CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Background of the Study

San Francisco, officially the Municipality of San

Francisco, is a 1st class municipality in the province of

Agusan del Sur, Philippines. The municipality of San Francisco

is located near the Municipalities of Prosperidad and Rosario.

Due to its location, it is one of the prone areas to

earthquake, floods and landslides.

Disasters are events of huge magnitude and negative

impacts on society and environment. Disaster is also defined

as a crisis situation causing wide spread damage which far

exceeds the ability to recover (Wasssenhove, 2006). Disaster

on the other hand, is an event or series of events, which

gives rise to casualties and damage or loss of properties,

infrastructures, environment, essential services or means of

livelihood on such a scale which is beyond the normal capacity

of the affected community to cope with. Disaster is also

sometimes described as a “catastrophic situation in which the

normal pattern of life or eco-system has been disrupted and

extra-ordinary emergency interventions are required to save

and preserve lives and or the environment”.

The Disaster Management Act, 2005 defines disaster as “a

catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area,

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arising from natural or manmade causes, or by accident or

negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human

suffering or damage to, and destruction of, property, or

damage to, or degradation of, environment, and is of such a

nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the

community of the affected area”.

Moreover, the United Nations defines disaster as “the

occurrence of sudden or major misfortune which disrupts the

basic fabric and normal functioning of the society or

community”. A number of definitions of ‘disaster’ have been

proposed over time, many of them focusing on the actual hazard

or event and its cost in terms of loss of life or damage to

property.

WHO defines disaster, as “Any occurrences that causes

damage ecological disruption, loss of human life,

deterioration of health and health services, on a scale

sufficient to warrant an extraordinary response from outside

the affected community or area.” Although, experts may differ

in their definitions of disaster, many public health

practitioners would characterize a disaster as a “sudden,

extraordinary Calamity or Catastrophe, which affects or

threatens health.”

Furthermore, disasters weather natural or man-made is

very common throughout the world. They occur without warning

and are perceived to be on an increase in their magnitude,

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frequency and socio-economic impact. Disasters pose threats to

the life of peoples and assume serious proportions in the

countries with dense population areas.

During the 20th century, more than 200 worst natural

disasters occurred in the different parts of the earth and

take 1.4 million people lives. Losses due to natural disasters

are 25 times greater in the developing countries than in

developed countries. Asia continental is the most vulnerable

to the list of casualties due to natural disasters. The reason

behind the losses due to disasters is the lack of proper

management. Today, we have grabbed all fields of success sky

or moon is our next destinations but disasters destroy our

envy. Disaster not only gives us losses of people and property

but also affects the growth rate of the country.

The Municipality of San Francisco, Agusan del sur is

known to be one of the hazard prone areas out of nineteen (19)

municipalities here in the province of Agusan del sur where

last year December 18, 2020, the entire municipality was being

flooded brought by tropical cyclone “Vicky”. That is why, the

researchers tend to determine the Disaster Risk Management

Operations of the Police Officers in the Municipality of San

Francisco on what are there strategies, plans and preparation

before, during and after a certain calamity.

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 Review of Related Literature

This part of the study deals with the different

related literature that supports the study. This will discuss

further the concepts and other relevant information’s which is

related to this study.

Disaster

One of the most debated terms in disaster reduction

remains the basic definition of a disaster. Many scholars (see

the work of Quarantelli, 1998b; Quarantelli & Perry, 2005)

have expressed diverse views on what exactly constitutes a

disaster.

The UNISDR (2009) defines a disaster as: “A serious

disruption of the functioning of a community or a society

involving widespread human, material, or environmental losses

and impacts which exceeds the ability of the affected

community to cope using only its own resources.”

On the other hand, the term disaster is reserved for

events that produce more losses than a community can handle. A

community struck by disaster can cope only with help from

local, provincial and national government, civil society and

bodies such as Red Cross. Lindell, Prater and Perry (2007)

argue that disasters cause many casualties, much property

damage, and significant environmental damage.

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 Further, Herzog (2007) suggests that disaster effects can

be lessened with insightful mitigation or planning efforts.

