The research entitles “DISASTER RESPONSE CAPABILITY OF EASTERN SAMAR POLICE PROVINCIAL OFFICE” assessed the operational capability of Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office (ESPPO) in conducting search and rescue, evacuation, relief security and other police operations in responding to natural catastrophes. The study employed the mixed method approach using a theoretical framework based on the four police capability development inputs developed by Dejan Stojkovic and Vlada Mitic (2015), namely Personnel; Equipment; Procedures and Interoperability.
The findings show that the capability of the Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office (ESPPO) in conducting disaster response operations can be characterized as fairly adequate or acceptable. Most of the aspects or areas of capability received favorable feedback from the KII and FGD participants and survey respondents. The results also reveal that in spite of the generally favorable characterization of the ESPPO disaster response capability, the research participants/respondents identified isolated minor gaps in every aspect, and the issues and concerns are highly evident and consensual in the area of equipment, especially in the context of extremely sever catastrophic events or worst-case disaster scenarios. Furthermore, the underlying theme in most of the recommendations made by the research participants/respondents points to the need for the ESPPO to constantly and continuously increase it capability, with greater focus or emphasis on the aspect of equipment.
The research concludes with an Action Plan that aims to develop an updated and complete inventory or listing of equipment and other logistical supplies that suit the disaster response requirements of Eastern Samar and to modernize the disaster response inventory of the ESPPO with the acquisition of more modern equipment supplies and augmentation or upgrade of existing inventory. The action plan also aims to review all aspects of disaster response capability on a regular basis.