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American Journal of  Environmental
Economics (AJEE) 

Disaster Resilience and Capability in the Maintenance of  Public Order During Disaster 
of  Calamity-Prone Municipalities in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines

Salcedo B. Tanguid, Jr.1*, Richelle V. Tanguid1

Volume 2 Issue 1, Year 2023
ISSN: 2833-7905 (Online)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/ajee.v2i1.2056
https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajee

Article Information ABSTRACT

Received: October 27, 2022

Accepted: November 25, 2022

Published: November 28, 2023

This study examined the level of  disaster resilience and extent of  the capability of  calamity-
prone areas to maintain public order during disaster, among the respondents, the barangay 
officials and the residents in the disaster-prone municipalities in Oriental Mindoro. This study 
employed a descriptive-quantitative research design in which the level of  disaster resilience and 
extent of  the capability of  calamity-prone areas in the maintenance of  public order during 
disaster, among the respondents, the barangay officials (n=180) and the residents (n=379) 
in the disaster-prone municipalities in Oriental Mindoro. A structure questionnaire was 
crafted based on study questions. In this study, stratified proportional random sampling was 
carried out for the selection of  resident respondents. In contrast, total enumeration was used 
for barangay officials, including the chief  of  the barangay tanods in each barangay of  the 
calamity-prone areas of  the province under study. The weighted mean was used to evaluate the 
respondents’ level of  disaster resilience and the extent of  capability of  calamity-prone areas in 
the maintenance of  public order during disaster. Results showed the high extent of  capability 
in the maintenance of  public order during disaster in disaster-prone municipalities is indicative 
of  the effective implementation of  policies on disaster preparedness and the management of  
disaster risk reduction. The local government units may adopt the comprehensive resilience 
program based on the findings of  this study to further enhance disaster resilience and disaster 
risk reduction management.

Keywords

Public Order During Disaster, 
Disaster Resilience and Capability, 
Calamity-Prone Municipalities

1 College of  Criminal Justice Education, Mindoro State University, Philippines
* Corresponding author’s e-mail: stanguid@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) projects have been widely 
deployed to improve community resilience and decrease 
vulnerabilities in the case of  catastrophes. The literature 
has defined different approaches and frameworks for DRR, 
including detection and monitoring systems, effective 
communication, support in facility reconstruction, and 
reaction and recovery measures. Existing frameworks, 
however, frequently fall short of  taking into account 
antecedent socioeconomic elements at the local level, 
as well as the vulnerability or resilience of  the natural 
environment (UNISDR Global Assessment Report, 
2015). According to Norris et al. (2008), understanding 
how survivors function during and after disasters is 
critical, as is putting this knowledge into practice tactics 
that encourage resilience. While climate change is a global 
concern, it can only be effectively addressed locally 
(Ostrom, 2010). Many international climate change 
adaptation plans emphasize the increased danger of  
extreme events and disasters, as well as the importance 
of  local communities in disaster risk reduction. Despite 
multiple endeavors, it is unclear whether these efforts 
are effectively aligned with community expectations for 
disaster resilience. Understanding community attitudes 
and resilience characteristics is thus critical, as it can 
inform enhanced resilience-building processes and assist 
communities in catastrophe preparedness.
The Council of  Australian Governments (COAG) 
approved a national resilience-based disaster management 
approach in December 2009, emphasizing cooperation 

to improve local capacity and empower communities 
(Weichselgartner & Kelman, 2015)). Community 
resilience, according to Ramsey et al. (2016), is a continual 
engagement process that prepares communities for 
disasters and supports in their recovery. In recent years, 
a number of  disaster resilience measurement frameworks 
have been developed, but few are intended for community 
use (Cai et al., 2018). 
In the Philippines, Republic Act (RA) 10121, an act 
highlighting the role of  local government units (LGUs) in 
disaster management, institutionalizes the participation of  
civil society organizations (CSOs) and the corporate sector 
in building community resilience (Official Gazette (2010). 
RA 10121 emphasizes the importance of  assessing and 
improving the performance and organizational structure 
of  implementing agencies in order to ensure catastrophe 
preparedness. It also emphasizes the significance of  
raising risk and hazard awareness and knowledge, as well 
as preparedness for effective reaction and recovery.
Following the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda 
in 2013, efforts were undertaken to construct safer, 
physically sound, and hazard-adaptive evacuation 
shelters that catered to the requirements of  vulnerable 
groups (Nakamura et al., 2015). For instance, the local 
administration collaborated with the Philippine Disaster 
Resilience Foundation to construct and improve a disaster-
resilient evacuation facility. This effort emphasizes the 
relevance of  infrastructure resilience and community 
capacity-building in disaster response. 
Furthermore, the Federal Emergency Management 



