Disaster Risk Reduction Management, Higher Education Institutions, Province of La Union, Policy Design, Program Implementation, Capacity Development, Action plan 

This study assesses the Disaster Risk Reduction Management of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in La Union towards fostering a disaster-resilient school community in terms of policy design, program implementation and capacity development. It also determines the challenges in the implementation of disaster risk reduction management in HEIs and the corresponding plan of action of the identified gaps. The study made use of the descriptive method of research. The local of the study was conducted in thirteen (13) Higher Education Institutions in La Union. The population was 35 research participants. The data were analyzed by quantitative and qualitative techniques. The salient findings of this study were as follows: HEIs in La Union are vulnerable to disaster because of the following findings: there is no substantial impact of the DRRM policies to the academic community, there is also inadequate DRRM programs implemented, and limited only to emergency drills. Further, capacity development is inadequate on DRRM especially for students, and inadequate manpower, equipment, and other resources. On the other hand, HEIs and PNP have partnerships in the implementation of DRRM but this is not often present. The presence of resources and cooperation and coordination among the academic community are the issues and concerns on the implementation of DRRM. Because of this, it is recommended that policy makers of higher education shall establish an independent DRRM Manual across all HEIs in the country. Moreover, the school management shall implement strictly the existing DRRM policies and establish sustainable plans, programs and projects for the same. To impose religiously the seriousness in exercising all disaster drills and have all students and personnel become familiar and get used to doing what is proper. To have an independent DRRM office for every HEI complemented with human resources, material facilities, knowledge, innovation and education, policies, plans and procedures, and capacities to DRRM and for the PNP organization to establish strong partnership and adapt the plan of action proposed in this study to reach out to the academic community to become disaster resilient.