School-Community Collaboration: Disaster Preparedness Towards Building Resilient Communities

Abstract

The impact of disasters could not be undermined as the occurrence of which threatens national and international security at a great height. Disasters do not only disrupt daily activities but also take toll on the livelihood of individuals causing bigger implications on social and societal conditions, economic activities and progress as well as emotional and psychological impact on individuals. Being ranked as the third country in the world with high exposure to hazards, the Philippines tries to maximize resources and agents that could help in creating disaster risk reduction approaches and practices that are proactive rather than reactive. The collaboration between schools -the source of relevant knowledge and behavior formation ground, and the communities- the source of identity of individuals and groups, is seen as an effective way of promoting resilience among people. This study looks into the roles of schools and communities in reducing the risks disasters as well as how their collaboration creates linkages between and among stakeholders.