BUILDING A RESILIENT COMMUNITY THROUGH A STRATEGIC

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Abdulrahim B. Sultan (2017)

Central Mindanao Colleges, Kidapawan City

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to discover key strategies in building a resilient

community through a proactive disaster risk reduction management
program. The design was mixed method of qualitative and quantitative
approaches. Data were generated from the in depth interview with the 7
barangay officials as key informants and through a survey of 150 residents in
the barangay. Findings revealed that officials and residents have the
common feelings of uncertainty, fear, unpreparedness, and lack of resources.
It was revealed further that the overall level of preparedness of the Barangay
in terms of disaster preparedness was low. A proposed strategic disaster risk
reduction management program has been crafted to address the findings,
which includes gender and human rights principles, equity, ownership,
participation, partnerships, and multi-sectoral collaboration as guiding
principles.

Keywords: Disaster, risk reduction, resilient community, mixed method,

DRRM, North Cotabato, Philippines.

INTRODUCTION

In our current global milieu, different phenomena occur every day. We cannot
assume that our lives are safe even if we are inside the comforts of our home. The presence
of a lurking danger and disturbance may be feared not only from perpetrators but also from
our surroundings, most likely from our nature.

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 As defined, emergencies are threatening conditions that require urgent action.
This phenomenon escalates into a disaster, which is a serious disruption of the functioning
of a community or a society, causing widespread human, material, economic or
environmental losses exceeding the ability of the affected community or society to cope
using its own resources (Tarande, 2013).

Over the years, the Philippines had been devastated by strong typhoons, which led
to massive flooding in low-lying areas. As time passed by, these typhoons got stronger and
stronger that even the prepared citizens were shocked by the catastrophic damage it
brought about which resulted to a high toll of death and destruction to mankind alarming
both the national and local government units.

At this state, disaster preparedness for risk reduction is required in order to

address the problem. It is in this light that this study held on the prime significance to
assess whether residents in the community are aware of the safety plans and are well
prepared for any outbreak of future disasters.

Ondoy was a wake-up call and this led to the signing of Republic Act 10121,
otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of
2010. The passing of the bill led to the revamping of the National Disaster Coordinating
Council (NDCC) and the formation of the NDRRMC or the National Disaster Risk
Reduction Management Council, which acts as the policy making and coordinating
office. This council is composed of 44 public and private agencies, of which the PNP is
included.

In the PNP today, the office in charge of disaster preparedness and response
management is the Directorate for Police Community Relations. Police and community
are sharing responsibility, and helping each other, taking action in unity. The DPCR shall
develop, guide and steer a community and service oriented police organization in
forging relationship with, informing, persuading, shaping perception of, and mobilizing

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the communities towards the need for respect for laws, maintenance of peace and
orderliness, and safety of environment.

METHODOLOGY

A mixed method of qualitative and quantitative research design was employed in

this study. Qualitative data were obtained from interviews conducted with 7 Barangay
officials as key informants. While the quantitative data were obtained from the survey
questionnaire administered to the 150 residents of Barangay Sudapin, in Kidapawan
City, North Cotabato.

The data gathering instruments focused on the implementation of the programs

and projects to combat the harmful effects of disasters, the availability and capacity of
facilities to respond to the needs of the citizens, the availability and capacity of
equipment to respond to the needs of the people, and the capacity and responsiveness of
rescue and relief in times of disasters.

Qualitative Data through In-Depth Quantitative Data through a

Interview with 7 Barangay Officials Survey with 150 Residents
as Key Informants of Barangay

Assessment of Disaster Risk Preparedness

Strategic Disaster Risk Reduction Management Program

Figure 1. Operational Framework of the Study

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The qualitative data gathered from the seven (7) barangay officials as key
informants were analyzed and it revealed that the residents of Barangay Sudapin have a
feeling of uncertainty of their safeness, fear of what may happen to them if sudden disasters
occur, unpreparedness of the residents and the barangay in terms of planning and rescue,
and lack of resources in terms of the availability of the equipment and facilities in the
barangay.

In terms of the quantitative data, the level of preparedness of the barangay in terms
of disaster risk reduction preparedness was measured. It revealed a weighted mean of
1.6517 interpreted as Low. This means that the Barangay is not ready in terms of risk
reduction should great disasters occur in the area.

Table 1. Level of Preparedness of Barangay Sudapin

Areas Mean Standard Description
Deviation
1. Programs and Projects .6100 .95465 Low Level
2. Facilities 1.7100 1.31277 Low Level
3. Equipment 1.9000 1.23718 Low Level
4. Rescue and relief 1.3867 1.03315 Low Level
Weighted Mean 1.6517 1.13444 Low Level

Among the four indicators, the indicator Equipment got the highest mean of
1.9000 described as Low Level. The indicator with the lowest mean is Programs and
Projects got a mean score of .6100, which was described as Low Level. The overall mean
rating is 1.6517 and still, described as Low Level.

The results show that the level of preparedness of barangay Sudapin in terms of
Equipment is low. They dont have equipment in the barangay that can provide and be
effective in responding to the needs of the constituents of barangay in times of disasters.
The indicator Programs and Projects got the lowest mean, barangay Sudapin has a low
rate in terms of the capacity and responsiveness of their programs and projects in times of

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disasters. Which implies that barangay Sudapin dont have a good programs and projects.

