1

EXTENT OF LGU SUPPORT TO THE FIRE VICTIMS OF SAEG CALUMPANG,

GENERAL SANTOS CITY AND ITS IMPLICATION

A Research Paper
Presented to the Faculty of College of Criminal Justice Education
Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges – Marbel, Inc.
Koronadal City

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

LANOY, SONNY BOY P.

November 2021
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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

The Local Government Unit (LGU) is responsible to plan and take action

for the disaster and give help for the victims of fire accidents. The Local

Government Unit (LGU) should be the first responders in the disaster; they

should be proactive in performing disaster-related activities, from the evacuation

of fire victims to the restoration of the livelihood of the victim. The support of

Local Government Unit is significance for the fire victims.

And also, the investigators tracking the New York apartment fire that killed

at least 17 people and left several critically injured sought answers for "why

safety doors failed to close" when the deadly fire broke out. According to the

investigators, the door which was supposed to shut automatically during the fire

was reportedly malfunctioned and had failed to close on its own, according to AP.

This resulted in allowing thick smoke to rise through the tower. While speaking to

the media, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro on Monday said that the fire was first

ignited near an electric space heater in the 19-storey building in the Bronx on

January 9, Sunday. He said that the initial report suggested that the heater was

also not working properly (Kumar,2022).

At least 27 people are feared to have died after a fire broke out in a

building in downtown Osaka, Japan Police are investigating whether the blaze

was started deliberately, public broadcaster NHK said They are investigating

reports that a man spilled liquid that started the fire. The victims suffered
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cardiopulmonary arrest, a term often used in preliminary reports before a death is

officially confirmed, reports say. Footage showed blackened windows after

dozens of firefighters extinguished the blaze on the fourth floor. All of those

feared dead were reportedly in a psychiatric clinic on the fourth floor of the

building, located in a busy commercial and entertainment district (Kyodo, 2021).

A fire of still undetermined origin razed more than a hundred houses in the

seaside Saeg, barangay. Calumpang, General Santos City here Wednesday

afternoon close to 200 families displaced by the conflagration are now

temporarily sheltered in the Barangay Calumpang public gymnasium. The fire

that hit Purok Saeg in Barangay Calumpang started at past 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday and was declared fire out at about 4:00 p.m. the same day by Chief

Inspector Reginald Legaste, the chief of the Bureau of Fire Protection office in

the city. Local officials said the fire incident on Wednesday could be the cities

worst this year. The city government is now attending to the needs of the fire

victims (Unson, 2021).

Govt. Philippines (2016) stated that LGUs are the first responders in the

occurrence of natural and man-made calamities, based on Republic Act 10121 or

the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. Aside from

RA 10121, RA 7160 or the Local Government Code 1991 also stipulates that

LGUs have the responsibility to undertake rescue operations, provide immediate

relief assistance, and set-up and manage evacuation centers at the first instance

of disaster occurrence. The Local Government Code also developed the basic

services and programs of national government along disaster operations to a

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self-reliant local government. These include programs for evacuees and the

conduct of disaster relief operations.

The Local Government Code of 1991 also stipulates that LGUs have the

responsibility to undertake rescue operations, provide immediate relief

assistance, and set-up and manage evacuation centres at the first instance of

disaster occurrence. The Local Government Code also devolved the basic

services and programs of national government along disaster operations to a

self-reliant local government. These include programs for evacuees and the

conduct of disaster relief operations (Villafania, 2015).

With the above mentioned on the LGUs support and role to the victims of

fire, as future policeman of this country, the study will help me to understand how

to determine the extent of LGU-Gensan support to the fire victims of Saeg,

Calumpang, General Santos City. This study is indeed important not for just the

researcher but also for the LGU, for the community, and for the future

researchers whose aim to gain a new knowledge and can create an implications

for the extent of LGU support to the calamities or disasters.

Research Objectives

This study aim to determine the Extent of LGU support to the fire victims

of Saeg, Calumpang, General Santos City and its implications.

Specifically, the study sought to answers the following questions:

1. To determine the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of:

a. age;

b. sex;
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c. status; and

d. occupation.

2. To determine the status of the extent of LGU Gensan support to the fire victims of

Saeg, Calumpang, General Santos City in terms of:

a. rescue operations;

b. provide immediate help assistance; and

c. set-up and manage evacuation centers.

3. To draw an implications of the results of the survey.

Review of Related Literature and Studies

This chapter presents the related literature and studies as well as the

conceptual framework that supported the needed information and insights

posited by different authors and findings of researches related to the present

study.

Local Literature

The Local Government Code of 1991 also stipulates that LGUs have the

responsibility to undertake rescue operations, provide immediate help

assistance, and set-up and manage evacuation centres at the first instance of

disaster occurrence. The Local Government Code also devolved the basic

services and programs of national government along disaster operations to a

self-reliant local government. These include programs for evacuees and the

conduct of disaster relief operations (Villafania, 2015).

According to Judy Taguiwalo (2016) explained its partnership with local

government units (LGUs) in providing response in times of calamities. She said

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that while the DSWD provides the needed basic services of disaster-affected

families through the prepositioning of family food packs and standby funds, LGUs

are the first responders in the occurrence of natural and man-made calamities,

based on Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Act of 2010.

