International Research Organization and Academic Publication

Abstract

Background: School disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) requires coordinated action before, during, and after
emergencies. Coastal schools need locally informed measures that protect learners and sustain education. Objective: To
assess DRRM implementation in coastal schools in Batangas City and develop a proposed capacity -building project.
Methods: A descriptive study during School Year 2019-2020 involved 33 school heads, 33 school DRRM coordinators,
and 180 teaching and non-teaching personnel from 33 schools in four districts. The personnel sample was determined using
Slovin's formula and selected through stratified random sampling. A researcher-developed questionnaire and interviews
were used. Data were analyzed using weighted means, standard deviations, analysis of variance, and Scheffe's test. Results:
Overall composite means were 3.40 for prevention and mitigation, 3.55 for preparedness, 3.52 for response, and 3.52 for
recovery and rehabilitation. Prevention and mitigation was assessed as moderate extent; the other areas were assessed as
great extent. Reported between-group differences were significant for prevention and mitigation (F = 3.32, p = 0.04) and
recovery and rehabilitation (F = 4.09, p = 0.02), but not for preparedness or response. Typhoon, earthquake, and flood
received the highest risk ratings. Duties and functions were greatly manifested overall (3.62), while capacity building and
pre-identification of temporary learning spaces were moderately manifested. Training and earthquake -drill equipment were
the highest-rated implementation challenges. Conclusion: The assessments supported the development of Project CARED,
a proposed capacity-building initiative addressing lower-rated practices and implementation concerns. Its effectiveness was
not evaluated.