Folks cultivate backyards for planting vegetables; Candabenios ready for climate change

CANDABA - As the life of local folks here slowly going back to normal after living under water for  several weeks, they have started cultivating their backyards and planted vegetables and other high value crops to support the food requirements of their respective families.

According to the residents, they were left no choice but to cope up the changing climate condition otherwise their children will suffer extreme hunger. "We will not let this thing happen to us," Lorenzo De Leon a resident here said.

 "Kapag baha ang mga tao dito nangingisda, nagtatanim naman ng palay sa bukid at gulay naman sa likod na bahay," Leon added.

It was learned that the main sources of living particularly in Barangay San Agustin here are farming and fishing. Only small portion of the population were able to go to school  for college and get jobs from various companies in the city.

However, this condition does not prevent them being prepared on the impending effects of global climate change.

The residents claimed that their experience in dealing with the previous calamities  made them resilient and flexible. Meanwhile, they have  also  admitted that that they cannot escape from it because Candaba is a calamity prone town - naturally a catch basin. With this, they practice the spirit of being extra prepared at all times regardless of the condition of the environment.

They understand that in times of flood, the only thing they can do is to live in harmony with nature.

During flooding season,  they start to preparing  their fishing gears, boats, flashlights, and foods for fishing expedition, as it is expected that they would get more fish catch.

"Hindi man talaga namin nai-intindihan kung ano talaga yang climate change na yan pero ang alam namin kaming mga Candaba ay maaaring mabuhay sa anumang kondisyon. Sanay kami sa tubig baha, sanay kami sa tagtuyot at kaya namin mabuhay sa hirap at ginhawa," another resident pointed out.