Yodmani (2001:23) suggests that disaster management practices

have evolved from largely a top-down relief and response

approach to a more inter-sectoral risk management approach.

The paradigm of risk management provides more room than before

for addressing the issues of risk reduction for the poor who

are mostly vulnerable to fast onset disasters. Because

disaster management in the past was dealing with response and

recovery, disaster risk management encapsulates all disaster

management components (prevention, preparedness, mitigation,

response, recovery and rehabilitation).

Risk and Disaster Risk

Risk has various connotations within different

disciplines. In general risk is defined as “the combination of

the probability of an event and its negative consequences”

(UNISDR, 2009). The term risk is thus multidisciplinary and is

used in a variety of contexts. Risk is usually associated with

the degree to which humans cannot cope (lack of capacity) with

a particular situation (e.g. natural hazard).

Emergency and Disaster Management

This involves: “The organization and management of

resources and responsibilities for addressing all aspects of

emergencies, in particular preparedness, response and initial

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recovery steps. An emergency is a threatening condition which

requires urgent action. Effective emergency action can avoid

the escalation of an event into a disaster. It involves plans

and institutional arrangements to engage and guide the efforts

of government, non-government, voluntary and private agencies

in comprehensive and coordinated ways to respond to the entire

spectrum of emergency need” (UNISDR, 2009).

Disaster Risk Reduction

Disaster risk reduction (also referred to as just

disaster reduction) is defined as the concept and practice of

reducing disaster risks through systematic efforts to analyze

and manage the causal factors of disasters, including through

reduced exposure to hazards, lessened vulnerability of people

and property, wise management of land and the environment, and

improved preparedness for adverse effects. Disaster reduction

strategies include, primarily, vulnerability and risk

assessment, as well as a number of institutional capacities

and operational abilities. The assessment of the vulnerability

of critical facilities, social and economic infrastructure,

the use of effective early warning systems, and the

application of many different types of scientific, technical,

and other skilled abilities are essential features of disaster

risk reduction.

Disaster Risk Management

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 Disaster risk management is the systematic process of

using administrative directives, organizations, and

operational skills and capacities to implement strategies,

polices and improved coping capacities in order to lessen the

adverse impacts of hazards and their possibility of disaster.

Disaster risk management aims to avoid, lessen or transfer the

adverse effects of hazards through activities and measures for

prevention, mitigation and preparedness (UNISDR, 2009).

Geographical Location of the Philippines

In other way around, the geographical location of the

Philippines being situated between the Pacific and Eurasian

Plates makes it a constant target of highly destructive

natural disaster and calamities such as storm surges, floods,

landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and typhoons. We

realized that such events cannot be prevented, however, we can

initiate activities to mitigate the impact and prevent or

minimize the loss of lives and properties.

SOP for Police on Natural Disaster

Police organization has to see itself as a major player

in disaster management. It will continue to have the first

responder role given its proximity to the incident site and

relationship with the people. Therefore, it has to bring about

change in its approach. It has to adopt disaster management

function as a one of its primary functions. State & district

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level authorities cannot afford to wait for response

specialized forces such as NDRF all the time.

Moreover, on many occasions, it might not be advisable

or feasible to obtain/deploy armed forces and NDRF. Hence,

state police must be prepared as response force. The local

police must be trained, equipped and supported with

legislation and logistics so that they find themselves capable

to support the victim in the “golden hour”.

Subsequently, they can play supporting role to the

specialist forces if and when they come in bigger emergency

cases. On many occasions Special Forces are not required and

the local police may retain the primary role to help the

needy. The outside forces are also handicapped in operating in

unknown area, among unknown people and here is the key to

critical role of police. The police are among the first

responders in any crisis because, 1.) Local police arrive

first. 2.) Possess well developed communication system. 3.)

Familiar with local terrain. 4.) Wider reach, every village

covered. 5.) Better knowledge of local people feelings and

mindset and 6.) People recognize police as first responder

uniformed and discipline.

While functions of local police are well defined for

internal emergency, same is not true for natural disasters.

