Asian Journal of Research in Nursing and Health

This study examined the disaster response mechanisms of Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) responders in Balatan, Camarines Sur in relation to hydrometeorological hazards and the barriers that constrain their effectiveness. A quantitative descriptive design was employed, involving all 201 MDRRMO, Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel who answered a validated structured questionnaire. Data were treated using descriptive statistics such as weighted mean to describe respondents’ profiles, assess response mechanisms across eight dimensions. Results showed that most of the people who work in disaster response in Balatan are in their prime working years, between the ages of 31 and 40. The demographic profile of this target group mostly comprises of the males who are married and have a monthly income less than Php 30,000. Their levels of education are between vocational training and college education. Participation in disaster management training is low among all groups. This shows that access to opportunities for skill development is unequal.​ However, only a small proportion had formal ICS training, and the limited use of advanced technologies such as GIS and drones, alongside geographic isolation, inadequate early warning systems, and constrained budgets, created persistent operational gaps. Overall, the analysis and discussion underscore that while MDRRMO responders show strong commitment and basic capability, systematic investments in specialized training, early warning and drainage infrastructure, technology integration, and sustained community engagement are essential to build a more resilient municipal disaster response system in Balatan.