TAGBILARAN CITY DISASTER RISK REDUCTION MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSE TO

COVID-19, HAVE YOU BEEN ENOUGH?

Kaete Anne B. Cortez

cortezkaeteanne@yahoo.com.ph
ORCID No.

ABSTRACT
The year 2020 awed us with startle trials. The world was silenced, slowed down, locked
down, and isolated. It took an unseen foe who waged war on humanity to gather and involved
leaders, experts, workers, front liners, mixed groups of individuals down to the smallest unit of
society – the family, to defend its existence, maintain peace, security, and economic stability.
This specific enemy dictates to be won together intellectually, technologically, compassionately,
but ironically to stay of physical distance. COVID-19 will never be forgotten in history.
Every country revisits its action plans and comes up with the best and appropriate
strategies they know, redirecting their efforts to enhance existing structures, systems, and
policies to address this crisis. With the number of cases increasing, our government puts
enormous stress to implement all possible measures to minimize risk and exposure, strengthen
our defenses and health capacity, maintain peace and order, and ensure economic stability.
Like other countries, the Philippines has to have strategies to win this war with the Disaster Risk
Reduction Management Council.
The Philippines is a country with a high vulnerability to natural hazards. The significant
and catastrophic impacts of natural hazards led countries and nations to prioritize disaster risk
reduction management. Governments worldwide implement DRR, which is an organized and
step-by-step approach to identify, assess, and reduce the risks inflicted by disasters. It is an
integral effort to manage disasters by strengthening communities' capacities toward the risks
and adverse impacts of natural hazards. The Philippine government commits committed to
promote and implement measures and guidelines for DRR

The DRRM program is at the forefront of the global and local communities' current health
challenges, particularly in the recent burgeoning cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-
19) pandemic with millions of contagions all over the world. Looking at this current world
problem from a comprehensive and holistic perspective is vital because we have to avoid cures
that are far worse than the current situation, and we want to mitigate any future vulnerability to
this threat (Mendoza, 2020)

Coordination, decisiveness, responsiveness, and innovation of action are what the world
needs to combat this pandemic. (United Nations OCHA, 2020). The global spread of the virus
has called for an evaluation of the most vital and pivotal needs in the face of the pandemic with
the reassessment of what is required in the short term to provide assurance that communities
can work effectively to mitigate the risks posed by the virus (United Nations OCHA, 2020). 

The Philippines is not alone in underestimating the threat of COVID-19. Just like China,
where this virus evoked, every country was caught flat-footed.  COVID-19 is already having a
significant disruptive impact on the economy and will negatively impact growth well beyond
2020. "Preparedness and Prevention" are not always foolproof to reducing risks and managing
disasters, but it still saves lives and control loss. The question arises, has the program of the
National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council improved overtime? Has it evolved to
cater to possible future disasters like this pandemic we are all facing now? How ready is
Tagbilaran City for this pandemic? Is the response of the Tagbilaran City Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management with regards to COVID-19 enough? How does the Tagbilaran City
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management plans a community recovery after this pandemic?

         The response of Tagbilaran City DRRM on COVID-19 is to be studied and assessed
based on how the Tagbilaran City responded and continually responds to the pandemic. Did it
develop a sense of resiliency, adaptiveness, and adequacy among the constituents? Did it give
empowerment among the constituents in times of emergency?

This study tends to answer the dirt in the literature about this particular study in the
publications. The researcher threaded on the murky waters precisely because there has been a
lack of local studies in this arena, particularly in Bohol, hence this study.