But wherever earthquake or flood occurs, the police get

involved from beginning. Henceforward, if their role is

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designed and documented in police manuals, disaster management

acts and policies, it will, to that extent facilitate

immediate effective response, at least in the first few hours

which are most crucial. The need to frame SOPs that can help

the police forces in being prepared and respond appropriated

whenever any disaster happens.

Timely preparation and close coordination between and

among the various offices and units concerned are of utmost

importance in providing efficient and effective response

during natural calamities and in adequately addressing this

imminent threat of climate change.

ROLE OF POLICE IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT

With the world steadily moving towards Disaster Risk

Management (DRM), there is an imminent need to understand, in

a definitive and elaborative manner, the role that Police can

play in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and hence, DRM.

No matter what the event is, police officers will

inevitably be the first to respond, given its proximity to the

incident site and relationship with the affected local people.

Apart from responding in such situations, owing to its

familiarity to the area under their respective jurisdiction,

they can play a very important role in disaster preparedness

and development of local strategies of disaster risk

reduction.

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 Sendai Framework talks about developing local DRR

strategies which are in line with the state or national level

strategies. The police force can play an integral role in

development of such strategies, however, they are mostly

relegated to be used only during the Response phase. Thus,

this training program would stimulate the involvement of

police in the process of disaster risk management and not

merely be at the forefront of response.

Crowd Control. Disaster situations draw crowds. There are

people hoping for a glimpse of the unfolding drama. Family

members and friends of the victims show up, hoping to glean

information about their loved ones. The people involved in the

situation also mill around, sometimes while injured or in

shock. The police cordon off areas and work to keep crowds

under control.

Public Safety. Officers might go from house to house

searching for the injured or those who need help. They can

offer transportation, emergency medical care and be a bridge

between citizens and rescue personnel. They can check

credentials and identification to see if someone really needs

to be in the area. They may warn people when electric wires

are on the ground, when dangerous pests are lurking or when

unstable people are nearby.

Directing Traffic. Many disasters wipe out

infrastructures such as electricity, making an unsafe

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situation for traffic and pedestrians. The police can close

unsafe roads where downed wires, trees or flood situations

might make travel unsafe. They direct citizens through

nonworking traffic lights. They reroute random traffic to

safer roads and try to keep out all unnecessary traffic. They

can put roadblocks in the areas where the crisis is underway.

Organizing Search Teams. Disaster situations often lead

to family members being separated. Elderly and single people

are at risk if they have no one to check on them. If these

citizens wander around, problems may result. The police can

set up search teams and put together systems where loved ones

can check on one another. They can set up command centers

where the victims and family may be reunited. They work with

emergency personnel to list the various medical facilities

used for treating sick or injured people.

Looters. There are those who take advantage of a chaotic

situation. When people are evacuated from homes or

neighborhoods, houses are unsupervised and opportunities to

commit crime may be rampant. Police presence may help to deter

looting. If looting does occur, the police are ready to

apprehend suspects. (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/role-

police-during-natural-disaster-vernon-herron)

IMPLAN “SAKLOLO 2014" (POLICING DURING DISASTER)

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 Republic Act (RA) 10121, otherwise known as the

Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of

2010”, was enacted on 27 May 2010. This law paved the way for

the institutionalization of the proactive Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management or “DRRM” approach, which is the

“systematic process of using administrative directives,

organizations, and operational skills and capacities to

implement strategies, policies and improved coping capacities

in order to lessen the adverse impacts of hazards and the

possibility of disaster.”

(Republic Act No. 10121, (2010) 7925, (1994). Philippine

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. An Act

Strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management System, providing for the National Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management and Institutionalizing the National

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, Appropriating

Funds Therefore and for other Purposes: Quezon City, 14th

Congress of the Philippines.)

Republic Act 10121 aims to Strengthen the Philippine

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System, providing for

the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework

and Institutionalizing the National Disaster Risk Reduction

and Management Plan. In order to keep abreast with the

National government’s enhanced concepts on Disaster Risk

Reduction and Management System, the Philippine National

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Police deemed it appropriate to revisit and revise its

disaster preparedness and response operations. It is along

this line that PNP Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan

is crafted.

