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Volume 2 Issue 1, Year 2023

ISSN: 2833-7905 (Online)
American Journal of Environmental DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/ajee.v2i1.2056
Economics (AJEE) https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajee

Disaster Resilience and Capability in the Maintenance of Public Order During Disaster
of Calamity-Prone Municipalities in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines
Salcedo B. Tanguid, Jr.1*, Richelle V. Tanguid1

Article Information ABSTRACT

This study examined the level of disaster resilience and extent of the capability of calamity-
prone areas to maintain public order during disaster, among the respondents, the barangay
Received: October 27, 2022
officials and the residents in the disaster-prone municipalities in Oriental Mindoro. This study
Accepted: November 25, 2022 employed a descriptive-quantitative research design in which the level of disaster resilience and
extent of the capability of calamity-prone areas in the maintenance of public order during
Published: November 28, 2023 disaster, among the respondents, the barangay officials (n=180) and the residents (n=379)
in the disaster-prone municipalities in Oriental Mindoro. A structure questionnaire was
Keywords crafted based on study questions. In this study, stratified proportional random sampling was
carried out for the selection of resident respondents. In contrast, total enumeration was used
Public Order During Disaster, for barangay officials, including the chief of the barangay tanods in each barangay of the
Disaster Resilience and Capability, calamity-prone areas of the province under study. The weighted mean was used to evaluate the
respondents’ level of disaster resilience and the extent of capability of calamity-prone areas in
Calamity-Prone Municipalities
the maintenance of public order during disaster. Results showed the high extent of capability
in the maintenance of public order during disaster in disaster-prone municipalities is indicative
of the effective implementation of policies on disaster preparedness and the management of
disaster risk reduction. The local government units may adopt the comprehensive resilience
program based on the findings of this study to further enhance disaster resilience and disaster
risk reduction management.

INTRODUCTION to improve local capacity and empower communities

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) projects have been widely (Weichselgartner & Kelman, 2015)). Community
deployed to improve community resilience and decrease resilience, according to Ramsey et al. (2016), is a continual
vulnerabilities in the case of catastrophes. The literature engagement process that prepares communities for
has defined different approaches and frameworks for DRR, disasters and supports in their recovery. In recent years,
including detection and monitoring systems, effective a number of disaster resilience measurement frameworks
communication, support in facility reconstruction, and have been developed, but few are intended for community
reaction and recovery measures. Existing frameworks, use (Cai et al., 2018).
however, frequently fall short of taking into account In the Philippines, Republic Act (RA) 10121, an act
antecedent socioeconomic elements at the local level, highlighting the role of local government units (LGUs) in
as well as the vulnerability or resilience of the natural disaster management, institutionalizes the participation of
environment (UNISDR Global Assessment Report, civil society organizations (CSOs) and the corporate sector
2015). According to Norris et al. (2008), understanding in building community resilience (Official Gazette (2010).
how survivors function during and after disasters is RA 10121 emphasizes the importance of assessing and
critical, as is putting this knowledge into practice tactics improving the performance and organizational structure
that encourage resilience. While climate change is a global of implementing agencies in order to ensure catastrophe
concern, it can only be effectively addressed locally preparedness. It also emphasizes the significance of
(Ostrom, 2010). Many international climate change raising risk and hazard awareness and knowledge, as well
adaptation plans emphasize the increased danger of as preparedness for effective reaction and recovery.
extreme events and disasters, as well as the importance Following the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda
of local communities in disaster risk reduction. Despite in 2013, efforts were undertaken to construct safer,
multiple endeavors, it is unclear whether these efforts physically sound, and hazard-adaptive evacuation
are effectively aligned with community expectations for shelters that catered to the requirements of vulnerable
disaster resilience. Understanding community attitudes groups (Nakamura et al., 2015). For instance, the local
and resilience characteristics is thus critical, as it can administration collaborated with the Philippine Disaster
inform enhanced resilience-building processes and assist Resilience Foundation to construct and improve a disaster-
communities in catastrophe preparedness. resilient evacuation facility. This effort emphasizes the
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The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) relevance of infrastructure resilience and community
approved a national resilience-based disaster management capacity-building in disaster response.
approach in December 2009, emphasizing cooperation Furthermore, the Federal Emergency Management
1
College of Criminal Justice Education, Mindoro State University, Philippines
*
Corresponding author’s e-mail: stanguid@gmail.com
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Agency (FEMA) in the United States recognizes the of capability of calamity-prone areas in the maintenance
critical role of law enforcement in disaster response, of public order during disaster, among the respondents,
particularly their existing relationships and trust the barangay officials (n=180) and the residents (n=379)
throughout communities (Koch et al, 2017). However, in the disaster-prone municipalities in Oriental Mindoro.
according to Llosa and Zodrow (2011), a research A structure questionnaire was crafted based on study
conducted in the Philippines, local officials prioritize questions. In this study, stratified proportional random
short-term disaster risk management measures in order to sampling was carried out for the selection of resident
obtain credit during their term, thus jeopardizing disaster respondents, whereas total enumeration was used for
management efficacy. This discovery gives light on the barangay officials, including the chief of the barangay
dynamics of local calamity management, particularly the tanods in each barangay of the calamity-prone areas
impact of political factors. of the province under study. The evaluation and ethics
While multiple studies have investigated disaster committees were supplied with a draft questionnaire for
resilience and response skills in a variety of situations, content validation and approval. The questionnaire was
there is a significant study deficit regarding the specific reproduced with all of the comments, suggestions, and
disaster-prone towns in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. recommendations included. The researcher requested
Despite the fact that disaster-prone areas are subject to authorization from the relevant authorities, such as the
repeating disasters, there is little empirical research that barangay chairman, via a letter request for the distribution
completely examines disaster resilience levels and the of questionnaires and the collection of extra data for
range of capabilities, with a special emphasis on the this study. After the request was granted, the researcher
maintenance of public order during disasters. Despite the floated the questionnaire and collected additional data.
vital relevance of understanding the dynamics, strengths, The weighted mean was used to evaluate the respondents’
and vulnerabilities of these communities in the event level of disaster resilience and extent of capability of
of disasters, this study vacuum persists. Thus, this study calamity-prone areas in the maintenance of public order
examined the level of disaster resilience and extent of during disaster.
capability of calamity-prone areas in the maintenance of
public order during disaster, among the respondents, the RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
barangay officials and the residents in the disaster-prone Level of Disaster Resilience of Residents
municipalities in Oriental Mindoro. and Barangay Officials in the Disaster-Prone
Municipalities of Oriental Mindoro
METHODOLOGY Table 1 shows the level of disaster resilience among the
This study employed a descriptive-quantitative research respondents, the barangay officials and the residents in
design in which the level of disaster resilience and extent the disaster-prone municipalities in Oriental Mindoro.

