THE CAPABILITIES OF BARANGAY TANOD EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM IN BARANGAY BAGONG SILANGAN, QUEZON CITY

Abstract

The barangay tanod is one of the lowest government entities that respond to any emergency or disaster within the barangay and offer assistance to local residents. They are responsible for a number of duties, including conducting rondas (nightly patrols), informing the police of suspected activities, and upholding local laws. They are also responsible for providing first aid and basic medical care, assisting with disaster relief initiatives, reviewing and assessing emergency situations, and responding to disasters. The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are two other emergency responders with whom barangay tanod should collaborate to keep the barangay community safe. This study employs the descriptive quantitative method as its research design. The descriptive method is used to examine and gain insight into a phenomenon’s characteristics and aspects. Research participants collect data through a questionnaire to assess the importance of emergency response. The respondents consist of fifty (50) individuals: twenty (20) barangay tanod, fifteen (15) barangay officials, and fifteen (15) barangay residents, all of whom are currently employed and residing in Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City. This study shows that the majority of the fifty (50) respondents are between 18 and 25 years old, comprising 20 individuals or 40%, and are long-time residents of Barangay Bagong Silangan.  For the first indicator, "Search and Rescue Operation," the general perception of the respondents is strongly agree, with an overall weighted mean of 3.49. For the second indicator, "Performing First Aid," the general perception is also strongly agree, with an overall weighted mean of 3.47. The third indicator, "Preparedness," received a general perception of strongly agree, with an overall weighted mean of 3.48. Lastly, for the fourth indicator, "Timeliness in Response," respondents generally strongly agree, with an overall weighted mean of 3.45. The study revealed that equipment malfunction can hinder the barangay tanod response team’s ability to provide timely and effective assistance. The study recommends that the Local Government Unit (LGU) allocate a dedicated budget to enable barangays to invest in training, equipment, and infrastructure necessary for emergency response. Additionally, the community should actively engage in developing communication protocols with input from the barangay.