Moreover, the Philippine National Police as a member

agency of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Council (NDRRMC)and also the principal policy-making and

coordinating body, shall adopt and conduct the three-stage

disaster preparedness and response operations namely: 1.) Pre-

Disaster Stage (Pro- active Assessment Stage, 2.) Disaster

Response Stage (Disaster Incident Management) and 3.) Post-

Disaster Stage (Support to Recovery and Rehabilitation

Effort).

Concept of Operation:

1.Pre-Disaster Stage – Pro-active Assessment (Level 1 –

Green). The Pre-Disaster Stage is categorized into two: Before

Alarm and After Alarm. When there are no disasters or

calamities, the following shall be undertaken: A. Before Alarm

– A year-round activities in preparation for a disaster. 1.)

Participate in disaster drills simulation exercise

(earthquake, fire, etc.) and trainings; 2.) Capability

enhancement through procurement of Search and Rescue Equipment

upon the availability of funds 3.) Periodic auditing and

inspection of Search, Rescue Retrieval Personnel and Equipment

to ensure operational readiness. 4.) Assist in the conduct of

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risk-mapping and identification of disaster-prone areas. 5.)

Identification of evacuation routes and evacuation centers for

the public and family of PNP first responders.6.)

Identification of vital installations and business

establishments prone to looting.7.) Production and

distribution of Information Education Campaign materials. And

8.) Assistance to community organizational work for other

community mobilization activities.

b. After Alarm – When there is an official forecast of an

incoming

natural disaster in the country from the Philippine

Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services

Administration (PAGASA), Philippine Institute of Volcanology

and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and other government disaster

advisory councils, the following are the things to be done

after the pronouncement of an impending disaster: 1.) Forced

evacuation for PNP first responder families and direct them to

proceed to the PNP evacuation centers. 2.) Assist in the

forced evacuation of civilians as requested. 3.) Reinforcement

of PNP buildings/establishments. 4.) Alert all PNP Personnel

and prepare and inspect SRR equipment for deployment. And 5.)

Coordination and linkages with LDRRMC.

2.Disaster Response Stage – Disaster Incident Management

(Level

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2-Red). When the disaster occurs after an official forecast or

when an unexpected natural disaster suddenly occurs in the

country, hereunder are the activities to be undertaken: A.

Activation of the following: 1.) Disaster Incident Management

Task Groups at the

appropriate level prior to the expected landfall. 2.) PNP Sub-

Committee on Disaster Management. 3.) PNP National Disaster

Operations Center at the PNP National Operations Center –

Situation Monitoring Room. 4.) Incident Command Post by Task

Groups whose area is hit by the disaster. B.) Support NDRRMC

in policing during disaster. C.) Assistance to forced

relocation/evacuation of residents in disaster-prone areas.

D.) Conduct of appropriate disaster response and police

intervention in support to LDRRMC.

3. Post-Disaster Stage – Support to Recovery and

Rehabilitation

Efforts (Level 3 – White): a.) Law and Order. b.) Security

during relief operations and, c.) Security and traffic

management operations.

(https://dpcr.pnp.gov.ph/portal/images/downloads/CAD/Implan

%20SAKLOLO%202014%20(Policing%20during%20Disaster).pdf)

The Phases of the Disaster Management Cycle

Phase 1: Pre- Disaster

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 The pre-disaster phase is, in many ways, the most

important. With rare exceptions, the occurrence of disasters

is in principle predictable, although not their precise

location, timing, or severity. For this reason, a variety of

measures should be taken in advance, notably in the areas of

risk assessment, mitigation/prevention, disaster preparedness,

and risk reduction.

There is a close link between disaster risk reduction and

preparedness. Risk reduction activities within the pre-

disaster phase often focus particularly at the community

level. They fall within the conceptual framework of elements

considered likely to minimize vulnerabilities and disaster

risks throughout a society to avoid (prevent) or limit

(mitigate and prepare for) the adverse

impacts of hazards, within the broad context of sustainable

development.

The disaster risk reduction framework encompasses the

following fields of action (UNISDR 2002, p. 23):1. Risk

awareness and assessment, including hazard analysis and

vulnerability/capacity analysis. 2 Knowledge development,

including education, training, research, and information. 3.

