Abstract

The Philippines is highly vulnerable to natural disasters due to its geographic location along the Pacific Ring of Fire and within the typhoon belt. In response, Republic Act No. 10121 institutionalized Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) councils at all government levels, including barangays. This study assessed the significance of DRRM involvement in shaping the disaster preparedness plan of Barangay Old Capitol Site, Quezon City, focusing on flood control, evacuation centers, and emergency supplies. Anchored on Resilience Theory, the research also examined whether demographic characteristics influence residents’ assessment of DRRM capability and identified operational challenges during emergencies. A quantitative descriptive design was employed, involving fifty (50) respondents—forty (40) residents and ten (10) DRRM officers—selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire and analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, ranking, and independent sample t-test. Findings revealed that flood control infrastructure requires improvement, particularly in maintenance (WM = 3.35). Evacuation centers were moderately satisfactory but lacked adequate facilities for vulnerable groups (WM = 2.88). Accessibility and insufficient stockpiling were primary concerns regarding emergency supplies (WM = 2.93; 3.13). Significant differences in assessment were found based on age, educational attainment, and length of residency, while sex showed no significant effect. Key challenges included limited resources, inadequate drills, weak community participation, and coordination gaps. Additionally, the study identified challenges such as limited resources, inconsistent community participation, inadequate drills, and coordination gaps during emergencies. The study concludes that while DRRM mechanisms are functional, improvements in infrastructure, resource allocation, and community engagement are necessary to strengthen barangay-level disaster preparedness and resilience. The significant influence of age, education, and length of residency suggests that disaster awareness.