Table 1: Level of Disaster Resilience of Residents and Barangay Officials in the Disaster-prone Municipalities of
Oriental Mindoro
Indicators Barangay Officials Residents Overall
Weighted Verbal Weighted Verbal Weighted Verbal
Mean Interpretation Mean Interpretation Mean Interpretation
1. Damage to property 3.59 Often 3.57 Often 3.58 Often
as a result of disaster
is reduced to negligible
level.
2. There are enough 3.92 Often 3.77 Often 3.85 Often
evacuation centers to
accommodate victims
of disasters.
3. Damage to 3.32 Sometimes 3.36 Sometimes 3.34 Sometimes
infrastructures like roads,
bridges and buildings
are restored immediately
after the disaster.
4. Medical aid arrives 3.65 Often 3.52 Often 3.59 Often
immediately to treat
injuries and contain
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the possible spread

of diseases that might
have resulted from the
disaster.

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 Am. J. Environ Econ. 2(1) 52-58, 2023

5. The families have 3.59 Often 3.45 Sometimes 3.52 Often

enough capability
to repair or rebuild
their houses that were
damaged by disaster
like skills in carpentry
and masonry.
6. The victims 3.35 Sometimes 3.38 Sometimes 3.37 Sometimes
immediately go back
to their jobs or restore
their livelihood through
extensive livelihood
program like training,
job posting and giving
of financial support
for their capital by the
government.
7. The victims 3.07 Sometimes 3.16 Sometimes 3.12 Sometimes
immediately recover
from the loss of
property by means
of sufficient financial
support from the
government.
8. The victims 3.14 Sometimes 3.11 Sometimes 3.13 Sometimes
immediately recover
from the loss of a
family member by
means of extensive
psychological
counselling given by
experts from the local
government.
9. Victims do not 3.55 Often 3.39 Sometimes 3.47 Sometimes
experience much the
shortage of basic
needs like food, water,
shelter and clothing
as a result of disaster
because of the aid and
donations brought by
the government.
10. Damage to 3.47 Sometimes 3.44 Sometimes 3.46 Sometimes
properties of the
residents like houses
is minimal because
of timely action to
mitigate damages like
placing temporarily
flood control,
immediate transfer
of valuables to
safer locations, and
immediate repair to
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prevent the damages

from getting worse.

