Lived experiences of seaweed farmers in a coastal Municipality of Iloilo, Philippines during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

This study aims to know and understand the lived experiences of seaweed farmers in the coastal municipality of Iloilo, Philippines during the Covid-19 pandemic, utilizing qualitative phenomenological research design. The participants in the study were six who were selected out of the three to thirteen required participants for a phenomenological study. The purposive sampling method was used to fulfill the specific criteria in the study. An in-depth interview using probing questions that lasted about 20 - 30 minutes was conducted through a face-to-face interaction in the place of choice of the participants. The descriptive data was processed using Colaizzi's descriptive phenomenological seven-step method. The study established its validity and reliability by trustworthiness criteria, data triangulation, peer scrutiny, and audit trail. The study was able to formulate three themes which were 1) Resiliency of Seaweed Farmers during the Covid-19 pandemic; 2) Vulnerability of Seaweed Farming; and 3) Fulfillment of Seaweed Farming Benefits with a total often subthemes. The first theme discusses the difficulties encountered in seaweed farming due to the Covid-19 situation. The second theme tackles the risks of seaweed farming co-existing with the pandemic. Lastly, the third theme shows the financial side, educational support, and gratification that seaweed farming offers to the farmers. The Sustainable Livelihood Approach implies that seaweed farming is not a sustainable livelihood unless policies, government, and livelihood strategies are in place. As such would only make seaweed farming sustainable enough for the promotion of coastal-rural development and growth.