Abstract:
The research paper describes and explains the lived experience of mothers living along the
esteros in Cainta, Rizal. Their lived experience is influenced by four factors: personal,
psychological, environmental and socio-cultural. Their coping system is analyzed through
Schwarzer & Schwarzer’s (1996) categorization (reactionary, anticipatory, preventive and
proactive) and Francisco et. Al (2011) indigenous adaptation framework (behavioral, structural,
technological and financial). Using in-depth interviews based on semi-structured questionnaires,
five mother-respondents from Lower PFCI, Barangay San Andres were chosen through nonprobability
convenience sampling scheme. They were individually asked to detail their personal
experiences with flood events in their community. While the participants had different profiles,
several common themes arose from the results. First, they do not classify recurrent flooding in
the area as flood because they are used to it. They perceive flood as an unusual, destructive,
dangerous and sudden inflow of high water often brought by typhoons such as Ondoy. They
dismiss the area’s lack of sanitation brought by improper waste disposal because they regularly
clean their respective neighborhoods. When faced with flood events, they value the safety of
their children more than family property. Their low socio-economic status is reflected in their use
of less expensive alternative sources of electricity such as kuryente load. They resort to prayers
as main coping mechanism for survival and recovery when dealing with flood events. Last, they
mainly use reactive and anticipatory coping measures but severely lack preventive and proactive
strategies. They mostly employ behavioral responses to flood events but rarely use structural,
technological and financial adaptation means.
