Assessing Community Resilience to COVID-19 in Barangay Bayog, Los Baños, Laguna: Insights from the Youth

Abstract

The youth, who comprise a significant portion of the population, remain highly susceptible to disaster risks. While a growing body of literature examines their perspectives on such risks, few studies focus on their overall perception of community resilience, especially in peri-urban areas. This study addresses this gap through a case study of youth in Barangay Bayog, Los Baños, Laguna — a peri-urban community on the outskirts of Metro Manila. Using a sequential mixed-methods research design, the study assessed the perceived levels of community resilience among youth, as well as the factors that affect their perspective. Findings reveal that community resilience is multifaceted, and a sense of belonging and equitable distribution of resources during disasters are crucial in reinforcing it. In addition to outlining future research directions, the study provided seven recommendations focused on adopting systems thinking and enhancing youth engagement in disaster risk management (DRM). Finally, this research contributes to the literature that links youth perception and participation in DRM to operationalize holistic and multi-sectoral collaboration, promoting community resilience.