Students’ Perceptions on the Efficiency of Technology and Online Platforms

in Enhancing Local Disaster Management

I. Introduction

Natural events or man-made occurrences that lead to a sudden and

major change in the normal functioning of a community define a disaster. Its outcomes
can be in the form of detrimental medical conditions, destruction of property along with
critical facilities, economic disruption and, of course, global environmental change. Not
only does it inflict great suffering and harm that will render the affected population unable
to cope without extra effort or the aid of various organizations as well as nations, but it is
also capable of devastating all infrastructures in the disaster zone in an instant. Some of
the most well-known examples of it that are frequently experienced in most parts of the
world are typhoons or cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, fires, pest infestation, armed
conflict, and explosions. More often than not, disaster transpires with little or no warning,
and thus, if a vulnerable community did not receive enough instruction or had inadequate
preparation, its shortcomings in terms of planning, coordination, and equipment for it will
be exposed when the disaster presents itself.
While government agencies in charge of disaster and researchers alike
have gone to great lengths in finding ways for societies to survive catastrophes
unharmed, it is an indisputable fact that natural phenomena cannot be eliminated. Merely
advising the masses to take precautionary measures for the avoidance of the large-scale
consequences of hazards will never be truly sufficient to cease prevent fatalities and
billions worth of damage to property in several countries each year. To address concerns
that are relative to the safeguarding of lives, disaster organizations and departments
across the globe actively take part in the execution of Disaster Management. Not only
does it comprise strategies that are instrumental in conducting post-disaster rehabilitation
but also ones that are geared towards preparedness and most significantly, effective
response in the middle of a catastrophic event. Aside from the aforementioned
components, analysis of a calamity’s potential adverse impacts and hazard assessment
for risk reduction are being utilized as well. As stated by Haddow, Bullock, and Coppola
(2010), some early examples of government organizations’ involvement in managing
disasters were the congressional act that allowed a New Hampshire town to receive
financial assistance in the wake of an extensive fire in 1803 and authorization of loans
from United States’ Bureau of Public Roads and the Reconstruction Finance Corporation
in 1930 for repair and reconstruction of public facilities. There have been numerous
improvements in Disaster Management since the last century, and a great deal of them
were made possible by the collaboration of science and technology.
Technological innovations that were designed with disaster operations
in mind have been of service to most countries, if not all, for quite a while now. According
to Izumi, Shaw, and Shi (2015), for the purpose of promoting the use of scientific
knowledge and technology to increase resistance to disastrous occurrences, a Science
and Technical advisors group was formed during the International Decade for Natural
Disaster Reduction. Products of technology such as satellites, which are capable of
providing wireless communication but has little to no vulnerability to hazardous
phenomena, and mobile applications like the Red Cross Emergency app proved to be
highly beneficial in times of calamities. Online platforms, specifically social media
platforms of different types which include Facebook, Twitter, and online forums, are also
valuable technological innovations for when a catastrophic event happens. In the
development of science and technology, Asia has had a pivotal role for decades, yet
countries in it still remain disaster-prone, especially Philippines.
Its rapid population growth rate, geographical location, and poor
infrastructure are just some of the many contributors to the susceptibility of Philippines to
disasters. The catastrophe considered to be the deadliest in its history is the Typhoon
Yolanda after it resulted to the death of several thousand people in 2013, and left parts
of the nation still struggling to recover years after it happened. However, despite
Philippines’ apparent weakness in coping capacities back then, projects for the reparation
of the damage left by the fiercest storm that hit it were immediately implemented, and
technology was of great help in the process. Citizens of the Philippines benefited from an
online platform by Google that was known as “Yolanda People Finder”, a tool that was
used for exchanging information about typhoon victims over the internet. The country’s
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act was only in its early stages during the
Typhoon Yolanda, but it has made progress within the last few years.

