Collective action, adaptive and transformative capacities of communities affected by oil spill in Guimaras, Philippines

Collective action, adaptive capacity and transformative capacity of three selected communities affected by the oil spill in Guimaras in August 2006 were investigated using both qualitative and quantitative approaches in research. Questionnaire elicits data on their level of adaptive and transformative capacity. Focus group discussion, in-depth interviews, observations and narrative analysis were employed for qualitative data. Results showed that forms of collective action can be categorized based on actions through formal organization, informal organizations and spontaneous actions. Most actions' realization were attributed to outsiders other than the affected residents. Their motives in engaging collective actions were predominantly self-serving. Their adaptive capacity in fairly adaptable (53.55) as revealed by the household adaptive capacity index. Communities collective action strengthens adaptive capacity when the objectives and manner of carrying it out is sustained. It is contrasting when inappropriate understanding and knowledge of such actions were apparent. The desired trajectories as transformative capacity were not evident as there are decisions and actions needing redirection. The spill was not seen as an opportunity by the residents in further improving the existing social institutions. Instead, the decisions made were all based on their intuition and expediency without consideration for future and long term consequence. The study concluded that there should be an institutionalization of processive and systemic change. Prescriptive approach by outsiders should be discouraged. Spontaneous actions and those attributed to informal organizations must be hastened with the understanding that these are for long term benefits and sustainability. Its realization will further strengthen the community's adaptive capacity in addressing future hazards.