jennyrubyjaner

[jennyrubyjaner]

Community walk with Santo Domingo Barangay councilor Maila Canono Sanchez

[jennyrubyjaner]

Disaster risk reduction management in a local context.

I was tasked to perform a module in our NSTP program which consists of a to-do list that is to be done in your barangay. With the help of my local government units or LGU’s, I was able to properly assess the situation and give feedback whilst formulating a possible project proposal that would focus on the problems that our local community is facing, would or could face shortly. 

For a better understanding of the context, I was tasked to interview a member of our barangay (in my case, a barangay councilor) to gather as much insight as I can to give proper judgment on the task at hand. The interview was too long to condense it into this essay but I will share with you the focal points of our interview.

Hazard Identification (Pagtukoy ng mga Bantang Panganib)

Our Barangay is located in Angeles City which is flood-free because of its geographical location, it's relatively high compared to nearby Provinces and its far from the sea.  There is only a creek that transverse the whole City “the Sapang Balen Creek” it's water level is very manageable and to date, there is no incident record of any case of flooding. 

Per record, Barangay Sto. Domingo only suffered one disaster the eruption of  Mount Pinatubo on June 15, 1991. Our Barangay was literally buried by volcanic sand and ashes. We suffered from frequent earthquakes and its aftershocks.

Vulnerability, Elements, and People at Risk Assessment

In terms of vulnerability, just like any Barangay, we are prone to man-made disasters such as fire especially during summer or hot season, Our Barangay has several communities that are densely or overpopulated.

Should any disaster or any event that may cause harm to our citizens, the most vulnerable are the senior citizens, people with disabilities, children and those belonging to the marginalized sectors. 

In terms of difficulty after a disaster, common problems lie in terms of rehabilitation and reintegration due to a lack of funds.

The big challenge to our barangay and to our City as well as the potential hazard if our waterways and creeks will continue to be used as garbage or dumping sites for waste.

Capacity and Disaster Management Assessment

Our Barangay has an existing BDRRM, firefighter volunteers and emergency responders for vehicular related accidents. All of which undergo regular training and drills in cooperation with the City DRRM. we have barangay and Citywide DRRRM Plan, Barangay Vulnerability and Risk Mapping. 

Our City have always been an awardee of “Gawad Kalasag” (Gawad KALASAG (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan).

To wrap up the discussion, our barangay (which is located within Angeles City) does not witness any strong disasters (excluding Mt. Pinatubo eruption). That does not mean that our barangay is free from hazards and problems. Even if our barangay has not faced any problems of flooding, that does not exclude the possibility of it in the future. It was mentioned in the latter part of the interview that the looming threat was the problem regarding pollution on waterways surrounding our barangay. The growing population in our city affects us in a way that more trash is produced since there are more people in the city. Our local government struggles to keep up with the demand for waste segregation and management. This problem breeds a problem such as improper throwing of trashes on drainages and riverbeds which in time hardens and becomes difficult to remove, resulting in the blockage of flow.

As a prelude to my module 4, I wish to propose a community cleanliness drive that focuses on the drainage system of our community and the natural bodies of water surrounding it. I feel that this can be a prelude to a much more environmental-friendly movement that will help our community in numerous ways we have not thought possible.