Moreover, a fire incident report is a document used by fire department

personnel or fire safety officers to provide a narrative around the cause of a fire

incident, damage or injuries caused, and lives lost, if any. Fire incident reports

are also required by law as a means to obtain crucial fire safety information and

help improve fire prevention initiatives (Safety Culture, 2020).

Meanwhile, the Local government units (LGUs) with areas declared in a

state of calamity to five percent of estimated revenue from regular sources in the

event of calamities. RA 8185 amended section 324d and categorized the fund

into relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction and other services in order to

improve the fund utilization. It can be observed that most laws and orders

concerning disaster risk reduction and management (Quezon, 2012).

According to Agrawal et al, (2012) local institutions are integral in

influencing community responses against disasters and climate hazards. They

help determine the effect of the impacts, develop capacity of households to

respond and adapt practices, and mediate different external interventions. In a

review of 118cases across 46 countries, climate adaptation was revealed to

involve more informal institutions wherein there exist five categories of local

responses: mobility in response to risks and scarcities; storage of surpluses

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including sturdy infrastructure for keeping seeds and harvested crops;

diversification of employment opportunities, assets, and consumption strategies;

communal pooling of resources across families; and market exchange. Most of

these came from the rural communities dominated by indigenous people who

have been exposed to various disasters and later on developed adaptive

responses against environmental risks.

However, it has been observed that third to sixth-class municipalities

experienced inequitable fund distribution hence the LGUs were forced to take

care of them and rehabilitate on their own. In a case study in Guiana, the

significant variables which affected the community’s grounding of disaster

preparedness were proximity to a hospital, access to health insurance,

availability of electricity and information sources particularly in the island

communities of the area, and weak emergency evacuation centers (Campanero

and Egargo, 2017).

Based on the World Risk Index (2012) the government is likewise making

sure that relief and rehabilitation remain sustainable. Those affected by

Typhoons Sending and Pablo continue to be assisted by the government through

the repair of vital infrastructure like health facilities, classrooms and schools,

roads and bridges; livelihood assistance (especially for those in the agriculture

and fisheries sectors); and permanent housing programs. We continue to

strengthen and expand our social safety nets, especially for victims of natural

disasters, so every Filipino can live safe and productive lives.

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In addition, Villa & Ceballos (2021) state that, fire disasters occurred due

to little or no precautionary steps for emergencies. It is a national security

concern when it relates to disaster management and people's health. After the

fire incident, one of the fire victims' difficulties is the process of coping with their

situation, particularly the financial issues. The Local Government Unit (LGU)

provide the goods, clothes, household goods, hygiene kit, livelihood programs,

and employment were among the highly needed by the fire victims and their

families. Their family and other relatives are willing to aid them in rice assistance

and providing temporary shelter.

Villa (2020) compromised that many Filipinos lost their homes and

businesses because of fire incidents. Despite the fire incident, the Filipino

attitude to help each other is observed in the study. The participants were glad by

the donations they received after the disaster. Aside from it, the National and

local Government had extended monetary assistance to the fire victims in

building their houses and start a business (Villa, 2020).

However, local governments often lack sufficient knowledge about

disaster risks and vulnerabilities of their communities as well as appropriate

disaster risk reduction measures. Partners can help local governments

understand them, in order to better plan and manage local disaster risks (Lapez,

2019).

This article documents practices of volunteer collaboration in DRRM in

selected local government units (LGUs) that have been more vulnerable to

natural disasters in the past and that are beginning to face climate change
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related challenges. In so doing, the article aims to help inform ways for LGUs to

harness and institutionalize volunteer participation to mitigate and adapt to the

impact of climate change in their communities (Benzie et al., 2018).

Furthermore, the Local Government Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction

The compilation showcases the essential roles played by local and regional

authorities in local addressing disaster risks at sub-national and local levels, but

also the challenges and constraints to sustain or scale-up these efforts. It makes

the case for increased local-level risk reduction action, and is aimed to stimulate

more interest and commitment in this area from governments, practitioners,

policy and decision makers (Salvador, 2017).

Therefore, the active commitment and leadership of a local government is

important for the implementation of any local disaster risk reduction measures to

deal with different stakeholders and multiple layers of government. In many

cases, a comprehensive disaster risk reduction measure takes long time to fully

implement, and the leadership of the local government is particularly crucial to

ensure the political momentum and support among external stakeholders

throughout the process (Lopez, 2012).

Moreover, the team assessed the damage caused by the fire and

consulted with the family of PB Coquilla, whose home was the sole recipient of

the fire’s destructive mayhem. On behalf of the LGU of Calbayog, Mayor Rivera

arranged for financial assistance to be given to the family to help with their basic

needs and their reconstruction efforts. The LGU of Calbayog is committed to

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making sure that no family gets left behind, especially during these challenging

times (Calbayug, 2021).

According to Vallejo (2018) some municipalities still have no fire stations

of their own as the BFP has no land to construct the station. The BFP, she said,

is not allowed to purchase land for such purpose. Because of that, she said the

BFP relies on the generosity of the LGUs to donate the land where a fire station

can be constructed and making sure that all of the victims are rescued. She said

it will only take the BFP to request for the fund and start construction of a fire

station once a deed of donation is presented by the LGU. Many fire stations in

cities and municipalities continue to exist because the buildings are owned and

maintained by LGUs, private individuals or institutions or other government

agencies.