INTRODUCTION
The year 2020 became the year where everyone has no choice but to cope with the
COVID-19. This year was considered the "super year" for sustainability, which will also be a
year of strengthening global actions to achieve the 2030 plan. We can argue that 2020 can and
must be a year of both (Djalante, Shaw, & DeWit, 2020). In March 2020, the Philippines, like
many other countries globally, experienced an outbreak of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19
(Bernardo & Mendoza, 2020). It has shut down world economies, prompting governments to
impose drastic lockdown measures on the economy and society. The staggering cases of the
disease on a global scale prompted WHO to declare COVID-19 a pandemic.  (Ocampo &
Yamagishi, 2020).
When The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) marks its fifth
anniversary implementing the 2015–2030 project, it reiterates that the SFDRR still aims to
enhance national and community capacity to live with the risks of disaster. It asserts a
comprehensive approach to addressing multiple hazards (technological, biological, and
environmental) that impact different scales, frequency, and intensity (UNISDR, 2015). The
SFDRR explicitly includes epidemics and pandemics among natural hazards (Chan & Murray,
2017).
With the current world situation, Chan and Shaw's recently edited book on Public Health
and Disasters is very timely. Human health cross-cuts all the global frameworks and features
the importance and progress of the Health-Emergency and Disaster Risk Management
framework adopted by the WHO in 2019. Health-EDRM pertains to the "systematic analysis and
management of health risks, posed by emergencies and disasters, through a combination of (1)
vulnerability and hazard reduction to prevent and mitigate risks, (2) preparedness, (3) response
and (4) recovery measures" (WHO 2019). Health-EDRM is a term that the WHO uses to refer to
the broad intersection of health and disaster risk management (DRM). It also comprises such
areas as emergency and disaster medicine, bolstered health systems and resilience, disaster
risk reduction, humanitarian response, and community health resilience (Lo, et al., 2017)
At the global level, the U.N. Office for DRR issued a press release on March 12, 2020,
urging disaster management agencies to prioritize biological hazards. The UNDRR asked
national disaster management agencies to continue developing vigilance and resilience in the
preparedness and response during disasters prioritizing health emergencies alongside other
natural hazards. (Brondizio, Settele, Diaz, & Ngo, 2019).
The UNDRR reiterates that the Sendai Framework emphasizes the demand for resilient
healthcare systems and disaster risk management system must be integrated into health care
provision at all levels. After all, Sendai focuses on disaster response and management to
preparedness, surveillance, and disaster risk management in the health context (Djalante,
Shaw, & DeWit, 2020).
COVID-19 and its effects afford ample evidence of the imperative of bringing health into
DRR. COVID-19 appears sure to become a very costly lesson that DRR does indeed save
many more multiples in avoided costs than its initial investment. An additional point in this
regard is that health is a critical infrastructure. The resilience of critical infrastructure is well
identified in DRR literature (Garschagen, et al., 2016) 
Disaster Risk assessment is a standard approach in DRR. Core methodologies for
disaster risk assessment include hazard and vulnerability assessment. The utilization of these
methods for COVID-19 risk assessment. Also, health sciences must be more associated in the
community of disaster risk management to advance our understanding of outbreaks and
pandemics, the health impacts of all hazards, and improve data collection (Poljansek, Marin
Ferrer, Groeve, & Clark, 2017)
The use of methods from Community-based DRM for COVID for risk assessment
Community-based disaster preparedness and management are crucial in reducing disaster
deaths and losses (Allen, 2006). The approach in Community-based disaster preparedness
(CBDP) is an essential element of a government's vulnerability reduction and disaster
management strategies. CBDP values the knowledge and capacities of the local people. It may
help formulate regional coping and adaptation plans and situating them within broader
development planning and debates (Allen, 2006).
Many countries, particularly developing nations, considered disaster management and
disaster management legislation as luxuries. They are not: they are even fundamental. They are
essential in having good governance from a management perspective and from the moral and
ethical obligations governments have toward their citizens. It is not good management, and it is
certainly unethical to have backward or ill-fitting disaster systems. Once the social and
economic impacts of hazard impact are documented and understood, it becomes evident that
disaster risk reduction is a significant governance commitment.
Disasters naturally require decentralized decision-making and intensive human
interactions. Managing every disaster involves dynamic processes that are ideal yet demanding.
Therefore, collaboration among organizations and government agencies is essential in
developing an effective strategy and better performance during disasters. During every disaster,
it is expected every government institution to have the ability to assess and adapt capacity
rapidly, restore or enhance disrupted or inadequate communications, utilize uncharacteristically
flexible decision making, and expand coordination and trust of emergency response agencies
despite the hurly-burly of the response and recovery efforts. Although collaboration often occurs
among proximal and like agencies, collaborative disaster management faces various
challenges, which frequently lead to the failure of the response operations. Poor
communication, inadequate planning, misguided and poorly executed leadership, and
insufficient coordination with various stakeholders lead to collaborative failures (Jovita,
Nurmandi, Mutiarin, & Purnomo, 2018).
 As of writing, the Philippines already has 261,216 confirmed cases, around 4,000
deaths, and 207,568 recoveries (Worldometer, 2020). With the large number of people being
affected in just a short period, it overwhelms our country, which results in being unable to
provide adequate health care and keeping the economy intact. This pandemic disrupted the
world financial state, bearish stock markets, shortage of supplies, aggravated political
precariousness, and governments losing revenues (Nicomedes & Avila, 2020). The pandemic
brought challenges to all affected countries, including the Philippines, and hindered the world
(Pastor, 2020).
The COVID-19 crisis is the most complex and challenging peacetime crisis that the
world has ever faced in recent history. This pandemic is unlike anything that humanity has
experienced before. The rapid spread of the virus, coupled with its high reproduction rate and
unusually long incubation period, has caught governments off-guard as they scramble to adapt
to the situation. In battling this pandemic, the Philippines is in a tug-of-war between the national
government's authoritarian approach to the crisis and local governments and private citizens
push for involvement and participation to fill national governance (Lat & Yusingco, 2020). 
The Philippine government's COVID-19 response has been reactive, ad hoc, and
inadequate. Despite these early efforts to prepare for the possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak in
the country, the government's subsequent response revealed the inadequacies of the national
disaster response framework. It exposed the sorry state of the country's health system. On this
point, the government's response appears inadequate because while the lockdown and social
distancing measures may have slowed down the spread of new cases, the country's health
system is bursting at the seams (Quintos, 2020).
Indeed, COVID-19 is a historical thing because it affects not only in one place but also
worldwide. Therefore, people should realize that having the right discipline and attitude towards
living could save lives and make humanity live longer (Mobo & Garcia, 2020). This outbreak is
a critical reminder of the significance of public health readiness and the need for continued
strengthening of public health agencies' core response capabilities (Smith & Fraser, 2020). In
conclusion, COVID-19 and other public health crises are challenges for all humankind. The
shortcomings of public healthcare capacities exposed by the outbreak also highlight the urgency
of strengthening control in the country (Mei & Hu, 2020).
The shaking of the earth, blowing of the wind, and falling of the rain is inevitable. The
occurrence of disasters is the result of society's poor development choices. As such, we have
the power to reduce, if not eliminate, their harmful impacts through a combination of
preparedness, prevention, and mitigation interventions. If properly implemented, this
combination would bring assurance to every community that they belong to a safe place where
their lives are the utmost priority of the government.
This research tends to assist the Local Government of Tagbilaran in developing more
effective community engagement adaptation approaches and policies to respond locally to
different disasters.
This study aims to assess the response of the Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Program of Tagbilaran City on the COVID 19 according to the framework specified by
NDRRMC. The basis of the proposed intervention program will be on the findings of this study.
1. Did the TCDRRMC implement its COVID-19 Response Program base on the following
four thematic areas of NDRRMC
1.1 Disaster Prevention and Mitigation;
1.2 Disaster Preparedness;
 1.3 Disaster Response and;
1.4 Disaster Rehabilitation and Recovery?
2. How effective is the response programs of Tagbilaran City DRRM in time of COVID-19?
3. How well does the Tagbilaran City use its resources on its COVID-19 response?
4. What are the lived experiences of the research participants on how they deal with the
Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Response Program of Tagbilaran City on
COvid-19?
5. As perceived by the informants, how can the Tagbilaran City government improve its
Disaster and Risk Reduction Management program?
6. Based on the findings, what enhancement programs may be proposed to the City
government?
One of the theories that may attach to this study is the Theory of Change. Theory of
Change is a comprehensive description and illustration of how and why the desired change is
expected to happen in a particular context. Expectation and outcome performance are the two
most important variables that influence satisfaction measure judgment under the Expectancy
theory. Accordingly, the customer's perception of overall satisfaction results from a comparison
between expectation and outcome performance.
Another theory anchored with this study would be the Expectancy-Disconfirmation
Paradigm Theory of Richard L. Oliver that presupposes that the outcome of the program
should be better than or equal to the expected, the people will feel satisfied. On the other hand,
if the actual result is judged not to be better than expected, the people will be satisfied (Yüksel,
2008).
Further, if the outcome matches the expectation, confirmation and satisfaction occur.
The principle of disconfirmation occurs when there is a difference between expectations and the
delivered work. The result of the positive or negative difference comes from the satisfaction or
dissatisfaction of an individual. Therefore, when service performance is better than what the
customer had initially expected, there is a positive disconfirmation between expectations and
performance, which results in satisfaction. In contrast, when service performance is expected,
there is a confirmation between expectations and perceptions, which results in pleasure. In
contrast, when service performance is not as good as what the individual expected, there is a
negative disconfirmation between expectations and perceptions, which causes dissatisfaction
(McLeod, 2018). This theory proved that performance has a direct impact on overall satisfaction.
Another theory is the Utilitarian Theory. According to James Bentham, Utilitarianism holds
that happiness is maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain. Accordingly, Utilitarians believe that
the moral worth of an action is determined by its contribution to overall utility (maximizing joy or
happiness, minimizing pain) applies to all individuals. Hence, in utilitarianism, it is the total utility
of individuals that is important (Rakić, 2018). As a result, everything else has value only to the
extent that it contributes to happiness and the prevention of harm.

