Disaster resilience through indigenous knowledge: insights from Palaweño communities in Narra

This study investigates the indigenous knowledge and practices of Palaweño communities in Narra, Palawan, Philippines—specifically the Tagbanua, Palaw’an, Cagayanen, and Cuyunon—in relation to disaster preparedness and response. Grounded in qualitative narrative research, it draws on interviews, focus group discussions, and field notes to capture the experiences and beliefs of tribal leaders, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMR), and elders with deep cultural knowledge. Typhoon Senyang (1968), remembered as the most destructive disaster in Narra’s history, serves as a collective reference point for resilience strategies. Findings reveal a rich array of traditional indicators for predicting hazards, including celestial movements, animal behaviors, plant responses, and ancestral teachings, which communities now integrate with modern technologies. Preparedness measures encompass shelter construction, food storage, rituals, and medicinal plant use, with traditional healers (“hilot”) remaining vital alongside medical professionals. The study underscores the importance of recognizing and embedding indigenous knowledge within local disaster risk management frameworks, offering culturally grounded insights for inclusive, responsive, and sustainable policies tailored to the needs of indigenous communities.