At the Margins: Livelihood assets and vulnerabilities of Riverside households of the Rio Grande de Mindanao, Southern Philippines

Abstract

This article describes and explores the livelihood capital assets and vulnerabilities of riverside households of the Rio Grande de Mindanao, Southern Philippines, using the Sustainable Livelihood Framework. We employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, involving a cross-sectional survey of 390 household heads in 16 riverside villages in the first phase, and five Focus Group Discussions in the second phase of the study.   We used descriptive statistics to analyze the quantitative data and deductive analysis for the qualitative data. This study demonstrates the limited livelihood capital of the riverside households. These households are generally characterized by weak financial capital, as indicated by their claims on traditional fishing gear as their significant assets, and low, unstable income, which serve as critical constraints on engaging in livelihood diversification strategies. The size and quality of the household’s workforce suggest a constrained human capital base. While there is a strong informal network that serves as a safety net, the near-absence of formal networks indicates weak social and institutional capital, which in turn limits access to physical capital and basic infrastructure essential to sustaining and protecting their livelihoods. Furthermore, riverside households face multiple vulnerabilities, including environmental threats such as recurring and prolonged flooding and soil erosion, social unrest, such as the prevalence of rido and armed conflict, and illegal fishing practices. The results contribute to understanding riverside households’ limited livelihood capitals and socio-ecological vulnerabilities, which require context specific policies and interventions to increase their livelihood assets, enhance their adaptive capacities, and achieve sustainable livelihood outcomes, thereby freeing them from the poverty-environment trap.