Conditions Influencing Household Riverine Communities to Relocate: A Case in Calbayog City, Samar

Abstract

River easement enforcement and urban river rehabilitation have become increasingly important strategies for reducing flood risk and promoting sustainable urban development. This study examined the socioeconomic conditions influencing relocation among residents along the Calbayog River in Calbayog City, Samar, Philippines, from the three-metre urban river easement zone. Using a quantitative research design, the study included 220 residents from Barangays Obrero, Payahan, Hamorawon, and Nijaga through total enumeration. Data were collected using a structured, researcher-developed questionnaire translated into Waray-Waray and validated through expert review and pilot testing. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise respondents’ socioeconomic profiles and perceptions of relocation conditions, while chi-square tests examined relationships between profile variables and relocation-related conditions. Results showed that respondents were generally middle-aged, predominantly female, mostly married, largely educated to high-school level or below, and predominantly low-income. The most important relocation conditions were relocation-site suitability and the provision of services, both with an overall mean of 4.22, followed by the provision of facilities, livelihood access, and compensation. Age, sex, civil status, and land-tenure status showed no significant relationship with relocation conditions. Significant relationships were found between monthly income and both livelihood access and relocation-site conditions; educational attainment and livelihood access; livelihood type and both compensation and facility provision; livelihood location and livelihood access; household size and compensation; and length of stay and facility provision. The findings indicate that economic capacity and livelihood-related conditions are central to relocation perceptions among Calbayog riverbank residents.