CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Fire, earthquake and flashflood are the three most common hazards that

usually occur in the Philippines. The fact that the islands of Philippines is directly

facing the Pacific Ocean and it is even situated inside the Ring of Fire is something

that Filipino people should be alarmed about. As because of these conditions that

Philippines is such a hotspot for typhoons and other hazards such as earthquakes.

This is supported by an article published in National Geographic by Dan Vergano.

According to Vergano (2013), there are 5 reasons why the Philippines is so

disaster prone and those are; warm ocean waters, coastal homes, deforestation,

Ring of Fire and lastly, underdevelopment. Furthermore, according to the article

written by Doyle Rice of USA Today, she said that “According to National Hurricane

Center, Philippines has been hit by more tropical cyclones than any other country

on Earth except for China since 1970.” It has been also said in the article by

Masters that “The Philippines lie in the most cyclone-prone waters on Earth, and

rarely escape a year without experiencing a devastating typhoon.”

These articles only prove that we should stress the importance of knowing

what to do when hazards strike the country. Prediction of the “Big One” by the

PHIVOLCS has led to a nationwide drill on what to do when a massive earthquake

hits the Philippines. But it is not enough. An article by Smart Tools (2012) have

stressed that “Preparation is always the best tool one can have in facing disasters.”

And “With the knowledge of what could possibly happen around us, it is imperative
 2

that we strive to prepare ourselves to face and conquer disasters.” The statements

have all emphasized the importance of preparedness, thus preparedness in times

of when these hazards strike is necessary for not only the students but the citizens

as well to minimize casualties, damages and especially the disasters that will

always come after the hazards have passed by. It will not only reduce damage to

properties but will also save lives and help Philippines be a better country with

capable citizens who can always stand to its feet after a downfall.

According to Mitchell (1999), in developing countries, megacities often lack

the most basic scientific information like risk, exposure, vulnerability and response

about natural hazards that threaten them. During any disasters, school as a public

space are mostly vulnerable as demonstrated in many calamities. When

earthquake occurs, nothing is spared; may it be a dwelling house, a commercial

building, a school, a temple or a mosque. If an earthquake should strike during the

day, children would be the worst sufferers as they are usually at school, away from

their parents and are not mature enough to look out for themselves.

When earthquake occurs, nothing is spared; may it be a dwelling house, a

commercial building, a school, a temple or a mosque. If an earthquake should

strike during the day, children would be the worst sufferers as they are usually at

school, away from their parents and are not mature enough to look out for

themselves. During any disasters, school as a public space are mostly vulnerable

as demonstrated in many calamities

 3

In this study, the researchers aim to finally perceive the level of

preparedness and awareness of students from the Sultan Kudarat State University

– ACCESS Campus.

Conceptual Framework

Determining Level of Preparedness and Awareness of Senior High School (SHS) and
College Students on Flood and Earthquake

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

 Preparedness  Level of Preparedness

and Awareness of and Awareness of
Senior High School Senior High School
(SHS). (SHS) and College
Students on Flood.
 Preparedness  Level of Preparedness
and Awareness of and Awareness of
College Students. Senior High School
(SHS) and College
Students on
Earthquake.

Intervening Factors

 Time

 Population Sample

Figure 1.1 - Conceptual Framework

 4

Statement of the Problem

The aim of the present study is to determine the level of preparedness and

awareness of senior high school and college students from Sultan Kudarat State

University (SKSU) when it comes to hazards like flood and earthquake.

1. How prepared are the senior high school and college students of the Sultan

Kudarat State University when it comes to fire, flood and earthquake?

2. How aware are the senior high school and college students of the Sultan

Kudarat State University when it comes to fire, flood and earthquake?

3. How recent does these students encounter such hazards?

4. What factors affect the awareness and preparedness of students for such

hazards?

Null Hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant difference between the level of preparedness and

awareness of SHS and college students on Flood.

Ho: There is no significant difference between the level of preparedness and

awareness of SHS and college students on Earthquakes.

 5

In this experimental study, the researchers identified dependent and

independent variables to provide scientific explanation for the research study. The

Preparedness and Awareness of Students is the independent variable that will be

tested. While the dependent variable identified is Level of Preparedness and

Awareness of Senior High School (SHS) and College Students on Flood and

Earthquake.

The conceptual framework of this study formulates the intervening variables

from the causes to its output.

Significance of the study

This study is useful to find out how prepared and aware are the students of

Sultan Kudarat State University when it comes to flood and earthquake. It is also

important to the following individuals.

To the Government, the findings of this study could help them to find a

solution to hazards like flood and earthquake and to alleviate the problem towards

this man-made and environmental hazard.

To the Students, this study will help them evaluate themselves and for

them to know their capabilities when it comes to fire, flood and earthquake. This

could also be an eye opener to those who are clueless about such hazards and

the harm it can cause to us.

To the Teacher, this study can be a tool for better understanding about the

capabilities of their students and on what level are they in terms of awareness and
 6

preparedness. This will help for better assessment of students when such hazards

occur soon.

To the School, this study would benefit them when it comes to

precautionary measures during, before and after such hazards occur. This would

also help in creating plans for the betterment of every students understanding

about hazards inside the school.

To the Parents, this study could contribute to their own practices at home

and for their awareness also about such hazards and its occurrence.

To the Future Researchers, they may further use the study to investigate

the level of preparedness and awareness of students in a greater population

sample.

Scope and Delimitation

This study is focused on the level of preparedness and awareness of Senior

High School and College students of Sultan Kudarat State University when it

comes to hazards like fire flood, and earthquake. This will be conducted during the

school year 2018-2019. With 200 respondents pertaining to senior high school and

college students of Sultan Kudarat State University – ACCESS Campus only.

Other data that is irrelevant and inappropriate to this research study will not be

included.
 7

Definition of terms

Disaster – A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society

involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses

and impacts that exceed the ability of the affected community or society to

cope using its own resources.

Disaster Risk Reduction – The concept and practice of reducing disaster risks

through systematic efforts to analyze and manage the causal factors of

disasters, including through reduced exposure to hazards, reduced

vulnerability of people and property, wise management of land and the

environment, and improved preparedness for adverse events.

Earthquake – a shaking of a part of the earth’s surface that often causes great

damage. In this study, earthquake alongside with flood is the subject of the

problem.

Flood – a rising and overflowing of a body of water especially onto normally dry

land. In the study, flood is one of the main points to be discussed.

Hazard – A dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition that

may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss

of livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental

damage.

Preparedness – The knowledge and capacities developed by governments,

professional response and recovery organizations, communities and

 8

individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to, and recover from the impacts

of likely, imminent or current hazard events or conditions.

Risk – The probability of an event and its negative consequences.

Vulnerability – The characteristics and circumstances of a community, system or