Practices, Behaviors, and Action on Climate Change and Environmental Protection and Conservation of Settlers along the Banks of Oro River, Northern Mindanao, Philippines

Rivers are considered to be one of the ecosystems which are sensitive to climate change. It also experiences warming of the earth’s atmosphere like any other ecosystems. This study aims to (1). determine the Cagayan de Oro residents’ socio-economic activities on the Cagayan de Oro river; (2). determine the values, attitude and beliefs on climate change and environmental protection and conservation; (3). describe the practices, behaviors and action on climate change and environmental protection/conservation.  The study used the descriptive survey design involving a purposive sample for 300 household heads living at least 5 years and staying within 100 meters from the river banks and located in the downstream, midstream, upstream sections of the Cagayan de Oro river. The settlers along the river banks have taken permanent residence in the area. They have limited access to social services like light and safe drinking water, disposal of household and human wastes. Due to their proximity to the river and their lack of access to social services they have contributed to the rivers’ contamination through their unhygienic behaviors. A formal River Conservation Education Program should be designed in response to the need for a formal structure to train community residents and further enhance their awareness, and a policy review is needed to evaluate the implementation of national and local policies on river conservation.

 

Keywords - Climate Change, river conservation, purposive sampling, Cagayan de Oro River, Philippines.