Disaster And Risk Reduction Practices Among Employees of Accredited Hotels and Restaurants in Batangas Province: Basis for Disaster Management Plan

Abstract

Disaster risk reduction and management plans are beneficial for hotels and restaurants in Batangas Province. This study aims to evaluate the disaster and risk reduction practices of the accredited hotels and restaurants in Batangas Province. The researchers utilized exploratory sequential method of research, using researcher-made questionnaire to 253 employees and managers of 21 accredited hotels and restaurants in Batangas selected through simple random sampling. The statistical tools used are frequency, percentage, weighted mean, composite mean, Pearson-r and ranking to analyze and interpret the data gathered. Findings reveal that the majority of the respondents are female, between 21-30 years old, and most employees are working in the industry are single, while in terms of business, the majority of the businesses is 16-20 years in operation. Moreover, majority of the respondents are in permanent position as well. Prevention, assessment, analysis, and monitoring of community-based scientific disaster risk reduction and management was identified to be practiced in great extent by the respondents, while in terms of preparedness, providing the employees with the required skills and capabilities to deal with calamities is identified to be practiced with great extent. Additionally, in terms of response, respondents identified search, rescue and retrieval capacity to be practiced in great extent while during recovery period, respondents identified stimulate economic activity and enhance or extend it if possible, as at most practiced indicator. Furthermore, inadequate emergency funds is one of the difficulties they encountered when dealing with disaster risk and reduction measures during emergencies. Employees showed strong awareness of search and rescue practices during disasters, but there is a need for better mental health support. Recovery efforts focused on stimulating economic activity, indicating an understanding of the importance of recovery planning. A significant challenge remains the lack of disaster literacy, and preparedness is positively correlated with the number of years in business. Hence, the researchers recommended disaster management plan to address the difficulties encountered by the employees in practicing disaster risk and reduction measures.