Determinants of Household Choice of Coping Strategy to an Extreme Flood Event in the National Capital Region, Philippines

Abstract

This study identifies the factors influencing household choice of coping strategy to an extreme flood event in Marikina City in the national capital region of the Philippines. A survey of 400 households was conducted in the four most severely affected barangays (counties) of the city. A multinomial logistic model was used to analyze household choice of coping strategy among three possible alternatives: (1) reactive and short-term anticipatory behavior only, (2) reactive and anticipatory behavior plus general long-term preventive measures, and (3) reactive and anticipatory behavior plus preventive and proactive measures. Results showed that wealth, income, learning from past experience, advice from the media, and people’s perceptions/attitudes towards natural disasters had significant influences on household choice.

Keywords: Coping Strategy, Adaptive Behavior, Flood, Extreme Weather

JEL Classification: Q54