Coping mechanisms and social networks of Mt. Pinatubo affected rice farm households in Pampanga [Philippines]

On their pre and post eruption farm conditions, the total average farm size of the respondents decreased from 2.5 hectares to 0.8 hectare. A number of farms were washed out by lahar. The number of farm owners, certificate of land transfer holders, amortizing owners, and tenants decreased after the eruption. A leaseholder had been added. The volcanic eruption caused various problems to the farm households. For farm/livelihood, the most commonly mentioned problem was the deterioration of the quality of their farm soil and the total or partial spread of lahar on their farms. Foremost in the list of corresponding coping mechanisms was manually cleaning their farm of the lahar. Other coping mechanisms were financial assistance, advice and other sources of income. For financial difficulties, the farmers complained of low income. To cope, they sought financial assistance. For problems on the provision of basic necessities, the respondents complained most of sufficient food and the threat of lahar/flood to their homes. The foremost coping mechanisms were to economize and to evacuate. As for problems relating to the education of household members, the respondents identified inadequate or no money to pay the tuition fees. To cope, they sought financial assistance or discontinued the household members'education. For health and sanitation problems, the most common were respiratory ailments. Some respondents also identified psychological problems topped by the haunting fear that something bad would happen any moment. To ward off their fears, they commonly resorted to praying. Of the ten problem area categories, six had positive/favorable resultant conditions of the coping mechanism outweighing the negative and neutral ones. These were in the areas of farm/livelihood, finances, provision of clothing and education, health and sanitation, and psychological problems. The three areas that had more negative/unfavorable outcome from the coping mechanisms were in the provision of shelter and water and other problems. For food problems, the consequences from the coping mechanisms divided equally between the positive and negative