in Enshi Prefecture suffered
significant damage (Linden, 2016). As well as livestock deaths, there has
been damage to buildings and equipment, and contamination of feed store
according to a leading producer of breeding pigs, market hogs and black
hogs. The floods coincided with the most critical time of the year, the lean
(minor) farming season when some consumers in Wuhan City faced food
insecurity (Watt Poultry, 2016)

For a society largely dependent on agriculture and its natural resources

and environment, the data and information as well as overall knowledge
gained from the study may prove useful in developing strategies to address
the ill-effects of natural disasters. However, upon further research, it was
found that there is no recent study that has been conducted about
preparedness and response to flood for swine farms in the locality of
Maitum, specifically in Brgy. Pangi, Purok Waling-waling. This lack of
information served as the gap that pushed the researchers to conduct this
study. Moreover, the results and findings may assist in identifying new
studies that can soon be undertaken in relation to natural disasters, an
important research concern which still lacks the necessary level of focus in
the Philippines.
Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing the level of preparedness and
response to flood for swine farms in barangay Pangi, purok Waling-Waling,
to provide information to Farmers, Municipal Agriculture Office, and
different stakeholders to decide and to take an action.

Purpose of the Research

This research aims to answer the following question to find out what are the
experiences of the swine farmers in purok Waling-waling during the flood:

1. How prepared are the swine farmers for any eventual flood in the with in
the area?
2. What is the possible preparation response/strategy of the individual
farmers (and the Government) in case of flooding in the area?
3. What are the experiences of the hog raisers during the flood relative to
their business/livelihood or project?
4. What are their reflections or lessons learned that will help them cope up
in their business?

Significance of the Study

This research discusses the information where the impact of the output will
mostly affect. In this case, the beneficiary of the result of this research will
primarily be the future researcher, the farmers, and the

Department of Agriculture.

- future researchers will benefit from the findings of the study because the
data gathered will help
them create a program or plan and or proposal that will solve the problem
of impact of flood to the

swine farmers.

- The research subjects or respondents will directly benefit from the

programs such as information,

infrastructure or insurance that will assist them from the result/ impact of
the route flood in Pangi.

- The government agency especially the Department of Agriculture will also

benefit due to the fact that

the result of this research, the data and information, the feedbacks, and the
proposals may be a basis to

II. Review of Related Literature

This chapter is composed of discussions of facts and principles to which

the present study is related to. It also explains the relation of the key words
to the researchers’ study furtherly to give them full understanding of the
developments in the field.
Floods are among disasters that cause widespread destruction to human
lives, properties and the environment every year and occur at different
places with varied scales across the globe. Flood disasters are caused by
natural phenomena, but their occurrences and impacts have been
intensified through human actions and inactions.

Notable from the study was that whereas level of awareness was high
among residents, preparedness levels were generally low, especially in
terms of financial preparedness. Several recommendations were proposed,
which include improving public education and sensitisation on flood
disaster preparedness strategies, creating financial support scheme for
residents to increase their financial preparedness as well as encouraging
residents to increase their social capital support and participate in
community gatherings (Glago, F.J., 2019).

Increasing uncertainty and variability in weather due to climate change puts

enormous stress on the sustainability of agricultural communities. These
extreme weather events affect many animal facilities, and flooding can
cause long-term impacts on animal health and productivity (Samantha Crist
et al. Prev Vet Med. 2020 Nov.) Although the consequences of
emergencies can be similar, knowing the risks specific to your community
and your region can help you better prepare. It is even more important to
be aware of the risks in your area if you live on a farm with livestock.

1 According to Inchaisri et al. (2013) a catastrophic flood disaster

affected not only humans but also took animal lives. Data on livestock
losses, including death, loss, and decreased production. The results
indicated that the majority of livestock losses were from poultry and swine
farms. The density of poultry and swine loss was significantly different
between sub-districts with clusters of high-density loss alongside the river,
particularly in Chum Saeng and Kao Liew. Using spatial hot spot analysis
as a tool to classify and rank the areas with high flood risks provides an
informative outline for farmers to be aware of potential flood damage. To
avoid unexpected loss from flooding, poultry and swine farms in risk areas
should be properly managed, particularly during the flooding season
between August and December.
III. Methodology

This chapter outlines the procedures and methods used in conducting the
study. It presents the research design and research focale. The chapter
also presents the study methodology and data analysis Finally, it presents
a conclusion on the research design and methodology.

