Exploring the DRRM Landscape of the University of the Philippines Diliman: How prepared are university students in case of a disaster?

[MP3-07] Exploring the DRRM Landscape of the University of the Philippines Diliman: How prepared are university students in case of a disaster?

Danielle Marie Alcoriza Parreno, Yra Marie Limos Calamiong (University of the Philippines Diliman, University of the Philippines Diliman)

The Philippines is considered to be a disaster-prone country due to its geographical location. Therefore, all Filipinos (including university students) should be prepared in the face of any disaster regardless of where they are located. This study aims to explore the disaster-related knowledge, disaster preparedness and readiness behaviors, disaster adaptation, disaster awareness, and disaster risk perception of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman undergraduate students. This study used a mixed-method approach, wherein the students (n=145) were asked to answer a 20-item questionnaire adapted from Tuladhar, et al. (2015). A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on select UP students (n=6) and a key informant interview were likewise done to triangulate the data. Quantitative analysis such as histogram analysis and distribution analysis and qualitative analysis using thematic analysis revealed significant themes such as the current deficiencies and limitations in the process of DRRM knowledge dissemination to the UP Diliman students, lack of sufficient training, as well as limited opportunities to constantly reinforce DRRM practices in the campus. It is recommended that the DRRM training in UP Diliman should be examined for effectivity and to explore other means of training students on DRRM based on evidence-based strategies such as involving the stakeholders (including the students) through needs assessment when planning the DRRM training as well as exploring a simulation-based model of training.