Risk communication behavior towards environmental risks among upland farmers in the Dampalit watershed, Los Baños, Laguna (Philippines)
2010
Simondac-Peria, A.C., Philippines Univ. Los Baños, College, Laguna (Philippines)
This research looked into the perception of environmental risks in relation to risk communication in the uplands, explored the upland farmers' perception of environmental risks, and determined their riskcom behaviors as inputs to decisions and actions to adapt to such risks. This research postulated that upland farmers are directly affected by environmental risks and that their ability to cope was influenced by their socio-demographic characteristics, perceived effects of environmental risks, and social factors of environmental risk perception (control, familiarity, fairness, memorability, dread, and diffusion in time and space). Their riskcom behavior towards environmental risks was measured by their ability to use communication sources, its truthfulness and credibility, and use of obtained information. A one-shot interview schedule was administered to 52 randomly selected upland farmers with farms located in the Dampalit watershed. Data were triangulated by focus group discussion, interviews, and secondary documents. Descriptive statistics and Pearsons' correlation were used in data analyses. Results found significant relationship between age and mass media as well as educational attainment in relation to mass media and interpersonal communication sources; annual income, educational attainment, and topography in relation to trust and credibility; and age and educational attainment in relation to utilization of information. The study also revealed that upland farmers only on a batingaw or large bell as an effective early warning device in danger zone areas. The batingaw is sounded off when strong typhoon occurs that may trigger flash floods. This study concludes that riskcom behavior was influenced by familiarity and dread as environmental risk factors. Familiarity made them to prefer mass media. Dread predisposed them to refer to interpersonal sources.
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