UPLB READY BATINGAW: INNOVATIVE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS THROUGH SOCIOTECHNICAL APPROACH

The UPLB READY BATINGAW was an innovative initiative that involved a customized early warning system constructed from recyclable materials, hence promoting environmental sustainability. The BATINGAW was implemented in six experimental sites at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. The objective is to improve disaster preparedness by identifying an early warning device as a crucial element to address the absence of emergency alarm systems on campus and during power outages. This study utilized the paper by Khankeh et al., (2019) to systematically review and assess the effectiveness of the early warning system. It employed sociotechnical systems thinking (Davis et al., 2024) to emphasize the significance of social and technical components in understanding and evaluating the efficacy of innovation. The methodologies used in this study are surveys and literature reviews. A total of 85 responses from the academic and non-academic community, including faculty, staff, and students, were collected from the six areas where BATINGAW is situated. Consequently, there were discrepancies and varied reactions from respondents who advocated for promotional efforts of BATINGAW to elevate awareness, which also encompasses the implementation of training and exercises to foster active engagement, ultimately aiming to improve overall campus safety.