Swipe, Click, Survive: Technology-Driven Disaster Preparedness and Response among Residents of a Barangay in a 3rd Class Component City of Negros Oriental

ABSTRACT No continent in the world is spared from natural disasters. While disaster preparedness is no longer a new concept at the global and national levels, many localities still struggle with its implementation. This study investigated the extent of technology utilization for disaster preparedness, perceived effectiveness, and the barriers to its access and use. This study contributes to fostering sustainable communities through technology, in connection with SDGs 9 and 11. Anchored on Roger’s Protection-Motivation Theory, the researchers employed descriptive-comparative methods and utilized both standardized and validated questionnaires in data gathering. The participants were 92 residents of a riverside community, who were selected through convenience sampling. The residents were predominantly young and middle-aged bachelor’s degree holders from lower-income class families. Mobile phones were found to be the most commonly used devices for disaster preparedness and response, although there were notable differences in technology use for disaster preparedness and response across age groups and levels of educational attainment. Residents viewed technology-driven methods as moderately effective in terms of usefulness and community impact. The safety advisories disseminated via social media platforms are perceived as both timely and reliable, enabling residents to take immediate action, thereby reducing risks and preventing major losses. However, factors such as unstable internet connectivity and loss of network signals have hindered access and usage. Hence, improvement in accessibility and digital inclusion is needed to maximize their effectiveness. As an output of the study, a digital literacy training was proposed. The adoption of a locally developed digital emergency application, “Rescue Link”, in the community was also recommended.