3.1. Research Design and Method.

In this study, the researchers used quantitative and qualitative data

collection methods with a phenomenological approach. In qualitative
research, commonly used approaches are grounded theory and
phenomenology. Grounded theory, in this case, involves face-to-face
interactions with respondents, such as through interviews and focus group
discussions. The purpose of this method is to develop theory on the
behaviors or experiences of participants. Phenomenology is similar to
grounded theory in some respects, such as exploration of the behavior of
respondents and data collection techniques. However, it tries to understand
their subjective experiences and its purpose is to understand a concept or
a phenomenon concerned with human experience and perception
(Cerbone, 2010; Reiter et al., 2011; Salmon & Buetow, 2013; Sutton &
Austin, 2015). As a qualitative approach, phenomenology focuses on a
lived experience of individuals (Creswell, 2013). This design helps to collect
data about individuals and community experiences and preparedness on
flood events (Caelli, 2001; Groenewald, 2004). Hence, in this study, we
used phenomenology to understand the experiences, level of
preparedness, and coping mechanisms or response

3.2. Focale of the Study.

Pangi River is the boundary between the Municipality of Maitum and the
Municipality of Kamba, Sarangani Province. Pangi River is located at
Maitum, Sarangani Province. The headwater of this river originates from
Mount Busa, Datal Mahe or Datal Aga of Sarangani Province. Its upstream
portion is located at NIA Dam, New La Union, Maitum, Sarangani Province
with coordinates N 06° 04'17.8" E 124° 34"39.8". The downstream portion
is located at the foot of the Pangi Bridge, Maitum Sarangani Province,
approximately 1-2 kilometers. It is primarily used for irrigation as well as for
bathing and washing of both the residents and their livestocks, (Rellon,
2013). Pangi river empties into Sarangani Bay. In addition, the research
shall be conducted particularly among the hog raisers along the banks of
Pangi river,specifically prk. Waling-waling.

3.2.1. Setting

Purposive sampling was used to select participants. All participants were

asked for consent after researchers explained the study purpose, assured
privacy, and informed them that they could withdraw at any time.
Participants were interviewed in their home environment until data
saturation occurred.
3.3.1 Sample
Participants in this study are farmers who lived along the banks of the
Pangi River and were affected recently by the flash flood. The sample was
7 participants (due to the unavailability and declines of 3 persons) ranging
in age from 25-50 years. The method of selecting participants is done by
purposive sampling or purposive sampling, i.e. (the sample chosen is
oriented towards the research objectives. Deliberately, Individuals are
selected or chosen because they have experienced the following the
phenomenon under study). At the recruitment stage, the researchers used
the inclusion criteria, so those prospective participants matched the
research objectives. The inclusion criteria include: 1) swine farmers who
are affected by flash floods. 2) Age 25-50 years because researchers
assume that individuals are physically and cognitively mature. 3) is willing
to participate as a participant by answering willingness to become a
participant, 4) can tell his experience well / cooperatively.

2.2.4. Data Gathering

Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured approach that

allowed them to elaborate on their personal experiences. After an initial
introductory period during which the participant gained familiarity and trust,
participants were asked for their preferred languages to prevent language
barriers, then the interviewer asked an open-ended question relative to
their current experience of flood disaster in general. Predictive techniques
such as probing, reflection, and paraphrasing were used to indicate an
understanding of the participants’ experiences. Follow up questions were
asked only if essential for clarification. Interviews were terminated when
participants indicated that they had exhausted their descriptions. All
interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Pictures taken for
documentary purposes were blurred as the participants requested. The
interviews lasted between 4 to 9 minutes and were conducted over 2
weeks.
IV. Result and Discussion

Result
This chapter outlines the results gathered from the data for analysis. The
researchers derived 10 major themes with corresponding sub-themes: (a)