LIVING IN THE SHADOWS OF MAYON: a Study on the Effectiveness of Legazpi City's Disaster Preparedness Against May on Volcanic Hazards

Abstract

Legazpi, a developing city in the province of Albay and the administrative center of the Bicol Region, is challenged by various natural hazards such as typhoons and volcanic eruptions. The city's history recorded 47 May on volcanic eruptions since 1616 and these eruptions resulted to loss of lives and properties. It then became important for the city to adopt measures in minimizing the potential damages of the hazards brought by Mayon. The question remains, however, whether the measures adopted are effective or not. This research was conducted to assess the effectiveness of Legazpi City's disaster preparedness against Mayon Volcanic hazards. It introduces Legazpi City's socioeconomic- physical profile together with Mayon Volcano's profile (both as a natural hazard and as a tourist attraction) and describes the background of disaster management and disaster preparedness. It also presented the major institutions/agencies involved in the city's disaster preparedness. This study concludes that Legazpi City's disaster preparedness is effective in terms of strategies and goal-setting of the major institutions involved in the preparation. Also, the people's perception and participation on the disaster preparedness programs were noted.