Status and Preparedness of Bataan Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Program: Basis for an enhancement Program / Garcia, Ramon DL.

Include bibliographical references.

Given the obvious reason that every individual has the constitutional right to protect his/her life and properties, this research work intends to assess the status and preparedness of local government unit (LGUs), particularly the Bataan-DDRMC - relation to the implementation of its disaster and risk management program. Functions of National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) in disseminating safety awareness for incoming disasters cannot be efficiently done without decentralizing the functions to local governments. In this case, LGUs, being the one who the people of the community have most access to, are empowered with the responsibility to monitor the safety of the community and disseminate information to the community since they are the one that would like to respond first to community risk and disaster problems as part of their functions. The NDRRMC has provided a program with guidelines that the local government can undertake in preparation for unexpected disasters that may affect the local community. The program/plan aim at developing a culture of preparedness among LGUs so that they will be able to respond effectively to disasters and mitigate the adverse effects of every calamity that may occur. With the necessary guide and support to address the root causes for the vulnerability of their areas from unforeseen calamities, therefore preventing it, if not totally, then at least the damages would be minimal or lessen to the possible extent, and by that, these LGUs could implement it to the communities, further educating the masses on the necessary preparations. Despite the availability of these various programs, the constant challenge of how to effectively implement these programs is still present because the people's vulnerability to unforeseen disasters is increasing, therefore, it has yet to be addressed and be recognized fully. LGU officials take the lead in recognizing or identifying those unexpected occurrences that may happen in the community, given the prosper resources and other factors ready. But what happens most of the time is that effective measures to carry out the guidelines of the program resulting to lapses. Thus, this study also intends to evaluate the skills of personnel and finding resources involved in the implementation of the said program. It is of vital importance to determine if the status and preparedness by the community, through the aid of the implementation of the disaster preparedness program by the LGUs, is sufficient to effectively respond and mitigate the probable effects of these disasters. It is important in the sense that it will show the undertakings of the respondents to be studied on the said program/plan, their level of readiness in relation to the leadership capability and personnel skills. And how they are incorporating the guidelines given their capability and their skills is probably the question. This study, therefore, will be a basis to determine those areas of concerns that would be affecting the compliance of LGUs to find the hindering factors of preparedness needed to address unexpected risks and disasters, mainly to evaluate program objective, internal organization structure, leadership and personnel capability, resource mobilization, and coordination to implement the guidelines of the program.