Advisers

Antonio A. Dawagan, PhD, RCrim

Discipline

Criminology

Abstract

Floods, typhoons, and earthquakes are natural disasters that often impact the Philippines and cause substantial damage to communities, such as Barangay Sauyo in Quezon City. Such incidents tear down houses and infrastructure, disrupt livelihoods, endanger lives, and cause social instability. Children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and low-income families are the most vulnerable groups during disasters. During such incidents, the emergency police are often called frontliners to save lives and property, keep peace and order, assist in evacuations, and coordinate rescue operations. A descriptive quantitative research design was employed. Sixty-five (65) respondents took part: thirty-five (35) residents in the study community, ten (10) PNP workers, ten (10) BFP staff, and ten (10) BDRRMO officers. The data collected used a survey questionnaire. Data Analysis (Frequency, Percentage, Weighted mean, Ranking, Kruskal-Wallis Test used to see if there are any significant differences between groups). Most of the participants were aged 36–45 years, were mostly male, were college graduates, and had lived or worked in Sauyo for 11–15 years as revealed in the outcomes. Response to interview questions: The majority of respondents rated emergency policing in Barangay Sauyo as high. In terms of co-operation with the local community in emergencies, the BDRRMO and PNP got a very good score for early warnings, the maintenance of peace and order, and evacuation centers. Search and rescue operations and police monitoring and patrolling visibility in very vulnerable areas received very high ratings, meaning that responders are on scene and on the scene during disasters. In preparation and training, contingency plans did well but equipment and rescue vehicles got somewhat lower scores, leaving more to be done. Results showed positive overall ratings for emergency policing, particularly in community coordination, early-warning dissemination, and search-and-rescue operations. However, improvements were needed in equipment and rescue vehicles. Strengthening interagency coordination, training, and resources was recommended to improve disaster preparedness and community resilience.

Keywords

Community Partnership, Visibility in Vulnerable Areas, and Preparedness