Building Resilient Communities: Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction Measures of Barangays in San Jacinto, Masbate
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21460229Keywords:
disaster preparedness, disaster risk reduction, barangay resilience, community-based DRRM, early warning systems, San JacintoAbstract
This study evaluated the disaster preparedness and risk reduction measures of the 21 barangays of San Jacinto, Masbate and developed an evidence-based Barangay Resilience Roadmap. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed. One authorized disaster-risk-reduction key informant from each barangay was purposively selected, giving 21 respondents composed of Barangay Captains, BDRRM focal persons, and officials directly involved in local preparedness. Quantitative data were gathered through a validated 40-item, four-point survey covering planning, capacity, implementation, and financial resources; qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews. Frequency, percentage, weighted mean, composite mean, ranking, thematic analysis, and data triangulation were used. The multi-response profile showed overlapping upland, coastal, and inland characteristics, while typhoon, flood, earthquake, and storm surge were the leading hazards. Overall preparedness was Implemented (M = 3.25). Planning was Highly Implemented (M = 3.52), whereas implementation (M = 3.24), financial resources (M = 3.20), and capacity (M = 3.05) were Implemented. Strengths included updated lists of vulnerable residents, hazard maps, full allocation of the mandatory 5% LDRRM fund, and accessible quick-response funds. Major gaps involved weak mutual-aid agreements, limited motorized rescue assets, inadequate resilient evacuation facilities, insufficient house-to-house communication, and the absence of equipment insurance. Qualitative findings generated four themes: operational readiness versus material capacity, bureaucratic and fiscal rigidity, socio-behavioral barriers to evacuation, and the need for redundant communication and alerting. The findings indicate a compliance-capability gap: strong administrative preparation is not yet matched by field-level assets and last-mile community reach. The proposed roadmap prioritizes site-specific planning, resilient infrastructure, asset protection, flexible emergency procurement, livelihood-sensitive evacuation, analog communication redundancy, and localized drills.
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