Public commitment and institutional frameworks, including

organizational, policy, legislation, and community action. 4.

Application of measures, including environmental management,

land-use and urban planning, protection of critical

P a g e 16 | 33
facilities, application of science and technology, partnership

and networking, and financial instruments. 5. Early warning

systems, including forecasting, dissemination of warnings,

preparedness measures, and reaction capacities.

Phase 2: Response

The response phase begins immediately after a disaster

strikes and encompasses both immediate response (relief) and

medium-term response, the latter of which attempts to begin to

re-establish functionality of systems and infrastructure. a.)

Once a disaster has taken place, the first concern is

effective relief—helping those affected to recover from the

immediate effects of the disaster. Such relief work includes

providing food, clothing, shelter, and medical care to

victims. For rapid onset disasters, such as earthquakes, this

phase may last for weeks or a few months. For slow onset

disasters, such as droughts, it may last months or even years.

b.) Medium-term response takes the first steps toward recovery

by assessing damage to infrastructure, communities,

institutions, industry, and business and by planning measures

necessary to restore these two previous levels or better.

Phase 3: Post-Disaster

The post-disaster phase includes activities in the fields

of recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. It also

affords an opportunity to develop disaster risk reduction

P a g e 17 | 33
measures, which can be applied during the next pre-disaster

phase (that is, Phase 1). This phase includes the following:

a.) Decisions and actions taken after a disaster with a view

to restoring or improving the pre-disaster living conditions

of the stricken community, while encouraging and facilitating

necessary adjustments to reduce disaster risk. b.) Restoring

the basic services needed to enable life to move back toward

“normalcy.” c.) External support, such as loans to

governments, technical assistance, resources for farmers, and

help for businesses to restart. d.) Rebuilding homes and

industry, which is linked to restoration of social and

economic development. It is important at this stage to design

stronger buildings that are able to withstand future

disasters. e.) Activities focused on enabling communities to

protect themselves. Such measures need to be particularly

available to those at greatest risk—the poorest and most

vulnerable in the community.

(https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/27

353/657860NWP0Box30at0disaster0response.pdf?sequence=1)

PNP Disaster Response Handbook

The directorate for Police Community Relations have taken

the lead in the PNP’s preparedness and response management in

times of natural disasters and calamities. With this

development and added responsibility, it continuously strives

to enhance the PNP’s capacity and capability to respond

P a g e 18 | 33
efficiently to all forms of disasters that are commonly

experience in our country. With this, s handbook is

purposively design to guide every policeman on what actions to

be undertaken, before, during and after an occurrence of a

natural calamity.

Safety and Response General Guidelines for all PNP Units

1. Security and safety of personnel must always be considered

in the conduct of disaster response operations. 2. All PNP

Units/Offices shall train their men on disaster incident

management using their available resources. 3. All responding

units shall operate on their existing logistical and financial

allocation. On the other hand, the NHQ PNP shall provide

additional logistics and financial support on a case to case

basis. 4. Timely reports on disaster operations to include

report on the extent, nature and location of damages should be

immediately relayed to higher headquarters and local NDRRMC.

5. PNP personnel shall wear the standard PNP Search and Rescue

attire while performing disaster response operations. 6.

Coordination between echelons of the civil organization and

military units is encouraged. 7. Level of response of all task

group shall be done as much as possible at the lowest level

and only seek assistance to the next level when resources

(manpower and material) are not enough to manage the disaster

incident. 8. The adjacent PNP units or stations which are not

affected by the disaster shall immediately respond and assist

P a g e 19 | 33
the severely affected area. 9. Only the designated Public

Information Officer of the PNP unit concerned is authorized to

release information to the media. However, Unit Commanders may

issue relevant statement and information to the media as the

situation may require. 10. PNP Units/Offices and personnel

must have reliable alternate communication equipment to ensure

24-hour connectivity.

11. PNP offices/units are encouraged to acquire additional

Search and Rescue Equipment (Team and Individual) as may

deemed suitable in their peculiar requirement.

