Effectiveness of School DRRM Programs in Enhancing Preparedness and Response in Barili District I

This study assessed the effectiveness of School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) programs in strengthening preparedness and response in secondary public schools in Barili District I. A quantitative descriptive-correlational design was used with 132 teachers selected through proportionate sampling and 65 Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) officers included through total enumeration. Data were summarized using weighted means and standard deviations. Because the data did not satisfy parametric assumptions, Mann–Whitney U tests compared teacher and SSLG officer perceptions, while Spearman’s rank-order correlation examined relationships among DRRM implementation, school preparedness, and response effectiveness at the .05 significance level. Teachers rated DRRM implementation as High (M = 3.53), preparedness as Moderate (M = 3.40), and response effectiveness as High (M = 3.86). SSLG officers rated implementation and preparedness as High (M = 3.82 and 3.87, respectively) and response effectiveness as Very High (M = 4.24). Group differences were not statistically significant across the three constructs (p > .05), while all relationships among implementation, preparedness, and response effectiveness were very strong, positive, and significant (ρ = .792–.883, p < .001). The findings support an enhanced School DRRM Strategic Plan emphasizing clearer role assignments, adequate emergency resources, student participation, psychosocial recovery support, and stronger school–community coordination.