Abstract:
Legazpi, a developing city in the province of Albay and the administrative center
of the Bicol Region, is challenged by various natural hazards such as typhoons and
volcanic eruptions. The city's history recorded 47 May on volcanic eruptions since 1616
and these eruptions resulted to loss of lives and properties. It then became important for
the city to adopt measures in minimizing the potential damages of the hazards brought by
Mayon. The question remains, however, whether the measures adopted are effective or
not. This research was conducted to assess the effectiveness of Legazpi City's disaster
preparedness against Mayon Volcanic hazards. It introduces Legazpi City's socioeconomic-
physical profile together with Mayon Volcano's profile (both as a natural
hazard and as a tourist attraction) and describes the background of disaster management
and disaster preparedness. It also presented the major institutions/agencies involved in the
city's disaster preparedness. This study concludes that Legazpi City's disaster
preparedness is effective in terms of strategies and goal-setting of the major institutions
involved in the preparation. Also, the people's perception and participation on the
disaster preparedness programs were noted.