Disaster Response Checklist

a. Flooding Incident Response Checklist

Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural

disasters. Conditions that cause floods include heavy or

steady rain for several hours or days that saturates the

ground. Flash floods occur suddenly due to rapidly rising

water along a stream or low-lying area.1. Preparations Upon

Receipt of Flood Warning (flooding will occur soon in the

area): a. ) Coordinate with the local Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Council (DRRMC) and PAG-ASA; b.) Alert residents

thru previously established warning system; 1. Patrol car

sirens; 2. Ringing of church bell and; 3. Use of megaphones

c.) Pre-emptive Evacuation of residents in flood-prone areas

in coordination with concerned agencies; d.) Institute police

P a g e 20 | 33
visibility in vacated areas; e.) Provide security at

designated Evacuation Centers; f.) As the situation may

require, activate Disaster Incident Management Task Group (as

per LOI 35/10 Saklolo Revised); and g.) Ensure readiness of

the SAR equipment and supplies ex. rubber boat, utility rope,

floating device, multi-tool items, flashlights with extra

battery, communications equipment, first aid kit, sugar-high

food, etc.).

2. Actions During Flooding Incidents: a.) Assist in the

imposition of forced relocation of remaining residents to

evacuation centers in coordination with the local DRRMC; b.)

Deploy SAR assets for timely and rapid disaster response; c.)

Maintain contact with lower, adjacent and higher units; d.)

Conduct Search and Rescue operations; e.) Assist concerned

agencies in the conduct of medical assistance; and f.)

Adjacent PNP units/offices to assist severely affected areas

until such time that the local police units affected have

recovered from the disaster and are ready to handle the

incident.

3. After the Flooding Incident: a.) Assist in the conduct of

relief operations in coordination with concerned agencies; b.)

Assist concerned agencies in the conduct of medical

assistance; c.) Ensure continued presence of security

personnel in evacuation centers; d.) Assist in the clearing of

major routes from debris and obstacles; e.) Provide traffic

P a g e 21 | 33
assistance along critical routes; and f.) low residents to

return home only when officials have declared the area safe.

b. Earthquake Safety & Response Checklist

An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth

caused by the breaking and shifting of rock beneath the

earth’s surface. Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning,

and they can occur at any time of the year, day or night.

A Reminder: Doorways are no stronger than any other part

of the structure. During an earthquake, get under a solid

piece of furniture and hold on. This will provide some

protection from falling objects that can injure you during an

earthquake. As earthquakes occur without warning, preparations

are very critical to lessen its impact.

1. Preparations that a PNP member or unit should do: a.)

Establishment of primary and secondary evacuation centers in

coordination with concerned agencies and LGUs; b.) Capability

and capacity enhancement;1. earthquake drills/simulation

exercises and 2. inventory of SAR equipment c.) Meetings and

coordination with concerned agencies and LGUs; d.) Public

Information Effort on earthquake preparations thru community

visits; e.) Identify safe places in your home or workplace.

Practice drop, cover and hold. (under a piece of furniture,

against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases or tall

P a g e 22 | 33
furniture that could fall on you); and f.) Ensure readiness

of the SAR equipment and supplies.

2. Actions During Earthquake Incidents: a.) If you are

inside a building;1. Drop, cover and hold.2. Move as little as

possible.

3. Stay away from windows to avoid being injured by shattered

glass.4. Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure

it is safe to exit.5. If you must leave the building after the

shaking stops, use stairs rather than an elevator in case

there are aftershocks, power outages or other damage. b.) If

you are outdoor when the earthquake occurs;1.) Find a clear

spot (away from buildings, power lines, trees, streetlights)

and drop to the ground. Stay there until the shaking stops. 2.

If you are in a vehicle, pull over to - If you are in a

vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Avoid

bridges, overpasses and power lines if possible. Stay inside

with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Then,

drive carefully, avoiding bridges and ramps that may have been

damaged.3. If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get

out. Wait for assistance.4. If you are in a mountainous area

or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rocks

and other debris. Landslides are often triggered by

earthquakes. c.) Mobilize SAR assets for disaster response and

Search & Rescue operations; d.) Assist concerned agencies in

the conduct of medical assistance; e.) Maintain contact with

P a g e 23 | 33
lower, adjacent and higher units; f.) Adjacent PNP

units/offices to assist severely affected areas; g.)