METHODOLOGY
This study used qualitative research that is concerned with establishing answers to
the whys and hows of the phenomenon in question. This type of study helps to access the
thoughts and feelings of research informants, participants, or interviewees, enabling the
development of an understanding of the meaning that people ascribe to their experiences.
To ensure the study's smoothness and systematic conduct, the researcher used three
approaches; the desk review, the Key Informant Interview, and the Individual Interview. A desk
review was conducted first by the researcher on the data given by the Tagbilaran City DRRM.
This kind of research method involves using already existing data. The existing data were
summarized and collated to increase the overall effectiveness of the research. Further, this
study used the Key Informant Interview (KII), which is an in-depth qualitative interview with
people who know what is going on in the community. Furthermost, the researcher conducted an
Individual interview (IDI), which is an effective process of gaining insight into people's ideas,
understandings, and experiences of a given phenomenon and can contribute to in-depth data
collection. 
This study used a semi-structured interviews with guide questions formulated by the
researcher by utilizing the OECD-DAC criteria to determine the program's relevance and how it
fulfills the objectives and implements the developmental efficiency, effectiveness,
outcomes/impact, and sustainability.
Accordingly, OECD-DAC is a systematic and objective assessment of an on-going or
completed project, program or policy its design, implementation and results. The aim is to
determine the relevance and fulfillment of objectives, development efficiency, effectiveness,
impact and sustainability. An evaluation should provide information that is credible and useful,
enabling the incorporation of lessons learned into the decision making process of both
recipients and donors.

