Lack of Drainage. Informants described several challenges: blocked or nonexistent drainage systems, damage
from road widening, and reliance on makeshift household canals. One participant said their drainage had been
“affected by the widening project,” so water could no longer pass freely. Another noted that the barangay
lacked the budget to install proper drainage, forcing households to improvise channels toward nearby rivers.
The result was consistent flooding even with light rains. The absence of adequate drainage infrastructure is a
recognized risk factor in urban flooding, as fragmented stormwater systems overwhelm communities (Context
News, 2025; IJSRED, 2025; Dariagan et al., 2020; Kurata et al., 2023; How Flood Control Projects Fail the
Poor, 2025). Effective stormwater and drainage design is integral to reducing flood risk in populated barangays
(IJSRED, 2025; Kurata et al., 2023).
Inadequacy of Signages. Participants reported that signage intended to guide evacuees was often damaged by
weather, vandalized, or had faded over time. One informant noted that children threw stones at signs, and
strong winds would topple them, making frequent replacement seem unsustainable. These observations align
with studies that emphasize the role of clear signage in evacuation efficiency: functional, visible, well-placed
signage helps reduce confusion and delays, especially during crises (Rogers & Tsirkunov, 2015; Basher, 2016;
Asio, 2021; De León et al., 2006; Hallegatte, 2019). Durable materials, preventive maintenance, and strategic
placement can improve the persistence and cost-effectiveness of evacuation signage (Hallegatte, 2019; Sufri et
al., 2020).
Unavailability of Early Warning Devices. Many informants explained that their barangays lacked CCTV
systems, sirens, or automated flood sensors. Some said they relied on church bells as ad hoc warning tools.
One participant said, “We don’t have CCTV or warning devices installed here.” The lack of such devices
reduces reaction time and may increase exposure to disaster risk. In contrast, successful community-based
early warning systems (CBEWS) integrate both technological and social components, and their absence
weakens resilience (Evangelio et al., 2024; Munasinghe et al., 2024; GSMA, 2022; Assessing EWS in coastal
communities, 2023; Multi-Hazard EW Systems, 2025). The digital and mobile technologies for EWS in the
Philippines have shown promise but remain patchy and fragmented (GSMA, 2022; PreventionWeb, 2023).
Scarcity of Resources. Informants consistently named limited budgets as a major barrier. One said the
barangay’s disaster fund was only 5% of its IRA (Internal Revenue Allotment), allocated across mitigation,
preparedness, and response. Inadequate funding hampered repair, replacement, and procurement of DRRM
equipment. The literature affirms that many local governments in the Philippines face fiscal constraints,
limiting their capacity to implement full DRRM programs (Dariagan et al., 2020; Kurata et al., 2023; Ner et
al., 2022; GSMA, 2022; UNDRR, 2023). Without predictable and sufficient funding, local DRRM plans often
remain aspirational rather than operational.
Unresponsive Populace. Some participants described difficulty convincing a small number of residents to
evacuate, citing skepticism about flooding severity or reluctance to leave animals or property behind. One
informant said that while most complied, some refused to evacuate even when warned. Behavioral resistance
to evacuation is well documented: trust, prior experience, and perceived credibility influence compliance
(Kawasaki, 2020; Butler, 2017; Saha, 2017; Thompson et al., 2017; Sawada et al., 2021). In DRRM literature,
promoting community trust, effective communication, and pre-evacuation engagement are crucial to
minimizing refusal (Sawada et al., 2021; Sufri et al., 2020). Direct quotations from respondents illustrate these
lived experiences, e.g., “Our drainage was damaged by road widening, so water cannot pass freely,”
highlighting structural neglect. These qualitative insights affirm findings by Sawada et al. (2021) and Sufri et
al. (2020) that behavioral and infrastructural barriers intertwine in local disaster governance.
Compliance with DRRM programs in Dapitan City barangays is present but uneven, strong in procedural
coordination, weak in infrastructural implementation. This imbalance reflects broader national trends where
administrative compliance outpaces tangible resilience measures. Strengthening drainage systems, early
warning mechanisms, and capacity-building programs are critical for moving from compliance to
sustainability. Furthermore, the study showed no significant differences in compliance when analyzed by age,
gender, or educational background, indicating that disaster preparedness and response are influenced more by