Index Assessment of Household Social Vulnerability to Climate Change: A Case Study of Laguna Province, Philippines

Abstract

This study empirically investigated the social vulnerability of two municipalities of Laguna Province, Philippines, on the impacts of natural disasters associated with climate change. Data were obtained from interviews with seventeen experts and surveys for thirty-seven households conducted in the two municipalities. The results of the index analysis, using the weight average method and ordered probit regression, can be summarized as follows: First, the characteristics of low educational attainment, low labor rate and lack of economic resources were crucial in determining the social vulnerability class of households. Second, the social vulnerability index is determined by multiple factors, and therefore, it should not be assessed by a single variable. Third, the weights for components of the vulnerability index were insignificantly affected by geographical features and the speciality and personal traits of the experts. This suggests that local governments should develop an information system that identifies socially vulnerable households and that this should be utilized to provide the residents with education about climate change and strategies for households to reduce their potential risks from severe climatic events.