Employment of Alarm system (police sirens, ringing of church

bells, megaphones, whistles) for pre-emptive evacuation

especially in beach front areas as tsunami may

occur; h.) All PNP units in affected area shall be on full

disaster response status until the situation normalizes; i.)

Activation of respective DIMTGs following the level of

activation as per LOI 35/10 “SAKLOLO REVISED”; j.)

Establishment of Command Post by Task Groups whose area is hit

by the earthquake. k.) Provide security at Evacuation Centers;

and l.) Provide traffic advisory to prevent motorists from

entering the danger zone/restricted areas.

3. After the Earthquake Incident: a.) Expect and prepare

for potential aftershocks, landslides or even a tsunami. Each

time you feel an aftershock, drop, cover and hold on.

Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks and even

months following an earthquake; b.) Assist in the conduct of

relief operations in coordination with concerned agencies; c.)

Assist concerned agencies in the conduct of medical

assistance; d.) Ensure continued presence of security

personnel in evacuation centers; e.) Assist in the clearing of

major routes from debris and obstacles; f.) Provide traffic

assistance along critical routes; and g.) Allow residents to

return home only when officials have declared the area safe.

P a g e 24 | 33
Typhoon Safety and Response Checklist

With an average of twenty (20) tropical storms traversing

the Philippines every year, the devastating effects caused by

this natural disaster have resulted in the dislocation of

thousands of

families, loss of many lives, massive destruction to

properties and agricultural products and have tremendously

affected the country’s economy. The Philippine Atmospheric,

Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)

releases tropical cyclone warnings in the form of Public Storm

Warning Signals (PSWS), classified as follows: Signal # 1 -

Tropical cyclone winds of 30 km/h to 60 km/h are expected

within the next 36 hours. (Note: If a tropical cyclone forms

very close to the area, then a shorter

lead time is seen on the warning bulletin.). Signal # 2 -

Tropical cyclone winds of 60 km/h to 100 km/h are expected

w/in the next 24 hrs.Signal # 3 - Tropical cyclone winds of

100 km/h to 185 km/h are expected within the next 18 hours.

Signal # 4 - Tropical cyclone winds of greater than 185 km/h

are expected within 12 hours.

1. Preparations for an Impending Typhoon/Tropical Storm: a.)

Coordinate with PAG-ASA, NDRRMC and other government agencies;

b.) Activation of Disaster Incident Management Task Groups in

areas expected to be hit by the serious weather disturbance

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prior to the expected landfall; c.) Declaration of full

disaster response status of PNP units in affected area until

the situation normalizes; d.) Employ alarm and warning systems

as stipulated under DILG MC 2009-165: 1.Patrol car sirens, 2.

Ringing of church bells 3.) Use of megaphone. e.) Coordinate

with local DRRMC for advisory and to support its disaster

response; f.) Activation of Command Post by Task Groups whose

area is hit by the disaster; g.) Assist in forced

relocation/pre-emptive evacuation of residents in flood-prone

h.) areas in coordination with corresponding LDRRMC i.)

Institute police visibility in vacated areas; j.) Provide

security at designated Evacuation Centers; k.) Ensure

readiness of the SAR equipment and supplies (ex. Rubber boat,

utility rope, floating device, multi-tool items, flashlights

with extra battery, communications equipment, first aid kit,

sugar-high food, etc..).

2. Actions During a Tropical Storm: a.) Assist in the

imposition of forced relocation in coordination with the local

DRRMC of remaining residents to evacuation centers; b.) Deploy

SAR assets for timely and rapid disaster response according to

needs in the area; c.) Maintain contact with lower, adjacent

and higher units; d.) Conduct Search and Rescue operations;

e.) Provide medical assistance; and f.) Adjacent PNP

units/offices to assist severely affected areas.

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3. Actions After a Tropical Storm: a.) Assist in the conduct

of relief operations in coordination with concerned agencies;

b.) Assist concerned agencies in the conduct of medical

assistance; c.) Ensure continued presence of security

personnel in evacuation centers; d.) Assist in the clearing of

major routes from debris and obstacles; e.) Provide traffic

assistance along critical routes; and f.) Allow residents to

return home only when officials have declared the area safe.

