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The importance of BDRRM for us is to be prepared of any disaster that may occur and by doing so, we minimize the impact of disaster. Ultimately, to educate the people and be aware of any impending natural calamities that may occur.

Osmundo J. Perez (Punong Barangay)

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Barangay Blog

In this blog, I’ll be featuring the Brgy. 471, Zone 46, District 4, in Sampaloc, Manila particularly when faced with disasters.

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Barangay 471, is one of the 192 barangays situated here in the district of Sampaloc, Manila. Its barangay hall is located at 1219 Navarra St., Sampaloc, Manila. The population of Barangay 471 is composed of 1,872 residents. Moreover, it is composed of 7 streets namely; Antonio, Asturias, Rosario, Navarra, Juaning, Santander, and a portion of Dapitan and Laong Laan.

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This is kuya Ron-Ron Tapil, a barangay tanod in Brgy. 471, Zone 46, District 4, Sampaloc Manila. As a UST NSTP student, I was tasked to visit our barangay to talk with the officials regarding our town’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM).

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The common disasters our barangay faces are typhoons and heavy thunderstorms. Just recently, Manila was placed under signal no. 2 due to Typhoon Tisoy.

When a typhoon strikes, everyone in the community is affected. However, it is undeniable that there are people who are more affected than others most especially those who are living on the streets.

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This clogged drainages is a hazard since it cause flood to the barangay. 

Photo taken in Navarra Street.

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This tangled wires is one of the hazard I saw in this barangay since it can cause fire. This photo was taken in Navarra and Asturias Street.

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Moreover,  they also showed us their National Earthquake Drill Report. In here, they were able to conduct drills, cellphone emergency alert sent by MMDA, barangay public address system, and perform the Duck, Cover and Hold. In cases of fire post-earthquakes,, the barangay joined the fire drill of Raha Fire Volunteers of Sampaloc. Residents of the barangay participated and witnessed the emergency response of the fire department. Presence of Sampaloc Police were also sighted.

In addition to that, they also showed us their inventory DRRM facilities and equipment consisting of generator, BP Apparatus, fire extinguisher, flash light, nebulizer, first aid kit, barangay patrol, declogging materials, two way radio, megaphone and public address system.

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Talking to the barangay leaders is something I know in myself I would never do in my free time. Looking back, I found myself grateful for this task at hand because I truly learned a lot. For starters, governing requires a lot from a person – time, energy, and resources. Not to mention that it will drain out your creative juices, test your patience, and oftentimes you’ll find yourself doubting your own person. Indeed, it is not for the faint of heart. I learned that a leader should always find the balance in everything: stern or lenient, logic or emotion, yourself or others.

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Second thing I’ve learned in this task is that it is not only integration and determination that the barangay officials could give us. It requires the community to participate in activities such as the Disaster Risk Reduction drills.

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With Barangay Tanod Ron-ron

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And lastly, I discovered the small and important details of our barangay. I’ve learned that I’ve been going to this barangay for years already, and yet there are things that are still unseen to me. Knowing that our barangay exhausts itself to cater everyone and everything up to the littlest of things, I suddenly felt so ashamed for not even having the decency to at least acknowledge and appreciate their efforts. I’ve learned to open my eyes to every single thing that is happening around me. I’ve become so much aware of my position and the position of the people living in the same community as I do. In response to this, I became of aware of things that I am capable of doing. Limited as it may be, still, it’s a joy to discover that you can do so much more, be something more, not for yourself alone, but for others as well.