Hence, District Officers at the local government level then submitted

proposals to national counterpart ministries, which has led to allocation of

national-level funds for the project. As the National Disaster Management Office

is one of the project partners, information regarding major development and

disaster issues is constantly shared and discussed at the national level (Cruz,

2016).

Thus, Local officials are at once responsible for distributing support

inclusively and transparently among small businesses and citizens; and must

also coordinate with national and other local governments, the private sector, and

even international organizations in order to receive, track, and distribute medical

equipment and other supplies. Additionally, many local governments are acting
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quickly to ramp up health service provision, revise fiscal policies and implement

new public safety regulations (Ramos, 2020).

Foreign Literature

Howard (2014) cited that the Department works heavily in the post-

disaster recovery and rehabilitation phase. With the resources of the LGUs

usually depleted during the disaster response phase, the national government

leads in providing programs and services aimed at helping the affected

communities/families recover from the disaster. And the LGU’s proximity to the

communities, their role in disaster operations is significant. Their readiness in

evacuation, rescue activities and disaster relief operations will make a difference

in saving lives and ensuring that the needs of their constituents will be

immediately responded.

According to Villa & Ceballos (2021) fire disasters occurred due to little or

no precautionary steps for emergencies. It is a national security concern when it

relates to disaster management and people's health. After the fire incident, one of

the fire victims' difficulties is the process of coping with their situation, particularly

the financial issues the food and shelter were among the highly needed by the

fire victims and their families. Their family and other relatives are willing to aid

them in financial assistance and providing temporary shelter.

Kiran, & Corcoran (2017) explained that the problem of transportation and

documentary passes to enter another border hinder them to seek assistance. It is

also difficult for the relatives to visit and pick their fire victims' relatives due to the

same reason-transportation and document passes. Gladly, the spirit of

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communal unity and cooperation dominate during this period. In the interview,

the fire victims expressed their gratitude for their support from friends,

neighbours, and the local government unit for their food and materials to start

building their houses. These were expressed by the participants with a smile on

their faces.

According to Boyraz & Legros (2020) Residential fires can lead to severe

emotional distress. Not only does losing the house in a fire mean losing the

home, but also many other valuable objects, such as pertinent papers and other

things with sentimental value. The impact of disasters like fire and pandemic

greatly lead to mental health consequences, posttraumatic stress disorder

(PTSD), depression, anxiety, and other mental health consequences

Carey, et al (2021) stated that fire disasters are associated with a negative

impact on victims' mental and physical health, their families, and professional and

voluntary responders to the disasters. Exposure to critical incidents or traumatic

events often results in a stress reaction termed "critical incident stress."

Depending on the intensity and persistence of the event, and personal resilience

to the extreme stressor, this critical incident stress can progress to more severe

mental health conditions.

And also, Valley (2019) explained that when the public becomes keenly

aware of the devastation of a natural disaster, its’ easy to remember donations

for fire victims, but forget the sacrifices being made by the fire fighters and their

families. The California Fire Foundation constructed the California Fire fighter

Memorial, which is a public symbol of the work of first responders. It reminds our
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citizens of the dangers they face when they battle wildfires and protect citizenry

in other ways.

However, Lofgren (2015) explained that thousands of fire fighters from

California and neighbouring States and countries continue to respond to the fires,

risking health and safety and exhibiting resilience and courage to rescue

residents and fight the blazes, additional emergency personnel, such as law

enforcement and medical personnel, have coordinated with local authorities and

fire fighters and have performed beyond the call of duty in the preservation and

protection of human live Whereas hundreds of volunteers took time from their

daily lives to help ensure that evacuated families are sheltered, clothed, fed, and

emotionally comforted through this traumatic event.

Hesa, (2016) explained that a major fire incident is defined as an incident

involving smoke, heat, and flames causing property damage to multiple building

fixtures or fittings. A minor fire incident is defined as an incident involving smoke,

heat and flames causing only localised damage to equipment or property. For

minor fire incidents 'localised' may need to be determined. Using a simple rule of

thumb: a maximum area directly affected by heat or smoke less than 0.5m² or

damage confined to one small piece of equipment would be classified as

'localized'.

Moreover, it is clear that the continued commitment and heroism exhibited

by fire fighters have saved countless lives, homes, and businesses and the

people of California and the nation recognize that the dedication of fire fighters
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will remain steadfast throughout the ongoing efforts and the fire fighters of

California were responded quickly. (Zoe, 2016).

Also the California Last Alarm Service Team, known as Cal-LAST, was

developed to provide support to fire departments that have lost one of their

members in the line of duty. The team arrives to comfort individuals going

through the grief process while providing the administration skills necessary to

access funding through state and local benefits (Steinbeck, 2018).

Meanwhile, supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency, or save, is a program

reaching out to such victims as those who survived the recent California wildfires.

Master card gift cards are handed out to people who need to replace lost items

and purchase groceries and Prevention is also an important goal for the

California Fire Foundation. Fire fighters on your side provide education to help

lower the chance of mistakes that people make simply because they aren’t

informed. Sometimes these cause fires that end up costing lives and resources

(Koontz, 2019).

In conclusion, Fires can destroy lives and livelihoods in the blink of an eye,

regardless of whether they stay confined to one house or spread throughout a

wide area. When the fire victims are people you know, offers of personal help

can mean a lot. If you want to help fire victims you don't know, you can usually

donate money, food, or supplies through third party organizations (Relief, 2018).