This implies that the local government of barangay Sudapin were not equipped and
cannot provide rescue and relief and do not have facilities to respond to the needs of their
constituents in times of sudden calamities. Additionally, it shows that the local government
of barangay Sudapin have a low rate in responding to the people in times of calamities.

PROPOSED GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The proposed strategic disaster risk reduction management program will be guided by
the following principles:

1. GENDER AND HUMAN RIGHTS PRINCIPLES that ensure incorporation of

gender equity and human rights perspectives into policies and programs as well as
neutrality and impartiality in humanitarian response.

2. EQUITY in access to services, with special focus on highly vulnerable population

groups including migrant populations and persons with disabilities.

3. STAKEHOLDERS OWNERSHIP with residents and local government unit

coordinating and ensuring that all interventions by partners are in line with relevant
national guidelines.

4. PARTICIPATION, with the involvement of communities and civil society.

5. STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS within the health sector, using the

humanitarian reform principles.

6. Fostering sustainable MULTI SECTORAL COLLABORATION at local and

regional levels.

PROPOSED STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

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 The proposed strategic disaster risk reduction management program will adopt the
following framework:

DEVELOP appropriate policies, strategies and regulations to facilitate

risk management;

PROVIDE adequate capacity for risk management in all section;

CONDUCT assessments and map risks;

IMPLEMENT resilience-building interventions in health facilities and at

community level;

PREPARE AND PROVIDE timely and adequate response to emergencies;

GENERATE and DISSEMINATE evidence

Figure 2. Proposed Framework of a Strategic DRRM Program

1. DEVELOP appropriate policies, strategies and regulations to facilitate

risk management; this would involve updating the existing regulations, policies
and all sector strategic plans to incorporate provisions on prevention,
preparedness and readiness, as well as response to the impact of all potential
hazards in the barangay. The revisions should be congruent with national multi
sectoral legislation, policies and plans on DRM.

2. PROVIDE adequate capacity for risk management in all section; all sector

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 should participate in all decisions and actions of the national multi sectoral
committee on DRM. Resources should be allocated from the national budget to
fund DRM activities in all sector. Education and training programs at
undergraduate and graduate levels as well as continuing professional education and
research on DRM should be developed and funded. The training should be aligned
with the regional standard package on emergency training. Development of
networks and communities of practice on DRM should be encouraged.

3. CONDUCT assessments and map risks; Vulnerabilities and capacities of all

sector should be assessed in conjunction to measure and map the risks to health and
safeties. The structural and functional capacity of existing facilities to withstand
and respond to the impact of hazards and disasters should be assessed. Risk
assessment and mapping should be updated regularly, based on changes in hazard
and vulnerability profiles.

4. IMPLEMENT resilience-building interventions in health facilities and at

community level; This will imply designing the structural, non-structural and
functional requirements of new all facilities to enable them to with stand the
impact of hazards, and be functional in emergencies. Existing facilities should be
retro-fitted to increase their resilience, based on the results of risk assessments.
Disaster plans should be developed and tested. Community leaders at the
community level should be engaged in risk assessment, planning and preparedness
to build on local knowledge, experience and capacity. Community members should
also play decisive roles in the execution, monitoring and evaluation of DRM
intervention at community level.

5. PREPARE AND PROVIDE timely and adequate response to emergencies;

Preparedness should be strengthened by developing, evaluating and revising
response plans based on comprehensive risk analysis taking into account all
prevalent hazards. The plans should involve identifying rapid response teams at
local and national levels including sources of surge support; pre-positioning
medical supplies and other logistics; designating isolation units and safe areas; and

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 organizing mass casualty management services. Procedures should be regularly
tested through desktop exercises and simulations. Standard operating
procedures (SOPs) for response and recovery operations should be developed to
determine what needs to be done, by whom and how, before, during and after
emergencies and disasters, in order to minimize related casualties.

6. GENERATE and DISSEMINATE evidence; Information on the projected and

actual consequences of natural and man-made disasters including event-based
surveillance should be generated and monitored, using appropriate indicators.
This will provide early warning and guide preparedness and response.
Information management including use of feedback should be strengthened.
Operational research should be conducted on changing risk patterns for various
communities, including highly vulnerable groups such as migrant populations
and persons with disabilities. Operational aspects of response and recovery, e.g. the
quality and impact of response, should be assessed through regular monitoring and
research to inform adaptation of strategies and actions.

RECOMMENDATIONS

In view of the findings and the proposed strategic disaster risk reduction
management program, the following recommendations are advanced:

1. The barangay shall continuously implement their existing programs and projects
accompanied by efficient and effective implementation with proper fund allocation
thereof.

2. The barangay shall provide additional facilities especially the medical facilities and
medical experts.

3. Third, additional budget shall be allocated to the barangays disaster risk reduction
and management in order to purchase additional equipment to be used in times of
calamities.

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4. Further research shall be conducted for the purpose of more comprehensive Citys
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management focusing on specific calamity such as
earthquake, tsunamis, typhoons, storm surge, tornados and other calamities.

5. Other local government units may replicate the existing Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management of Barangay Sudapin or even improve it depending on how it suit
their existing situation for the development of their own disaster preparedness
measure.

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