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Am. J. Environ Econ. 2(1) 52-58, 2023

Agency (FEMA) in the United States recognizes the 
critical role of  law enforcement in disaster response, 
particularly their existing relationships and trust 
throughout communities (Koch et al, 2017). However, 
according to Llosa and Zodrow (2011), a research 
conducted in the Philippines, local officials prioritize 
short-term disaster risk management measures in order to 
obtain credit during their term, thus jeopardizing disaster 
management efficacy. This discovery gives light on the 
dynamics of  local calamity management, particularly the 
impact of  political factors.
While multiple studies have investigated disaster 
resilience and response skills in a variety of  situations, 
there is a significant study deficit regarding the specific 
disaster-prone towns in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. 
Despite the fact that disaster-prone areas are subject to 
repeating disasters, there is little empirical research that 
completely examines disaster resilience levels and the 
range of  capabilities, with a special emphasis on the 
maintenance of  public order during disasters. Despite the 
vital relevance of  understanding the dynamics, strengths, 
and vulnerabilities of  these communities in the event 
of  disasters, this study vacuum persists. Thus, this study 
examined the level of  disaster resilience and extent of  
capability of  calamity-prone areas in the maintenance of  
public order during disaster, among the respondents, the 
barangay officials and the residents in the disaster-prone 
municipalities in Oriental Mindoro.

METHODOLOGY
This study employed a descriptive-quantitative research 
design in which the level of  disaster resilience and extent 

of  capability of  calamity-prone areas in the maintenance 
of  public order during disaster, among the respondents, 
the barangay officials (n=180) and the residents (n=379) 
in the disaster-prone municipalities in Oriental Mindoro. 
A structure questionnaire was crafted based on study 
questions. In this study, stratified proportional random 
sampling was carried out for the selection of  resident 
respondents, whereas total enumeration was used for 
barangay officials, including the chief  of  the barangay 
tanods in each barangay of  the calamity-prone areas 
of  the province under study. The evaluation and ethics 
committees were supplied with a draft questionnaire for 
content validation and approval. The questionnaire was 
reproduced with all of  the comments, suggestions, and 
recommendations included. The researcher requested 
authorization from the relevant authorities, such as the 
barangay chairman, via a letter request for the distribution 
of  questionnaires and the collection of  extra data for 
this study. After the request was granted, the researcher 
floated the questionnaire and collected additional data. 
The weighted mean was used to evaluate the respondents’ 
level of  disaster resilience and extent of  capability of  
calamity-prone areas in the maintenance of  public order 
during disaster.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Level of  Disaster Resilience of  Residents 
and Barangay Officials in the Disaster-Prone 
Municipalities of  Oriental Mindoro
Table 1 shows the level of  disaster resilience among the 
respondents, the barangay officials and the residents in 
the disaster-prone municipalities in Oriental Mindoro.

Table 1: Level of  Disaster Resilience of  Residents and Barangay Officials in the Disaster-prone Municipalities of  
Oriental Mindoro 
Indicators Barangay Officials Residents Overall

Weighted 
Mean

Verbal 
Interpretation

Weighted 
Mean

Verbal 
Interpretation

Weighted 
Mean

Verbal 
Interpretation

1. Damage to property 
as a result of  disaster 
is reduced to negligible 
level.

3.59 Often 3.57 Often 3.58 Often

2. There are enough 
evacuation centers to 
accommodate victims 
of  disasters.

3.92 Often 3.77 Often 3.85 Often

3. Damage to 
infrastructures like roads, 
bridges and buildings 
are restored immediately 
after the disaster.

3.32 Sometimes 3.36 Sometimes 3.34 Sometimes

4. Medical aid arrives 
immediately to treat 
injuries and contain 
the possible spread 
of  diseases that might 
have resulted from the 
disaster.