Local Studies

According to Col (2013), when a disaster strikes, four phases of

emergency management are applied: preparedness, mitigation, response, and

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recovery. Preparedness is the level of readiness based on undergone planning,

training, and exercises to respond to an emergency. Mitigation refers to a

consistent action to decrease and limit risk to people and infrastructure. The third

phase, response, consist of actions addressing human basic needs e.g., relief

goods and evacuation centers. The last phase focuses on the rehabilitation of

economy and livelihood. These four phases do not necessarily occur one before

another; in face of disasters, they occur more often than not in overlapping

timeframes (Col, 2013).

Govph (2021) discussed that responds to the housing need of low and

marginal-income and/or informal settler families for permanent shelter affected by

calamities such as typhoons, landslides, earthquakes, and fires for relocation to

safe areas. Also involves the provision of housing materials assistance to

families whose homes are partially damaged by calamities in the “safe-zone” but

do not require relocation and resettlement.

LGU also provides a service through the collaboration and sharing of

resources to the academe therefore allowing the schools to apply theories,

concepts, and techniques of governance, thus giving the opportunity to assess

the applicability of what is learned in the classroom in the real world (Legaspi,

2018).

Moreover, the local government plays an integral role before, during, and

after disasters because they do not only have a direct jurisdiction over their

constituents, but they are also expected to know the community’s needs as well

(Velasco, 2019).
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Besides, Local government and community capacity has been developed

relationships have been built between local government, traditional leadership

(the chiefly system) and the national government. Disaster risk reduction

initiatives have been demonstrated. An action plan for disaster risk reduction at

the local level was developed (Ledesma, 2013).

Fema (2019) State that emergency management agency to provide State

and/or Federal assistance when a local jurisdiction does not have the resources

it needs to respond to a disaster, it turns to the State government for assistance.

The State government may have many local jurisdictions requesting aid at the

same time.

While local governments are responsible for a variety of critical

infrastructure (such as water, drainage, sewage, schools, hospitals), investments

to make them resilient to disaster risks are not very visible and sometimes

neglected or deterred. Capital investment planning should properly address

disaster risks, based on sound risk assessment (Velasco, 2019).

Moreover, the Provincial Administration of Serua and Namosi provinces

were highly committed to the initiative, showcasing the importance of local

government to the locally based work of development agencies the Provincial

Administration was instrumental in coordinating, hosting, facilitating and

participating in stakeholder meetings, workshops and trainings. It also

incorporated disaster risk reduction and development priorities identified by

communities into the Provincial Development Plan, and into proposals to national
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counterpart Ministries. Through their commitment, they kept the momentum of

the project alive (Sazon, 2013).

In addition, the local government is seen to have more resources

compared with other institutions in the local community. However, its resources

are never sufficient to provide the needed services to its growing population. It

does not have the monopoly of knowledge and expertise needed to undertake

responsive programs and projects Poorer local governments may not even have

the technical competence to implement development programs and projects

(Galay, 2015).

Yet despite these opportunities given to LGUs to improve the lives of their

constituents and to protect the environment by maximizing this devolved power,

issues related to poverty persist and improved delivery of these services to the

people remain have encountered disaster (Philippines-Canada LGSP, 2019).

Col (2013) stated that the LGU in the Philippines is at the forefront of

disaster risk reduction and management as mandated by the Local Government

Code of 1991. The LGU must have the autonomy to act decisively and issue

proactive decisions suited for their constituents’ situation supported with the

higher levels of government. Literatures across highlight the importance of

decentralization of responsibilities i.e., doing away with top-down approach,

stakeholder participation in all phases of DRRM, and transparency of valuable

information exchanges.

Therefore, the Local Government Code also devolved the basic services

and programs of national government along disaster operations to a self-reliant

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local government. These include programs for evacuees and the conduct of

disaster relief operations (Aman, 2020).

Sec. Taguiwalo (2016) said, The Department works heavily in the post-

disaster recovery and rehabilitation phase. With the resources of the LGUs

usually depleted during the disaster response phase, the national government

leads in providing programs and services aimed at helping the affected

communities/families recover from the disaster.

Solway (2019) outlined the basic roles of the local government in

facilitating the community during a disaster. The LGU must be able to (1) assess

the vulnerabilities of the area and its constituents, (2) in still basic knowledge of

natural disasters and the possible impacts, (3)conduct an information and

education campaign (IEC) on disaster mitigation, (4) coordinate with officials in

charge of planning, construction, health, and welfare, (5) conduct first-aid

trainings, (6) partner with educational institutions to broaden awareness and

support existing knowledge, and (7) build evacuation centers clean for the health

of everybody and determine safe locations for those affected.

Although, local communities were also occasionally sceptical of

participating as stakeholders in the planning process. Convincing communities

that the risk assessment process was the necessary precursor to concrete

interventions was sometimes a challenge, particularly in those communities that

had previously participated in risk assessment activities with minimal or

inconsistent follow through (Amad, 2014).

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Despite, all local governments are not equally prone to disasters. Some

local governments are in areas highly prone to disasters, which have a serious

impact on their finances. However, the national policy for devolution of finances

does not recognize these differential vulnerabilities (Velasco, 2012).

