From typhoons to earthquakes to volcanic eruptions, floods and landslides, you name it, we have it! These are the common disasters that we regularly face in the Philippines. Some would call it the wrath of mother nature. However, we can't just wait around and keep taking these blows. We have to make a move - which is why our government constantly drafts plans on how to prevent and cope with these hazards. Not just the government but the community as well. In schools, students are oriented and involved in drills. In local communities, the barangay facilitates and adjusts plans for their community.
In order to gain a better perception about the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) plans of local communities, I interviewed Hon. Francisco D. De Leon, the barangay captainof Pineda, Pasig City. The interview had three parts: Hazard Identification, Vulnerability, and Capacity. For the first part of the interview, captain De Leon identifed the hazards that have affected the barangay. He mentioned that typhoons and fires are the common hazards in Pineda. He added that the barangay is preparing for "The Big One" since the barangay is near the Marikina Valley Fault line. These hazards are based on the calculations of PAGASA and the city government of Pasig.
A picture of me interviewing captain De Leon in his office. Credits to the barangay official who took the photo.
The second part of the interview is called Vulnerability. This part is about the most affected citizens, how they will be affected and the safe places of the barangay. On the subject of the most affected citizens, captain De Leon says that everyone will be affected. He also mentioned that the senior citizens and children may panic during a disaster. In addition, the children may run in panic and go astray. Regarding the question: how will the citizens be affected during a disaster, the captain says that there will be destroyed houses, fires may occur due short circuits, and water pipelines may break due to an earthquake. Moreover, the citizens will not be able to go to work. He emphasizes that the citizens who do not have stable jobs will greatly be affected in terms of their food supply. In the matter of the safest places in the barangay, the captain says that there is no "safest place". However there are appointed areas for people to converge so that families will still reunite after a widespread panic.
A picture of a hazardous area since in the event of an earthquake, the post may fall and endanger a passerby. The wires might also disconnect and electrecute a citizen nearby.
The last part of the interview is the Capacity of barangay Pineda. On this topic, the preparations, prevention plans, and facilities of the barangay were discussed. According to captain De Leon, the barangay prepares through the following: 1) Seminars; 2) Simulation exercises; 3) Dissemination. Taking a closer look at the seminars, these involve sectoral or purok leaders, teachers, fire fighters, employees, and the security force. During seminars, the aforementioned are taught on how to deal with disasters. Afterwards, a simulation exercise is conducted frequently to train the leaders. Lastly, the information is disseminated through leaflets, neighbors, and the internet - particularly facebook. Currently, the barangay has apointed the road in front of Pineda Elementary school and the road in front of the barangay hall as converging areas.
A picture of the Safe place mentioned by the captain, the road in front of the barangay hall.
An example of the Best Practices of the barangay: information dissemination through seminars. This is the most recent seminar conducted at Pineda Elementary School. Credits to captain De Leon for the picture.
The captain also said that a new multipurpose hall will be built. This hall will be designed to withstand the strongest earthquake. However, the hall will be limited by size since the allotted space is small. Thus, the hall will mainly be used as an evacuation center for families whose homes were destroyed. Furthermore, the city government of Pasig supplies cubicle tents for citizens staying in evacuation centers. This will be used to temporarily protect the privacy of citizens staying in evacuation centers. These plans are under the management of Kagawad Xavier M. Garcia. The captain's support group during the election, Forward Pineda, also help with the dissemination of information. Forward is a non-government organization that has 70 committees within the barangay.
Looking at these information, I can infer that some of fire hazards occur due to the illegal tapping of wires and faulty wiring. The rapid spread of fire is also affected by the close proximity of houses and the flammable materials used to build these houses such as plywood. Regarding the typhoons, these are caused by the geographical location of the Philippines. Fire hazards can be prevented by continuously checking the electrical posts. The illegal tapping of wires can be prevented by collecting proof of electricity bills from houses with proper electricity. Not only electrical wires but also cable wires are illegally tapped. Floods and garbage management are not an issue in the barangay. However, garbage segregation must be seriously implemented.
During the interview, captain De Leon related the issue of "The Big One" with other parts of the country such as Marikina, Bagong Ilog, Paranaque and Muntalban. On the topic of typhoons, the whole country is affected since it is connected to the geographical location of the country.
After conducting this project, I realized that there is no "safest place" nor "untouchables" when it comes to a disaster. The rich, poor, educated, or not will all be affected. The only thing we can do is prepare, prevent, and cope. We prepare by continuously enhancing our knowledge and skills through seminars. We can prevent destruction of properties by refining and remodeling our houses using quality materials. We can prevent fires by monitoring our wire connections at home. Simply by being responsible and not leaving chargers, brewing pots, and candles unattended. We can cope by creating a plan long before the disaster occurs.
As Filipinos, we need to involve ourselves with these issues because we are the primary recipients of the effects or impact of these hazards. The government and the communities ,respectively, have their own plans. From the way I see it, we need to establish a communication between the government and the communities particularly schools. Since these matters are discussed in schools and it is one of the best ways to disseminate information to families.
In my own way, providing my opinion on the barangay's DRRM plan is one way of increasing the capacity of my community. I can also orient my family and neighbors regarding the DRRM plans of the barangay. More importantly, making other people realize the gravity of the matter is my stronghold. Through the empowerment of others. we can build a community that collaborates on how to be prepared for hazards and who know what to do if the situation arises. A community that will take a step together towards invulnerability.
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