Author : Sodela-Jose, Aurora A.

Summary : The vulnerability of the local community toward the adverse impacts of significant environmental changes in Caliraya watershed was assessed. Vulnerability determinants and adaptive coping mechanisms/strategies toward these impacts were determined. A totalof 361 respondents from five direct impact study sites were randomly selected and analyzed to determine the cause and effect relationship among variables. The conceptual framework of the study provided a checklist of important issues and other factors that links to each other; draws attention to core influences and processes; and determine the critical determinants and interactions between the various factors that affect the individuals, households, and communities. the findings and empirical data generated a new construct in the theories and concepts of vulnerability in the form of a model of community vulnerability index. The community vulnerability index is a function of social, economic, and biophysical attributes toward impacts of significant environmental changes in the watershed. The significant socio-demographic determinants of community vulnerability were education, number of children in school, residence in the area, and household size; and for social-psychological behaviors were awareness, perception, attitudes, and shared perception of impacts of environmental changes.