Some LGUs, especially the low-income class municipalities, can hardly

realize the estimated revenues as their actual collection is always lower than the

estimated revenue. Therefore, even if LGUs comply with the mandatory provision

for Calamity Funds, they do not usually back it up with actual cash (Gomez,

2015).

Lawrence (2018) stated, this makes it imperative to revisit the existing

laws, rules and regulations on fund utilization to better adapt to the LGUs’ needs

given their different experiences in disaster response and mitigation. Thus, the

challenge to find ways to increase investment in disaster preparedness and risk

mitigation remains.

Generoso (2014) stated, the municipal local government unit of Governor

Generoso had already distributed emergency cash assistance and medical

equipment and have special support to the victims who are pregnant or person

with disabilities. Although the provided assistance is dwarfed by the colossal

damages incurred by the fire, Governor Malanyaon said this aid comes from the

genuine service of the provincial government to its people and hopes it could be

of help for them even in the short-term.

Moreover, LGUs could provide the ideal, authority, infrastructure, policy

and planning procedures to maximize the benefit for its communities. LGUs play
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a major role in a community’s development, provide the links between the people

and government, address its community’s problems and concerns, enforce

policies and hold influence over its communities. The LGUs are also

intermediaries in channelling the framework of government into each individual

community in order to create a beneficial outcome (Robert, 2012).

All in all the victims are confronted with the losses and damages of

property that have tremendous effects on their safety and livelihood and the

possible exposure to covid-19 infections. Aside from it, the assistance offered by

the victims' relatives, government and non-government organizations are

hampered due to different border restrictions (Boyraz&Legros, 2020).

Thus, Filipino fire victims' issues and challenges particularly during the

pandemic period. Hence, it is the intention of the study to dig and investigate the

challenges faced by victims of fire disaster amid the pandemic and to understand

their suffering, which will pave in the formulation of policy aid and assistance to

be offered by both government and non-government organizations (Asia News

Monitor, 2020).

Besides, it has pointed out that transcendental phenomenological

research is a design of inquiry coming from the philosophy and psychology that

explores the participants' lived experiences. In this context, this approach is

appropriate to obtain data on the fire victims' dilemma in facing their unique

experiences. It can produce an in-depth understanding of the meaning and scope

that cover the social context, as Broome (20011).

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Nevertheless, Local government institutions increase efficiency and

responsiveness of government. Elected local bodies offer the most efficient way

of handling the discrepancy between needs and demands in the community as

well as production of public benefits. Locally elected leaders know their

constituents better than authorities at the national level and so should be well

positioned to provide the public services local residents want and need physical

proximity makes it easier for citizens to hold local officials accountable for their

performance. Responsiveness of government is improved because local

representatives are best placed to know the exact nature of local needs and how

they can be met in a cost-effective way (Sikander, 2015).

Foreign Studies

Wisner et.al (2014) states that Framed as a self-help solution whereby

partner communities will be involved in varying capacities during the design,

fabrication, and integration of the ATS solutions into community-based

contingency plans, the focus of the alternative temporary shelter(ATS)

intervention is on bringing design engineering knowledge from building

professionals and combining it with local knowledge and capacities available in

the community as enabled by partners from local government units,

nongovernment and humanitarian organizations, and the academia.

Robson (2013) states that the Local government serves are (a) supplying

goods and services come under administrative purpose, (b) the representation

and the involvement of masses in locating particular public need and objectivity

to understand how these needs can be met. The administration and

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representation at local levels inside the structure of local government is

connected and formulated by the process of representatives at local government.

For the enhancement of creating a better understanding about the local

government’s structure and functions, it is essential to elaborate and define local

government and create awareness about local government values and

democracy.

Also, Communities are always the first responders to emergencies, and it

falls to local government to help communities respond. It is critical to build local

capacity for this Initiatives identified by communities themselves are much more

likely to be seen through and to become sustainable. Involving local government

from the start helps to secure their support and willingness to contribute to

implementation. Having a steering committee and a project group made it

possible to have ongoing exchange between local, national and community

concerns, strengthening commitment to the multi stakeholder approach (Morey,

2017).

Gomme (2016) explained the importance and the essentiality of local

government will be concentrated on by keeping in mind the aspects of local

government so that the attentions are drawn towards the distinctive local

government’s structure as the fundamental framework of the local government is

formed by the local government’s administrative structure where the

determination and implementation of public policy take place at local level. Hence

the attentions are directed towards the councils’ composition and activities

performed by these councils.

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John Moore (2012) Explained that the overall finding of the survey of the

seventeen nursing homes was that the fire safety management and emergency

evacuation planning was such that in the event of a fire serious injury could occur

together with a loss of life. For example, only two out of the seventeen nursing

homes had an adequate fire safety management system in place which included

procedures and arrangements for the evacuation of the residents.

Indeed, protection is one of the primary community services provided by

most local governments. In larger cities, fire protection is provided by a full-time,

professional fire department. One of the basic activities carried out by these

departments is fire prevention. The prevention of fires can result from many

factors other than fire department efforts. However, as being used here, fire

prevention is the set of activities performed by fire department personnel for the

purpose of preventing the occurrence of fires and reducing him potential

seriousness of fires. Typical fire prevention activities include building inspections

and education of public and private groups. These activities are usually the

responsibility of a separate division within the department, such as a "Fire

Prevention (Hadji, 2014).

