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“Kwentuhan - UST NSTP”

As part of our prerequisite in our NSTP class, we are tasked to walk and observe our barangay. This was a great opportunity for me to get to know more my community. I reside under the city of Quezon in a barangay of diverse people; locals to foreigners, high-income earners to depressed areas.  Holy Spirit, a barangay in the District 2 of Quezon City located on the western side of National Capital Region, is home to an estimated population of 147, 500.

Sadly, at the time, I went in our Barangay Hall, the BDRRM head is not around. So, I interviewed Sir Benjamin B. Berriber, the head of the Barangay Public Safety Officer. Even though, I only get to talk with Sir Ben for a little time, I still felt enlightened about what’s truly happening in our community.

Sir Benjamin B. Berriber, Head of Barangay Public Safety 

Hazard Identification

In terms of calamity or hazards that affected our barangay, typhoons and fires are the only dangers.  The worst typhoon to hit our barangay was Typhoon Ondoy. During that year, it flooded as some of the areas in Holy Spirit are situated in low places and that there are limited, functioning drainages. Typhoon Yolanda, also hit our barangay but its damages were minimal compared to what happened in 2009 during Ondoy. The barangay officials rely on the weather forecast announced by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Fires are also frequent during summers. Houses in the depressed areas are built side by side having little to no space. Combine the heat during summer and the condition the houses are built fire outbreaks are expected.

Credit: Mark Demayo/ABS-CBN News

Vulnerability, Elements, and People at Risk Assessment

The areas that are most affected by the said hazards are the depressed areas near Luzon Avenue, places situated in low places like Don Antonio, and Holy Spirit Drive near Isidora Hills Subdivision. People living at the mentioned places would be most likely to be affected by different types of calamity or hazards. Due to their living conditions and social economic status, it’s harder for them to cope up with the effects and aftermath of a flood and, especially, a fire. From what Sir Ben said, the safest place in our community is the private subdivisions. There are also basketball court and multipurpose halls that serve as evacuation center.

There are problems that the barangay officials are currently facing. Like I said, due to the living conditions and social economic status of the people near Luzon Avenue, they are forced to steal electricity form other’s power lines which, sometimes, is the cause of a massive fire. Another problem is their incapability to make their place clean and waste-free which clogs up the drainage.

Capacity and Disaster Management Assessment

As what Sir Ben said from our “kwentuhan”, the Barangay Public Safety Officers with the Barangay Chairman do rounds within the community to warn them of the upcoming calamity like typhoon and urge them to evacuate immediately if needed. The barangay also encourages the members of the community to clean up their surroundings.

Sir Ben showed me a handmade “piggy bank” from recycled paper made by women. This is part of the livelihood project made by Councilor Estrella A. Valmocina, wife of the Barangay Chairman Felicito A. Valmocina, to help the families affected by the fire that happened last June.

Hazardous Place

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13HFylMnmVO0g02JcR-hfudeTo6yDaFII/view?usp=sharing

These are the community at the Luzon Avenue. It is the most hazardous place in the barangay due to the people living there. Not to be discriminatory; however, a lot of people are reported to pushing and using drugs in this place. Gun fights also happened. It is not the best place to be alone, especially at night. 

Safest Spaces

Compared to the hazardous places in Barangay Holy Spirit, there are numerous safe spaces. For example, Child International. They are an organization focused on helping children to end the cycle of poverty. 

Best Practices

As the saying goes, “Safety First.” The best practice my barangay does is having its own Fire Station and BDRRMC Building near the areas that are easily affected by calamities. This makes their operation efficient. The barangay have two firetrucks and one ambulance. 

With all of this information laid out, I’m amazed at how my barangay handles calamities and hazards that  may intimate others. The barangay officials, of course with the help of the members of the community, works efficiently to ensure the safety of our barangay, Holy Spirit! This encourages me to volunteer and contribute to the barangay. 

Ma. Rei Abigail P. Eblamo

C-COM-2 | CI2RUS

Barangay Holy Spirit

UST NSTP