The Socio-economic Impact of the 1991 Mr. Pinatubo Eruption on Concepcion, Tarlac

Abstract

This research is aimed at drawing out the impact of the June 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption on the lives of the Concepcion residents, most especially on their social, and economic aspects. It has a total of ten chapters, each discussing the details beginning from the research proposal to the implementation of the proposal to the analysis of data gathered until the drafting of the conclusion. Chapter 1 discusses the research problem, the objectives, the hypothesis, the conceptual and theoretical frameworks, and the research methodology. It also contains the review of related literature. This research made use of the Evolutionary theory as its theoretical framework. In order to acquire more accurate data, the researcher employed several techniques of gathering data. These include key informant interviews, focus group discussion, survey, review of records, and the observation method. Chapter 2 contains the historical overview of the study. It tackles the brief history of Tarlac Province as well as the town of Concepcion, wherein the study was conducted. The history covers the pre-Spanish era until the period after the Japanese occupation. This chapter also talks about the geology of Mt. Pinatubo as well as the special attachment of the Aetas to it. Furthermore, it gives a picture of the impact of the 1991 Pinatubo eruption on the Philippines in general. This chapter reports about the great damage of the eruption on the different sectors in the Philippines. Chapter 3 presents the statistics on the profile of the survey respondents. The sex of the respondents is taken into consideration as well as their age, civil status, their current employment status, and their religious affiliations. Results show that there are more female respondents than male ones. Most of the respondents belong to the age range of 31 to 50 years old. Many of them are working although they do not earn that much. The bulk of them are already married, too. Moreover, most of the respondents are Roman Catholics. Chapter 4 is allotted in discussing the socio-economic condition of Concepcion before the 1991 Pinatubo eruption. The business and livelihood of the townspeople are tackled. Findings show that agriculture was the main source of livelihood of the people although some handicraft industries existed during the period covered. Moreover, there is a section discussing about the existing cooperatives, and banks in the town during the same period. Employment, education, and health services that were offered by the place of study to its inhabitants are presented, too. However, the peace and order situation in the town is also discussed in this chapter. Chapter 5, on the other hand, discusses the experiences of Concepcion dwellers during the 1991 Pinatubo disaster. The physical condition during that period is presented in this chapter as the respondents described it to be. The immediate damage of the said disaster on the lives of these respondents is revealed as well. Moreover, the rescue and relief operations conducted by government units, and other organizations are discussed in this chapter. Chapter 6 reveals the psychosocial effects of the said disaster on its victims. The unforgettable traumatic experiences of the Concepcion dwellers during that disaster are presented in this chapter. However, a book that emphasizes on the importance of rendering psychosocial therapy to disaster survivors is tackled as well. Chapter 7 is a portion that talks about the socio-economic condition of Concepcion after the disaster struck it in 1991. Business and livelihood of the townspeople are presented. Conditions of cooperatives and banks in the town are discussed, too. The chapter also presents the social and health services that are available in the town. Electric and water supply, and transportation and telecommunications services, which are being offered in Concepcion are tackled as well. Furthermore, the impact of that calamity to social gatherings as well as to family, friends, and neighbor relationships are revealed in this chapter. Beneficial economic consequences of that eruption are shown, too. These include new business ideas, and new job opportunities. Chapter 8 talks about the other effects of the 1991 Pinatubo eruption on the lives of Concepcion dwellers. The improvement of the townspeople’s disaster preparedness is presented in this chapter. Other aftermaths such as the betterment of the people’s relationship with the Lord, and with one another are discussed as well. Chapter 9 is a summary of the study’s findings. It reveals the interconnections of the various variables of the research to one another. It gives a more simple presentation of all the data acquired by the researcher. Finally, chapter 10 presents the conclusion of the study. It supports the study’s hypothesis, which is the 1991 Pinatubo eruption has significantly affected the socioeconomic well-being of Concepcion residents. The disaster greatly destroyed the economic aspect of the town although it had more positive social effects such as unity among the townspeople, and acquisition of better coping techniques. At the end, recommendations made by the researcher are offered. The implementation of these recommendations is believed to be for the improvement of the town, and its inhabitants.