Abstract

This study examined the role of the Police Station 14 Search and Rescue (SAR) Team in disaster preparedness and response in Barangay Pasong Tamo. Specifically, it aimed to assess the effectiveness of the SAR Team in terms of manpower, resources and budget, and training, as well as to determine whether there are significant differences in the perceptions of community members, barangay officials, and police personnel regarding these variables. The study was guided by the following research questions: (1) How do respondents assess the role of the Police Station 14 SAR Team in disaster preparedness and response in terms of manpower, resources and budget, and training? (2) Is there a significant difference in the respondents’ assessments when grouped according to these variables? (3) What challenges are encountered in disaster preparedness and response in Barangay Pasong Tamo? A quantitative research design was employed. Data were gathered from fifty (50) respondents composed of twenty (20) Police Station 14 SAR personnel, ten (10) barangay officials, and twenty (20) community members. A structured survey questionnaire was used as the primary data-gathering instrument. Statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, weighted mean, and t-test were used to analyze and interpret the data. Results revealed that respondents strongly agreed on the effectiveness of the Police Station 14 SAR Team in terms of manpower, resources and budget, and training, indicating a very high level of perceived readiness and operational capability. The computed t-values for all variables exceeded the critical value at the 0.05 level of significance, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. This confirms that manpower, resources and budget, and training have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the SAR Team in disaster preparedness and response. However, the study also identified challenges such as lack of modern rescue equipment, poor road conditions, logistical delays, limited accessibility to affected areas, and insufficient community participation. The study concludes that the Police Station 14 Search and Rescue Team plays a significant role in ensuring disaster preparedness and response in Barangay Pasong Tamo. The findings imply that continuous training, improved resource allocation, strengthened inter-agency coordination, and increased community involvement are essential in further enhancing disaster resilience and community safety.