BASIC ROLE OF SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN IN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: AN ASSESSMENT

Abstract

The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) plays a crucial role in the Philippine local government system by empowering the youth and fostering their active participation in community development initiatives. As the official representative body of the youth at the barangay level, the SK is tasked with promoting youth welfare and developing their leadership potential. This study explores the role of the SK in the area of disaster preparedness, a critical component in building safe and resilient communities. Barangay Novaliches Proper, like many densely populated urban areas, is highly susceptible to natural hazards such as typhoons, earthquakes, and flooding. The research aims to assess how the SK contributes to disaster risk reduction efforts and enhances community readiness in the face of such emergencies. The research engaged a total of 40 respondents, consisting of 20 residents, 15 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, and 5 barangay officials, all selected through purposive sampling to ensure the inclusion of individuals with relevant knowledge and experience. A descriptive research design was adopted, employing a structured questionnaire as the primary data-gathering instrument. The questionnaire was carefully constructed to align with the study’s objectives and to elicit accurate, relevant, and insightful responses. The formulation of clear, targeted survey questions was essential in capturing meaningful data that would contribute to a comprehensive analysis of the SK’s role in disaster preparedness within Barangay Novaliches Proper. The findings reveal that respondents strongly agreed with the essential role of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) in advancing disaster preparedness within the community. This is reflected in the weighted mean scores: 3.68 for ensuring the active participation of a broad spectrum of youth in disaster preparedness training and workshops; 3.58 for promoting disaster awareness among the youth; and 3.54 for both conducting regular disaster-related training sessions and ensuring that the content is relevant and beneficial to the youth and the wider community. Additionally, the SK’s proactive involvement in youth-led disaster initiatives received a rating of 3.52. Despite these positive perceptions, respondents identified key challenges—most notably, the difficulty in ensuring widespread youth participation in preparedness activities. This underscores a critical gap that must be addressed to strengthen community resilience and the overall effectiveness of disaster risk reduction efforts led by the SK. The demographic profile of the 40 respondents in this study is classified into three main categories: 20 respondents (50%) were community residents, 15 (37.5%) were Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, and 5 (12.5%) were barangay officials.  In terms of age, the majority of participants, 17 respondents (42.5%), were between 18 and 25 years old, followed by 12 respondents (30%) aged 26 to 33 years old. Additionally, 4 respondents (10%) were between 34 and 41 years old, while 5 respondents (12.5%) were aged 51 and above.  With regard to sex, 23 respondents (57.5%) identified as male, while 17 (42.5%) identified as female.  For civil status, most respondents were single, accounting for 29 individuals (72.5%). Ten respondents (25%) were married, and one respondent (2.5%) was widowed.  In terms of educational attainment, 15 respondents (37.5%) were currently enrolled at the college level, 13 (32.5%) were college graduates, 7 (17.5%) were high school graduates, 3 (7.5%) had completed vocational training, and 2 (5%) had reached the high school level.