The Ground Beneath Us: A Study on Earthquake Awareness and Emergency Preparedness among Residents of Koronadal City, Philippines

This study aims to assess the level of earthquake awareness and emergency preparedness among adult residents in Koronadal City, a seismically active area along the Cotabato Fault System. Employing a descriptive-correlational research design, it explores the relationship between residents’ demographic profiles and their levels of awareness and preparedness. A validated structured questionnaire was used, measuring awareness and preparedness through a 5-point Likert scale across indicators such as earthquake causes, safety measures, local seismic history, evacuation plans, and emergency supplies. Stratified random sampling selected 421 respondents proportionally across the city’s 27 barangays for geographic and demographic representation. Descriptive statistics summarized the demographic profile and assessed awareness and preparedness levels, while the Chi-Square Test of Independence at a 0.05 significance level tested associations between categorical variables. Findings revealed moderate to high awareness but varying preparedness across demographic groups. Demographic factors such as age, sex, and education influenced outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted disaster education.