Knowledge, Awareness and Preparedness on Disasters Among Constituents

in Selected Barangays of Zamboanga del Norte

Melecio Sera Enanor

Jose Rizal Memorial State University
Main campus, Dapitan City

Abstract
Many people lost their lives, personal belongings, personal properties and even livelihood
productions due to lack of knowledge, awareness and preparations on disasters. The study aimed
to determine differences on the knowledge, awareness and preparedness on disasters among
constituents in selected barangays of the three districts of Zamboanga del Norte. The descriptive
research design was employed. The instruments used in this study are the standardized
questionnaires interview schedule. Secondary data were also utilized to validate its responses.
Percentage and Chi-Square were employed to test the difference when data are grouped
according to districts. Findings revealed that knowledge, awareness, and preparedness on
disasters have no difference. This goes to show that though some barangays had obtained below
average in percentage on the knowledge, awareness, and preparedness on disasters, their
involvements and participations on disasters’ program have nothing to do with it. This implies
that there are other factors which affect in their way of preparations and prevention on disasters.
Thus, the study recommends for further research in determining these factors to develop with
sufficient, and viable disasters program to meet their felt needs. Also, a study that surveys not
only in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, but also from other part of the country and even
abroad to broaden global impact on disasters in the resolutions of issues and concern that affect
the lives of the people as this would help to provide a more in-depth understanding on the
prevention on disasters or fortuitous event if it may happen inevitably.

Key Words: Natural disasters, Emergencies, Knowledge, Preparedness and Awareness

Introduction
In recent years, despite the age we live in being one of technological innovation, the
increased frequency, intensity, magnitude, and impact of natural disasters have claimed
thousands of lives and caused immense material losses throughout the world. In recent decades
this has been attributed to an increase in population worldwide and subsequent developments
like urbanization, use of vulnerable regions or degraded land, and alterations in the environment.
In the second half of the twentieth century about 250 ‘great natural catastrophes’ claimed the
lives of about 1.4 million people, most of whom succumbed to windstorms or floods. The 1990s
alone had four times more disasters than in the 1950s and a 15-fold increase in economic losses
during the same period Thailand, UNESCO Bangkok (2010).
Most of the world’s worst disasters occur between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn,
Asia being the most affected continent with 39% of the total disasters reported from 1992-2001,
accounting for 74.5% of the total casualties Satyabrata S. (2009). Whereas hazard events cannot
be prevented from occurring, devastation and loss can be prevented to a great extent. Impacts of
natural disasters can be reduced through pre-disaster activities for mitigating risks; and such
activities are among the most crucial aspects of disaster risk reduction to consider in forming a
coordinated strategy or plan. Natural hazard mitigation is an important policy issue because
‘monetary losses from natural disasters are reaching catastrophic proportions’ and are expected
to increase. Mitigation is arguably the most critical activity of the four phases of disaster
management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery Gupt. P.K., Mahajan A.(2010).
This is particularly relevant in the case of recurrent natural hazards, such as cyclones and floods,
in vulnerable locations where action to reduce damage can be more effective than relief and
recovery.
Emergency preparedness refers to the readiness of a political jurisdiction to react
constructively to threats from the environment in a way that minimizes the negative
consequences for health and safety. It results from a process in which a community examines its
susceptibility to hazards (vulnerability analysis), identifies the human material resources
available to cope with these threats (capability assessment), and defines the organizational
structures by which a coordinated response is to be launched (plan development) Perry, R.W. &
Lindell, M.K.., (2013). Community-based disaster preparedness refers to a specific form of local
level capacity building and represents increasingly important elements of vulnerability reduction
and disaster management strategies. CBDP strategies leverage the knowledge and capabilities of
local community resources. Successful implementation of CBDP requires an understanding of
the communities involved Allen, K.M. (2016).
In the Philippines, Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU) System as a higher
learning institutions in Zamboanga del Norte plays a major role in the promotion, prevention and
information dissemination to educate people on the natural disasters in terms of knowledge,
awareness and preparedness not only to its community affected, but also to the neighbouring
municipalities and cities in the region. The recent experience in major occurrence of super
typhoons, floods, landslide, earthquake and fire, damaged infrastructures, buildings, houses,
crops production and livelihood are of significant issues and threats not only in local, national
but also in global arena. A considerable of the constituents, and families in different selected
barangays of the Province of Zamboanga del Norte were affected by such natural disasters. They
suffered and took long recovery to damaged properties, their houses and means of livelihood.
This scenario motivated the researcher to determine the knowledge, awareness and preparedness
on disasters among constituents in selected barangays in the three districts of Zamboanga Del
Norte.
Natural disasters or fortuitous events such as earthquake, floods, landslide, typhoons and
fire and many others are not only severely affecting in the Visayas region but also in Mindanao
and the Philippines as a whole. Many people lost their lives, personal belongings, personal
properties and even livelihood productions maybe due to lack of knowledge, awareness and
preparations on disasters among the constituents. Ondiz, et al., (2013), asserted to that natural
disasters inevitably come without expectations, that people can either sustain and develop
quickly to overcome those natural disasters or build – up periods that allow more time for the
adaptation and implementation of protective measures. This occurs when only natural and
technological hazards have an adverse impact on human beings, properties, economic as well as
social and natural resources. According to the Philippine Association of Detective and Protective
Agency Operations (PADPAO) Inc., Industry and Government share responsibility for protecting
lives and property. Knowledge, awareness and preparedness helps to avoid loss of lives and
property, and assures continuity of production which is so important to the recovery of an area
after a disaster, or to the nation if they were attacked. When disaster strikes, the best protection is
knowing what to do. Knowledge, awareness, and preparedness involve personnel to perform
their assigned function during the response, and practicing that response before the event.

