A cross-sectional descriptive study on the earthquake preparedness of selected highly vulnerable barangays in Metro Manila / The Health Sciences Journal

ABSTRACT

Introduction@#A 7.2 magnitude earthquake arising from the West Valley Fault will result in thousands of lives lost and severe damage to property and infrastructure. This study aimed to determine the disaster preparedness of barangays in Metro Manila along the West Valley Fault.@*Methods@#This was a cross-sectional study of high risk barangays in six cities along the West Valley Fault using the Disaster Preparedness Audit. A total of 40 barangays were assessed on their levels of disaster preparedness in terms of percentage fulfilment of different criteria in the four thematic areas 1) prevention and mitigation 2) preparedness 3) response and rehabilitation, and; 4) recovery.@*Results@#None of the surveyed barangays could fulfil all the 27 criteria for disaster preparedness. Most were only able to satisfy 50-74% of the criteria. As per thematic area, no barangay met ≥75% of the criteria for prevention and mitigation whereas 87.5%, 67.5% and 80% satisfied ≥75% of the criteria for preparedness, response and recovery, respectively. In terms of overall disaster preparedness, less than half of the surveyed barangays satisfied ≥75% of the total criteria.@*Conclusion @#Most of the barangays surveyed are inadequately prepared to cope with disaster arising from a major earthquake generated by the West Valley Fault.