Estimating the Vulnerability for Natural Hazards of Zamboanga del Norte Based on Knowledge, Awareness, and Preparedness

Abstract

Vulnerability is a way of using strengths and strategically improving weaknesses.  It is for this reason that this study was conducted to estimate the vulnerability for natural hazards of Zamboanga del Norte based on knowledge, awareness, and preparedness.  This study utilized the standardized Disaster Preparedness Survey Questionnaire (DPSQ) as its main instrument which was responded by the 1,071 respondents involved in the study of which 390 were from the first congressional district, 337 were from the second congressional district, and 344 were from the third congressional district of the province of Zamboanga del Norte.  The study revealed that the respondents were vulnerable to more than 75 percent of the items describing natural hazards.  This indicates that a longer term and appropriate strategic development plan should be made with a focus on rebuilding management capacity to deal with the main threatening natural hazards.  Moreover, an integrated plan should be made at the local level with involvement from international, national, and local level agencies.