As one of the world’s most hazard-prone countries, the Philippines faces recurring disasters such as typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, intensified by climate change. Peripheral provinces like Catanduanes are particularly vulnerable. To address these risks, Republic Act No. 10121 and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (2011–2028) institutionalized a multi-sectoral, community-based framework across four thematic areas: prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation/recovery. However, limited comparative analyses exist on stakeholder perceptions of program effectiveness in geographically isolated provinces. Grounded in Stakeholder Theory and Program Evaluation Theory, this study employed a descriptive-comparative quantitative design. A validated researcher-made questionnaire was administered to 444 participants, including Municipal DRRM Officers, Barangay Captains, and household heads across Catanduanes’ eleven municipalities. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent samples z-tests to assess perceptual differences. Findings indicate that both beneficiaries and facilitators perceive DRRM programs as generally effective. Facilitators reported higher confidence in disaster response and rehabilitation/recovery, while moderate ratings in prevention and preparedness highlight gaps in community engagement and capacity-building. Consensus was observed in prevention, preparedness, and response, but significant perceptual disparities emerged in rehabilitation and recovery. The study underscores the need for inclusive feedback mechanisms, adaptive governance, and participatory risk reduction. A Strategic Action Plan is proposed to strengthen hazard-resilient infrastructure, enhance preparedness through capacity-building and early warning systems, and improve post-disaster rehabilitation and livelihood recovery, ensuring alignment between institutional intentions and community experiences.

Keywords: Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM), stakeholder perceptions, program evaluation, Catanduanes, Philippines, flood-prone communities, preparedness and response, rehabilitation and recovery