3.65 Often 3.52 Often 3.59 Often



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5. The families have 
enough capability 
to repair or rebuild 
their houses that were 
damaged by disaster 
like skills in carpentry 
and masonry.

3.59 Often 3.45 Sometimes 3.52 Often

6. The victims 
immediately go back 
to their jobs or restore 
their livelihood through 
extensive livelihood 
program like training, 
job posting and giving 
of  financial support 
for their capital by the 
government.

3.35 Sometimes 3.38 Sometimes 3.37 Sometimes

7. The victims 
immediately recover 
from the loss of  
property by means 
of  sufficient financial 
support from the 
government.

3.07 Sometimes 3.16 Sometimes 3.12 Sometimes

8. The victims 
immediately recover 
from the loss of  a 
family member by 
means of  extensive 
psychological 
counselling given by 
experts from the local 
government.

3.14 Sometimes 3.11 Sometimes 3.13 Sometimes

9. Victims do not 
experience much the 
shortage of  basic 
needs like food, water, 
shelter and clothing 
as a result of  disaster 
because of  the aid and 
donations brought by 
the government.   

3.55 Often 3.39 Sometimes 3.47 Sometimes

10. Damage to 
properties of  the 
residents like houses 
is minimal because 
of  timely action to 
mitigate damages like 
placing temporarily 
flood control, 
immediate transfer 
of  valuables to 
safer locations, and 
immediate repair to 
prevent the damages 
from getting worse. 

3.47 Sometimes 3.44 Sometimes 3.46 Sometimes



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11. The residents go 
back to their normal 
life within a month 
after the disaster 
because of  the effective 
rehabilitation program 
of  the government.

3.39 Sometimes 3.52 Often 3.46 Sometimes

Composite Mean 3.46 Sometimes 3.42 Sometimes 3.44 Sometimes
Legend: 4.50 – 5.00 = Always (A); 3.50 – 4.49 = Often (O); 2.50 – 3.49 = Sometimes (So); 1.50 – 2.49 = Seldom (Se); 1.00 
– 1.49 = Never (N)

The overall composite mean of  3.44, described as 
Sometimes, signifies that the respondents have moderate 
level of  disaster resilience. The small difference on the 
composite mean of  the responses from the barangay 
officials, which is 3.46, from the composite mean of  3.42 
from the resident-respondents reveals that both groups 
struggle with moving forward after experiencing disasters. 
Also, it can be gleaned from the table that both groups of  
respondents rated the second item on the questionnaire 
with the highest weighted mean. The barangay officials 
rated the item with 3.92 while the resident-respondents 
rated it with 3.77 mean, which are both described as 
Often. The item indicates the sufficient number of  
evacuation centers that shall accommodate the victims of  
disasters. The responses indicate that the municipalities 
are able to provide adequate facilities for evacuation. The 
respondents further added that such evacuation centers 
can be the schools or churches in the community. Some 
barangay officials likewise mentioned that the municipal 
government has allocated funds for the construction of  
evacuation centers which are already readily available for 
use during disasters. 
Since the evacuation centers serve as temporary shelters 
to the victims of  calamities and disasters, the provision 
of  help and support can be made conveniently. As the 
victims are gathered in particular locations, assistance 
from the government and private sectors can be easily 
utilized and sent to them. Through this, the victims are 
able to feel secured and protected despite the disaster that 
they are facing. Such psychological relief  has been found 
to enhance their resiliency. The availability of  evacuation 
centers in the community does not only ensure the safety 
and security of  the citizens but likewise serve as venues 
for the conduct of  counseling and support groups to 
enhance resilience. In such cases, designated personnel 
from the government are invited to encourage the people 
who struggled in the midst of  disasters. Thus, evacuation 
centers do not only cater the biological needs of  the 
victims but also their psychological stability which is vital 
in moving towards disaster resilience. 
On the other hand, the barangay officials ranked item 
number 7 with the lowest weighted mean of  3.07, which 
is described as Sometimes. In this item, the recovery over 
the loss of  property through financial support from the 
government was stated. The barangay officials may have 
felt that the financial support from the government is not 