When the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act

or RA 10121 was signed into law in 2010, from being emergency relief, the priority of the
Philippines’ government became disaster risk reduction and prevention. One of its goals
is the development of a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan to
strengthen the resilience of communities in the Philippines to hazards’ consequences as
well as to improve response capabilities to it. RA 10639, on the other hand, requires the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to work with mobile
technology in notifying or updating the public concerning inclement weather conditions
through SMS alerts that will be sent to mobile phones at regular intervals. Another project
from a government agency of the Philippines that integrates technological innovations
and online platforms with the supervision of disastrous incidents is Department of Science
and Technology’s Hazard Notification Dissemination and Awareness (HaNDA), which is
a system that does not only store information and collect field reports about calamities
but keeps track of data from hydro meteorological sensors as well. While certain laws and
digital tools have been advantageous to disaster management, there are more
approaches that are just as crucial to it, particularly education in schools.

Training the youth to be prepared for destructive forces was a

challenge to educational institutions in the Philippines, but not anymore due to the
addition of Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction to the Senior High School curriculum.
Educating students on the subject of disaster management combined with safety drills
and symposiums will awaken or drive them to have regard not only for the risks in their
community but for the techniques applied in dealing with such risks too. Most students
are also well-acquainted with technological devices and learning about disaster can aid
them in identifying such devices’ drawbacks in withstanding it. Drawbacks of technology-
based emergency response like being costly and dependent on electrical power may hold
back the Philippines because they bring recurring problems to the country. Since
students’ knowledge of catastrophes has broadened over time, they are capable of
evaluating if the use of technology along with online platforms results to more efficient
and successful disaster management efforts in the Philippines, or just poses more
difficulties.

II. Statement of the Problem

The researcher conducted this study to assess the efficiency of technological

devices and online platforms or online tools in yielding more promising results of disaster
management operations in the Philippines, with the cooperation of students for they
generally have reasonable amount of knowledge about technology. Specifically, this
study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of communicating through online

platforms and using technological devices along with the applications in them that
are for disaster management during a disastrous event?
2. What are students’ perceived reasons for why some disaster management efforts
in the Philippines still fail even with the aid of technology?
3. What are the attitudes of students who have limited or no access to Internet at
home towards the dissemination of information about disasters through online
platforms, for instance, social media sites?
4. What actions are being taken by the Philippine government to develop the
technologies that are being used for disaster operations as well as to increase their
efficiency?

Theoretical Framework

Social Cognitive Theory

Complex Adaptive Systems Theory (Complexity Theory)
Innovation Diffusion Theory

Conceptual Framework

Conceptual Paradigm
 The framework consists of --- The focus of the present study is to --- the capability
of technological innovations and online platforms in execute operations successful
operations in local disaster management

In conducting this study, the researcher will apply theories on the behavior of social
systems towards changes like the materializing of environmental hazards as well as
technological advancements, and on how individuals in a complex system adapt to
complexities in the environment such as disasters. Applicable theories in forming a
foundation for the use of technology and online networks in enhancing disaster
management include diffusion of innovations, social cognitive theory, and complexity
theory. The first two among the previously mentioned theories were founded by Everett
Rogers and Albert Bandura, respectively, while complexity theory originated from
scientific disciplines.

Diffusion of Innovations

Conceptual Framework

The study used a simple model for the conceptual paradigm to map out the
direction and organize the main concepts that comprises the general structure of the
study.

Conceptual Paradigm
 Available Technology
and Online Platforms
for Disaster
Management in the
Philippines and Their
Efficiency
Advantages and
Disadvantages (i.e.,
requires stable and
uninterrupted Internet
connection, large amounts
of unfiltered information
about disastrous events
are being disseminated)
of Communicating
Through Online
Platforms Using
Technological Devices
During a Disastrous
Event
Success Rate of Local
Disaster Management
Operations With the Aid
of Technology
Students’ Perceptions
on the Efficiency of
Available Technology
and Online Platforms
for Disaster
Management in the
Philippines
Philippine
Government’s Actions
for the Development
and Improvement of
Technology that is
Being Used in Disaster
Management