In Key Informant Interview, the interview included the critical officer of Tagbilaran City
Disaster Risk Reduction Management, the City officials that compromises the Committee on
Public health and Safety and the selected health workers in the city of Tagbilaran. Meanwhile,
for the IDI, the participants were the selected community members from the youth,
professionals, persons with disabilities, and the Senior Citizens sector. The environment of this
particular study is in the City of Tagbilaran, specifically in its 15 barangays.
To ensure the study's smoothness and systematic conduct, the researcher used three
approaches; the desk review, the Key Informant Interview, and the Individual Interview. The
researcher assures that she did not put herself at risk when she gathered the data. For the KII,
the researcher abided the health protocols of the government upon data gathering. The social
distancing protocol, the wearing of face shields and face masks, were observed by both the
interviewer and the interviewee. These protocols were reminded before the researcher
conducted the interview. Whereas, for the IDI, the researcher utilized phone interviews.
Supposedly this study will conduct an FGD. However, due to the province's current health risk
situation, the researcher and the adviser decided to forego this particular data gathering
procedure.
The interpretation of data was based on the triangulation method. The triangulation
method refers to the application and combination of several research methods to study the
same phenomenon. The Desk Review, KII, and IDI were collated and further consolidated to
determine the validity of the information provided from the different sectors in the study.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

1. Tagbilaran City Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Response on COVID-19

based on four thematic areas.

a. Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

 The Tagbilaran City Disaster Risk Reduction Management has no existing Disaster
Prevention and Mitigation Plan relating to the current pandemic situation based on the desk
review. There was no document found about health risk management. The Tagbilaran City
policymakers validated this information through the policymakers' responses: the Public Health
and Safety committee members and implementers from the City Disaster Risk Reduction
Management Office and Health care workers. However, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of
Tagbilaran City passed and enacted Ordinance No. C-297 or the "Tagbilaran City Anti- COVID
Ordinance of 2020" on March 20, 2020, few days after the declaration of COVID-19 as a
pandemic to mandate for their immediate action as a relevant response of the health issue.

