Legazpi — A 2026 study by Ismael L. Balete Jr. and Jose Kristoffer A. Camba from University of Santo Tomas reports that Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (MDRRMOs) demonstrate strong preparedness during emergencies, although shortages in personnel, specialized skills, and rescue equipment continue to limit operational capacity. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening local disaster institutions as frontline responders in disaster-prone regions.
The study, published in the East Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, evaluates how effectively municipal disaster offices prepare for and respond to emergencies. Its results matter for policymakers and local governments because municipal agencies play a critical role in protecting communities from increasingly frequent climate-related hazards.
Extreme weather events linked to climate change are placing growing pressure on local disaster management systems worldwide. In countries such as the Philippines, where typhoons, floods, earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity are common, municipal disaster offices are expected to manage complex risks with limited resources. Even with national legislation such as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, gaps in implementation remain across many local governments.
Balete and Camba examined how municipal disaster offices perform across the four internationally recognized pillars of disaster risk reduction and management: prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery and rehabilitation. Their evaluation provides one of the most detailed institutional readiness assessments at the municipal level in recent years.
The researchers used a mixed-method research design combining structured assessment tools and focus group discussions. Data were collected from 40 MDRRMO personnel, including operations staff, ambulance drivers, logistics officers, volunteers, and municipal disaster managers. The structured assessment followed national disaster readiness standards, while group interviews captured operational challenges experienced during real emergency situations.
The results show that overall preparedness across municipal disaster offices was rated very high. Prevention and mitigation systems achieved a score of 89.8 percent, indicating strong integration of disaster risk reduction into local development planning. Municipal governments already maintain hazard maps, environmental protection policies, infrastructure inspections, and budget allocations for mitigation programs.
However, financial preparedness remains uneven. Only 13 percent of local governments reported agreements with microfinance institutions for disaster-related community loans, and insurance coverage for facilities and emergency equipment reached only about 50 percent. Hazard-specific early warning systems were also not fully developed in all areas.
Preparedness planning received a similarly strong rating of 88.96 percent. Disaster councils were functional, emergency operations centers were active around the clock, contingency plans were established, and partnerships with non-government organizations and private-sector actors supported training activities. These structures indicate that institutional coordination mechanisms are already well established in many municipalities.
Despite this progress, specialized rescue training capacity remains limited. Search-and-rescue readiness for collapsed structures and mountain rescue operations scored only 20 percent, while swift-water rescue and community-based preparedness systems reached approximately 63 percent. These technical gaps could affect response effectiveness during complex disasters.
Emergency response capacity achieved a perfect score of 100 percent. Municipal disaster offices demonstrated readiness to activate incident command systems, distribute relief goods, coordinate with partner agencies, issue public advisories, and conduct rapid damage assessments within 72 hours after disasters. The findings indicate that planning systems are translating effectively into operational response capability on the ground.
Recovery and rehabilitation readiness also achieved a 100 percent rating. Municipal governments consistently applied “build back better” principles, implemented post-disaster needs assessments, and coordinated recovery planning with multiple stakeholders. These measures support faster community recovery and improved resilience after disasters.
At the same time, the study identifies persistent structural challenges that continue to affect municipal disaster management operations. Limited staffing levels reduce response flexibility during large-scale emergencies. Gaps in specialized rescue skills constrain technical response capacity. Access to advanced rescue equipment remains insufficient in several areas. Risk financing systems also require strengthening to ensure faster recovery support for affected communities.
According to Ismael L. Balete Jr. of University of Santo Tomas, strengthening risk financing mechanisms and expanding specialized training programs would significantly improve municipal disaster readiness. Jose Kristoffer A. Camba of University of Santo Tomas emphasizes that stronger coordination among agencies and increased investment in logistics infrastructure can further enhance emergency response performance at the local level.
The study also highlights the importance of community-based preparedness programs. Local governments that integrate civil society organizations, volunteers, and private-sector partners into disaster planning tend to demonstrate stronger coordination during emergencies. Expanding these partnerships can help bridge resource gaps and improve long-term resilience.
These findings provide practical guidance for policymakers seeking to improve disaster governance at the municipal level. Strengthening insurance coverage for emergency assets, expanding access to disaster financing, improving technical rescue training, and investing in specialized equipment are among the most effective strategies identified by the research. The results also reinforce the importance of sustained institutional capacity-building as climate-related disasters continue to increase in frequency and intensity.
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