Disaster Preparedness of the Local Government Unit Employees of Borongan Samar: Inputs to City Preparedness Plan

This study examined the level of disaster preparedness among Local Government Unit (LGU) employees in Borongan, Samar, Philippines. The research explored the demographic profile of the respondents, their disaster preparedness knowledge, readiness, adaptation, awareness, and risk perception, and the relationships between these factors and employee characteristics. A survey of 150 LGU employees revealed a predominantly young workforce, with the majority aged 25-29 years old. The majority of respondents were female, married, and had not attended disaster-related seminars. While respondents generally agreed that disasters cannot be prevented, they exhibited varying levels of preparedness across different domains. They strongly agreed on the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences, community activities for disaster risk reduction, and building relationships with neighbors. However, they expressed less confidence in their awareness of evacuation systems and plans, and their ability to predict when a disaster will occur. Statistical analysis revealed significant relationships between age, sex, and attendance at disaster-related seminars, and the level of disaster preparedness. Specifically, younger employees, females, and those who had attended disaster seminars demonstrated higher levels of preparedness. Based on the findings, the study proposes a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan for Borongan City. This plan emphasizes risk assessment and planning, public awareness and education, infrastructure and building resilience, emergency response and coordination, community engagement, and continuous evaluation and improvement. The study underscores the importance of targeted interventions to enhance disaster preparedness among LGU employees, considering their demographic characteristics and specific needs. It highlights the need for ongoing training and education, fostering a culture of community engagement, and prioritizing risk reduction measures to build a more resilient community.