This particular Ordinance provides a legal basis for preventing and mitigating the said
virus cascaded from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF). Section 6 of Ordinance C-297 tackles
preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19. Accordingly, the Ordinance implements
periodic precautionary measures such as sanitation, disinfection, and other actions against the
threat and spreading of COVID-19. It also suspends all crowd-drawing, government-related
events, and activities, including team building and seminars. Conduct of massive information-
drive to raise the consciousness of the constituents on COVID-19, conduct a city-wide
cleanliness and sanitation campaign. Further, this Ordinance tries to contain and control the
virus's spread by organizing Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) to help
implement their prevention and mitigation measures for COVID-19. It also imposes a curfew
policy within the City, as may be necessary, upon assessment by the CDRRMC. Furthermore,
all private businesses and properties enjoined to implement their periodic precautionary
measures against the threat of COVID-19.

b. Disaster Preparedness

The Tagbilaran City Disaster Risk Reduction Management has its emergency
Preparedness Contingency policies. However, these policies focus on disasters involving
natural hazards. The overwhelming increase in cases of COVID-19 in the country made the
Sangguniang Panlungsod of Tagbilaran City, through the enactment of EO C-297, cope with the
current situation.

c. Disaster Response

When the World Health Organization declared COVID- 19 as a global concern and even
categorized it as a pandemic, the Tagbilaran City immediately responded. Tagbilaran City
crafted concrete and proactive steps to prevent, contain, and restrict the virus's possible spread
in the City, thus creating Executive Order No. C-297 or also known as "Tagbilaran City Anti-
COVID Ordinance of 2020".

d. Disaster Recovery and Rehabilitation

Since the battle against COVID-19 is still ongoing, the Recovery and Rehabilitation of
the City government Concordiafar from reality. However, on the City's recovery after the COVID-
19 pandemic, policymakers are convinced that only a vaccine can help the City. It will then be
the gateway to normalize the status, most especially in the City's economy.

Opening back the City to the people will gradually help the City of Tagbilaran to recover.
This scheme includes reopening the local establishments and aiming that the businesses go
back to normal.
2. Effectiveness of the COVID-19 Response of Tagbilaran City Disaster Risk and
Reduction Management
The data showed that the C-297 has a structured response policy on COVID-19.
However, the implementation itself was described as lax and lenient. Therefore, despite the
existing Ordinance in the City on COVID-19, it still doesn't work effectively.
On its effectiveness, the study focuses on the imposed policies on travel restrictions,
availability of testing kits, quarantine protocols, distribution of medical supplies, and availability
of PPE's for the front-liners.
On travel restrictions within the City, province, and outside the region, policymakers
shared that the City followed the Inter-Agency Task Force and Bohol Inter-Agency Task Force
imposed policies. He added that for APOR's, LSI's and ROF's do have travel restrictions as well.
Through a focal person designated by the city government, these travelers may coordinate to
enter the City. The travelers must submit documents such as clearance, PCR tests, and other
papers that ensure the traveler is negative from COVID-19 to enter the City. Furthermore,
travelers entering the City must undergo a 14 days quarantine period as part of the IATF
regulation. In terms of local travels, one (1) policymaker answered that people from and outside
the City are allowed to travel. However, there were checkpoints installed in the City and other
towns to minimize more people from coming.
On the plans of the provision of COVID-19 testing kits, policymakers confirmed an
allocation for a supplemental budget, which is one of the city government's priorities in handling
the pandemic. They shared that the government has allocated 200 million for the whole COVID-
19 response, including the testing kits. They even assured that the availability of these testing
kits wouldn't be a problem. Meanwhile, The TCDRRM stated that only the City of Tagbilaran has
a swab testing facility in Bohol. In the early stage, all LSI, APORs, and ROF are mandatorily
subject to swab testing on the 5th day of their quarantine period; this is because they could
purchase a lot of swab testing kits. But unfortunately, this has become their new problem
because of the overwhelming number of returning LSI, APOR, and ROF. The City is now out of
budget to procure a new batch of swab testing kits. However, they are now considering the
possibility of having the LSIs and ROFs, especially the APORs, shoulder their swab tests. With
that having said, all healthcare participants noted that an increase in the availability of COVID-
19 testing kits in the City would greatly help them. Accordingly, abundant supply would greatly
benefit them because it produces an early detection of COVID positive patients. Likewise, it
would lessen the spread of the virus, and it would not only cater to the needs for swab testing of
the residents of Tagbilaran but also those LSI, APORS, and ROF that are planning to come to
the City. Also, all medical practitioners would perform their duties within the parameter of their
tasks, for they will know firsthand who is contaminated by the virus.
On quarantine protocols, the policymakers stressed the importance of 14-day quarantine
implementations, swab test on the 5th day, and 7-day self-quarantine afterward—the BHERTs
monitor quarantine facilities. As to the reports, quarantine status is prepared by the CHO.
Protocols by APORS, ROF, and LSI on embarkation to the time on into their isolation facilities.
According to TCDRRM, there is the implementation of the 14 days of mandatory quarantine.
Also, if there is a household with a positive member, the entire barangay will watch over such
families, and there will be a granular lockdown for contact tracing. When asked if they have
specific quarantine protocols as health workers, 3 participants said none.
When it comes to equal distribution of medical supplies, markers were placed on
markets to maintain social distancing among residents who are going to markets. The City
Health Office administered free flu vaccines for Senior Citizens, City Government employees,
PNP, BFP, BJMP, Coast Guard, and PPA. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and free flu
vaccinations were given to front medical liners and free rides going to work. Free transportation
was also given to dialysis patients for their regular treatment. Policymakers stated that the CHO
heads the distribution of the medical supplies. Medical supplies are being monitored to assure
equal distribution—at least one doctor per barangay to avoid the hospital from simple medical
cases. According to the TCDRRM, at the start of the pandemic, their department has a more
significant fund than the CHO. Because of that, it was their department's fund that procured
medicines and other medical supplies. However, this responsibility should be under CHO.
However, when the healthcare workers were asked, all participants answered No when asked if
they have all the resources they needed to care for their patients. Accordingly, hospital
machines are lacking. Aside from the equipment, another workforce is also required. So what
they are doing is making the most of what they have.

