Disaster Preparedness in Dingalan, Aurora

Abstract

A few years back, reports noted that Asia was the continent most often hit by natural disasters (40.7 percent), followed by the Americas (22.2 percent), Europe (18.3 percent), Africa (15.7 percent), and Oceania (3.1 percent). In the same year, Asia accounted for 90.1 percent of global disaster victims, followed by Africa (5.1 percent). Reducing the risk of disasters will be essential in increasing community well-being, and disaster preparedness has a significant role in their safety during disasters. Several studies have been conducted to assess the disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) measures in Dingalan, with a focus on enhancing the community’s resilience to natural hazards such as tropical cyclones, floods, rain-induced landslides, and storm surges, ground shaking, ground rupture, earthquake-induced landslides, liquefaction, and tsunami. These studies highlight the importance of participatory approaches in DRRM planning and implementation, involving the local government, civil society organizations, private organizations, volunteers, and affected communities. The research also emphasizes the need for effective communication and information dissemination, early warning systems, and integration of traditional knowledge into DRRM strategies. Furthermore, the studies suggest the importance of investing in infrastructure and facilities such as evacuation centers, flood control structures, and access roads to improve the community’s capacity to cope with disasters. Generally, the research focuses on the critical role of DRRM in reducing the impact of disasters and promoting sustainable development in Dingalan, Aurora.

This study focused on thirty (30) respondents who reside in Dingalan, Aurora.  The mixed research method was used with a set of questionnaires and the conduct of face-to-face interviews with focused group discussions. The gathered data were collated, analyzed, and interpreted based on Public Readiness Index to assess the impact of the current disaster preparedness in the locality, which intends to determine the efficacy of their preparedness. Results of the study show that most of the respondents are male, have a high exposure to hydro-meteorological hazards (flood, RI landslide, and storm surge), and with medium exposure to geological hazards (ground rupture, ground shaking, EI landslide, liquefaction, and tsunami). Half of the respondents' houses were built with light materials, and all had experienced a disaster in the past five years. However, the study reveals (according to Public Readiness Index) that all respondents from high-risk communities are not prepared for the worst-case scenario of a disaster. Most respondents are willing to perform the intentions toward their safety during disasters. Still, factors like their location and financial situation preoccupy them and suggest they are unprepared. The findings from the respondents revealed that many people in high-risk areas are also not yet prepared. The study ascertained that every high-risk community would become more resilient to disasters by improving the community disaster preparedness plan. A disaster-resilient community can only be achieved by proactive actions by the government and its entities and merely by the sincere cooperation of people in the community. This study discovered the effectiveness of Disaster Preparedness Behavior as Analysis Based Strategy in Disaster Preparedness. As a result, the following recommendation is at this moment presented: since the usefulness of Disaster Preparedness Behavior has been recognized, the implementation of this study as an Analysis Based Strategy in community disaster preparedness should materialize; the conduct of first-aid, CPR, and other related training not only for local responders but specifically to people in high-risk communities; the BDRRMC and local DRRM offices are encouraged to incorporate Disaster Preparedness Behavior into their disaster preparedness strategies and come up with community-participatory approach in improving the community disaster preparedness. The results were shared with the local government of Dingalan, Aurora-Disaster Risk, Reduction and Management office to improve their Disaster Preparedness Plan as one of the vital programs of LGU. Some findings are being utilized in the different high-risk communities for disaster preparedness.