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 This information’s provide the idea to every constituent that in cases of disasters, one
should be knowledgeable, aware, and prepared to cope with the hazards and tremendous effects
of today’s complex world. Previous studies conducted revealed that disasters like storms, fires,
explosion, sabotage, civil disturbances, and many others pose continuing threats in spite of
global information’s relative to climate change. This present investigation on knowledge,
awareness, and preparedness on disasters would somehow validate and fill in the gaps and
possible solution would be undertaken for prevention of such threats. Agencies of the
government assure effectiveness of the provisions for the fullest use of community resources;
mutual assistance agreements with other agencies provide insurance for the use of available
equipment and facilities in cases of emergencies. It is a situation usually catastrophic in nature
when people are reduced to helplessness, and exposed to adverse danger and heavy losses of
their family or physical belongings.
As observed, the affected areas and the residents’ preparation during the said natural
disaster were not adequate since its strength was not anticipated which resulted to severe damage
in almost all areas that are affected. It is therefore, the researcher endeavour to conduct this study
relative to knowledge, awareness, and preparedness among the constituents of the selected
barangays in the three districts of Zamboanga del Norte. Likewise, the study sought to
determine differences on the knowledge, awareness and preparedness on disasters to this
identified barangays according to districts. Moreover, the study anticipate the formulation of
disaster’s Training Program. With the hope that through this piece of work it will help to provide
a more in-depth understanding on the knowledge, awareness and preparedness on disasters or
fortuitous event if it may happen inevitably whether locally, nationally and globally.

Methods and Materials

This study utilized a descriptive research design to determine the knowledge, awareness,
and preparedness on disasters and its differences among constituents in selected barangays of
Zamboanga del Norte, academic year 2015-2016. A total of eighteen (18) barangays, six (6)
barangays from each district were used as respondents in this study. The selection of barangays
was based from the recommended lists of barangays believed to be prompt to natural, man-made
and other disasters given by the Provincial Disaster Reduction Risk and Management Council
(PDRRMC) in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Dipolog City.
The research instruments used in this study are the standardized questionnaires interview
schedule personally conducted by the researcher among the constituents of the different
barangays of the three districts of Zamboanga del Norte . Secondary data such as; attendance and
lists of participants of the different disasters training conducted by the different concerned
agencies, records and documents on such events and other activities were also utilized to validate
its responses. It was organized, and interpreted using appropriate statistical tools. Percentage was
used to determine the knowledge, awareness, and preparedness among the constituents from each
barangay from the different districts. Chi –Square was employed to test the difference when data
are grouped according to districts in the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

Results

Knowledge, Awareness and Preparedness on Disasters in District I

Table 1shows that out of 372 respondents from the six (6) barangays of the district 1,
Barangay Calilic, Catalina and Poblacion got the first three (3) highest percentage of 74.5

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percent, 72.91 percent, 71.8 percent with a total of 63.7 percent respectively. On the other hand,
Barangay San Jose, Calilic and Poblacion are aware on disasters with a percentage of 97.4
percent, 80.9 percent and 69.2 percent respectively. While Barangay Catalina, San Jose and
Paraiso are prepared on disasters with 93.8 percent, 67.9 percent and 60.0 percent respectively.

