Valenzuela: Angat Malinta kahit sa Kalamidad
Dec 01, 2019
I sat down to interview Kagawad Pong de Guzman, the Kagawad and Disaster Chairman of Barangay Malinta in Valenzuela City to ask him about his thoughts on the calamities that struck the area and their preparations and response to these disasters.
When asked what was the worst calamity that hit the area, he said that it was Ondoy and Habagat that left the barangay devasted especially Pinalagad and Dulong Tangke. Kagawad Pong says that it was one of the most embarrassing moments of the barangay because of the absolute wash out of 4 out of 7 sitios.
Barangay Malinta is always alert when it comes to disasters. Valenzuela is considered as one of the places with high risk of earthquakes. Although thankfully, earthquakes has not yet struck Malinta but the barangay is surely preparing thoroughly in case of it. Valenzuela has their own alarm installed to sense calamities like earthquakes and storms and for the staff to initiate the necessary responses and start the preparations. Storms and floods are more common for the barangay says Kagawad Pong, that’s why they pay more attention to mitigating the harm done by this in particular. The people in the barangay are always tuned in to news report and weather reports for efficient and speedy announcement to its people. For fires, Kagawad Pong recalled one instance in Malinta where a fire ignited in Dulong Carnation and L. Angeles wherein children were trapped and found dead afterwards.
The most dangerous places are Pinalagad because the place has no evacuation centers available and therefore, the people needs to be evacuated to the Malinta proper. Additionally, the place has a dump site near the river. On the other hand, Dulong Tangke, prior to a storm, had an evacuation center but unfortunately, it was also drowned in flood waters. People could not evacuate because they had to pass Karuhatan to reach Malinta. Low areas like L. Angeles, Dulong Carnation, Dulong Tangke, Dulong Marcos, Pinalagad, Mariveles, Gitnang Tangke are the number one priority of the barangay when calamities arises because of their high risk to flood and lack of evacuation areas in case of fire or earthquakes. The purok leaders of these places are the first to start the preparation because these places are the ones that fill the evacuation centers. Whilst the most safe places are Balubaran, St.Jude Subdivision and Bukid proper.
Downside to these calamities are first, the suspension of classes. The classes are paralyzed because the schools are either used as evacuation centers or inaccessible because of flood. Second, the number one livelihood in Barangay Malinta is driving tricycles. Roads are inaccessible because of floods and the income for these drivers are also put into halt. Third, before, there were pigs and chickens in Malinta but after a wash out from a flood, these animals are reduced in number as well.
But let us be reminded, these calamities does not only happen to Malinta but rather, nationwide. And the fast responses and the necessary equipments are not possible and attainable without the help of the local government as well. The government from those making laws, those that helps in raising awareness about disasters and those distributing budgets for calamities along with the Barangay should work hand-in-hand for the betterment of the system when it comes to disasters and risks. The government should not skimp on budgets for the equipments because as they say, it’s better safe than sorry.
Preparedness is still the number one solution to mitigate the harm and damages done to the places in the country. It would be nice for them to invest in giving out medicines, provide evacuation areas with adequate facilities and space to hold the population of a Barangay and cleaning areas to avoid health risks and flood. Relief goods and monetary help would also help the people a lot. The government itself and the barangay should not turn a blind eye to the situation of the people and the places within the area.
A basketball court in Malinta serves as a safe place for the residences and as an evacuation area for them.
What struck me the most is when Kagawad Pong said that this should not be a one-sided thing, but rather, give and take. I do agree very much with his statement because once the barangay has done its part, the people should also do the same. No amount of budgets for preparation, equipments, medicines, infrastructure projects, cleaning programs or seminars is tantamount to discipline. The discipline should be instilled in the people first for this set-up to work. No matter how many signages saying “Bawal magtapon ng basura dito” will work if the people still throw trash near them and still litter on the streets. Despite deaths from health hazards of trash and floods caused by it, the people of Malinta still have to be constantly reminded where the proper trash cans are and why they should not litter. The blame game starts between the barangay and the people, Kagawad Pong says that trash is regularly collected by the city hall and clean up drives are held yet mindsets of people have still not changed.
A hazardous practice of the community is throwing garbage below the “BAWAL MAGTAPON NG BASURA DITO” signage and shows their lack of discipline.
Barangay Malinta partners up with Clean & Green to hold continuous clean up drives of streets and drainages. Seminars are held for the staff and for the people of the barangay, this is for them to be aware about situations and solutions and for the prior knowledge to be refreshed. Equipments like hard hats, radios and fire extinguishers are distributed to schools and sitios. The plan for their investment in 2019 has allotted a 30% quick response which they can’t utilize in just wherever they want, it can’t be used unless calamities really struck the area. Mannequins for practice, tents for evacuation, medicines, relief goods, uniforms for volunteers for easy location and even seeds to plant trees are also given budget. They also have fire trucks, life vests and boats, ambulances and flashlights are also ready and turn over to schools and purok leaders for quick response.
One of the best practices of the Barangay is the monitoring of Barangay police and having ambulances ready to be dispatched.
Risks exists everywhere and calamities and disasters can struck at the most unexpected time that is why preparedness is really the key for it. And I myself want to be part of the change by abiding these rules laid out by the barangay and educate myself about what to do and how I can help mitigate the harms done. I too, hope that you yourself can participate and be that change that the barangay, the city, the country and ultimately , the world needs.
Ending the interview with the Valenzuela pose.
I definitely learned a lot of valuable lessons from this interview and I would like to thank the staff of Barangay Malinta and Kagawad Pong de Guzman for being accommodating and sharing their plans and knowledge about DRRM.