sufficient for disaster resilience (Usamah et al., 2014). This 
perception may be attributed to the limited funding of  the 
government which is distributed to all communities that 
are affected by the calamities. The budget allocation may 
depend on the severity of  damage, thus some barangays 
may have not been funded with enough support that will 
help the citizens in their pursuit to recovery. Ultimately, 
bigger amounts will be allocated to communities with 
severe damages and their recovery will be the topmost 
priority. Meanwhile, small communities may not receive 
the sufficient financial support. Some respondents also 
mentioned that there were also instances when the 
assessment of  damages were not fully justified, thus the 
funding does not suffice to the needs of  the community. 
Being in the position, the barangay officials are the first 
persons to identify this challenge.
Responses from the residents ranked item number 8, 
out of  the total 11 items, with the lowest weighted mean 
of  3.11, described as Sometimes. The items include the 
immediate recovery over the loss of  a family member 
through psychological counseling. This implies that the 
residents struggle with recovering from the loss of  a 
loved one due to calamities. A loss of  life is surely one of  
the biggest struggles that the victims of  calamities have 
to face. While properties and livelihood may be replaced, 
a lost loved one cannot. In such cases, psychological 
counseling initiated by the government may not be at 
all times able to address the problem. Although most 
bereaved persons do not need professional help in coping 
well after loss of  a loved one, recovering from such loss 
requires time. Thus, bereavement affects the level of  
resilience of  the resident-respondents. 
The relationship between bereavement and disaster 
is confirmed in the findings of  Walsh (2007) which 
revealed that death of  a loved one, specifically parents, 
have long lasting effects on the individuals’ resiliency. In 
their studies, parental death has been considered to result 
into various problems such as decreased competency, 
depressive symptoms, low psychological well-being, and 
other related symptoms among the individuals. In such 
cases, the study also revealed that support from other 
family members is more applicable than the professional 
assistance of  psychology experts. This may be the reason 
why the residents felt that the initiative of  the government 
to provide counseling to the bereaved families is not 
enhancing their resiliency. Thus, the government may 



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implement different strategies to support bereaved 
families in their way of  coping through a loss of  family 
member.
  
Extent of  Capability in the Maintenance of  
Public Order During Disaster of  Calamity-Prone 
Municipalities as Assessed by Residents and 
Barangay Officials
Table 2 shows the residents’ and barangay officials’ 
responses on the extent of  capability of  calamity-prone 
areas in the maintenance of  public order during disaster.
The general composite mean points out that the residents 
and officials have a high capability in maintaining public 
order in times of  disaster especially in calamity-prone 
areas. The residents earned an overall mean of  3.61 
while the officials earned an average mean of  3.75, both 
described as High. This shows that the officials are 
well-trained and oriented on the proper protocols and 
procedures implemented during calamities. As officials, 
identifying the high-risk areas in the community is one 

of  their primary concerns. Their experience in handling 
calamities strengthens their capability as they are able 
to evaluate the success of  previous actions. The table 
also shows how the presence of  law enforcement in 
maintaining order encourage cooperation of  residents 
in affected areas. Significantly, the residents demonstrate 
high confidence in their capability to maintain public 
order. Since high-risk areas are repeatedly vulnerable 
to calamities, residents are also familiar with how local 
officials respond to various catastrophes. Thus, residents 
may have also developed their system of  responding to 
calamities. 
From the results shown in the table, it can be observed 
that item 9 earned the highest mean with 4.11 for the 
officials and 3.83 from the residents. The item illustrates 
the sufficient number of  force multipliers that helps the 
law enforcers in maintaining public safety. The result 
reveals that both officials and residents have received 
help from other forces aside from the law enforcement 
during calamities. Various force multipliers such as local 

Table 2: Extent of  Capability in the Maintenance of  Public Order During Disaster of  Calamity-prone Municipalities 
as Assessed by Residents and Barangay Officials
Indicators Barangay Officials Residents Overall

Weighted 
Mean

Verbal 
Interpretation

Weighted 
Mean

Verbal 
Interpretation

Weighted 
Mean

Verbal 
Interpretation

1. There are police 
officers who guard the 
place where calamity 
took place to prevent 
people from taking 
advantage of  the 
situation by committing 
crimes like theft.

