Risk Reduction Through Disaster Literacy Among School-Age Children in Barangay Parian, Calamba City

• Main Author: Javier, Samantha P
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2022
• Subjects: child-centered approach; risk reduction; disaster literacy; disaster education; knowledge; attitudes; and practices; Calamba City; disaster risk reduction and management; child development; social networks; Child Psychology; Communication; Education; Emergency and Disaster Management
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/comm-faculty-pubs/19; https://pssc.org.ph/product/resilience-in-our-times/
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

This chapter explores how disaster literacy can enable an inclusive and child-centered community-based disaster risk reduction and management approach in reducing disaster risk in Barangay Parian; Calamba City. A mixed quantitative and qualitative design was used in the study: a household and disaster literacy survey among school-age children and their families; desk review; key informant interviews; and focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders such as school leaders; teachers; parents; and barangay officers. Results show that the school-age children have a moderate level of disaster literacy (measured in terms of level of knowledge; direction of attitude; and level of practice). An investigation into the school-age children’s capacity to serve as transfer agents of disaster risk reduction and management education revealed that the school; as a center of community for disaster risk reduction and management education; is indeed a viable entry point for community-based disaster risk reduction and management capacity-building efforts. School-age children have a two-way learning relationship with their peers and members of their household but not without challenges. As transfer agents of disaster risk reduction and management education; children serve as “initiates”; meanwhile; peers and parents or guardians are considered as “congregational members.” Lastly; clarification and successful carrying out of duties by local leaders; elders; and the media are deemed necessary in implementing community-based disaster risk reduction and management efforts that are truly inclusive and child centered.