Table 1. Knowledge, Awareness and Preparedness on Disasters among Constituents

in Selected Barangays of District 1, Zamboanga del Norte
Knowledge Awareness Preparedness
Barangay Respondent % % %
s f % f % f %

Calilic 47 35 74.5 38 80.9 12 25.5

Poblacion 78 56 71.8 54 69.2 45 57.7
Sinipay 86 45 52.3 21 24.4 34 39.5
Catalina 48 35 72.91 23 47.9 45 93.8
Paraiso 75 46 61.3 25 33.3 45 60.0
San Jose 38 20 52.6 37 97.4 56 67.9
Total 372 237 63.7 198 53.2 237 63.7
.
On the totality, 63.7 percent are knowledgeable, 53.2 percent are aware, and 63.7 percent
are prepared on natural calamities or disasters. This means that some barangays are
knowledgeable, less aware but prepared on disasters.

Knowledge, Awareness and Preparedness on Disasters in District II

Table 2 shows that out of 887 respondents from the six (6) barangays of the district 3,
Barangay Dansalan, Kayok and Canaan got the first three (3) highest percentage of 85.3 percent,
84.4 percent, 80.0 percent respectively.

Table 2. Knowledge, Awareness and Preparedness on Disasters among Constituents in

Selected Barangays of District 2, Zamboanga del Norte
Barangay Respondents Knowledge % Awareness % Preparedness %
f % f % f %
Saluyong 150 109 72.7 98 65.3 125 83.3
Disakan 95 48 50.5 59 62.1 60 63.2
Villaramos 85 45 52.9 43 50.6 45 52.9
Bulawan 190 140 73.7 167 88.0 155 81.6
Dr.Jose Rizal 250 196 78.4 165 66.0 98 39.2
Mias 87 46 46.0 65 74.7 62 71.3
Total 887 388 43.7 597 67.3 545 61.4

On the totality, 43.7 percent are knowledgeable, 67.3 percent are aware, and 61.4 percent
are prepared on natural calamities or disasters. This means that some barangays have enough
knowledge, aware and prepared on disasters.

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 Table 3. Knowledge, Awareness and Preparedness on Disasters among Constituents in
Selected Barangays of District 3, Zamboanga del Norte
Knowledge Awareness Preparedness
Barangay Respondents % % %
f % f % f %
Comunal 55 36 65.5 45 81.8 42 76.4
Canaan 35 28 80.0 15 42.9 15 43.9
Kayok 45 38 84.4 18 40.0 19 42.2
Antonino 125 27 21.6 93 74.4 93 74.4
Dansalan 95 81 85.3 45 47.4 45 47.4
Kipit 130 101 77.7 98 75.4 99 76.2
Total 485 311 64.1 314 64.7 313 64.5

Table 3 shows the summary of the findings from the 18 barangays of the three (3)
districts, with 1,744 respondents. District 3 is more knowledgeable with 79.1 percent, while
district 1 is less knowledgeable on disasters. On the other hand, district 2 is more aware with
67.3 percent and district 1 s less aware. Moreover, in terms of preparedness on disasters district 3
is more prepared with 64.6 percent compared to district 1 with 63.33 percent and district 2 61.6
percent respectively. This findings asserted by the Philippine Association of Detective and
Protected Agency Operators (PADPAO), Inc. on Disaster Planning and Management that
knowledge, awareness, and preparedness on disasters among barangays are attributed to some
factors such as; environmental, knowledge information, program monitoring, social and
economic equity and even political factors .
A study also conducted by Regina P. Clavel et.al at the Iloilo State College of Fisheries –
San Enrique campus relative to knowledge, awareness and preparedness level revealed that the
respondents were highly knowledgeable, aware and prepared when the above factors has to be
taken considerably as a whole. With this, education, training, information dissemination and
effective implementation of government programs relative to prevention, promotion and control
play a vital role in the realization of the mission-vision of the different concern agencies in their
quest for the prevention and promotion on disasters knowledge, awareness and preparedness
among the constituents.