Hatry et al (1992) stated that caution that efficiency implies a certain level

and quality of service. An increase in output-input ratio is not really an efficiency

improvement if the quality of service is not maintained, at the very least. Thus, it

is necessary to examine both efficiency and effectiveness measures to see the

whole picture of government performance. Moreover, the number of activities in

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local governments that can be measured seems endless. This could lead to

excessive and tedious data collection and should be avoided.

According to Gaffud (2015). The LGU is delineated as improved

performance in social/human development. Three strategic objectives are, then,

deemed essential to the achievement of this overall goal: (1) optimized resource

support for human/social development concerns; (2) enhanced

effectiveness/efficiency in social service delivery; and (3) accountability systems

developed and installed.

Moreover, LGUs in most transitional and developing countries have vastly

improved their performance of budgetary accounting in the past few decades.

More advanced systems classify fiscal items by functions and program expenses

and results. Budgetary accounting produces a record that reveals the status of all

appropriations—outlays, commitments, and free balances available for

expenditure (Axelrod, 2011).

In addition, community participation and decentralization are ensured

through the delegation of authority and resources to local levels, but existing

financial constraints continue to affect the capacity of certain LGUs for effective

disaster preparedness and response (Hele 2019).

To strengthen the LGUs’ disaster preparedness for effective response at

all levels, relevant knowledge and information on hazards, vulnerabilities, actual

losses and capacities must be elected, compiled and disseminated.

Unfortunately, this is hardly implemented in the majority of LGUs, especially

among low-income class municipalities. Majority of the LGUs have no capacity to

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establish database/databank which is useful in both disaster preparedness and

response (Coty, 2019).

Liss & Marion (2020) says that accidents caused by fire can result in

serious injury and damage to personal property. Fire hazards are not always

obvious in and around the home, so accidents involving fire are often unexpected

and sudden. These accidents can occur from faulty wiring, defective products,

and discarded cigarettes left on flammable materials, and smoke detectors that

fail to activate. Car fires can trap victims inside a vehicle. A major concern for

anyone involved in a fire accident is the damage smoke inhalation can cause to

the lung.

In addition, the local government of Muntinlupa offers free psychosocial

support and mental health services online and limited face-to-face consultations

to local front liners, local government monitored the victims on the shelter

regularly. the City Government recognizes the need to protect people's mental

health as fear and anxiety grow from various factors including the among others

(Fresnedi, 2020).

Meanwhile, As the governmental body responsible for the long-term

development and viability of its area, a local government is required to consider

and institutionalize disaster risk reduction in its day-to-day operations, including

development planning, land use control and the provision of public facilities and

services (Floyd, 2016).

Thus, regardless of the causes and outcome of the disaster, one thing is

sure that the victims are the lowest denominator of any fire disaster. Several
 26

studies confirmed that victims of disaster are associated with a negative impact

on their mental and physical health. Further, it was observed by many

researchers that the victims suffered psychological problems, which include

anxiety, stress, and depression. Studies also highlighted that victim have

psychosocial problems as ongoing sources and the manifestation of stress

(Makwana, 2019).

Theoretical Framework

According to the theory of (Gehandler, 2017) the theoretical framework of

fire is restricted by a linear design process where mainly quantitative data and

methods matters. A deterministic approach to safety ignores the decision-making

context and considers each objective in isolation. Alternative methods for the fire

safety design could view the design work as an iterative problem-solving process

between the designers and the stakeholders. Then decision making theory can

be applied to solve the problem. In the iterative process key objectives are

identified and the problem and its solutions are being reframed, creative

inherently safer (cannot fail) and fail safe (forgiving to errors) alternatives are

initially aimed at. Design should further embrace a function-centred view of the

human-technology-structure system. A utilitarian evaluation that includes also

qualitative factors can identify the best trade-offs between conflicting objectives.

With a diversity of perspectives on fire safety design, the field of fire safety will be

strengthened and be able to assist a rapidly changing world. And his theory

explained the fire how we can avoid the fire accident and this theory can help this

study about the fire. And also, his theory explained the extent of their support to
 27

the victims and the materials resources necessary for the disaster response by

the disaster management agencies.

Conceptual Framework

This study focuses on determining the extent of LGU-Gensan support to

the fire victims of Saeg, Calumpang, General Santos City and its implications.
 28

Input

Extent of LGU support

to the fire victims of
Saeg, Calumpang,
General Santos City.

Implications

Output

Figure 1. The Conceptual Framework of the Study

Figure 1 shows the paradigm of the study. It consisted of two (2) boxes,

namely; First, the Input box which contains Extent of LGU support to the fire

victims of Saeg, Calumpang, General Santos City. Second, the Output box

contains the Implications.

Significance of the Study

The study will be significant to the following:

 29

To the LGU-Gensan. This research would help them identify how extent

and to improve the governance of Local School boards to their support to the fire

victims of Saeg, Calumpang, General Santos City. The result would really help

them to plan other help assistance and programs for the victims of calamities or

disasters and that LGUs have the responsibility to undertake rescue operations,

provide immediate relief assistance, and set-up and manage evacuation centers

at the first instance of disaster occurrence. This research would also give them

awareness what would be the plans or support in this kind of disaster, fire

incidents.

