Assessment of the Women‘s Participation to Disaster Preparedness and Response in the Municipality of San Juan, Batangas

Abstract

In the Province of Batangas, Municipality of San Juan, Batangas is regarded to be vulnerable to disaster. It has coastal, upland and populated lowland geographical areas. In the fortuitous event of catastrophe, women are deemed the frailest among the marginalized sectors. While the Magna Carta of Women gives women the right to protection and security in terms of disasters, specialized needs of women may be overlooked, gender-blind and insensitive to the development actions. This study assesses the participation of women to disaster preparedness and response in the Municipality of San Juan. Research surveys states that in the event of fire, traumatic experiences of people affected therein got the highest weighted mean of 3.3640. In terms of flood, the highest weighted mean is 3.4740, where flood is caused by the large amounts of rainwater, which cannot be absorbed in to the ground, drainages and canals. Relative to typhoon, the highest weighted mean is 3.4260, an intense circulation of the weather system causes typhoon over tropical seas and oceans accompanied with very strong winds, heavy rains and large ocean waves. About landslide, it is triggered by other natural hazards such as prolonged, heavy rainfall, and typhoon or by other sources of water, which increases the water content of the slope materials and got the highest weighted mean of 3.4200. Regarding earthquake, the highest weighted mean is 3.370, where earthquake is caused by sudden slippage of rock masses below or at the surface of the earth. In terms of participation in disaster preparedness and response, the lowest weighted mean is 2.3380, it is where women slightly or sometimes participate in forming and mobilizing women’s group in the local government units during disaster to protect and meet the necessary needs of women. Based on findings, the extent of participation in disaster preparedness and response practices in the Municipality of San Juan, Batangas is significant and highly important on the assessment of the respondents regarding disasters and their empowerment is necessary in developing a disaster resilient community. Thus, this study serves as basis for the determination in policy-decision making process necessary to address and integrate the specialized needs of women in the Municipality of San Juan, Batangas relative to participation to disaster preparedness and response.