(Republic Act 10121 (The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction

and Management Act of 2010). (PNP LOI 35/10 “SAKLOLO REVISED”)

Disaster risk is a societal commonality. It affects

everyone and all the systems on which we depend. Solving these

intricate problems requires a transdisciplinary approach and

focus. It is important that we adjust our “lens” of reality to

include issues of disaster risk. The linkage with development

provides us with an ideal opportunity to address and solve

many of the issues associated with disasters and their impact.

(COMFORT, l., WISNER, B., CUTTER, S., PULWARTY, R.,

HEWITT, K., OLIVERSMITH, A., WIENER, J., FORDHAM, M., PEACOCK,

W. & KRIMGOLD, F. 1999. Reframing disaster policy: the global

evolution of vulnerable communities.

http://webra.cas.sc.edu/hvri/pubs/1999_ReframingDisasterPolicy

.pdf Date of access: 12 Sep. 2011.)

Conceptual Framework

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 This section provides the discussion about the inter-

relationship of independent and dependent variables.

This research paradigm provides a review of the Disaster

Risk Management Operation of Police Officers in San Francisco,

Agusan del Sur. On left box is the independent variables

(Disaster Preparedness) where it has the following indicators

namely: Pre- Disaster Stage, Disaster Response Stage and Post

Disaster Stage. On the right box is the dependent variables

(Response Operations) in which it contains the following

indicators namely: Crowd Control, Public Safety, Directing

Traffic, Organizing Search Teams and Looters.

Response Operations
Disaster Preparedness
 Crowd Control
 Pre- Disaster Stage  Public Safety
 Disaster Response  Directing Traffic
Stage  Organizing Search
 Post Disaster Stage Teams P a g e 28 | 33
 Looters
 Figure 1. The Research Paradigm

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the Disaster Management

Operation of Police Officers in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

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 Specifically, it sought to answers the following

questions:

1.) To what extent does the disaster preparation of police

officers in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur in terms of:

1.1 Pre-disaster Stage;

1.2 Disaster Response Stage and;

1.3 Post Disaster Stage?

2.) To what level of manifestation does the disaster

response operations of police officers in San

Francisco, Agusan del Sur in terms of:

1.4 Crowd Control;

1.5 Public Safety;

1.6 Directing Traffic;

1.7 Organizing Search Teams and;

1.8 Looters?

3.) Is there a significant relationship between the extent

of disaster preparedness and the level of manifestation of the

response operations of police officers when grouped according

to their variables?

Hypothesis

This study was guided by a single null hypothesis tested

at 0.05 level of significance.

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 Ho: There is no significant relationship between the

extent of disaster preparedness and the level of manifestation

of the response operations of police officers when grouped

according to their variables.

Significance of the Study

This study was conducted for the benefit of the

following: Police officers of San Francsico, Agusan del

Sur. This study will serve as their basis to perform their

duties and responsibilities well and to help the citizens in

times of crisis.

Community. This study will serve as their basis on what

could be the things need to be done before, during and after a

certain calamity that will hit in their place.

Criminology Students. This study will serve as their

guide on what should future police officer’s duties and

responsibilities to their country in times of disaster.

Future researchers. This study will serve as their guide

for their study to be one of their resources.

Scope and Limitation

The scope of this study is to determine the Disaster

Management Operation of Police Officers in San Francisco,

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Agusan del Sur. This study is limited to the Police Officers

of San Francisco Municipal Station, San Francisco, Agusan del

Sur.

Definition of Terms

Community- This refers to group of people who live in the

same area.

Disaster- It is referred to the situation that cannot

control or bad effect that caused by natural or man-made.

Preparation-It entails planning, organizing, training,

stock filling equipment and supplies needed for crisis or

emergencies.

Police- The civil force of national or local government,

responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the

maintenance of public order.

Management- The process of dealing with or controlling

things of people.

Response- It is a reaction to a question, experience, or

some other type or people.

Risk- A situation involving exposure to danger.

Operation- The fact or condition of functioning or being

active.

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