To the Fire victims. This study would help them to gain knowledge and

awareness on how fire can destroy life and properties and was undertaken to

define the populations, locations, times and behaviours associated with fatal fire.

And how significant the support of Local Government Unit (LGU) in the calamities

and disaster. This study also will be helping the community to be more

observant, proactive, and be aware always in this kind of man-made disaster.

And also, can provide a healing dose of emotional support by its house fires and

similar crises can make people feel isolated and alone.

To the Fire fighters. This study would help them to be aware how

important their response is in the middle of fire. And how significant their work to

helped the people in the dangerous situation and provide an important role in

educating the public regarding fire and safety. And teaching fire prevention and

educating the public on how to respond in emergency situations can help save
 30

lives. to have their quickly response. And also, can provide the guide on how to

be responsive in this kind of man-made disaster.

To the Brgy,Calumpang. This study would help them to be aware how

important their response is after fire incidents or any calamities encountered in

their area. And how significant the support of Brgy. Calumpang in the calamities

and disaster. This study would really help them to plan other help assistance and

programs for the victims of calamities or disasters and that Brgy. Calumpang

have the responsibility to undertake rescue operations, provide immediate relief

assistance, and set-up and manage evacuation centers at the first instance of

disaster occurrence.

To the Rescue Teams. This study would help the rescue team to be

aware how important their response in the middle of the fire incidents. This

research would help them to be more observant of locating of the disaster victims

who may be trapped or isolated and bringing them to safety and providing them

with medical attention. This benefits them through operate at local government

unit (LGU) and state levels are responsible for the planning, coordination and

implementation of all measures to prevent and respond to recover from disaster

events.

To the Researchers. This study would help them provide additional

knowledge about the extent of LGU support to the fire victims of Saeg,

Calumpang, General Santos City and its implication. This research would also

help them compare the study of previous researchers based on their findings.

This study can provide the links between the people and government, address its
 31

community's problems and concerns, enforce policies and hold influence over its

communities.

To the Future Researchers. This serves as reference for future students

who might have interest to study a topic related to this study. The result of the

study will help the future researchers in establishing the literatures and studies of

their future research. And this study can be also their reference to their study.

Likewise, citing the literatures in the present study will help them in explaining

their variables and future variables which will eventually help their readers

understand more the concept of their endeavors.

Definition of Terms

The following are defined operationally and conceptually for the better

understanding of the readers.

Fire Victims. Conceptually, it refers to a person or entity damaged, or

who purports to have been damaged, in various ways by the fires (Majeure,

2021). Operationally, it refers to a person who has suffered physical or emotional

harm and property damage.

LGU. Conceptually, the Local Government Unit, the local authorities which

play a major role in a community’s development (Javier, 2011). Operationally, the

Local Government Unit is the first responder in terms of donating food or things

in the place who encountered disaster.

Support. Conceptually, it refers access to a sustainable source of

financial resources (Cuenca, 2011). Operationally, it refers to the help assistance

that LGU extend to the fire victims.

 32

Fire fighters. Conceptually, means any person employed by the state or

any political subdivision as a member or officer of a fire department or a member

of a volunteer department, including the state fire marshal and deputies

(Nepotism 2016). Operationally, it refers to a person who helps and protects the

public in emergency situations.

 33

CHAPTER II

METHOD

This chapter deals with research method, respondents or the subject of

the study, the instrument, the research procedure, and the statistical tools

employed to treat the data gathered.

Research Design

The study will use descriptive-survey method of research. It is the most

appropriate method in determining the extent of LGU support the fire victims and

without the researcher controlling any of them (Bhandari, 2021).

Descriptive survey research design is the most common and popular

method use in research to gather informative data. A survey is the most forward

way to collect data. Descriptive survey design involves question relevant to the

subject of the research. The surve question are then distributed to the audience n

hopes of recieving then honest response (Voxco,2021).

Research Locale

The researcher will conduct the study to the fire victims, specifically in the

place where the fire accident happened. It is located at Purok Saeg, Calumpang,

General Santos City.Purok, Saeg is coastal community and one of the top-rated

places listed as home and 570m away from Holy Cross Spiritual Center, General

Santos City. The Saeg Calumpang citing a report from the City Social Welfare

and Development Office, he said some 470 families with 699 dependents were

documented as of noon Thursday to have lost their homes and valuables in the

nearly four-hour blaze that hit portions of Purok Saeg, Calumpang.

 34

Population and Sample

The researchers will be collecting its primary data from fire victims of the

Saeg, Calumpang, General Santos City. The respondents of the study will be two

hundred ninety-eight (298), the researcher used the slovin formula by 95% of

confidence level and 5% as margin of error, to get that sampling, and they will be

randomly selected. Random sampling is the technique will be use in identifying

the respondents. A random sampling is a subset of individuals randomly selected

by researchers to represent an entire group as a whole. The goal is to get a

sample of people that is representative of the larger population (Cherry, 2021).

Research Instrument

The researcher will utilize a self-made questionnaire instrument to gather the

data needed from the respondents. Part of the survey questionnaire will cover the

demographic profile of the respondents. The second part will focus on what are th

support of LGU Gensan for the fire victims. The questionnaires will be validated by

the research adviser and other expert valuators.