3.44 Moderately 
High

3.38 Moderately 
High

3.41 Moderately 
High

2. Peace and order 
in the community is 
restored immediately 
after the disaster by 
delegating more police 
officers and soldiers to 
guard the place.

3.33 Moderately 
High

3.44 Moderately 
High

3.39 Moderately 
High

3. There is orderly 
and fair distribution 
of  relief  goods due to 
the assistance of  law 
enforcers.

3.84 High 3.64 High 3.74 High

4. There is enforcement 
of  rules to prevent 
people who take 
advantage of  the 
situation to commit 
crime or gain profit 
during disaster.

3.67 High 3.54 High 3.61 High

5. There are law 
enforcers deployed to 
patrol in the affected 
areas during calamity.

3.73 High 3.56 High 3.65 High



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government officials and employees, disaster-related 
agencies, private organizations, and public volunteers 
extend their services during calamities. It is then easier 
for law enforcers to prevent theft and provide security 
as other forces take charge of  their tasks. The role of  
distributing relief  goods and assistance are acted out 
by force multipliers. The Local government supports in 
patrolling the affected areas to prevent crime while other 
force multipliers help maintain order in evacuation areas 
to avoid strife and violence. 
Significantly, item 1 garnered the lowest overall mean 
with 3.44 in the case of  the officials and 3.41 in the case 
of  the residents. The result reveals that both officials 
and residents acknowledge that there is a moderately 
high involvement of  police officers in the calamity areas. 
Though lowest among all the indicators, the general 
composite mean still shows that there is moderate 
presence of  law enforcement. The result does not 
necessarily mean that the law enforcers lack action or lack 
priority in addressing calamities but it may be attributed 
to the number of  police officers in a city and the number 
of  affected areas. As the number of  calamity-prone 
areas and the number of  affected residents increases, the 
number of  police officers decreases as they are divided to 
respond to all areas. Thus, the police officers recognize the 

need to increase the number of  police officers in affected 
areas to prevent other individuals taking advantage of  the 
disaster. The increase in number of  police officers would 
significantly lower the number of  thefts.
This can also address headstrong residents who refuse 
to evacuate from their homes with the fear of  losing 
their valuables. Ensuring that there are the sufficient 
number of  police officers to guard the resident’s home 
would increase evacuation compliance. In general, 
the table reveals the important role that law enforcers 
play in maintaining peace and order in evacuation and 
calamity-prone areas (Brillantes, 1993). The presence 
of  law enforcers helps minimize the number of  crimes 
and violence, thus maintaining public order in times of  
calamity.  

CONCLUSIONS
The high extent of  capability in the maintenance of  public 
order during disaster in disaster-prone municipalities is 
indicative of  the effective implementation of  policies on 
disaster preparedness and the management of  disaster 
risk reduction. The local government units may adopt the 
comprehensive resilience program based on the findings 
of  this study to further enhance disaster resilience and 
disaster risk reduction management.

6. Evacuation policies 
are well enforced 
with the aid of  law 
enforcers to ensure that 
disturbances like quarrel 
will be avoided at the 
evacuation center.

3.78 High 3.64 High 3.71 High

7. There are enough 
law enforcers deployed 
in evacuation centers to 
ensure the safety of  the 
evacuees.

3.86 High 3.70 High 3.78 High

8. There is full 
cooperation of  the 
affected communities 
in cases of  mandatory 
evacuation  if  with the 
aid of  law enforcers.

3.76 High 3.65 High 3.71 High

9. There are sufficient 
force multipliers like 
barangay tanods to 
aid the law enforcers 
in maintaining public 
safety during disasters.

4.11 High 3.83 High 3.97 High

10. Violence is avoided 
in the evacuation center 
due to the presence of  
law enforcers.

3.93 High 3.70 High 3.82 High

Composite Mean 3.75 High 3.61 High 3.68 High
Legend: 4.50 – 5.00 = Very High (VH); 3.50 – 4.49 = High (H); 2.50 – 3.49 = Moderately High (MH); 1.50 – 2.49 = 
Low (L); 1.00 – 1.49 = Very Low (VL)



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