josiahbenavidez

[josiahbenavidez]

Kuya Ryan Damgo is a barangay official in barangay San Isidro, specifically a bantay bayan officer. When I interviewed him a few days ago, we talked about the state of the barangay. He told me that San Isidro is in great shape and the barangay is a fairly safer area now. His department manages the safety of the barangay, like for example during the night (about 11 pm onwards) they approach late night roamers and ask why they’re out at that time of the night. They also manage criminal activities inside the barangay, mostly using CCTV to observe the surroundings.

Surprisingly, I didn’t know that he was also part of the barangay’s disaster readiness department. He said that they also manage the barangay’s safety and preparedness before and during calamities. He even mentioned to me about their seminar and practices on DRRM. They were taught a couple of things, from first aid to saving people from debris. His department specifically handled earthquake-related management, and they even had a competition, handled by the MMDA, which had a 100 thousand peso cash prize.

Recording of the interview: https://drive.google.com/a/ust.edu.ph/file/d/19kZejrwTpLWMSof1PzNGKaLNX3XrHYLx/view?usp=drivesdk

[josiahbenavidez]

According to kuya Ryan Damgo, there are about 5 evacuation areas in San Isidro. Namely San Isidro National High School, St. Mary of the Woods School, Holy Family Parish, San Isidro Barangay Hall, and Light of the World Academy that unfortunately we didn’t get to go to due to how far it is.

Actually, as of the moment, the barangay hall is being used as an evacuation area for the victims of the recent fire. Each family is given a tent and are allowed to stay there for an allotted period of time. The families there are given the opportunity to stay so that they would have a temporary place to stay while they are finding a new home.

[josiahbenavidez]

Now these 2 areas are some of the few open areas that are safe zones during earthquakes. They are not necessarily evacuation sites, but these areas are declared safe due to the fact that there are no high-rise buildings within the vicinity, but also its roads are wide and clear.

[josiahbenavidez]

Before, there were areas prone to flooding because they were low-lying areas. Because of this, the barangay took action and elevated those areas. Now these areas are now safe and are not flooded anymore.

[josiahbenavidez]

There are a couple of signs around the barangay stating where the evacuation areas are or where safe areas are during floods. There are also signs that determine how high the water level is during a flood. And also the holding areas during calamities. These signs are implemented to raise awareness around the community and also to lessen confusion especially during calamities

[josiahbenavidez]

Of course there is no barangay that would have 0 hazards in their community. And brgy. San Isidro is no exception. Just like in every other community, the barangay had cracked roads or misplaced objects. There are old houses that are clearly vulnerable to earthquakes because of their weak and worn out structures. The electrical lines are so tangled and if I were the electrician I would definitely be super cautious in handling those electrical lines. If an earthquake or calamity were to occur, those lines would definitely cause trouble. And lastly, the barangay had a recent fire, which was in Zanzibar street, that alone would be a dangerous area to be in. Of course some of the former residents would try to salvage any possession they had before and they would be at risk when they try to do that. And if a disaster would occur, that area would just collapse and further be in ruins.

[josiahbenavidez]

This barangay is close to my heart, because most of our church members reside from here, and personally I have a lot of memories here. This barangay can be found in makati and is beside the barangay I reside in which is brgy. Palanan.

During my kwentuhan with kuya Ryan Damgo, a barangay official in brgy. San Isidro, he stated that San Isidro is a fairly safe place and there isn’t much dangers and hazards in their barangay. Maybe there are a couple of hazardous places, but their barangay is prepared to face such disasters because of the preparations and implementations they have.