Table 4. Summary of the findings on Knowledge, Awareness and Preparedness on

Disasters among Constituents in Selected Barangays of Zamboanga del Norte
Knowledge Awareness Preparedness
Districts N
f % f % f %
I 372 237 63.5 198 53.1 237 63.33
II 887 388 65.9 597 67.3 545 61.6
III 485 311 79.1 314 64.8 313 64.6
Total 1744 936 53.7 1109 63.6 1095 62.8

Table 5 shows that in district 1, knowledge on disasters have a chi-square value of 15.25
and p-value of 0.009 while awareness on disasters have a chi-square of 20.15 and P-value of
0.001 at df=5; level of significance set at 0.05 which means there is difference in terms of
knowledge and awareness on disasters. On the other hand, preparedness on disasters a chi square
value of 1.16 and a P-value 0.559 simply mean that there is no difference.
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 In district 2, knowledge on disasters have a chi-square value of 8.003 and p-value of
0.156, which means that there is no difference among six barangays while awareness, and
preparedness on disasters have a chi-square of 31.27 and p-value of 0.000, and a chi-square of
15.97 with a p-value 0.007 respectively, which means there is difference at df=5; level of
significance set at 0.05.
District 3, knowledge and awareness on disasters have chi-square value of 0.37 and p-
value of 0.83 , and a chi-square of 5.36 with a p-value of 0.373 at df =5 ; level of significance set
at 0.05 respectively. This simply mean that there is no difference. On the other hand
preparedness on disasters have chi-square value of 20.04 with a p-value of 0.001 which means
there is difference among constituents of selected Barangays in Zamboanga del Norte.

Table 5 Test of Difference on disaster’s knowledge, awareness and preparedness when

data are grouped according to districts.
District 1 Chi-Square value P - value Decision on Ho
Knowledge 15.25 0.009 Reject Ho
Awareness 20.15 0.001 Reject Ho
Preparedness 1.16 0.559 Accept Ho
District 2
Knowledge 8.003 0.156 Accept Ho
Awareness 31.27 0.000 Reject Ho
Preparedness 15.97 0.007 Reject Ho
District 3
Knowledge 0.37 0.83 Accept Ho
Awareness 5.36 0.373 Accept Ho
Preparedness 20.04 0.001 Reject Ho

Legend: df = 5; level of significance set at 0.05

In summary, the findings of the study revealed that most of the constituents in the
selected barangays have knowledge on disasters, they are more aware, and prepared in times of
natural disasters. Although, there are difference noted in some barangays in the three (3) districts
of Zamboanga del Norte as to knowledge, awareness, and preparedness on disasters.
This simply implies that not all barangays of the three (3) districts have equal opportunity
to avail the programs conducted by the concerned agencies in their information dissemination
campaign, consistent monitoring relative to disasters and most especially actual trainings and
demonstration on disasters and the availability of the needed equipment and facilities. The
influence of the identified factors attributed to knowledge, awareness, and preparedness on
disasters are also vital in analyzing and assessing the vulnerability of individual natural
knowledge, awareness and preparedness relative to natural disasters.
Moreover, the findings requires that planning for continuity of effective implementation
on the government programs on knowledge, awareness and preparedness on disasters must
ensure that the concerned agencies have to perform effectively in their respective tasks in the
implementation of the programs. Hence, revitalization is of great importance and that there is
always someone with designated authority and executive powers who will take charge in the
implementation of the program or during any emergency or crisis situations with regards to
knowledge, awareness and preparedness on disasters. With the emergency plan-staffing of each
district it gives good leadership and direction on priority elements in the successful operation of
all natural disasters program.

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 It is therefore important that developing the strategy that was planned for the continuity
of leadership is effective by establishing emergency line of executive succession. The
knowledge, awareness and preparedness on disasters may be attributed to public relations and
political support and all other personnel involved, who may be the major service provider that
promote good leadership which is a very important function in the delivery of basic services
during and in cases of emergency situations not only in the local, national but also in global
perspective.

Conclusions
Research study conducted within this study utilizing the standardized questionnaire
interview schedule, and secondary data has demonstrated no difference and has an average
percentage based on the findings Although there are other barangays noted below average in
percentage. Thus, knowledge, awareness, and preparedness on disasters having no difference
among the barangay constituents in the three districts. This goes to show that though some
barangays had obtained below average on the knowledge, awareness, and preparedness on
disasters, their participations on trainings and others have nothing to do with it. This implies that
there are other factors which affect their way of acceptance and understanding on disasters as
well as their way of living.
Thus, study recommends for further study in determining these factors that may affect
their way of life. Also, a study that surveys not only in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, but
also from other part of the country relative to disasters as this would help to provide a more in-
depth understanding on the prevention on disasters or fortuitous event if it may happen
inevitably.

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