Socioeconomic Status, Environmental Health Vulnerabilities, and Traditional Practices of Communities Along the Pulangi River

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the socioeconomic status, environmental health vulnerabilities, and socio-cultural dynamics of 608 households situated along the Pulangi River across selected barangays in President Roxas, Matalam, and Carmen, Cotabato. Utilizing a quantitative descriptive survey design, data were collected on household tenure, utility access, health outcomes, asset ownership, and traditional practices. Findings reveal severe housing and land insecurity, with 79% of households living with parents and 55% occupying relatives' land. Environmental infrastructure deficits are critical: 91% lack access to safe drinking water, and 47% lack toilet facilities, relying on direct river disposal. Consequently, 61% of households reported serious illnesses dominated by flu (353 cases), general fever (134 cases), and dengue (141 usual incidents) with dengue accounting for 27% of recorded deaths. Furthermore, 38% find health services completely inaccessible, and 84% have no active NGO affiliation. Economic resilience is low, as 46% hold no major assets, while cultural practice retention has significantly declined to 21%. These findings underscore urgent policy needs for targeted water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions, vector control, healthcare expansion, and land tenure security to mitigate systemic vulnerabilities in riverine populations.