Disaster Preparedness Among Households in a High-Risk Philippine City: A Descriptive-Causal Analysis

Kidapawan City, situated in a disaster-prone area of the Philippines, has repeatedly experienced natural hazards such as earthquakes, flash floods, and droughts. This study assessed the disaster preparedness of 200 households across ten high-risk barangays, using a descriptive-causal research design. Data were gathered through a validated, structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Findings revealed that earthquakes were the most frequently experienced and severe disasters, with significant impacts on infrastructure and livelihoods. Households demonstrated a high level of preparedness, particularly in communication planning, evacuation awareness, and securing essential documents. However, preparedness for specific hazards like flooding remained low due to economic and logistical constraints. Trust in the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) was notably high and positively correlated with household preparedness, alongside education level, marital status, perceived severity of disasters, and quality of interventions received. The study recommends enhancing community engagement, aligning institutional priorities with localized needs, and strengthening risk communication through trusted and accessible channels. Results underscore the critical role of socio-demographic and institutional factors in shaping disaster readiness and advancing community resilience strategies.