TITLE:
Coastal Vulnerability Assessment of Rapu-Rapu and the West Coast of Albay Province, Philippines
AUTHORS:
Angelo P. Candelaria, Christian L. Baiño
KEYWORDS:
Coastal Vulnerability, Climate Change, Sensitivity, Exposure, Adaptive Capacity
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.11 No.10,
October
30,
2023
ABSTRACT: Coastal vulnerability assessment using the
Integrated Sensitivity, Exposure, and Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change
Vulnerability Assessment (ICSEA-C-Change) tool provides a deeper understanding
of the potential impacts of climate change on coastal zones. Vulnerability
ratings were obtained using rubrics that were presented to the stakeholders
during focused group discussions. Derived scores were then averaged and
consolidated to come up with the overall vulnerability rating. These ratings were
based on the resource and status of coastal
habitats’ reliance on near-shore fishing and other quality measures like
fisheries ecosystem dependency, population, and water quality of
the coastal habitats in the barangays. Ratings resulted in identifying 12 barangays out of 23 that are highly vulnerable to
climate change impacts such as waves, storm surges, sea level rise, increase in
surface temperature, and extreme rainfall. These are Buenavista and Basicao
(Pioduran), Catburawan (Ligao), Tapel, Nagas and Maramba (Oas), Talin-Talin,
Pantao, Macabugos, and Tambo (Libon) and Buhatan and Villa Hermosa (Rapu-Rapu).
Assessment results were highly influenced by the absence of three major marine
habitats, i.e., coral reefs, seagrass/seaweeds, and mangroves in the coastal
areas. Likewise, 11 barangays out of 23,
which were Marigondon and Malidong (Pioduran), Maonon and Cabarian
(Ligao), Badian and Cagmanaba (Oas), Apud and
Rawis (Libon), and Galicia, Hamorawon, and Poblacion (Rapu-Rapu)
obtained moderate vulnerability scores. This was attributed to the presence of
marine habitats that although in poor state, may serve their ecological
functioning when properly protected. Highly vulnerable barangays must be
prioritized in coastal rehabilitation and
disaster risk reduction management planning. Parameters encompassing the
sensitivity and adaptive capacity of each barangay must be taken into
consideration to reduce potential impacts brought by factors attributed to
climate change. Vital information from the assessment will serve as basis for
developing strategic plans for improving the climate change adaptation
strategies of the local government units.