Jessa Mae G. Bustillo, Eriel Starr A. Gonzales, Elizabeth B. Pangsiw, Donnavila Marie B. Panday, Ph.D.
Graduate School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts
ABSTRACT
Disaster preparedness and response requires a sound understanding of preparedness, response, and recovery needs and approaches. This study elucidated the unique strategies of Barangay Gumatdang in Itogon Benguet before, during, and after disasters like typhoons, landslide, and flush flood patterned to the Republic Act 101201. The researchers used the interview as the main tool to gather the needed data, conducted focus group interviews, and acquired public documents that completed the triangulation for more comprehensive output. The key informants are the public servants in Barangay Gumatdang, the Barangay Captain, Barangay Councils, Purok Leaders, Peace-Keeping Officers, and Barangay Health Workers and the data that the researchers have acquired went through thematic analysis. The researchers found out that there are indeed unique strategies of Barangay Gumatdang in addressing disasters such as zoning and infrastructure preparation for disaster prevention, they have a written plan, communication strategy, and capacity development for disaster preparation, partnership mechanism, and delegation of labor for response and recovery, praying, Bayanihan, and livelihood programs, however, there are areas that need to be improved when it comes to the four thematic areas of disaster.
Keywords: Disaster, essential, strategies, implementation, thematic areas
