DRRM-CD-CO Creative & Critical Essay

· HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

                  There is no place on earth that is freed from natural disasters.  These falls under the provisions of what we call “acts of God,” or Acts of Nature.  These are events in our lives that we can say out of human control and therefore unescapable.  I am referring to events such as earthquake, tsunami, storm, lightning strike and even a tornado that no people are held answerable for it. Though we cannot blame anyone for these acts, I know we can take it upon ourselves to at least control the effects, damage, and more so   deaths as a result of natural acts and calamities.

                  This time around, I am task to do a barangay interview about disaster risk reduction management. This was a totally a different concept from what I have done during my high school years since the purpose is not just to make people happy, but trying to learn how these people in our community are when calamities strike and how  can they  be safe when natural disasters attack.

Address: 28 Commonwealth Ave, Katuparan St, Quezon City, 1121 Metro Manila

I started exploring our own barangay by making a research as to the person I can talk to in the area of disaster risk reduction management, and I happen to encounter the name of Ka Rouel Cordova, the Unit Coordinator of DRRM in Barangay Commonwealth.  I immediately called the Barangay to request for an interview schedule and they told me that I can come anytime I am free from school. 

Meet Kuya Lindon Encarnado, DRRM- Barangay  Commonwealth

Unfortunately, when I arrived, he was not there and I happen to get to talk to the other member of the Barangay Commonwealth, DRRM Team whose name is Kuya Lindon Encarnado.  After I made my courtesy, I asked kuya Lindon if I can throw him some questions as part of my interview process. I explained to him that this is a part of my requirements from my NSTP class as a second year Commerce, Marketing Management student   in UST. He welcomed me with enthusiasm so hear goes our discussion.

                  It was very interesting to know that our barangay has considered preparedness in terms of establishing different areas or locations within our community according to flood zone areas, landline prone areas, fire prone areas and earthquake prone areas.  According to kuya Lindon, Base 1, specifically identified in the area of Litex Road is the landslide prone areas. It also includes the IBP Road and Bayanihan area. In terms of flooding, it is the Upper Nawasa area under  Base 7 that is most affected because of the small drainages installed in the area. Ka Lindon said that there is a problem with the flow of water in the area causing the rain water to rapidly rise to high levels.

                  Let us look at some serious hazards that involved barangay Commonwealth. Here’s a video of a tragic situation in Lower Bayanihan landslide strike 6 years ago, which aired on GMA News:

                  

While the next video which aired on the ABSCBN News Channel, is a flood situation in the Upper Nawasa area of Barangay Commonwealth:

It is truly heart breaking to see our countrymen suffer from these kinds of situation. I just came to realize that while I am comfortable staying in a safe place in the same barangay, there are many Filipinos who suffer misfortune both from hazards and natural disasters which leave all of them hopeless.

· Vulnerability, Elements and People at Risk Assessment

In terms of vulnerability and risk assessment, Ka Lindon imparted to us that in consideration of what we call “The Big One,” and we all know that this is the anticipated big earthquake that will hit the Philippines, the greatest impact of this kind of act in our Barangay will be in Base 5 - MRB, Pilot area. These are the medium rise building situated in Pilot area 1, Quezon City, wherein there are 36 buildings consisting of five (5) floors which are already declared condemned by the city engineer of Quezon City.

According to Kuya Lindon, they have been giving notice to the residents of MRB (Medium Rise Building) to transfer to relocation sites as the building will be really too dangerous for the many families living there since the life span of the said buildings composing of 36 five (5) floors structures has been fully depreciated and are already full of cracks.

I am deeply saddened to hear from Kuya Lindon that despite the warnings that they are giving to the residents of MRB in Pilot Area, they simply put them aside and would think highly of their comfort staying there for convenience purposes. According to the people in the community, the relocation site being offered to them is too far from their work place that would also give difficulty and would translate to additional expenses as far as transportation is concerned.

· Capacity and Disaster Management Assessment

                  In my earlier sections,    I have mentioned that I was grateful to know that our barangay has seriously considered disaster preparedness in terms of establishing different areas or locations within our community according to :  flood zone areas, landline prone areas, fire prone areas and earthquake prone areas.  I assume our barangay officials are actively monitoring each and every community that encompasses our barangay.

                  I am astounded and glad to know that  our barangay have already embedded  steps as to how to respond in cases of natural disasters and hazards that may displace our community members. First is that, they have already plotted vulnerable areas in the community so that the emergency response team would already know where to proceed without even repeated instructions from the officials.

Barangay Commonwealth Map displayed in the Brgy. Hall

It is already inevitable that our barangay will have a site map of the whole area covering our barangay. Looking closer, below are the following areas that are closely being monitored in terms of fire and flood and landslide hazards:

Fire Prone Areas of Brgy. Commonwealth

I asked permission from Manang, whom she said to be okay if I can have a screenshot from her computer. It says in the map that the following areas prone to fire are the following: Kapalaran, Upper/Lower Nawasa, Calachuchi, Poinsettia,  Gravel Pit, Abris, Bayanihan Street, Omega Street, Bicoleyte, and Kasunduan Street.

                  Further below, the following are the areas prone to flooding in Barangay Commonwealth: Kapalaran, Lower Nawasa, Tarlac, Soliven Height, Ilocandia, San Pascual, Riverside Extension, Unit 3,4,5; and Kasunduan Street.

Flood Prone Areas of Brgy. Commonwealth

Lastly, landslide areas are IBP Road and Bayanihan areas as well as MRB in Pilot Area.

According to Kuya Lindon, they have series of seminars being given to the team as well as to the volunteers, such as with the fire department. They have a year on year training in the department. Also, the reason for the yearly training is that volunteers are like contractual workers. They come and go especially if these people are already able to find a more permanent job for them. Therefore, they have to train another set of new people just so the barangay can fill in new people for the department.

What I am most thankful for to know is that, our barangay’s rescue team are closely coordinated with the other rescue teams of nearby barangays. This is for the purpose of helping each other’s barangay in terms of managing disaster risk.

In terms of community program in order to manage hazards in the area, our Barangay are pursuing urban farming. The barangay is strongly encouraging our people to invest on planting leafy greens and fruits as it can be a source of food just in case needed.  In fact this can also be a tool for people in the same community to feel belongingness aside from the worthy use of their land in the area. Another program that the barangay is strongly pursuing is waste management. The community will be the first ones to benefit from the process of collecting , segregating, recycling of waste so they will have a clean and better environment.

· Safest and Hazardous Areas places, spaces, practices, lifestyle, issues in the community.

Looking at the photo above which I took a shot of, Barangay Commonwealth’s DRRM has an organizational structure in place are being headed by officials. They already have assigned people to different departments to handle matters in case of trouble such as  : security, rescue, warning , fire brigade , communications, supplies, relief, transportation, evacuation, damage control and emergency medical services. 

Safe places in the community which can serve as an evacuation centers for would be displaced members of the community due to disasters and hazards have already been identified for immediate disposition.

 

Lastly, all these preparations  would be put to waste if all these would not be cascaded down to the members of the community.