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11. The residents go 3.39 Sometimes 3.52 Often 3.46 Sometimes

back to their normal
life within a month
after the disaster
because of the effective
rehabilitation program
of the government.
Composite Mean 3.46 Sometimes 3.42 Sometimes 3.44 Sometimes
Legend: 4.50 – 5.00 = Always (A); 3.50 – 4.49 = Often (O); 2.50 – 3.49 = Sometimes (So); 1.50 – 2.49 = Seldom (Se); 1.00
– 1.49 = Never (N)

The overall composite mean of 3.44, described as sufficient for disaster resilience (Usamah et al., 2014). This
Sometimes, signifies that the respondents have moderate perception may be attributed to the limited funding of the
level of disaster resilience. The small difference on the government which is distributed to all communities that
composite mean of the responses from the barangay are affected by the calamities. The budget allocation may
officials, which is 3.46, from the composite mean of 3.42 depend on the severity of damage, thus some barangays
from the resident-respondents reveals that both groups may have not been funded with enough support that will
struggle with moving forward after experiencing disasters. help the citizens in their pursuit to recovery. Ultimately,
Also, it can be gleaned from the table that both groups of bigger amounts will be allocated to communities with
respondents rated the second item on the questionnaire severe damages and their recovery will be the topmost
with the highest weighted mean. The barangay officials priority. Meanwhile, small communities may not receive
rated the item with 3.92 while the resident-respondents the sufficient financial support. Some respondents also
rated it with 3.77 mean, which are both described as mentioned that there were also instances when the
Often. The item indicates the sufficient number of assessment of damages were not fully justified, thus the
evacuation centers that shall accommodate the victims of funding does not suffice to the needs of the community.
disasters. The responses indicate that the municipalities Being in the position, the barangay officials are the first
are able to provide adequate facilities for evacuation. The persons to identify this challenge.
respondents further added that such evacuation centers Responses from the residents ranked item number 8,
can be the schools or churches in the community. Some out of the total 11 items, with the lowest weighted mean
barangay officials likewise mentioned that the municipal of 3.11, described as Sometimes. The items include the
government has allocated funds for the construction of immediate recovery over the loss of a family member
evacuation centers which are already readily available for through psychological counseling. This implies that the
use during disasters. residents struggle with recovering from the loss of a
Since the evacuation centers serve as temporary shelters loved one due to calamities. A loss of life is surely one of
to the victims of calamities and disasters, the provision the biggest struggles that the victims of calamities have
of help and support can be made conveniently. As the to face. While properties and livelihood may be replaced,
victims are gathered in particular locations, assistance a lost loved one cannot. In such cases, psychological
from the government and private sectors can be easily counseling initiated by the government may not be at
utilized and sent to them. Through this, the victims are all times able to address the problem. Although most
able to feel secured and protected despite the disaster that bereaved persons do not need professional help in coping
they are facing. Such psychological relief has been found well after loss of a loved one, recovering from such loss
to enhance their resiliency. The availability of evacuation requires time. Thus, bereavement affects the level of
centers in the community does not only ensure the safety resilience of the resident-respondents.
and security of the citizens but likewise serve as venues The relationship between bereavement and disaster
for the conduct of counseling and support groups to is confirmed in the findings of Walsh (2007) which
enhance resilience. In such cases, designated personnel revealed that death of a loved one, specifically parents,
from the government are invited to encourage the people have long lasting effects on the individuals’ resiliency. In
who struggled in the midst of disasters. Thus, evacuation their studies, parental death has been considered to result
centers do not only cater the biological needs of the into various problems such as decreased competency,
victims but also their psychological stability which is vital depressive symptoms, low psychological well-being, and
in moving towards disaster resilience. other related symptoms among the individuals. In such
On the other hand, the barangay officials ranked item cases, the study also revealed that support from other
number 7 with the lowest weighted mean of 3.07, which family members is more applicable than the professional
is described as Sometimes. In this item, the recovery over assistance of psychology experts. This may be the reason
the loss of property through financial support from the why the residents felt that the initiative of the government
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government was stated. The barangay officials may have to provide counseling to the bereaved families is not
felt that the financial support from the government is not enhancing their resiliency. Thus, the government may

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implement different strategies to support bereaved of their primary concerns. Their experience in handling
families in their way of coping through a loss of family calamities strengthens their capability as they are able
member. to evaluate the success of previous actions. The table
also shows how the presence of law enforcement in
Extent of Capability in the Maintenance of maintaining order encourage cooperation of residents
Public Order During Disaster of Calamity-Prone in affected areas. Significantly, the residents demonstrate
Municipalities as Assessed by Residents and high confidence in their capability to maintain public
Barangay Officials order. Since high-risk areas are repeatedly vulnerable
Table 2 shows the residents’ and barangay officials’ to calamities, residents are also familiar with how local
responses on the extent of capability of calamity-prone officials respond to various catastrophes. Thus, residents
areas in the maintenance of public order during disaster. may have also developed their system of responding to
The general composite mean points out that the residents calamities.
and officials have a high capability in maintaining public From the results shown in the table, it can be observed
order in times of disaster especially in calamity-prone that item 9 earned the highest mean with 4.11 for the
areas. The residents earned an overall mean of 3.61 officials and 3.83 from the residents. The item illustrates
while the officials earned an average mean of 3.75, both the sufficient number of force multipliers that helps the
described as High. This shows that the officials are law enforcers in maintaining public safety. The result
well-trained and oriented on the proper protocols and reveals that both officials and residents have received
procedures implemented during calamities. As officials, help from other forces aside from the law enforcement
identifying the high-risk areas in the community is one during calamities. Various force multipliers such as local