3. Tagbilaran City and its resources for COVID-19

Included in the Ordinance, the appropriate funding for the implementation of the
Ordinance shall be taken from the funds of the City. Specifically, the calamity fund may be
utilized as subject to the provisions of RA 8185, amending section 324 (d) of RA 7160. With this,
the Mayor of the City is authorized to utilize the calamity fund, subject to funds and accounting
and audit procedures.
On the plans of the provision of COVID-19 testing kits, policymakers confirmed an
allocation for a supplemental budget, which is one of the city government's priorities in handling
the pandemic. They shared that the government has allocated 200 million for the whole COVID-
19 response, including the testing kits. The policymaker even assured that the availability of
these testing kits wouldn't be a problem.
Meanwhile, The TCDRRM stated that only the City of Tagbilaran has a swab testing
facility in Bohol. In the early stage, all LSI, APORs, and ROF are mandatorily subject to swab
testing on the 5th day of their quarantine period; this is because they could purchase a lot of
swab testing kits. But unfortunately, this has become their new problem because of the
overwhelming number of returning LSI, APOR, and ROF. The City is now out of budget to
procure a new batch of swab testing kits. However, they are now considering the possibility of
having the LSIs and ROFs, especially the APORs, shoulder their swab tests.
With that having said, all healthcare participants noted that an increase in the availability
of COVID- 19 testing kits in the City would greatly help them. Accordingly, abundant supply
would greatly benefit them because it produces an early detection of COVID positive patients.
Likewise, it would lessen the spread of the virus, and it would not only cater to the needs for
swab testing of the residents of Tagbilaran but also those LSI, APORS, and ROF that are
planning to come to the City. Also, all medical practitioners would perform their duties within the
parameter of their tasks, for they will know firsthand who is contaminated by the virus.
With the responses from the different sectors, it can be seen that the city government
has tried to provide a budget intended for the pandemic. However, it can also be seen that the
intended budget cannot suffice the entire needs in responding to the COVID-19. The
implementers have experienced difficulties managing the demands because the funding has
been used and about to run out.
According to WHO (2020) on the Contingency Fund for Emergencies, the Contingency
Fund for Emergencies (CFE) gives WHO the resources to respond immediately to disease
outbreaks and humanitarian crises with health consequences. The ability to respond quickly – in
as little as 24 hours - before other funding is mobilized can stop a health emergency from
spiraling out of control, saving lives and resources. To date, in response to COVID-19, WHO
has released US$10mil for urgent preparedness and response activities globally

4. Lived Experiences of the Participants on how they deal with the Disaster and Risk
Reduction Management Response Program of Tagbilaran City on Covid-19
From the participants' perspective from the different community sectors, the
implementation of the COVID-19 response is not consistent and confusing. The execution did
not reach the level of expectancy of the community. There is no concrete cascading of the
guidelines of implementation down to the community level.