Data Collection

The researcher followed the following procedure to gather information from

the respondents. First, identify the respondents. Second, formulate question will be

formulated in order to bring answer to our Research Objectives. Third, conduct

survey. Once the respondents are identified, questionnaires will be distributed to

them personally. Fourth, gather data. After a couple of days, the respondents will

return back the questionnaires provided with answers. Fifth, analyzing the data

gather. The data collected will be studied and will refer to the statistician to be
 35

analyzed furthermore and finalizing information. After all the previous steps were

done, the results will be interpreted for finalization and presentation.

Statistical Treatment of Data

In analyzing and interpreting the results of the study, the researcher will use

statistical tool that will be suited for the study. All the gatheed data will be treated

using the following statistical tools:

In finding the out the demographic profile of the respondents, the researcher

will use frequency count and percentage.

In identfying the status of the extent of LGU Gensan support to the fire

victims of Saeg Calumpang, General Santos City, frecquency count and weighted

mean will be used.

Ethical Considirations

In this study, ethical considerations may occur at any point during the

research procedure, this study involve collective and sharing informations about the

lgu support to the fire victims. Fist it is important to ask to get permission to the fire

victims to participate. Before the actual conduct of the study the researcher give

some insight about the purpose of the study. It composes that the permission was

explained clearly for what the study would entail, the possible risks, and the

anonimity and it was made clearly to the participant that they could choose to stop

participating any time without penalty. The researcher then explained that the

signed form needed to be return for the fire victims to participate in the survey.

When the participate were selected the researcher meet each participant

individually, furthermore it will be clear to the participants that the goal of this study
 36

is not to evaluate their performance or anything. The research survey

questionnaires only serve as their participants to share their expercience as a fire

victims.
 37

SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

Dear Respondents:

Good day!

Presently the researcher is conducting his study titled “EXTENT OF LGU-

GENSAN SUPPORT TO THE FIRE VICTIMS OF SAEG CALUMPANG,
GENERAL SANTOS CITY”. With this, we would like to ask your time in
answering this survey. Rest assured that we will not disclose your identity or your
personal responses to the public. Thank you for your cooperation.

The Researcher
 38

Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges – Marbel, Incorporated

Prk. Waling-Waling, Arellano St. Zone II, Koronadal City (9506)
Tel No. (083) 228-2880
College of Criminal Justice Education

Name (optional): ______________________ Date: ___________

Instruction: Read the following part of this survey questionnaire. Just place a
check on the rating that you are the most comfortable. Please do not leave any
item unanswered. Thank you for your participation.

Part I. Demographic Profile

Age: 15 - 17 yrs. old 18 – 30 yrs. old

31 – 59 yrs. old 60 yrs. old and above

Sex: Male Female

Civil Status: Single Married Separated

Occupation:

Part II. The extent LGU-Gensan support to the fire victims of Saeg
Calumpang.

Table 1. The Evaluation of the rescue operations of LGU-Gensan to

the fire victims.

Legend:

5 – Very Satisfied 2 – Partly Satisfied

4 – More than satisfied 1 – Not at all satisfied

3 – Satisfied
 39

Rescue Operations 5 4 3 2 1
1. The Local government have provided immediate relief assistance.
2. The LGU is making sure that relief and rehabilitation remain
sustainable.
3. The local officers are responsible for distributing support.
4. The local government leads in providing programs and services aimed
at helping the affected families recover from the disaster.
5. The fire fighters supplying Aid to the victims of emergency.
6. The LGU assess the vulnerabilities of the area and its constituents.
7. The local government helps to secure their support and willingness to
contribute to implementation
8. The LGU offers free psychosocial support and mental health.
9. The LGU making sure that all of the victims are rescued.
10.
 40

Table 2. The help assistance of LGU

Direction: Please respond to the following questions by placing a check mark (/)
in the answer box that corresponds to how satisfied you are in the support or
assistance of the Local Government Unit.

Legend:
5 – Very Satisfied 2 – Partly Satisfied
4 – More than satisfied 1 – Not at all satisfied
3 – Satisfied2 – Partly Satisfied

Provide immediate help assistance 5 4 3 3 1

1. The LGU provide goods
2. The LGU provide clothes
3. The LGU provide household goods
4. The LGU provide hygiene kit
5. The LGU provide livelihood Programs
6. The LGU provide employment
7. The LGU provide rice assistance
8. The LGU provide temporary shelter
9. The LGU distributed emergency cash aid
10. The LGU distribute medical equipment
 41

Table 3. The set-up and manage evacuation centers

Direction: Please respond to the following questions by placing a check mark (/)
in the answer box that corresponds to how satisfied you are in the support or
assistance of the Local Government Unit.

Legend:
5 – Very Satisfied 2 – Partly Satisfied
4 – More than satisfied 1 – Not at all satisfied
3 – Satisfied2 – Partly Satisfied

Set-up and manage evacuation centers 5 4 3 3 1

1. The LGU making sure that no family gets left behind.
2. The fire fighters ensure that evacuated families are sheltered.
3. The evacuation shelter is in safe location.
4. The local government supplying goods and services under
administrative.
5. The local governments provide protection of primary
community services.
6. The LGU enhanced efficiency in social service.
7. The government is responsible for provision of public facilities.
8. The LGU monitored the victims on the shelter regularly.
9. The LGU secure the evacuation shelter is clean for the health
of everybody
10. The LGU gives special support to the victims who are PWD or
pregnant.