Community-Based Disaster Preparedness of Valenzuela City and Iriga City
Marisol D. Andrada1,3, Imelda M. San Miguel 2,3,
Eden V. Evangelista, PhD.
3Sto. Nino National High School,
Iriga City1
Febias College of Bible, Karuhatan, Valenzuela City2
CGSTER, Philippine Normal University,
Taft Avenue, Manila1,2,3
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54476/iimrj315
ABSTRACT
The Philippines is a disaster-prone spot in the Asian continent, which calls for proactive response vital in disaster mitigation and adaptation. For a program to be successful, it must involve the citizens from the national to the barangay level. This descriptive study investigated the perceptions of community residents of San Francisco, Iriga City, and Karuhatan, Valenzuela City, towards Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) programs as proactive measures in promoting a culture of safety and community resilience in times of disaster or emergency. Thirty residents from each community answered a community survey. The responses underwent frequencies, and the percentage calculation. The study results showed a generally affirmative perception of both groups on the citywide disaster preparedness campaign through DRRM programs. However, the community responses on four categories: (1) Disaster Legislation, (2) Vulnerability to Disaster, (3) Disaster or Emergency Awareness, and (4) Disaster or Emergency Preparedness were relatively high in the Iriga group, which indicated a relatively high level of involvement in DRRM programs and a high level of preparedness for disasters. The Valenzuela group turned out to be high in disaster legislation and moderate in the other three areas, which indicated a moderately high level of involvement and preparedness. Thus, more efforts were needed to increase community understanding and resiliency.
Keywords: DRRM, legislation, awareness, preparedness, Philippines