5. Perception of the participants on how the Tagbilaran City Government can improve its
Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Program
From the participants' perspective from the different sectors in the community, the
implementation from the TCDRRM needs more improvement. Thus the current response
policies cannot suffice the long-term needs of the community.

6. Participants' perception of how the City Government can enhance the programs for
COVID-19
From the participants' perspective from the different community sectors, enhancing the
existing COVID-19 response program is needed. The government should also look into future
outbreaks and address urgent concerns, especially in providing an alternative method to assist
the communities during a pandemic.

CONCLUSION
Based on the theory of change, the Tagbilaran City Disaster Risk Reduction
Management response to the current pandemic is sporadic due to a lack of concrete action plan
to put into the fore robust response to this pandemic (COVID-19). Although policymakers
immediately created policies, promulgations, and resolutions anchored on the international and
national framework of policies, the lack of a sturdy action plan and implementing guidelines
could have insulated the pandemic's overall impact. There is a need to include highly relevant
stakeholders including international organizations, private organizations, and the civil society to
effectively come up with short, medium, and long-term plans to achieve intended impact on
preventing, preparing, responding, and recovering strategies to address any form of natural and
human-made disasters (including health or non-health issues).
Expectation and outcome performance are the two most important variables that
influence satisfaction measure judgment under the Expectancy theory. Accordingly, the
customer's perception of overall satisfaction results from a comparison between expectation
and outcome performance. In line with this theory, the researcher observed that participants'
disappointment and dissatisfaction with the City of Tagbilaran's COVID-19 response is based on
their judgment that it was far from their expectations.
 Tagbilaran City has to learn from the other parts of the world how important it is to have
a strategic direction embedded in disaster risk, particularly for health response. COVID-19
would not be the last pandemic that the world will experience, there are still health issues to
come, and the city has to be ready. A strategic disaster plan is not always foolproof to reducing
risks and managing disasters, but saving lives and controlling loss.
In light of the findings and conclusion, the following are the recommendations:
1. The government of Tagbilaran City should have long-term and short-term strategic
directions on their Disaster Risk Reduction Program, particularly on health issues like
this pandemic.
2. Since policies are already crafted, there is a need to concretize the implementing
guidelines and programmatic disseminations of prevention such as information drives
thru print and media, including social media platforms that could be reached by the city's
resources government and various stakeholders.
3. The TCDRRM, together with stakeholders, should implement the strategic directions and
action plans from the municipality down to the barangays of Tagbilaran City. Including
but not limited to social distancing, wearing masks and face shield and temperature
monitoring, and strict implementation and compliance of not holding mass gatherings,
among others that protect the constituents from any form of health pandemic, including
COVID-19.
4. The government of Tagbilaran City should have a sufficient information dissemination to
raise awareness among the Tagbilaranons regarding its policies. The goal is not only to
make the public aware of the current health crisis situation, but to involve them in the
implementation of policies.
5. The Tagbilaran City should integrate Disaster Risk Management specifically this kind of
health concern in the education curriculum in all levels. Numerous examples across the
globe show that children are more vulnerable to disasters. But at the same time they can
be influential and effective communicators about disasters. Often, lessons learnt at
school are later transmitted to the home. Integrating DRR into school curriculum should
therefore be an absolute priority for public authorities 
6. The government of Tagbilaran City should have a long and short-term budget allocation
and reserved funds exclusively for any form of a pandemic. The City of Tagbilaran
should not divert its budget allocation from other programs to address the current
situation as it affects the implementation of other programs that complement the city's
well-being and constituents in general.
7. The Tagbilaran City should create and establish rehabilation facilities on strategic areas
within the City to accommodate the effects in the community that may be caused by
future health crisis.

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