Disaster response mechanisms to hydrometeorological hazards of responders in a municipality in Rinconada District / Marizen B. Flores.

Masters Theses (MAN) - Nursing. Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges, 2025.

Includes bibliographic references.

Reduction and management of disaster risks have become an inevitable part of the world affected by climate change, urbanization, and natural hazards, which affect all layers of society without discrimination. This study examined the disaster response mechanisms of Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) responders in Balatan, Camarines Sur, in relation to hydrometeorological hazards and the barriers that constrain their effectiveness. A quantitative descriptive-correlational design was employed, involving all 201 MDRRMO, Barangay Health Emergency Response Team, PNP, and BFP personnel who answered a validated structured questionnaire. Data were treated using descriptive statistics, weighted means, and chi-square tests to describe respondents’ profiles, assess response mechanisms across eight dimensions, and test relationships between profile variables and disaster response. Results showed that responders were mostly male, married, in the 31–40-year age group, and earning modest monthly incomes, with generally functional mechanisms in logistics, resources, coordination and organization, community-related concerns, infrastructure and environment, training and capacity building, leadership and decision-making via the Incident Command System, and technology utilization. However, only a small proportion had formal ICS training, and the limited use of advanced technologies such as GIS and drones, alongside geographic isolation, inadequate early warning systems, and constrained budgets, created persistent operational gaps. Significant associations emerged between selected profile characteristics and levels of disaster response across several dimensions, indicating that capacity and resource endowments shape performance. Overall, the analysis and discussion underscore that while MDRRMO responders show strong commitment and basic capability, systematic investments in specialized training, early warning and drainage infrastructure, technology integration, and sustained community engagement are essential to build a more resilient municipal disaster response system in Balatan.