An Infantry Ready Reserve Battalion is the smallest unit that could cooperate

independently on its own, which covers the whole province. It was created as
mandated by Republic Act 7077 and other AFP regulations to perform territorial
defense during wartime and disaster risk reduction and management during
peacetime. It consists of reservists who volunteered their time and services to the
country.

It is being supervised by the Community Defense Center at the provincial-

level and by the Regional Community Defense Group at the regional level,
respectively.

Meanwhile, the municipality of Capas is known as progressive and first class

municipality in the province of Tarlac City. The town consists of numerous
subdivisions and exclusive villages home to almost 160,000 residents of 20
barangays of the municipality.

The geographic structure of Capas has relatively high ground and hilly places
near the mountain range of approximately 46 meters. Still, there are identified land
areas that are plain and flat that are prone to seasonal floods and landslides
particularly in the eastern and western boundary during the Typhoon season.

The excessive rainfall runoff can cause urban flooding as well as breach on
river dikes or levees which likewise can cause flooding to low lying towns and
villages. Damage to property, agriculture, as well as loss of lives may be
encountered during floods. Water level can represent flood risk measuring the
velocity and volume of water in the affected areas.

The battalion became a special force supporting the local government in

monitoring the nearby creeks and rivers such as Namria and Dingding merge as two
major tributaries to Lucong river in Concepcion. Most of Tarlac’s waterways originate
from Mt. Pinatubo passes through Capas, including the Bulsa Moriones and Santa
Lucia river that form Tarlac river. The organization conducts disaster risk reduction
planning and preparedness to lessen the impact of a possible great flood and avoid
casualties in case of water overflow affecting the communities nearby the river.

Other than that, the town is also known as “The gateway to Pinatubo volcano”
making it prone to ground shaking, volcanic activity and ash fall. In 1991, Mt.
Pinatubo erupted and Capas was covered in ash during those times, taking months
of recovery and rehabilitation.

Good planning and providing education to local communities on disaster

preparedness is the key in minimizing the long-term risks of damage from flooding
and volcanic eruption. The principle is simple - plan ahead, equip the people to
respond, and develop infrastructures in disaster prone areas. Prevention is far
cheaper than cure.
(Relevance\Significance)

The significance of this study is to provide data and recommendations to the

Infantry Ready Reserve Battalion assigned in Capas, Tarlac focus on increasing
their capacity and improving their performance as an organization planning and
implementing programs on disaster preparedness and risk reduction to the areas of
Capas, Tarlac.
There will be discussion and measurement on the assessment of manpower,
equipment and training that they conduct in a year related to disaster preparedness
and examine the battalion’s effectiveness and efficiency in preparing the 160,000
residents of 20 barangays in Capas, Tarlac in times of natural and manmade
disasters.

The main point of the study is that effective planning and education on disaster preparedness is
crucial in minimizing the risks of damage from flooding and volcanic eruption in Capas, Tarlac. The
study aims to assess the effectiveness of the disaster preparedness programs of the 302nd Ready
Reserve Battalion in preparing the residents for natural and manmade disasters.