Table 2: Extent of Capability in the Maintenance of Public Order During Disaster of Calamity-prone Municipalities
as Assessed by Residents and Barangay Officials
Indicators Barangay Officials Residents Overall
Weighted Verbal Weighted Verbal Weighted Verbal
Mean Interpretation Mean Interpretation Mean Interpretation
1. There are police 3.44 Moderately 3.38 Moderately 3.41 Moderately
officers who guard the High High High
place where calamity
took place to prevent
people from taking
advantage of the
situation by committing
crimes like theft.
2. Peace and order 3.33 Moderately 3.44 Moderately 3.39 Moderately
in the community is High High High
restored immediately
after the disaster by
delegating more police
officers and soldiers to
guard the place.
3. There is orderly 3.84 High 3.64 High 3.74 High
and fair distribution
of relief goods due to
the assistance of law
enforcers.
4. There is enforcement 3.67 High 3.54 High 3.61 High
of rules to prevent
people who take
advantage of the
situation to commit
crime or gain profit
during disaster.
5. There are law 3.73 High 3.56 High 3.65 High
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enforcers deployed to
patrol in the affected
areas during calamity.

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6. Evacuation policies 3.78 High 3.64 High 3.71 High

are well enforced
with the aid of law
enforcers to ensure that
disturbances like quarrel
will be avoided at the
evacuation center.
7. There are enough 3.86 High 3.70 High 3.78 High
law enforcers deployed
in evacuation centers to
ensure the safety of the
evacuees.
8. There is full 3.76 High 3.65 High 3.71 High
cooperation of the
affected communities
in cases of mandatory
evacuation if with the
aid of law enforcers.
9. There are sufficient 4.11 High 3.83 High 3.97 High
force multipliers like
barangay tanods to
aid the law enforcers
in maintaining public
safety during disasters.
10. Violence is avoided 3.93 High 3.70 High 3.82 High
in the evacuation center
due to the presence of
law enforcers.
Composite Mean 3.75 High 3.61 High 3.68 High
Legend: 4.50 – 5.00 = Very High (VH); 3.50 – 4.49 = High (H); 2.50 – 3.49 = Moderately High (MH); 1.50 – 2.49 =
Low (L); 1.00 – 1.49 = Very Low (VL)

government officials and employees, disaster-related need to increase the number of police officers in affected
agencies, private organizations, and public volunteers areas to prevent other individuals taking advantage of the
extend their services during calamities. It is then easier disaster. The increase in number of police officers would
for law enforcers to prevent theft and provide security significantly lower the number of thefts.
as other forces take charge of their tasks. The role of This can also address headstrong residents who refuse
distributing relief goods and assistance are acted out to evacuate from their homes with the fear of losing
by force multipliers. The Local government supports in their valuables. Ensuring that there are the sufficient
patrolling the affected areas to prevent crime while other number of police officers to guard the resident’s home
force multipliers help maintain order in evacuation areas would increase evacuation compliance. In general,
to avoid strife and violence. the table reveals the important role that law enforcers
Significantly, item 1 garnered the lowest overall mean play in maintaining peace and order in evacuation and
with 3.44 in the case of the officials and 3.41 in the case calamity-prone areas (Brillantes, 1993). The presence
of the residents. The result reveals that both officials of law enforcers helps minimize the number of crimes
and residents acknowledge that there is a moderately and violence, thus maintaining public order in times of
high involvement of police officers in the calamity areas. calamity.
Though lowest among all the indicators, the general
composite mean still shows that there is moderate CONCLUSIONS
presence of law enforcement. The result does not The high extent of capability in the maintenance of public
necessarily mean that the law enforcers lack action or lack order during disaster in disaster-prone municipalities is
priority in addressing calamities but it may be attributed indicative of the effective implementation of policies on
to the number of police officers in a city and the number disaster preparedness and the management of disaster
of affected areas. As the number of calamity-prone risk reduction. The local government units may adopt the
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areas and the number of affected residents increases, the comprehensive resilience program based on the findings
number of police officers decreases as they are divided to of this study to further enhance disaster resilience and
respond to all areas. Thus, the police officers recognize the disaster risk reduction management.

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