Project BASKOG: A Capacity-Building Initiative for Junior Quick Response Teams in Crisis Management

Abstract

This action research explored learner and stakeholder perceptions of Project BASKOG (Building A Strong, Knowledgeable, Organized, and Goal-Oriented Community), a school-based capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening the crisis management readiness of Junior Quick Response Teams (JQRTs) at Datal Bila Integrated School, Malungon 4 District, Sarangani Division. Employing a qualitative action research design, data were generated through focus group discussions with ten (10) JQRT learner-members, key informant inputs from three (3) teacher-facilitators and two (2) community stakeholders, document analysis, and observation of emergency drills during School Year 2023–2024. Thematic analysis revealed that learners perceived the program as enhancing teamwork, developing basic lifesaving and emergency response skills, and fostering emotional regulation and resilience during simulated crisis situations. Stakeholders corroborated these perceptions by observing increased learner initiative, role clarity, and peer leadership during drills, while also identifying sustainability challenges related to learner focus, resource limitations, and the need for continuous training. Rather than asserting program effectiveness in a causal sense, the findings are presented as context-specific perceptions shaped by participation in Project BASKOG within a single school setting. The study underscores the importance of sustained capacity-building, structured drill facilitation, and strengthened school–community collaboration in supporting learner-led crisis management initiatives.