Abstract:
The Philippines, like any other Southeast Asian countries, is highly susceptible to natural hazards. Yet data on disaster risk and vulnerability is lacking and insufficient. The lack of extant literature on the disaster vulnerability of people prompted this research to examine the social vulnerability to natural disasters of male heads of households in disaster-prone area Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City. Using a sequential explanatory research design, data were collected from differing socio-demographic individuals and analyzed through SPSS statistics, thematic analysis and data triangulation. The overall preparedness of the participants to natural disasters were found to be at an average and medium level, leaving room for improvement and refinement. Disaster preparedness was found to be increasing with higher income and higher educational attainment. Factors associated with the social vulnerability of male heads of households include pervasive traditional gender roles and expectations, poverty and lack of education/misinformation. In addition to basic disaster infrastructure and equipment, there is a need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach in building the disaster preparedness of the people that may help improve their capacity in responding and mitigating disasters.
